noveldrama
Chapter 194 The Third VVVIP Room's Guest
Chapter 194 The Third VVVIP Room's Guest
Being barraged by so many questions, Mei felt like crying. Her emotionless facade had been broken long ago. Now, she was teetering on collapsing.
It might seem she was exaggerating and being overdramatic, but she was not. It was far from the truth.
Her friend, Yoshiko, had done so much for her. Yet, she could not handle a single task.
After what felt like an eternity, Mei took a deep breath and hesitantly answered, "Branch Leader… there's a small problem. Chef Lucian was moments away from completing the last 153 Siren's Melody Poached Eggs, but there was sabotage. The eggs… are poisoned with Voidtear Essence."
On the other end, in Yoshiko's office, she stiffened, unable to believe her ears. Continue reading at empire
Poisoned…
Voidtear Essence…
*Pa*
Yoshiko's tail flicked against a nearby shelf, sending it crashing to the ground.
For a few seconds, Yoshiko remained silent, then inhaled deeply.
While she massaged her forehead, she continued, "Explain everything and what's the situation now?"
"Three Ghouls attacked-"
After Mei finished retelling what happened, following a *Katcha* sound, two chunks of wood were taken off Yoshiko's table.
Of course, the person who had done it was none other than the frowning Newt, Yoshiko. Learning three Ghouls sabotaged her deal with James, clearly angered her.
"But Chef Lucian says he can purify the food. He's using an ingredient Duan Mu had — Essence Silk Saffron— and another ingredient that he already had. But we need more time. Can you delay the intermission?"
After Mei spoke, she held her breath, hoping that her friend could buy them the crucial time they needed.
On the other end, Yoshiko was silent for a few heartbeats. After a while, she spoke, "I can't delay the intermission. You should already know that."
Mei's heart sank. She had expected that answer… but it still hit hard.
"I know… but-"
Yoshiko interjected.
"Five minutes."
Mei blinked in surprise.
"Tell Chef Lucian he has only five minutes. That's all the time I can buy him."
Five minutes was far from ideal, but it was better than nothing. She nodded, even though Yoshiko could not see her.
"Thank you, Branch Leader. I'll tell Chef Lucian right away."
"If anything changes, let me know immediately. And Mei…" She hesitated. "Don't be too hard on yourself. It wasn't your fault.
After saying so, Yoshiko deactivated the Long-Distance Communication Device.
"Five minutes. Not bad. That's more than enough time." Lucian murmured. From the beginning, he had been quietly listening to their conversation. Now that he had enough time, he asked the System, [Can you give me a hint or guide me? You are the Gourmet Chef System.
It's your job to help me become the Transcendent Chef.]
The hint he was asking for was regarding the Essence Silk Saffron. Even after almost thirty seconds, he did not know how much saffron he should use.
He was used to using Normal Grade 0 Saffron, which, just a little, went a long way. Its flavor was potent. Furthermore, high amounts of saffron could be toxic.
If anything, Lucian wanted to avoid the scenario in which he purified a poison, while simultaneously creating another poison.
Although the poison would be less harmful compared to Voidtear Essence. At the end of the day, poison was still poison.
The System was thoughtful. After a while, it said, [Based on the concentration of Voidtear Essence in the pot, the Host will need exactly six strands of Essence Silk Saffron. Any more, and the Siren's Melody Poached Eggs will become toxic. Any less, and the amplification effect of the Essence Silk Saffron will not be effective. The purification will fail.]
[Thank you.] Lucian then grabbed exactly six delicate strands of saffron from the pouch and held them above the bowl of Starlight Vinegar. Carefully, he dropped them in, watching as the golden strands dissolved into the multicolored liquid.
—-----------------
Back in the Dragon Phoenix Auction House, following the last item won by a short old lady, audible sounds of swallowing saliva echoed in the venue.
*Creeeaak*
Countless curious and hungry gazes instantly shifted to the four doors. Attendants carrying delicious dishes walked out.
Rich fragrance wafted from the dishes quickly consuming the bodies and minds of the guests.
"Ah~! Th-that's… The Dragon's Breath Stew!"
"Elderwood Smoked Brisket!"
"Golden Dragon Keylime Pie!"
"Fiery Risotto Of Life And Death!"
"Sylvan River Eel Kebabs!"
"Are these dishes all for us?"
Meanwhile, Lily's lips were formed into a pout.
The five dishes were a few of Dragon's Feast Restaurant's most notable menu items. Created and cooked by the restaurant's famous chefs, the food was bound to be delicious.
In fact, the taste was absolutely delicious, and the restaurant was worthy of the fame and recognition that it received. Lily's tastebuds could attest to that.
But… Dragon's Feast Restaurant's food was incomparable to her Big Brother Lucian's dishes.
"It smells great. I can't wait to eat." Hervy swallowed, but for an entirely different reason.
A faceless black mask was staring at him. And even though he could not see the person's expression hidden behind the mask, from the unnatural chill his body felt, he could understand he screwed up.
Quickly, he corrected himself with a scared expression. "I was talking about Chef Lucian's Siren's Melody Poached Egg and his other dishes. I can't wait to eat them once the sun rises."
Lily snorted.
"Humph! Big Brother Lucian's dishes are the best! He's the best chef, and no one can compare to him!"
Hervy nodded his head repeatedly.
"Yes! Yes! Of course!"
"Speaking about Senior, where is he?" James suddenly asked what Lions Liver, Fenwick, and the rest had been wondering.
"The intermission period has already started," Fenwick muttered. "Did something happen?"
Garrett cautiously looked at his sister and hesitantly said, trying not to step on a land mine, "553 Siren's Melody Poached Eggs is a lot. No matter how skilled a chef is."
"Big Brother Lucian is different from other chefs. Just wait and watch. He'll arrive just at the right time like a hero saving a damsel in distress." Lily said confidently with a dreamy expression.
'She's too far gone to think straight.' They shook their heads.
On the other hand, Su Kuan, who was sitting in the second VVVIP Room laughed uproariously. He was in a good mood.
No!
He was in a great mood!
How could he not be after the Ghoul Brothers informed him of their success?
The guests' hungry reactions to his food were only a bonus.
Now, what he was looking forward to was when Chef Lucian's Siren's Melody Poached Eggs arrived. He could not wait to watch 153 miserable people writhing on the ground and begging to be saved.
'Don't blame me. Blame that brat Lucian and that greedy merchant.' Su Kuan guffawed and then shifted his gaze at the beautiful young Head Auctioneer, who looked as though she was about to speak.
'This will be good.' He thought.
Meng Ruo, situated on the platform, smiled beautifully. After coughing to attract everyone's attention to her, she spoke, "Esteemed Guests, the intermission period has arrived. As you can already tell, today's meal is special.
Not only was it prepared by Harmony City's best chefs from Dragon's Feast Restaurant, the restaurant's owner, Sir Su Kuan, ordered his chefs to prepare a few of their finest delicacies for your enjoyment."
Her smile widened as she gestured to the VVVIP Room where Su Kuan sat. "So please do thank him for his graciousness."
Instantly, like an ocean tide, the guests stood up and bowed in the direction of the VVVIP Room.
"Thank you!" They said simultaneously and then sat down.
Sometime later, as the attendants began serving the dishes, a realization occurred to them.
Chef Lucian was supposed to contribute a dish, as well — the Siren's Melody Poached Egg.
Where was the dish? Why did each table only have dishes from Dragon's Feast Restaurant?
The 553 guests, who had ordered the Siren's Melody Poached Egg rather than being curious were worried. Five Low-Grade Mana Stones was not a sum they could easily lose.
Just as the guests began questioning themselves, a voice they were now familiar with drifted down to the first floor, "Esteemed Guests, I hope you find today's feast to your liking. As always, it is on the house. As for those who ordered the Siren's Melody Poached Eggs, I ask you to kindly wait. The dishes will be served to you shortly. For now, satiate your stomachs with the five dishes.
You will not be disappointed by their tastes."
'Hmmm? Where is that brat and his eggs?' Su Kuan frowned. 'Could it be he found out about the Voidtear Essence? But that's impossible. A brat that young is too weak to sense such a profound poison.'
With that in mind, Su Kuan relaxed, confident of his guess.
"Branch Leader, if you don't mind me asking, how long do we have to wait? I came here specifically for Chef Lucian's Siren's Melody Poached Egg. After missing out on the young man's Garlic Butter And Herb Popcorn, it would be a shame to miss out on this too."
Hearing that, everyone looked in the direction of the voice. Precisely speaking, to the right of the second VVVIP Room.
"Why does that voice sound so familiar?" Someone wondered out loud.
The young girl was not the only guest curious about the owner of the voice. They all felt the voice was familiar, yet they could not pinpoint who the voice belonged to.
However, from the fact that the person could sit in a VVVIP Room, his status was definitely extraordinary.