The Devil's Cage

Chapter 1672 - Changes

Chapter 1672: Changes

Bain ultimately chose to leave the restaurant.

Watching others eat, but not himself.

It was torture for him, might as well leave the saddening place.

Besides, eating with his own mouth would be the best, not watching others putting the food in their mouths.

Bain walked to another street and stopped in front of a 24 hour hot dog stand. He comforted himself and said, “I want an extra large hot dog, with three sausages, extra meat sauce, cheese and stuff all the carrots and pickles in it, I want the bread to overflow!”

He paid the owner 3 bucks and received his special extra large hot dog. A huge chomp bit off one third of the hot dog, and Bain squinted his eyes. He also drank half of the complementary soft drink in one gulp and then shoved the rest of the hot dog into his mouth.

As the gassy soft drink and warm hot dog converged in his stomach, he burped loudly.

Happiness rose from his stomach and then to every inch of his body.

Without a second thought, he turned around to the hot dog stand owner and said, “Another one!”

...

While Bain was enjoying his hot dog in another place, an uninvited guest arrived at Leaf Dining in the middle of the night.

Before this person stepped into the restaurant, she stood outside and sniffed.

“Cheese baked lobster?”

Without even looking, her super smelling quickly allowed her to know what the lingering aroma belonged to.

Similarly, she could also tell how skilled the chef was based on the smell alone.

“Calm down! Calm down! I am here to challenge him! I can’t be tempted by the food!” the uninvited guest warned herself.

The door was then pulled open.

The light in the restaurant shone over her figure, revealing a long red dress that set off her voluptuous figure. The delicate face features, without any makeup, made her look pure under the light. It was a little enchanting, a common man might find it hard to breathe in front of her beauty.

However, not Starbeck. He was holding the little blackboard when he saw Song Shi at the entrance, showing a smile instead.

“Having dinner? Please come in! We have a special dish today, lobster risotto.”

Starbeck hung the blackboard outside the door as he invited Song Shi.

With the light from the streetlamp, Song Shi saw what was written on the blackboard.

Lobster risotto, chicken soup.

Even the words written with chalk couldn’t hide its elegance.

“You have only two dishes in total and only one main course? Is this how you people run a restaurant? But since you’ve invited me, I’ll come in to try it for the sake of your sincerity.”

Song Shi wanted to mock and tease Starbeck for his invitation but the aromatic smell of food from Starbeck was too alluring!

The smell changed the words in Song Shi’s mind, hence what she said was different from what she had in mind.

After that, she eagerly went into the restaurant.

Behind the counter, Kieran was flipping the magazine and did not even spare a look at the customer.

Amy was communicating with Carrie with her eyes closed, only Teddy saw Song Shi.

Though Teddy’s gaze showed anger and disgust mostly, if she had not saved Teddy before and presented him with rather decent gains, he would have fought her with his life, even if Teddy knew he wasn’t a match for her.

Now?

Discomfort and difficulty filled his heart.

“I’m going out for some air,” Teddy then went out without sparing another glance.

He was worried that he might cross his principle in life should he stay inside any longer.

Song Shi didn’t care, she eagerly walked over to the counter and waited for Starbeck’s food.

What about Kieran?

Even though she came for Kieran in the first place, she had temporarily lost her interest because of the food.

Still, that didn’t mean Kieran would continue to sit back and do nothing.

He stood up and knocked on the counter.

“Lobster risotto 2000, chicken soup 100.”

Kieran never held back in raising the price against someone he disliked.

“Paying in card!” Song Shi twisted her wrist and revealed a black card in her hand.

“Cash only,” Kieran said.

“You!”

Song Shi thought Kieran was picking a fight with her, but when the good smell entered her nose, it suppressed her hot-temper.

She brought out her little pouch and took out a stack of money, putting it on the counter.

“I want 10!” Song Shi’s tone sounded very provocative.

She thought Kieran would fall for it and make it hard for her, but to her surprise, Kieran quietly took the money, counted it carefully, and then put it into the money box.

He then walked into the kitchen and helped Starbeck and Li Jiajia serve the food.

The whole process was in silence, the unexpected scene stunned Song Shi quite a bit.

“Money face? No no! A reincarnated God of Slaughter would never be a money face, which means... he is holding on to his principle! Since he opened a restaurant for business, he tends to follow the rules. As long as he is paid, he will serve food to his customers! Just like papa and mama last time when they were running the hotel! They ought to provide the customers with the best service and experience.”

The very first thought of Kieran being a money face appeared in her mind, but was quickly discarded. Why would a reincarnated God of Slaughter be a money face? What a lousy joke.

Therefore, when the second thought appeared in her head, Song Shi’s gaze on Kieran showed extra meaning but she was quickly captivated by the food.

Delicate arrangements, rich flavours and aroma, she quickly picked up her spoon.

The lobster sauce and soft risotto spread on the tip of her tongue, Song Shi’s eyes shone sharply.

Delicious! It was much more delicious than it smelled!

The sauce made from lobster essence carried a savoury taste, it consisted of lobster roe and ginger ale and also chopped bay leaf. Adding a little pepper covered the fishy smell of the roe and brought out its hidden flavour to the peak, the explosion of flavour together with the mouthful of risotto rice making an excellent combination.

The spoon in Song Shi’s hand was moving so fast that it left afterimages in its trail.

Two seconds later, the first plate on the counter was emptied out.

Kieran cleaned it up and served a second to her.

Two more seconds later, it was emptied out again, and then followed by a third.

10 consecutive servings later, even with Song Shi’s body, she had reached her limit but she still wanted to eat. She pouted and made a lightning fast decision.

She took her phone out and dialed a number.

“Mian Yi, bring me some highly effective digestion pills, and some cash.” Song Shi then hung up the phone.

She didn’t state an address because she knew Mian Yi would locate her.

While she was waiting, her eyes were glued to Starbeck who was helping Kieran in tidying up. Her gaze was glimmering like never before, like she was looking at some precious jewel.

Starbeck reacted normally, he became immune to this kind of gaze a long time ago.

Since the day he was born, he knew his identity and his duty in his family, so he had learned to live with this kind of gaze.

“Be my personal cook! I’ll pay you a million yearly!” Song Shi said.

Li Jiajia, who was helping inside, heard ‘a million yearly’ and her hand trembled, the plates falling.

A million a year!

A million a year!

As once an occult lover and deeply troubled by money, Li Jiajia knew what the number meant.

If she could get the astronomical amount in her pocket, those ‘good things’ that she once missed would all be hers!

‘I knew it! Cooking is the best way!

What prophet, what philosopher? Nothing is better than a cook!’

Kieran caught the falling plate and looked at Li Jiajia with a less happy face.

The plate was meticulously picked by him and Starbeck in the supermarket, it was a private item and it was expensive.

As for the rude comments from Song Shi?

Kieran didn’t even respond to that, he knew Starbeck would take care of it, and as a matter of fact, he did.

Turned around, Starbeck looked at Song Shi.

“Thanks but no thanks, I am used to staying with my big brother. It’s good here.”

When Starbeck mentioned Kieran, his face showed a true smile and it stunned Song Shi.

She had never seen someone with such a beautiful smile, or rather, she never thought the opposite sex would smiled so beautifully.

Especially for a guy with a faint food aroma around him, Song Shi somehow was a little shy and dare not look at the smile. She awkwardly averted his gaze and turned to Kieran, with a cold face.

“I...”

Song Shi wanted to hire Kieran instead, so that she could bring Starbeck to her place, but when she opened her mouth and the first word came out, she saw the killer aura in Kieran’s eyes.

Song Shi regained her senses, remembering how dangerous this man was.

If she dared to even ask, she would get nothing but death and he would not stop.

Song Shi wisely shut her mouth right away, but more thoughts rose from her mind. She smiled and asked, “You are representing Ai City East Sector in the Battle of Winter Night?”

Kieran didn’t answer, meaning he acknowledged it.

It wasn’t a secret anyway, one would be rewarded with accurate news by simply asking. Song Shi already knew the answer but she hid it and purposely asked Kieran the obvious.

“But this year’s Battle of Winter Night is a little different. The rules have changed, the candidates do not have to compete in their own sector to get selected to the next round and fight other candidates of other sectors. This time, all the candidates will be transferred to a place and the 7 Day Battle will be held. What? Don’t believe me? Don’t worry, this particular news will spread to every single sector by dawn and you will get it soon enough,” Song Shi explained on her own.

Kieran, on the other hand looked at Song Shi calmly, waiting for Song Shi to follow up.

Song Shi was made rather uneasy by Kieran’s calmness.

“Do you even know what I am talking about? There’s no more sector battle! All the representing candidates will be sent to a single spot for a royal rumble—an unknown place, fighting strangers, the danger level skyrocketing! I’m not saying scary things just to raise an alarm! I got news that several troublesome asses have joined the Battle of Winter Night and they are not just here for sightseeing. For you, you might win against one of them, but what about two at once? Three at once? Or more?”

When Song Shi mentioned ‘them’, her face looked rather serious and Kieran also noticed how her tone changed when she mentioned ‘them’.

“Monsters?” Kieran spoke for the first time in the entire conversation.

“Em. Some disgusting, vomiting bastards! But every single one of them is very troublesome to deal with, but... I am Song Shi, I have my ways to deal with the most dangerous situation and I am confident, but what about you? Have you ever thought about it? What will you do?”

Song Shi nodded, her face showing disgust when she mentioned those things but it was soon replaced by delight.

She didn’t care about Kieran’s reaction because her words weren’t meant for Kieran.

Although she did plan to stimulate Kieran with provocative words at first, she changed her mind.

She didn’t need to at all. She looked at Starbeck and her mind was speaking to her.

“Come! Beg me! Beg me to protect our brother! And I can make you my cook!”

Song Shi showed the utmost anticipation but she was destined to be disappointed.

She couldn’t find a bit of fear or nervousness in Starbeck’s eyes, which still held that warm smile and warm gaze. When he looked at Kieran, trust was added into the warmth.

Kieran felt Starbeck’s gaze, smiling and nodding, reaching out to Starbeck’s forehead to caress him.

Both of them needed no words to communicate, they knew what the other was thinking.

Starbeck and Li Jiajia collected the plates and walked into the kitchen. Kieran was supposed to wash the plates but today was a special occasion, so Starbeck volunteered to wash the dishes instead.

When the water flowing and scrubbing noise entered his ears, Kieran sat back to his spot and said, “You asked me have I ever thought of it? Well I did think of it just now... Kill.”

Kieran paused before he uttered the word kill.

No overflowing killer intents, no wails and screams of the wrongful souls.

He said that word very casually, like he was being asked what was for dinner and he answered braised pork.

Though the more ease Kieran showed, the more Song Shi took it seriously, she dared not underestimate Kieran.

She could already picture the bloody scene during the Battle of Winter Night.

“Then, have you ever thought about the monsters that you kill have the same organization and blood kin as humans? Although elders are not allowed to participate, what about after the Battle of Winter Night? Do you think the Herders can protect you? Or do you really think those monsters are that obedient that they will abide by the Dark Moon Treaty?”

Song Shi didn’t want to give up just yet, trying her best to persuade Kieran.

“I never put my hopes of living on my enemies’ mercy and compassion. I prefer to use direct ways to deal with the problem at hand and the problems that might happen. If they dare to show up, I’ll chop them up with my own hands and feed them to my dogs,” Kieran replied, confidently.

In short, since the rules of Battle of Winter Night had changed, the rewards in the end would also increase!

The more good the items, the more Crossing Coins he could exchange them for.

The more Crossing Coins he got, the faster he could break the seals and regain his original strength.

Kieran still remembered why he agreed to participate in the Battle of Winter Night.

Moreover, those participating candidates, since the rules had changed, would they just go in less prepared?

They must have something good on them, and aside from the Demon Hunters, Kieran didn’t plan to go easy on the monsters.

He could already see a great harvest ahead of him.