Chapter 44: The Culinary Management Committee

Early the next morning, Yun Xuan and his companions boarded a plane back to Huaxia. The preliminary round of the Xingyue Cup was on the 15th, and Yun Xuan still had a mountain of things to deal with before then.

He had come to an agreement with the Dongfang family; Yun Xuan’s new restaurant could sell original dishes like cold noodles, and the partnership with Autumn Pavilion would continue as before.

The head of the Dongfang family was a businessman, and Yun Xuan’s creations held a certain value for him. With the addition of these original dishes, Autumn Pavilion’s annual revenue would increase by at least hundreds of millions, since only Autumn Pavilion and Yun Xuan could offer them.

In essence, it was a monopoly—a monopoly recognized by the Culinary Management Association. With only these two establishments selling original cuisine and nowhere else, the allure was undeniable.

At Autumn Pavilion, a portion of cold noodles cost twenty yuan, lamb stew was priced at forty, and eight-treasure porridge went for fifty a bowl. At such prices, even Yun Xuan couldn’t help but click his tongue in astonishment—exorbitant indeed.

And these were just the standard offerings; dishes crafted by professional chefs went for even higher prices.

Above the third floor at Autumn Pavilion was the VIP area, where even the simplest snack cost a hundred yuan.

Because of the pricing, Yun Xuan now defined his restaurant as a high-end Western-style establishment.

To this end, the Dongfang family introduced him to a real estate developer in Fangyu City. For two million, Yun Xuan purchased a one-hundred-square-meter restaurant in the city center.

He spent fifty thousand to hire a construction crew, expecting the renovation to be finished in two days. The business license and related paperwork were left in Yun Xun’er’s hands.

Autumn Pavilion had locations throughout Huaxia, and the person in charge of the Fangyu City branch, acting on instructions from the Dongfang family head, contacted Yun Xuan, waiting to promote his restaurant as soon as it opened.

The Dongfang family head understood that Yun Xuan’s small restaurant could never threaten Autumn Pavilion; helping him out would win Yun Xuan’s goodwill, so he spared no effort.

…

At noon, Yun Xuan flew to the capital.

Stepping out of the airport, he saw many foreigners—most here for work, with some hoping to acquire Huaxia citizenship.

As the world’s greatest nation, obtaining Huaxia citizenship was as difficult as earning a million a year.

Yun Xuan didn’t linger; Ye Shan Yuan Ting had already arrived in Fangyu City, and Yun Xuan needed to hurry.

“Driver, take me to the Culinary Management Association,” Yun Xuan said as he got into a taxi.

“Alright,” the driver replied, a bit surprised, and headed that way.

A chef as young as Yun Xuan—could he be testing for the three-star chef qualification? Truly promising.

What the driver didn’t know was that Yun Xuan was already a three-star chef.

Yun Xuan took a few photos with his phone, feeling quite at home in the capital.

After answering some questions on his public account, he contacted Dingdang, informing them he’d be collaborating with a restaurant in Fangyu City and hoping they could supply some Northern Sauce merchandise.

Dingdang had no objections, but reminded Yun Xuan that he couldn’t privately sell the rights to use the Northern Sauce label to factories.

Of course, Yun Xuan wouldn’t do that. The Koukou company had signed him up with dozens of factories, earning him three million in royalties each year. Though not as lucrative as original cuisine, it was steady income.

As for the download numbers for the Northern Sauce emoji packs, Yun Xuan decided to save the money for now, unconcerned. With fifteen million fans, could downloads possibly be low?

Koukou had been promoting for three days, and fifteen million fans far exceeded expectations. The Northern Sauce emoji pack had already topped the overall download charts.

And the promotional contract still had a long way to go.

By the time promotion ended, Northern Sauce fans were expected to reach fifty million, placing Yun Xuan among the ranks of top celebrities.

Dingdang also wanted to do an exclusive interview with Yun Xuan. Online, merchandise signed by “Teacher Northern” was selling for tens of thousands, but had yet to be released.

Koukou cancelled plans for “Teacher Northern’s” handwritten signatures, opting instead for Yun Xuan to livestream signing on his public account before auctioning them.

Yun Xuan agreed, waiting only for the Xingyue Cup to conclude before starting the livestream.

“We’ve arrived,” the driver reminded him.

“Thank you, keep the change,” Yun Xuan said, tossing him a hundred yuan and stepping out.

The driver’s mouth hung open. He wished for more generous passengers like Yun Xuan.

…

The Culinary Management Association was far from understated—a ten-story building, grand and imposing.

Yun Xuan entered, presented his ID, and was escorted to the third floor.

“Chef Yun Xuan, congratulations on becoming a three-star chef. Please remember to pay the annual fee each year,” said a woman in professional attire, her voice gentle.

“Thank you. May I ask how to qualify as a four-star chef?” Yun Xuan asked, sipping the coffee she offered.

“Excuse me?” The woman’s mouth fell open. Yun Xuan wanted to test for four-star chef?

“Is it not possible to test for four-star chef?” Yun Xuan asked, puzzled. According to Shangchuan, only the five-star chef exam had age and other restrictions.

“No, I don’t have the authority to let you attempt the four-star chef exam. Please follow me,” she replied with a wry smile.

Yun Xuan followed her to the group leader’s office on the fourth floor and knocked.

“Come in,” called a cool voice from inside.

The woman smiled at Yun Xuan, opened the door, and gestured for him to enter.

Yun Xuan walked in.

“Ding—detected an eight-point beauty,” his cat-eared assistant Meow Meow whispered.

Her hair was tied up, her features delicate, clad in professional attire that seemed almost strained. Yun Xuan took in her proportions, swallowing and expressing his respect.

“Three-star chef Yun Xuan, what brings you here?” The woman didn’t look up, her attention on documents.

“I wish to take the four-star chef exam,” Yun Xuan answered earnestly, averting his gaze.

“Oh?” She paused, raising her head.

Yun Xuan met her eyes directly, his own clear and sincere.

“My name is Su Yinya, group leader at the Culinary Management Association. To become a four-star chef, you only need to pass one exam—make a dish that satisfies me,” Su Yinya said coolly.

“Please take me to the kitchen,” Yun Xuan replied with a smile.

“Follow me,” Su Yinya said, standing.

…

An hour later, in a kitchen at the Culinary Management Association, Yun Xuan looked at Su Yinya, her cheeks flushed. He hadn’t expected even the weakened version of the Golden River Crab Ball to be so potent.

Su Yinya’s face was tinged with red, her gaze dreamy. The intense flavors had left her weak-kneed. Thinking back to the nearly coquettish sound she’d just made, she felt utterly embarrassed.

“Ahem, Group Leader Su, does this mean I’ve qualified as a four-star chef?” Yun Xuan, seeing her condition, felt a dry mouth—perhaps he needed to tone down the ingredients.

“Qualified… You… wait for me in my office,” Su Yinya whispered.

Yun Xuan glanced at her, untroubled by the idea she might follow Shangchuan’s lead. Not only was there just one bowl, but with the medicinal effects, no one would suspect it was meant for martial artists. As for Shangchuan, he probably wouldn’t fare as well.