He found a seat, glanced at the menu, and casually ordered a few dishes. Then, with a disinterested expression, he began to chat with his friend about his recent business trip.

After a hurried and careless lunch, he looked at Gu Junli and asked, "Do you know where Manager Shu has gone for a higher position?"

"Yes, it's Lin Ji's Food on Yingchun Street, located at No. 34 Yingchun Street."

Lin Ji's Food? Mr. Jin thought. Never heard of it.

He had assumed Shu Yun would be poached by high-profile places in Beijing like Eight Great Towers or Da Dong's Restaurant, but it turned out to be an unheard-of establishment. This unremarkable name sounded just like any roadside diner. Manager Shu couldn't have been scammed, could she?

Since he had nothing much to do that afternoon, he decided he might as well check out this so-called Lin Ji's Food.

「Meanwhile.」

Having escaped the pastry section, Lin Xu could finally start cooking. After a busy period, he went downstairs to bring Dundun some food. Just as Shu Yun, who had finished seeing a table of guests out, approached him, she said, "Boss, your Braised Pork Belly is a huge hit! Many customers who've tried it are praising it. Could you make more this afternoon when it's not too busy? To prevent us from running out for the customers."

That morning, Lin Xu had simmered a pot of Braised Pork Belly in a clay pot to test the waters. He had thought it would be difficult to sell, but surprisingly, before even half-past twelve, more than ten portions had been snapped up. Customers who missed out were even complaining. This dish couldn't be prepared on the spot; it needed to be made in advance. So Shu Yun had come over to ask Lin Xu to prepare more for the afternoon.

"Alright, I'll prepare thirty portions this afternoon," Lin Xu replied. "However, I won't be making other dishes, as I need to free up time to prepare roasted suckling pig for our Chen Baiwan."

Hearing about roasted suckling pig, Shu Yun curiously asked, "Can I try some too?"

"Sure. I actually roasted two extra, planning to let all of you try some."

Back at Fishing Platform, Shu Yun wouldn't have been such a foodie, but ever since arriving at Lin Ji and getting used to Lin Xu's cooking, she had become quite the glutton. For example, she ate three of the beef-filled griddle cakes for breakfast in one go that morning. Now, hearing about roasted suckling pig, her cravings flared up again. After all, this was the delicacy that even Chen Baiwan had been talking about for days.

When Dundun finished eating the meat, Lin Xu suddenly remembered the Tendon Jelly he had made the previous night. He said to Shu Yun, "Last night, I used the leftover Tendon to make some Tendon Jelly. I can't be bothered to sell it, so later on, you, Sister Wenjing, and the others can all try some."

Tendon Jelly?

Seeing Shu Yun's puzzled expression, Lin Xu explained, "It's a low-fat delicacy rich in collagen."

!!!!!! If you're talking about that, then I'm wide awake! Shu Yun thought excitedly.

After Lin Xu returned to the kitchen, she grabbed her phone and sent messages to Dou Wenjing, Zeng Xiaoqi, and Chen Yan, sharing the news about eating Tendon Jelly that evening.

Not long after the messages were sent, Chen Yan called Lin Xu. "Brother-in-law, please save some of that beautifying Tendon Jelly for me; it's my absolute favorite!"

"Sure, sure. It's not anything valuable, and the recipe is simple. I'm planning to teach Yueyue how to make it soon. If you want to learn, you can too."

"Really? In that case, I'll have Tiantian transfer twenty thousand from my card first as my tuition fee."

TSK, TSK, TSK… Lin Xu mused. I originally thought that one million would be enough for my sister-in-law to eat at the restaurant for a few years. But if she's going to be this generous, I feel it might not even last until the end of the year.

「At five in the afternoon.」

While Lin Xu was standing in front of the roast duck oven trying to make roasted suckling pig, Mr. Jin drove his Maybach slowly towards Yingchun Street with a few friends.

Yeah, that lunch was really unsatisfying, Mr. Jin thought. He planned to check on Shu Yun and then go for a good meal at Yanjing Hotel's Chinese restaurant.

One of his friends remarked from the car, "I haven't heard of any good restaurants on Yingchun Street. It's all just roadside diners. That Manager Gu couldn't be bluffing us, could she... Huh? Lin Ji's Food?"

As the car reached the middle of Yingchun Street, Mr. Jin saw the newly renovated Lin Ji's Food by the roadside. Looking at those four characters, he couldn't help but frown.

Everyone knows Mr. Lishan abhors this kind of storefront calligraphy. These characters were probably copied from his other works… Could this be a scam restaurant?

Seeing a parking space by the roadside, he pulled over. After parking the car, he and his friends got out and strode into the restaurant.

First, I need to see if Shu Yun is inside. If she is, I'll get to the bottom of it, he resolved. I had originally come to show support for Shu Yun's new place, but now that it involves my idol, Mr. Lishan, this matter has to be cleared up immediately.

He pushed open the door and entered. The interior decor was refreshingly novel. His friends were all visibly impressed.

"Not bad, Old Jin, much better than imagined."

"When did Yingchun Street get such an upscale restaurant?"

Mr. Jin looked around. The place does look good, he acknowledged, but so what? If that calligraphy outside isn't explained, this issue won't be over today!

Just then, he saw Shu Yun holding Dundun and admiring the fish in an aquarium. He walked over, a hint of displeasure on his face, "Manager Shu, what brings you to a place like this?"

"Mr. Jin? What brings you here? Please, have a seat, quickly! Xiao Dong, go brew a pot of Maojian Tea with spring water, the kind the boss serves to family..."

That's Manager Shu for you… Mr. Jin's anger subsided considerably. He hadn't expected her to remember a customer's old preferences even after changing jobs.

He pointed towards the shopfront and asked Shu Yun, "The owner here... how is he treating you?"

Shu Yun was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Very well. I've even become his son's godmother... Mr. Jin, it's too noisy down here. Let me take you upstairs to chat. It's also a good opportunity for you esteemed guests to try some dishes from our restaurant."

Mr. Jin wanted to press the issue about the calligraphy on the sign. But Shu Yun's warm smile and what she had just said made it difficult for him to proceed.

Godmother? Is the owner trying to tie Manager Shu down using the child?

Shu Yun placed Dundun back on the service counter and then led Mr. Jin and his group upstairs. The second floor had the kitchen and booth seating, noticeably quieter than the main dining hall.

Just as they sat down, a server came over carrying a teapot. Shu Yun took it, poured tea for everyone, and then instructed the server, "Bring two appetizers to start, then one Crystal Pork Hock and a pressed pig's head. Have Chef Wei make two of his signature small dishes, and also one Braised Pork Belly."

"Yes, Manager Shu."

Mr. Jin was a VIP at Building No. 2, Shu Yun thought. Since he's here today, I must make sure he becomes a fan of Lin Ji's Food.

Soon, the dishes were served. Mr. Jin had a mind full of questions, but his friends were unaware of these concerns. The dishes were exceptionally presented and smelled enticing. His friends couldn't resist trying a bite and were instantly captivated.

"Damn, this Crystal Pork Hock tastes really good! Old Jin, you have to try it. It tastes even better than what we had for lunch."

"It's not just the hock that's delicious; this pressed pig's head is also very well made."

"The Lotus Root is crisp and refreshing, even more delicious than what you'd get at a Huaiyang restaurant."

"Old Jin, don't just stare, hurry up and try some..."

Mr. Jin picked up his chopsticks and tried a bite. The dishes were indeed excellent; in terms of quality, they were on par with Fishing Platform.

As he was sampling the food, the Braised Pork Belly was served. Seeing the glistening, red pieces of meat, Mr. Jin was instantly reminded of the Braised Pork Belly he had eaten last time at Building No. 2. The appearance was identical, and the aroma was exactly the same. It was the very Braised Pork Belly he had been craving for over half a month. He had missed out on it at Building No. 2 at noon, only to unexpectedly encounter it here in this restaurant.

"This is Braised Pork Belly personally cooked by our boss," Shu Yun introduced with a smile, then placed the bowls of rice, just delivered by the server, onto the table. "It's available in limited quantities each day. The Braised Pork Belly Mr. Jin had at Building No. 2 last time was made by him."

A dish like Braised Pork Belly is best enjoyed with rice.

Mr. Jin was still in shock. He never would have guessed that the Braised Pork Belly he'd eaten at Building No. 2 last time was made by the owner of this place.

Well, since I'm here, I might as well eat first, he decided. I'll ask about Mr. Lishan's calligraphy after I'm done…

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