Chapter 82: The Deal is Sealed

"Done. This is my Golden Fried Rice. Please enjoy." Yun Xuan set the fragrant, steaming plate on the table.

Hisako Arato and Erina Nakiri were both taken aback. The aroma alone seemed to overpower Soma Yukihira’s dish.

Erina picked up her spoon and took a delicate bite.

“Mmm…” A violent shiver ran through her as her extraordinary palate was assaulted by an overwhelming sensation, her face flushing crimson.

“This is nearly a perfect dish. I feel as though I’m surrounded by an ocean made of the freshest vegetables—warm, soft, and all-encompassing.” Vivid scenes unfolded in Erina’s mind, a gift of her God Tongue.

“Miss Erina?” Hisako looked at her with concern, noticing her strange reaction.

“It’s a pass.” Erina glanced at the remaining Golden Fried Rice, as though making a monumental decision, and set her spoon down.

“Thank you.” Yun Xuan packed away his utensils.

“Congratulations, host. Main quest complete. Reward: 100 exchange points.”

“Main quest two: Qualify for the Autumn Selection. Reward: 500 exchange points. Completing this will unlock subsequent quests.”

As the cat-eared girl’s mewling notification sounded in his mind, Yun Xuan hesitated for a moment. When he returned to himself, Soma Yukihira appeared practically petrified, as if his dish had been deemed inedible.

“Hisako, escort them out. Those who passed may enroll tomorrow,” Erina instructed, casting another glance at the Golden Fried Rice.

“Yes,” Hisako nodded.

“Miss Erina Nakiri, I’d like to discuss a business deal with you, if you’re interested,” Yun Xuan said, standing his ground.

“A business deal?” Erina was momentarily stunned. Was he angling for a tasting contract?

“This Golden Fried Rice was just a casual effort. I also know the recipes for Golden Medicinal Cuisine and other lost dishes,” Yun Xuan declared, enunciating each word clearly.

“This was casual?” Erina’s eyes widened. This was already so close to her idea of perfection—just a step below that individual.

“Hisako, please take him out first.” After a moment’s hesitation, Erina gave the order.

Hisako acknowledged her and left with Soma Yukihira.

“So, what is it you wish to discuss?” Erina crossed her arms, eager to taste more of his cooking.

“I have nearly a ton of gold bars, shipped from China. If the Nakiri family can help me process them, I’ll teach you a unique golden recipe,” Yun Xuan said earnestly.

“A ton of gold bars?” Erina’s mouth hung open. That must be worth tens of billions of yen.

“No problem. As long as you can bring the gold into Totsuki Academy, the Nakiri family can handle a ton,” an elderly man said as he entered the room, his tone even.

“Grandfather?” Erina was startled.

“Thank you, Master Nakiri.” Yun Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that, apart from certain worlds, gold was still highly valuable in the normal world.

If Yun Xuan could truly deliver a ton of gold, Senzaemon Nakiri would accept it without hesitation. Gold bars had immense value for collectors—a deal with no risk and guaranteed profit.

As for whether it was stolen, one ton was of no importance. How could it be shipped from China to Japan if it were? More importantly, if a ton of gold went missing in Japan, it would be major news. Since Senzaemon had heard nothing, there was clearly nothing amiss.

To his knowledge, some Chinese families collected gold bars. A ton, even ten tons, was not unheard of.

“Young man, prepare a dish for me. If I’m satisfied, then we have a deal.” Senzaemon eyed Yun Xuan, noting his composure. Evidently, this youth hailed from an influential family in China.

Senzaemon’s imagination was, admittedly, quite vivid.

“Please wait a moment. In the meantime, you might try the dish over there—I believe it will surprise you.” Yun Xuan pointed to Soma Yukihira’s creation. He had no intention of altering the protagonist’s fate.

…

Half an hour later.

Yun Xuan left Totsuki Academy. On the way, he relieved a small-time thug of his wallet, obtained a bank card, and rented a car.

He delivered the ton of gold to Totsuki Academy without a hitch. Senzaemon Nakiri accepted it all.

Yun Xuan exchanged it for system points—only 29,980 exchange points.

“If you have more, bring it anytime, as long as it’s legal,” Senzaemon told Yun Xuan.

A ton of gold, acquired in less than an hour, suggested Yun Xuan had connections in Japan as well.

Senzaemon didn’t quite understand why Yun Xuan chose to deal with him, but he valued his collection above all else.

Globally, Yun Xuan might be the only person bold enough to deliver a ton of gold bars alone by truck.

With nearly 37,000 exchange points and his cooldown far from over, Yun Xuan decided to do some good deeds that evening.

After thanking Senzaemon for his hospitality, Yun Xuan left Totsuki Academy. School started tomorrow, so there was no rush.

He returned the car and used his remaining cash to rent a hotel room.

…

Night.

Yun Xuan strolled down a bustling Tokyo street, occasionally passing high school girls—this was, after all, the city’s famous red-light district.

“So this is the place?” Yun Xuan looked up at the third floor.

This was an infamous black-hearted company, notorious for predatory lending. The boss’s older brother had ties to the Yakuza, so no one dared investigate.

Yun Xuan had gleaned this information from the small-time thug. Incidentally, money acquired by theft could not be exchanged for points—it had to come from trade or legitimate means, or the system would reject it.

In other words, even if Yun Xuan stole a million yen, he couldn’t convert it directly into points.

In a back alley, he summoned Shirayuki. Together, they ascended to the third floor. Masked and cloaked, Yun Xuan had no fear of being identified.

On the third floor, Shirayuki sprang into action. Yun Xuan entered the office and swiftly took the safe, along with two guns and some bullets from a drawer.

Once they were clear, Yun Xuan dismissed Shirayuki and changed out of his disguise.

“I’ll open it up when I get back.” He glanced at the company one last time.

Back in his hotel room, Yun Xuan brought out the safe and used a silver-grade chef’s knife to slice through the outer layer with ease.

Relief washed over him as he examined the contents. Finally, something worthwhile.

He ignored the stacks of yen—what mattered was the small bag of diamonds.

Stowing the safe, Yun Xuan turned on the television. This world felt so easy, yet dull.

“If only I could return to Earth,” he murmured. Once twenty-four hours had passed, he would return, and then head to the fantasy world.

The starter pack was given upon entering each world, with just a twenty-four-hour cooldown before returning.

The starter pack from the world of greatest martial strength should be more valuable than those from other worlds.

As for why not visit the fantasy world? Yun Xuan only spoke Japanese. Without language comprehension, visiting a fantasy world would be problematic.

The fantasy world would at least speak Mandarin, right?

(P.S. This is the third update today. Favorites have barely increased, and there are no recommendation votes… sigh.)