Hold the Audience

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In a restaurant, especially one as large as Linxiang Restaurant, the two essential qualities for a waiter are sharp wits and a keen eye!

Reading expressions and gauging the situation are vital life skills for welcoming guests; otherwise, if you accidentally offend a VIP, you might lose your job at best, or even your life at worst.

If an ordinary person had claimed the restaurant was about to face disaster, the waiter would have surely beaten or scolded them. But coming from Gao Xu, whose Charisma attribute exceeded 10 points, the waiter couldn't help but believe him. He rubbed his hands together, asking with a mix of urgency and pleading, "Sir, what do you mean by that? Could you please speak more clearly?"

Gao Xu glanced sideways at the waiter, only to shake his head with an inscrutable expression. However, as he admired the restaurant's decor once more, a look of pity clearly flickered in his eyes.

After the burly man led Gao Xu and his companion to a table to order, the waiter grew increasingly uneasy and hurried toward the backyard. Before long, an elderly man with a plump, ruddy face appeared before Gao Xu.

"Young Hero, these Crab Roe Soup Dumplings are our signature dish—thick but not sticky, oily but not greasy, with skin as thin as paper and a rich, delicious broth! If that doesn't suit your palate, we have shark fin, turtle skirt, spotted liver soup, water shield soup... all yours to choose from. Just let me know what you fancy, and I'll have them served immediately!" As soon as the plump old man appeared, he took over the waiter's duties, pitching to Gao Xu. "I don't mean to boast, but my Linxiang Restaurant is a time-honored brand in Suzhou City with a sterling reputation. Whatever you desire, Young Hero, we shall satisfy!"

The little foodie Su Mei's cravings were quickly piqued. She tilted her head and looked at Gao Xu with a pitiful expression, but Gao Xu remained calm. He swept a look at the plump old man with a half-smile, nodding slightly, though it was unclear what he was agreeing to.

The plump old man's smile stiffened. When he heard the waiter's report earlier, he hadn't believed it, but he had come to check just in case—adhering to the philosophy that it's better to be safe than sorry.

Born into poverty, he had built his success step by step, and his judgment was razor-sharp. Upon contact, he realized Gao Xu's composure was no act; the young man truly possessed confidence. He couldn't help but hesitate. Could this person really be an expert?

"Forget it, caution is never a mistake. Even if he's a fraud, I'll take the loss. What's a little money compared to the entire restaurant?" The plump old man was a decisive businessman. After weighing his options, he bowed sincerely to Gao Xu and pleaded, "Young Hero, what exactly did you mean by the disaster facing this shop? I hope you will enlighten me!"

The plump old man lowered his posture significantly, and Gao Xu did not neglect him. He returned the bow and smiled, "Just idle chatter, not worth mentioning. I'm afraid you wouldn't believe me even if I told you~"

"I believe you, how could I not? To be honest, Young Hero, most of my life's work is in this restaurant; I truly cannot afford any disaster!" The plump old man, unaware that he looked like a character from a skit—red-faced and thick-necked—persuaded him with great emotion, gazing at Gao Xu with longing.

"Big Brother, this old grandpa is a good person, please help him!" At this moment, Su Mei joined the persuasion, though it was unclear how she determined the old man was a "good person"—perhaps just because the restaurant's food was delicious?

"Fine!" Gao Xu seemed reluctant, only rising with a wry smile after Su Mei urged him repeatedly, walking toward the young boy who was being glared at by the burly man.

"Prepare some filling foods like sticky rice cakes and steamed buns. Bring them out and let him have a proper, full meal!"

When Gao Xu said this in a leisurely tone, both the burly man and the waiter were stunned. Only the plump old man gave a signal and barked, "Do as the Young Hero says!"

The waiter jolted and nodded frantically. Before long, a table full of greasy, filling food was served. The sheer scale of it was frightening to behold, and even Su Mei couldn't help but stick out her little tongue.

The boy had been timid, but upon seeing the food, he seemed like a different person. At first, he was restrained, but after the dishes were set and he received a nod of approval from Gao Xu, he could no longer hold back. He buried his head and began to eat with both hands.

Such a commotion had already alarmed the other diners in the restaurant, who poked their heads out to watch with curiosity. At first, they treated it as a joke, but as time passed, expressions of horror appeared on their faces. They left their seats to crowd around, staring fixedly at the boy's impossibly fast eating speed.

The boy ate with such ferocity that an ordinary person would have choked, yet he showed no signs of struggle. The food on the table was swept away at an astonishing speed. Seeing it was about to run out, Gao Xu said to the waiter, "Go get some more!"

With the plump old man's nod, the waiter hurried to comply. By now, the onlookers were dumbfounded, filled with uncontrollable curiosity. They couldn't understand how such a thin, frail body could have such a massive appetite; this could no longer be described simply as a "big eater"...

"There really is a problem. Caution is never a mistake!" The plump old man patted his chest in relief, his gaze turning respectful as he looked at Gao Xu.

The world of Chinese Paladin was one where demons and spirits haunted the mountains, and sword cultivation, immortal arts, and spells were prevalent. The common folk had a much higher tolerance for strange phenomena. For instance, some of the more knowledgeable diners had already quietly retreated, fearing the boy was possessed by an evil spell that might explode and harm bystanders. But most remained, watching with great interest, waiting for the final outcome.

When the waiter brought out the third table of food, drenched in sweat, the boy's eating speed finally slowed. After the last piece of sugar-crusted rice cake was popped into his mouth, he finally let out a burp and patted his stomach.

By this time, the table and floor were piled high with empty plates and bowls. A quantity of food that could have fed dozens of grown men had vanished into the boy's stomach.

"Are you full?" Gao Xu lowered his head and asked softly. After the boy nodded, Gao Xu struck out with his palm, touching several vital points on the boy's chest and abdomen before pulling back. A moment later, the boy's expression shifted, and he bent over to vomit.

The crowd was shocked and quickly backed away, but they heard only the sound of retching. After a long while, something fell to the ground, twisting and turning. Upon closer inspection, it was a small, bright red insect, shaking its head incessantly.

Gao Xu calmly bent down. As soon as his finger touched the insect, it vanished without a trace. Instead of being alarmed, Gao Xu looked pleased, bowing his head in deep thought.

The onlookers dared not make a sound. The plump old man opened his mouth several times to speak, but finally couldn't help asking, "Young Hero, what exactly was that? Have you subdued it?"

"When monsters descend, there must be strange omens..." Gao Xu's calm remark instantly held the room, effectively shutting down any further questions from the plump old man. He then added nonchalantly, "My little sister is hungry. Bring the food..."