The silver knife glided gracefully back and forth over the sauce-coated steak as Su Yao used her fork to bring a small piece of meat to her mouth.
She picked up the napkin beside her to dab her lips, then placed another plate of smoked lamb chops in front of her and repeated the process, frowning as she swirled the purple-red liquid in her wine glass.
After a brief sniff, she took a small sip.
Although she had never tasted any fine wines, even the regular supermarket red wines were far superior to this sour, metallic-tasting liquid.
She then brought the final “dessert” closer—a deep-fried item with a golden crust drenched in an unknown sticky sauce.
Putting it into her mouth, it wasn’t the sickly sweet treat she expected, but rather a light, fragrant crispiness.
This not-so-sweet dessert was probably the best thing she had eaten all day.
At that moment, Clorel’s brows twitched slightly. Unlike Su Yao’s casual tasting, she genuinely did not want to waste all the food on the table.
Unfortunately, having already tasted the chocolate bread and sweet beggar’s chicken, even she found this spread of delicacies somewhat hard to swallow.
Looking at the feast before them—less impressive than “British Cuisine”—Su Yao felt reassured.
Originally, she had planned to silently apologize in her heart to the hardworking chefs and waiters for what was about to happen.
But after tasting the food herself, she now only felt that spending over a dozen Gold Coins on this meal was a waste.
“Ding, ding.”
Ignoring etiquette, she slammed her knife and fork onto the plate and ordered the nearby waiter, “Go find the restaurant’s manager or the Head Chef for me.”
The once lively restaurant fell suddenly silent. Everyone stopped eating and looked over.
The waiter bowed slightly, smiling as if to ask what the guest was dissatisfied with, but for some reason, he obediently headed straight for the kitchen.
After a dozen minutes, a slightly plump chef hurried to the table where Su Yao and Clorel were dining.
Seeing the displeased young blonde girl, he was momentarily stunned. Though he was also quite annoyed, he politely asked, “May I ask if you, miss, are dissatisfied with my cooking?”
Su Yao pushed the dessert she liked most toward the chef. “Try this.”
The chef picked up the plate and skillfully cut a small piece with his knife and fork, placing it into his mouth.
His brows furrowed deeply. By now, he was certain this noble brat was here to cause trouble.
“Miss, this Lily Honey Pastry is flawless. I guarantee that even if you try this dessert in the Capital, you won’t find a better taste.”
Seeing him so confident, Su Yao was eager to give this Feast Wasteland a little shock to its palate.
“Try this. In my country, this is just an ordinary staple food.”
Su Yao carefully tore open the packaging and handed the Head Chef a Butter Bread.
He took it with a look of surprise.
Don’t get the wrong idea—having trained in the Capital, the chef was no stranger to various types of bread.
But he had never seen bread this soft before, and just by smelling it, he was captivated by the aroma of freshly baked wheat.
Too lazy to find a knife and fork, he simply bit into the bread, chewing slowly.
Saliva mixed with the bread stuck to his teeth, releasing a faint sweetness that spread throughout his mouth. But in the next moment, his eyes involuntarily widened.
A slightly cool, creamy paste touched his tongue— a milky sweetness far surpassing any sweetener he knew.
Ignoring all etiquette, he bit into a second, then a third mouthful.
Seeing the Head Chef’s face filled with delight, Su Yao felt much more at ease. The plan was going smoothly. With this bread’s overwhelming edge, she had successfully taken the first step.
Coming back to his senses, the chef looked at the crumbs left in his hands with a dazed expression. Although it didn’t feel like he had eaten much, the bread was gone, leaving him baffled.
“Miss, could you please share the recipe and baking method for this bread? In return, I will speak with the manager to waive your entire bill at this restaurant.”
“Sorry, I can’t give you the recipe.”
To think that a mere dozen Gold Coins of “fodder” could exchange for the Butter Bread’s baking method? That kind of wishful thinking almost made Su Yao want to laugh.
Besides, she didn’t even know how to make Butter Bread.
“But I didn’t come here just to trade recipes. While I can’t give you the formula or method, I can sell you one of its ingredients.”
Su Yao took from her storage a packet of White Sugar she had purchased at the Dungeon Shop and poured a small pile of white crystals onto a plate.
The chef didn’t hesitate to dip a finger in and taste it. Sweet—so sweet it was almost tooth-aching. He couldn’t think of anything except the fruit offerings for the Royalty that could compare.
What made it even more precious was that this white crystal was a seasoning.
If the supplier could provide it steadily, he was confident he could revolutionize the culinary world— not just of this nation, but this entire world.
“Miss, please wait here a moment. I’ll notify the manager.”
No wonder the others thought their desserts were unpalatable. For someone used to such high-quality staples, getting served expensive yet awful meals and not losing their temper was already quite polite.
After the slightly plump chef left, Su Yao resumed enjoying the remaining dishes on the table. Though her palate was spoiled by her original world’s cuisine, she still refused to waste food.
The clinking of knives and forks returned to the restaurant, but now more people were looking toward the table where Su Yao and Clorel sat.
It was clear they were intrigued by the “goods” that had made the chef abandon his pride.
Before long, someone got up and walked toward them.
Clorel stood to stop the person.
“I mean no offense, but my master wishes to invite this lovely young lady to her room for a chat after the meal.”
The elderly butler with streaks of gray bowed slightly, awaiting Su Yao’s reply.
“That’s fine. Please tell your mistress that I would be happy to talk with her after dining.”
Hearing this, the butler smiled and stood, adding, “I will wait at the entrance of this restaurant. Please take your time and enjoy your meal.”
After seeing the butler off, Clorel sat back down, glancing at Su Yao with a hint of curiosity.
She wondered how Su Yao, who had been quietly eating all along, knew who the old man’s master was.
But since she was currently playing the part of a maid, such questions would have to wait until no one else was around.
Su Yao noticed her inquisitive expression and kindly whispered, “I told you some things only work best here. Selling the White Sugar is one, and picking the right partner is another.”
Since entering the restaurant, she had been observing everyone’s reactions carefully. The female noble dining in front of the old man was one of her key focus points.
The reason was simple: all the seats around her were empty.