Kenneth still secretly wanted to taste it, but his rational side told him he shouldn’t give in.
In just about ten minutes, the food on the plates had been devoured by everyone, and even Renee, who seldom ate meat, was left with only a bone in her plate.
August Browne patted his stomach with satisfaction and contentment. “It’s been so long since I’ve had something so delicious. The taste today will be unforgettable.”
Seeing the bone in her plate, Renee inwardly exclaimed in dismay. Her two-year-long weight loss plan seemed to have just gone bankrupt.
After expressing his feelings, August Browne turned his gaze to Leo and inquired, “Leo, could you share with my chef the ingredients and recipe for this wonderful dish you prepared? Of course, I’m willing to pay for it.”
“Today we had Arctic Snow Dragon,” Leo replied.
“Arctic Snow Dragon?” August Browne had never heard of this name before.
Leo smiled, “You can think of it as a four-legged snake.”
A four-legged snake!?
Hearing those words, except for Ella and Mr. Bill, the other three turned pale.
Renee felt nauseous at the thought, but strangely, she didn’t feel any repulsion in her stomach. Her body was still light and comfortable.
August Browne and Dr. Lee exchanged a glance, their faces showing realization and wry smiles. No wonder Leo didn’t mention it earlier. If he had, they probably wouldn’t have eaten it.
Suddenly, Ella stood up and stormed out of the dining room, delivering a punch to the marble wall outside.
A loud “boom!” resounded as a dent appeared on the marble floor. When Ella raised her right fist, a dent was imprinted on the floor.
August Browne, being a martial artist, naturally understood the situation. He stood up in astonishment, “Ella, have you had a breakthrough in your cultivation?”
Ella stood up and returned, emanating a stronger aura. “Master, I’ve touched the bottleneck of the next realm. I think I’ll be able to break through to the next level of cultivation very soon.”
Ella’s voice was filled with excitement as she turned to Leo again. “Dr. Bloomer, thank you.”
Ella understood that it was Leo’s cooking that had led to the growth of her cultivation. Breaking through in cultivation and advancing to a higher realm was the lifelong pursuit of every martial practitioner.
August Browne also felt his own internal energy had increased. He bowed to Leo, using the special courtesy of martial artists, “Leo, your great kindness deserves my utmost gratitude. If you ever need anything, I will undoubtedly assist you to the fullest.”
Kenneth, on the side, regretted his missed chance. He didn’t expect this so-called four-legged snake meat to enhance cultivation. If he had known, he would have eaten at least a bite.
Wait, there might still be some left in the kitchen! Kenneth thought to himself and quietly exited the dining room, heading for the kitchen.
When he arrived, he saw some servants drinking from bowls. Kenneth’s heart skipped a beat and he approached the large pot where the meat had been stewed.
He looked inside and muttered to himself, “Damn it, not a drop of soup left!”
“Oh God, are you playing with me?”
“Mr. Browne, you are too kind. Is there any more wild ginseng available?” Leo inquired.
August Browne looked at Mr. Bill.
“Sir, there’s one more wild ginseng, aged 150 years,” Mr. Bill replied.
“Get it for Leo!”
Leo needed more wild ginseng, not for personal consumption, but because his reminder alarm had gone off on his phone. It was the 70th birthday celebration for Sophia’s grandmother.
As a grandson-in-law, he couldn’t go empty-handed. He thought he’d need another wild ginseng.
After the meal, Leo didn’t plan to stay any longer. He bid farewell to August Browne, who politely tried to persuade him to stay. August Browne handed Leo an envelope containing a check for twenty million.
Dr. Lee intended to leave later, so he didn’t leave with Leo.
On the way down the mountain, Renee drove, taking Leo back to the city. She needed to pick up Anna, so she gave Leo a lift.
Leo inquired about Anna’s condition, and Renee told him that Anna had completely recovered. She had just been discharged from the hospital this morning.
“By the way, Ms. Browne, was it you who sent the Mercedes S-Class to the Golden Leaf Shopping Plaza’s underground parking lot?” Leo asked.
Renee nodded, “Do you like it? If you don’t, I can have it replaced with a Lamborghini or Ferrari.”
“Well… Could you bring back the Mercedes E300 instead?”
“Why?” Renee asked, then realized, “I know why. Your wife doesn’t like it?”
Leo struggled to come up with a lame excuse, “You’ve already given me that miraculous card. Asking for a car on top of that wouldn’t be right.”
“No need to explain, I understand.” Renee had a knowing smile on her face.
Leo chuckled awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.
“Leo, aren’t you curious why I’m taking care of Anna on my own? Whether I’ve divorced or where my husband is?” Renee suddenly said.
“That’s your private matter. I shouldn’t pry,” Leo replied honestly.
Although he didn’t want to ask, Renee seemed intent on sharing: “Anna isn’t my biological daughter. I adopted her.”
Leo was momentarily taken aback. He had speculated that Renee might have divorced, but he never thought Anna was adopted.
“Five years ago, while I was traveling, I saw a plastic basin floating downstream by Cloud River. Inside was a baby.”
“The baby saw me leaning on the railing by the riverbank and even smiled at me…”
“I didn’t hesitate much at the time. I jumped into the river. It was during the flood season, and the river was turbulent. Although I caught the plastic basin, I was hit by a wave and fell.”
“To prevent the baby from drowning, I had to hold her up, holding my breath as I let the currents carry me away.”
“During that time, the Azure Cloud Group and Flying Dragon Business Association were locked in intense competition. To ensure my safety, my father announced to the public that I had sadly drowned.”
“I see, so that’s why Eden Dunbar said you rose from the dead. Anna’s fortunate to have met you. And your mother?”
A shadow crossed Renee’s face, “My mother passed away from a serious illness when I was very young.”
“I’m sorry,” Leo apologized, realizing he had touched on painful memories.
“It’s okay. Speaking of which, tell me about yourself.” Renee adjusted her mood and smiled.
“As for me, I’m a man who married into a wealthy family and live under its roof, one of those trending ‘son-in-law’ types you hear about. Do you know what I mean?”