Chapter 294: Your Vote, My Vote
"Hey! Darn, why are you in such a hurry?"
Paide looked at his friend, who was tugging at his sleeve, with a face full of black lines. "Didn't I already agree to go to Han Shi with you this afternoon? What's the rush? It's still early!"
"You don't understand a thing!" Darn rolled his eyes. He only relaxed a little after dragging his friend all the way to the entrance of Han Shi and seeing that there were only a few scattered people in line.
Good. With this number of people, he should be able to get his hands on Han Shi's delicious food in the first batch.
Darn was the diner with the Windhound martial spirit. Previously, he had ordered an Exploding Honey Badger Intestine at Han Shi but, due to his overly sensitive sense of smell, he found it completely unappetizing and ended up giving it to Pan Kong instead.
As a long-time customer of Han Shi, he loved almost all the food here.
The keyword being almost—everything except the Exploding Honey Badger Intestine!
He had even managed to overcome his initial psychological discomfort with Tin Foil Roasted Brain Flower and later praised its incredible flavor.
Paide, on the other hand, was an old friend of Darn's.
Paide didn't live in Shrek City; he was from Heaven Dou City. The two had been classmates at a Spirit Master Academy, and though they went their separate ways after graduation, they never lost touch through letters.
They shared a common hobby: a love for gourmet food. That was what had brought them together as friends during their academy days. As a true food lover, Paide certainly wouldn't miss this grand food festival that only happened once every three years.
And while he was at it… he could also visit his old friend.
What he hadn't expected, though, was that one moment he was happily wandering the food street, drooling over all kinds of delicacies, and the next, Darn had dragged him straight to Han Shi.
Only after securing a spot in line did Darn finally release Paide's sleeve.
Paide, slightly annoyed, adjusted his wrinkled clothes. "Old friend, I was planning to spend the whole day on the food street today and come to Han Shi tomorrow to try out what's supposedly the best restaurant in Shrek City."
"Now you've completely messed up my plans."
Darn shot Paide a look of disdain. After knowing each other for so long, who didn't know who?
"I'll treat you to this meal."
"Deal!" A sly grin immediately appeared on Paide's face.
Plans? What plans? Weren't plans made to be broken?
Paide curiously examined Han Shi's storefront.
Since arriving in Shrek City last night, he had lost count of how many times he had heard the name "Han Shi." After stuffing himself at the food street earlier, he had casually checked the temporary rankings at the Culinary Association. Seeing that Han Shi had taken up eight of the top ten spots left him completely stunned.
The last time he had visited Shrek City was over a year ago, and at that time, he had never even heard of Han Shi.
Now, stepping into this seemingly brand-new restaurant for the first time, his curiosity was piqued.
"By the way, Darn, why weren't you in a hurry at noon, but now all of a sudden you're dragging me here in such a rush?"
That was what puzzled Paide the most.
At noon, when he had told Darn he was heading to the food street, the guy had acted as if he couldn't care less. Yet now, he was dragging him here like it was a matter of life and death. There had to be a reason.
Hearing Paide's question, Darn smacked his forehead, finally remembering the reason for his urgency.
"Ahem." Darn coughed lightly, glanced around, then leaned in and whispered, "Brother, since I'm treating you, can you help me cast a vote for Honey-Glazed Grilled Ribs?"
Huh?
Paide blinked. "Honey-Glazed Grilled Ribs…? I don't remember that dish being on Han Shi's list for the food festival. If it were, I wouldn't mind using one of my votes to help you out."
He still had all three of his food festival votes untouched. If his friend wanted a favor, he didn't mind sparing one.
"Sigh! I'm not talking about the food festival votes." Darn was momentarily stunned before realizing Paide had misunderstood.
"I mean a recommendation vote for Honey-Glazed Grilled Ribs." He then explained what the recommendation vote was all about.
"Oh, I see. Alright then, after I eat, I'll cast my recommendation vote for this… Honey-Glazed Grilled Ribs or whatever." Paide nodded in understanding and readily agreed.
It was just one recommendation vote—helping a friend wasn't a big deal.
"Yes!" Darn pumped his fist into the air, his face filled with excitement.
Earlier at noon, he had been in the last batch of diners. By the time he finished his meal, Han Shi was closing for the afternoon, so he saw the ranking of all the dishes as he cast his recommendation vote.
And when he saw it, he almost lost his mind.
The dish he despised the most—Exploding Honey Badger Intestine—was actually ranked higher than his beloved Honey-Glazed Grilled Ribs!
How could he let this stand?
So not only did he immediately vote for Honey-Glazed Grilled Ribs, but he also decided to rally others to vote for it too.
Paide was the reinforcement Darn had brought in. Darn firmly believed that as long as he continued to vote for Honey-Glazed Grilled Ribs, he could push the dish ahead of Exploding Honey Badger Intestine!
That cursed intestine is nothing but an abomination!
Paide, who had never tasted Han Shi's dishes before, couldn't understand Darn's obsession. He curiously looked around and soon noticed a notice board placed near Han Shi's entrance.
"Huh?"
"Darn, look at that!"
Paide patted Darn's shoulder and pointed at the board.
"Oh…" Darn glanced at it before looking away. "It's probably just an explanation of the recommendation vote system."
Since the system was newly introduced, it made sense for Han Shi to put up an announcement about it.
Really?
Paide frowned slightly.
His martial spirit was a Falcon, which gave him exceptional eyesight. Even from a distance, he could vaguely make out the text on the board through the gaps in the crowd.
"Recommendation…"
So it was about the recommendation vote system?
That was what he thought—until he saw the rest of the text. His expression changed slightly.
"Hey, Darn, I think you guessed wrong. The notice actually says that Han Shi's owner is recommending customers try a special snack."
"Oh?" Darn was intrigued. "A new dish at Han Shi?"
"No, it's a street food from the food street called Mo Wu Tuan."
"This…"
Even as a longtime customer, Darn was stunned.
The owner of Han Shi is promoting food from a competitor?
What kind of move was that?
"The owner even drew a simple map to show people how to get there!" Paide added in surprise.
Oh?
Darn's curiosity grew stronger.
Just then—
Creaaak.
Han Shi's doors swung open for business, and the waiting customers began filing in.
Darn quickly pulled Paide along, but before stepping inside, he glanced at the notice board.
That one look darkened his expression instantly.
The board clearly stated that Mo Wu Tuans had a strange smell, just like Exploding Honey Badger Intestine, but they were incredibly delicious.
Abomination!
Another abomination, just like Exploding Honey Badger Intestine!
I, Darn, would rather starve to death, would rather bash my head against this wall, than ever take a single bite of that!
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