A new item had appeared at the stall, vibrant and pulsating, resembling a round artistic crystal lamp come to life.
[Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles]: A perfect culinary masterpiece that melds wisdom and courage, self-created by the Culinary God. Consuming it may lead one to become a culinary fanatic, complete with unexpected surprises. 666 gold coins per serving (automatically bound and non-tradable upon sale, limited to one serving per person per day).
"Zhao Shen, what is this? Is it truly a delicacy? It looks more like a crystal sculpture," inquired the bespectacled man.
"Ah, you'll only know once you purchase it. Why so chatty? Haven't you figured out Zhao Shen's personality by now?" Doudou, with expertise, promptly bought a serving without batting an eye at the 666 gold coin price.
Experience told him that Zhao Shen's creations were undeniably worth the cost, even if this price had indeed skyrocketed.
...
"Zhao Shen, your prices have doubled, yet the portion remains so small?" Mu Yichun couldn't help but voice his observation, as the plate of Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles appeared diminutive compared to his stature.
"Seriously, this fiery red dish isn't spicy, is it?" The thin man frowned as he spoke.
"Indeed," Zhao Shen replied calmly, unfazed by the inquiry.
On any ordinary day, the thin man would have been picky to the point of hurling the plate away over the slightest dissatisfaction, especially with such a spicy offering early in the morning. However, his past experiences assured him that Zhao Shen's culinary skills would not leave room for complaints. Thus, in this moment, he found himself torn between the desire to eat and his hesitation.
Zhao Shen, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil within the thin man's heart, asked, "Aren't you going to take a bite?"
An unusual tension gathered in the air; this was perhaps the first time Zhao Shen had expressed such an invitation since their acquaintance. Typically, his demeanor suggested a take-it-or-leave-it attitude, yet today he was proactively inquiring.
When things deviate from the norm, there tends to be more than meets the eye. Even with the tantalizing dish before him, the thin man hesitated just a bit longer.
...
Meanwhile, Doudou could barely contain his eagerness as he lifted the Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles to his mouth. The other three turned instinctively to watch him.
"Mm… mm, ah! … Mm, ah, mm, mm… ah! Mm, ah, mm… ah, ah, ah…"
With his eyes partly closed, Doudou shook his head vigorously, resembling someone in a state of euphoric delirium.
"Come on, what's the verdict? Is it good?" The bespectacled man urged, growing anxious. This exaggerated reaction left him wondering just how delicious the dish could be.
Doudou remained silent, opening his tear-filled eyes, his cheeks flushed. His actions spoke volumes as he aggressively stuffed more noodles into his mouth, akin to a ravenous dog.
Upon witnessing this, the bespectacled man realized that the noodles must be so delicious that Doudou was rendered speechless. He muttered under his breath, cursing Doudou for his lack of camaraderie; how could one be so selfish in the face of culinary delights?
Mu Yichun soon followed Doudou's lead, eagerly lifting his plate as if fearing he'd miss even a second of indulgence.
"I say, you guys are quite inconsiderate! At least tell me if it's spicy, and just how hot it is! Will it set my stomach ablaze?"
The thin man found himself in a state of turmoil as he grappled with his indecision, ultimately succumbing to the allure of the dish.
"Forget it! To hell with whether it's going to burn my stomach or not; I'll eat first and worry about the consequences later! Not indulging would be a disservice to myself!" He finally lowered his head, joining the extravagant feast.
...
Sister Furong, awake early, heard the peculiar sounds of "mm, ah" coming from a distance.
She couldn't help but lament, "What a decline in societal morals! No wonder these wealthy gentlemen remain indifferent to my 'beauty'; it seems they prefer such tastes instead!" Shaking her head, she felt utterly disheartened.
...
In the main city, the great merchant deity also awoke early that day. Frustrated by his visit to the novice village to grace that small stall, he found it had closed early, which he deemed disrespectful!
Determined to return, he resolved that if the food there failed to satisfy him today, the stall would serve no further purpose!
In the lofty, empty chamber of the dark pavilion, flanked by two rows of silent guards, a profound sigh echoed through the stillness.
As the pavilion's leader—an entity entirely removed from the ordinary player's experience—he felt deeply dissatisfied after last night's futile endeavor. It had been years since he'd ventured out, and this only heightened his curiosity about that small stall.
As the dawn broke, there was a palpable shift in the atmosphere; attention was once again drawn to this humble stall!
...
Meanwhile, the four individuals at the stall were wholly engrossed in their culinary pursuits, abandoning all semblance of decorum.
The bespectacled man constantly reminded himself to savor each bite slowly, as each person was limited to just one serving. However, with a slurp, the combination of the chewy noodles and the exhilarating burst of red oil shot down his throat, more addictive than any candy, leaving him utterly unable to stop! The rich aroma surged, flooding his senses.
Doudou, who frequented this eatery, found each visit bittersweet. While the flavors were divine, the fleeting satisfaction surged through him, leaving him yearning for more just as it vanished. He always seemed to finish before he could fully indulge, then endured the long wait until the next day.
Mu Yichun bit into the noodles; they were wonderfully elastic, each strand a delight. The rich sauce, accompanied by meat morsels the size of beans, exploded with flavor in his mouth. The savory aroma lingered, etching itself in his memories.
The thin man, the last to partake, cautiously sampled a few bites, discovering that, although the Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles were intensely spicy, they did not cling to his palate. Instead, they left a subtle, fragrant heat, which lingered pleasantly without discomfort—truly a boon for someone like him, prone to digestive woes.
Yet, he watched with keen eyes as Doudou finished his serving, his gaze fixated on the remaining third of the noodles on the thin man's plate, ready to pounce at a moment's notice.
...
In a childish display, the thin man made a show of pretending to spit on the noodles.
"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!"
"Are you still going to snatch it?"
Well then, the formidable business magnate, whose every stomp could send tremors through half the city, unleashed his ultimate move—the wild dog claim!