Chapter 1392: A Culinary Experience
Over there, 201 and 202, along with a couple of players who had entered yesterday, got into a conflict with several players who had just entered the restaurant. The cause of the conflict was three ordinary people who had come in together.
These three were dressed in formal attire, with exquisite makeup and expensive jewelry, looking as if they were heading to a formal occasion. Their appearances were very striking, and they attracted a lot of attention as soon as they entered. Some people with no moral lower limit immediately took action, reaching out to touch them, only to be slapped across the face by the woman in front.
Regardless of how that slap landed, there was no way it would end peacefully. The man's companions immediately stood up, intending to tear the women apart. Unexpectedly, the woman who had struck him possessed an item. A blue arc of light enveloped the three of them while simultaneously electrocuting all the hands that reached out, sending them recoiling back.
To players, ordinary people carrying items were like walking item racks. In just a few seconds, the woman's items had fallen into the hands of the previous player. With no defense left, the three naturally became lambs for slaughter. The woman who had acted showed some courage, though terrified, she loudly cried out to others for help.
The three were exceptionally beautiful, and there were quite a few willing to help, but most chose to watch. Who knew if the woman had any other items? Rescuing a beauty was a good idea, but one also had to be careful not to fall into a trap.
Just as those players were about to tear off the woman's clothes, 201 and his companions stepped in to stop them. The two sides were now in a standoff.
"Just a small trouble," Xu Huo said, walking over and standing beside 201. He smiled and said, "Why make things so ugly? When it comes to making friends, it's best if both parties are willing."
"Who do you think you are…" The leading man, emboldened by his numbers, arrogantly stepped forward. But before he could finish his sentence, he was sent flying into the wall behind him. He spat out a mouthful of blood, fell to the ground, and lost consciousness.
Xu Huo had acted too quickly. The others hadn't even seen how it happened. In the blink of an eye, the man standing beside them was taken down… The few players who reacted immediately stepped back.
"Ding!" Xu Huo lit a cigarette. Through the slowly rising smoke, he smiled slightly. "I can't stand bullying men and women. Such a nice restaurant, everyone should just eat in peace. It's good for you, and good for me."
The player lying on the ground still hadn't gotten up. No one cared whether he was dead or alive, and of course, no one would stand up for him. The rest remained silent, and the matter was considered settled.
"You three should sit with us," 201 said to the three women.
All three were badly shaken. After forcing themselves to calm down, they nodded.
Dai Song, Maris, and the others had no objection to their arrival. In fact, they simply ignored them, which actually made the three women relax a bit.
There were several other ordinary people who had entered the restaurant today. Seeing this, they watched for a while before silently moving closer to Xu Huo's group, including a few players who had been injured upon entering.
Someone sneered, "Do you really think there are good people in this world?"
It wasn't a matter of good or bad people. Everyone was a stranger; who could appear any safer? On the other hand, Xu Huo's side was different. Whether he was genuinely doing a good deed, standing up for his companions, or arrogant enough to believe no one was a match for him, the fact that others knew he wasn't to be trifled with was enough. That was the opportunity the weak had to seize, because no one wanted to die.
Music began to play in the restaurant. The waitstaff ignored the unconscious man and started moving through the restaurant with menus.
After Xu Huo ordered his food, 201 took the menu and said to the three women, "The dishes he ordered are the ones we had yesterday. They taste great. You should try them too. Actually, many dishes on the menu are delicious. The first three days are free for room and board, so feel free to order more and try them."
This made one of them almost cry. "Do we have to stay here tonight too?"
"That's hard to say," 201 said, glancing at 202. The female player 202 spoke in a gentle tone, "We're also trying to figure out how to clear the instance. No matter what, we need to eat first to keep up our strength. Instances aren't like the outside world. By the way, you don't know the instance content, do you? Just vote for the dish you think tastes the best."
"Is it that simple?" The woman who had struck the man perked up a little. "I'm in the food and beverage industry. I'm well-recognized in the culinary field. Tasting dishes isn't a problem… I wonder if that would help with clearing the instance?"
"That's great!" 202 said happily. "We've just been eating and drinking like gluttons, unable to say what's good about the dishes. You can explain it in detail to everyone."
"We've been talking for so long, but we don't even know your name."
"My name is Li Ya. These are my companions, Wang Jie and Pan Tongtong." Li Ya quickly introduced herself and the others, adding, "They're also in the food industry. They have expertise in eating."
Pan Tongtong, whose eyes were red, quickly nodded. "I can taste dishes too. Wang Jie is even a writer specializing in food columns!"
"Don't be so nervous," 202 said patiently. "We don't need you to taste every dish in the restaurant. Just order a few casually first."
She and 201 placed their orders first. The dishes they chose were slightly different, but they both ordered the ones Xu Huo had ordered.
Li Ya was a smart woman. She ordered all the signature dishes for the three of them, then added a few more based on the menu.
Those sitting nearby followed suit, which even encouraged some players to do the same.
Li Ya and her companions were professionals. They quickly gave their verdict. "Every dish is excellent, but this secret recipe grilled meat is the best. The meat should be from a mutated species called Round Ox, originating from a high-risk zone. This kind of ox doubles in weight after evolution, so it has a lot of activity, making its meat quite chewy. Only a chef with exceptional skill could make it so tender and delicious, ensuring both nutrition and taste."
"Although the ingredients developed now are diverse, because evolved animals are harder to cook than ordinary ones, many dishes can't achieve perfection while preserving nutritional value. The natural flavor of the ingredients can't be fully brought out. For this grilled meat to reach this level shows the chef's skill… Just based on this dish alone, I would be willing to offer a salary more than three times that of my restaurant's head chef to hire them!"
The restaurant fell silent. Many people stared at her. Li Ya's lips trembled slightly. "I'm sorry, I said too much…"
"Not at all," Maris said. "It's just unexpected to hear a food critique in a setting like this."
This should have been normal life, but the fact that it was happening in normal life made the players seem abnormal.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!" Xu Huo applauded. "Truly a gourmet. Hearing you say that makes it even more memorable."
"My mouth is watering just listening!" A big-bearded man nearby laughed heartily and called the waiter over. "I want to try this grilled meat too!"
The restaurant became lively again.
(Chapter End)