Culinary Expert

Chapter 29: “A Small Test of Skill” Mission Complete

While Bai Xiaobai was puzzled, he walked into the kitchen and asked the system, “What’s a panda package?” System Text: After the Host reaches the “Big White” level, to reward the Host for their hard work, the system will occasionally send a panda to deliver a reward package. Send a panda to deliver a reward package to me? Bai Xiaobai was completely baffled. First of all, the system would need to have a panda. Pandas are national treasures—how did the System even get one? Second, don’t pandas make a living by being cute? Are you sure it’ll actually deliver a package?? But regardless, judging by the System’s message, it’s an indisputable fact that the panda package contains rewards. Who would’ve thought that the System, which had always been so aloof, actually had a soft side, Bai Xiaobai thought. But just a second after feeling happy, Bai Xiaobai sensed something was off. This didn’t seem like the KB System’s usual style. Besides, there’s no such thing as a free lunch—there had to be a catch with this panda package. Sure enough, the System’s next electronic voice sent Bai Xiaobai plummeting from cloud nine straight to rock bottom. [Ding-dong—Host, there is indeed a reward inside the Panda Package, but it’s not a direct reward; you’ll need to complete a side quest to obtain it. ] When Bai Xiaobai heard this, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck his mind. Holy crap… So after all that, it turns out the reward in the Panda Package isn’t given directly—you have to complete a side quest to get it. Haha, this is definitely very “system-like”!! But since the system calls them side quests, that means they’re optional, right? In the games Bai Xiaobai usually plays, skipping side quests doesn’t affect the main storyline at all. Of course, this was just Bai Xiaobai’s own interpretation after splitting hairs. Contrary to his hopes, the system’s next few sentences nearly made him spit up three liters of blood. [The Host may choose to claim the Panda Package. Upon accepting and completing the side quest inside, you will receive the corresponding rewards from the Panda Package. Friendly reminder: if you accept a side quest but fail it, you will incur the corresponding penalty listed in the package. Of course, the Host may choose to discard the Panda Package outright; however, given your current level, discarding it will cost you 10 experience points. Please make your choice. ] The system spouted a whole lot of text, but it basically boiled down to one sentence. At your low level, you can’t get rid of this Panda Package. If you insist on discarding it, you’ll have to bite the bullet and part with 10 EXP as well. Heh… Typical K, as always. Bai Xiaobai looked at his pitifully low EXP and could only silently click to accept the panda package. After clicking the “Accept” button, an image of a national treasure actually appeared in Bai Xiaobai’s mind. The national treasure was standing on its hind legs, its two front paws adorably raised high above its head, clutching a huge package. This is what they call having a panda deliver a package. System, I’m totally blown away by you. Bai Xiaobai silently scorned the system in his heart. Meanwhile. The package held high by the national treasure slowly opened, and a burst of golden light flashed as a black gold card flew out of it. The black card displayed the following text Side Quest: Within 24 hours, invite three regular customers to try the Supreme Beef Noodles. System Rules 1. You may either actively invite customers or have regular customers come in on their own to try the Supreme Beef Noodles. As long as you satisfy three regular customers—one bowl per person, for a total of three bowls—the mission is complete. 2. A bowl of Supreme Beef Noodles costs 399 RMB. Since the host’s level is low, the price cannot be adjusted. 3. The task must be completed within the specified 24-hour period. If the time limit is exceeded or the required number of customers is not met within the time limit, the side quest fails. Reward for completing the side quest: 10 Little Bears, 1 EXP Recharge Cookie, and a 1,000-yuan gift card. Penalty for failing the side quest: 20 EXP deducted + one day of business suspension for rectification. As soon as the text appeared on the screen, an image of a woodpecker alarm clock popped into Bai Xiaobai’s mind. It’s the kind where a woodpecker flies out of a wooden box when the alarm goes off. The 24-hour countdown officially began. Bai Xiaobai carefully reviewed the information on the side quest card, then, as always, conducted a brief analysis. This side quest was somewhat similar to a beginner’s quest—both had time limits and quantity requirements—but the biggest difference was that the side quest had an additional condition: regular customers. In other words, only bowls of Supreme Beef Noodles eaten by returning customers who had visited before would count toward the total; a bowl eaten by a new customer—such as Guo Zhaohui outside—would not meet this requirement. Three returning customers wouldn’t normally be too much to ask; Bai Xiaobai had accumulated quite a few over the past few days. But the harsh reality was that this morning, after seeing the price of the Supreme Beef Noodles, none of the returning customers were willing to be the first to take the plunge. From the looks of it, this side quest is going to be quite a challenge. After carefully reviewing the side quest’s requirements, Bai Xiaobai took a closer look at the rewards and penalties. As for the rewards, Bai Xiaobai had previously obtained the “Little Bear 1 XP Cookie” while playing “Double-Yolk Egg Smashes the Golden Egg,” and had even eaten one—it tasted pretty good. Eating one “Little Bear 1 XP Cookie” is equivalent to gaining 1 XP. Ten “Little Bear” cookies would mean gaining 10 experience points. In addition to the experience reward, Bai Xiaobai also noticed that the system was offering an item reward for the first time. The item: a “1,000-Yuan Card.” Taking the wording literally, could the “1,000-Yuan Card” actually be a bank card worth 1,000 yuan? “System, what is a ‘1,000-Yuan Card,’ and what does it do?” ” Bai Xiaobai upheld his good habit of asking questions when he didn’t understand. The cold, electronic voice was the same as always. [The host has not completed the side quest and cannot know. Please work hard to complete the side quest to obtain the item; the system will provide detailed instructions at that time. ] Since the system had put it that way, Bai Xiaobai didn’t plan to press the issue. He took another look at the penalty for failing the quest. Penalty for Failing a Side Quest: 20 EXP deducted, plus… A one-day suspension of business? What the heck? It sounds like I’m being audited. In reality, closing for a day means losing a day’s worth of revenue. From a certain perspective, it is indeed a punishment, but Bai Xiaobai wasn’t the least bit afraid of it. A one-day closure gave Bai Xiaobai the perfect excuse to take a day off. After all, as a dedicated and hardworking Restaurant owner, Bai Xiaobai worked from morning till night and didn’t even have a single day off on the weekends. After carefully reviewing the side quest details, Bai Xiaobai stepped out of the kitchen. Guo Zhaohui had already polished off the Supreme Beef Noodles; the bowl was three times cleaner than if it had been washed with dish soap. Guo Zhaohui was drenched in sweat. He wiped his forehead with his hand, and upon seeing Bai Xiaobai, he said, “Boss, your beef noodle soup is so chewy—it’s really delicious. I’ve been eating noodles since I was a kid, and out of everything I’ve had so far, this bowl of yours is the best. It’s just a shame the portion is a bit small.” Over the past few days, Bai Xiaobai had cultivated a calm and composed demeanor. Faced with Guo Zhaohui’s repeated praise, he simply smiled faintly and said, “Thank you for your patronage.” As for Guo Zhaohui’s comment about the portion being small, Bai Xiaobai felt the same way. In fact, the portion size of the Supreme Beef Noodles was fairly standard—it wasn’t a small bowl. But when it comes to food they love, everyone shares the same feeling: you can never have too much—it’s never enough. Guo Zhaohui was no exception. He had a huge appetite; normally, he’d eat seven or eight steamed buns in a single meal without batting an eye. But since the Supreme Beef Noodles were so delicious, he polished off every last bit—soup and noodles alike—and was still only half-full. In fact, Guo Zhaohui really wanted to have another bowl, but when he felt his pockets, he realized he didn’t have any extra money left. He’d spent all the money he’d earned driving his motorcycle taxi that morning on a single bowl of beef noodle soup, but even so, he felt from the bottom of his heart that it was money well spent. After finishing the Supreme Beef Noodles, Guo Zhaohui broke out in a sweat, and all his fatigue washed away with it, leaving him feeling incredibly refreshed—more comfortable than even a massage. “Boss, here’s the money.” Feeling light as a feather, Guo Zhaohui cheerfully pulled four 100-yuan bills from his slightly worn fanny pack and handed them to Bai Xiaobai. Bai Xiaobai was about to give him change, but Guo Zhaohui waved his hand dismissively, acting as if money was no object. “Boss, you were a yuan short on my motorcycle fare yesterday—this covers it.” Hearing this, Bai Xiaobai didn’t press the matter. After paying, Guo Zhaohui strode out of Xiaobai Restaurant, his heart filled with endless wistfulness: If only he weren’t short on cash, how wonderful it would be to come to this place every day to savor the delicious food. This is what a life of fine dining is all about. One can’t do without drive; for the sake of good food, one must work hard to earn money. Filled with determination, Guo Zhaohui hopped on his motorcycle and headed out again to pick up passengers and make some money. The 400 yuan Bai Xiaobai was holding hadn’t even had time to warm his hands before it vanished in an instant. A cold, electronic voice rang out in his mind. [Congratulations, Host. You have successfully sold your first bowl of Supreme Beef Noodles and completed the “First Taste of Success” quest. ]