Chapter 25: Menus and Dilemmas
Who says running a restaurant takes more than just cooking skills?
Even in Xia Yu's old world, the Michelin inspector system focused primarily on food quality—accounting for 60% of the overall score. The dining environment and service were only 20% and 10%, respectively.
Of course, this small Chinese restaurant couldn't compete with upscale dining spots in ambiance or service. But Xia Yu wasn't worried.
The Chef God System was his secret weapon—and the true source of his confidence.
Since binding with the system, he'd experienced a near rebirth. Every day when he woke up, his cooking skills seemed to have improved just a little more. It was like a silent, relentless evolution.
System Notification: You have a new task.
The familiar message popped up, as if the system had been waiting for the perfect dramatic moment.
Xia Yu tapped it open—and instantly frowned.
[Bet with the God's Tongue]Tip: Upgrade your cooking skills to level 10, acquire more recipes, master the advanced talent "Cook's Heart," attract more customers, and win the bet against Erina Nakiri.Reward: 1 spin on the System Lottery Wheel.
He exhaled through his nose.
So it wasn't just a bet between teens anymore—the system was getting involved.
Below that task, another popped up:
[Debut Showcase]Tip: Serve 30 ordinary diners within 7 days, earn their satisfaction, and receive at least one 'Like' per customer.Reward: Recipe "Stir-Fried Chinese Cabbage" (Blue Grade).
A new recipe?
Xia Yu's eyes lit up.
He'd tried stir-frying bok choy before, but it was nowhere near the exaggerated brilliance shown in anime. Still, he remembered the refreshing, clean flavor of well-cooked greens. The thought alone made his salivary glands stir.
In Chinese cuisine, vegetables weren't just side dishes—they were canvases of flavor and technique.
More importantly, he wanted to defeat Erina in their bet.
One spin of the system's lottery wheel. That was all it took to change everything.
He still remembered opening his first spin through the "Newbie Gift Pack." That's when he'd drawn the [Mirror Crystal], which allowed him to replicate his teacher's cooking perfectly—earning his first passing grade and his first blue recipe.
The system's lottery wheel offered five item categories: ingredients, utensils, recipes, consumables, and the elusive "specials." If luck was on his side, maybe he could unlock a legendary chef ability—something like the God's Tongue itself.
Just the thought of obtaining something similar sent shivers of excitement down his spine.
After all, Totsuki Academy already had its God's Nose, Ryo Hayama, whose sense of smell allowed him to leap ahead of even Soma Yukihira and take the 9th seat in the Elite Ten.
Talent wasn't everything, but when it came with system support... well, who wouldn't dream a little?
After watching Erina and Hisako disappear down the rainy street in their chauffeured car, Xia Yu turned and re-entered the shop.
"Hehe, your girlfriend's a little willful, huh?"
Mu Xiaoyue teased him with a playful smile.
"Girlfriend? Hell no." Xia Yu rolled his eyes. "Who could put up with that kind of temper?"
"Isn't her face enough?" Mu Xiaoyue tilted her head, her eyes glimmering with mischief. "Sometimes beauty alone is the ultimate trump card."
Xia Yu groaned and decided to change the subject. "So... which one was better? Last night's Husband and Wife Lung Slices or today's Magic Mapo Tofu?"
"Magic Mapo Tofu!"
She answered without hesitation.
Xia Yu let out a silent sigh of relief. Deep down, he had been worried—worried that his glowing signature dish might still fall short of the old man's casual home cooking.
That kind of outcome would destroy anyone's self-confidence.
They chatted for a bit longer. Outside, the rain showed no signs of stopping. Mu Xiaoyue and Anya gave up on their plans to head to Tokyo and instead used the shop's Wi-Fi to pass the time.
Xia Yu headed back into the kitchen and placed a bunch of small wooden nameplates on the counter—each one bearing the name of a dish in elegant black calligraphy.
Back when the old man ran the shop, twelve traditional Chinese dishes were offered daily. The menu rotated among the eight major regional cuisines. For example, today they might feature dishes from Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu. Tomorrow, the rotation could include Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, and Anhui.
At the time, Xia Yu didn't think much of it. The old man simply told him what to hang each day.
But now… Now he was the chef.
Now each sign felt like a small mountain resting on his shoulders.
He'd only truly mastered a few of the dishes—just enough to "show off." The rest? Some he had dabbled in, others he was still learning. Most were nowhere near ready to serve.
He stared at the signs for a long time.
Then, with a deep breath and a steely gaze, he made a decision.
Reduce the daily menu from twelve dishes to six.
Two cuisines, three dishes each.
With that, the pressure instantly eased.
The old man could afford to play things by ear. Xia Yu couldn't. He had to be strategic—pick the dishes he was confident in, prepare them well, and serve them proudly.
The rest—those still hovering near the 60-point system threshold—could be polished in the background.
Next, he needed to plan out his weekly menu in advance.
He sat down, ready to write—then froze.
Wait… who's supplying the ingredients?
The menu depended entirely on what was available each day.
"Ah—dammit!"
He clutched his head in frustration. The old man had left in such a rush and hadn't told him anything.
And where the hell was the money?! Was he supposed to buy meat with brainwaves?
Grumbling, he pulled out his phone and dialed again.
Still busy.
"Did that geezer really board a plane? Or did he just yank the SIM card out and vanish?"
Knock knock.
A sudden knock on the front door snapped him out of his spiral. Xia Yu quickly composed himself and stepped out of the kitchen.
"…Mr. Kanbara?"
He blinked in surprise at the tall middle-aged man standing just inside the entrance, dressed like a British detective—black-gray coat, tall hat, brown gloves, and all.
"We meet again, young man."
Kanbara Masato removed his hat and took a seat at the counter.
With a casual thud, he placed a sleek metal suitcase on the counter. Three engraved silver letters gleamed on the case:
IGO
A sudden buzz of recognition stirred in Xia Yu's mind. The letters sparked something, but he couldn't immediately recall what they meant.
Instead, he stared suspiciously at the man. "Mr. Kanbara, are you here to eat or...?"
"I'm here to deliver something."
Before Xia Yu could ask more, Kanbara cut him off with a wave and a smirk.
"This," he said, tapping the metal suitcase, "is something your old man asked me to bring. Go ahead—open it."