"That sounds like a lot of fun," Ming smiled after hearing the story. He also realised what was about to happen to him, based on the information that he could obtain from the story.
"We are about to eat something very spicy, aren't we?" Ming asked apprehensively.
"What do you mean? Hehe." Ming Yue Guang feinted ignorance. "We are just having their famous Mala Tang set."
"…"
"Besides, you did say that you could handle spicy food."
"Judging from what you told me, the spicy level wasn't exactly what I was expecting."
"Well, we shall see." Soon after Yue Guang had said that the waiter had brought out the portable heater for the boys. A large bowl of Mala Tang was served for the pair. Inside the red, oily, piping hot broth, were two big portions of meat given to them courtesy of the Da Jie. A strong spice aroma lingered and tickled Ming's nose. Before, Ming could tell just from walking up the steps of the restaurant that the Mala soup speciality was no joke. Having the dish in front of him further reassured his claims.
"Let's dig in." Ming Yue Guang did not stand on ceremony and proceeded to scoop out a hot bowl of broth and meat. As he stirred the pot, a huge wave of vapour escaped from the layer of hot oil. The vapour soon entered Ming's nose, to which he could feel his hair standing up throughout his body. The smell of the dried chilli used to boil in the Mala Tang was simply overwhelming.
Ming picks up a small piece of meat from the big pot. He looked at the senior student sitting in front of him. Yue Guang looked more than ready to eat. Ming asked worriedly, "Are you sure this will not kill me?"
"No, no. I'm sure you can handle it." Ming Yue Guang takes a big mouthful of meat and rice. His eyes closed, fully enjoying his meal just with his mouth. "Mmm…"
While Yue Guang ate his food deliciously, Ming watched the young man eat. The way his saviour ate the food really resembled Sato. There was an inexplicable joy in these people when it came to eating delicious food. Ming wasn't one to indulge himself in good food. He usually ate to get over hunger. Just watching Ming Yue Guang devour his entire bowl of Mala Tang meat made the young man gulp down his saliva. He wanted to try it out now.
As soon as Ming place the meat in his mouth, a tsunami of umami and spice explodes throughout his mouth. A numbing feeling wraps around his tongue, incapacitating his sense of taste. There was only one feeling that he could process in his head there and then. He exclaimed, wide-eyed, "It's so spicy! *coughs*"
"Hahaha! Do you like it?" Yue Guang asked curiously. He was already sweating from the heat radiating from the chilli spice.
"No! How do you even eat something this spicy? *Cough*" Ming took the glass of water and gulped it down quickly. There was still a weird feeling of numbness and the spiciness did not wane after drinking water.
"I suggest you eat quickly and just focus on the taste of the food. The spiciness does not get better over time, Hahaha!" Yue Guang advised as he devoured his food, going back for another serving of meat and broth.
"Fine!" The pale prince could only accept his fate. The saving about all of this was that the Mala Tang was actually tasty. There was also an addictive feeling that lingered in the back of Ming's head. It was whispering to him, asking him to go back for more.
With every additional bite, another strong wave of flavour and pain runs over Ming. He followed suit of Yue Guang and continued to eat the meat with rice. His head was soon covered in sweat, actual sweat. Who would've thought that he would be sweating out in the cold weather in December? Even the heater under the table felt excessive. Ming Yue Guang had even taken off his jacket to enjoy his meal in close to zero degrees weather.
By the end of the meal, Ming was absolutely stuffed. He had drunk a whole jug of water by himself, while Yue Guang stayed strong and had only drunk his cup of water when finished with the food. The second-year student looked as if his soul had exited his body from the constant rush of pain, while the final year student looked energetic as ever and was ready to run a whole marathon.
"So, how did you like the food?" Ming Yue Guang grinned while asking.
"I hate you." Exhausted, Ming forced out the three words from his mouth.
"Hahaha! You seem to be in a lot of pain."
"What do you think.." While Ming laid his arm and head on the table, Ming Yue Guang took out a piece of tissue from his bag and proceeded to clean off the sweat from Ming's head.
"Don't sit in the cold with a whole head of sweat. You will fall sick." The sweet act from Yue Guang made Ming blush. He quickly took the tissue from Yue Guang's hand and cleaned it himself.
"Th..Thank you." Ming said.
When the pair was ready, they headed downstairs where Ming Yue Guang paid for the meal as promised. He even purposely went ahead so that he could foot the bill before Ming came down.
"Little boy, why haven't you come to visit the restaurant recently?" The grandma by the entrance missed Ming Yue Guang's presence. He used to come here often and would chat with her.
"Sorry, Grandma. There were many things going on this past year. I could only make time in the past few days to come here." The little boy in grandma's heart explained honestly. He enjoyed the company and food in this restaurant. Yet, internships, examinations and lastly, his father's passing had delayed his visits.