Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 181: Another Version Domination

"What should I say?" Lionel shrugged. "What else can I say? Just thank the academy for its nurturing, thank Mrs. Rothschild for her generosity, and thank all the teachers and classmates for their kindness..."

It's all just clichés.

Albert looked incredulous: "Come on, Leon! You always say you're just 'talking casually,' but what happened? I don't believe you weren't prepared!"

His eyes gleamed with schadenfreude: "I'm waiting to see. This afternoon I'll show some people that 'the conscience of the Sorbonne' isn't just a name for nothing!"

Lionel knew he was referring to Sofia.

But he didn't really consider Sofia a "rival"—this Russian noblewoman's daughter was far too arrogant and haughty, making him instinctively want to stay far away from her.

Lionel struggled to pry Albert's arm open and straightened his wrinkled coat collar: "It really was just a platitude, you can choose not to believe me."

He paused, his tone helpless: "I only just found out I won the award, how could I have had time to prepare anything sensational?"

Albert looked him up and down suspiciously: "Okay, even if you're not prepared... I bet you'll just stand there and those 'golden sentences' will just pop out of your mouth!"

Okay, let's eat first, I'm starving!

At this point, the students in the class had already stood up in twos and threes.

Then Sophia walked to the center of the classroom, head held high: "Fellow students! To celebrate my official membership in the Sorbonne, I've booked a table at the 'Silver Tower Restaurant'!"
Right next to Republic Square, they specially prepared Bresse chicken, foie gras, and the freshest sturgeon for us today!
Unlimited drinks! Anyone who wishes to join us is welcome!

Let's temporarily forget the dullness of the classroom and enjoy a lunch befitting a Sorbonne!

The Silver Tower is one of the top restaurants in Paris, and its prices are extremely high. Even though the students of the Sorbonne are generally wealthy and influential, they cannot go there casually.

Louis-Alphonse was the first to jump out, his face full of flattery: "Too generous! Soffin! This is true aristocratic style!"
Some people are all talk and no action; they have no idea what true quality of life really is!

However, to Sofia and Louis-Alphonse's surprise, there were very few respondents.

The students who remained in the classroom merely glanced at her curiously, exchanged a few whispered words, and then revealed a strange, slightly superior smile on their faces.

They didn't respond as enthusiastically as Sophia had expected; instead, they all started taking out boxes of different sizes and materials from their backpacks and cloth bags.

Some were simple wooden boxes, some were woven rattan baskets, and some were wrapped in clean cotton cloth.

They gathered in small groups and skillfully opened their food boxes.

In an instant, the classroom was filled with the aroma of various foods.

A tall, thin boy wearing glasses opened his double-layered tin lunchbox:
The top layer consisted of several thick slices of rye bread, sandwiched with what looked like substantial ham and pickles;

The next layer is a vegetable salad drizzled with vinaigrette.

He also chatted with the classmate next to him: "Hey, Pierre, what did your mother bring you today? Wow, the ham looks really good!"

The boy named Pierre pushed his food box: "It's alright. Try this smoked ham. My mother brought it back from Parma, Italy. It's very appetizing."

In addition to the main dish, his lunchbox contained a small piece of cheese and a few apples.

In another corner, several students were sharing their lunch.

One of the food boxes contained delicate cream rolls, chicken salad rolls, and cold-cut roast beef;

The other person brought warm onion soup in a thermos.

Seeing this, Albert chuckled smugly and magically produced a food box that was neatly wrapped in linen.

He deliberately and slowly unbuttoned the lid and lifted the box. Inside were several small dishes arranged in compartments:
A small portion of braised beef tongue in red wine, with a rich sauce; a few perfectly seared cod fillets, served with lemon wedges;
A sprig of tender green arugula salad; and even two pieces of madeleine cake garnished with nut crumbs.

While not as luxurious as the "Silver Tower," it is clearly a carefully prepared, nutritionally balanced, and delicious dish with a strong family flavor.

Albert said to Sophia in an exaggerated tone, "Oh, my dear 'Sophia,' it seems your news is a bit behind schedule."

In the Sorbonne, the trendiest thing now isn't going to those noisy and expensive restaurants, but having a unique 'personalized' food box.

This is a brand new dining trend spearheaded by Lionel! It represents health, taste, and...

"Yes, a closer interpersonal relationship. Isn't it?"

He picked up a small silver fork, speared a piece of beef tongue, and deliberately chewed it with relish: "After all, who knows what happens in the restaurant's kitchen?"
"Nothing beats the comfort and care of your own cook."

These words drew knowing smiles from many of the students around who had taken out their lunchboxes, and some even whispered in agreement:

“That’s right, Albert is right!”

"It's much better than eating out!"

Lionel was completely bewildered. Wasn't he the only one who brought a lunchbox last semester?

It seems like everyone in the class has something after just one summer vacation.

Albert whispered to him, "Whatever you do now could spread like syphilis throughout the entire Sorbonne!"

Lionel shuddered: "Could you use a different analogy?"

Albert thought for a moment: "Then, like cholera?"

Lionel: "..." He decided to give up on educating this idiot.

He also took out his lunchbox, starting with the main dish on the top layer:

A thick pan-fried pork chop, crispy and charred at the edges, tender and juicy in the center, drizzled with a rich sauce made with red wine and mushrooms;

The side dish is a mashed potato dish that Petty came up with himself—the potatoes are steamed until soft, then mixed with hot milk and butter until smooth and creamy, and finally sprinkled with chopped parsley.
Finally, there's a small portion of green salad simply tossed with vinaigrette to cut through the richness.

The lower level contains some "snacks":
Several crispy slices of garlic bread, a small jar of applesauce, and even two carefully wrapped items that looked like some kind of pie—

This was a creation of Petit, born from a description of Chinese "spring rolls" by Lionel to Petit, and Petit's amazing talent and innovative design resulted in a crispy outer layer and a filling of chicken and vegetables.

In addition, there are of course some fruits and drinks to cleanse the palate after the meal.

Albert's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard: "My God... this fried pork chop looks even better than the one at 'Golden Sun' restaurant!"

"And this... what is this?" He pointed to the spring roll.

Lionel smiled: "A little experiment by Petty."

Sofia's face flushed red and then turned pale; she clearly hadn't expected this to happen.

Her meticulously prepared "Silver Tower Feast" looked like a vulgar and foolish joke in front of each cozy little lunchbox.

In the end, only Louis-Alphonse, steeling himself, stood awkwardly beside Sofia: "Sofia... Sofia, I... I'll go with you!"
Let them...let them eat this cold stuff!

Sofia glared at Lionel, then abruptly turned and left the classroom.

(End of this chapter)