Zhou Yan paused, realizing he had completely forgotten about this side quest.
But what does "influence calculation in progress" mean?
Is the system still calculating the future growth potential of the "Sichuan Cuisine" magazine?
Influence, in essence, is measured by where it spreads.
It's been three days since this new issue was released, and he figured everyone who wanted to buy it had already done so.
Logically speaking, if the influence isn't settled today, it should be settled tomorrow.
He didn't know what the reward would be, but his appetite had been whetted, and he was starting to look forward to it.
Zhou Yan hoped it would spread more widely so he could get a rarer reward, like a high-end dish.
He plans to buy a few more magazines when he goes to Jiazhou.
These past few days, customers who have come to the restaurant can't resist flipping through the magazines on the menu wall, then showering him with compliments.
It's actually quite enjoyable.
Because of the magazines, the number of customers ordering "Cross-legged Beef" has increased these past few days.
With the endorsement of a professional magazine, the originally ordinary Cross-legged Beef suddenly seems to appear high-end and classy.
The price of sixty cents suddenly seemed quite affordable.
Even regular customers who ate the "Cross-legged Beef" specifically asked if the price would go up after Zhou Yan was featured in the magazine.
It definitely will, but certainly not this year.
The days of being able to eat a bowl of "Cross-legged Beef" for sixty cents wouldn't last more than two years.
"Guo Guo, look at my marble!" Zhou Momo ran over and proudly held up a glass marble, "Guo Guo Bingwen gave it to me."
"Hmm, it looks really pretty." Zhou Yan smiled and patted her head. The little girl's leather jacket had been changed back into a floral padded jacket by Aunt Zhao, and her hat was hanging behind the counter.
Such nice clothes should be worn appropriately for different occasions. If she wore them to play on the seesaw, she'd quickly tear two slits in the leather jacket.
Zhou Yan changed his clothes and went for a run.
He bumped into Lin Zhiqiang, who had just left home, and the two chatted as they jogged along.
"Little Zhou, could you save me two jin of braised vegetables next Monday at noon? My wife wants to take some to her colleagues to try, especially the braised dried bean curd sticks. Save half a jin for her." Lin Zhiqiang said.
"No problem, Uncle Lin, I'll definitely reserve it for you." Zhou Yan replied with a smile. He was determined to make sure Sister Meng's order was handled properly.
"Congratulations on being in a magazine! At only twenty, you're already in an industry magazine, you have a bright future ahead of you." Lin Zhiqiang said, looking at Zhou Yan with admiration. "I was thirty when I first appeared in a newspaper."
"Uncle Lin, you get published in newspapers and magazines for your technological innovations, and you win provincial and national awards. You're not even in the same league as a food magazine like mine." Zhou Yan said with a smile. "You flatter me too much."
"What's the difference? We're all shining in our respective fields." Lin Zhiqiang waved his hand and said seriously, "You perfectly replicated the 'Cross-legged Beef' recipe from a damaged one, and even upgraded and improved the process. That's technological innovation too. This article is really well written, even those of us who are laymen can understand your expertise."
Zhou Yan blushed after hearing this. It was a little embarrassing to hear a story he had made up on the spot being praised by an acquaintance.
"You may not even realize it, but this is your resume. You've made a name for yourself in the industry. In the future, when people talk about chefs in Jiazhou, they will inevitably mention Zhou Yan from Suji." Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile, "If Cross-legged Beef can go beyond Suji and become a famous dish in Jiazhou, as the article said, then when people in the industry mention this dish, they will think of you. That's the real value of this interview."
Zhou Yan nodded thoughtfully, such deep consideration was indeed something he hadn't taken into account.
His initial thought was simply to be featured in a magazine, to advertise his small restaurant, and to have a foothold when he went to Jiazhou in the future.
Lin Zhiqiang changed the subject: "By the way, a big client is coming to the factory for an inspection in a couple of days. The factory manager asked me to be in charge of receiving him. What do you think I should take him out to eat that will leave a lasting impression and increase his willingness to sign a contract?"
"Uncle Lin, aren't you in charge of technology? How come you're in charge of reception?" Zhou Yan asked, somewhat surprised.
"The clients were from overseas, second-generation overseas Chinese. There weren't many people in the factory who spoke English, and the factory manager was worried about communication barriers. He was also afraid that they would feel slighted because other people weren't high enough in rank, so he put me in charge." Lin Zhiqiang's smile revealed a hint of helplessness. "I'm just a technician, how would I know anything about hospitality? But there really was no one else who could handle this, so I had no choice but to bite the bullet and take on the responsibility."
"What country is he from? What is his ancestral home?" Zhou Yan asked.
"He's from the US, but his ancestral home is supposedly Hangzhou." Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile. "The factory manager asked me to host him for another reason: Anhe's hometown is in Zhejiang Province, and he felt I would know him better."
Zhou Yan thought for a moment and said, "Many overseas Chinese retain some of their lifestyle habits. Uncle Lin, you studied abroad, so you should know this better than I do. If this client's taste is more like that of Zhejiang Province, then he will prefer something relatively light. You can't go wrong if you follow Sister Meng's taste. Unless he specifically asks for it himself, try to take him to eat something light so that he doesn't feel uncomfortable."
"The other party is a businessman. You can take him to pay homage to the Leshan Giant Buddha. Many business people are willing to do so. You can even take him to Mount Ermei. Climbing the mountain will definitely leave a deep impression on him."
"The textile factory's products are one aspect, but if you treat them well and make them feel comfortable, that should increase their willingness to sign the contract."
Lin Zhiqiang nodded repeatedly after listening, "That makes sense, you're very thoughtful."
He returned to the restaurant, drenched in sweat from his run. Zhou Momo was sitting under the lamp painting, while Comrade Old Zhou sat beside her, fanning her with a palm leaf fan, a simple smile on his usually stern face.
The autumn mosquitoes these past few days, nearing the end of their lifespan, have become incredibly rampant.
Even Zhou Yan, who usually sleeps very well, was bitten awake three times last night.
He fought with the mosquitoes all night, and they ended in a draw. The mosquitoes weren't full, and Zhou Yan didn't get a good night's sleep either.
"What are you drawing?" Zhou Yan walked over and saw that the drawing was of a small car, with a long-legged girl wearing a hat standing next to the car, and another little girl with double braids, also wearing a hat.
The crayon drawing wasn't particularly refined, but the colors were beautifully combined, creating a surprisingly vibrant and lively image.
Zhou Yan didn't have much of an appreciation for art, but whether something was good or bad was a matter of personal feeling.
He thought the painting was quite beautiful.
"It's Sister Yuyan." Zhou Momo looked up at him and said with a smile, "I'll give it to her next time she comes."
"You're so young, yet you already know how to reciprocate. I'll buy you a frame for it tomorrow and give it to someone as a gift." Zhou Yan said with a smile. He could already imagine how happy Duan Yuyan would be to see the painting.
"Guo Guo, hasn't Sister Yaoyao written to you yet?" Zhou Momo's big eyes were full of anticipation. "I miss her so much! When are we going to visit her in the Shancheng? How about tomorrow? I drew two pictures for her."
"We can't go tomorrow. The restaurant is too busy. We don't have the means to go on a trip to the Shancheng yet." Zhou Yan shook his head with a smile. The little one really dares to think and say things.
Besides, he and Xia Yao were only pen pals, and it would seem a bit presumptuous of him to suddenly go to the Shancheng to see her.
Zhou Yan thought that he would go to pay respects to his grandfather in a couple of days and then stop by Jiazhou to buy some magazines, and send one to Xia Yao.
Uncle Lin is right, this is something that can only be encountered by chance and is worth sharing.
This is more impressive and shows more sophistication than earning 300 yuan a day.
"Will she come to see us?" Zhou Momo asked again.
"May be... she will." Zhou Yan replied, his tone less certain.
Xia Yao is still worried about her job prospects after graduating next year. She will definitely go back to Hangzhou for the Chinese New Year during the winter break. In the second semester of her senior year, she will be busy with internships and job hunting, so it is even less likely that she will come to Suji.
"Okay, then next time you write to her, you have to tell me, okay? I want to give her my painting." Zhou Momo lowered her head and continued painting.
"Okay." Zhou Yan replied with a smile, then went upstairs to get his clothes and take a shower.
...
"Zhou Kunkun, you finally know how to come back? I thought you could fill your stomach by playing cards!" Gao Cuihua sat in the main room, glancing sideways at her husband as he entered.
"Did you take some gunpowder in the middle of the night?" Zhou Kunkun was taken aback. He came in and first untied the lid on the table. Looking at the half-eaten plate of pickled vegetables left over from lunch, he sighed, "Where's the food? Am I supposed to eat the table?"
"Am I your servant? You go out to play cards all day, and when you come home you expect to eat? Don't you have hands or feet? You're ugly, have no sweet tongue, are plain-looking, and don't even have any money. You think you're so great?" Gao Cuihua put her hands on her hips and glared at Zhou Kunkun.
"Do you know that Zhao Tieying's husband bought her two gold earrings, from Lao Feng Xiang! Tell me, why can't I be so lucky? I'm just as good as her in every way!"
Zhou Kunkun shrank back and mumbled, "Zhou Laosi's house collapsed and he doesn't even have money to repair it, how could he possibly buy his wife gold earrings? Don't listen to what others are saying. It's more important for us to live our own lives behind closed doors!"
"Damn it! I saw it myself! It's so big, it almost blinded me!" Gao Cuihua slammed her hand on the table, causing the plates on it to jump half a foot high.
There was a noise outside the door. Zhou Liangliang and Wu Guihua walked in, glanced at Zhou Kunkun who was huddled to the side, and grinned, "Dad, lost at cards again?"
"What are you laughing at! Zhou Yan's soup pot is on a magazine cover, and you bastard have been cooking soup pot for three years and can't even sell a few bowls a day. What have you been doing all day long?" Gao Cuihua's gaze shifted to Zhou Liangliang, and her voice suddenly rose several decibels: "The Chinese New Year is almost here again, how much money do you have in your crotch, bastard? When are you going to pay me back the money I borrowed from you? Everyone else is getting better every year, but what about you? You're getting older every year!"
Zhou Liangliang stopped laughing and glanced pleadingly at his wife beside him.
Wu Guihua turned and left: "I'll go cook!"
Gao Cuihua angrily said, "The photos are printed on it, how could it be fake! They say it's some kind of 'Cross-legged Beef,' but it's just a soup pot with a different name. They say business is booming, selling over a hundred bowls a day."
Zhou Liang nodded, "That's true. Zhou Jie and his team have changed their signboard to 'Zhou Ji Qiao Jiao Niu Rou.' A bowl of Cross-legged Beef costs sixty cents, and they sell about a hundred bowls a day, plus another ten or twenty jin of braised pig's head meat."
Gao Cuihua's eyes widened upon hearing this: "Then they're going to make a lot of money!"
"That's at least thirty yuan a day, over a thousand a month, and ten thousand a year..." Zhou Liangliang gasped in astonishment.
Zhou Kunkun exclaimed, "Earning ten thousand yuan a year! That's so much from selling soup pots!"
"If Zhou Hai and Zhou Jie each take half, that's half a ten thousand yuan household." Zhou Liangliang muttered. This calculation really couldn't be done too meticulously.
"Then Zhou Yan's family must be making even more money! No wonder they have gold earrings, Shanghai brand watches, new clothes, and new leather shoes!" Gao Cuihua gritted her teeth in anger and asked Zhou Liangliang, "You sell soup pots and noodles now, how much money can you make in a day?"
"On a good day, I can earn six or seven yuan, and even on a bad day, I can still make four or five yuan, which is much better than before." Zhou Liangliang said.
"I'm afraid you didn't even earn a fraction of what Zhou Yan made." Gao Cuihua sighed, getting angrier the more she thought about Zhao Tieying's smug face today.
Zhou Kunkun's eyes suddenly lit up: "Zhou Ji Qiao Jiao Niu Rou! They can use this name, so can we! He said that Cross-legged Beef is a famous dish passed down in Zhou Village, and we still have the same surname, Zhou! If we change the name, may be customers will come to us."
"That makes sense!" Zhou Liangliang couldn't help but clap his hands upon hearing this. Instead of going to the textile factory gate to compete with Zhou Yan, he decided to stick to his stall at the dock.
"Cross-legged Beef" sounded even more special than soup pot.
Zhou Yan's been featured in a magazine, that means he's famous!
Then they can benefit from it!
"Great! We'll change the name too!" Gao Cuihua's eyes lit up as well. "Go all out! If you're too busy, your father and I will help you! We can split the profits in half!"
"Alright! I'll change the sign tonight!"
…
Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, classroom.
This morning, the first period was Professor Su Jun's class. Deng Hong, Xia Yao, and Zhu Yuyu sat in the middle seats.
Xia Yao was listening attentively to the lesson, her pen scribbling notes in her notebook, while Zhu Yuyu next to her was also listening very attentively.
Deng Hong glanced at Teacher Su, who was writing on the blackboard, took out an oil paper package from her school bag, carefully tore open the seal, and pulled out a magazine.
As a seasoned foodie, she has never missed an issue of Sichuan Cuisine magazine since its inception. She just picked up the fourth issue before class today and hasn't had a chance to open it yet.
Teacher Su's theory class today was quite good, but a bit boring. She decided to find some fun for herself by seeing what cooking tips the masters would share, and what delicacies are available in various parts of Sichuan and Chongqing. She can do some research in advance for her next sketching or travel trip.
She and Ma Xingye had already made a promise that after the winter vacation started, they wouldn't rush home. Instead, they would go on a trip together, have fun, and then go home separately for the Chinese New Year.
With just over a month left before the holiday, she needs to do some research in advance. She'll be interning at a factory next week, which won't be as relaxed and carefree as school.
The magazine cover was as exquisite as ever, a full color print featuring a beautiful blue and white porcelain bowl holding a clear bowl of beef broth. The tender pink beef and the tripe with its raised corner looked incredibly crisp, while the glistening tendons looked soft and chewy. A side dish of dried chili powder accompanied the broth.
Wait…
This beef soup looks familiar...
Deng Hong's eyes widened. She glanced at her sister who was diligently studying beside her, hesitated for a moment, but didn't dare to disturb her. She flipped open the magazine cover and quickly found the title—"Cross-legged Beef."
"It really is Cross-legged Beef!" Deng Hong's hand trembled slightly as she quickly scanned the catalog and soon found it among the Top Four Highlights sections:
Ways to Eat Beef - Suji's Cross-legged Beef... He Zhiyuan (18)
Deng Hong's hands trembled slightly, and her breathing became heavier. She quickly flipped to page eighteen, and her eyes widened when she saw the picture. She covered her mouth to keep herself from making a sound and gently nudged Zhu Yuyu beside her.
Zhu Yuyu subconsciously turned around and saw the magazine that Deng Hong handed her. After seeing the photos and the headline, her eyes widened and she instinctively opened her mouth.
Deng Hong reacted quickly, covering her mouth and whispering, "Sis! We're in class, don't shout!"
Zhu Yuyu nodded obediently, and Deng Hong withdrew her hand. The two of them huddled together and finished reading the interview. They looked up and exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
Zhou Yan is in a magazine, with a two pages interview, and more importantly, one of his dishes is on the cover!
This is incredible!
Is this something a small restaurant owner in a rural town can achieve at this age?
"Should we show it to Yaoyao?" Zhu Yuyu whispered.
Deng Hong nodded.
The two were about to close the magazine.
"What are you looking at?" The girl sitting next to them peeked out and immediately exclaimed, "Wow! Isn't that Suji's boss from last time? He's in the magazine?"
Deng Hong's eyes went black. Those Northeastern girls from the next dorm were really something else.
Sister, we are in class!
Professor Su was explaining the latest advertising case when the girl suddenly yelled, silencing the entire classroom. Then, a burst of laughter erupted, and everyone turned to look at Deng Hong and her friends, grinning broadly.
Deng Hong covered her face, unable to face the stares of her classmates.
Zhu Yuyu lowered her head, engrossed in her book, pretending nothing had happened.
The culprit, Wan Jingyi, also looked embarrassed and somewhat at a loss.
Xia Yao turned her head to look at the three of them, a look of confusion on her face. Boss Suji? A magazine? What's going on?
On the podium, Su Jun narrowed his eyes and asked, "Wan Jingyi, what's going on? What magazine? What boss?"
Wan Jingyi, whose name was called, had no choice but to stand up and wave at Deng Hong with her hand hanging down.
The latter immediately shoved the magazine into her hand; this woman is really loyal!
Wan Jingyi picked up the magazine and said apologetically, "Teacher, the magazine in my bag just fell out by accident. When I turned to the page, I found a familiar face. I didn't expect to see him in the magazine. I couldn't control my emotions and got a little excited. I'm sorry."
She spoke with a strong Northeastern accent, which amused Su Jun, who asked with a smile, "You know someone in the magazine? Tell me, who is it?"
The students all looked on with curiosity.
"Everyone knows him." Wan Jingyi said, flipping open the magazine and showing it off. "Zhou Yan, the owner of that restaurant in Suji, the one where we ate noodles twice last time, he's in the magazine."
These words immediately caused an uproar in the classroom.
The students craned their necks to watch, and some couldn't help but stand up.
"Zhou Yan?!" Xia Yao's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she also looked at the magazine in Wan Jingyi's hand. They had gone with Deng Hong to pick up the magazine that morning, so he was featured in "Sichuan Cuisine" magazine?
"It really is that boss! He's not as handsome in the photo as he is in person."
"Wow, that's amazing! He's so young and he's already in a magazine."
"His noodles and cross-legged beef are so delicious, he should be in a magazine! When I come back to eat Shancheng noodles, they just don't taste the same."
The students were discussing it animatedly. Of all the things that impressed them most about their trip to Suji, the small restaurant at the entrance of the textile factory was the one that left the deepest impression.
Su Jun was also somewhat surprised to hear this, as he was equally impressed by Zhou Yan.
Not only did Zhou Yan bravely rescue Xia Yao from the water, but he was also a skilled cook, and his insights and application of advertising were truly remarkable.
But this young man is only twenty years old, right?
And he's already in a magazine?
"Not only was there an interview, but his cross-legged beef even made it to the cover of 'Sichuan Cuisine' magazine! That's the most professional culinary magazine in the Sichuan Chongqing region. Chefs who get featured in that magazine are usually top tier or even master chefs." Deng Hong couldn't help but add.
"A professional magazine!"
"He's only in his early twenties, right?"
"Incredibly impressive!"
Everyone gasped in amazement.
Zhou Yan is the same age as them. They haven't even graduated from university yet, but he has already appeared on the cover of an industry magazine.
Xia Yao's lips curled up slightly, and the pen in her hand drew a wavy line on the paper, just like her happy mood at the moment.
"Wan Jingyi, bring the magazine up. You're not allowed to read magazines during class." Su Jun said.
"I'm sorry, teacher, I was wrong!" Wan Jingyi took the magazine, placed it on the podium, and tiptoed back to her seat.
Su Jun picked up the magazine, glanced at the cover, then flipped to the two pages with the interview, quickly scanning them. His gaze lingered on the end, and he said earnestly, "See? Excellent works are the most vibrant and captivating advertisements."
"A chef's dishes are his creations!"
"They are no different from your paintings and designs."
"Endorsed by an authoritative magazine, this article delves into and expands on the background story of Cross-legged Beef, adding a difficult and winding tale of the inheritance of ancient techniques to highlight its preciousness and rarity. After reading this article, everyone will be curious about what Cross-legged Beef tastes like and whether it really has such magical effects."
"Based on this article and leveraging the magazine's extensive publicity, Zhou Ji Qiao Jiao Niu Rou has, to some extent, achieved brand recognition."
"Although Zhou Yan is a chef, but I think he's also a genius advertising designer! His intuition is so sharp that even the interviewer might not have realized it."
"A keen sense of brand building is an important talent that will enable you to become excellent advertising designers in the future."
"Perhaps you can all buy a copy of the Sichuan Cuisine magazine. You have been to Suji, seen the short stories written on the stove, and tasted the flavor of Cross-legged Beef. By comparing them, you will have a deeper understanding."
The students had expected Wan Jingyi and Deng Hong to be criticized, but to their surprise, Professor Su, upon receiving the magazine, instead praised Zhou Yan and gave everyone a lesson.
The classroom was quiet for a moment, and the students, deep in thought, began to applaud.
Xia Yao clapped along, her smile widening, a strange sense of pride welling up inside her.
She had always known he was so dazzling.
The applause from her classmates was for Zhou Yan; he hadn't heard it, but… she could draw for him.
Deng Hong's mouth gaped slightly, and she whispered in admiration, "Professor Su is so good to Zhou Yan!"
…
Zhou Yan had just added a piece of firewood to the stove when he suddenly felt a tickle in his nose and sneezed, turning to the side.
"Who's insulting me?" Zhou Yan sniffed and muttered to himself.
[Ding! Side Quest: The previous issue of "Sichuan Cuisine" magazine has been completed!]
[Influence Calculation Completed: Successfully Exited Sichuan!]
[Obtained Rare Reward: Yu Xiang Shredded Pork]