"Brother, let's go eat meat and drink later, don't eat here." Ha Beng said to Ha Ga in Orcish language. If Ha Ga ate too, no one would drink with him later.
"Would you like one? I think it would be pretty good." Ha Ga asked with a simple, honest smile.
"No, even if I starve to death, I absolutely will not eat anything from this restaurant." Ha Beng shook his head, this time switching to Common language, enunciating each word carefully, his hands clasped in front of his chest, ready to laugh at them for ordering.
"Some people don't keep their word." Amy said softly, having somehow climbed onto a high stool behind the counter, looking at Ha Beng.
Ha Beng's expression stiffened. Hearing Amy's voice, he felt inexplicably nervous, and her words only fueled his anger. He emphasized again, "I swear on my spiked club, I absolutely will not eat it!"
Ha Beng's emotions were written all over his face, and Mo Bai could naturally see his thoughts. However, he didn't explain anything. A dish like Yang Zhou Fried Rice was meant to be enjoyed; there was no need for explanation.
Kang Di, sitting nearby, was also looking expectantly towards the kitchen. The earlier commotion seemed to have had no effect on his mood; the smile on his face hadn't even faded.
"Please enjoy." Soon, Mai Ge brought out a plate of Yang Zhou Fried Rice and placed it in front of Kang Di. He rested the spoon on the edge of the plate, and the rich aroma of the fried rice slowly spread outwards.
"This smell!" Ha Beng, who hadn't intended to turn around, suddenly brightened up. The delicate aroma was like a tickling kitten; after struggling for a moment, he couldn't help but slightly turn his head to steal a glance at the colorful plate of fried rice in front of Kang Di.
"It smells so good." Kang Di praised, looking at the fried rice in front of him with more surprise in his eyes. This was a cooking method he had never seen before.
The egg perfectly coated the rice, and five or six ingredients were expertly diced to the size of rice grains, each one almost identical, as if measured with a ruler. Moreover, with so many ingredients mixed together, it seemed to have been stir-fried in oil, yet the aroma was incredibly rich.
Before even taking a bite, the rich aroma already made his mouth water. He picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in his mouth. The flavors of the various ingredients melted in his mouth, making him close his eyes involuntarily. The rice wrapped in the tender egg was surprisingly sweet and delicious. The prawn brought out the unique freshness of the sea, and the bamboo shoots and tree mushrooms were tender and fresh, all melting into one bite. Even after swallowing, the aftertaste was endless. This feeling was truly satisfying and enjoyable.
"Gulp." Ha Beng unconsciously swallowed, then quickly looked away. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he couldn't help but steal glances at Kang Di out of the corner of his eye.
Mai Ge's lips curled up slightly. Ha Beng's little action did not escape his notice.
Amy, her chin resting on her hands, wore a thoughtful expression, her eyes lighting up as if she had seen through everything.
"It's so delicious!" Kang Di suddenly opened his eyes, gave Mai Ge a thumbs up, and immediately started stuffing spoonful after spoonful of fried rice into his mouth, not wanting to stop. His choice for lunch today was definitely right; Little Black was quite reliable.
And what's even more amazing is that after eating this Yang Zhou Fried Rice, a warm current flowed through his body, constantly relieving his fatigue, like drinking a recovery potion, but gentler, as comfortable as if tiny hands were massaging his body.
Mai Ge turned and went into the kitchen to start making fried rice for Mo Bai. It seemed like it was going to be a busy noon.
Ha Beng had lost count of how many times he'd swallowed. What started as a furtive glance had now turned half his body completely around, his eyes glued to the Yang Zhou Fried Rice in front of Kang Di, his slightly forward-leaning posture suggesting he might pounce at any moment.
Kang Di finished his plate of fried rice in no time. Looking at the plate, now completely empty, he looked up at Mai Ge in the kitchen and said, "It was so delicious! Boss, please give me another serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice."
"Okay, please wait a moment." Mai Ge replied, his hands and legs moving even faster.
"Looks...delicious." Ha Ga watched Kang Di finish his Yang Zhou Fried Rice, his face full of anticipation.
"Is it really that good?" Ha Beng couldn't help but ask Kang Di.
"I've never eaten anything better. It would be a real shame to miss it." Kang Di nodded with a smile, seemingly in a better mood, no longer holding a grudge about their earlier conflict.
Ha Beng glanced at the plate in front of Kang Di, which was cleaner than his face, then at Kang Di's face. Suddenly, he felt that the guy's smile was actually quite sincere. Aside from his overbearing tone, he wasn't so bad.
Thinking about what he had just said, Ha Beng suddenly regretted his harsh words. Going back on his word now would be too embarrassing; the girl would definitely laugh at him.
"Please enjoy." Mai Ge brought out Mo Bai's fried rice and gently placed it in front of him.
The freshly cooked Yang Zhou Fried Rice was still steaming hot, sprinkled with tender green scallions, making the brightly colored fried rice look even more appetizing, and its rich aroma wafted towards him.
Ha Beng saw Mai Ge beside him, crossed his arms again, and put on a stern face, but his eyes couldn't help but look at the Yang Zhou Fried Rice on the table, his nose twitching exaggeratedly as he sniffed it.
"Okay." Mo Bai had already picked up a spoon, scooped up a mouthful, and was eating with a satisfied expression. Although he had eaten more than ten servings, looking at the fried rice in front of him, smelling the enticing aroma, and savoring the intoxicating taste, he still felt he could eat it everyday without getting tired of it.
Glancing at Ha Beng, who was still moving his mouth, Mai Ge turned and went into the kitchen, wondering how many servings he could endure—probably the next one.
As soon as Mai Ge left, Ha Beng immediately put his hands down, placed them on the table, and looked at Mo Bai, who was enjoying his meal, and asked softly, "Boss Mo, is it really that delicious?"
"Would I lie to you?" Mo Bai pouted, took another bite, and felt the warm current relieving his fatigue—it felt so good he wanted to cry out.
"Let me have a bite, please." Ha Beng, seeing Mo Bai's blissful expression, couldn't resist any longer and leaned closer to say.
"Absolutely not!" Mo Bai immediately took the plate away, as if afraid it would be snatched, and pointed to the menu beside him. "You order yourself."
"This…" Ha Beng looked at the menu on the table, then couldn't help but steal a glance back at Amy behind the counter. He was a little conflicted. He had just spoken so confidently, even swearing with a spiked club. If he ordered now, wouldn't he be contradicting himself?
But the Yang Zhou Fried Rice smelled so good. Seeing how much Kang Di and Mo Bai enjoyed it, he couldn't resist the urge to order some.
"If anyone really wants to eat it, then Little Amy will have to pretend I didn't hear what you just said. After all, Daddy's rainbow fried rice is so delicious, it's normal to want to eat it. There's really nothing I can do with you guys." Just then, Amy sighed and turned her face away helplessly.