Culinary Expert

Chapter 8: Returning Customers

After the electronic voice, Bai Xiaobai immediately felt that huge golden card reappear in his mind. Name: Bai Xiaobai Goal: To become a top-tier chef versed in both Eastern and Western cuisines. Gender: Male Age: 22 Ethnicity: Han (Earth Human) Items: None Special Move: None Experience: 20 points Physical Condition: Locked Mastered Dish: Supreme Tea-Egg (d1) Culinary Talent: ? Current System Level: Big White Notes: Blank Bai Xiaobai hadn’t expected that completing the beginner’s quest early would actually double his experience points. Combined with the tenfold reward from the Ice Crack pattern that appeared earlier, his experience reward—which had originally been just 1 point—skyrocketed to 20 points. His level shot straight up to Big White. Aside from experience, Bai Xiaobai was most concerned about money. To be honest, over the past couple of days, he hadn’t made a penny. “Food is as essential as iron and steel”—he was probably the only person in all of China who had to pay to eat the delicious food made in his own kitchen. “System, how is the revenue split now?” Bai Xiaobai asked the system. The system’s electronic voice sounded. [Host Level Upgraded to “Big White”; System and Host Split Revenue 80/20] With his level upgraded from ‘Xiaobai’ to “Big White,” the revenue split had indeed improved. Since the system provided all the ingredients, the shift from a 90/10 split to an 80/20 split meant that for every “Supreme Tea Egg” sold, Bai Xiaobai’s net income was ten yuan. If the shop’s reputation grew in the future, he might even sell over a hundred Supreme Tea Eggs a day—which would mean a net income of over a thousand just from those alone. Bai Xiaobai’s eyes were now filled with the ¥ symbol. “By the way, System, now that I’ve upgraded to ‘Bai Dabai,’ besides the higher split, are there any other perks?” Bai Xiaobai continued to ask the System. The System’s electronic voice sounded again. 【Host Level: Da Bai. You may sample any new menu items released in the future for free. 】 “Free” means no charge—another win. Bai Xiaobai was now more excited than if he’d been injected with adrenaline. At least he wouldn’t have to pay for samples whenever new products were launched—the System was actually quite considerate. 【Ding-dong—After completing the Newbie Quest, please accept the “Money Galore” quest, Host. 】 As the system’s voice faded, text appeared in Bai Xiaobai’s mind “Money Galore” Quest: Sell a cumulative total of 100 Supreme Tea Eggs. System Rules 1. There is no time limit; simply accumulate sales of 100 “Supreme Tea Eggs.” Each tea egg is priced at 50. The Host’s current level is “Big Bai,” and the price must not be altered without authorization. 2. Each customer may purchase only one per day; tea eggs consumed by the Host do not count toward sales. 3. Do not actively invite friends to the store to boost sales; doing so will be considered cheating. 4. Violating any of the above rules will reset the sales count to zero, and the tally will start over. Reward for completing the Qian Duoduo mission: 50 experience points and eligibility to launch a new C-level dish. I thought I’d be able to launch a new dish after finishing the beginner’s mission, but it looks like I’ll have to wait a while longer—I didn’t expect to get a new mission so soon. What Bai Xiaobai cares about most is the reward. “System, what’s the new C-level dish? Can you tell me in advance? That would give me more motivation.” 【Cannot be disclosed at this time】 The system’s voice was, as always, a cold, electronic tone. 【Ding-dong—The Qian Duoduo Quest has officially begun】 Bai Xiaobai analyzed the Qian Duoduo quest. Although this new quest has no time limit—which seems to reduce the pressure—100 tea eggs isn’t exactly a small number. At his current snail’s pace, it could take anywhere from two or three months to as long as half a year or even a year to complete. If it took three months to complete the task, that would mean Bai Xiaobai could only earn 50 × 0. 2 × 100 = 1,000 RMB during those three months—an average of just over 300 RMB per month. That wouldn’t even be as much as she’d make scavenging for trash. For the moment, she simply couldn’t think of a good solution. Bai Xiaobai had no choice but to take things as they came and improvise as she went along. The shop’s premium tea eggs were delicious, but they didn’t fill him up. After quickly tidying up the shop, Bai Xiaobai closed up and headed out to find something to eat. In Room 205 at Kende University, three people were gathered around a mahjong table. “Young Master Wei, you lost the most this round. You promised to treat us this weekend,” said the fat guy at the mahjong table. Wei Hai, with a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, said, “Then I’ll treat you guys to a nice meal tomorrow.” The skinny guy perked up at the mention of going to a restaurant. “Young Master Wei, let’s go to that Dudu Bird Sichuan Restaurant. Their Sichuan cuisine is top-notch, and the waitresses are all Sichuan girls—each one prettier than the next, and the service is excellent, too.” After saying that, the skinny guy swallowed hard. Wei Hai, with a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, exhaled a ring of smoke and said nonchalantly, “I’ve already decided which restaurant we’re going to.” “Which one? Are the girls pretty?” the skinny guy asked with a lecherous look on his face. “Why ask so many questions? You’ll find out tomorrow. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. One tile.” “Haha, I went out. I’ve been waiting for your one tile…” The Fat Guy spread out his mahjong tiles, grinning from ear to ear. “Young Master Wei, you’ve lost so many rounds today. If it’s not a high-end place tomorrow, I’ll be really mad at you, haha.” Early the next morning, the air was unusually stifling. Xiao Hei lay on his back, belly up, under the air conditioner, soaking up the cool breeze. After Bai Xiaobai opened the shop, he busied himself in the kitchen as usual, preparing his Supreme Tea Eggs. There was no way he could meet the sales target of 100 in a single day. So, to prevent the food from “piling up,” Bai Xiaobai played it safe and started by making five Supreme Tea Eggs. After all, his technique was much more refined now—once the Supreme Tea Eggs sold out, he could restock them in just a few minutes. In the kitchen, Bai Xiaobai was working up a sweat. Although the system’s equipment was state-of-the-art, he had to personally oversee every detail. As the system put it, the dishes produced became increasingly delicious as the host’s technique improved. For example, after making Supreme Tea Eggs for the past two days, Bai Xiaobai’s tea-steeping technique is now on par with that of professional tea masters. Another example: the five tea eggs he’s just finished have a richer, more vibrant color than those from yesterday or the day before—just like the finest aged purple clay, and they’re absolutely beautiful. In addition to their eye-catching color, their aroma is even more captivating than before. The rich aroma wafts all the way from the kitchen to the street outside the shop entrance. Everyone passing by Bai Xiaobai’s shop stops in their tracks, peeks inside, and lets out a series of exclamations of admiration. “It smells so good! What’s the shop owner making?” “Looks like braised eggs—no, wait, they must be tea-infused eggs.” “Mom, that smells amazing.” The aroma of Bai Xiaobai’s tea-infused eggs was truly something else—even before the pot was brought out, people would often follow the scent all the way into the shop to ask about it. There were women taking their kids to school, burly men, migrant workers, and attractive office workers—both women and men. Basically, all kinds of people. If you turned the changing expressions of every customer who walked in into a set of meme images, you’d discover a fascinating phenomenon. That is, the changes in their expressions were perfectly in sync.