Anyone from River City, or anyone who's spent some time there, knows about *Elysian Feast*. It's a massive conglomerate offering dining, entertainment, accommodation, fitness, and exclusive clubs. In River City, *Elysian Feast* dominates all the industries it operates in. If *Elysian Feast* offers something, it's guaranteed to be the best in the city.
Of course, *Elysian Feast* doesn't cater only to the wealthy. It's divided into two sections: *Paradise* and *Earth*, aimed at different consumer groups. Although both sections provide similar services, the pricing and level of luxury are worlds apart. A glass of wine might cost $10 at *Earth*, but at *Paradise*, it could be $10,000 or more.
Grant's father is one of the major shareholders of *Elysian Feast*. As soon as they parked, someone came up to greet them. Grant casually tossed his car keys to the valet and led the group confidently into the *Paradise* restaurant.
Mike and old Louie, having been to *Elysian Feast* before, were used to its luxury. But it was Ethan's first time, and he felt a bit out of place. The restaurant appeared from the outside like a towering palace, and inside, everything screamed luxury. Plush red carpets covered the floors, so soft that walking on them made you feel as if your body was floating. At the entrance was a jade-enclosed rock garden and koi pond, where golden fish swam playfully. All around were elegantly dressed diners, making Ethan, in his tank top and shorts, stand out even more.
"Hey man, stunned by all this? Let's head upstairs," Mike said, pulling the dazed Ethan along.
Grant was already seated in *Paradise Suite No. 8* and had begun ordering with enthusiasm. In high spirits, he ordered a dozen dishes before handing the menu to Ethan.
"Here, buddy, order whatever you like."
Ethan took the menu and was immediately taken aback by the prices. Even the cheapest dishes started at $800, with many well over $1,000. He thought to himself, *This isn't just a meal; it's practically eating money. This dinner is going to cost tens of thousands...*
Seeing Ethan hesitate, Mike leaned in and whispered, "Don't worry about it, man. Grant's loaded."
Ethan bit his lip and pointed to a dish priced at $888. "I'll just have the golden squash," he said, quickly passing the menu to Mike, as if it were a hot potato.
When Grant heard Ethan order the golden squash, he laughed, putting an arm around Ethan's shoulders. "What a coincidence! When this place first opened, that was the very dish that caught my eye!"
Ethan blinked in confusion, wondering if there was something special about the dish. Could it be something that was meant to be admired but not eaten? He quickly dismissed the thought. If it was on the menu, it had to be edible.
Mike, unlike Ethan, wasn't holding back. He ordered Beef Bourguignon, lobster, and several other meat dishes, showing his true carnivorous nature by not ordering a single vegetable.
The menu eventually made its way back to Grant, who casually said, "And open a bottle of '82 Lafite. That's it."
The waiter, impeccably trained, gracefully accepted the menu, backed out of the room, and closed the door with barely a sound.
Grant, still with his arm around Ethan, gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. "You're tougher than you look, man. This muscle is like a rock!"
Ethan shifted away, grinning as he replied, "Well, these muscles aren't for you to squeeze. I'm into girls, bro."
"Get lost! Hahaha..." Grant burst out laughing and once again reached for Ethan's shoulder, but Ethan, like a startled cat, jumped up and quickly moved over to sit beside Mike. He pushed the big guy toward Grant and said with a smirk, "Here, you can squeeze *his* muscles all you want."
"Come on, man, that's not fair!" Mike pretended to pout, his chubby face twitching as he playfully said, "If Mr. Grant is into this body, I'd happily offer up my butt!" He then shot a mock flirtatious glance at Grant.
"Cut it out! I like girls too!" Grant laughed, waving it off.
Perhaps because he came from a wealthy background, Grant had always been surrounded by sycophantic friends. According to him, friends were either "pots" or "partners" – the former for feasting, and the latter for sharing the spoils. These so-called friends were mostly there for the benefits that came with his wealth. After being around such people for too long, even Grant got bored.
In fact, Grant was lonely. His only true friend was Mike, or "Piggy" as he called him. Now, he was also beginning to feel a connection with Ethan – someone who acted freely and without pretense.
Soon, the food and wine were served. The waitress, holding the bottle of Lafite, presented the label to Mr. Grant. After he gave a slight nod, she skillfully opened the bottle and poured the wine.
Ethan, attempting to act refined, raised his glass of crimson liquid, sniffed it, and then, in one gulp, downed the entire thing. He smacked his lips and frowned. "This wine's a bit off… like it's gone bad."
Pffft—
Mike and Grant both spat out their wine, coulden't stop laughing, barely managing to avoid spraying it all over the food. If they hadn't turned their heads in time, half the dishes on the table would've been ruined. This guy was too much—claiming an '82 Lafite was spoiled!
"Man, you're one of a kind!" Grant laughed so hard he doubled over, thinking, *This guy is a riot.*
Ethan blushed, realizing his mistake. Scratching his head awkwardly, he muttered, "Who knew red wine was supposed to taste a bit funky? Beer's got more kick, anyway."
Life was unpredictable. Yesterday, Ethan couldn't even afford rent. Today, he was dining at the most luxurious hotel in River City. He had no prior experience with high-end wines and didn't know there was an art to it. Ignorance is bliss, after all.
"Yeah, beer's definitely more refreshing than this sour stuff. Here, try some of this golden squash," Grant said, still chuckling. He carefully placed a golden foil-wrapped item from his plate into Ethan's bowl.
Ethan's eyes lit up. He peeled off the foil, and a sweet aroma wafted out. The golden squash was finally revealed—it was a perfectly roasted sweet potato.
"An $888 roasted sweet potato... I've seen it all today," Ethan sighed, shaking his head before taking a bite. Despite its humble origins, the sweet potato tasted incredible after being prepared by a top chef. Still, back in his hometown, $800 could buy an entire truckload of sweet potatoes.