The steam rose, and the aroma filled the air.
In that moment, the entire hall fell silent. The once-noisy banquet hall became so quiet that even the sound of breathing was cautious.
"This... what is this smell?"
"So fragrant…"
"Unbelievable, that aroma was made by that kid?!"
Even Old Man Forrest, who had a face of indifference, couldn't help but lean forward, whispering, "This smell... is nice."
The aroma was just the beginning; what truly mattered was the taste.
Adrian picked up the plate, about to ask Ethan to try it first.
However, Ethan seemed to see through his thoughts, his gaze darkening slightly as he whispered, "Your grandfather should be the first."
Adrian paused, then nodded, carrying the plate to Old Mr. Jude.
"Grandfather," he said softly, "I didn't bring anything today. Father isn't here, and I don't have any money of my own. I used Father's and Uncle's."
He looked up, a spark of defiance and innocence in his eyes.
"Everyone says I'm not normal, but... this is all I can do."
"I might have forgotten how to embroider, but I didn't forget that you have a heart condition. This dish is for you."
The hall was silent.
Old Mr. Jude stared at the dish, his hands trembling slightly. He chuckled softly, tears welling up in his eyes. "This kid..."
His laughter was tinged with emotion as he looked at the dish like it was a work of art. "I don't want to eat it; it would be better to frame it and hang it on the wall!"
The hall erupted into laughter.
Old Mr. Jude laughed, lifting a spoonful of the dish.
One bite.
Silence.
Then…. "Good!"
Old Mr. Jude suddenly slammed his hand on the table, his eyes red with excitement. "Perfect!"
He laughed, handing the bowl to Old Man Forrest beside him. "Old friend, try it; you'll regret it if you don't!"
Old Man Forrest took the bowl with a smile, and as soon as the dish touched his lips, he froze. This... this taste...
"How is this possible? This kid... the taste is exactly like my grandson's!"
The hall buzzed with surprise.
"What? Ethan Forrest can cook?"
"Really? That young master of the Forrest family cooks?"
The guests whispered among themselves.
Meanwhile, the person in question—Ethan standing by the pot of ReSnack— just slightly lowered his head, his expression complex.
Old Man Forest discreetly winked at him.
As the applause erupted, Ethan couldn't help but smile slightly. In that moment, he understood that Liam Hayes had won everyone's heart with just one dish. Just one dish that he, Ethan Forrest, taught him how to make!
But was that revenge though? Yes! Adrian considered it so.
"The best! My family's chef can't even come close to this sweetness!" The patriarch of the Baker family exclaimed after taking a bite.
"Hahaha, I think even the top masters in the capital would have to give a thumbs up!" The old patriarch of the Oswald family chimed in with a laugh.
Whether it was sincere or currying favours, at that moment, everyone was praising the "foolish young master"!
Meanwhile, Marcus Hayes felt like he had been slapped hard. His face was burning.
How was this possible?!
That nephew of his, who was supposedly mentally challenged, had actually made something this delicious?!
He forced down his anger and embarrassment, forcing a smile as he was about to speak "Young master, I didn't expect you…."
But before he could finish, Adrian suddenly darted down from the steps and rushed to Ethan's side, grabbing his arm.
"Hubby!"
The hall fell silent instantly. The air seemed to freeze for three seconds.
Ethan's face darkened, but he didn't push him away. Why was he calling him that out loud?!
In the crowd, Elinor Hayes clenched her fists, her eyes filled with jealousy. Why? Why did a fool get to have such a handsome man by his side as bodyguard?
Adrian didn't seem to care, even pinching Ethan's waist with a mischievous grin. He just wanted to cause a scene.
He had promised himself that he would make Ethan Forest be praised as a god-level chef alongside him! So, he wouldn't let anyone forget that the true mastermind behind ReSnack was Ethan!
"Hubby!" he pointed at the pot, smiling cheekily. "This is the 'ReSnack' you taught me! Did I do well?"
"Don't be loud," Ethan warned softly. He wanted Liam Hayes to enjoy his glory for now.
But it was already too late.
"Wait, did he say that man by his side taught him?"
"Does that mean... the dish was made by the bodyguard?"
"Oh my god, the taste is from the bodyguard's skill?!"
The whispers spread like wildfire through the hall.
Old Mr. Jude's eyes lit up. "Good, good! Bring the dish to everyone so they can taste it!"
As he gave the order, he asked Adrian with a smile, "Grandson, is it true that this 'hubby' taught you?"
Ethan: "..."
Did this old man... really think his birth name was hubby? Didn't he realize what his grandson meant or was he pretending not to understand?
Adrian nodded solemnly, poking Ethan's cheek. "Yes! I learned it from my hubby! He said he would teach me how to make a dish that's good for Grandfather's health, and that no one else in the world could make it! He made it at 'White Chilis Restaurant'!"
Ethan: "..."
Ethan's father: "..."
Ethan's grandfather: "..."
The entire Forest family fell silent. They knew who had the restaurant and they truly understood that Adrian was promoting their son and grandson's restaurant.
Was this rascal son of theirs... using the Hayes family's young master to advertise his restaurant just to avoid getting married to the Oswald daughter?!
—Ridiculous!
—Cheat!
—But somehow, it was effective and smart!
That night, the noise of the banquet didn't end with the joy of celebrating. In less than an hour, the name "White Chilis Restaurant" shot to the top of the trending searches.
They heard the name at the banquet and searched it online… Sure enough, there was a restaurant. And the first dish on the menu was called "ReSnack."
Instantly, social media erupted.
"Found it! The dish made by that 'young master Hayes' is from this restaurant!"
"I just ordered the same dish! I'm going to eat it on my anniversary!"
"I heard the chef is actually the owner of the restaurant and handsome! I want to know his identity!"
"The restaurant owner is that man, the young master Hayes bodyguard! He is so cute!"
"I was wondering why his identity was unknown, it seems he's not an elite but just a cook who cooks really great food! I love him!"
"I'm ordering 20 plates of ReSnack for an elite ladies gathering. Right now!"
Orders poured in like snowflakes. Phone calls, emails, reservations, and delivery orders all flooded in at the same time.
The phone at White Chilis Restaurant was almost ringing nonstop.
Inside the small, unassuming restaurant in the countryside, the phone rang incessantly, making people's heads spin.
The assistant, Ralph, was almost in tears, holding the phone. "Boss, please come back!!!"
The waitstaff were overwhelmed with orders.
The printer was spitting out orders nonstop.
Most of them were for "ReSnack."
Even the new chef arranged by Butler Ray was stunned. "ReSnack? What is this thing?"
He stared blankly at the screen. He only knew how to cook simple home-cooked meals; "ReSnack" sounded like an alien term!
The assistant was on the verge of tears. "Boss, if you don't come back, we're doomed! They want 500 portions! 500 portions!!!"
The phone rang again. But this time it wasn't the restaurant phone but his own. It was notifications on Facebook and X and TikTok and Snapchat! All about WHITE CHILIS RESTAURANT!!!!
The assistant stared at the flashing screen, shocked. "We're... trending?"