Chapter 31 – I’ll say no, means no discussion
Lin Jiu’s small restaurant never felt stuffy, no matter when you entered. The air quality was excellent, and there were none of the various smells that typically accompanied crowded places.
It was a bit cold outside, but the restaurant was warm—not from air conditioning, but more like the natural warmth of spring. The air carried a light fragrance of flowers and grass, making it feel like dining outdoors rather than in such a small establishment.
The five tables inside were already full. Those lucky enough to be in the top five didn’t waste the opportunity. When their group wasn’t large enough, they called friends and family, so by evening, all five tables were occupied. Logically, no one else should have been allowed in.
A man in a dark coat, tall and wearing a mask, entered, bringing with him a bit of the cold.
Lin Jiu glanced up and met his gaze. “You’re here?”
“Mm.” Si Xu walked up to the bar and watched Lin Jiu as he busied himself.
The diners curiously looked at them. From the way Boss Lin spoke, it sounded like he had been expecting this man.
Who could this person be, to make the famously impartial Boss Lin, who followed the rules and didn’t care about money, wait for him?
“Go sit for a bit. It’ll be ready soon.” Lin Jiu noticed Jiang Ge hadn’t shown up, so he crossed two items off the mental menu, knowing there would be too much food for Si Xu alone.
The diners craned their necks to watch as the man walked to the private room at the back.
One of the diners couldn’t help but ask, “Can we make reservations here?”
Without looking up, Lin Jiu replied, “No.”
The diner asked, “Then what’s his deal?”
Lin Jiu responded concisely, “Higher rank, special privileges.”
The diner snorted and sarcastically said, “I thought the boss was fair and impartial, but it turns out you play favorites.”
Lin Jiu coolly replied, “If you can reach that rank, you’ll have privileges too.”
Someone asked, “How is rank determined?”
Lin Jiu answered, “Check the dining rules.”
Not wanting to repeat himself endlessly, Lin Jiu had added a line to the dining rules board:
**”Different customer ranks enjoy different privileges (specific privileges depend on the boss’s mood).”**
**Note:** *Rank = total spending + affection value.*
The sarcastic diner was left speechless and didn’t say another word.
Demon Fish Shop was incredibly expensive. For most, being able to eat here once a month was already a stretch. Even without considering the affection value, it was hard enough to reach the required spending level.
Even those with the means found it difficult to climb the ranking. Getting a table once every ten days was considered lucky, so breaking through to the top was nearly impossible.
Lin Jiu knew full well that no one could outdo Si Xu. While the diners rotated constantly, the private room was reserved as solidly as iron.
Lin Jiu brought a wooden tray to the private room, where Si Xu was already seated at the table.
“This time, besides Silver Carp, I brought back some other ingredients. Give them a try.”
Lin Jiu placed a porcelain bowl in front of him, lifted the lid, and revealed a rich golden broth and white shrimp. The aroma filled the room, a blend of fresh shrimp with a hint of fruity sweetness.
“Golden shrimp balls, try them.”
Si Xu picked up a small spoon made of shell and scooped a spoonful of the thick golden broth. It was as rich as honey, and when he tasted it, the flavor was deep but not overly sweet. The fruit fragrance was strong, blending perfectly with the freshness of the shrimp—delicious.
He then picked up a white shrimp ball. The shrimp was tender and flavorful, and as he bit into the center, instead of heat, a cool sensation spread out, releasing the salty flavor of caviar. Si Xu was pleasantly surprised—it was an unexpected twist hidden within the shrimp ball.
“This is really delicious.” Si Xu often found himself at a loss for words when faced with Lin Jiu’s culinary creations.
Lin Jiu brought out another dish, “Steamed egg custard.”
What seemed like a simple egg custard was far from ordinary.
The eggs were from the magical birds of the Demon Sea dimension, which Lin Jiu had found on a small island. There weren’t many, but they were highly nutritious.
The custard was made with these magical eggs and shrimp roe, and after steaming, it was topped with caviar. The golden yellow custard was adorned with a touch of pomegranate red, and a few petals of the Jie Mi flower were placed on top. The delicate, snow-white petals had a sweet and tangy flavor, complementing the salty caviar and the smooth, tender custard, making it an exquisite dish.
The petals of the Jie Mi flower resembled daisies from Earth, but they were thicker, rounder, and edible. The flower came in many colors, making it both beautiful and a culinary ingredient.
Si Xu took a bite—it was both visually appealing and delicious.
Lin Jiu then brought out a medium-sized bowl, half filled with purple and the other half with pomegranate red. The purple came from ‘sea ball roe’, which resembled sea urchins on Earth, both in shape and appearance, with spiky bodies that were difficult to handle. The pomegranate red was from ‘stone skeleton fish roe’, and there was plenty of it.
Beneath the sea ball roe and caviar was translucent jade rice, its temperature close to body temperature, ensuring that the flavor of the seafood on top wasn’t compromised. The rice was soft, sticky, and chewy, with each grain distinct. The different ingredients combined harmoniously without overpowering one another, allowing every bite to reveal the unique flavors of the various seafood.
“This is ‘sea ball rice’.”
Lin Jiu only prepared three new dishes, knowing that more would be too much for SiXu, and he refused to let any food go to waste.
When Si Xu walked in, he noticed the day’s menu consisted of the ‘Lobster’ dishes they had eaten the night before, not these three.
It was clear these dishes were specially prepared for him.
Si Xu felt a warmth in his heart, and a smile appeared on his face. “Can I have some of the ‘plum wine’ from yesterday?”
Lin Jiu hesitated. The system had warned him that for ordinary people, consuming magical food and wine in small amounts could strengthen their bodies and prolong their lives, but over consumption could be fatal.
However, since Si Xu wanted to drink, Lin Jiu was conflicted.
Lin Jiu inner thought:
‘Black Lin Jiu’: If he wants to drink, let him. It’s your idol’s request—you have to fulfill it.
‘White Lin Jiu’: No, no, no! He’s just an ordinary person; his safety is more important.
‘Black Lin Jiu’: He drank three cups yesterday and was fine.
‘White Lin Jiu’: But he felt unwell afterward.
‘Black Lin Jiu’: It was just a little discomfort. Once that passes, his body will be stronger, and he’ll be ready for his concert.
‘White Lin Jiu’: …
In the end, ‘White Lin Jiu’ was persuaded by ‘Black Lin Jiu’.
Lin Jiu said, “You can only have three cups, no more.”
Si Xu replied, “Alright.”
Lin Jiu got up to fetch the wine, this time not bringing the whole barrel, but pouring some into a jug.
The diners in the hall craned their necks, watching as Boss Lin brought the jug and wine glasses into the private room. Immediately, one of them called out, “Boss Lin, I’d like some wine too!”
Lin Jiu shot him a glance, “We’re not serving wine today.”
“Then what about the wine in your hand…?”
“Check the dining rules.” Lin Jiu tilted his chin upward as he entered the private room.
The diner: “…”
Once again, it came down to rank. It seemed that higher-ranked customers really did get special treatment.
The diners who had given up on trying to climb the ranks suddenly found themselves tempted again.
Lin Jiu handed the jug and wine glass to Si Xu and, feeling uneasy, warned him again before leaving, “Only three cups, no more.”
Si Xu replied, “If you’re worried, you can stay and watch me.”
Lin Jiu thought about it and decided to come back, sitting down at the table to make it clear he was serious—Si Xu really could only drink three cups.
Seeing Lin Jiu’s seriousness, Si Xu also became more earnest, “What happens if I drink more?”
You could die.
Of course, Lin Jiu couldn’t say that outright—it wasn’t like he was trying to harm anyone. Offering someone a drink that could kill them wasn’t exactly ideal.
However, magical wine was inherently a good thing; it was just that an ordinary person’s body couldn’t handle that much energy. If consumed in moderation, it nourished the body, but too much could harm it. If he could control the amount, magical wine was as fine as any other wine.
Lin Jiu, with his face hidden behind a mask, kept a serious expression, “I’m watching you—don’t drink too much.”
Si Xu’s question was left unanswered.
Si Xu poured himself a glass of fruit wine, lifted the pale green liquid, and drank it in one go.
The familiar burning sensation spread through his body, causing him to sweat a little. He didn’t stop and drank two more cups in quick succession.
The dizziness, headache, and burning sensation returned, but this time, Si Xu found it more bearable than the day before. He wanted to test if the energy he suspected was in the wine would have any effects if not released.
Lin Jiu watched him closely. Seeing Si Xu drink three cups in a row, Lin Jiu stood up to take away the jug and glass, but his wrist was suddenly grabbed. Lin Jiu was startled, and the wine glass fell onto the wooden table with a clatter, rolling toward the edge, only to be caught by Si Xu.
Si Xu looked up at him, “Aren’t you going to ask me about the table?”
Lin Jiu froze, his whole body stiff. His heart felt like it was going to abandon him and run away on its own—Si Xu’s palm was burning hot, like a branding iron.
Lin Jiu asked, somewhat concerned, “Are you okay?”
Si Xu stared at him for a few seconds before letting go and rubbing his brow, “I’m fine.”
Lin Jiu knew Si Xu was probably feeling uncomfortable again. He felt helpless—knowing the wine would make him feel bad, yet he still insisted on drinking it.
“Why didn’t you ask about the table?” Anyone else who saw such a scene would think they were being haunted, but Lin Jiu remained calm and didn’t pursue the matter, as if nothing unusual had happened.
Lin Jiu replied, “If you’re uncomfortable, you can move the table to the wall. Just be careful not to knock anything over.”
Si Xu: “…”
For a moment, Si Xu didn’t know whether to continue the conversation. Though he was older than Lin Jiu, when it came to handling this situation, Lin Jiu was far more composed and steady.
Si Xu was used to being in control and disliked feeling trapped in uncertainty. “You’re not surprised at all?”
Lin Jiu felt that the godlike image of his idol was starting to waver tonight. He was becoming more real, less of the unreachable perfect idol.
Lin Jiu thought about how to respond, “I was surprised at the time.”
He had been shocked, but investigating the truth was a different matter. After all, what truth could he even uncover?
In comparison, he himself carried more secrets than anyone else. He wasn’t particularly meticulous, and if someone investigated him and tried to find faults, they’d probably uncover a lot. He was well aware of the many loopholes in his story—especially the one-year disappearance, which was difficult to explain.
He could only protect himself using the simplest methods: living a straightforward life, saying and doing little, suppressing his curiosity, and just focusing on getting by.
“Drinking on an empty stomach will get you drunk more easily, and it’s bad for your stomach. Eating something will help.”
Si Xu didn’t move.
The dizziness and headache intensified rather than eased. A force was coursing through his body, seeking a breakthrough. After traversing every corner of his body, it gathered in his brain. His mind became sharper and clearer than ever before, as if his brain had reached a critical threshold. Any more pressure, even the slightest bit, would push things beyond his control.
His head throbbed painfully, but he was used to this kind of pain. Ever since he’d fallen ill, headaches and dizziness had become a part of daily life.
He remembered his grandfather once mentioning that his grandmother’s family had a genetic illness. Either you lived safely into old age without incident, or if it manifested, you wouldn’t live past 30. Back then, his grandmother, like him, couldn’t eat. Anything she tried to consume would be thrown up, and she had to rely on IV fluids to survive. In her final two years, his grandmother’s memory became terrifyingly strong. The current Mohong Group was built entirely by her. At the time, his grandfather had only been able to assist her.
Si Xu’s illness had become his grandfather’s burden. His grandfather seemed to see his grandmother’s fate mirrored in Si Xu. His grandmother had passed away on her 30th birthday, emaciated to nothing but skin and bones.
Si Xu didn’t believe in fate. He wanted to take his chances. If he didn’t succeed, he had less than two years to live anyway.
He was like a reckless gambler, with his life as the stake. Win, and he’d live. Lose, and he’d die.
He wanted to test what would happen if he broke through his brain’s threshold. But the energy from three cups of green plum wine wasn’t enough. It was stuck right at the edge, making him uncomfortable and causing pain, but he couldn’t break through.
Because of the pain, his breathing grew heavier. “I want another cup,” he said.
Lin Jiu’s eyes widened, and he instinctively grabbed the wine jug and hid it behind his back. “No, three cups is the limit.”
“My tolerance isn’t that bad. I can handle a little more,” Si Xu said, trying to keep his tone calm to avoid alerting Lin Jiu.
Since they were both pretending, he might as well pretend about his tolerance too.
“No,” Lin Jiu firmly refused, grabbing the wine cup and standing up to leave.
“Lin Jiu.”
Si Xu stood up as well, leaning on the table, his fingers white from gripping it too hard. “I need this wine.”
Lin Jiu turned to face him, and there was no hesitation or doubt in his eyes—just a firm refusal.
He couldn’t gamble with Si Xu’s life.
“I told you, three cups is the limit. If you can’t respect that, I won’t offer you any more wine in the future.”
Lin Jiu opened the door and left, heading straight to the second floor to put the wine jug and cups away before coming back down. He didn’t return to the private room.
Si Xu didn’t know how sharp Lin Jiu’s senses were, how much of his façade, his endurance, and his pain Lin Jiu had noticed. But Lin Jiu wouldn’t have agreed to give him more wine unless he wanted him dead.
Lin Jiu stood in the kitchen, watching the diners leave table by table.
Si Xu still hadn’t come out, and Lin Jiu didn’t go to him either.
Just before Lin Jiu was about to close the shop, Si Xu finally emerged from the private room, looking completely normal as if nothing had happened.
He wanted to pay but didn’t know the price.
“Medium sea orb rice: 6,998 yuan. Golden sauce shrimp balls: 1,998 yuan. Steamed egg custard: 3,998 yuan. Qinghua fruit wine: 10,000 yuan per cup, and you had three. That’s a total of 42,994 yuan. Thank you for your patronage,” Lin Jiu said in a formal, cold manner, as if speaking to a stranger… although they weren’t exactly close.
Si Xu scanned the payment code with his phone.
At the door, he turned to look at Lin Jiu. “Sorry.”
He had been careless. If anything happened to him in Lin Jiu’s place, it would be hard for Lin Jiu to explain.
Lin Jiu said nothing, watching him leave before tidying up the table and chairs.
He didn’t want to think too much about it, but he couldn’t help spacing out.
He had just rejected the idol he had been a fan of for so many years…
—
Translator’s Note:
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