Chapter 28 - Thumb Platter

No vagrant can leave District 13 intact.Their parts will appear on your dining table in various ways, even in angles you never imagined.

Fried in oil, grilled over charcoal, or even served fresh as sashimi—anything you can think of, the chefs of District 13 can accomplish.

How to be elegant while preparing these dishes is the first lesson every chef working here must learn.

District 13 is located in the most remote eastern part of the city. It’s not large, consisting only of three blocks, bordered to the west by the government security zone and the Animal Gang’s territory, and further east lies the harbor, with the peaceful sea breeze often overshadowed by the sound of cargo ships honking as they approach.

The dock workers will handle the ’goods’ from the containers at dawn, then pack them into large trucks to be shipped to various restaurants.

Occasionally, you might see ’goods’ escaping from the container, loudly crying for help in the streets, pursued by dozens of workers holding knives.

If they’re lucky enough to make it to the government security zone for asylum, that journey might turn into an unforgettable lifelong experience. Unfortunately, most goods aren’t lucky and often end up losing their way in a panicked run, rushing into a dark alley where they evaporate into thin air after one final scream.

Although it is the city’s most mysterious and feared area, it’s not as chaotic and filthy as Xu Xiaoyou imagined.

The streets are surprisingly clean, devoid of ghostly toxic gases, away from the clamor.

Here, you hardly see citizens casually littering or spitting. People living here either wear neat suits or more expensive, exquisite gowns, as if about to attend a grand banquet.

Nightclubs, bars, couple hotels, organ black markets, and countless restaurants.

Watching those dignified rich people alight from luxury sports cars, Xu Xiaoyou sighed.

Does wealth at a certain level naturally twist one’s psyche, unlocking strange hobbies?

Beneath the elegant attire, beats a wildly restless heart.

Underneath the animal masks, lies a primitive savage face.

Under the shadows of the trees, a black business car is parked in front of the restaurant. Descending first are several burly Lionmen, led by one with a scar across his right eye, who stops to survey the surroundings, his upright stance and muscular silhouette concealed beneath the suit.

Two antlers extend from the car door as the leading Lionman bows respectfully, helping the figure from the car step down, with nearby Lionmen bowing in respect towards the Deerman.

A group of carnivorous animals bowing in submission to an herbivore—such a scene, even if filmed and posted online, would be dismissed as a publicity stunt. Absurd and unrealistic, yet it unfolds right before your eyes.

Xu Xiaoyou knew she had found her target.

The Deerman stood tall, his suit pristine, facial features sharp, eyes polished like smooth Obsidian, exquisitely acute.

She didn’t rush into action, merely observed from afar as the figure exited the black car, a coin flipping between her fingers.

"BOSS..."

The Lionman leader whispered softly in the Deerman’s ear, the latter nodded, adjusting his suit, moving forward amidst the group’s escort.

Several figures came forward, welcoming the Deerman into the restaurant.

Xu Xiaoyou looked up at the restaurant sign—The Thumb Plate.

A high-end restaurant in District 13, renowned for its thumb cuisine prepared in various cooking styles, favored deeply by the wealthy of District 13.

A branch of Fresh Meat Restaurant, also under Mr. Hao’s management, his best-operated and largest-scale restaurant.

Today, being Sunday, business inside the restaurant was booming. Nearly every window seat was occupied by wealthy individuals dressed in various attires, mostly accompanied by desired partners, indulging in their date amidst elegant music and the restaurant’s romantic ambiance.

According to intel, every Sunday, Mr. Hao would bring his subordinates to dine here.

To approach the prey, one must understand the prey’s habits, discern its weaknesses.

"Anya, let’s go, I’ll take you to have something delicious,"

Xu Xiaoyou said, putting a mask on her face, catching the falling coin steadily.

Only the powerful and influential can stand under the spotlight, so to avoid drawing attention from others or being watched by eyes lurking in the shadows, one must conceal their visage, hide their figure, and become one with the shadows of the banquet.

Most diners adhered to this rule.

Anya nodded blankly, tossing aside the small branch she had been toying with, pulled down the wolf mask on her head, and ran to catch up with the girl.

Melodious piano music echoed, the sofa chair was soft and comfortable, as Xu Xiaoyou took a seat and placed the mask beside her, a masked waiter approached, presenting a black menu with a texture so smooth and embossed with golden letters, made of some unidentified animal leather.

"Hello, Miss, is this your first time visiting The Thumb Plate?"

Xu Xiaoyou looked up. In the dim light, she felt the red gaze beneath the crying mask fixing on her.

She didn’t answer, flipping open the menu and browsing the dishes on her own.

"Don’t get me wrong, every guest who comes here deserves respect. We just aim to provide better services for our guests."

"You can first become a member of our restaurant, then next time you visit our restaurant, you’ll enjoy discounts, and we’ll notify you of new dishes first."

"Of course, membership is free. You just need to register your information card at the front desk," the waiter said. "So, would you like to become our member?"

The expression on the mask was both crying and smiling, and under the faint light, the tear-stained edges appeared eerie. Though it was a crying mask, the smile it conveyed was chilling to the bone.

A deathly silence fell; Xu Xiaoyou wasn’t sure if it was her illusion, but suddenly she felt numerous gazes fall upon her inside the restaurant, carrying various meanings—caution, scrutiny, mockery, and scarlet desire.

Xu Xiaoyou noticed, not far away, Mr. Hao and a few of his subordinates also glanced over.

For a moment, she seemed to become the focus, like a dish about to be served up, and if she couldn’t think of a proper response, countless famished diners would swarm in and tear her to pieces.

Xu Xiaoyou’s mind raced quickly.

How did this waiter recognize her as a new guest at first glance? What sets her apart from the other diners here?

Why bring up this talk so abruptly, what’s the key information?

Xu Xiaoyou’s eyes slightly flickered.

The key information is the information card.

This cannot merely be a coincidence; was it Mr. Hao’s arrangement?

If so, the opponent’s insight is frightfully keen. When did they start noticing her?

What’s the purpose?

Testing her identity?

If she refused verbally, what consequences would she face, those fervent diners and the slowly approaching members of the Lion Group?

No doubt, it would end with a calamity.

Starting a crimson luncheon with a living person—she had no doubt these maniacs could do something like that.

But surrendering the information card, letting Mr. Hao discover her company employee identity, realizing someone from the company was following her might lead to a worse end, being made into luncheon meat cans, or perhaps butter blocks?

Calm down, calm down, think about what else she could do.

That creepy laughter on the waiter’s crying mask deepened.

She couldn’t hand over the information card, nor could she reject the waiter’s request.

Was she trapped in a deadlock...?

Xu Xiaoyou discreetly slipped her hand into her pocket, gripping the gun’s handle.

Just then, Anya suddenly pointed at a page in the menu:

"This one."

On that menu page, a steak glazed with sauce, appeared vivid and enticing.

"Excuse me..." The waiter tried to speak again but got interrupted by Anya.

"This one."

This time, Anya seemed like a fiercely protective wolf cub, growling lowly, blood streaking her eyes, her breath turning sinister, claws scraping the table surface deeply:

"Anya is hungry, Anya wants this one."