Granny Yang's Restaurant is a famous mutton soup house in town. Every winter, it's always packed with customers, both new and regular, coming and going without end. If you ask why the restaurant's business is so booming, everyone knows the reason: it's because of the mastermind behind the scenes—Granny Yang. Not only does she personally raise large, plump goats, but her cooking skills are also peerless. The mutton soup she simmers is so fragrant it seems to drift for miles, the meat is delicious, and the prices are fair. No wonder the business thrives!
It's said, however, that Granny Yang's restaurant wasn't always this successful. A few years ago, the business was on the verge of collapse, until Granny Yang accidentally obtained a mysterious recipe that revived the failing restaurant, transforming it overnight from near-bankruptcy to booming prosperity. Many people desperately wanted to know this recipe, but it was the Yang family's most closely guarded secret, impossible for outsiders to ever discover, no matter how hard they tried.
Seeing how prosperous Granny Yang's business had become, some became envious. They tried sneaking in under the pretense of eating mutton, hoping to steal the secret technique. But those who returned were like soulless husks, and soon after passed away mysteriously. Fellow restaurateurs were baffled—truly, they'd lost more than they gained. After a period of quiet, though, someone still dared to test their luck.
That day, another mutton soup house across the street sent their most cunning and agile waiter, "Liu Shuai," to investigate. Liu Shuai dressed himself smartly, arrived at Granny Yang's, ordered two jin of mutton and half a jin of offal, then sat back leisurely, legs crossed, waiting for a chance to sneak into the kitchen.
The opportunity came. Just then, five or six customers arrived outside, and the waitstaff rushed to greet them, momentarily forgetting about Liu Shuai. Seizing the moment, Liu Shuai casually asked where the restroom was, then slipped around the corner, dodging the staff's line of sight, and dashed into the secret base—the kitchen. He saw a large pot steaming hot, with an old woman inside skillfully adding oil and meat. The seasonings and cooking methods seemed no different from anywhere else. He watched cautiously for a while, undetected. Liu Shuai figured the next batch would be his own order. Just as he was about to leave, Granny Yang suddenly turned around, as if she had known he was there all along, and gave him a sinister smile. The smile sent chills down Liu Shuai's spine and raised goosebumps all over his body. Seeing she didn't reprimand him, he quickly scurried back to his seat.
A few minutes later, a fresh pot of mutton soup was served before Liu Shuai. Though he'd eaten plenty of mutton at his own restaurant, this flavor was irresistible, making his mouth water. He dug in with gusto, relishing the meat with the seasonings. After finishing the meat, he drank every last drop of the soup. Paying his bill, he prepared to leave and report back. As he walked toward the door, he noticed a familiar figure in a dark corner of the restaurant—the old woman. There must be a secret, Liu Shuai thought, and quietly followed her, convinced he was about to uncover the truth. The old woman walked into the backyard pen, seemingly murmuring incantations to a female goat.
Liu Shuai was deeply puzzled. He darted to the doorway, preparing to listen closely. This time, he heard clearly: the old woman was saying, "I've brought your son to you." What a strange thing to say, Liu Shuai thought. Then, the old woman suddenly turned and gave Liu Shuai a creepy, cackling smile. It was like a magic spell—Liu Shuai instantly froze, unable to move. Though he didn't know what was happening, his legs wouldn't obey him, and panic surged in his heart. Granny Yang calmly walked toward him. Liu Shuai sweated profusely, staring into her malicious eyes and silently screaming for help. He tried to speak, but not a single word could come out.
Then the old woman spoke: "No need to struggle. You'll soon feel no pain, and you'll have a new life." After saying this, she even mischievously winked at Liu Shuai.
Liu Shuai found her words utterly absurd. The next moment, Granny Yang began chanting incantations, creating a suffocating net that squeezed Liu Shuai's entire body as if it would explode.
As Granny Yang's lips moved faster and faster, Liu Shuai grew more and more agonized, feeling as if his soul was being ripped from his body. This lasted for about half an hour. Suddenly, Liu Shuai felt a wave of relief. He was just beginning to rejoice that he'd escaped, waving his hand to wipe sweat from his brow, when he suddenly noticed his hand had become translucent and insubstantial. He couldn't believe it, but his physical body was right there beside him. Now he was truly terrified. In his panic, he finally managed to speak: "Granny! I have no grudge against you! Why are you killing me? Please, let me go! I have elderly parents and young children! I'm just an employee doing my job! Please, please let me go!"
The old woman said nothing. With a mere wave of her hand, Liu Shuai's soul was compelled to follow behind her, walking toward the female goat. Only now did Liu Shuai finally understand her earlier words.
He struggled desperately, but found himself completely powerless. When they reached the side of the mother goat, Granny Yang waved her hand at Liu Shuai's soul. Liu Shuai transformed into a wisp of green smoke and surged into the belly of the goat. Granny Yang nodded in satisfaction, thinking: "Now I have another strong, fat goat." Livestock born from a human soul are indeed different—robust in body and exquisite in flavor. This is the ultimate secret behind Granny Yang's restaurant's success, a secret never to be passed on. No one knows it, and even if they did, the next moment they'd become a helpless goat, ready for slaughter. The original body becomes a soulless husk, mentally broken and vacant.
If one day you happen to visit Granny Yang's Restaurant and order their signature dish—mutton—you should now understand: what you're eating is actually human flesh. And the one holding the ladle behind the counter is Granny Yang, the soul-stealer. Never, ever try to peek.