Many customers had even listed Pressed Pig's Head as their top dish to try when checking in at the restaurant.

Close to eleven, Shen Baobao came bouncing into the restaurant for lunch, also planning to take lunch boxes back to the audit office. She had expected the place to be empty, but upon entering, she found the first-floor dining hall already bustling with customers, some of whom were already eating.

This…

She raised her wrist to check her watch. It was only a little past ten-forty. Why are there so many people? Could my watch be broken?

Seeing Song Tiantian not far from the entrance, she curiously asked, "Why are there so many people?"

Song Tiantian responded with a wry smile, "Someone posted online about our trial opening today, so customers came flocking to check in. It's caught the kitchen a bit off guard."

"Thanks for your hard work, Tiantian. I'll go upstairs and take a look."

"Alright, Boss Lady."

When she went upstairs, Shen Baobao found Chezai preparing take-out lunch boxes for the audit office, Xinda Company, Joyful Media, and the Dundun Company. With the start of the trial opening, the restaurant's group meal service had automatically resumed.

Seeing Lin Xu busy, Shen Baobao didn't disturb him. Instead, she said to Chezai, "Give me a serving of Oil-poured Noodles and a Crystal Pork Hock, please."

Since Xu Bao couldn't join her for the meal, she decided to have something simple. She needed to get back to the audit office quickly, as dozens of hungry foodies were waiting there.

Soon, the Oil-poured Noodles and Crystal Pork Hock were served.

She had just taken out her phone, about to send a picture to her cousin Chen Yan, when she saw the glamorous woman herself walking up the stairs in a figure-hugging jumpsuit.

"Yan Bao, was it you who posted online about our trial opening today? That's why all these netizens are flocking here to check in, right?"

"Not at all! When I came in, I was wondering why there was such a big fuss for a trial opening. So it was someone else who spread the word… Is this the Crystal Pork Hock? Feed me a piece to try…"

Shen Baobao pouted, but still, out of consideration for her single friend, she picked up a slice of Crystal Pork Hock, dipped it in the sauce, and popped it into Chen Yan's mouth.

"Wow, it's so cool and refreshing, absolutely delicious! No wonder my brother-in-law was raving about it yesterday. If I hadn't known beforehand, I'd never believe this was pork hock."

Chen Yan sat down and, without any ceremony, picked up her chopsticks and started eating.

"Don't forget to pay when you leave," Shen Baobao said. "This is all my Xu Bao's hard-earned money. You can't just eat and drink for free."

"Tsk, so stingy. When I leave, I'll get a card from Tiantian and load a million on it. That way, you won't have to nag me about it every day, just like my mom."

Upon hearing this, Shen Baobao immediately mimicked her aunt Shen Guofang's tone: "Yan'er, when are you finally going to get married and make your mother proud?"

Chen Yan: "..."

That was a spot-on impression. Don't do it again.

While the two sisters bantered as usual, up on the thirtieth floor of the Futong Building, Shen Guofu sat in his office, looking with pleasant surprise at the lunch his secretary, Little Zou, had brought him.

Not only were there Crystal Pork Hock and Pressed Pig's Head, but there were also two servings of rice. Alongside these were Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, Black Bean Phoenix Claws, and Stir-fried Beef—a truly delightful surprise.

My son-in-law is so thoughtful! He knew I've been eating plainly recently, so he sent over so much meat. What a good son-in-law!

With a sense of ceremony, he arranged all the dishes on his desk. Then, he walked over to the liquor cabinet, opened it, and began to survey the rows of white liquor bottles inside. For Old Shen, having good liquor and meat, with no interruptions, was pure bliss. It was the happiest moment.

Eventually, he chose a bottle of Wuliangye produced in 2012.

It's been a whole decade. Time to taste it.

Each bottle in this liquor cabinet signified at least ten cases of the same kind stored in his cellar. If this bottle of Wuliangye is good, then the ten cases in the cellar should be of the same quality. I can serve it at the next banquet.

He carried the bottle of Wuliangye back to his seat.

Just as he sat down, Secretary Xiao Zou suddenly pushed the door open and walked in. "Mr. Shen, as you instructed, I posted another notice about Lin Ji's Food's trial opening under the relevant online topic. According to feedback from netizens, the restaurant is very crowded. Should I continue posting?"

"No need. Just letting people know about today's trial opening is enough. We don't need to promote it further."

Xiao Zou asked curiously, "Won't this catch the restaurant off guard?"

Shen Guofu opened the liquor bottle and, while pouring himself a drink, said, "In this world, how many things are ever perfectly prepared? We all muddle through as we go. My son-in-law is too steady and cautious; today, I'll give him a little nudge."

Lin Ji will soon be competing with the major restaurants in Yanjing. His competitors might resort to dirty tricks. Today will give my son-in-law a small taste of being passively led by the nose. This way, when he encounters sabotage from peers in the future, he'll be a bit more vigilant.

After Shen Guofu finished speaking, he waved his hand, and Xiao Zou wisely exited. She knew Mr. Shen was about to enjoy his private moment with his fine liquor.

Back at the restaurant, after lunch, Chen Yao was true to her word. She went downstairs with Shen Baobao and, upon reaching the front desk, said to Song Tiantian, "Tiantian, set me up with a card."

"Certainly, CEO Chen. How much money would you like to preload?"

"One million!"

"Huh? Are you joking, CEO Chen?"

Chen Yao shook her head and said with a smile, "From now on, this will be my go-to place for business banquets. Depositing a million upfront will save the embarrassment of suddenly being short on funds. Go ahead and set up the card; I'll transfer the money now."

In the kitchen, Lin Xu wiped the sweat from his brow after rolling out another batch of noodles. He was just wondering when he could redeem Master Ji Minghui's upgrade task when the system's notification suddenly sounded in his mind:

"Host earned one million yuan on the trial opening day, completing the hidden task: [Daily Income of One Million]. Reward: One Perfect Level Mushroom Dish lottery draw. Congratulations, Host."

A daily income of one million? What's going on?

He checked the system page and found his points had increased to 1.1 million.

What am I waiting for? Time to redeem Master Ji's upgrade task!

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Sorry for the late update. I hit a bit of writer's block but managed to push through. It seems I've never written about mushroom dishes before, so I'll tackle one next. This chapter is 5,100 characters. Please subscribe, folks!

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