The banquet officially began. Soft music drifted among the guests, who sat in small groups, savoring the delicious delicacies on their tables while chatting. Laughter erupted here and there, never ceasing.
The students from Nanyu, having been encouraged by Liu Chen and Gu Yu to eat their fill, excitedly carried their bowls, tasting a bit of this and a flavor of that. They were so tempted by the rich aroma of the food that they unconsciously sped up their eating. The children, meanwhile, were either sitting or standing next to the adults with small bowls, their oily little mouths chewing non-stop while their eyes remained fixed on the exquisite dishes. Others played mischievously, darting around the venue until a pair of sharp, quick hands snagged them. A mouthful of food would be shoved into their mouths, and before they could even finish chewing, they would wriggle free and scamper off, shaking their heads. Each time this happened, a "roar" from a mother or father would erupt in the hall, sending everyone into peals of laughter.
Before long, the self-service barbecue area began to emit a sizzling sound and waves of enticing fragrance. While the adults were too conscious of appearances to wander over, the students and children had no such inhibitions. Following the scent, they made their way there with bowls and chopsticks in hand. They gathered obediently before the grill, watching with curiosity and anticipation as the chefs skillfully flipped the various delicacies, maki…
Chapter 132