120 A Modest Token of Gratitude

Ding Songqing nodded emphatically. “Given Mr. Xiao’s status, dishes prepared by his own hands are certainly worth that price. The stringent conditions are entirely understandable.”

Sang Qingye shook her head. “The conditions are so demanding and the price so high not because of Boss Xiao’s status, but because his culinary skill truly merits it. Although the price is ten times higher, the difference in deliciousness is far more than tenfold.”

“Are the dishes made by Brother Xiao really that good? I respect him quite a lot, but on this point, I have to admit I’m just a tiny bit skeptical.” Guan Yonggang turned to Xiao Yao and spoke boldly.

“They really are delicious. I’m not exaggerating in the slightest. Boss Xiao is usually far too busy, but I was fortunate enough to eat food he prepared himself twice. The taste is unforgettable.” There was not the slightest hint of jest in Sang Qingye’s voice or expression.

“So Mr. Xiao’s culinary skills have also reached an unsurpassed height. It seems we’re all going to broaden our horizons today.” Fan Jingyu began to look forward to the meal.

“The Five-Treasure Mandarin Duck Delicacy you mentioned sounds very intriguing, Miss Sang.” Jiang Shu, the bureau chief, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. “I’m rather fond of Master Jin’s martial-arts novels, and that dish made a particularly deep impression on me. Unfortunately, it was merely an exaggeration and embellishment in a work of fiction, which I have always found regrettable.”

“Chief Jiang’s regret can be put to rest today. I’ve tasted this dish twice before, and it wasn’t even prepared by Boss Xiao himself. Compared with the description in the novel, my experience was no less impressive. Since today’s dish is being made personally by Boss Xiao, I imagine the supreme pleasure it will bring my palate will exceed what I experienced those two times by more than tenfold.”

Everyone more or less believed Sang Qingye. Even those who had not put down their chopsticks were no longer eating and drinking in great gulps.

Before long, the final few dishes prepared personally by Xiao Yao were brought to the table.

The first was “Golden Saber Slays the Dragon.” It looked like a simple large lobster, but the preparation was extraordinarily complicated, making it a dish that demanded consummate skill.

The highlight was not the lobster meat, but the secret sauce poured over it. Its ingredients had to be selected with extreme care, and the sauce required a full twenty-four hours of simmering.

The second dish, “Bare Hands Cut Down the Phoenix,” was a black-boned chicken slowly stewed over low heat. The third, “Golden Toad in Snow, Golden Broth,” consisted of frog legs prepared with a secret recipe.

The final dish, “Five-Treasure Mandarin Duck Delicacy,” took the most time to prepare. It had to simmer over low heat for three days and two nights. Its rich fragrance filled the air, and its flavor was the most enticing of all.

After tasting the final four dishes one by one, Ding Songqing sighed, “There is no flavor in this world to surpass it.”

“From this day forward, I’m afraid I’ll be unable to swallow ordinary food. If I ever have the chance to attend a Martial World Alliance Leader’s Banquet, I’d be willing to pay any price.” Guan Yonggang spoke with utter sincerity.

“If Master Jin had ever had the opportunity to taste this Five-Treasure Mandarin Duck Delicacy prepared by Mr. Xiao, I don’t think his description would have been so hollow. To eat this dish again, I’d gladly spend half a year doing odd jobs in the kitchen at Savory Pavilion. It’s astonishing that a single dish could exert such power. Mr. Xiao’s culinary skill has reached the point where technique approaches the Dao. One can only bow in admiration.” Jiang Shu had always been curious about Xiao Yao, and now he had finally glimpsed a tiny part of the truth.

“When will Mr. Xiao’s Martial World Alliance Leader’s Banquet be introduced? How can we taste your cooking again?” Lu Yahun asked with complete seriousness.

“It’s merely an attention-grabbing gimmick. Zhou Xiaobai insisted on doing it this way, so I could only cooperate. Everyone here is a friend of mine. If I happen to feel like cooking one day, I’ll certainly notify you all. That should be more reliable than some so-called irregularly scheduled Martial World Alliance Leader’s Banquet.”

Although Xiao Yao’s promise contained little sincerity, it at least gave them something to look forward to.

The grand Heroes’ Banquet held today for Savory Pavilion’s opening had not only satisfied the wealthy guests at the main table beyond measure; the other attendees had enjoyed themselves just as thoroughly.

Although the dishes personally prepared by Xiao Yao had been limited to the main table and the two tables occupied by Xiao Zhenshan and Bai Yuzhen, Qin Dahai’s cooking was already more than good enough to win everyone over.

After eating and drinking their fill, the guests began reserving tables for that evening. Savory Pavilion’s new location had more than three thousand square meters of operating space, yet on its very first day, every table for the evening was booked.

When Zhou Xiaobai learned the result, the smile never left her face. The outcome had delighted her beyond words.

Without question, with the guests’ wholehearted and enthusiastic support, Savory Pavilion had made a spectacular debut.

As Fan Jingyu and the others prepared to leave, Xiao Yao specifically reminded them, “The little gifts I prepared for everyone aren’t worth much money, but they are rather unusual. When you get home, take a look and see whether you like them. Whatever you do, don’t give them away without even looking. Otherwise, you may well regret it.”

Thanks to Xiao Yao’s special warning, no one dismissed the small return gifts from Savory Pavilion. Those with impatient temperaments opened theirs as soon as they got back into their cars.

The return gift was indeed very ordinary: a small jar of wine. Had Xiao Yao not issued that special warning, Ding Songqing and the others would very likely have overlooked it and paid it no attention.

After everyone else had departed, Sang Qingye remained by Xiao Yao’s side. She opened the gift box in her hands and discovered a small jar of wine inside. Curiously, she asked, “This little jar is quite exquisite. It looks rather old. Is there wine in it?”

Xiao Yao was somewhat surprised. “Your eye is pretty sharp. You’ve guessed almost exactly right. It contains two pounds of aged wine. Can you guess how old it is? If you can, I’ll give you two more jars.”

“My father enjoys a drink now and then. A return gift from Boss Xiao certainly wouldn’t be anything mediocre. Since it’s aged wine, it must be quite old. Let me think—how many years would that be?”

As she spoke, Sang Qingye watched the changes in Xiao Yao’s expression. “Fifty years? Eighty? Or a hundred?”

When she saw the smile appear at the corners of Xiao Yao’s mouth, she said cheerfully, “You’re making it so obvious that I’d feel embarrassed pretending I couldn’t guess. I say a hundred years.”

“Not bad. You’re a little clever after all. This wine was brewed in 1911, during the Republic era, so it has considerable commemorative value. It’s been nearly one hundred and five years. You can turn the jar upside down; the date of brewing is stamped on the bottom.” Xiao Yao stopped keeping her in suspense.

“It really is a century-old vintage! Then this jar must be incredibly precious!” Sang Qingye was deeply shocked. She knew something of the value and rarity of wine aged for a hundred years.