Chen Lan smiled when Xiang Xi said that and didn't object. Xiang Xi always had an inexplicable faith in his own good luck; he had been like this since he was a child, and there was nothing that could be done about it. Having someone unconditionally believe in you was also a kind of pressure.
Seeing that Chen Lan didn't object, Xiang Xi continued, "Little Lanzi, since Hui and Shi Mei won't be returning to the guesthouse at noon, why don't we all go to Dong Lai Shun for some mutton hot pot?"
Chen Lan replied without even thinking, "Little Watermelon, I heard that Dong Lai Shun is always packed with people every day. If you want to eat there, you have to get there early to queue up. It's already this late, I'm afraid it's too late, right? We still have important things to do in the afternoon."
Xiang Xi nonchalantly replied, "Little Lanzi, it's still early! Let's just go and try our luck! I haven't had mutton hot pot for a long time since leaving the valley, I'm craving it and really want to eat it!"
When Chen Lan heard Xiang Xi say that, she no longer objected and looked at Er Hu and Xiang Dong, asking, "Brother Er Hu, Brother Xiang Dong, can we go to Dong Lai Shun for mutton hot pot at noon?"
Both of them naturally didn't object to having delicious food for lunch, especially since men were basically carnivores and preferred to eat meat.
Dong Jiao Min Xiang was not far from Dong Lai Shun, only about a thousand meters away. Xiang Xi and Xiao Shuan, full of excitement, walked ahead, leading Chen Lan and the others through Chang'an Street as if they knew the way. They quickly arrived at the entrance of Dong Lai Shun, located at the north gate of Dong'an Market on Wangfujing Street. Sudannovel.com
There were indeed quite a lot of people coming to Dong Lai Shun for mutton hot pot, and the queue extended far beyond the restaurant's entrance. Seeing so many people lining up, Chen Lan felt like giving up.
At this moment, Chen Lan saw Xiang Xi whispering something with Xiao Shuan and Lin Mao. After a few words were exchanged, Xiang Xi turned back to ask Chen Lan for money and coupons. Then, the group walked towards the very front of the long queue.
Not long after, Xiao Shan excitedly ran back and shouted loudly, "Sister Xiao Lan, Brother Xiang Dong, Brother Er Hu, let's go, it's all sorted! We have seats! We can go in now!"
Chen Lan asked in surprise, "How did we get a table so quickly?"
Xiao Shan replied happily, "Yes, we got a table! Brother Xiang Xi has sorted it out. He and Xiao Shuan are now ordering food at the ticket window. Lin Mao is holding the seats. Sister Xiao Lan, let's go in quickly!"
Chen Lan asked with some curiosity, "Little Watermelon didn't bribe the person at the very front of the queue with money and coupons for their spot, did he?"
This time it was Xiao Shan's turn to be surprised. He asked in shock, "Sister Xiao Lan, you didn't even go over and stand next to Brother Xiang Xi. How did you know Brother Xiang Xi did something like that?"
As Chen Lan walked inside, she explained, "Because we grew up together, I understand Little Watermelon's little tricks too well! He's the best at using those underhanded methods to achieve his goals!"
At this moment, Xiang Dong also chimed in with a laugh, "Xiao Lan, you truly are as you were when you grew up together! You understand my younger brother best. There are many times I don't even know what this kid is thinking. You said he's already this old, but he's still the same as when he was young, always so unreliable sometimes."
Chen Lan smiled and explained, "Brother Xiang Dong, Little Watermelon is not unreliable, he's just a bit whimsical! His personality is more carefree and easy to get along with."
Seeing Chen Lan speaking up for Xiang Xi, Xiang Dong stopped talking. He then said a bit sourly, "Xiao Lan, I knew you would protect him like you did when we were kids, no matter what I said. Forget it, I won't say any more!"
Chen Lan smiled and said nothing more. It couldn't be helped, it was a habit from childhood. She could bully him, but no one else was allowed to. It was just like the ancient saying, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature."
As soon as Chen Lan and the others entered the restaurant, the aroma of the mutton hot pot, the fragrance of the seasonings, and the strong scent emanating from the boiling copper hot pot wafted towards them, making their mouths water.
Xiang Xi was paying at the window when Xiao Shan, who was standing next to him ready to help, asked, "Comrade, is the dipping sauce for the hot pot also charged separately!"
The waiter replied, "The dipping sauce costs two mao per person for unlimited refills. No matter how much you eat, it's two mao."
Xiao Shan didn't ask any further questions upon hearing this. Chen Lan saw Xiang Xi skillfully pay the money and then went to the service counter to get the dipping sauce for the hot pot. Xiao Shan and Xiao Shuan also followed behind Xiang Xi to get their own dipping sauces.
Chen Lan walked over and was about to prepare her own dipping sauce when she saw a large plate on the counter. In the center of the plate was a large enamel cup, and next to it were more than a dozen slightly smaller enamel cups.
The large enamel cup contained sesame paste, while the smaller cups contained chili oil, fermented bean curd, soy sauce, sesame oil, braised shrimp oil, chili sauce, leek flower paste, as well as coriander, chopped green onions, and other seasonings.
The dipping sauce for the mutton hot pot was to be mixed by oneself according to personal preference. Chen Lan took a small bowl and mixed a bowl of dipping sauce for herself, then took it to the table where Lin Mao, Er Hu, and Xiang Dong were sitting.
Chen Lan told the three of them to quickly go and prepare their own dipping sauces, whatever flavors they liked.
At this moment, the soup base in the copper hot pot on the table had already begun to boil and bubble, emitting wisps of fragrant steam.
Not long after, Xiang Xi and the other three returned, each carrying three plates of sliced mutton.
Xiang Xi placed the plates in his hands on the table and called out, "Little Lanzi, Brother Er Hu, Brother, you guys start cooking first, don't wait for us."
Chen Lan asked in surprise, "Little Watermelon, weren't you clamoring to come to Dong Lai Shun for mutton hot pot? What are you going to do now if you're not eating?"
Xiang Xi smiled and replied, "Little Lanzi, it's not enough to just eat meat when having mutton hot pot. Of course, we have to go and get the side dishes too!"
Xiang Dong said, "Xiao Lan, let's not worry about them for now. We have so much mutton, we can't finish it all at once. Let's just listen to him and eat while we wait."
Chen Lan looked at the stack of mutton plates on the table. Each plate usually contained about four liang of mutton. With more than a dozen plates on the table, there should be about five catties of mutton alone. Adding the side dishes and other dishes ordered, it should be enough for these people to eat!
So, Chen Lan picked up a few slices of pink mutton with her chopsticks and put them into the clear broth in the copper pot to quickly cook. The boiling soup base quickly turned the mutton into a grayish-white color.
She quickly picked it up with her chopsticks, dipped it in the sauce, and put it into her mouth. The meat was soft and tender, with no gamey smell at all.