Wei Qian and Guo Xinghai, who had just sat down and picked up their chopsticks, also looked at Lin Xu.

Shouldn't he be heavily promoting the restaurant to increase business after just winning the championship? Why close it then?

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Lin Xu explained, "When I said 'close,' I meant temporarily close for renovations. This afternoon, my master and my father-in-law transferred the ownership of this shop, the one next door, and the units upstairs to my name. Once we find a designer and get a design plan in the next couple of days, we'll close for renovations and transform Lin Ji's Food into a major restaurant."

Since a small store could no longer meet the customers' needs, then it was time to expand. Anyway, all the properties were now in his name, and Lin Xu didn't have the 'even if you line up to Chang'an Avenue, I won't expand my business' mindset of those internet-famous small diners.

"Wow, that's a big move!" Wei Qian exclaimed, full of admiration.

He'd thought Lin Xu would stop working in this industry after finding a wealthy father-in-law. He hadn't expected him to expand the business instead. That definitely deserved praise!

Guo Xinghai hadn't expected an expansion of the storefront either. He smiled and said, "When you reopen, let me know, okay? I'll come from Yangcheng to attend the opening ceremony."

As a friend, he hoped Lin Xu's business would grow bigger and better. As a fellow member of the catering industry, he also wished for the sector to prosper further.

Guo Xinghai and Wei Qian were both happy for Lin Xu.

But Chezai and his crew couldn't feel quite as happy.

They had just found a restaurant with good pay and a good boss, only for it to close for renovations. So, what were they supposed to do? Should they wait until the renovations were over to come back to work, or should they start looking for another job?

Seeing everyone making eyes at him, Chezai gathered his courage and asked, "Boss, what about us...?"

Honestly, he really didn't want to change jobs again. Niu Chuan, Xu Xinhua, and Ma Zhiqiang felt the same way.

But they were afraid that once the new restaurant was renovated, the boss would hire new chefs. After all, it would be a large restaurant then, and plenty of chefs would be willing to work there. They, as 'problem employees' with severely lopsided skills, might not be valued by the boss anymore.

Just as they were anxiously worrying, Lin Xu said, "As long as you're willing to stay, I definitely won't leave you idle. Don't worry about your wages either; you'll be paid just as before. This is actually a good opportunity to try to improve your culinary skills."

Right, hadn't his senior brother asked him to come work? Then it was perfect to bring these guys along. Anyway, the kitchen at the Fishing Platform wasn't busy, and there were plenty of experts there. If Chezai and the others spent a month there, they would definitely learn something. It would be like taking an advanced course—and the top-level kind at that.

Seeing that Chezai and the others had arrangements, it was Song Tiantian's turn to get anxious. "Boss, what about us...?"

Lin Xu replied, "You'll have arrangements too. As long as you don't leave, I'll make sure everything is taken care of."

Upon hearing this, everyone finally felt relieved.

Wei Qian was envious again. What a good boss, still paying salaries during renovations! No wonder these employees looked so reluctant to leave; they were truly fortunate to have such a good boss.

Everyone continued eating.

Only Shen Jiayue seemed a bit downhearted.

"BOO HOO! What about my lunch during these days of renovation!" she pouted, feeling as if she had been abandoned by her dear Xu Bao.

Lin Xu said, "I'll just have it delivered to you then; I won't let you go hungry."

The Fishing Platform wasn't too far from Dongming Building. He could arrange for lunch to be delivered, and it would also let this girl taste those dishes from the Fishing Platform that cost two or three thousand per person.

"Thank you, Xu Bao!" Shen Jiayue's mood immediately brightened upon hearing there was still food.

She scooped some sauce from the Braised Pork Belly and mixed it with her rice. Then, she mashed the Braised Pork Belly with her spoon and mixed it in. After stirring it well, she took a spoonful and put it in her mouth.

UMM... This was truly satisfying! The perfectly steamed rice grains were enveloped in the rich, glossy sauce, each grain exuding a tantalizing fragrance, while the minced meat added a different texture to the rice. With one bite, she felt as if her entire being had been elevated. All worries and sadness were completely forgotten. The only thought in her mind was... one more bite!

"It's just perfect! Braised Pork Belly with rice is something I could never tire of eating!"

Shen Jiayue initially thought one bowl of rice would be enough. But the Braised Pork Belly was so delicious that she couldn't help but consider getting another bowl. At worst, she could just do a couple of extra sets of jumping jacks when she got back.

While she was praising how delicious the Braised Pork Belly was, Guo Xinghai, beside her, was marveling at the flavor of the Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce.

During the competition at noon, Guo Xinghai had tasted the Steamed Sea Bass Lin Xu prepared, so he knew Lin Xu was also proficient in Cantonese cuisine. However, he hadn't expected the restaurant to offer dishes like Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce and Phoenix Claws with Black Bean Sauce.

Driven by curiosity, he picked up a piece to taste, and his eyes instantly lit up.

He had always thought that his grandfather, the curator of the Cantonese Cuisine Museum, was a leading figure in Cantonese cuisine, second to none in the field. But tasting Lin Xu's cooking, he realized that in the realm of Cantonese cuisine, there was someone who was by no means inferior to his grandfather.

The pork ribs and phoenix claws were steamed to perfection. Especially the pork ribs—they were tender yet springy. The black bean sauce wasn't as elaborate as what other restaurants typically made; it was just a simple fragrance of black beans. Yet, it was this simple black bean aroma that enhanced the deliciousness of the pork ribs to perfection.

AWESOME!

If he had tasted this dish before the competition, he would have withdrawn on the spot. There was simply no comparison; Lin Xu's control over the dishes and his understanding of cooking were far superior to his own.

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