"Eh—"
Shen Qing was stunned after the first bite.
"Lin Chen, is it just my imagination? Or has your cooking skill improved significantly compared to before?"
Shen Qing looked at Lin Chen with a puzzled expression.
Lin Chen smiled and said, "It has improved a little, indeed. You're quite something; you can taste the improvement in my cooking."
Shen Qing shook her head.
"No, it's not just a little. The improvement is very obvious. I'm not that interested in clothes or bags, but I am interested in food."
It had been quite some time since her last visit, and Lin Chen's cooking skills had indeed improved significantly.
Xu Mengyao came over often, and the intervals were short, so she didn't feel it much. Shen Qing, however, felt it quite clearly.
"I thought your cooking had already reached its peak, that it couldn't improve anymore, but you've actually improved noticeably."
Shen Qing was filled with emotion.
Lin Chen muttered inwardly, This is just the beginning.
His cooking hadn't even reached Legendary Level yet, but it was close, probably just a matter of days.
"Aunt Qing, Dad is the best."
"Hehe."
Lin Xiaoxi said with a sweet smile.
Shen Qing nodded. "Xiaoxi, your dad's cooking skills... he should be Dugu Qiubai. Mengyao, are you thinking about investing in Lin Chen and setting up a top-tier private chef?"
"The kind that only takes reservations."
"And charges at least ten thousand yuan for each dish."
"It's all about the prestige, only the big shots can eat there. You won't lack powerful connections then."
Lin Chen's heart stirred.
He couldn't possibly open a regular hotel or restaurant, but once his cooking skills improved, setting up a top-tier private chef wouldn't be out of the question.
Connections are still very useful.
He could earn a lot of money writing fairy tales, but the powerful connections it could bring were limited.
Networking, at its core, is about needs.
If others need him, his importance to them increases.
Fairy tales have a wide reach, but how much can a book actually earn? People don't have a huge need for that.
This exposure might make some people look at him in a new light.
But that's all.
Culinary skills are different.
His current cooking skills might not be dominant yet, but when he reaches Legendary Level, the world's top chefs will all be like little brothers in front of him.
Most gourmets are wealthy.
His culinary skills had reached a level where he would definitely not be short on customers.
It would be the customers who would be begging for a reservation.
Others would naturally seek his connections. Moreover, he would be in a dominant position within such a network of connections.
"Lin Chen, do you have any ideas about this?"
Xu Mengyao looked at Lin Chen and asked.
Lin Chen smiled and said, "We'll talk about it later. Wait until my cooking skills are even better, and I can make it even more high-class."
"Only accepting one or two tables for reservations each week. Customers provide their own ingredients, and the cost for each table's preparation is no less than one million."
Shen Qing's mouth opened wide.
She said that every dish costing no less than ten thousand was already quite extravagant.
Lin Chen, on the other hand, set the bar at no less than a million per table. Furthermore, the guests would have to prepare the ingredients themselves.
"Lin Chen, your standards are too high."
"Anyone without assets exceeding a hundred million simply can't afford it," Shen Qing said.
She was immediately priced out by that price.
Lin Chen chuckled, "I only do one or two meals a week, and I don't need a lot of guests. I'm doing this to build connections, not to have a huge crowd come and eat."
Xu Mengyao said, "Lin Chen, including the ingredients, spending over a million for a meal, isn't that a bit too much?"
Even though the Xu family was rich, she still thought it was expensive.
Lin Chen said, "When my cooking skills improve, I believe people will be eager to book even at this price."
"We'll talk about that later, no need to rush now."
Xu Mengyao nodded.
Shen Qing: "Lin Chen, can your cooking skills still improve?"
"Probably." Lin Chen smiled slightly.
There were still Legendary Level and Mythic Level above!
After finishing the meal, Shen Qing clutched her stomach. She felt she needed to lean on the wall to walk out.
"Aunt Qing, does your tummy hurt?"
Lin Xiaoxi looked at Shen Qing with some concern.
Shen Qing's face was slightly red. "Xiaoxi, Aunt Qing's tummy doesn't hurt. I just ate too much. Mengyao, you two go out and have some alone time. I'll stay home and look after Xiaoxi."
"Lin Chen, don't move. I'll wash the dishes."
Lin Chen chuckled. "Are you sure you can wash the dishes like that?"
Shen Qing: "..."
"I'll rest for a bit and wash them later. You two hurry up and leave."
"Alright then."
Lin Chen and Xu Mengyao went out.
Lin Xiaoxi didn't clamor to go with them.
Shen Qing had taken care of her quite a few times before, and after not seeing Shen Qing for several days, she missed her a little.
Lin Chen and Xu Mengyao arrived at the riverside.
"Lin Chen, were you serious about setting up a private kitchen in the future?"
Xu Mengyao asked.
Lin Chen nodded. "I do have that idea. The birthday banquet in a couple of days, besides your family's relationship with the hosts, is also about maintaining this connection, right?"
"Maintaining this weak position."
"If I can handle things well, I can be in a dominant position."
Xu Mengyao nodded slightly.
"When my grandfather was around, our family didn't really have to worry too much, but now our connections are indeed somewhat lacking."
"Some forces are eyeing my family's company covetously."
Lin Chen wasn't at all surprised.
The Xu family's assets were worth over thirty billion, a considerable piece of fat.
As the saying goes, when the tea cools, the guests leave. The favors left by Xu Mengyao's grandfather were being used up bit by bit, and favors always run out.
"Mengyao, don't worry too much."
"Even if you don't have any money, it's no problem for me to support you."
Lin Chen said with a chuckle.
"Who… who wants you to support them?"
Xu Mengyao hmphed coquettishly.
Lin Chen reached out his hand, and Xu Mengyao's hand was instantly grabbed by him. Xu Mengyao subconsciously wanted to pull her hand back.
Lin Chen held on without letting go: "Mengyao, didn't we hold hands last time we went for a walk?"
"Last time Xiaoxi was there."
"I'm afraid Xiaoxi will be sad."
Xu Mengyao glared at Lin Chen, a little annoyed.
Lin Chen smiled and said, "We held hands last time, so it's no big deal to hold hands again this time. Don't be so stingy. Holding hands won't make you lose any flesh."
Xu Mengyao: "..."
"You're a rogue."
Lin Chen: "I'm just seizing the opportunity when it arises. Shen Qing created this opportunity for us. If we don't even hold hands, wouldn't that be a waste of her kindness?"
"We're going to a birthday party in a couple of days."
"There might be some intimate contact then."
"Get used to it in advance."
Shen Qing said, annoyed, "Lin Chen, you used to be quite honest. Why aren't you so honest anymore?"
Lin Chen said, "You're the patient, and you're not initiating. I have to take care of you, the patient, a little more actively."
"Come on, come on, people are watching us."
Xu Mengyao could only let Lin Chen lead her forward.
In her heart, she wasn't actually that resistant to this.
About ten minutes passed.
"Mengyao?"
A surprised voice rang out.
Two girls walked over, looking surprised at Lin Chen and the others.
-----------------------
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