The waiters in upscale Western restaurants are very efficient.
This was likely due to the $100 tip Chen Mo gave, which, of course, was still paid for by Barry.
In less than ten minutes, the once empty dining table was filled with a dazzling array of signature dishes.
Chen Mo: I guess it's pre-made food.
From the sizzling Wagyu beef to the extravagantly presented French foie gras, and even a bottle of vintage red wine, everything was served.
Barry sat in his chair, watching as one glittering dish after another was served.
The smile on his face was so stiff it looked like he'd had two pounds of Botox injected.
Although he is the fastest man in the world, the Speed Force obviously can't help him double his paycheck collection speed.
After this meal, his salary for the second half of the year can basically be directly handed over to the municipal finance bureau of the Central City.
Iris took a sip of red wine, and her expression completely softened.
"Commander Chen, thank you so much for explaining things for Barry just now, otherwise I would have really thought he was just making up some ridiculous excuse again."
Chen Mo elegantly cut off a large piece of Wagyu beef and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing until his mouth was full of oil.
"Calling me 'sir' is too formal. Just call me Advisor Chen."
Chen Mo swallowed the beef and waved his hand casually.
" Barry may be clumsy at work, but his loyalty to his family is impeccable. His only problem is that he's not very bright; he can't even tell a tactful lie during emergency training. He's so honest it's heartbreaking."
Barry, sitting opposite, had a violent twitch at the corner of his eye.
While frantically suppressing the urge to shove the steak up Chen Mo's nostrils with his Speed Force, he frantically winked and made faces at Chen Mo.
Barry blinked his eyes like a broken neon light bulb.
Let's go!
Dude!
The script has already been acted out! And you've eaten!
Aren't you the Secret Service security consultant? You should go back to saving the world!
Hurry up and find an excuse to disappear from here, and give me back my time with my partner!
Chen Mo received Barry's coded telegram precisely.
But he ruthlessly chose to unilaterally blacklist Barry on the spot.
Chen Mo didn't move an inch; instead, he casually picked up the wine bottle next to him and poured Iris half a glass.
"Speaking of which, Miss Iris works at the Central City Citizen, right? That's a really high-risk profession."
Chen Mo his steak and started a casual conversation, taking the initiative to chat.
"When you interview politicians and tycoons, do you witness the lowest limits of human biodiversity every day?"
Iris burst out laughing at that remark.
"It's not just diversity, it's downright chaos. Last week I interviewed a congressman who actually claimed that the sewer monster in Central City was his election opponent in disguise."
"This is nothing. I've seen excellent PR teams in other jurisdictions who faked alien invasions as radiator explosions."
Chen Mo, without batting an eye, rambled on about outrageous experiences from various dimensions.
He spouted one nonsensical rant after another, turning the usually serious and stressful workplace frustrations into a stand-up comedy routine.
Iris listened with a beaming smile, even putting down her knife and fork to listen intently, her chin in her hand.
The atmosphere at the table was so lively, it felt like a reunion of old friends who hadn't seen each other for years.
Besides her boyfriend, Barry, who was sitting next to her.
Barry huddled alone in the corner of the booth.
He tried several times to interject, "Actually... our police lab has also had a rather interesting case recently..."
" Little Barry, get Miss Iris two clean napkins. Didn't you see she has sauce on her lips? You have no manners at all."
Chen Mo gave the order without looking up.
"Yes, sir."
Barry handed over a tissue, feeling frustrated.
Two minutes later, Barry cleared his throat again. " Iris, about that vacation we agreed on last time..."
" Barry, pour some water. The kettle's right next to you."
Iris turned her head and naturally pushed the empty glass over.
While Chen Mo was cutting meat, Iris secretly glared at Barry, her eyes filled with a cold, murderous intent that said, "I haven't finished settling the score for you being forty minutes late. You'd better behave yourself as a waiter."
Barry shrank back and silently picked up the kettle to pour water.
He sat there, feeling as if a localized torrential downpour was falling on his head.
who I am?
Why am I here?
Am I here to celebrate my relationship anniversary, or am I working part-time as a waiter at this Western restaurant?
This agonizing ordeal, which felt like an eternity for Barry, finally came to an end two hours later.
Barry's hands trembled as he pulled out his credit card. The moment he signed his name on the bill, he heard the crisp sound of his wallet instantly shattering.
Upon reaching the restaurant entrance, Chen Mo very gentlemanly hailed a taxi for Iris.
"I had a very pleasant chat today, Advisor Chen. Barry has received a lot of help from you at the Secret Service."
Iris sat in the back seat of the taxi, smiling and waving goodbye to Chen Mo.
"Don't worry, I will definitely subject him to inhumane treatment... I mean, comprehensive and intensive training."
Chen Mo revealed a kind smile.
The taxi slowly drove into the night and disappeared completely around the street corner.
As the taillights disappeared, Barry, standing under the streetlight, felt as if his bones had been removed and let out a long sigh of relief.
He slumped against a lamppost, his wallet empty and him utterly exhausted, but he still rubbed his aching cheeks and looked at Chen Mo.
"Bro, although this meal almost wiped out my entire year's food budget, and several times I wanted to use my Speed Force to smash the plate in your face..."
The Flash sighed and obediently extended his hand to Chen Mo.
"But tonight... thanks, bro. If it weren't for your silver tongue, Iris would have torn me to pieces tonight."
Chen Mo looked at the kind and honest Little Red in front of him and accepted her thanks without any hesitation.
He reached out and put his arm around Barry's shoulder, pulling him half a step closer like close brothers.
The dim streetlights cast long shadows of the two people.
Chen Mo patted Barry's stiff shoulder, the playful smile on his lips fading slightly, and he lowered his voice with a smile.
"Alright, enough with the pleasantries, let's get down to business."
Have you heard anything strange happening in Central City, or even in Metropolis and Gotham?