C13 Reaction Challenge

"Are you certain this is genuinely from Tang Pavilion? Don't think you can pass off some street vendor's sweets as the real deal!" Zhang Zhen said with a hint of irritation in his voice.

Tang Pavilion, the sole three-star Michelin restaurant in China, may not have the most impressive menu compared to other hidden culinary gems in the country, but its prestige was unmatched.

Located in Pearl City, Tang Pavilion had established three strict rules for its patrons. First, no takeout—if you wanted to dine here, you had to sit down and finish your meal in the restaurant. Second, no reservations—every day, countless people lined up in front of Tang Pavilion, hoping to secure a seat the moment it opened and savor the day's offerings. Third, no haggling—the prices of Tang Pavilion's dishes were set in stone, impervious to seasons, holidays, or any significant events. You either paid up and enjoyed, or you walked away.

Despite its lofty stance, the restaurant drew innumerable food connoisseurs. Those who had once vowed to denounce Tang Pavilion ended up, somewhat hypocritically, awarding it top ratings after just one visit. Such was the power of Tang Pavilion, confident enough in the allure of its cuisine to enforce such stringent rules.

"If the dish you prepare doesn't match up to Tang Pavilion's authentic creation, I'll hand over the entire alley to you," the stern-voiced girl declared, her conviction sending a shiver down Zhang Zhen's spine. Was all this fuss really necessary for just an advertisement?

"So, all I need to do is take part in a Guinness World Record challenge? Win or lose doesn't matter?" "Exactly!" the girl replied firmly. "If you're doubtful, we can sign a contract and follow legal procedures." "No, no, I believe you," Zhang Zhen said, shrugging nonchalantly. He wasn't about to raise a ruckus over a recipe.

"So, you're agreeing then?" The girl's tone softened, revealing a touch of excitement.

Zhang Zhen hesitated, then offered a resigned smile. "Well, you'll need to give me the details—time and place. I can't compete if I don't know where it is." "Fantastic! He's agreed!" In the next instant, a customer service representative with an adorable demeanor leapt up in excitement at the restaurant, then quickly covered her mouth, looking sheepishly as if she'd made a blunder.

A cool, feminine laugh came through the phone. "The time is set for tomorrow at noon, on the second floor of the Changnan International Convention Center. Make sure you come to Deep Lane three hours early for a makeover." Just as I suspected, it's another advertisement.

Zhang Zhen inwardly rolled his eyes but outwardly responded with enthusiasm. "Alright, I'll be at Deep Lane by nine in the morning." With that, he ended the call.

"Just a Guinness World Record challenge, it shouldn't catch the eye of those people, should it?" Zhang Zhen gazed at the ceiling, talking to himself.

The Night Serpent Special Forces, one of China's most secretive and formidable units.

Their adversaries ranged from international drug lords to underground kings who ruled entire cities, to corrupt tycoons involved in smuggling operations worth billions.

Back when his team was intact, Zhang Zhen feared no criminal. The mere mention of Night Serpent was enough to deter any reckless moves.

But now, the Night Serpent is no more, and he's the only survivor, barely clinging to life.

Those vicious enemies, like starving wolves, would surely seek vengeance if they discovered a Night Serpent medic still lived.

"Anyway, I have to get styled, so it probably won't matter." Mulling it over, Zhang Zhen pulled a pair of plain glasses from the cabinet, a slight smile touching his lips.

They were the sole gift Mo Qingge had given him last Spring Festival.

"It's from a colleague at the hospital. If you don't like it, just toss it," she had said.

But Zhang Zhen was aware that these glasses were last year's hottest new men's model from Miesen Glasses, coveted by many.

She was tough in words but tender at heart, her demeanor cool yet filled with warmth.

Previously, Zhang Zhen's own disability made him feel inferior in Mo Qingge's presence.

From now on, he was determined to hold on to his happiness.

"Lao Dao, this is what you wanted too, right?" He smiled, and before he knew it, tears were silently streaming down his face, dampening the pillow.

...

"What? Sister Leng, he actually agreed?!" exclaimed Gray Rabbit, her voice filled with astonishment, as she spoke on the phone in her pink, girlish bedroom within the Linjiang Villa District.

"Yes, but only if you have the recipe for Swan Quicksand Flakes," said the woman whom Gray Rabbit called Sister Leng. She was the one with the same cool voice that had called Zhang Zhen.

Her name was Leng Huaping, the proprietor of the Deep Alley Restaurant and Gray Rabbit's bestie.

The last time she dined at the restaurant, she had actually posed as a stranger to help drum up business for Leng Huaping.

"Don't worry, Sister Leng. A ten-second challenge for a popular Guinness World Record will definitely be more useful than one of your recipes," Gray Rabbit said excitedly, speaking without a filter. "Besides, you've made an agreement with Tang Pavilion... You can't use those recipes." "Xiaoling!" Leng Huaping's voice rose sharply, clearly annoyed.

"Oops! My bad, Sister Leng. I deserve a slap for that," Gray Rabbit quickly realized her mistake, gently patting her own face and playfully sticking out her tongue.

"You know, it's best to keep Tang Pavilion's matters to yourself. You're the only one in Changnan City who knows about Sister Leng's shady past," Leng Huaping said, looking at Gray Rabbit's adorable demeanor and shaking her head in resignation.

"Hehe, I, Mu Xiaoling, might not be good at much, but I can definitely keep a secret. You can count on me, Sister Leng!" Gray Rabbit, Mu Xiaoling, assured her, patting her chest as if sealing her lips.

"Alright, make sure you come to the Deep Alley tomorrow morning to style Mr. Zhang," Leng Huaping said, putting an end to Gray Rabbit's antics. She adjusted her hair and continued, "He actually has a rather rugged look. With a little work, he could rival any celebrity." "Tsk tsk, Sister Leng, are you smitten?" "Look who's talking! Who was it that came asking for my phone number right after dinner that day?" The two women continued to giggle and tease each other as time slipped away unnoticed.

...

The following morning at 9 o'clock, at Chang Qing Commercial Square, inside the Deep Alley Restaurant.

Zhang Zhen sat dazedly at the makeup table, watching Leng Huaping pace back and forth, utterly baffled.

Could someone please explain to him what exactly was happening?

"Mu Xiaoling! What happened to the firm commitment you made to me yesterday? It's only been a few hours, and now you're telling me you're too weak from diarrhea to make it?!" Leng Huaping's voice was practically ablaze with fury; she was beyond angry.

It was one thing for Mu Xiaoling to be all giggles and jokes on a normal day, but the Guinness World Record challenge was right around the corner.

At such a critical time, she still managed to cause a commotion!