"This so-called food ranking is lucky that I didn't run into my old self, otherwise I could have dissed every single restaurant from number 1 to number 100 without using a single swear word." Mai Ge curled his lip. The pages of information stamped with an internal news seal at the back discussed the cooperative relationship between the Catering Association and the Aden Square Merchants' Union.
This isn't exactly a secret in Aden Square. The Aden Square Merchants' Union gathers the top shops in Aden Square, including a variety of high quality restaurants, most of which could easily rank in the top 100 based on their own merits.
However, in recent years, the top 30, or even the top 50, of the food rankings have been almost entirely occupied by restaurants affiliated with the Aden Square Merchants' Union. It has become an almost impossible task for other restaurants to break into the rankings. This unusual phenomenon has never occurred before, and it has caused many merchants to complain.
However, the Catering Association always responds to all the doubts with the phrase "customer choice is paramount!" But how much of this so-called customer vote is actually genuine is probably only known to the Catering Association itself.
According to the data, every month, the Aden Square Merchants' Union issues a voting task, asking its member shops to vote for the restaurants under the Aden Square Merchants' Union to maintain their high ranking on the leaderboard.
"It's the Aden Square Merchants' Union again. Those two guys who were arrested before were directors of the Aden Square Merchants' Union. It seems that the restaurant's removal from the list this time is definitely related to the Aden Square Merchants' Union. Could it be that my restaurant has been targeted by this behemoth?" Mai Ge frowned.
Although he had made the bold statement in front of Goodinia that he would dissolve and shut down the Aden Square Merchants' Union, but he was actually well aware of the terrifying power of such a behemoth. It was a merchant's union that had gathered more than half of the economic strength of the Chaos City, and it was no exaggeration to say that it was as rich as a country.
"It shouldn't be that bad, but it seems that the restaurant's attempt to climb the rankings has already offended some people. To get back on the list, it has to break through the blockade of the Aden Square Merchants' Union and get the Catering Association to willingly let it on the list."
"If we don't kill anyone, this is really difficult to resolve." Mai Ge stared blankly for a while, still unable to think of a solution. With his current status and strength, he didn't even have the leverage to negotiate with the Catering Association, let alone the Aden Square Merchants' Union.
As for Yulian and Crassus, their strength was enough to make everyone wary, but if the president of the Aden Square Merchants' Union didn't want to see them, then he could simply refuse to meet them.
The City Lord's Mansion and the Gray Temple would stand in his way, protecting his safety. This was the Chaos City, a city governed by laws and rules.
In this world, the strong may gain more respect, a better life, and higher status and power, but that doesn't mean they can do whatever they want.
Mai Ge felt somewhat fortunate to have been reborn into a world where at least rules still existed, where laws could protect his safety, and where even the weak could still live with dignity in front of the strong.
Such a world may not allow people to do whatever they want, but at least it can make life more interesting. You don't have to go out and see a demon and then carefully hide to the side, guarding against a cold arrow that might be shot from behind.
The strong have something to restrain their power, while the weak have the basic dignity that guarantees their existence in this world.
Mai Ge, currently only considered weak, still earned the love and respect of his guests through his culinary skills, not just because Crassus and Yulian were Amy's teachers. It was a feeling he enjoyed.
…
East of the city, the City Lord's Mansion.
"Please inform the City Lord that Robert from the Catering Association wishes to meet with him. I don't know when he will be available." Robert said to the reception staff in the reception room.
"Isn't this Lord Robert? The City Lord just went out not long ago. According to his schedule, he shouldn't be back until noon. Would you like to wait for him here, or come back this afternoon?" The staff member looked up at Robert, somewhat surprised, and asked with a hint of respect.
Robert had been working in the City Lord's mansion for over ten years, his official rank steadily rising. He was highly regarded by the City Lord, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would be able to take charge independently in a few more years.
No one expected that he would propose to join the Catering Association last year. This move led many people to believe that he wanted to make money, since the Catering Association is known for being very lucrative.
But news soon came back that he had been isolated in the Catering Association, practically left without any support. This was somewhat puzzling, so many people attributed it to the City Lord intentionally training him, sending him down for two years so he would be given important responsibilities upon his return.
"Thank you, I'll wait then." A hint of disappointment flashed in Robert's eyes as he nodded.
"Okay, please come inside with me to wait. I'm sure many of your acquaintances would like to catch up with you." the staff member said with a smile.
"No, I'll just wait here. It's working hours now, and catching up with me will affect their work." Robert shook his head, found a seat by the window in the reception room, and sat down, looking out the window with a serious expression, without saying a word.
"Just as rumored, he's completely unyielding..." The staff member clicked his tongue in surprise, poured Robert a cup of tea, and said nothing more.
...
Around noon, the same staff member from before hurried out and looked at Robert, who was still sitting upright in his chair, and said, "Lord Robert, the City Lord has returned and wants to see you."
"Okay, thank you." Robert stood up and quickly left with the staff member, leaving the cup of tea beside his chair untouched.
…
"Robert, I heard you've been waiting all morning. What's the urgent matter?" A man with red hair casually tied back, a burly build, a black long sword at his waist, and a missing section of his left little finger strode forward and said with a smile, "Never mind, don't tell me yet. You probably haven't eaten yet either. Come eat with me, and we can talk while we eat."
"Yes." Robert bowed slightly, took a half step back, and looked at the man standing at the top of the Chaos City. He was still as decisive and efficient as when he first met him more than ten years ago, without any airs of a City Lord.
"City Lord, I've come today to report on my work at the Catering Association, and also…" Robert sat down and looked at Michael, who was picking up his rice bowl to eat.
"Actually, I know why you came today. I ran into Warren when I went out this morning. He reported a lot of things to me and even suggested that you leave the Catering Association." Michael put down his bowl, looked at Robert's gradually freezing expression, and suddenly laughed. He picked up his bowl again, took a mouthful of rice, and said cheerfully, "But I want to hear what you have to say. You're one of my men, so of course I'll trust your words more."
Robert's expression brightened again, and he sat up straight, saying, "In the Catering Association's latest food rankings, there's a new restaurant called Restaurant Mai Mi competing for a spot..."
"Restaurant Mai Mi? Why does that sound familiar?" Outside the room, a girl with a ponytail pressed her ear against the window, listening intently to the conversation inside.