A Valiant Life

The names were being called out, one by one.

Henry Wang didn’t even move his eyes at all. What he was looking at didn’t seem logical at all.

Why was it like that?

What was wrong with these people? Were they under some spell?

Even if it was delicious, it couldn’t have been like that.

After a while.

A series of sighs could be heard.

“Sigh, there goes the ten scallion pancakes. How pitiful.”

“I didn’t manage to get it, how sad. Looks like I can only come back tomorrow.”

“It’s so unbearable to see others enjoying it.”

…

“Huh? That’s all?” Henry Wang was stunned. He didn’t believe it. He just stood there for a short while and the scallion pancakes for the day were sold out.

Then, a muscular man patted Henry Wang’s shoulder, “Is it your first time here?”

Henry Wang nodded, “Yes, it is my first time.”

The man nodded. “Since it is your first time, get used to it. If you’re unlucky, it’s almost impossible to get it. However, don’t be too sad. You’ll get it someday. However, don’t try to cause any trouble. If not, the consequences are going to be devastating.”

Henry Wang smiled, “Thanks for the reminder. I won’t cut queues and I will follow the rules.”

“That’s good.” The man didn’t say anything else and he left.

Henry Wang felt as if he had discovered the New World. He felt that it was something he had never experienced before.

He was confident that if he were to tell everyone his identity, people would definitely organize a ceremony for him.

However, he didn’t want to do that. He believed in equality when it came to delicious food.

The rules were rules and he had to abide by them. He wouldn’t try to break the rules by using his identity. This would be a blasphemy.

The next day!

Henry Wang didn’t manage to buy any scallion pancakes.

Another day had passed.

Henry Wang came with anticipation but he left with disappointment.

It had been a few consecutive days.

Henry Wang didn’t believe that he wouldn’t be able to get it. However, the reality taught him a lesson. He really couldn’t buy it.

He felt like he was going to go crazy. It was just a scallion pancake. Did he have to queue up for it every day and return home empty-handed?

Initially, he felt that the rules were decent. However, now, he felt that they should be more lenient with it.

In the morning.

Fraud Tian came over to Lin Fan, “Be careful, I think something bad is going to happen.”

Lin Fan replied, “Huh? What happened?”

“Look at the Caucasian. His face is so red and he is glaring at us. I have been observing him for the past few days. I feel that his stare is becoming less friendly,” Fraud Tian said and sneakily pointed at the Caucasian. He looked at him with caution.

“That can’t be. I think they all look fine,” Lin Fan looked at the crowd and didn’t feel that something was wrong.

Furthermore, what could possibly happen? Wasn’t he afraid of the righteous fans drowning him?

“No, no,” Fraud Tian said and shook his head. “I sense something evil. Just be careful. I will stare at him and if he dares to do anything, I will take action against him till he can’t distinguish North, South, East, and West.”

Then, Henry Wang was in a dilemma.

He wanted to tell them his identity. He was actually one of the judges of the Michelin company and he wanted to try the scallion pancakes.

However, the rules were rules. How could he break the rules like this? He didn’t believe that he wouldn’t be able to queue up for the scallion pancakes.

Then, Henry Wang felt like he was suffering. It was something he had never experienced before.

He had tasted a lot of delicious food but it was his first time trying such an unattainable delicacy.

He had been queueing there for four days but he always returned home empty-handed. The aroma that he smelled was such a torture.

He looked at the others as they bit into the scallion pancakes and he really wanted to eat them. However, he couldn’t get them at all. It was a torturous feeling.

It was an internal battle and he was almost on the verge of giving up.

“Sorry, the scallion pancakes have sold out.”

“No…” After hearing that, Henry Wang shouted. Suddenly, all the townsfolk around him moved away from him and gasped.

“Everyone, watch out. This Caucasian is going to rage.”

“What is he trying to do?”

“He is going to break down. Another one is going to break down.”

“Sigh, this newbie is so disobedient. If he doesn’t have the patience to wait, then he should have gone home. He should have left before he gets to try the scallion pancakes. That is the smartest solution.”

Henry Wang lowered his head and went to the cart.

The surrounding townsfolk knew that something was wrong after seeing that. They wanted to stop this Caucasian but were stopped by someone.

“Don’t be anxious. Don’t move. Let’s not do anything until he strikes. This way, we wouldn’t be at fault,” a witty townsfolk said.

The other townsfolk nodded. That was logical.

Lin Fan looked at the Caucasian and realized that something was wrong.

“What are you trying to do?” Lin Fan asked.

Fraud Tian hurried towards Lin Fan, “I told you. He is not mentally sound. I believe he has broken down after queueing up for so many days.”

Henry Wang didn’t say anything. He remained silent and opened up his bag. He took out several documents from it.

He couldn’t take it any longer. He had been queueing up for so many days and he didn’t get chosen at all. He didn’t even know when he would be able to taste the scallion pancakes. Hence, he didn’t want to wait any further. He had to reveal his identity.

“Please have a look, I am one of the judges of the Michelin company. I would like to try your scallion pancakes,” Henry Wang said.

Lin Fan was stunned. He quickly recovered from his shock, “Oh, Michelin? However, we’ve sold out for today. If you’d like to try it, you can come and queue again tomorrow.”

Henry Wang was dumbfounded. Then, he looked at Lin Fan and said, “I am one of the judges of the Michelin company.”

“Yeah, I know,” Lin Fan nodded and asked, “So what?”

“I would like to try your scallion pancakes and see if it’s able to be added to the list of Michelin-starred dishes,” Henry Wang said.

He knew that if a chef were to hear that, he would definitely be ecstatic. To be able to acquire the Michelin star meant fame, wealth and status.

That was probably the dream of many chefs.

The townsfolk whispered amongst themselves, “What Michelin company? I thought they only sold tires?”

“You don’t know the Michelin company? It’s a foreign organisation that judges food. If a dish is awarded a Michelin star, it would mean that it is extremely delicious. When that happens, the whole world will know about Master Lin’s shop.”

“Awesome my a*s. If the whole world were to know about this, wouldn’t there be more people trying to steal our places in the future?”

“That’s true.”

Lin Fan wasn’t really interested in it. “You can try the scallion pancakes but you have to queue tomorrow. Since you didn’t manage to buy it today, come back again tomorrow.”

Henry Wang looked at Lin Fan in disbelief. He felt that there was something wrong with this fella. “I am from the Michelin company.”

“I know that. You don’t have to repeat it again. The rules are mine. Today’s scallion pancakes have sold out. As for the Michelin star, I don’t really care about it because my scallion pancakes are the best in the world. I don’t need any Michelin stars for that,” Lin Fan said confidently.

It had the mystical boost of the Encyclopedia, was that a joke? That wasn’t a joke at all.

“I… I…” Then, Henry Wang didn’t know what to say anymore.

He felt that he could use his reputable identity to get what he wanted. However, it was practically useless.

He felt like crying.