Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

After walking for nearly three hours, the three old men were exhausted. Their legs felt weak and they had no strength left.

"I'm exhausted, I really can't go on, my feet hurt so much. Let's find a place to get some water and rest our feet." Shen Gao's face was full of pain; this long journey was truly exhausting.

Shen Mao glared at him, looking every bit the old-fashioned man: "Let's go quickly. We can rest when we get there. We need to deal with this matter as soon as possible, otherwise, who knows what might happen."

"We must not let our Shen family's business be ruined by outsiders."

Shen De was panting heavily. He waved his hand and said, "I think we really need to rest. If we don't, we three old bones will collapse on the road before we even reach the Shen family."

Shen De was the clan leader, and Shen Gao naturally echoed his words as soon as he spoke.

Shen Mao, though he felt there was no need to rest, was also in real pain in his feet.

After stubbornly arguing for a while, the three of them went directly to the nearest teahouse.

The teahouse was packed with people, many of whom were holding wooden signs, seemingly waiting for something.

"Are you three going to take a number? You're really lucky, there are only three numbers left!" A waiter ran over to greet them.

Shen Mao spoke first: "Why bother with numbers? We want tea, the cheapest one is fine!"

The servant was startled and asked uncertainly, "Really no waiting? Are you sure?"

"OK, OK!!" Shen Mao was preoccupied with the Shen family's business and just wanted to finish his tea and leave as soon as possible.

"What about you two? Are you also sure you don't want to join the queue?"

Shen De was puzzled by the question and was about to ask when a voice came from the doorway: "Are there any more numbers?"

"There are three left."

"The three of us are perfect!" Three middle-aged men came in together and sat down at the next table. "Another pot of Longjing tea, please!"

"Alright! Here's your number. Please wait a moment, your tea will be served shortly."

"What about our tea?" Shen Mao asked anxiously.

The servant looked at Shen De, Shen Mao, and the others, his eyes revealing a hint of sympathy and regret: "Your tea will be served shortly."

Shen De wondered why the servant was looking at them with such eyes.

And what exactly is this queue number system...?

Just then, the sound of conversation from the next table came through:

"That was close! I thought we wouldn't be able to eat today!"

"Yes, these three numbers are a blessing from God. I didn't get to eat Four Happiness Meatballs yesterday, but I can finally try them today."

"The aroma of Madam Shen's Four Happiness Meatballs is so enticing, you two must try them today!"

Hearing this, Shen De couldn't help but inquire, "That number just now... was it for the Four Happiness Meatballs??"

"That's right, don't you know? These are Lady Shen's Four Happiness Meatballs, a dish that's unique in heaven and earth. On a normal day, the line would be so long you couldn't see the end of it."

I heard that the owner of this teahouse is very close to Madam Shen, which is why we were able to get a number at the teahouse – it's much more comfortable than usual.”

The diners at the next table were talking animatedly, their voices filled with pride.

Shen Gao couldn't help but ask, "So, these Four Happiness Meatballs must be delicious?"

"Not to mention Four Happiness Meatballs, all the delicacies made by Madam Shen are exquisite, the finest of flavors, without exception!!"

"He's still surnamed Shen, the same as us." Shen Gao chuckled, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Shen Mao snorted coldly: "It's not that exaggerated. In my opinion, Shen's Restaurant has the best dishes. Shen's Restaurant is an old restaurant with many years of history. Not to mention the dishes, everything is delicious, and the service is also good. What's so great about a Four Happiness Meatball? I want to eat at Shen's Restaurant!!"

The diners at the next table stared wide-eyed. Shen's Restaurant was indeed an old restaurant and quite famous in Ping'an County, but it was just an ordinary restaurant.

How can it be compared to Lady Shen's Zhiweixuan?

"The Shen's Restaurant you mentioned has been in a terrible state lately. Not to mention customers, even the chefs have all left."

Upon hearing that curt remark, Shen Mao slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "What did you say? You're talking nonsense!!"

"Why don't you go and see for yourself if it's true?" The diners at the next table were speechless.

It was just a casual chat, how did this old man suddenly get angry?

"Impossible! Don't talk nonsense!!" Shen Mao insisted, pointing at the diner and about to curse.

Shen Gao quickly pulled the man back: "Alright, alright, sit down, we have important business to attend to."

"When are you going to change your stubborn temper? They didn't say anything. We'll find out whether it's true or not soon enough. Hurry up and sit down!" Shen De said.

Although he was shocked by the diner's words, he still retained some rationality.

Shen Mao sat down, unconvinced, and couldn't help but speak up again: "Shen's Restaurant is so powerful, it must be doing very well. These people are just talking nonsense!"

"Besides, the Four Happiness Meatballs here are definitely not as good as those at Shen's Restaurant!"

His voice was slightly breathy, neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to reach the ears of the people at the next table.

Just then, the waiter at the teahouse called out their number, and it was their turn.

The three of them got up quickly and ran out one by one. Before long, they returned with excited expressions, each carrying a plate.

The bowl contained steaming, fragrant Four Happiness Meatballs.

The three of them sat down again next to Shen De and the others, and then subtly pushed their own table closer to them.

The three portions of Four Happiness Meatballs emitted a rich aroma, which reached directly into the nasal cavities of Shen De and the others.

A rich, savory aroma mixed with a hint of caramel sweetness makes you want to sniff and smell more.

A closer sniff reveals a rich, meaty aroma, the result of slow simmering, thick and substantial, instantly conjuring up images of a pot of tender, melt-in-your-mouth stew.

It also contains the spiciness of star anise, the warm aroma of cinnamon, and the mellow fragrance of Shaoxing wine.

The aroma was incredibly enticing, and Shen De couldn't help but turn his gaze to the Four Happiness Meatballs on the next table.

Four glossy, dark red meatballs are placed in the center of the plate, surrounded by vibrant green bok choy, like jade edging four rubies.

The surface of the meatballs is not smooth; it has a fine, granular texture. The sauce coats the meatballs and slowly drips down their sides.

Just then, Shen De saw a pair of chopsticks gently poking at the meatball.

The meatball trembled slightly, as if it were alive.

With a flick of the chopsticks, a crack appeared on the surface of the meatball, revealing tender, moist meat chunks that were steaming hot.

Gollum—

With drool dripping down his face, Shen De's eyes were glued to the Four Happiness Meatballs on the next table.