Chapter 34: Warmth in Their Hearts

Culinary Academy, inside a small shop.

“It really is such a warm feeling. If this were sold in winter, it would surely be a hit,” Kogafu Saionji stuck out her tongue, a little scalded.

“Yun Xuan, what do you think of this contract?” Kamikawa Sanjo finished a bowl of lamb stew, speaking calmly.

“Two million from the Culinary Academy, granting them selling rights, with the restriction that sales can't extend beyond the Sacred Food District—no problem there. Miss Christa taking overseas selling rights at seven million a year is also acceptable, since I hardly have time to travel the world,” Yun Xuan replied with a smile, picking up the last authorization document.

“Autumn Pavilion secures selling rights to lamb stew in Huaxia at three million a year? Miss Dongfang Aosnow, since this isn’t your decision, I won’t say more. Three million? Dream on,” Yun Xuan sneered, tossing the authorization in front of Dongfang Aosnow.

“You aren’t satisfied with three million?” Dongfang Aosnow frowned. The Dongfang family had conducted a simple investigation, and for Yun Xuan, three million was a considerable sum. Why wasn’t he content? Had his ego inflated thanks to his two original dishes?

“Huaxia is the largest market and the most profitable. Even overseas rights are seven million a year. I don’t believe Autumn Pavilion is truly sincere. If your help with the three-star chef was meant to sway me, then the one and a half million for the cold noodles already repaid that debt. I don’t mind making the selling rights public through the Culinary Management Committee, even if it’s a bit troublesome,” Yun Xuan tapped his fingers on the table, his mind crystal clear.

Yun Xue, Yun Xun’er, and the other three sat at a table, watching Yun Xuan’s negotiation style. Yun Xun’er almost stood up several times—if Yun Xue hadn’t held her back, she would have agreed on Yun Xuan’s behalf.

The Dongfang family was a colossal force. Even in this harmonious age, offending them was by no means wise.

Did Yun Xuan not understand this? No, he understood perfectly, seeing even farther than Yun Xun’er.

If the Dongfang family didn’t show sincerity, then so be it—negotiations could end. Yun Xuan had already secured eight and a half million a year, and losing another deal mattered little.

Besides, there were profits from sticker packs and future light novels, easily netting over ten million annually.

As for the Dongfang family threatening him? Yun Xuan wasn’t worried. If they truly tried, he’d use his Northern Sauce persona to strike back.

Both the Culture Committee and Culinary Management Committee were founded by Huaxia’s elite. If news broke of the Dongfang family’s coercion, the Culinary Management Committee would intervene forcefully.

At that point, the Dongfang family would be thrust into the spotlight, and Yun Xuan would merely be a pawn in the greater game.

But these were just hypotheticals. The chance that the Dongfang family would resort to such threats was less than one percent.

“Miss, the master will personally look into this matter. Mr. Yun Xuan, please come with me,” Jiang Yue entered from outside, phone in hand.

“It’s an honor,” Yun Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. The Dongfang family would never let Dongfang Aosnow handle negotiations—she was only suited for cooking.

Yun Xuan and Jiang Yue settled into the car. As soon as he sat, he saw the elderly man on the other end of the video call.

“Young man, you’re quite impressive. Let’s discuss the transaction now,” the old man smiled.

“Alright,” Yun Xuan closed the car door.

...

An hour later, Yun Xuan returned to the small shop, his expression revealing a very successful negotiation.

“Mr. Kamikawa Furukawa, as the director of the Culinary Garden, could you provide me with some special ingredients? Cheap ones, preferably,” Yun Xuan smiled.

“Of course. Give me your list and I’ll prepare them. Do you want to test the dish now?” Kamikawa Furukawa grinned.

“No need for a trial. The recipe is already clear in my mind,” Yun Xuan shook his head, his smile undiminished.

His inherited intermediate chef skills now made sense—there were many dishes in this world he possessed that didn’t exist here.

And among rice-based recipes, this one was exceptional.

“Miss Christa, if you don’t mind, you may stay and watch tonight’s competition. Perhaps you’ll want to purchase the selling rights for another original dish from me,” Yun Xuan said to Christa.

“Another original dish?” Christa and her companions exclaimed.

“Do you believe that every dish I bring out in this competition will be original?” Yun Xuan joked.

“Hahaha, interesting. I’ll stay and see for myself,” Christa winked, her interest in Yun Xuan growing.

“As for the selling rights through the Culinary Academy, let’s wait until I present the next original dish. This one’s more suited for the elderly—if you’re a vegetarian, that is,” Yun Xuan said, preempting Kamikawa Sanjo as he was about to speak.

“Yun Xuan, I’m eager to see what you come up with. And please consider joining the Culinary Academy,” Kamikawa Sanjo said seriously.

“No need to consider. I love my home and my family. I won’t leave them for the culinary world,” Yun Xuan refused without hesitation.

Yun Xue and Yun Xun’er opened their mouths, feeling a wave of warmth in their hearts.

...

At three in the afternoon, Kogafu Saionji and her group departed, pressing a business card into Yun Xuan’s hand, urging him to visit their shop before leaving the island nation.

Yun Xuan admitted he had no resistance to delicious food.

Kamikawa Sanjo, Dongfang Aosnow, and Kamikawa Furukawa left early to review the third round and the finals.

With nothing else to do, Yun Xuan took Yun Xue and the others to sample food around the perimeter of the Culinary Academy.

Surprisingly, none of the 108 shops charged them, all offering food for free and wishing Yun Xuan victory over the Five Elements to claim the championship.

Yun Xuan understood their mindset and accepted graciously.

Having been suppressed by the Five Elements, they hoped for someone to finally defeat them. With two original dishes already presented, Yun Xuan was unanimously seen as a dark horse.

“Xuan, don’t push yourself too hard. With so much money, we can already live well,” Yun Xun’er whispered, standing by Yun Xuan’s side.

“No, it’s far from enough, Xun’er. I want to give you and Xue’er happiness,” Yun Xuan shook his head. Ten million—what could that do? Only a thousand exchange points.

“You... you like me... me and Xue’er?” A blush spread across Yun Xun’er’s face, as she imagined a possibility that made her heart race.

“Pfft,” Yun Xuan spat out his drink.

“Cough, cough, cough, Xun’er, I want you to be happy, but not in that way,” Yun Xuan wiped his mouth, smiling wryly.

“Xue’er really likes you. You must marry her—I’ll bless you both,” Yun Xun’er blushed, shifting the topic.

“We’ll talk about it someday,” Yun Xuan replied after a pause. He couldn’t answer now; marriage was too distant for him.

For all he knew, he might fail a task one day and turn into a cute girl—what marriage would there be then?

“Yun Xuan, excuse me, may I interrupt?” A girl’s voice came from behind.

Yun Xuan turned, surprised. What could she want from him?