"So that's where all the extra milk jugs have been going." Rita Loud remarked as Lincoln explained a few ideas he had found online about DIY weightlifting with Lynn Jr. listening intently. The rest of the family were engaged with their own conversations and activities as they managed to behave themselves inside the new Chinese restaurant that had opened with Royal Woods, which boasted authentic Chinese cuisine.

"You think I could try out some of your equipment when you get done with it, Lincoln?" Lynn asked.

"I don't see why not. Though give me a few more days with it, I want to make sure that I got everyone ready."

"Hey, everyone!" Luna shouted, spying someone coming out of the kitchen with lots of dishes. "I think our food's here."

All conversation stopped as everyone waited with bated anticipation. Much to their delight, the waiter brought their food. "Thank you for waiting. Allow me to give you your food."

As the waiter set each dish in front of each of his family members, Lincoln got his utensils and stared at the waiter. As the waiter set his dish down, Lincoln was about to dig in. Then he took a second look at the dish he was given.

It looked to be cuts of tofu and bits of pork or beef in a red oily suspencion sauce. What's more, Lincoln could literally feel the heat coming off the dish. Not just the temperature heat, but the sheer spiciness.

"Umm, excuse me? I ordered the fried rice. What's this?"

The waiter, having given everyone their order, looked at Lincoln quizzically. "Oh, that is Mapo Tofu, authentic recipe from the Szechuan province of China. And you didn't order that?"

The waiter looked back at his notebook, before his face turned pale and bowed. "OH, I AM VERY SORRY! I MUST HAVE MISREAD YOUR ORDER! I THOUGHT YOU WISHED FOR MAPO TOFU WITH MAXIMUM SPICINESS! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"

Lincoln turned back to the Mapo Tofu before looking back. "How spicy is it?"

"Umm…" The waiter got the menu again, opened it to a specific page and pointed to some symbols. The one that the waiter pointed to specifically was a trio of skulls grouped closely together."

"Very hot, sir."

Lincoln looked back on his plate, before sighing. "I'm guessing that the chef wanted this dish to be as authentic as possible, right? Even that he even imported some special ingredients from China?"

"...Yes, sir. But please do not let that affect your decision. I can bring it back and have the chef bring you your order."

Lincoln shook his head. "Tell the chef it's fine. I'll eat this."

The waiter looked apprehensive before nodding. "Please do tell any of the other waiters including me if you need more water, sir."

With that, the man left, leaving the loud family to stare at the plate of red that was sitting in front of Lincoln.

"You know, you could still call that waiter back." Lola advised, eyeing the plate like she expected it to erupt into flames.

Lisa held out a handheld device and scanned the food. As the device started to show results, the genius began to examine them before her eyes bulged. "GREAT EINSTEIN! The amount of capsaicin is so great, you might as well set fire to your own tongue!"

Despite all these warnings, Lincoln didn't heed them. Getting his spoon, he scooped up some of the mapo tofu, and looked it over, before putting inside his mouth. The rest of his family watched as Lincoln chewed, then swallowed as he got another spoonful.

Then another.

And another.

Slowly, the changes started to happen. Lincoln closed his eyes, shutting out all outside stimuli. His face slowly started to turn red. Beads of sweat started to appear on his brow, getting bigger and bigger until they started flowing down his face.

Lincoln speeded up his eating.

He got redder and redder, his drops sweat the size of dimes, and he kept up his furious pace, his spoon dipping into the dish.

Finally, he let the spoon drop into the empty plate, the sound of spoon hitting ceramic like the sound of resounding victory. Lincoln reached up to the collar of his shirt-

And tore the front of it in half, exposing his chest, and letting the heat escape.

The rest of his family stared at him. Lincoln might as well have been carved from stone. Lynn reached over to the plate and swiped some of the mouth.

"Well, if Lincoln didn't need water, I bet I can do it."

She stuck the sauce inside her mouth.


"Yeah, it's pretty hot, Lynn." Lincoln commented.

*SHUT UP AND KEEP POURING ON MY TONGUE!* Lynn replied as best she could, before Lincoln continued squeezing out Lily's milk bottle.