Holding the Whole Room

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Linxiang Restaurant had climbed to fifteenth place on the overall rankings. If it moved up, I'd add another chapter! Please support me!!!

In a restaurant, especially one as large as Linxiang Restaurant, a waiter needed two essential qualities: quick wits and a good eye!

Knowing how to read people and size up a situation were essential skills when dealing with all sorts of customers. Otherwise, offending some important guest by accident could cost you your job—or even your life!

If an ordinary person said the restaurant was about to be in trouble, the waiter would surely have scolded him and thrown him out. But when Gao Xu, whose Charm attribute was over ten, said it, the waiter couldn't help believing him. He rubbed his hands together and asked urgently, with a hint of pleading, "Sir, what do you mean by that? Could you explain?"

Gao Xu glanced at the waiter and merely shook his head, looking inscrutable. Yet when he took another look around the restaurant's decor, his eyes clearly held a note of pity.

After the burly man led Gao Xu and Su Mei to their seats and they placed their order, the waiter grew more and more uneasy. He hurried toward the back courtyard. Before long, a portly old man with a ruddy face came to Gao Xu.

"Young hero, our crab roe soup dumplings are the house specialty: thick but not sticky, rich but not greasy, with paper-thin wrappers and plenty of delicious broth! If they don't suit your taste, we also have shark fin, skirt, spotted liver soup, water-shield soup... The choice is yours. Is there anything you fancy? I'll have it brought out at once!" As soon as the portly old man appeared, he took over from the waiter and began recommending dishes to Gao Xu. "I don't mean to boast, but my Linxiang Restaurant is one of Suzhou City's oldest establishments, renowned by all. Whatever you ask for, young hero, we'll do our best to provide!"

Su Mei, the little foodie, was soon tempted by the delicious offerings. She turned her head and gazed at Gao Xu with a pitiful look, but he remained inscrutable. He gave the portly old man an almost-smile and a faint nod, though it was hard to tell what exactly he was agreeing to.

The portly old man's smile stiffened. When he had first heard the waiter's report, he hadn't believed it, but he had come to investigate anyway, just in case.

The old man had been born into poverty, and he had built his success step by step. His eye for people was exceptionally sharp. At first contact, he could tell that Gao Xu's calm composure wasn't an act—he had real confidence behind it. The old man couldn't help hesitating. Could this young man really be an expert?

"Never mind. There's no harm in being cautious. Even if he's a fraud, I'll accept the loss. A little money is nothing compared to the whole restaurant." The portly old man had built a considerable business and knew how to make a decision. After weighing the pros and cons, he bowed sincerely to Gao Xu and pleaded, "Young hero, what exactly did you mean when you said trouble would befall my restaurant? Please enlighten me!"

The portly old man was being so humble that Gao Xu responded with a respectful bow of his own. Smiling, he said, "It was just nonsense, nothing worth mentioning. I doubt you'd believe me if I told you."

"Believe you? Of course I do! To be honest, young hero, I've poured more than half my life's work into this inn. I really can't afford any disaster!" The portly old man didn't realize that he looked like a cook from a comedy skit, red in the face and neck, who was either a tycoon or a chef. He pleaded earnestly and gazed at Gao Xu hopefully.

"Big brother, this old gentleman seems like a good person. You should help him!" Su Mei joined in, too. It was unclear how she had decided that the portly old man was a good person. Was it simply because the food at his restaurant was delicious?

"All right!" Gao Xu hadn't been very willing, but after Su Mei urged him several times, he rose with a wry smile and reluctantly walked toward the little boy, who was being watched warily by the burly man.

"Prepare some filling foods, like glutinous rice cakes and steamed buns, and bring them over. Let him have a proper meal!"

When Gao Xu calmly gave this order, the burly man and the waiter both froze. Only the portly old man understood. He gave the waiter a look and ordered, "Do as the young hero says!"

The waiter jolted and nodded hurriedly. Before long, a whole table piled high with greasy, filling foods was brought out. It was a frightening sight even just to look at, and even Su Mei couldn't help sticking out her little tongue.

The boy had still been rather timid, but at the sight of the food, he seemed like a different person. At first, he restrained himself a little. But once all the dishes had been brought out and Gao Xu gave him the go-ahead, he couldn't hold back any longer. He bent over and began eating with both hands.

The commotion had already drawn the attention of the other diners in the restaurant. They craned their necks and stared over curiously. At first, they had treated it as a joke. But as time went on, looks of astonishment appeared on their faces. They left their seats and crowded around, staring in disbelief at the boy's astonishing speed.

The boy ate quickly and voraciously. An ordinary person would have choked long ago, but he swallowed everything without a hitch. The food on the table was disappearing at an incredible pace, and the dishes were almost empty. Gao Xu turned to the waiter and said, "Bring some more."

With the portly old man's approval, the waiter hurried to do as he was told. By then, the onlookers were dumbfounded. They couldn't help wondering how such a skinny boy could have such a huge appetite. This was far beyond what anyone could call a big eater...

"Just as I thought, something was wrong. Better safe than sorry!" The portly old man patted his chest in relief. When he looked at Gao Xu again, his eyes were filled with respect.

The world of Chinese Paladin was one where demons and monsters roamed the wilderness and harmed people, while flying swords, immortal arts, and incantations were commonplace. People were naturally more accepting of strange phenomena. Some of the more knowledgeable diners had already slipped away, afraid that the boy was under an evil spell and might lash out, catching them in the crossfire. Most, however, watched with interest, waiting to see how things would end.

When the waiter brought over a third full table of food, sweating profusely, the boy's pace finally slowed. After putting the last piece of crispy rice cake into his mouth, he finally burped and patted his belly.

By then, empty plates and bowls were piled high on the table and floor. Enough food to feed dozens of burly men had vanished into the boy's stomach.

"Are you full?" Gao Xu lowered his head and asked softly. When the boy nodded, Gao Xu thrust out his palm and touched several major pressure points on the boy's chest and abdomen, then quickly withdrew his hand. A moment later, the boy's expression suddenly changed. He bent over and began to retch.

Everyone was startled and quickly backed away, but all they heard were dry heaves. After a long while, something finally fell to the ground and writhed. Looking closely, they saw a small, bright-red worm, shaking its head back and forth.

Gao Xu calmly bent down and touched the worm with his finger. It vanished on the spot, and instead of looking alarmed, Gao Xu seemed delighted. He lowered his head, lost in thought.

The onlookers didn't dare make a sound. The portly old man hesitated several times before finally asking, "Young hero, what was that thing? Have you subdued it?"

"When a demon descends from the heavens, strange signs must follow..." Gao Xu's quiet words immediately held the whole room spellbound and silenced all the portly old man's questions. Then he casually added, "My little sister is hungry. Bring out the food..."