Chapter 106: This Is Not the Best Time to Bring This Up

As a premier Chinese specialty restaurant, the Jade Pavilion enjoyed widespread renown throughout the nation. Each year, it attracted a host of affluent food enthusiasts from both home and abroad, all eager to savor its exquisite cuisine.

Why, one might ask, was the clientele predominantly composed of wealthy gourmands? Naturally, it was the steep prices that set the establishment apart.

The waitstaff at Jade Pavilion were, by necessity, of impeccable caliber. Among their regular patrons were celebrities, notable figures, and scions of affluent families—none of whom would be satisfied by anything less than flawless service.

Usually, a larger party was preferable, as groups tended to spend far more than solitary diners. Yet, when Luo Chen and his companions—a party of five—entered the Jade Pavilion, the attending waiters found themselves uncertain how to respond.

While the staff might not have remembered other guests distinctly, Luo Tianyi’s angelic visage paired with her prodigious appetite was etched clearly in their memories. Previously, when she had come to dine without invitation, it had been with just one companion. This time, however, she had brought an entire entourage.

Though the pavilion’s owner did not impose restrictions on guest numbers, Luo Tianyi had always maintained a small party when freeloading—never dragging family or friends along to take advantage. As such, both the owner and the staff held her in some regard.

Even if her individual consumption rivaled that of a whole group.

This tacit understanding explained the waiters’ dilemma when faced with the sizeable party. The dishes at Jade Pavilion were costly; a single table’s feast could easily total tens of thousands in currency. The staff hesitated—should they accept the party or consult the owner first? They had been caught entirely unprepared.

After exchanging glances, the hesitant waiters dared not approach. Finally, a young, delicate-looking waitress stepped forward with some hesitation.

“Good evening. Five guests in total? Please, follow me inside.”

No matter the circumstances, as employees of Jade Pavilion, they could not afford to slight any customer—even one they suspected might not pay.

“Yes, five. And this time, we will be settling the bill,” Luo Chen replied, noting the waitress’s formal smile. He guessed that the staff suspected his party of freeloading, given their reactions upon his arrival.

Realizing their mistake, the waitress blushed and bowed apologetically before leading Luo Chen and his group to a window-side table.

Such minor incidents did not anger Luo Chen. Most of the staff were not wealthy; their reluctance was understandable, given the weight of a bill that could easily reach into the tens of thousands. They simply wished to avoid bearing responsibility for a potential loss or reprimand.

“Steamed shrimp, sweet and sour carp, hairy crabs, Dongpo pork knuckle... hmm, that’s all for now. How about you?” Luo Tianyi eagerly scanned the menu, ordering more than ten dishes in rapid succession before handing the menu to Luo Chen with a satisfied smile.

“I won’t order anything else. What about you?” Luo Chen refrained from stopping her from choosing so lavishly. After all, there were five of them today—it would be unreasonable for them to leave hungry after such a rare outing.

This amount was about right. Luo Chen glanced at the others; seeing them shake their heads, he signaled the waitress to take the menus away.

Witnessing Luo Tianyi’s extensive order, Le Zhengling, who had considered selecting some expensive dishes to stir Luo Chen’s concern, abandoned the idea. Instead, she cast a peculiar look at the siblings, wondering if their relationship was perhaps strained. Otherwise, why would the sister so blatantly exploit her brother?

“Do you think we can finish all this?” Dai Xinhua queried, eyes wide as Luo Tianyi rattled off the long list of dishes. There were only five of them, and both she and A Ling ate modestly. Tianyi and Yan He were likely similar. Was Luo Chen truly capable of consuming so much?

“We will. You’ll see soon enough,” Luo Chen replied, meeting the puzzled gaze directed at him. He recalled that not long ago, he had shared the same doubts. As it turned out, when the food was delicious enough, his sister could eat astonishing amounts.

Yet how she managed to eat so much without gaining weight remained a mystery. Luo Chen scrutinized Luo Tianyi, who patiently awaited the meal. Slender arms, slim legs, a flat chest—perhaps the food simply vanished without a trace?

The Jade Pavilion’s service was swift. Soon the array of dishes arrived, each a feast for the senses. Luo Chen’s pangs of guilt at the expense lessened as he beheld the vibrant, aromatic delights before him.

The ten or so dishes on the table were mouthwatering, stirring the appetite. Yet Luo Chen, still nursing his worries, did not reach for his chopsticks. The others exchanged glances, hesitant to start first.

Even Luo Tianyi, poised to dig in, paused. No one wished to break the silence; the girl fretted for a moment before a sudden idea brightened her eyes.

Under the watchful gaze of the others, she picked up a large shrimp with her chopsticks and fed it to Luo Chen. Nodding cheerfully, she seemed to say, “Since Luo Chen starts, all is well.” Then she began eagerly consuming the food before her.

“*Cough, cough, cough...*” Luo Chen nearly choked on the shrimp as he was caught off guard. Seeing that Le Zhengling and the others still had not touched their food, he realized his oversight. Casting a sharp glance at his sister, he offered a sheepish apology to the group before picking up a piece of pork knuckle himself.

The quality of the Jade Pavilion’s cuisine justified its price. Rich but not greasy, fresh without being mundane—no matter how many times one visited, the uniqueness of Chinese gastronomy never failed to inspire admiration.

The restaurant was not merely a place to savor food; it also offered ancient-style musical accompaniment to enhance the dining experience. Its theme song remained the venerable “Ode to the Millennium Cookbook.”

Yet Luo Chen was surprised to find that among the other traditional melodies, the playlist included a recent piece by Luo Tianyi, “Dominion Over the World.” Such an upbeat, fast-paced song seemed out of place in this refined setting.

Fortunately, the management recognized this as well. After playing it once, they promptly switched to more fitting selections, restoring the soothing ambiance befitting the Jade Pavilion.