As night fell and the flames flickered in the square, the tourists, guided by Diliya, slowly made their way over. Upon seeing the venue that had been prepared in advance, they couldn't help but cheer. Naturally, their cheers were accompanied by the constant flashing of mobile phone cameras.
Initially, people took photos when they went out simply to capture memories, but now, it seemed they wanted to share their adventures with all their friends. Especially for those visiting from the United States, where tourism is on par with Europe, taking photos to show off was almost a necessity.
After snapping pictures of the flames, Mayor Wallis said a few welcoming words, simply greeting everyone to Winthrop. Unlike the opening ceremonies in China, Americans aren't fond of wasting too much time on speeches. So, less than three minutes later, Mayor Wallis officially declared the party open, and everyone eagerly headed toward the food.
At the mayor's announcement, the crowd, who had been growing hungry for some time, turned their attention to the array of delicacies set up around them. Their eyes lit up, and their phones glowed as they started snapping more photos.
"Is this steak? Oh my god! It's so big and tender, so delicious!" one person exclaimed.
"Are these lobsters? They're huge, over two pounds! Are they all free?" another asked, astonished.
"And these prawns and crabs! My god, these fish are huge. Are they all free too?"
Looking at the spread, the tourists were in awe. The desire to take advantage of such an offering was palpable. It wasn't about being rich or poor—it was simply the opportunity to enjoy a rare treat. The town of Winthrop had prepared a truly grand meal for them.
Despite the marine industry in Winthrop gradually waning, with a noticeable drop in lobster and fish production, there was still enough to satisfy both the town's residents and the visiting tourists. The dinner, though not the absolute best available, was of high quality, especially for the first batch of tourists.
The town government of Winthrop made sure to serve only the best ingredients available for tonight's event, with some items sourced from local suppliers. While not the top-tier cuts, they were still of excellent quality. For instance, the roasted beef was standard grade beef provided by the town, costing around eight dollars per pound in the supermarket. However, the restaurant's price was closer to six dollars per pound (about thirty-six yuan). In China, this quality beef would only be available in upscale steakhouses, where prices can exceed forty yuan per pound.
Tourists visiting from China were familiar with steak but found it extraordinary to have such high-quality beef available for free. The lobster, codfish, and other seafood were far beyond what they could afford back home. For many, this was the highlight of their trip.
The one-meter-long codfish was sliced and fried right before their eyes, while the two- to three-pound lobsters were baked in the oven. The sight of such large, delicious food sent everyone into a frenzy. In China, a three-pound lobster could cost more than three or four hundred yuan, and codfish was considered a rare and expensive delicacy.
Along with the lobster and codfish, there were also sea cucumbers, abalones, roasted pheasants, and venison—delicacies rarely found in the U.S. but thoughtfully included by Jiang Hai to cater to Chinese tastes. These unique touches made the meal all the more special.
As the party reached its peak, the food kept disappearing, and the guests were thrilled to be enjoying such luxury. For many, these dishes were a rare treat they would never normally afford. But here, in Winthrop, they could eat and drink freely without a care.
After enjoying most of the food, the men turned their attention to the cold beer that had been served earlier. The beer, brewed by Old Tony's hotel, was a favorite of Jiang Hai's. It had a strong wheat flavor, was refreshing, and lacked the bitterness of typical beers. Even though Ice City's beer is well-known in China, the locals found it inferior to Old Tony's brew, which beat the competition hands down.
When the guests took their first sips, their eyes lit up. Even those who usually preferred white wine couldn't resist a few glasses of beer. The smoothness and taste made it the perfect drink for the night.
After a while, one tourist couldn't help but ask Diliya, "Miss George, aren't you worried about losing money with all this free food?"
It was nearly an hour into the party, with food and drinks flowing freely. Diliya, who had stayed behind as a guide, chuckled as she replied, "Oh, the merchants provide the food. You're here for five days, and we're only responsible for tonight's dinner. It's all part of the promotion. If you like what you're eating, you'll visit their stores in the next few days."
Diliya, who grew up in Winthrop, was less impressed with the lobster and steak, as she was more used to chicken and other local fare. After all, lobsters were once so abundant in Winthrop that they were considered a nuisance. But now, even though lobsters were pricey, they weren't a big deal for the locals.
One man, still savoring a lobster, added with a grin, "Well, even if it's cheap for you, we're still getting a great deal tonight!"
Diliya smiled, "It's not that expensive here. But if you compare it to what you'd get in a town like Winthrop, it's fantastic. Now, if you compare it to Jiang Hai's place, it's a different story."
"Jiang Hai?" the tourists asked, looking over at the distant figure of Jiang Hai, sitting with an elderly man and surrounded by a group of women. Many couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
"Yes, Jiang Hai," Diliya said with a smile. "He produces the finest beef in the area. His cattle have won championships at the Eastern Beef Show. Wal-Mart and Haishang Supermarket sell his beef at over 400 US dollars per pound. It's the best beef in the world. As for lobsters, he has lobsters in his manor that can weigh over 20 kilograms each. He doesn't eat anything smaller."
"400 dollars a pound for steak? That's over 2,000 yuan per pound!" someone exclaimed in awe. "And lobsters over 20 kilograms? What kind of sea monster is that?"
The mention of such extravagant luxuries left everyone speechless, especially the man still holding his lobster. The thought of a 20-kilogram lobster was enough to make anyone's imagination run wild.
(To be continued.)