Chapter 29: Who Is Playing Whom?

"I have a request… Would it be possible to offer liangpi as a snack at the Culinary Academy? I’m willing to pay five hundred thousand as a licensing fee, exclusively for use within the Academy." The old man spoke earnestly.

"Of course," Yun Xuan replied, extending his hand. "It’s a wonderful feeling to have your food recognized by others." Though not a professional chef himself, he was always open to any opportunity to profit.

"Thank you. My name is Sanjo Kamikawa, and I am the Dean of the Culinary Academy. If you’re interested, I could arrange for you to join the Academy," Sanjo Kamikawa said, finally relaxing.

There were so many delicacies in Huaxia, and most of them were never made available to foreigners, let alone licensed. Without official authorization, anyone caught selling these dishes would not only lose their business rights but also be blacklisted.

Revoking business rights was one of the decisions made by the Culinary Management Association, and in some cases, even the chef’s status could be stripped.

For example, if someone at the Culinary Academy sold another chef’s original creation without permission and the reported profits exceeded one hundred thousand, they would lose their chef’s credentials.

Among all the known dishes in the world, truly original recipes numbered less than a few hundred, and most were impossible to replicate. Fewer than thirty could be imitated. Each original dish represented a fortune, and simply licensing it to others could yield considerable fees.

Of course, once a dish was licensed, the original creator could no longer sell it in the licensee’s territory.

With full ownership of liangpi, Yun Xuan was able to authorize others to sell it. The Culinary Management Association would register the license, and once the licensing fees surpassed one million, they would take a ten percent commission.

It sounded rather predatory, but without the Association’s oversight, the remaining money would never make it to the license holder.

"I’ll pass on joining the Culinary Academy," Yun Xuan waved his hand. "I have no desire to become a chef."

"Eh?" Sanjo Kamikawa was taken aback.

"I am interested in cuisine, but that doesn’t mean I want to be a chef," Yun Xuan said meaningfully.

"I see. How about this: If you earn the title of Culinary Spirit, I can grant you the status of junior instructor, along with a medium-sized shop within the Academy. You’d have access to fresh ingredients for your culinary research," Sanjo Kamikawa suggested after a moment’s thought.

"The condition being that if I develop an original dish, I must grant the Academy priority in licensing?" Yun Xuan asked with a smile.

"You’re very astute," Sanjo Kamikawa nodded.

"Then I’ll aim for that. Thank you for the reward, Dean." Yun Xuan bowed slightly in respect and left with a smile.

...

Having secured a spot among the top fifty-four, Yun Xuan’s day came to an end.

He followed Hayama Entoku back to a small shop. Barely five minutes had passed when Sanjo Kamikawa’s secretary arrived with a licensing agreement and a bank card.

Yun Xuan double-checked the documents, signed them, and transferred the money to his own account.

Half a million, earned with ease. The Culinary Academy hardly suffered any loss. Liangpi could continue to grow, becoming a staple snack in every shop at the Academy; its economic value would far surpass five hundred thousand, not to mention its research value.

The method of making liangpi would inspire many students. It was only a matter of time before these elite chefs from around the world developed their own variations.

Even so, the core dish would remain liangpi. In essence, the Academy had purchased the prototype of a new delicacy for half a million.

No sooner had the secretary left than Dongfang Aoxue arrived.

"I’m very interested in your liangpi—the Huaxia license," Dongfang Aoxue said, taking a seat across from Yun Xuan.

"You don’t lack ambition. Or should I say, Autumn Pavilion doesn’t," Yun Xuan replied, glancing at the information he’d found; Dongfang Aoxue was the third daughter of Autumn Pavilion.

Autumn Pavilion’s branches were spread all over Huaxia, closely tied to her triple Culinary Spirit championship, and the Dongfang family itself was powerful.

"You’re sharp—and impressive," Dongfang Aoxue said coolly, her expression unchanged.

"Thank you. That’s the second compliment I’ve received today," Yun Xuan smiled.

"One and a half million per year, for the Huaxia license," Dongfang Aoxue stated directly, producing a licensing contract.

"One and a half million, plus a lifetime complimentary card—free meals for one at Autumn Pavilion," Yun Xuan countered with a shake of his head, stating his terms.

"You want to treat Autumn Pavilion as your personal canteen?" Dongfang Aoxue raised an eyebrow.

"I won’t waste food, and if I bring anyone, I’ll pay for them," Yun Xuan replied with a wry smile.

"Very well, I accept," Dongfang Aoxue agreed after a brief consideration.

"A pleasure doing business," Yun Xuan said, picking up the contract.

...

At five in the afternoon, Yun Xuan and Lin Qingyu left the Sacred Food District.

Even after they exited, Lin Qingyu felt as if she were in a dream.

Her childhood friend Yun Xuan had earned two million in just one day? How was that even possible?

She was happy for him, yet a little concerned; Dongfang Aoxue looked exactly like a wealthy heiress.

"Qingyu, what are you thinking?" Yun Xuan asked, waving a hand in front of the absent-minded Lin Qingyu.

"Yun, are you sure this is all right? Is that license really worth so much?" Lin Qingyu whispered.

"Don’t worry, it’s fine. You probably don’t know how powerful the Culinary Management Association is," Yun Xuan said, handing his phone to Lin Qingyu.

She browsed through the information, her eyes widening in disbelief. If it hadn’t been from the official website, she would never have believed it.

"This was founded by the very top echelons in Huaxia, with decades of history. There’s no need to worry about anyone giving me trouble over the money. For Dongfang Aoxue, one and a half million is a small price for a return many times over," Yun Xuan sighed.

Lin Qingyu couldn’t quite see the whole picture the way he did; perhaps that was the clarity born of deep thought.

From an outsider’s perspective, selling the rights to liangpi in Huaxia for one and a half million seemed like a loss for Yun Xuan.

But looked at another way, if Dongfang Aoxue hadn’t approached him, it would have been extremely difficult for Yun Xuan to register liangpi as an original snack with the Association.

Autumn Pavilion was an unassailable giant; earning one and a half million a year was an unexpected windfall.

It was clear that Dongfang Aoxue was a dedicated chef, with little skill in negotiation—the idea to collaborate most likely came from a call home.

The Huaxia market was vast. With liangpi as an exclusive Autumn Pavilion snack, it would spread throughout the country.

For Yun Xuan, such recognition was more than enough. From now on, if he wanted to eat liangpi, he could simply visit Autumn Pavilion.

They had barely walked a few steps when Yun Xuan’s phone rang. Glancing at the number, he couldn’t help but smile.

Liangpi was just a stepping stone—one that would help him become a three-star chef.

The call was from the Culinary Management Association.

(P.S.: I’m so adorable, and yet no one’s voting for me. π_π Of course I’m a boy, obviously! ←_←)