C57 Fragrant Sky Restaurant

"How many in your party, young man?"

"Just me. I'd like a table by the window in the upstairs hall, please."

"Right this way. You've timed your visit perfectly. Any later and there wouldn't be a single spot left, not even on the first floor."

Ascending to the second floor, he was greeted by an elegantly decorated hall, complete with intricately carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an ancient charm. The centerpiece was a creatively designed "near water tower" that added a touch of brilliance to the space.

The second floor boasted dozens of finely crafted wooden tables of various sizes, thoughtfully arranged throughout the hall. Currently, fewer than ten tables were occupied, but the caliber of the dishes being served made it clear that this was a dining spot for the wealthy and distinguished.

A server, dressed in the traditional garb of a waiter, escorted Hanyu Xiaotian to a cozy two-seater by the window. As he set the tableware, he began to explain, "Here at Fragrant Sky Restaurant, we offer ordinary, superior, and rare dishes. What kind of meal would you prefer?"

"What's the difference between ordinary, superior, and rare dishes?"

"Well, our ordinary dishes are popular stir-fries, affordable for the average person, and start at just a few dozen yuan. Superior dishes feature seafood, exotic birds, and premium ingredients, typically costing upwards of a thousand yuan. As for the rare dishes, they include delicacies seldom seen by most, like Jade Emperor Fish, Lion Tiger Meat, Thunder Dragon Eye…"

Listening to the server, Hanyu Xiaotian realized with amusement that his usual fare would be considered rare. The sweet and sour fish his mother cooked, the dumplings filled with exquisite ingredients—it all fell into the rare category.

"I've hardly ever tried the ordinary dishes. Might as well give them a shot!" Hanyu Xiaotian's usual meals were supplied directly by his family. When Xia Xiaodie was present, she'd cook for him, and in her absence, a master-level robotic chef took over. Ordinary fare was something he rarely experienced.

"I'll have an assortment of your common stir-fries, please."

"Of course, young man. Just a moment."

The server showed no disdain for the modest order. Soon, Hanyu Xiaotian's meal arrived: Spicy Pepper Potato Strips, Garlic Cabbage, Pineapple Sweet and Sour Pork, Beef Tendon, accompanied by a Seaweed Egg Drop Soup—four dishes and a soup, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables.

Though the flavors were a departure from his usual luxurious meals, Hanyu Xiaotian found himself enjoying the new experience.

True to the waiter's words, by the time Hanyu Xiaotian had begun his meal, the Fragrant Sky Restaurant was nearly at capacity.

Just then, a middle-aged man arrived with two strikingly handsome young men and two gracefully poised, beautiful women, making their way down to the second-floor hall.

"Boss Tan, you're pulling my leg, right? How can the private rooms be full at this hour? We're not just regulars; we've patronized your establishment countless times."

"Young Li, it's simply an unfortunate coincidence. All the private rooms are indeed taken. You've seen for yourself—the last available one was reserved well in advance, and the guests are due any moment. We can't just renege on a reservation. Perhaps you and your party could make do with a table here in the upstairs hall?"

One of the quartet, seemingly the host of the gathering, surveyed the second-floor hall with a discernible frown. "Boss, we're not the type to make a fuss. If it were just us four, we'd make do with what we have here. But we're expecting an important guest soon, and if he's displeased, it won't just be a problem for us—it could spell trouble for you too!"