"Hurry up! Get the food out!" Chen Xiang was so hungry his eyes gleamed green, and his little hands pounded the table with a thunderous racket.
The proprietor nodded repeatedly, his face all smiles in the spirit of harmony bringing wealth. "Right away. Please wait a moment, honored guests. It'll be here right away."
He turned and went around the screen.
The waiter slung his white towel over his shoulder and hurried up beside the proprietor, lowering his voice to whisper, "Boss, you're really serving these two little beggars? Look at those stinking rags they're wearing. They don't even have a money pouch. Nothing about them says they can afford to pay."
"What do you know?"
The proprietor stopped and waved dismissively. "Don't worry. Go to the back courtyard and fetch A-Da and the others. Have them bring clubs and keep watch outside the screen. The boy has a sturdy frame. Sell him outside the city for hard labor, and he'll fetch at least a few taels of silver. The girl's face is smeared with soot, but she has lovely eyes. Wash her clean and send her to the Spring Breeze House, and she'll fetch an even better price."
"Remember, as long as they're still in our establishment, we don't have to worry about getting paid!"
The waiter froze for a moment, then his eyes shifted as understanding dawned.
He gave the proprietor a thumbs-up and smiled obsequiously. "Brilliant, boss. I'll make the arrangements right away."
Before long.
The staff of the Gathering Immortals Restaurant filed out carrying trays.
Steaming delicacies from mountain and sea arrived, one plate after another.
A whole pork hock braised in sauce, its deep-red skin quivering and gleaming richly with oil.
Soy-braised squabs, arranged neatly on a platter, their fragrance wafting through the air.
A