Chapter 244: Chapter 172: Too Beautiful to Eat! What, Another Cooking Competition? [Vote for Monthly Ticket]_3
The system laid out the task very clearly. And to keep it attractive, this time it didn’t even specify the reward, only using words like "surprise" and "abundant" to pique his interest.
Could this be marketing?
Lin Xu said to Xie Baomin, "It wouldn’t hurt to participate, and it could serve as some promotion for Lin Ji’s Food."
Besides, Director Liao seemed quite interested, so he might as well go. After all, when Chezai and the others came a couple of days ago, Director Liao hadn’t hesitated to enroll them in a culinary enhancement class held internally at the Fishing Platform.
Director Liao is really looking out for me. I have to return the favor somehow.
"Alright," Xie Baomin replied, "it’s good to get some exposure and maintain your online popularity."
While the two were chatting, Assistant Bai, who was enjoying Qingshui Furong, suddenly received a phone call.
After hanging up, he told Xie Baomin, "Chief Xie, Director Liao would like you and Master Lin to make a trip over, along with Chief Guo from Building 10 and Wei Qian from Building 1. It seems to be about the competition."
After he spoke, he took his small bowl, ladled out some soup with his spoon, and marveled as he sipped, "This soup is truly delicious; I ought to sample some more on behalf of Director Liao."
"This whole pot is yours," Xie Baomin said. "Come on, junior brother, let’s go find out what’s going on first."
The two headed out. Qiu Zhenhua had tried the Crab Soup Dumplings and witnessed the legendary dishes of the Fishing Platform, so he followed them out as well.
Outside, Lin Xu saw Wei Qian leisurely walking over from the entrance of Building 1, apparently having received the same notification.
Looking at this lineup, it seems Guo Xinghai, Wei Qian, and I will be the ones participating in this competition. A champion, a runner-up, and a third-place finisher... Chefs from other hotels could really hype it up if they managed to beat any of us.
"Master Lin, I wish you triumph in this competition," Qiu Zhenhua said.
After speaking, Qiu Zhenhua then said to Xie Baomin, "In a couple of days, I’ll send a few chefs who make soup dumplings from our kitchen to work with Master Lin on making Crab Soup Dumplings. You should also send some top talent over to my place to exchange expertise on stir-fry dishes."
"No problem, Qiuqiu!" Xie Baomin exclaimed.
Qiu Zhenhua walked towards Building 6.
Meanwhile, Lin Xu took out his car keys and unlocked the door. Building 2 was a bit far from the Dining Department’s office, and it was scorchingly hot outside, so he decided to drive there.
By the time Wei Qian arrived, the temperature inside the car had cooled down.
The three of them got into the car. Lin Xu was just about to head to the administrative building when Xie Baomin said, "Let’s pick up Chief Guo from Building 10 first."
Then he lowered his head and began sending messages, his fingers going TAP-TAP-TAP on his phone.
Lin Xu: "..."
Chef Qiu just left, and you’re already heading to Building 10. TSK, TSK, TSK.
Arriving at the entrance of Building 10, just as they parked, Guo Weidong came out from inside.
"Wow! Master Lin, your car is quite impressive!"
He opened the car door and sat in the back seat with Xie Baomin.
As soon as he settled in, he instructed Lin Xu, "This competition is clearly targeting your popularity. Remember to negotiate for some benefits later; don’t just naively nod and agree the moment someone invites you."
Xie Baomin chimed in, "Right, if there are benefits to be had, take them. If they want to ride on your popularity, they need to offer something in return."
Benefits? What kind of benefits could I ask for?
Lin Xu pondered as he drove. Asking for money directly probably wouldn’t yield much, and it wouldn’t look good if word got out. Participating in a competition for money... wouldn’t that make me look like a shill hired by the organizers? So, what could I ask for apart from money?
Lin Xu recalled the benefits his side had received during the Fishing Platform competition and then remembered the online live broadcast.
Hmm, asking for money wouldn’t be appropriate. But a share of the online broadcast rights should be acceptable, right? My sister-in-law has been complaining about Shen Baobao and me constantly flaunting our relationship, saying it hurts her almost-thirty-year-old fragile heart. Maybe this could be a way to make it up to her.
Upon reaching the Dining Department, they met with Liao Jinming, the head of the Dining Department, and Zhen Wensheng from the travel channel.
After some pleasantries, Liao Jinming said, "There’s a cooking competition coming up, and I hope you can represent the Fishing Platform. Regardless of whether you win or lose, there will be a cash prize. What do you think, Master Lin?"
Lin Xu was straightforward, looking directly at Zhen Wensheng as he asked, "Which company is in charge of the online broadcast for this competition?"
"It’s fully managed by Yanjing TV Station," Zhen Wensheng replied. "Master Lin, you just need to focus on the competition; you don’t need to worry about the live broadcast."
Upon hearing this, Lin Xu immediately picked up the car keys from the table. "I’m sorry, Director Liao, but I have to return to my hometown soon. Perhaps you should find someone else."
As soon as Lin Xu finished speaking, Guo Weidong, who was sipping tea beside him, put down his teacup. "Xinghai has been busy organizing the Cantonese culinary artifacts our old man collected; he won’t be able to make it either."
Wei Qian looked at everyone and raised his hand. "A fortune teller told me I’m due for a bloody calamity soon, so I’d better not go running around."
Seeing the situation, Zhen Wensheng instantly understood what was going on.
He said with a smile, "To be honest, we aren’t particularly skilled at online live broadcasting. We’ll need to partner with an experienced company. Master Lin, do you have any recommendations?"
His original plan had been to use Lin Xu, the Fishing Platform champion, to attract other hotels to the competition. If they didn’t have this bait, other hotels probably wouldn’t be very interested. As for online live broadcasting, the travel channel genuinely lacked experience. Collaborating with a suitable professional company would indeed be a good idea.
Hearing this, Lin Xu decided to postpone his trip home. Guo Weidong also declared that his nephew was no longer busy organizing the family’s collection. And Wei Qian, who was supposedly facing an impending bloody calamity, stated that since he grew up slaughtering pigs, facing "bloody calamities" was a daily occurrence for him—all in a day’s work, so to speak.
And just like that, Chen Yan unknowingly became a partner with the travel channel.
To boost morale, Liao Jinming doled out bonuses on the spot: Lin Xu received 50,000, Guo Xinghai 40,000, and Wei Qian 30,000.
Tens of thousands of yuan wasn’t enough to get overly excited about, but once the money was in his hand, Lin Xu suddenly discovered his System Points had skyrocketed by 50,000.
Can income earned during the renovation period also increase System Points? If so, I’ll need to have a good chat with my senior brother about wages and bonuses later.
「At seven o’clock in the evening.」
Lin Xu finished another early shift. Driving with Dundun through the North Fourth Ring, as he neared Yingchun Street, he saw that a Shengjian Bun shop opposite the school was surrounded by a crowd.
What’s going on here? Are they having some kind of promotional event?
Seeing a parking spot on the roadside, he quickly parked the car, then got out with Dundun in his arms, planning to buy some Shengjian Buns.
I haven’t had them in ages, and I’m too lazy to make them myself. This is a good chance to buy some from this place and satisfy my craving. Yes, I learned my Shengjian Bun skills from a master named Wang Ziqiang at this very shop. Buying some buns now could be considered a small way of repaying him.
However, as he approached, he discovered it wasn’t a promotion. Instead, people were arguing.
"You said your nephew was going back to his hometown to open a shop and asked me to teach him. I agreed. Who knew that as soon as I’d taught him everything, you’d kick me out! Is this how you run a business?"
"SCRAM! SCRAM! SCRAM! You’ve been paid already. Stop causing a scene at my shop’s door!"
"..."
What’s this all about?
As he wondered, a Little Mushroom Head emerged from the crowd, holding some newly purchased Shengjian Buns. "Ah! Dundun, Boss Lin, have you two come to watch the fun too?"
Seeing Lin Xu, the girl quickly came over.
"What’s going on, Lele?" Lin Xu asked.
"The Master Wang who made those tasty Shengjian Buns before was poached by the shop owner from another place for a high salary," Lele explained. "All the business here was attracted by his craftsmanship. But the owner thought his salary was too high, a waste of money, so he had his own nephew learn from Master Wang for a while and then just kicked him out."
After saying this, she picked up a Shengjian Bun and tried it. "Ugh, it’s not tasty. It’s far worse than what Master Wang used to make."
Lin Xu looked at Wang Ziqiang in the crowd, who was desperately trying to get a fair explanation. His income likely supported his entire family; losing his job so suddenly meant they would probably struggle to make ends meet.
And to think, I learned my skills from him... Should I help him? But how?
Lin Xu scratched his head, then suddenly remembered he had a mission to open a shop.
He immediately took out his phone and called Dou Wenjing. "Wenjing, can you come to the east end of Yingchun Street right now, just by Lele’s school? I’m looking to invest in a small project..."
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Feeling well-rested is truly nice. This Chapter is 5,600 words. Asking for Monthly Tickets, brothers!