All eyes turned to Mai Ge.
"Sorry, the restaurant will be open as usual tomorrow. We don't offer private bookings." Mai Ge said with a smile before anyone could speak.
"Boss, we'll still pay you even if you operate normally. We only have a few people, so it's definitely easier than you having to serve so many customers when you open the restaurant. Let us book the whole place for tomorrow, it's settled then." Jinx said to Mai Ge, wanting to finalize the deal right away.
"I'm sorry, but we don't offer private bookings during regular business hours. This is our rule and a promise to our guests. If you would like to continue enjoying our food, you can come back tomorrow during opening hours." Mai Ge politely declined with a smile, then glanced at the clock on the wall and added, "Furthermore, today's private bookings are almost over. If you need anything else, please feel free to order. The restaurant will close promptly at nine o'clock."
"Huh?"
Everyone looked at Mai Ge with strange expressions. They hadn't expected him to directly refuse their request to book the entire restaurant, and judging from his expression, there was no room for negotiation. Moreover… he was even planning to kick them out?
"I'd like another serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice and a serving of Savory Tofu Pudding." Dracula said, glancing at the clock on the wall which already pointed to 8:40.
"I'll have another serving of Spicy Grilled Fish, this time extra spicy, I can't handle the extremely spicy one... burp!"
The group ordered while burping. Although they felt full, but they felt it would be cruel to themselves not to eat any more when such a delicious meal was presented to them.
"Okay, please wait a moment." Mai Ge smiled and nodded, then turned and went into the kitchen. He glanced at the two sides who were now facing each other again at the dining table, his smile widening as he thought to himself, "Now, it's time to make a final decision, isn't it?"
"Burp... I'll say it's settled then. We demons don't want your compensation, and you shouldn't expect us to apologize. Both sides withdraw from that island, neither of us will occupy it, and neither of us will want it anymore. Everyone can go back to their own lives and do whatever they want. Then we'll issue a public announcement saying that we fought to a draw, neither of us won, and that's the end of it." Dracula let out a burp and looked at the three giant dragons sitting opposite him, saying, "For the next few days, everyone should relax and have some fun in Chaos City. It's not easy to come all this way, and it would be so boring to stay with you guys everyday. Go out and look at the pretty ladies on the street, and then come to the Restaurant Mai Mi for some delicious food. This is the life I want."
"How can a meeting between two races be so trivial! Besides, our dragon race has had the upper hand from beginning to end in this war, so how can it be a draw? I…" Fu Ke Si forced himself to sit up and spoke with a firm tone.
"I agree! Let's sign the documents tomorrow. I have some urgent business to attend to back home. I think Dracula's opinion and conditions are quite reasonable and acceptable." Hai Wei De interrupted Fu Ke Si, raising his hand.
"If we can't hold the talks at the Restaurant Mai Mi, we won't be able to enjoy the delicious Rou Jia Mo, which is truly unfortunate. So I agree with Dracula's suggestion to end the talks here. The problem is solved, and our giant dragon warriors can go back to rest soon." Jinx raised his hand and looked at the grim-faced Fu Ke Si with a smile, saying, "Fu Ke Si, it was agreed when we came that if we had any disagreements, we would vote to decide. Now it's two to one, so it's settled."
"You two! You two are being irresponsible towards the dragon race! I'm going back to make this public and see how you explain yourselves!" Fu Ke Si said angrily, his hand trembling as he pointed at Hai Wei De and Jinx.
"Fu Ke Si, although you have a big mouth, but remember that we have two mouths. When we go back and say something, do you think they will believe us or you? Don't think we don't know what you're up to. The Giant Frost Dragon Clan has indeed contributed a lot in this war, but for the dragon race, ending this battle is the wisest choice right now." Hai Wei De said to Fu Ke Si seriously.
Fu Ke Si gave Hai Wei De and Jinx a deep look. Though somewhat unwilling, but he withdrew his hand, clenching his fist without saying anything.
"Boss Mai is indeed extraordinary. If it wasn't for not wanting Chaos City to lose its best restaurant, I would have poached him as a member of my think tank, no matter the price." Michael smiled, comfortably leaning back in his chair, listening as the two sides entered the final negotiation stage. This meeting was the most efficient one he had ever chaired, worthy of being used as a model, all that was needed was to change the meeting location.
The two civil officials from the City Lord's Mansion, who had just finished eating and were about to rest for a while, hurriedly took out paper and pen to record the content of the conversation between the two sides. They did not expect that the meeting would come to a conclusion so quickly.
Dix, who had been serving the entire time, also looked surprised. He glanced at Mai Ge in the kitchen and showed a hint of admiration on his face.
Tonight's talks were less hosted by the City Lord and more guided and propelled by Mai Ge, who disrupted the pace of the negotiations with a few dishes.
Yesterday, when the City Lord agreed to Mai Ge's conditions and even postponed the talks until the evening, he didn't believe Mai Ge could have any impact on the negotiations. But now it seems everything the City Lord hoped for has been achieved, facilitating the completion of the talks in one day—the City Lord's Mansion couldn't find anyone better than Mai Ge.
Both sides clearly had pre-planned strategies, so once they entered the negotiation phase, progress was very smooth. A few minor discrepancies were resolved through negotiation, and a basic consensus was reached. The signing of the documents can be arranged tomorrow.
"I heard the talks would be complicated before I came, but it seems much simpler than I imagined." Dracula said, straightening his clothes and looking relaxed.
"I think so too. Demons are more straightforward than I imagined. Although we'll inevitably fight again in the future, but we still had a lot of fun eating together today." Jinx nodded in agreement, and everyone burst into laughter.
The last dishes were served one by one, and after everyone finished eating, they got up and left. Fu Ke Si regained some strength and walked out the door with unsteady movements. When he reached the door, he glanced back at the restaurant's sign and muttered to himself with a hint of malice, "Just wait, I will make you pay tenfold for today's humiliation sooner or later!"
"Boss Mai, thank you for facilitating the successful conclusion of the meeting today." Michael looked at Mai Ge, smiled, and extended his hand. "I've seen the open space in front of the restaurant. Even if you set up a few tables and chairs, it won't affect the activities of other residents. So your restaurant can rent the open space outside as an outdoor restaurant. The rent is one copper coin. The documents should be delivered to you tomorrow."