Chapter 502: Shokugeki no Qi Han
Although Meng Yun had lived in Mingdu City for more than ten years, her poor family background meant she had always worked harder than her peers since childhood, and she knew almost nothing about restaurant operations. If Qi Han had asked her this question three days ago, she wouldn't have been able to answer it.
But now things were different.
Over the past three days, in order to better fulfill her duties as a waitress, she had taken the initiative to learn quite a bit about this field. So when Qi Han asked how to increase Han Shi's popularity, she immediately thought of a rather interesting tradition in the restaurant industry that she had learned about recently.
"Boss, how about we try a culinary showdown?" Meng Yun suggested.
"A culinary showdown?" Qi Han raised an eyebrow. Although he didn't know exactly what it was, it clearly had something to do with food. The somewhat dramatic-sounding term instantly piqued his interest.
"Tell me more!"
"Mm!" Meng Yun nodded and began explaining. "From what I've learned, a culinary showdown is a way for restaurants in Mingdu City to resolve competition and disputes. One restaurant can challenge another, and once the other party agrees, the showdown can begin."
"Each restaurant sends out their own chef. Three cooking themes are selected by drawing lots, and they compete in three rounds. Forty-nine judges from the Mingdu City Culinary Association vote, and the winner is decided by best two out of three."
"Huh…" Hearing this, Qi Han couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
Why does this sound… suspiciously like the shokugeki battles from Food Wars in his previous life?
Sounds kind of interesting.
He hadn't expected such a tradition to exist on the Sun Moon Continent.
"Oh, right!" Meng Yun suddenly remembered something and added with a smile, "The loser of the culinary showdown must publicly announce their defeat at the most visible spot in front of their restaurant and recommend the winning restaurant to their customers for one full week."
Wow… not just defeat, but humiliation on top of it.
Qi Han couldn't help but grin.
"Boss, Han Shi's dishes taste so good—we'll definitely win against other restaurants in a culinary showdown." Meng Yun spoke seriously, her eyes full of confidence. "If we defeat a popular restaurant, they'll have to promote us for a whole week. That will greatly increase our visibility!"
Brilliant.
Hearing this, Qi Han felt his interest immediately sparked.
If the restaurant they defeated was highly popular, then that popularity could be converted into his own after the showdown, giving Han Shi a large number of new customers in a short time.
Although this method wouldn't directly increase the progress of Side Quest 10-2, with a larger customer base, more diners would naturally be willing to recommend Han Shi voluntarily…
So it worked perfectly!
His eyes lit up.
What a great idea!
"That's a good suggestion." Qi Han looked at Meng Yun approvingly. "Tomorrow morning I'll go learn more about this. As for the opponent… do you have any recommendations?"
"Boss, aside from Han Shi, most of the successful restaurants are located across the Sun Moon Continent. Among them, the top two are Bright Court Pavilion and Heavenly Star Palace."
Meng Yun smiled slightly and began explaining in detail. "Bright Court Pavilion is backed by the Sun Moon royal family and specializes in rare and luxurious dishes. In contrast, Heavenly Star Palace is a family-run restaurant, and its dishes are relatively more affordable and cost-effective."
The top two, huh?
Good, then he'd pick one of them!
Just as this thought formed in Qi Han's mind, he heard Meng Yun's explanation and felt his heart tighten.
That Bright Court Pavilion is backed by the royal family?
Maybe it's better to choose Heavenly Star Palace instead…
Even though he was no longer trying to stay low-profile, it would still be best to run his business smoothly without attracting the attention of the royal family. Anything connected to them was better avoided.
Since both of those restaurants were the best, it didn't really matter which one he challenged. Rather than picking Bright Court Pavilion and causing himself unnecessary trouble, it was better to go with Heavenly Star Palace.
As for whether he might lose? Qi Han didn't even consider that possibility.
If it really came down to it, he could just bring out a 3-Star dish and crush them with overwhelming superiority.
With his decision made, Qi Han glanced at the time. Seeing it was getting late, he smiled and said, "Alright, tell me what you'd like for your staff meal. As for the culinary showdown, I'll look into it more tomorrow."
"Mm!" Meng Yun nodded. "Boss, I want Fish-flavored Shredded Pork with white rice, and also a Pork Tripe Chicken!"
She was no longer as reserved as she had been at the beginning, and now ordered her staff meals more freely, immediately listing the dishes she had been craving.
"Got it." Qi Han turned and walked toward the kitchen, signaling her to sit and wait for a moment.
…
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day.
Qi Han got up early and stepped out of Han Shi.
After hearing about culinary showdowns from Meng Yun yesterday, he planned to go learn more about it today, and also visit Sun-Moon Avenue to scout his future opponent, Heavenly Star Palace.
In the general store diagonally across from Han Shi, Fang Qing—an agent of the Secret Intelligence Division disguised as the shop owner—also got up early.
Every day, he woke up at this hour to keep a close watch on Han Shi's every move. As for the night, other agents took turns monitoring, ensuring that Han Shi was under constant surveillance.
But after more than ten days, Fang Qing's vigilance had gradually relaxed.
Because he had noticed that the boss of Han Shi, Qi Han, would always stay inside the shop—whose interior couldn't be seen—before the lunch service and never came out. Who knew what he was doing?
Maybe just sleeping in?
The thought alone irritated Fang Qing. This guy could sleep in comfortably while the agents of the Secret Intelligence Division had to rise early and stay late just to monitor him.
Outrageous.
Hm?
As he casually kept an eye on Han Shi's entrance like usual, Fang Qing suddenly froze, then abruptly stood up.
Wait—something's happening?!
Qi Han actually broke his usual routine and came out of Han Shi at this time.
Could it be he's finally going to reveal something?
Just thinking about it made Fang Qing unable to suppress his excitement.
No—stay calm.
He told himself, taking a deep breath as his expression returned to normal. He casually walked to the shop entrance.
"Morning, Boss Fang!" Qi Han glanced at his socially anxious neighbor and smiled. "Didn't expect you to open this early too."
"Ah… yeah." Fang Qing forced a smile. "You're… heading out?"
"I'm going to take a look around Sun-Moon Avenue and gather some information," Qi Han replied with a slight smile, making no effort to hide his destination.
Gather information?!
Fang Qing's heart jolted.
What kind of information?
Could it be the city defenses of Mingdu City?
Or was he trying to find an opportunity to steal information about spirit tools?!
No… that's not the key point!
Qi Han had already seen through their plans and was well aware of the Secret Intelligence Division's identity. Yet now he was openly telling him that he was going to Sun-Moon Avenue to gather information?
This… must be a trap!
Seeing Fang Qing's expression suddenly turn strange, Qi Han was briefly puzzled, then quickly realized.
This guy's social anxiety must be acting up again.
Just saying a few words to him probably took all his courage.
Thinking this, Qi Han gave Fang Qing a sympathetic look and then headed toward Sun-Moon Avenue.
Fang Qing's expression changed drastically.
That look Qi Han just gave him… it carried deep meaning!
He needed to quickly inform the Secret Intelligence Division to send experts skilled in stealth and tracking to follow Qi Han closely, ensuring he didn't escape their surveillance!
And this matter had to be reported to His Majesty immediately in the form of an urgent intelligence report.
Fang Qing hurried into a hidden room inside his shop and began transmitting a report using the Secret Intelligence Division's special communication method.
The last time he submitted a report, he had been reprimanded by the emperor for overanalyzing and making excessive assumptions. But this time, Fang Qing was certain he wasn't overthinking things.
He had personally heard Qi Han say he was going to Sun-Moon Avenue to gather information!
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
Tn: I updated the story once every 2 days, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 538: Walking Straight into the Trap?[1]
Link: https://www.patreon.com/Avicebron/posts/becoming-food-in-160492301[2]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/Avicebron/posts/becoming-food-in-160492301
[2] https://www.patreon.com/Avicebron/posts/becoming-food-in-160492301