OBS Chapter 187: Meat Pie, the Groom Who Left
Chapter 187: Meat Pie, the Groom Who Left
……
Hannibal carefully placed the heavy luggage in the corners of the room one by one. Those luggage were not only loaded with dust from the journey, but also carried deep concerns and complex emotions for his hometown.
Then, he slowly lay down on the small bed made of rough straw and yellowed cotton cloth. Although it was simple, it unexpectedly gave him a touch of warm comfort.
The air in the room was filled with an indescribable pungent smell, a mixture of the staleness of time and the dampness of unknown corners, but after several days of bumpy carriage rides, all of this seemed insignificant.
Hannibal's body seemed to be tightly wrapped in heavy fatigue. He closed his eyes and let the fatigue slowly drag him into sleep.
In the dream, Hannibal traveled through a desolate and gloomy land. There was an oppressive atmosphere all around, as if the whole world was shrouded in an invisible shadow.
At this moment, a faint but firm light penetrated the darkness and led him to an ancient church.
There, he met the legendary plague doctor - a mysterious figure dressed in a large black cloak, a gorgeous top hat, his face hidden behind a huge bird-beak mask.
Beneath the mask, there seemed to be endless wisdom and compassion, and the black medical box in his hand seemed to be loaded with the miracle of curing all diseases.
Hannibal's heart was filled with unprecedented hope and excitement. He stepped forward quickly, trying to beg the plague doctor to lend a helping hand and save the innocent lives in his hometown who were suffering from the Black Death.
However, just when he was about to touch the ray of hope.
A shrill scream suddenly pierced the night sky, like a sharp blade piercing the tranquility of the dream, making his heart suddenly tighten and waking him up from the dream.
……
"!"
A scream broke the silence of the night.
Hannibal suddenly woke up from his dream, sweat dripping down his face and his heart pounding. The thrilling scene just now lingered in him like a nightmare.
He calmed himself down and looked out the window. The night was still dark.
The crescent moon hanging alone in the sky seemed to be tinged with a faint blush by some indescribable emotion, adding a bit of weirdness.
"The scream just now, was it the aftermath of a dream, or a sign of reality?"
Hannibal muttered to himself, the uneasiness in his heart surging like a tide.
He stood up and walked towards the window involuntarily, his eyes penetrating the night, trying to catch a clue.
Under the moonlight, the carriage was parked quietly, and the coachman's figure was vaguely leaning against the carriage, as if he was immersed in a dream.
This made Hannibal feel a little relieved and he lay back on his simple bed.
However, behind this moment of peace, there lies an unknown horror.
Just as Hannibal closed his eyes again, a silent accident happened quietly.
The groom, who seemed to be sleeping, suddenly stiffened and then fell down weakly, as if his life was sucked away by an invisible force.
At the same time, the figure of the innkeeper emerged from the shadow of the carriage like a ghost, holding a rusty hatchet.
Strands of scarlet blood slowly slid down the blade, interweaving with the crimson moonlight, making the night even more terrifying.
The innkeeper's face was filled with an almost crazy intoxication. He stared at the prey in his hand and whispered: "What a wonderful taste! The aroma of fresh meat is the most tempting gift of the night."
After saying that, he bent down regardless of everything and started to bite the still warm corpse.
Every bite was accompanied by a heart-pounding sound, echoing in the silent night sky.
At this moment, the moon in the sky seemed to be shocked by this scene, its light became increasingly scarlet, like the eyes of a devil, coldly watching this tragedy on earth.
Hannibal was completely unaware of all this and was still immersed in his own dreams.
……
The next morning.
When the first ray of sunlight shyly peeked through the window of the hotel, Hannibal slowly opened his tired eyes. The two dark circles under his eyes seemed like medals from his fight with nightmares last night.
Outside the window, birds are singing and all things are reviving, heralding a new day full of hope and vitality.
He took a deep breath and decided to put these unpleasant dreams behind him.
After all, today is the day he returns home, and his longing for home is like the warm sunshine, dispelling the haze in his heart.
When he went downstairs, an unprecedented aroma quietly penetrated his nose. It was a complex scent mixed with wheat, meat and subtle seasonings, which instantly awakened his dormant taste buds.
He followed the scent and saw the hotel owner in the hotel lobby, busy shuttling between the kitchen and the dining table, holding the fragrant pie in his hand.
The boss's grey apron, which was so large that it covered his legs, looked a bit clumsy, but it unexpectedly added a warm family atmosphere to him, as if this place was not only a habitat for travelers, but also an extension of his home.
"Oh, you woke up so early. You must have had a good appetite after the tiring journey, right?"
The innkeeper's voice was cheerful and friendly. He smiled and placed a plate of steaming hot pies just out of the oven in front of Hannibal.
The pie is golden and attractive, with a crispy crust. You can hear a slight crackling sound when you touch it lightly. The pork filling is bright in color, with alternating fat and lean meat, making you drool.
Although Hannibal was a little concerned about last night's strange scene, the delicious food in front of him made him temporarily forget his anxieties.
He thanked her politely, picked up the cutlery, and took a small bite of the pie.
At that moment, it seemed as if the whole world had quieted down and only the taste buds were partying.
The delicious meat filling and the crispy dough intertwine in your mouth, creating an indescribable wonderful taste.
It was a taste experience he had never had before, and even the chef at home, who was famous for his cooking, could hardly reach that level.
He looked up in surprise and looked at the innkeeper, his eyes full of admiration: "This...this pie is so delicious! How did you make it?"
“There’s really no secret, it’s just using the best ingredients, plus a little bit of care and patience.”
He spoke lightly.
Hannibal was deeply touched by these simple words. He realized that true deliciousness often comes from the love of life and the pursuit of details.
He didn't ask any more questions, but just continued to enjoy the food in front of him silently until the pie on the plate was gone.
After eating and drinking, he stood up, bowed deeply to the innkeeper, and said sincerely: "Thank you for your generous hospitality. This is the most unforgettable meal of my journey."
The hotel owner smiled and waved his hand: "As long as you like it."
Hannibal felt an indescribable complex emotion in his heart. He looked at the hotel owner's firm and gentle face and sincerely invited him again: "Your cooking skills are so outstanding. If you can display your talents in our big kitchen, you will definitely achieve something extraordinary.
Our family will treat you with the most sincere heart and will never let your talent and efforts go to waste."
Upon hearing this, the hotel owner curled up a strange smile.
"Master, I appreciate your kindness.
But for me, every corner here is full of stories and memories. I like this tranquility and freedom, which makes me feel the true meaning of life.
Perhaps, for some people, the warmth of home is far away;
For me, home is this little piece of land and the travelers who come together because of delicious food.”
Hannibal felt regretful but relieved when he heard this.
He knew very well that everyone has their own pursuits and destination, so he said no more and nodded slightly to show his respect and understanding.
Then he picked up his luggage and started his journey home.
However, fate always seems to play jokes on people.
When he walked towards the carriage with great anticipation and prepared to set off, he found that the coachman was gone.
Next to the shaft of the carriage, a piece of paper fluttering slightly in the wind came into view. On it were farewell words written in a slightly clumsy handwriting, and the words revealed the fear of the unknown virus and the desire for freedom.
Hannibal couldn't help but smile bitterly, feeling mixed emotions.
He cursed a few times under his breath, but he also understood that in this turbulent era, everyone has their own difficulties and choices.
So he took a deep breath and decided to drive the carriage himself.