The manor where Alvin and the others were staying covered a vast area, and its pavilions and towers had all been built in the style of the Tang Dynasty.
The entire manor was steeped in old-world charm!
Alvin didn't even need Zhang Qiang to show him the way. He followed the aroma and found the restaurant.
A huge, round table had been set and was covered with more than a dozen cold dishes, along with clean tableware.
A giant copper pot sat on a charcoal stove, keeping a pot of lamb soup warm.
On the side table nearby were chopped scallions, cilantro, chili, pepper, fine salt...
Several stacks of steaming unleavened flatbreads sat beside a few large portions of vermicelli that had already been soaked...
Seeing that his group didn't know what to do, Alvin took it upon himself to play the head chef.
He grabbed a copper ladle and began serving everyone...
A large bowl of lamb soup for each person, vermicelli added, a handful of scallions and cilantro on top, with salt and chili to taste...
Then he handed out a piece of flatbread for everyone to tear up and add to their bowls...
Nick had had a healthy appetite these past couple of days. He held a bowl nearly as big as his head and stared at the copper ladle in Alvin's hand...
Alvin smiled as he scooped up a heaping ladleful of lamb. His hand shook like he had Parkinson's as he asked with a smile, "Is that enough? Is that enough?"
By the time the lamb reached Nick's bowl, less than half a ladleful was left...
With seven or eight pieces of lamb and half a bowl of vermicelli, Alvin cheerfully sprinkled scallions and cilantro over Nick's serving, then ladled hot soup on top...
Finally,