"No can do," the waiter explained: 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"To ensure every dish is at its peak taste, our chef even has requirements for the time the sauce is mixed in and permeates the dish."

"Like this cold fish skin salad, if the sauce stays too long, it overpowers its freshness and chewiness; too early, and the flavor doesn’t get in. Did you try it just now? I’m wondering if you have any thoughts on the taste."

The young host remained silent.

If he doesn’t stay silent, what can he say?

Saying he hasn’t tasted a single bite of the last two dishes?

Looking at the comments above, they were all laughing loudly, and his followers were slowly increasing.

Of course, there were still those picking holes:

[Listen to this guy talk nonsense]

[Exactly! With such a large quantity at a banquet, how could the cold dishes be prepared in advance and left there in time]

[The chefs in the kitchen are swinging their arms till they’re smoking, and still might not make it.]

Others said:

[No doubt! This host’s setup was spot on]

[Right! Start by mentioning the price, then everyone gets competitive, and finally the waiter explains it’s not a pre-made dish...]

[Well done! The layers of effect are maxed out.]

[Which restaurant is it? Host, let me know, I’ll go try it tomorrow.]

[It’s Changleju! It’s Changleju! The Changleju where I couldn’t get a spot!]

[Which Changleju?]

[Host, you will regret this banquet for the rest of your life!]

[Hahaha, this is what it’s like when people tune in to see the host and stay for the embarrassment hahaha]

[Changleju fans unexpectedly saw this — I’m watching the host not pick up his chopsticks hahaha]

[No need for lifelong regret, after the banquet he’ll end up smacking himself twice.]

These comments are all sorts of strange, saying anything and everything.

The assistant noted these down separately, discreetly showing them to the young host, who instantly frowned.

Looking at the four other hosts who had tasted the dishes before, their eyes were tightly fixed on the plate spinning around the table, making his heart flutter.

The third dish was cold fish slices.

Taking hygiene into account, the cold fish slices were blanched and cooled, then seasoned. At this moment, they were crystal clear with a gloss of oil.

Especially with a cluster of bright green Sichuan peppercorn on top.

Though just a cluster, unsure if it was for ornamentation or really for flavoring, that fresh, fragrant, numbing aroma slowly spread with the tender fish scent.

No way around it, the complementary plants bought by Lao Song when purchasing Golden Hawthorn Seedlings — the Star Anise Tree and green and red pepper trees — had yielded quite a few fruits this year.

Heavy and dense, a true harvest.

But the only thing that could be harvested now was that Sichuan pepper tree.

Song Tan’s Home cooking couldn’t even use enough, and while she was away, Boss Chang and Wu Lan coaxed and persuaded her into giving away half a tree.

Now, in this cold fish slice dish, she was really only willing to use that tiny cluster.

The waiter still reminded:

"This is a peppercorn flavor, if any customer dislikes it, they can wait for the next dish."

But at this moment, no one was listening to her.

The electric platter turned slow and leisurely.

Little Picky Eater was gripping his chopsticks, ready to spring. If not for fearing stirring the young host’s attention, he would’ve spun it manually without care!

But there were a full six people there, if he joined the dish grabbing, wouldn’t the portion he tasted be in grave danger?

Thus he endured patiently, waiting and waiting, until the platter finally reached the young host, just an arm’s length away, he could no longer hold back!

At this moment, he stretched out his chopsticks to grab sideways, only to see several other hosts beside him spring up suddenly, leaning forward and reaching their arms as well.

Could this be?

Little Picky Eater panicked, quickening his actions.

But right then, as the young host’s mind flashed with the numerous comments just now, his brain short-circuited, and using his youthful body advantage, with sharp eyes and hands, he swiftly grabbed three full slices of fish!

His chopsticks trembling with the tender meat hadn’t fully withdrawn when he saw the entire fish plate being poked around messily by several pairs of chopsticks reaching over at the same time.

Looking again at Little Picky Eater beside him, he directly extended his bowl, continually grabbing into it, actions both anxious and haphazard, evidently desperate to seize.

The young host felt utterly wronged!

The livestream kept saying he had a script, had a script of sorts, look at their script, now that’s what you call effort indeed!

Thinking of this, he absentmindedly stuffed the fish slices into his mouth.

The next moment, the rich flavor of Sichuan peppercorn mingled with the fresh scent of fish spread in his mouth.

He dazedly pursed his lips, staring at the empty chopsticks, mouth bursting with tantalizing spicy and fresh taste, filled with deep regret—

The livestream was right, he really ought to smack himself twice.

T_T