Animal activist?
Catalina felt that she was not qualified. She did like kittens, puppies, and ponies, but that was the limit. She would not stop the butchers in the slaughterhouse from slaughtering cattle and sheep. After all, that was their job. .
Of course, if someone wants to take advantage of her 'Fire Rain', she will definitely fight to the death with that person.
How to answer? It's best not to go against his wishes at the moment. Katarina secretly made up an excuse in her mind.
"No, I just think - it's undignified to play with food, isn't it?"
"...Oh my gosh, you're right, I'm so sorry."
Upon hearing this, the man immediately put down his knife and fork, put his palms on his chest and bowed solemnly:
"I apologize to you for my childish and stupid behavior, miss. I swear that I am not usually such a reckless and rude person."
"It's okay, I sometimes neglect these inconspicuous little etiquettes." Catalina forced a smile again.
"Let's get to know each other again. My name in the club is "Lion Tail". I've never heard your voice before, so you must have just joined the club, right? "
The man's tone sounded friendly, but the question made Catalina suddenly nervous.
Did he sense that something was wrong with my identity?
Surrounded by enemies on all sides, there is no suitable position to engage in battle. Once a fight starts here, it will be in big trouble...
"Don't be nervous, I don't mean to inquire about your identity. Everyone in the club is anonymous. If you don't want to tell, forget it." Seeing Catalina's silence, the man quickly explained.
"You can call me "White Oak". "
Katarina was silent for a moment and then gave a name. Although the white oak is the family emblem of Auckland, just a name should not cause too much connection.
"Oh, White Oak... Then you should be particularly destined for the next dish."
The man named 'Lion Tail' said something meaningful, and then said enthusiastically and humbly:
"Nice to meet you, Miss White Oak. If you have any questions about the club, you can ask me. I'm always happy to help."
While the two were talking, the second dish was served.
"This is……"
Isn't this too fast? Katarina said in surprise, generally speaking, the second course is not served until everyone has finished the first course.
She became more and more convinced that she couldn't stay here any longer, or God knew what the hell would be served to her.
"Wait, I guessed what this dish is, please just put it here."
The lion-faced man signaled the waiter to step back, pinched the dinner cover with three fingers and diligently opened it for Catalina:
"Miss White Oak, please allow me to solemnly introduce to you, the most peculiar sea creature, a distant relative of the clam, and the nightmare of sailboats——"
I saw strange maggot-like creatures on the plate piled up into a small hill. The thin ones were as big as earthworms, and the thick ones were as thick as a thumb. There is a layer of blue-gray internal organs wrapped under the milky white skin. Just looking at it makes people feel both physical and psychological discomfort.
"Is this... some kind of special maggot?"
Although Catalina had never seen maggots in her life, she knew they were probably fly larvae, and they were definitely not as big as the ones on the plate.
"No, no, no, this is a common delicacy in the Scarlet Islands - shipworm. In fact, it is a distant relative of the clam, but the carapace has degraded. They parasitize on ships sailing at sea, using their small carapace to remove the worms from the bottom of the ship. Planks are ground up into wood chips to feed on, making it a very clean shellfish organism.”
The man smiled and picked up a shipworm as thick as his little finger, held it high and put it into his mouth, swallowing it with great enjoyment. After enjoying it for a while with his eyes closed, he said:
"The most delicious way to enjoy it is to put aside the complicated etiquette and cooking techniques, retain its original flavor, and swallow it directly into your stomach like an oyster."
After the man finished eating, he stretched out his hand and made a "please use" gesture, and looked at Catalina with expectation.
Catalina was silent at this moment, her throat tightening to suppress her turbulent stomach. Although swallowing oysters is an unsightly thing to eat, at least she is willing to give it a try, and the big white thing in front of her——
"I'm not sure if I'm allergic to this thing...after all, according to you, it is also a kind of seafood."
"I think you might as well try a small one. These shipworms on the plate are extremely precious. They live on ships of the Royal Navy and feed on precious white oak trees, so they are so fresh and plump. Of course, in the end, Good to go with a glass of champagne or whiskey.”
The growth of white oak is extremely slow, and it takes more than 200 years to mature. Before the birth of the ironclad, only the most elite sailing warships in the Royal Navy would be built with white oak wood at all costs, such as the legendary "Golden Rose".
Today's Royal Navy has basically eliminated wooden sailing battleships, retaining only a few as symbols. In other words, these shipworms must have been obtained from retired Royal Navy ships or sunken ships.
What a blasphemous creature that feeds on the glory of others...
In her family, the white oak symbolizes the most sacred meaning. This also made Catalina's resentment towards this strange insect deeper, but she still had to say something:
"It is indeed a wonderful creature. But I want to know how you guessed this dish before opening the lid?"
"It's simple. It seems that you don't often attend club dinners."
The lion-faced man fiddled with the glass wine bottle in front of him, waiting for the waiter to pour wine for him.
The golden spirit is like a clear spring falling into the canyon waterfall under the sun. The exquisitely cut glass bottle is flowing, and it is already intoxicating even before you taste it.
"After many years, Mr. "Shipworm" finally came to our banquet again. This is one of his favorite delicacies. Every time he has a dinner, the second course is shipworm. Even his name at the club is that. "
Shipworm, how could anyone give such a name? He is indeed a man-eating madman...
"Come on, Miss White Oak, I wish you good health, long life and eternal youth." The man raised his glass.
"I also wish you good health." Catalina also joined in the toast.
Out of habit, she sniffed the wine in the glass before drinking, and a thought pierced the night sky like thunder.
This is an estate cellar exclusive to the Oakland family.
