“Do you believe in ghosts in this world?” Wang Qi asked.
“What are you talking about? Talking about ghosts and gods in broad daylight.” Zhan Yifang nudged Wang Qi.
“If I say yes, would you believe me?” Guo Xuyang said.
“I think those horror movies and ghost movies look so real. But I don’t really believe in it.”
“That’s because you haven’t encountered them. If you were a doctor, you’d have to believe in these things; you must have reverence for every life.”
“My classmates don’t believe in this either, but one of them dropped out.”
“Why?”
“Because he saw what we call a ghost, and he almost went mad.” Wang Qi said.
“That’s because his yang energy was insufficient. People who are generally weaker tend to see things that science can’t explain.”
“That’s right. He had a cold at that time, and his body was weak. After the anatomy class, he said that person followed him back to the dormitory, and he was scared to death.”
“Qiqi, what are you talking about? Don’t scare me.” Zhan Yifang quickly hugged Wang Qi’s arm and said.
“It should be true.”
“Tsk, I’m just kidding. You’re talking like it’s real.” Wang Qi burst into laughter.
“If you ever see anything incredible in the future, you can come to me. I think I can help you solve these problems.” Guo Xuyang said.
“Okay, can you guys stop talking about these things? Are we even allowed to eat?” Zhan Yifang complained.
“I’ll have someone bring it up right away.” Guo Xuyang said, instructing Liu He to make arrangements.
The dishes were plentiful. The lamb soup was served in a basin, and the venison stew was in a hot pot, still bubbling.
“Drink this first, a small bowl for each person. Drinking too much can cause nosebleeds.” Guo Xuyang said, standing up to serve a small bowl for each of them.
“Is this the venison stew? It doesn’t look special.” Zhan Yifang scooped some with her spoon.
“You can’t tell by looking; you’ll know once you taste it.” Guo Xuyang said, picking up his bowl and taking two sips.
“You have to drink it while it’s hot. It won’t be as delicious when it cools down.”
“How can you drink it when it’s so hot?” Zhan Yifang said, taking a sip with her spoon.
“It’s really delicious, smooth and creamy. What is this green vegetable? Is it spinach?”
“No, it’s cabbage leaves, used for seasoning. How is it?”
“Are these diced meat pieces hand-cut or machine-processed?” Zhan Yifang asked.
“I really don’t know how it’s made. I’m not an expert in these things; I only know how to eat.”
“It’s good enough to know how to eat. Where did you get this venison? And why is it sold in limited quantities?”
“This venison is not something ordinary people can buy. It’s transported from a distant place, and it’s very nourishing. It’s especially effective for people with yin deficiency or weakness. It’s very good for you women to drink some of this.”
“How can you speak like that? We are still girls, you know?” Wang Qi said from the side.
“Yes, yes, I misspoke. You are pure girls.” Guo Xuyang thought to himself, they’ve already been used, and they’re still pretending to be pure. But if they don’t say it, who would know if they are girls or women when they go out? Women are animals that are good at disguise; who can’t pretend to be pure and beautiful?
Wang Qi seemed to have understood his implication and glared at him, saying, “Don’t be so sarcastic. If it weren’t for that scoundrel, we really wouldn’t have dated any boyfriends.” Guo Xuyang believed this, as he had seen the red bloodstains on the bedsheet that morning. However, he couldn’t respond to this statement, as any reply would be inappropriate, so he simply stayed silent and lowered his head to eat the congee. He drank three bowls in a row before putting down his bowl.
“Didn’t you say drinking too much can cause nosebleeds? Why did you drink so much?” Zhan Yifang asked when she saw him.
“My constitution is special, I’m fine. But you two are different. You should drink the lamb soup later. The lamb soup is also very delicious, and it’s warm in nature; drinking a few more bowls is fine.”
“Is it because it’s limited supply that you’re being so stingy?”
“If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. But don’t regret it if you get a nosebleed.” Guo Xuyang said.
“Let’s forget it. A wise person takes advice. I’ll just drink the lamb soup.” Zhan Yifang said, using a small bowl to scoop some lamb soup and began eating.
“This tastes better than the venison stew. It’s really good.”
“Is it really that good?” Wang Qi put down the lobster claw he was holding and scooped a bowl of lamb soup.
“Didn’t you want to eat seafood? Drink less of this lamb soup, or you won’t be able to eat the lobster.” Zhan Yifang said.
“It’s okay, we can pack it to go if we can’t finish it. This lobster needs to be peeled yourself, which is troublesome. The restaurants always serve it peeled.” Wang Qi complained.
“It’s good enough to have something to eat. Who has the time to peel lobsters for you at this busy time?” Guo Xuyang said.
“That’s why your restaurant’s standards aren’t improving.”
“This is our canteen. The lamb, beef, and venison alone attract quite a few customers; we don’t rely on lobsters to attract guests.” Guo Xuyang said.
“Are you using a scarcity marketing strategy? Can’t you have more of this venison stew?”
“It’s not that you can’t have more, but there won’t be any left. There’s too little venison; if we supplied it in sufficient quantities, it wouldn’t last for a month’s sales.”
“Why don’t you buy more?”
“It’s not like you can buy it if you want to.”
“No wonder you sell so little. How did you price it?”
“Our pot here is 3,880 yuan per serving. There are also large pots, 6,880 yuan and 8,880 yuan, depending on the number of people. In principle, it’s one bowl per person. After all, people who come to eat have different constitutions, and if someone is greedy and drinks too much, they’ll get a nosebleed.”
“This is too expensive! You want 3,880 yuan for just this little bit?” Wang Qi said loudly.
“The rarer something is, the more valuable it is. Do you understand that principle?” Guo Xuyang rolled his eyes.
“Don’t be so surprised. This table today alone would cost over ten thousand yuan. For us, it’s quite cheap. If you go to a star-rated hotel, you might not be able to get these dishes even if you paid ten times the price.”
“However, ordinary people really can’t afford this price.” Zhan Yifang said.
“You’re right. None of the people who pre-order the venison stew lack money; those who can come here to eat are either wealthy or noble. Ordinary people wouldn’t spend so much money in vain to eat this.” Guo Xuyang said, serving himself another bowl of lamb soup.
“We have large pot dishes and bento boxes in the hall downstairs, catering to the surrounding migrant workers. Ten yuan for all you can eat.”
“I didn’t realize you were so kind-hearted.”
“What are you talking about? If you earn so much money, giving back to society appropriately makes you kind-hearted? We’re robbing the rich to help the poor.”
“You’re getting carried away after I praise you a little?” Zhan Yifang glared at him.
“What did your father say about that factory?” Guo Xuyang asked.
“He said it’s worth considering, but he needs to meet you.”
“Why does he need to meet me? Are you trying to find a son-in-law for me?” Guo Xuyang joked.
“If that’s the case, would you go?” Zhan Yifang retorted.
“Stop joking. I have a wife and kids; I can’t afford to look for more trouble.” Guo Xuyang quickly refused.
“Look at how stingy you are.” Zhan Yifang glared at him again.
“My dad mainly wants to hear your thoughts. After all, it’s a state-owned factory; selling it off shouldn’t make people point fingers.”
“In that case, I’ll go. When would be a good time?”
“Whenever you’re free. If it’s convenient for you, how about coming to my place tonight?”
“Isn’t it inappropriate to come to your place?”
“What? Are you afraid I’ll eat you?”
“That’s not what I meant. It’s just that if I go to your place so late, don’t let others gossip. It would be bad for your reputation.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Are you going or not?”
“If you’re not afraid, then I’m not afraid. I’ll go.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll send you the location later. When you come, you don’t need to bring anything else, just a little bit of this beef, lamb, and venison.”
“That’s easy. I’ll bring some cooked and some raw, guaranteed to make you want more.” Guo Xuyang said.