"Chili peppers can dispel cold, but ordinary chili peppers have no effect on the coldness in Vivian's body. Eating too many will cause physical discomfort. Could it be that this Spicy Grilled Fish has something else besides chili peppers that can dispel cold?" Michael thought to himself, picked up his chopsticks, and then picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth.
"This spiciness!"
Michael's eyes widened instantly. The spiciness of the sauce coating the fish exploded in his mouth—this wasn't ordinary chili!
It felt like countless tiny, concentrated chilies bursting in his mouth simultaneously, numbing his taste buds like they'd been pricked with needles!
So this was what they called "numbing spiciness"!
Michael suddenly understood the origin of the word "mala" (numbing and spicy). Unlike the chili peppers he had eaten before, this kind of spicy flavor with a numbing sensation was really special.
After he bit into the fish, the crispy skin wrapped around the tender flesh, and it had an unbelievable freshness—the taste of sea fish!
Because Vivian loves to eat fish, he often asks people returning from the coast to bring him some sea fish. However, most of them are dried fish. Fresh sea fish are only available when he has a flying mount, and it is very difficult to keep them fresh. Even with his status, he can only eat them once a month at most, since he is not the kind of person who would have someone make a special trip just to eat a fish.
But this grilled fish not only had no bones, but it also tasted much fresher than any other sea fish he had ever eaten. The price of such a sea fish, transported from the coast to the Chaos City, probably exceeded the 1,600 copper coins listed on the menu.
Michael, who initially thought the price of the grilled fish was a bit expensive, suddenly felt it was great value for money. Even just buying a live fish would be a great deal, let alone grilled fish cooked into such a delicious dish.
The numbing and spicy flavor envelops the delicious fish meat. With each swallow, a scalding hot stream slides down the throat and into the body, spreading throughout the limbs and bones. Like flames, it burns away excess cold and dampness from the body. Sweat glands open, and as sweat is expelled from the body, a layer of mist emanates from it, as if one is in a sauna.
"What a powerful warming effect!" Michael opened his eyes wide. The warming effect of this chili pepper was truly powerful. Even a normal person like himself had so much dampness expelled from his body. The effect must be even better for someone like Vivian who had too much coldness in her body.
Michael, who had initially been somewhat skeptical, was now completely convinced. The heat flowed through his body along his meridians, but the sensation was not painful. Instead, it felt like soaking in hot water, which was very comfortable.
"In that case, Vivian should be able to recover slowly if she just comes here to eat a serving of Spicy Grilled Fish everyday. She won't need to continue the painful magical healing, nor will she have to endure the pain of her illness anymore. This restaurant… must keep going." Michael glanced at Mai Ge. This young man was like a savior who had suddenly appeared and pulled him back from the brink of despair.
Mai Ge smiled, judging from Michael's expression that he seemed quite satisfied with the Spicy Grilled Fish. This made things easier when discussing the rankings later. There was only one day left, if the restaurant still couldn't make the list by tomorrow, the rankings mission would be a complete failure.
"Boss, give me a pot of rice, this grilled fish is so delicious, it deserves a big pot of rice to match its goodness." Michael said to Mai Ge with a hearty laugh.
"Okay, please wait a moment." Mai Ge turned and went into the kitchen, quickly returning with a pot of rice and placing it in front of Michael.
Michael ladled himself a large bowl, taking a bite of fish and a bite of rice, his face beaming with a joyful and satisfied smile. Such delicious food was simply irresistible.
Having lived with self-blame for years and unable to forgive himself, Michael felt much lighter after shedding the burden that had been weighing on his heart for so many years. Being able to enjoy a good meal was indeed a pleasant experience.
Mai Ge stood quietly to the side, watching. This man, who controlled the Chaos City and stood at the very top of the entire Nolan Continent, was now sitting alone in a restaurant eating grilled fish. Few people would believe it if they heard it.
This is the City Lord of the Chaos City, and also a father.
Judging from his expression, the Spicy Grilled Fish should have an effect on his daughter, which has improved his mood.
"Turning a chef into a doctor, I'm probably the only one who's ever done that." Mai Ge thought to himself, his expression turning somewhat strange. He assured that he absolutely did not put any medicines in the food!
After finishing the whole grilled fish and a large pot of rice at the same time, Michael put down his chopsticks and let out a satisfied burp. It had been a long time since he had spent so much time eating a meal. It would be a waste not to savor such a delicious meal today.
"Boss Mai, thank you so much for making such delicious and magically effective Spicy Grilled Fish." Michael said to Mai Ge with great gratitude.
"You're too kind, City Lord. It's only right that we chefs prepare delicious food for our guests." Mai Ge replied with a smile, wondering how to bring up the food rankings without seeming too abrupt.
"Thank you for the hospitality. I have some things to take care of tonight, so I'll take my leave now. I'll come back to try other dishes next time." Before Mai Ge could speak, Michael stood up and said, taking his hand off the table, where a dragon coin and six gold coins were clearly visible. He strode out of the restaurant.
"Hey? City Lord, as I just said, this grilled fish is on me treating a father to a taste." Mai Ge picked up the money on the table, wanting to catch up with him.
"Then consider this money as a small token for the little girl to buy some candy." Michael replied with a smile, pushing open the door and leaving without looking back.
"I haven't even mentioned the rankings yet…" Mai Ge watched Michael's brisk walk away. It seemed he really had something important to do, and he couldn't bring himself to call him back.
"Well, it seems I have no choice but to give up on this mission. I didn't even have a chance to speak to him when we were face to face. If I go to the City Lord's Mansion to appeal according to procedure, it will probably be several days before it reaches Michael, by which time the rankings will already be finalized." Mai Ge sighed and shook his head helplessly. He thought it would be a simple mission, but he didn't expect such a man-made disaster to happen. This feeling is simply infuriating!
After closing the door, Mai Ge glanced at the time, it was already 10 PM. He went upstairs to wash up and then went to bed, not thinking too much about it. There would be other missions later, and he'd definitely have another chance to unlock Häagen-Dazs.
…
"Go to Robert's mansion first, pick him up, and then return to the City Lord's Mansion." Michael said to the coachman as he got into the carriage.