Universe Infinite Canteen

Thanks to Zhu Chen's swift response, Meiping Website pulled in Ma Lu and Tang Rijie that very afternoon to issue a statement clarifying the incident as the public opinion fermented.

The next day, Meiping Website dispatched two observers to rate Universe Infinite Canteen, and by that evening, they had calculated and announced its final score—a 4.6.

This tied the canteen with another three restaurants for the highest score in Meiping Website's history.

And those three, without exception, were luxury restaurants with an average spending of over three thousand yuan per person.

Additionally, Meiping Website exceptionally revealed the itemized scores, showing that Universe Infinite Canteen received full marks in categories related to the food, with deductions mainly in service and decor.

Feeling somewhat guilty, He Xiaoqian read the review and said to Ma Lu, "I'm sorry, boss, I let the restaurant down."

Yu Yitong chimed in from the side, "It's not your fault. Restaurants that score high in service invest a lot in this aspect.

"To ensure a serene dining environment, they might only place three or four tables per hundred square meters, with a server assigned to each table.

"The placement of the dinnerware is also meticulous, for instance, which way the cup handles should face, the exact spacing between knife and fork, and even chefs will sometimes personally polish the knives.

"That's because the sharpness of the knife affects the texture of the food, especially meat. Only a knife that's sharpened just right can produce the taste the chef envisions.

"They've even gone as far as to install heated doorknobs, customizing them to maintain the most comfortable temperature for the human hand, ensuring a pleasant mood for customers even in winter when opening doors."

"Wow, that's impressive, I need to learn from them."

He Xiaoqian felt her horizons had been broadened and sensed she had found a direction to strive for in the future.

Meanwhile, Ma Lu, who had been playing a game on his Red Ridge, was disdainful, "Only third-rate restaurants focus on upping service, top-tier places kill it with flavor."

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Yu Yitong did agree with this view, but she added, "It's rare for restaurants to become totally unique in flavor and continue to evolve like Universe Infinite Canteen.

"Most can hardly improve their taste once reaching a certain level and have to resort to service and decor to vie for higher ratings."

"Eh, hearing you say that, I think Uncle Wang is really amazing," He Xiaoqian said.

"Not just amazing," Yu Yitong then turned to Ma Lu, "where did you find such a formidable partner?"

Ma Lu didn't reply but pressed a small button on the table. Shortly, Mike, who had been cleaning the windows outside, came in with a gloomy face.

Ma Lu pointed to his empty teacup, "No water left, go refill it for me."

Mike didn't say much, took the cup to the water dispenser, filled it, and without a word, placed the refilled cup before Ma Lu, then turned to leave to resume his window cleaning.

But Ma Lu called him back, "Wait, pour this one out and get me another cup."

"Are you having a laugh at my expense?!" Mike raged, "Let me tell you, even if I agreed to Zhu to wipe your windows and clean your toilets, that doesn't mean you can insult my dignity!"

His voice was loud, attracting many diners in the restaurant to look their way.

Ma Lu remained calm, "You think I don't know you spit in my cup just because you're blocking my view?"

At these words, Mike's face turned pale, and his earlier bravado was gone.

"How did you know?"

Ma Lu pointed to a surveillance camera, "I'm punishing you to work two more days here. Buddy, you're not a beauty, why would I enjoy watching you loiter around me?

"Stop these meaningless antics. Work honestly, and once I feel like it, I'll let you go.

"The more you act up, the longer you'll serve me. You don't want to embarrass yourself in front of so many diners and former subordinates, right?"

Mike fell silent and silently picked up the tainted cup of tea.

Ma Lu's voice floated behind him, "Get a new cup, remake it, and I'll deduct the cost of the tea leaves from your paycheck."

The reason Ma Lu dared to keep Mike working in the restaurant without fearing underhanded tricks was that he had something to rely on—and it wasn't just the surveillance cameras. In truth, Ma Lu never checked the monitors; his real backup was the Gold Medal Producer.

After 'game-ification,' the whole restaurant was under the surveillance of the Gold Medal Producer, and it was 360-degree, no-blind-spot coverage. Whatever happened, Ma Lu could get notified instantly.

No mischief occurred in the following two weeks.

Ma Lu let Mike go after six days, mainly because he was a nuisance to look at, and with Mike gone, Yu Yitong went back to work as well.

During this period, Ma Lu went out to procure ingredients twice. Ever since he became the Beggar Gang Leader, sourcing ingredients became much easier.

With Beggars' Sect's sub-rudders spread all across the region and connections to the local martial arts circles, a single command from Ma Lu set them on a quest to gather secret medicines and seeds which were then sent to Qingzhou.

No wonder countless people in every plane battle for power and influence; power is indeed enticing, making it hard to let go once you've tasted it.

Except for Ma Lu. Not because he was particularly virtuous or uncorrupted, but rather he was now strolling around Qingzhou with Gu Qingyi, handling cases without hesitation to exploit the Beggars' Sect branches wherever they went.

It wasn't because his position as Gang Leader was only three months long. To be honest, as long as Ma Lu continued to have a heart to shine for Beggars' Sect, with his identity as Deng Youtai's closed-door disciple, he could still end up as a powerful protector or Elder after the three months.

It was simply because the Bug Egg was close to its next upgrade.

Ma Lu had collected quite a few ingredients on this side and was preparing to visit the next Plane. He also shared his plans to depart with Gu Qingyi.

Gu Qingyi was visibly downcast.

Although her trip had been long, and the time when she unavoidably needed to return home was nearing, the thought of separating from Ma Lu and the uncertainty of when they would meet again saddened her.

Noticing her low spirits, Ma Lu pondered and said, "Let's both handle our own affairs, and in two months, let's meet in Green Sun County.

"Oh right, I also have a spaceship. I'll have someone help me see if it can be fixed. If it can, I'll come to pick you up. Then, I can take you home with me."

"I don't want to go home with you," Gu Qingyi retorted, but her furrowed brow clearly relaxed quite a bit, and she added, "Alright, it's a deal then. And what's a spaceship, a ship that can fly?"

"Uh, pretty much... you'll find out once it's repaired."