The Allure of Hot Pot
"Oh, your fourth aunt? She's busy at the shop. With the grand opening tomorrow, there are still some last-minute details to handle, so she went to take care of them," Arthur Evans said with a cheerful smile. "Since you're such a busy bee with classes tomorrow, we won't trouble you to attend the opening ceremony."
Su Li laughed, "So it's opening this soon! Tsk tsk, our very first Hot Pot Demonstration Store is about to open. Let me wish you a booming business and overflowing wealth in advance, Uncle Arthur!"
Arthur Evans cupped his hands, his eyes crinkling with joy. "With you personally guiding us and providing the secret hot pot recipe, how could it not be a hit? Your aunt and I are ready to sit at home and count our money!"
Arthur Evans looked full of confidence in the hot pot restaurant. He'd sent his most capable steward, Little Yuan, to manage the place, and had started promoting it well in advance. He was sure that once the doors opened tomorrow, the restaurant would be packed to the brim!
Once Arthur Evans's hot pot restaurant became a hit, this novel way of eating would surely pique everyone's curiosity. That would be the perfect time to start franchising, attracting a flood of eager partners.
As for Su Li, just collecting franchise fees would make her hands go numb! Not to mention the profits from selling the hot pot base!
The demand for spices would only grow, and the gold and silver would come rolling in!
To ensure the hot pot restaurant's grand opening went smoothly, Su Li sent plenty of helpers, even though she had to teach at the academy and couldn't attend the ceremony herself.
As soon as classes ended in the afternoon, Professor Jade Evans rallied all his students and led them to support the grand opening at Uncle Arthur's hot pot restaurant.
A whole crowd of scholars marched in, making for a truly spectacular scene—especially with the famous Professor Jade Evans of the capital leading the way!
With Professor Jade Evans present, the hot pot restaurant's fame climbed even higher!
There were so many students that it took three tables to seat everyone. The crowd was buzzing with curiosity about this mysterious 'hot pot' they'd never heard of before.
As soon as they sat down, they couldn't help but glance around, watching how the other guests enjoyed their meal.
The aroma of hot pot wafted through the air, making everyone's mouths water.
Lily Evans smiled at Wu Hua, who was sitting next to her, watching him gulp down his saliva, his eyes practically turning green with longing. She couldn't help but laugh at his antics.
Wu Hua noticed Professor Jade Evans smiling at him and scratched his head in embarrassment, rubbing his stomach. He whispered, "I'm just so hungry... and this hot pot smells so good! Sorry, Professor Evans, I just couldn't help myself!"
Lily Evans chuckled, "Here come the dishes! If you're hungry, dig in!"
As Lily Evans spoke, the dishes arrived. A dedicated attendant explained to the newcomers how to eat hot pot—how to cook the ingredients and mix the dipping sauce.
Everyone picked it up quickly, mixing their own dipping bowls and diving into the meat and vegetables.
Wu Hua, impatient as ever, was the first to dip a slice of lamb into the spicy hot pot. The moment he tasted it, his eyes watered from the heat. Fanning his mouth, he exclaimed, "Whoa, that's spicy! It burns, but it's so satisfying and delicious!"
Even as he complained about the heat, Wu Hua kept dipping more lamb into the spicy broth, eating with even greater enthusiasm.
Lily Evans glanced around and saw that most of the table was just like Wu Hua—tears streaming down their faces, but unable to resist the temptation of the spicy hot pot. Everyone was eating with gusto.
A spicy hot pot in the middle of winter—now that was pure bliss!
All the students at the table were sweating from the heat, but they couldn't stop praising how delicious the hot pot was.
Wu Hua ate while wiping away tears, sighing, "Hot pot is so delicious! But when I graduate and go back home, I won't be able to eat such amazing hot pot anymore. What will I do!?"