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Doug Wright, the owner of the Restaurant of Light, closed the business early and let the employees go home.
When only Luya and the others were left in the restaurant, he asked Luoding to wait, and then he made three dishes and brought them up.
“Oh? Is it stewed meat with tomatoes and potatoes?”
There was a slight brilliance in Luoding’s tired eyes. He stared at the simple food and couldn’t help but sigh, “It is the food we cooked when we were apprentices. I didn’t expect you to remember it.”
“Of course, I remember, come and have a taste to see if the taste is the same as before.”
Doug adjusted his monocle, smiled, and handed a knife and fork to Luya and Matthew, “It can’t be said that it’s such an excellent dish, it’s just the taste of home cooking, my favorite with Luoding is still this beef stew with tomatoes and potatoes.”
“Yes, in the middle of the night, it can always warm our stomachs… But now there is no grass-fed beef, right? Is this, synthetic meat?”
Luoding forks a piece of meat that looks like beef in color and smell. After scrutinizing it, he slowly sends it to his mouth and chews it.
“Of course, you bad old man, what do you think? All you can eat now is synthetic meat.”
Doug couldn’t help laughing, “Since the emergence of human ranches, people seem to have finally realized what it is like to be kept in captivity. Some leftists have voted to abolish animal farms. In addition, the imperial capital has no free land to feed animals, so the factory of synthetic meat expanded. However, occasionally the imperial fleet would bring back some marine fish and wild animal meat spoils after returning from the campaign. Still, it belongs to the royal family and is sometimes offered to the nobles. Although I can get some fresh fish as an operator of a high-end restaurant, meat is too luxurious. It is only available when nobles make reservations. Fortunately, the flavor of synthetic meat is also good. After many improvements, it can simulate the taste of pigs, cattle, and sheep. “
“Yes, the flavor is close, but there is still a slight gap between synthetic and natural meat.”
“Really? I don’t think it is different from natural meat and doesn’t have that fishy smell. It’s pretty good.” Luya interjected while drinking the soup. She felt the taste was similar to borscht but not as thick.
“It’s just a bit wild.”
Luoding nodded and applauded, “The sourness of the tomato forms a wonderful combination, and the potatoes and meat are stewed together to the right crispness… It’s really nostalgic. You can use the current ingredients to restore the taste of that year.”
“Of course, don’t look at who I am.”
Doug looked very proud. He then looked at Luya, who was devouring, and Matthew with a numb face, and said with a smile, “By the way, why don’t you introduce your friends to me?”
“Oh, about this…”
Luoding immediately put down the cutlery in his hand, his expression became serious, and he looked at Doug inexplicably, “I don’t want to lie to you, old friend; in fact, we are…”
“I know; you escaped from prison, right?”
“Doug, I…”
Doug made a whispered gesture and faced the very embarrassed and helpless Luoding; he went on.
“Forget those things; it doesn’t matter. I’m thrilled to be here. I didn’t expect to see my old friend again before I entered the coffin.”
“Doug…” Luoding’s eyes were red, and the half-hundred-old man was speechless for a while.
“Actually, I really don’t want to cause you trouble…”
“What are you talking about? I don’t have a family, and you are like my brother. Isn’t the fateful friendship not enough? Thanks to the money you gave me, I was able to establish a foothold in the imperial capital. Otherwise, there won’t be this store.”
“You paid back the money long ago.”
“Friendship is never repaid.”
Doug was adamant. He shook his head, and his expression became serious and severe. “I think it’s time for us to realize our young dreams, remember?”
“Of course, I remember… how could I forget it. At that time, we wanted to open a three-star restaurant that is famous all over the country. However, I met my love and returned to my hometown with my wife.” Luoding recalled with a wry smile.
“Yes, you kid left me behind; I won’t forgive you easily.”
Doug laughed loudly and stretched out his hand to Luoding, “But it’s not too late old man. Would you like to come to me as the chef?”
“I…” Luoding’s eyes were red, and he looked at the other party moved, but he didn’t know how to answer.
“You promise, Uncle Luoding. This was your dream when you were young. Now that you have a chance to realize it won’t leave any regrets.”
Luya drank the soup in the bowl in one breath. She knew that Luoding was an excellent old person, but at this time, she couldn’t help but remind him justly.
“Yes, the little girl is right! What are you still hesitating about, old man!”
“You are right; thank you, Eve, Doug, I…”
Just when Luoding finally made up his mind to answer, there was a rush and rough knock on the door outside the store.
“Open the door! Routine inspection!”
“Well, it shouldn’t be…”
Could it be that the imperial soldiers came?
Luoding’s face changed drastically, but Doug looked extremely calm. He made a quiet gesture, took Luoding and the others to the basement door, and pushed them all in.
“You stay here first, don’t make any noise; I’ll send them away.”
Doug calmly returned to the restaurant’s door and opened the closed rolling door.
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
With a straight back, Doug politely saluted the imperial soldiers at the store’s entrance.
Several imperial soldiers were standing outside, staring at him ruthlessly, and said, “A few prisoners in Gera prison ran away. We suspect they have infiltrated the city and are now undergoing routine inspections.”
You have worked hard, adults, but I can assure you that no one has been here. After sending off the last table of guests, the employees have just left after getting off work. Now I am the only one in the whole store. “
Doug’s attitude is neither humble nor overbearing, and he is very calm. But those imperial soldiers didn’t seem to want to buy it. They were still adamant. “The order we received was to search every house, every corner, and not even a mouse. I hope Boss Wright will cooperate with our work.”