Chapter 27: Is There Something Wrong with the Meat?

"It is no matter! One cannot be blamed for what one does not know, and besides, you were merely speaking up for me," Shen Xuan said in a gentle and nonchalant tone.

Seeing that An Miaoyu still looked somewhat embarrassed, Shen Xuan asked directly, "I wonder what you would like to eat? Since we have met, it is fate. Anything you consume today at Jun You Lai shall be on me."

"Really? Then I want to try those... what do you call them? Lamb skewers! Let’s start with five. And those grilled vegetables, and the grilled eggplant—bring three of each! Also..."

Upon hearing Shen Xuan's words, An Miaoyu’s eyes lit up. She reeled off the names of several skewers, clearly having done her homework beforehand.

"Very well, wait a moment; the skewers will be ready shortly." After noting down everything An Miaoyu wanted, Shen Xuan headed toward the kitchen.

Before long, a large platter of skewers was brought to the table. Both An Miaoyu and Xiao Ying’s eyes shone. Smelling the mouth-watering aroma, they nearly drooled.

"Miss! It smells divine! Let this servant taste it for you first," Xiao Ying said, reaching out to grab a skewer.

An Miaoyu saw this, gave her a light tap on the hand, and said with feigned annoyance, "What is the rush? If anyone is to eat first, it should be your mistress."

With that, An Miaoyu picked up a meat skewer and took a bite. As the lamb entered her mouth, she felt a burst of spicy, savory flavor explode, dancing across her taste buds.

"Delicious! Truly delicious!" An Miaoyu narrowed her eyes, her expression comically exaggerated as she sighed with pleasure while eating.

"Is it really that good? Miss, you’re being too dramatic, aren't you?" Watching An Miaoyu’s blissful expression, Xiao Ying thought it was a bit much. Even if it was tasty, there was no need to look as if she were in the throes of first love.

With that thought, Xiao Ying picked up a skewer of eggplant, grilled to be crispy on the outside and tender within, and took a big bite. The next moment, her eyes widened. As she savored the unique texture, her expression was no less intense than her mistress’.

As time passed, the restaurant’s business grew increasingly brisk. Every guest leaving Jun You Lai had nothing but praise. Word spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred. Soon, news traveled down Vermillion Bird Street that a restaurant called Jun You Lai served skewers so delicious they were not a whit inferior to those Shen Xuan had prepared a few days prior.

Hearing this, although many were skeptical, the memory of those exquisite skewers a few days ago ultimately compelled them to come and see for themselves. Once they arrived, there was no one who left without placing an order.

Seeing the business booming, Shen Xuan and his companions were rushed off their feet. Even Liu Ruifeng had been pressed into service as manual labor, working until he was drenched in sweat. Yet, none of them complained; on the contrary, they found joy in the bustle.

"Delicious! These skewers are truly fragrant!"
"Indeed! We must come here often!"

The restaurant was nearly full, and as the diners ate, they exchanged praises, creating an incredibly lively scene.

Just then, a few men walked in from outside. The leader, a cold-faced youth, glanced at the lively scene with a flicker of displeasure. He scanned the room and strode directly toward a table.

"You, get up! We want this table." The cold youth brought his men to a diner, knocked on the table, and spoke with icy indifference.

"Who are you? Why should I—" The diner, who was in the middle of eating, was about to start cursing upon hearing this. But as he looked up and locked eyes with the youth, he couldn't help but shiver. The words died in his throat, forcibly swallowed back. He felt as if a viper were staring him down, and he felt deeply uneasy.

The diner glanced at the men behind the youth and realized they were not to be trifled with. To avoid trouble, he said nothing, lowered his head, and scurried away.

"Sir! You haven't paid yet!" Gu An, who was settling bills behind the counter, saw this and hurriedly ran out to call after him. But the customer had already vanished into the distance; there was no way a scholar like Gu An could catch him.

"Is there no one in this restaurant? We have been sitting here for ages, and not a single soul has come to serve us!" Just as Gu An was contemplating whether to report the matter to the authorities, the cold youth shouted loudly.

"Coming! Coming!" hearing the call, Gu An responded and hurried over. "My good sir, what would you like to eat?" he asked politely.

"Look, there are a few of us here. You decide what to serve. As long as we are well-fed, there will be no shortage of silver," the youth glanced at Gu An and said dismissively.

"Understood! Please wait a moment, the skewers will be ready shortly," Gu An thought for a moment and agreed without refusal.

"Right, bring us a few jars of your finest wine as well," the youth added.

"Very well, please wait a moment while I arrange it," Gu An said, then hurried away.

Soon, several large platters of skewers and two jars of wine were brought over by Lin Gui. "Please enjoy!"

After Lin Gui left, the cold youth looked at the visually appealing and fragrant skewers before him and casually picked one up to examine it. One of his companions smelled the aroma and couldn't help but swallow hard, his expression full of longing. The youth cast a sharp glare at him, frightening the man into lowering his head, not daring to look again.

The cold youth snorted, withdrew his gaze, and took a bite. After chewing a few times, his expression shifted violently. He spat the meat out and roared with a livid face, "Pah, pah, pah! Damn it! What is wrong with this meat? Why does it taste like sour rot in my mouth?!"

The youth’s shout drew the attention of every other guest in the restaurant.

"Sir, surely you must be joking. All our ingredients are fresh; how could there be a problem?" Gu An, hearing this, hurried over and said with a forced smile.

"What? You think I’m spouting nonsense? The meat is right here. If you don't believe me, come and taste it yourself," the youth sneered, pointing at the platter of skewers with a mocking expression.

Seeing the man's absolute conviction, Gu An furrowed his brows. He stepped to the table and looked at the skewers on the plate, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. It was indeed the same dish they had just served; the aroma and color were unchanged, and it didn't look like it had been tampered with.

If the guest wasn't lying, could it be that the meat was truly spoiled? With a heart full of suspicion, Gu An picked up a skewer and took a bite. The initial taste seemed normal, but after chewing twice, his expression changed drastically. He felt a wave of putrid, sour stench surge straight to his skull, and he couldn't help but spit the meat out.

"This! How is this possible!" Gu An stared at the skewer in his hand, his voice filled with disbelief.