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The waiter worked efficiently, and before long, every dish Lynn had ordered was set on the table.
The spicy hot pot base simmered vigorously, a rolling sea of red oil bubbling and releasing a rich, pungent aroma.
A dazzling array of food that covered more than half the table, with hand-pulled noodles and chilled plum syrup placed neatly to the side.
"Sir, all your dishes are here. Please enjoy your meal," the waiter said politely.
"Thank you," Lynn replied with a smile.
"You're very welcome."
After the waiter left, Lynn surveyed the feast before him.
He didn't pick up his chopsticks right away.
Instead, he took out his mobile phone, adjusted the angle, and aimed it at the bubbling red broth and the overflowing table—
Click, click, click!
He snapped photos from every possible angle.
Close-ups of the bubbling red oil, wide shots showcasing the sheer abundance of ingredients—
He even took a selfie.
With practiced ease, he opened the four-person group chat named "Hogwarts Detention Strike Force."
He selected all the photos and tapped—
Send!
Accompanied by the caption:
"Time to eat!"
Only then did he finally pick up his chopsticks.
He selected a slice of lamb—perfectly cut, beautifully marbled—
Swished it seven or eight times in the boiling broth, watching it turn from bright red to pale grayish-white—
Dipped it into his custom oil sauce—
Blew on it lightly—
And popped it into his mouth.
The spicy, savory flavors exploded across his tongue.
Lynn narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.
The phone on the table began vibrating rapidly.
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
The notifications blended into a continuous stream.
Lynn raised an eyebrow, picked up his phone, and unlocked it.
The group chat was already flooding with messages.
Edgar: Do you even know what you're doing?! You're eating! In the middle of the night! In your pajamas! You went out for hot pot?! Are you even human?! (Crying cat head.jpg)
Edgar: (A thick but plain ham and egg sandwich, more than half eaten, with the familiar Burns kitchen wallpaper in the background.)
William: Send the address. Now. Immediately. There's a 62% chance I make it before you finish.
Ollie: I'm coming too. (Drooling person.jpg)
Edgar: William! Ollie! You can't do this! Stay strong! Resist temptation! Think of our Hufflepuff—okay, I can't keep this up. Is it too late to call a cab?! (Angry Bird.jpg)
Watching Edgar's messages refresh at breakneck speed, Lynn nearly laughed out loud.
He leisurely picked up a piece of tripe, swished it in the pot—"seven up, eight down"—
Then replied.
Lynn: (Location)
Lynn: Hurry up~ The pot just started boiling, and the meat's fresh. First come, first served—I won't wait for latecomers~ (Cool dog head with a rose in its mouth.jpg)
Less than three seconds later—
William: Received. Estimated arrival: 12–15 minutes. Save some shrimp paste and tripe.
Ollie: Already called the Knight Bus. Be there soon. (OK gesture.jpg)
Edgar: I just finished my sandwich!! Why didn't you send this earlier?!
Edgar: Angry! Angry! Angry! (A flood of flaming rage emojis)
Edgar: My house is way farther from London than yours! Even if I leave now, it won't be hot by the time I get there! Lynn! Just you wait! I'm going to eat you out of house and home when school starts!!!
The chat finally went quiet after Edgar's last string of helpless fury.
Lynn chuckled, set his phone aside, and returned to his meal.
Still, he thoughtfully set aside the shrimp paste and tripe William had requested.
He also asked the waiter for two extra sets of tableware—and ordered additional portions of meat and vegetables.
Sure enough, about twelve minutes later, the restaurant door opened.
William walked in.
"So efficient," Lynn said with a smile, gesturing to the empty seat across from him and the prepared tableware.
"I saved the shrimp paste and tripe for you. Help yourself to some plum syrup."
William nodded, sat down, took out a cloth to wipe his glasses, and then picked up his chopsticks with crisp precision.
"Ollie said he took the Knight Bus. He should be here soon."
Before he could finish—
The door opened again.
Ollie stepped inside.
He wore a dark coat and didn't look particularly pleased.
His gaze swept the room, quickly finding Lynn and William.
Without a word, he walked over and sat beside Lynn.
He gave William a small nod in greeting—
Then his eyes dropped to the bubbling red broth and the spread of ingredients.
He picked up his chopsticks.
"Everyone's here—let's eat!"
Lynn raised his glass of plum syrup.
"Using syrup instead of wine, let's celebrate our… first summer break gathering?"
William adjusted his glasses.
"Cheers."
Ollie said nothing.
He simply raised his glass and clinked it lightly.
The three of them soon plunged into the heated chaos of hot pot.
"Wait!"
Lynn suddenly grabbed his phone again.
He leaned back slightly, framing the shot—
William across from him, just finishing wiping his glasses—
Ollie beside him, having just set down his glass—
His own face—
And the gloriously messy battlefield of hot pot behind them.
"Look here! Let's commemorate our 'Hot Pot Night!'" Lynn called.
William instinctively looked up, straightening his glasses.
Ollie turned his head slightly, expression unchanged.
Click!
A group photo was captured.
Three young wizards in mismatched outfits, gathered around a chaotic table under warm yellow lights in a Muggle hot pot restaurant.
Without even checking the photo, Lynn immediately opened the group chat, selected it, and hit—
Send!
Caption:
"Midnight Snack Squad, all assembled! (Smug sunglasses smile.jpg)"
The response was instant.
Edgar: (A cartoon badger exploding with rage, fur bristling.jpg)
Edgar: (Blazing rage emoji.jpg)
Edgar: (A tiny knife dripping with blood.jpg)
Edgar: Angry! Angry! Angry! Angry!... (The next 95 variations of rage are omitted)
Edgar: LYNN! I swear I'm going to eat you out of house and home when school starts!
Lynn: That might be difficult~ Also, who told you to eat dinner so early~ (Funny face.jpg)
Edgar: (Speechless.jpg)
…
After finishing the hot pot, Lynn saw William and Ollie off.
He patted his full, rounded stomach.
Going straight home felt like a waste of such a perfect summer night.
"I can't sleep anyway… might as well take a walk," he muttered.
A thought surfaced—
Diagon Alley.
Most shops would probably be closed, but he had never seen it at night.
It had to have a different kind of charm.
Decision made.
Lynn pulled out his wand—
Crack!
With a soft pop, he vanished from the London streets.
The next second—
"Fuck!"
Someone nearby jumped in shock at his sudden appearance.