Chapter 99 - 92: Welcome

Chapter 99: Chapter 92: Welcome

Gates looked down and saw long sections of a vegetable in the rectangular serving dish next to him. They were covered in a rich sauce, steaming hot, and exuded a uniquely captivating, savory aroma.

It was completely different from anything he had eaten at the banquet before.

Another completely new scent.

The sound of someone swallowing could be heard beside him.

Gates frowned and shot his assistant a look. He then picked up a plate and smiled at Leitel.

"Well, since you recommend it so highly, I suppose I’ll have a taste."

The vegetable had already been cut into small segments, about two inches long. He placed a small segment on his plate, speared it with his fork, and took a small, gentlemanly bite.

The next second, the smile on his face froze.

"What... what is this vegetable?"

Leitel stroked his beard and laughed. "It’s eggplant! What do you think? You couldn’t guess, could you? To make eggplant taste this good... that young lady’s skill is truly something else. I’m not going to stand here talking to you; I’m going to go enjoy myself. You should eat up, too. Try a bit of everything. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!"

Gates stood frozen, staring at the reddish-brown, saucy eggplant on his plate, cut into pieces that were still connected. He was lost in thought.

’This is actually eggplant, the one vegetable I’ve hated my entire life?’

Whether it was fried and piled high with the best, most expensive cheese for a gratin, or stewed into a mushy vegetable medley in soup, eggplant was always just a supporting player. It needed other, more delicious ingredients to give it a palatable flavor. He especially hated its unique texture; if it wasn’t prepared properly, it was like chewing on a sponge—the exact mouthfeel he despised.

He didn’t even allow his own restaurant to sell eggplant.

’But this dish...’

’How is it so crispy it makes a CRUNCH sound when I bite into it?’

’The inside is soft, tender, and piping hot, without a hint of that spongy texture I hate so much.’

’And what in the world is this sauce?’

’How can it have so many layers of flavor?’

’First, it’s a rich, sweet-and-sour flavor that whets the appetite. Then, a hint of spice blossoms on the tip of the tongue. Finally, the savory umami of the sauce lingers.’

’Salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and umami, with the aromas of garlic, scallion, and spices all mixed together... All I want right now is a big bowl of rice to go with it!’

"Fish-Fragrant Dragon Eggplant..."

Gates murmured the name of the dish, and his eyes suddenly shot wide open.

’How can a vegetarian restaurant have fish?!’

’Who sold it to her!’

’This is against the rules! It’s cheating!’

He narrowed his eyes and turned to give his assistant an order, only to find that the man had already filled his plate with the Dragon Eggplant at some point and was reaching for even more.

"Give that to me!"

His mouth moved faster than his brain.

Gates looked at his outstretched hand. It was too late to pull it back.

"I didn’t quite catch the flavor just now. I’ll try it again," he said, his expression unchanged.

"Yes, sir."

The assistant carefully placed the portion of Dragon Eggplant onto his boss’s plate, then shot a quick glance at the corner of his boss’s mouth.

’He even licked the sauce clean.’

’And he still didn’t catch the flavor?’

Gates cleared his throat, his expression tense.

"The Dean instructed us to try a bit of everything. Go get me a little of each dish. I’ll taste them... for my evaluation."

"Of course."

The assistant set a plate down on a nearby table and went to get the food.

He thought it would be a quick process, but there were far more dishes than he’d imagined. There were even freshly made griddle cakes and hand-rolled spring rolls filled with vegetables and dried tofu.

In the end, four full plates of main dishes, a plate of various staples, a plate of snacks, and a plate of flatbreads were placed in front of Gates.

The assistant was about to go back for more, but Gates reached out and stopped him.

"That’s enough... don’t get any more."

"Let’s eat..."

The assistant glanced at his boss’s stiff expression, knowing full well the reason behind it.

’Even the Holy River Restaurant might not be able to offer this many options for a buffet.’

’And they did it all with vegetarian food.’

’It’s a total slap in the face.’

The assistant sighed internally, feeling sorry for his boss.

He sorrowfully took a bite of a freshly baked pocket bun, and in the next second, all his boss’s troubles were forgotten.

But Gates didn’t blame him, because he soon forgot about it himself.

As they glumly feasted, the number of guests on the second floor had, without them noticing, begun to swell.