The waitress was clearly terrified by Anya's appearance and staggered back several steps.
Anya continued to growl low in her throat, her eyes locked onto the helpless waitress as she slowly forced the woman further away.
"Anya, don't be impolite."
As Xu Xiaoyou spoke, she handed the menu back to the waitress.
"Since that's the case, let's go with this dish."
The girl's lower face was cast in shadow, making the smile on her lips look somewhat haunting.
"It wouldn't be good to let the child starve, wouldn't you agree?"
Even through the mask, one could tell the waitress's face had gone pale, and her hands were trembling.
Her fear stemmed entirely from the small girl before her. Her instincts screamed at her to flee, warning her that if the child lunged, her throat would be torn open in the next second.
The patrons in the restaurant who had been harborng ill intentions also felt the terrifying aura emanating from the little girl. The chilling killing intent radiating from her cooled their heads, forcing them to re-examine the blonde girl sitting at the table.
How could someone who came to Sector 13 and entered a Fresh Meat Restaurant to dine be an innocent lamb?
Whether by appearance or aura, the blonde girl seemed far less threatening than the child beside her. Yet, from start to finish, she remained calm and composed. Barring the possibility that she was a fool who couldn't sense danger, there was only one other explanation...
She was a complete and utter lunatic.
Her refined and gentle exterior was merely a disguise to lure prey into a trap.
"Alright, Anya. Sit properly and put your claws away."
Xu Xiaoyou noticed the shift in the gazes from those around her. Her lips curled up in a barely perceptible smirk as she spoke with a measured tone.
Only then did Anya stop baring her teeth. She retracted her sharp claws and sat obediently in her seat.
Seeing that the girl had made the child submissive with just a single sentence, the diners' expressions shifted once more. The dark red glints in their eyes faded significantly, and the air was no longer as stifling as before.
"This table isn't cheap, is it? My apologies, my discipline was lacking. I will compensate you after we finish our meal."
Xu Xiaoyou spoke to the waitress, who remained frozen in place.
"Miss..." The waitress's lips trembled.
"It's fine. No compensation is necessary, guest."
Just then, a steady voice rang out. Looking toward the source, they saw the deer-man, who had been sitting at the VIP table, walking toward them.
The waitress looked at the deer-man as if seeking help. Only after receiving a nod from him did she run off as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the owner of this restaurant. My name is..."
"Mr. Hao," Xu Xiaoyou said with a smile. "Correct?"
The deer-man seemed slightly surprised, his brow arching before relaxing again. "It seems you know my name. I didn't realize I was quite so famous in Sector 13."
"I came here because of your reputation. All the diners here surely know. They say the thumb-based cuisine at Mr. Hao's The Thumb Plate is excellent."
"I'm flattered. As long as the guests like it. It is my honor to provide every diner with a better experience."
Though the conversation seemed casual, the words were filled with mutual probing.
Xu Xiaoyou observed the several Lion Group members behind Mr. Hao. Those tall lion-men were standing in seemingly random positions, yet they were distributed across every aisle leading to the restaurant exit with her as the center. They clearly had no intention of letting her leave easily.
One wrong move could lead straight into the abyss.
Mr. Hao was well-known in Sector 13. Xu Xiaoyou knew that if she pretended to know nothing about him, it would certainly arouse suspicion.
It was better to explicitly state she knew his identity to dispel his doubts on that front.
"It seems you have been to other restaurants I manage?" Mr. Hao asked.
"Yes, the Dolphin Street Pavilion. I really like the atmosphere there. The performances by the marine animals are very interesting—you pick them out and they prepare them on the spot." Xu Xiaoyou acted as if they had hit upon an interesting topic. She seemed genuinely interested, her speaking speed quickening. "I still remember that little dolphin named Kerri. Its cry was so light and cheerful. I mean... when it was sizzling on the iron griddle."
Upon sensing the excitement in the girl's eyes, the diners all cursed her as a lunatic in their hearts.
The Dolphin Street Pavilion—everyone knew it was the most depraved restaurant in all of Sector 13. Only those with extreme fetsets and deeply twisted psyches would go there.
One shouldn't be fooled by the name; the animals performing inside weren't actual marine life, nor were they real dolphins.
For the residents living in Sector 10, it was all too common for a neighbor they had just greeted to turn up as a seal slapping its belly at the Dolphin Street Pavilion to entertain diners the next time they were seen.
Hearing Xu Xiaoyou's words, a deep, meaningful look flashed in Mr. Hao's eyes as he looked at the girl.
When she said those words, her tone was natural and her expression was vivid, without a hint of anything suspicious.
Was he being too cautious?
No matter how he looked at her, she seemed like a perfectly normal diner for this place.
Yet, looking at her face, he felt an indescribable sense of eeriness in his heart. Where did this doubt even come from?
"Honored guest, would it be convenient to tell me where you come from..."
Just as Mr. Hao was about to continue his probing, Xu Xiaoyou interrupted him. "Mr. Hao."
The girl seemed to have just realized something, and her excited expression stiffened before slowly fading away. Her brow furrowed, and a shadow flashed in her eyes.
"Are you... doubting me?"
"Should I tell you my age, height, weight, and my family history as well?"
Mr. Hao stared intently into the girl's eyes, as if trying to see right through her.
The air was thick with the scent of gunpowder. It felt as though any slight disturbance would ignite the atmosphere.
The members of the Lion Group looked at each other and began to close in on their position.
The indignation on Xu Xiaoyou's face did not diminish in the slightest as the seconds ticked by.
The entire restaurant seemed to be shrouded under a dark, heavy cloud. The diners present held their breath, a fanatical light dancing in their eyes.
"My apologies, guest. I was out of line."
Finally, the deer-man, with his suit jacket draped over his arm, spoke with a sincere expression.
"I apologize for my previous rudeness."
"The repairs for this table and the cost of your meal are on the house. If you are willing, consider us friends; I can issue you a black gold membership for our establishments."
"Maybe next time."
The steaming food was brought out. Xu Xiaoyou didn't look up again. She simply draped a napkin over Anya's front to protect her from the splashing oil.
"Eat up." Xu Xiaoyou's voice was gentle as she rubbed Anya's messy head.
Feeling the soft touch on her head, Anya, who loved it when the girl petted her, used a fork to shove food into her mouth. Her small face was filled with satisfaction and happiness.
Mr. Hao remained standing there with his suit over his arm.
"Boss."
Seeing their leader being ignored, a hunched lion-man rolled up his sleeves to step forward, but he was stopped by the deer-man raising a hand.
"We won't disturb your meal any longer. Please, enjoy yourself."
Rate on N.U.
