Chapter 36: What you like to eat Chapter 36: What you like to eat As they entered the private room, Victoria couldn’t help but take another look at Arnold.
He was dressed very formally today, wearing a custom-made suit that fit him perfectly, with every detail seeming to bear his logo – fitting and natural.
Victoria had seen plenty of handsome men in suits, but compared to those glossy, perfectly angled celebrities, Arnold was even better looking.
While she was sizing him up, Arnold chuckled softly, “I really like that expression of yours.”
Victoria tried to keep a straight face and said, “I just think your suit looks very expensive.”
“Is it that hard to admit I look good in a suit?” Arnold teased her playfully with a light tone.
“…”
Was this really the Arnold that people had been gossiping about?
As Arnold leaned closer to her, Victoria caught a whiff of the male scent – not of sweat or smoke… but actually a faint fragrance of fresh grass, naturally refreshing.
Victoria did not avoid his gaze and said, “I think the scent on you is even more pleasant than your suit.”
“I didn’t spray any perfume.” He smiled mischievously, his lips curving upward. He even leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Do you like this smell?”
“…”
Victoria was certain that this was not the rumored Arnold.
No matter what kind of man, they were all born with the innate ability to be a rogue.
Ignoring the stunned look in her eyes, Arnold naturally reached out for her hand and then, with his other hand, he gently brushed her nose tip, softly changing the subject, “This is the biggest room they have here. Please bear with it if you’re not used to it. The vegetarian dishes here are quite good.”
“It seems like you know everything I like to eat.” Over the years without her title as the Young Miss of the Garcia family under the Brown Group, Victoria had grown accustomed to the taste of vegetarian dishes, even coming to love them. Of course, she was not a strict vegetarian – she simply had a preference for lighter flavors and was particularly picky about meat dishes.
As Arnold watched her lips curve into a faint smile, his heart rippled with emotion.
When she tasted the vegetarian dishes, she couldn’t help but praise the chef’s skills.
Upon hearing this, Arnold smiled and responded, “This old guy’s culinary skills have been passed down through generations. He is the 7th generation, and the tradition is over 200 years old. The signature dishes have never changed, only serving a few select customers.”
“Such delicious vegetarian dishes should be strongly promoted,” Victoria remarked.
After taking a sip of tea, Arnold put down his cup and patiently explained, “Ordinary consumers are unlikely to pay a price higher than they’re willing to just eat a vegetarian dish. If the restaurant were to expand its clientele, the quality control of the vegetarian dishes and apprentices’ requirements would become even stricter, not necessarily achieving the desired effect.”
“Perhaps the old guy just wants to prepare dishes peacefully. With larger, busier stores, he wouldn’t be as relaxed as he is now. Maybe that’s the inheritance of this place.”
From Arnold’s tone, it seemed that he had a good relationship with the restaurant’s owner.
She didn’t refute Arnold’s point of view; everyone’s steadfast beliefs were different. This business strategy had its own reasons for existing, just as Arnold said – not everyone is willing to pay an exorbitant price for a vegetarian meal.