The dazzling golden light made everyone present involuntarily close their eyes or cover them with their hands.
However, the closing of their sight made the other senses of their bodies become sharper, especially the sense of smell.
Whoosh!!!
The sweet scent of carrot and the fragrance of beast meat rushed into the nostrils of everyone present. Even the usually cold-faced Eula showed an expression of enjoyment.
Sniff, sniff, sniff.
This alluring aroma made everyone's noses twitch continuously, hoping to keep the scent a little longer.
"Wow! It smells so good!"
Klee's cheer brought everyone back to their senses.
So everyone opened their eyes, looking expectantly at the peerless delicacy on the serving plate.
Delicious honey glazed carrot fried meat!!!
The soft and sticky carrot stewed to perfection, paired with top-grade beast meat pan-fried just right on the iron plate, the thick sauce, the enticing color, and the rich aroma all heralded this as a grand feast.
Gurgle!
Amidst the sounds of many people constantly swallowing their saliva, the sound of a stomach growling was particularly obvious.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound. They saw a suspicious blush appearing on Eula's face, who stood proudly like a cold plum blossom on snow.
Eula's heart was still in turmoil.
"It's over, it's over. I exerted too much energy rushing back from Dragonspine. I couldn't hold it in."
"How impolite, truly too impolite!"
Eula was originally not interested in the dishes at this gathering. After all, although the Lawrence Clan, one of the three great noble families of Mondstadt, had declined in recent years, Eula had experienced all sorts of delicious dishes and high-class noble gatherings.
Eula, meticulously nurtured by the Lawrence Clan, was herself a master chef, and her specialty, the Moon Pie, was incomparably delicious.
In Mondstadt City, Miss Sara of The Good Hunter was one of the few people willing to accept Eula.
Therefore, Eula often dined at The Good Hunter.
As for the taste of The Good Hunter's dishes, in Eula's opinion, it could only be considered 'barely acceptable'.
Thus, Eula did not attend this gathering for the sake of eating. After the gathering dispersed, she planned to take Amber home to make Moon Pies!
Unexpectedly, Sara actually broke the routine!
She had only been gone for a week, had Sara's culinary skills already improved to this extent!!!
Fortunately, at this moment, her good friend Amber timely spoke up to defuse the awkwardness.
"Eula just returned from Dragonspine. It's completely normal for her to be hungry after such a long and arduous journey."
"The aroma is so strong, even I can barely resist it."
Barbara said with a smile: "That's right. This is a gathering among friends, no need to be so formal."
"Everyone, eat up!"
"I had already pre-ordered with Sara today because I met Amu and the others delivering goods to The Good Hunter. Otherwise, who knows how long I would have to queue to eat such delicious honey glazed carrot fried meat."
Although Klee had eaten many delicious grilled fish made by Arkz, her craving was also awakened by the aroma of this dish, and her mouth watered like a waterfall.
"Klee wants carrots!"
Venti nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes."
"The taste of this honey glazed carrot fried meat is extremely delicious. I guarantee that once you taste it, you will never forget it."
"Everyone, eat up!"
"It won't taste as good if this dish gets cold."
Saying that, Venti eagerly raised his knife and fork, speared a large piece of carrot, and put it into his bowl, savoring it contentedly.
The delicious carrot chunks were cooked soft and tender. Biting into one left a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth, making one enjoy it immensely.
Seeing Venti's blissful expression, everyone couldn't help but swallow their saliva. They stopped being polite and raised their knives and forks to begin the 'battle' at the dining table.
The carrots were soft and glutinous, and the beast meat, seared on the iron plate, had completely absorbed the sauce. The taste was so good that one almost wanted to swallow their own tongue.
The enjoyment on their taste buds allowed everyone present to set aside their worries and sorrow, as well as their reserve. One by one, they mustered all their energy and launched an assault on the dishes on the table.
Even Eula, who always maintained her etiquette, and the usually languid and elegant Lisa, were now wielding their knives and forks, vying for the delicacies on the table.
After one plate of delicious honey glazed carrot fried meat was completely devoured, Sara immediately brought out another plate.
The interval between dish changes became a truce period in this food-snatching battle.
Venti savored the deliciousness of the previous dishes and couldn't help but sigh: "If only I had a pot of good wine right now, that would truly be a life without regret."
Eula nodded in agreement.
"Bring up a century-old vintage of Angels Share, chilled with ice cubes, the taste is truly... Hiss!"
Hearing Eula's comment, Venti couldn't help but give a thumbs-up and praised: "A kindred spirit. We'll have a drink together in the future."
Eula gave a casual 'OK' gesture.
The few people present were all familiar faces, and they held no prejudice against her status. If she could share a few drinks with them in the future and become drinking buddies, that wouldn't be bad.
It was a pity that among the people attending the banquet, it seemed none of them liked drinking.
"No one likes drinking?"
"No one drinking?!!"
Eula fell silent.
Eula: "..."
Amber commented cheerfully: "Compared to drinking wine, I prefer juice. I think chilled orange juice is quite nice."
Noelle, Fischl, and Barbara nodded in agreement.
As if infected by the lively and cheerful atmosphere, Acting Grand Master Jean also started talking.
"Speaking of matching beverages, I think iced coffee is also a pretty good choice."
Lisa shook her head, expressing her disagreement.
"Iced coffee is heresy!"
"Coffee is naturally better when it's hot!"
Watching the green-clad Bard naturally integrate into the conversation among a group of girls, chatting and laughing freely, Eula's mouth twitched slightly.
Did nobody notice anything amiss!!!
When did this Bard sneak in!!!
For an eight-person banquet, there was an extra person, yet nobody noticed!!!
"Wait a minute!"
"Don't you all notice anything is wrong?!"
Eula couldn't hold back anymore and asked out loud.
Venti looked around suspiciously, his big, watery, green eyes curiously asking: "Where? Where? What's wrong? I didn't notice anything?"
Silence...
Silence...
Everyone raised their fingers and pointed at Venti.
"Hey! Am I the one who's wrong?" Venti blinked in confusion.
A kind smile appeared on Barbara's face: "Sir or Madam, I don't recall you being invited to this banquet!"
Venti suddenly realized: "Oh! That's why I felt something was off!"
"Arkz said he would treat everyone at The Good Hunter, but I didn't expect him to ditch me."
"This is all the fault of my good brother Arkz!"
"He lives at Springvale Farm in Springvale. Please, you must not let him off the hook!"
(Arkz: "???")
After speaking, Venti gave a cheerful 'A-hey' and jumped out of the window.
Feeling the cool breeze, Venti couldn't help but show a smug expression.
"I've definitely over-completed the mission, right?"
"Not only did I make Barbara, Jean, and so many girls remember Arkz, but I also got them to actively go find Arkz, and I even managed to snag a great meal on the side."
"I truly am a genius."
"A-hey!"
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