Reborn in Japan as a Chef God

73: Chapter 73: Cooking Duel Across Distances (Part 1) 73: Chapter 73: Cooking Duel Across Distances (Part 1) The text is quite long, but here is the translation:

—

The text message came suddenly, and Tiqie Helinai was taken aback.

“That golden retriever!”

She cursed under her breath, but her body was very obedient.

She navigated the mouse, opened Twitter on the computer, and found the ‘Bai Muying’ ID among her followers.

Clicking into Twitter, she saw that Sazama Eri had indeed just posted a video.

Eriina opened it curiously, and her pupils were instantly lit up by the dancing snake of flames.

“This is…”

The video’s sound was a bit messy, and the footage a little shaky, but this didn’t hinder the video’s protagonist from showcasing his culinary skills.

After a while, Sazama Eri sent another text message.

“How is it?”

“This just happened today.

Have you heard of the City Life Planning Company?

The real estate queen visited Xia’s Restaurant today, and Yu conquered her with a dish.”

Sazama Eri casually referred to Yu, clearly familiar with him.

For some reason, Tiqie Helinai felt inexplicably irritable.

Yet, Sazama Eri’s message revealed news that concerned Eriina more:

The developer visited Xia’s shop but was driven away!

“Damn it!

Isn’t the ninth seat that guy who’s the food consultant for this real estate company?” Tiqie Helinai gritted her teeth.

That so-called real estate queen barged in recklessly without taking her consultant, making it beyond the explanation of being just brainless with big breasts.

The video was short, showing only the part with the swirling flames, without a beginning or end, and it abruptly stopped when the dish was plated.

Tiqie Helinai, just drawn in by the video, stared dumbfounded at the end of the progress bar.

“Is that it?”

She struggled for a while before replying to Sazama Eri, “Were you on the scene?

Is there a longer video?

I want to see what dish he made…”

In Tokyo, at the British diplomat’s residence.

Sazama Eri, upon seeing Tiqie Helinai’s message, immediately had a “just as expected” expression.

She confirmed that Eriina and Xia Yu knew each other, and their relationship was not shallow!

“Lady Eriina, this video was also given to me by someone else.

It’s quite popular in otaku circles.” Sazama Eri replied with a smile, “As for the dish, he made a traditional Chinese dish, Twice-Cooked Pork.”

“Twice-Cooked Pork?

But what about the flames in the kitchen!”

“You’re a professional chef, you should know better than I do.

According to guests on the scene, it seemed to be some special culinary technique…”

“That’s why I’m asking you because I don’t know!”

“Ah, so there is a culinary technique that even Lady Eriina doesn’t know…”

The two blond ladies resumed their habitual banter.

…

The next day, Xia Yu rarely indulged in a lazy sleep-in, getting up almost at noon.

Without the need to wake up and open shop, his time was leisurely.

Xia Yu slowly walked into the bathroom, closed the door casually, and washed up, coming downstairs a few minutes later.

Hearing the sounds of him getting up, Hozoi Midori was hastily preparing lunch in the kitchen.

Not long after Xia Yu came downstairs, several traditional Chinese dishes were laid out on the table.

“By the way, I’m going to the IGO Tokyo headquarters this afternoon for an advancement assessment and to apply for a restaurant star rating.

You’ve been to the IGO headquarters, right?”

Xia Yu casually asked Midori, who was sitting opposite him while eating.

“Yeah, I know the transit route.

From here, take the train to the central district.

It’s about a half-hour journey.” Hozoi Midori nodded.

After eating, Hozoi Midori went upstairs to change clothes.

Xia Yu was early, waiting in the shop, glancing around at the store in its upgrade process, his mind full of questions.

Seems like nothing has changed at all!

Unlike his expectation of a place filled with construction frames, the system’s shop upgrade was very discreet and quiet.

He couldn’t help but consult the Chef God System, and the system merely provided the current upgrade progress:

“Beep, the current shop upgrade progress is 15%.

Please be patient with the host.

The system is under construction!”

Xia Yu’s mouth twitched.

What is this crap, calling this construction?

Since it was a free upgrade project, he just waited to see what the system would turn the shop into in three days.

“Midori, hurry up—”

He opened the shop door and walked back to the stairs, expressing his dissatisfaction with Hozoi Midori, who was dawdling upstairs.

It seems so troublesome for girls to go out.

Ameyoko Old Shopping Street wouldn’t stop operating just because Xia’s shop was closed.

The street looked bustling as usual.

Of course, compared to the modern new shopping street ahead, the old street district was quiet, with fewer customers.

Xia Yu strolled down the familiar road, enjoying the atmosphere.

…

While Xia Yu was heading to the IGO headquarters for his advancement assessment.

In Tokyo’s outskirts.

Violet Avenue Shopping Street.

A casual eatery named ‘Xingping Restaurant’ welcomed special guests around three in the afternoon.

A black sedan parked at the restaurant’s entrance.

Feng Zhizi Yaeko, surrounded by several black-suited bodyguards, folded her arms and walked into Xingping Restaurant with an air of arrogance.

Yesterday’s embarrassment didn’t affect Feng Zhizi Yaeko today.

Still donning a black and gray professional suit, looking radiant.

After entering, she removed her sunglasses and surveyed the scarcely populated restaurant, “Excuse the intrusion…”

“Welcome, today’s recommended dish is Kinmedai sashimi and…”

A red-haired teenager was busy in the open kitchen, his back to the entrance.

He spoke enthusiastically but turned around, and upon seeing the visitor, his face immediately hardened.

“It’s you guys!” the red-haired teenager said, displeased.

“Apologies for bothering you during business hours.”

Feng Zhizi Yaeko meticulously adhered to etiquette.

The etiquette of conversation is crucial, and by excelling at it, it’s easy to gain others’ favor, making it easier to control the conversation’s rhythm.

Unfortunately, the red-haired teenager didn’t fall for it, “I told you, that high-end Garden Apartment project plan—Xingping Restaurant simply doesn’t care.

If you’re not ordering, please leave—”

“You might want to take a look at the project plan first…” Feng Zhizi self-righteously laid down the document bag and handed over her business card.

Her gaze skipped over the red-haired teenager, landing on the back of a middle-aged man at the open kitchen.

“Boss, please consider carefully.”

“Speaking of which, these days, small-scale operations like your restaurant are finding it increasingly difficult to survive, right?”

Feng Zhizi routinely delivered her lines, though this time she felt a sense of discomfort deep inside.

Yesterday’s failure significantly impacted her.

An old, small shop’s young chef surprisingly made a Chinese dish matching the specialties of a high-end restaurant.

As Feng Zhizi recalled that intense spicy and fiery taste, she felt a burning sensation somewhere, subtly squeezing her legs together, her cheeks reddening slightly.

The red-haired teenager shot a strange glance at the twisting woman, waving his hand, “As long as customers are willing to come and enjoy our food, Xingping Restaurant will keep running.”

Unhurriedly, Feng Zhizi sat down, her hands crossed, supporting her chin.

“Honestly, yesterday I visited a Chinese cuisine restaurant similar in scale to Xingping Restaurant.”

“That shop is near Tokyo Ueno Station, in an old shopping street, a very prime location.

Our City Life Planning Company plans to develop a gourmet food street there…But the chef there convinced me with food, hence I’ve had to temporarily pause the plan there.”

Her lips slightly curled.

Feng Zhizi met the eyes of the red-haired teenager, saying leisurely, “I am now also a customer of your small shop.

If you can present a dish that satisfies me, who knows, I might change my mind too!”