Chapter 45: Four-Star Chef

Island nation, within an ancient and rustic courtyard.

A woman dressed in shrine maiden attire held a spoon in her hand, her face pale as she gazed at the golden river crab ball in the bowl. She tasted it lightly.

“Delicious… but… cough, cough, cough.” She covered her mouth, and a trace of blood welled from the corner of her lips.

“How do you feel, Miss?” The elderly butler beside her looked on with concern.

“It’s nothing. This is useless; the medicinal effect is barely noticeable. Let the person who brought it go.” She waved her hand dismissively and wiped the blood from her mouth with a handkerchief.

“Yes, Miss.” The elderly butler bowed.

“Has there been any news from Mengxuan?” she asked hesitantly.

“Still no leads. The person from back then is dead, and the child’s whereabouts have vanished,” the butler answered with his head lowered.

“I understand. You may go now. I’d like some quiet.” She sighed.

The butler carried the thermal case across the courtyard and entered the living room.

“Kamijo Furukawa, take your medicinal dish and leave. If you bring such things again, don’t blame me for having you thrown out.” He placed the thermal box on the table, his tone cold.

Kamijo Furukawa was stunned. What was happening? The effect was clearly strong.

…

Capital City, airport.

“Achoo.” Yun Xuan sneezed.

“Could it be Kamijo Furukawa cursing me again? That’s amusing.” Yun Xuan chuckled.

Medicinal cuisine differs from regular dishes; its potency gradually fades, eventually leaving only a trace.

Yun Xuan had only dared sell it to Kamijo Furukawa after reading the final notes in the Golden Recipe.

Leaving the Sacred Food Area of the Culinary Academy takes at least half an hour; by then, the medicinal power would have already started to dissipate.

What Yun Xuan didn’t know was that Kamijo Furukawa had taken it to the laboratory for research. After several days of experiments yielded no results, he gave up. In the end, he merely reheated Yun Xuan’s golden river crab ball for someone else to taste.

“The benefits for a four-star chef are nice. The exam wasn’t wasted. But the minimum age for a five-star chef is twenty-five, or three years of culinary experience—that’s rather strict.” Yun Xuan looked at his chef’s certificate.

A four-star chef’s restaurant would be recommended by the Gourmet Management Association. This alone was enough to give Yun Xuan’s restaurant a head start.

Boarding the plane, Yun Xuan gazed out the window, wishing he could fly himself.

…

At six in the afternoon, Yun Xuan left Fangyu City airport and arrived downtown.

“Ye Shan, you’re finally here. Just a few more days and we’ll be ready to open.” Yun Xuan arrived at the hotel, where Ye Shan Yuanting had been waiting.

“Well, Yun Xuan, I brought two others with me.” Ye Shan Yuanting apologized.

“Besides Sakagami Ginzi, who else?” Yun Xuan smiled meaningfully.

“Hello, Yun Xuan.” Two people entered through the doorway.

“Alice?” Yun Xuan was surprised.

“Yun Xuan, will you take me in? I’m fluent in Mandarin and familiar with China. I can be a little maid,” Alice pleaded pitifully.

“Welcome, welcome. Have a seat first.” Yun Xuan’s instincts told him Alice’s arrival in China must be due to some trouble.

Sakagami Ginzi and Alice sat down.

“I didn’t expect you to bring two people all at once. Looks like the kitchen is in good hands with you three,” Yun Xuan teased.

“My Mandarin is pretty good too, Yun Xuan. If Ye Shan came alone, I’d be rather uneasy,” Sakagami Ginzi smiled gently.

Yun Xuan looked at her smile and thought of the phrase: virtuous and graceful.

“I plan to offer you a salary of two hundred thousand a year. For those who haven’t reached three-star chef level, that’s already high in China, isn’t it?” Yun Xuan produced a contract template.

“Yes, two hundred thousand is very high. Even graduates from the Culinary Academy don’t start with more,” Ye Shan Yuanting said excitedly.

Compared to the average annual income of fifty to one hundred thousand in Fangyu City, their salary was indeed substantial.

“I’ll pay you a year’s salary in advance. Give me your Chinese account numbers, and I’ll transfer the funds,” Yun Xuan took out his phone.

“Alright.” The three produced their phones and received the transfer via QQ Pay.

With two hundred thousand in hand, Alice remained calm, while Sakagami Ginzi and Ye Shan Yuanting were visibly excited.

“Next, let me explain the menu and the restaurant name. You must master all the dishes by the fifteenth.” Yun Xuan presented a menu.

“Golden fried rice, cold noodles, rice noodles, lamb stew with bread, eight-treasure porridge, drunken shrimp…” Ye Shan Yuanting read the menu, some dishes unfamiliar even by name.

“The renovation will be finished in two days. Today’s the twelfth; by the fourteenth, it’ll be done. You have one day to learn as much as you can. For now, find a place to stay. Later, you’ll cook for yourselves in the restaurant. Standard eight-hour business days…” Yun Xuan shared his plans.

Ye Shan Yuanting took careful notes. Nothing seemed odd, except the eight-hour business day.

From what he knew, most Chinese eateries operated thirteen hours, and restaurants around eleven.

“Yun Xuan, isn’t eight hours too short for business?” Ye Shan Yuanting hesitated.

“Ye Shan, can one person make all the money in the world?” Yun Xuan smiled.

“No… I see now,” Ye Shan Yuanting suddenly understood.

“Eight hours is plenty. That way, staff and you all won’t be too exhausted. There’s more money than anyone can earn alone,” Yun Xuan laughed.

…

After dining with Ye Shan Yuanting and the others at the hotel, they left to find accommodations. Alice had already bought an apartment near the restaurant.

Yun Xuan left the hotel and returned home. Soon he collapsed onto the sofa, truly tired from the day.

Night fell.

Yun Xuan opened his eyes and caught the scent of food.

“Little Xuan?” came Yun Xun’er’s voice beside him.

“Xun’er, Xue’er, you’re back,” Yun Xuan sat up.

“Yes, the restaurant renovation is moving fast, so there’s no need to supervise. Little Xuan, what are you really aiming for? Chef or artist?” Xun’er asked softly.

“My wish is simple—give you both a better life,” Yun Xuan pondered aloud.

“Little Xuan…” Xun’er looked at him with satisfaction.

“Xun’er, let’s eat. I’ll trouble you again tomorrow; I have other things to handle these days,” Yun Xuan felt a bit embarrassed, sensing Xun’er’s gaze was like a mother’s toward her child.

“Sure, leave it to me.” Xun’er sat beside him, gently stroking his hair.

“…Xun’er, I’m not a child anymore,” Yun Xuan smiled wryly.

“In your sister’s eyes, you’ll always be a child,” Xun’er laughed behind her hand.

(P.S.: Can’t I get a recommendation vote? 55555)