The next morning, despite the developers’ attempts to stop them, the investigation team, driven by curiosity, set off early for the Taoyuan Restaurant, where Lu Zhen was already waiting for them.
The young and energetic Lu Zhen immediately made the elderly leader question the “cunning squatter” image the developer team had described the night before. To test things out, the old man decided to pay out of pocket to treat his subordinates to this so-called “spicy feast”.
“Alright, I guarantee it will satisfy you.”
Lu Zhen smiled slightly and quickly went to the kitchen to start preparing.
Sitting on the newly upgraded terrace, the group couldn’t help but be captivated by the breathtaking natural scenery.
Was it really a good idea to flatten this land and build yet another generic shopping mall?
“Little Boss, this food smells amazing!”
However, all their thoughts vanished the moment Lu Zhen served the dishes. The aroma of spice and umami instantly made their mouths water.
Spicy chicken, golden soup beef, stir-fried pork with chili, along with various bamboo tube milk teas, and glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo…every dish was a feast for the senses.
“You ordered quite a lot, so I’ll throw in a serving of three-delicacy bamboo shoot soup on the house.”
Lu Zhen even brought out a soup dish in the end.
The freshly cut, tender white bamboo shoots were paired with short and plump brown mushrooms, soft red carrot chunks, and light green lettuce. The golden soup shimmered, even the oil droplets looked crystal clear.
For a moment, the only sound at the table was the gulping of saliva.
In the blink of an eye, the group devoured the entire table of food. They even fought over the chili peppers, popping them into their mouths one after another.
When the spiciness made them break out in sweat, the young ones took big gulps of iced milk tea, while the older ones sipped the warm bamboo shoot soup. Their whole bodies could only be described in two words…complete satisfaction.]]
“Bamboo shoot three-delicacy soup? What’s this new dish? It’s completely vegetarian, yet it looks so delicious! Why am I reading Fish Soup Noodles’ new book at midnight? TAT]
[The crazy part is realizing that Lu Zhen has unknowingly developed so many dishes. There are appetizers, soup, main courses, and milk tea. Seeing them all laid out together really makes for an incredible feast!]
For the first time in Yu Mian’s new book, Lu Zhen had prepared a full-course meal, shocking readers who were used to seeing single dishes presented one at a time.
When food varieties increased, the overall effect turned out to be unexpectedly perfect.
And this flawless feast undoubtedly won the hearts of the investigation team members.
After carefully asking Lu Zhen about the restaurant’s operations and observing the happy, contented diners, the old man fell into silence. Meanwhile, the developers beside him grew increasingly uneasy.
[[“Your cooking is so good.”
The young man named Zheng Duozhi complimented Lu Zhen just before the investigation team left.
“Please come again if you have the chance.”
Lu Zhen smiled and handed them one last gift, a piece of mint candy to relieve the greasiness after the meal.
Half a month later, Taoyuan Mountain received its final evaluation: the plan to level the mountains and fill the lakes for commercial development was officially terminated. Instead, the area was to be developed into a natural economic zone focusing on food tourism.
During the investigation, it was also discovered that the previous developers had serious qualification issues, leading to their immediate suspension from the industry.
“Don’t worry, child. That contract was just those businessmen tricking you. You must continue running this Taoyuan Restaurant well, this is the first-ever development plan of its kind for Taoyuan Mountain.”
The old man visited Lu Zhen again with a cheerful smile and directly shared the good news.
“Rest assured, I’ll do my best. After all, there’s an old saying: ‘Green mountains and clear waters are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver.'”
Lu Zhen’s response took the old man by surprise.
Hopefully, this vision would truly become reality.
With the main system mission successfully completed, Lu Zhen gifted the old man and the investigation team members many of Taoyuan Mountain’s specialties, including his famous chili sauce.
[Ding! First main mission completion rating: A+!
Unlocked: Beginner-Level Perpetual Spiritual Spring, improving overall ecological environment rating by 10%, crop quality and growth speed by 10%!
Dropped rewards: Random Seed Pack x10, New Food Prop “Copper Hot Pot” and its related ingredient recipes!
Unlocked: Beginner-Level Live Broadcast Permission–broadcast Taoyuan Mountain’s food and scenery across the universe! Reach D-level popularity to unlock the next reward tier!]
The system showered Lu Zhen with generous rewards. The introduction of the beginner-level perpetual spiritual spring instantly gave the backyard an ethereal, misty beauty.
The lush greenery and vibrant plants made even a deep breath feel refreshingly invigorating.
“I can start live broadcasting now?”
“Yes. Live broadcasting food and selling specialty products is the hottest trend right now. It can generate massive economic and popularity value. However, for now, your live broadcast room is only unlocked for the star system where Taoyuan Mountain is located.”
The system explained in response to Lu Zhen’s question.
However, Lu Zhen was more intrigued by the newly obtained prop and seeds.
“Copper Hot Pot? What kind of thing is this?”
The prop looked strange, inside the ancient bronze-colored pot was a tower-like, hollow cylindrical structure.
And just as Lu Zhen was studying this bronze pot hotpot, the batch of random seeds he planted quickly sprouted.
[Congratulations! New ingredient grown: Cilantro! Ingredient variety count surpassed 10–Ingredient Encyclopedia unlocked!]
“Cilantro? Does that mean it’s fragrant? It just looks like wild grass.”
Crouching on the ridge of the field, Lu Zhen curiously reached out to touch the crop in front of him, unaware that he had just grown one of the most controversial ingredients!
Meanwhile, in the backyard, where Lu Zhen had stockpiled large amounts of bamboo and bamboo shoots, a black-and-white sesame dumpling-like figure suddenly rolled in.
It took big bites, munching happily on the fresh bamboo shoots.]]
After the major update of “God of Cooking”, dishes like “Three-Delicacy Bamboo Shoot Soup”, “Grease-Cleansing Mint Candy”, “Copper Hot Pot”, and finally, “Cilantro” instantly sparked heated discussions across the reader community.
No one expected Fish Soup Noodles to drop so many new and exotic delicacies in one go, leaving everyone dazzled.
[The key point is, given my trust in Teacher Fish Soup Noodles, every ingredient before this was delicious, yet none had the words “fragrant vegetable”. This new ingredient actually dares to be called “香菜”, which means it really must be fragrant!]
**In Chinese, “香菜” (xiāng cài) for cilantro literally translates to “fragrant vegetable”.
[+1111! I’m beyond excited! Teacher Fish Soup Noodles~ we need a new live broadcast! Please, let us win some cilantro dishes in a giveaway! We’re begging you!]
Everyone was practically drooling, unable to imagine just how delicious this update would be.
[Also, is no one going to talk about that black-and-white sesame dumpling thing that showed up at the end? What is that!?]
“Brother Yu Mian, I want to try it too. What does this cilantro taste like?”
In the old residence, Huo Yan leaned against the kitchen counter, staring eagerly as Yu Mian prepared the new cilantro dish.
“Wait a moment, it’ll be ready soon.”
Yu Mian scooped up a spoonful of cilantro soup and let Huo Yan take a small sip.
However…
“Blegh! Pfft, pfft! Brother Yu Mian, is this poison!?”
Huo Yan had swallowed it in one gulp, only to feel so sick he nearly jumped on the spot.
This was even more unbearable than chili peppers…was it actually poison?
“What a shame. Looks like you’re not part of the cilantro faction.”
Yu Mian chuckled as he handed Huo Yan a glass of water.
This was the well-known traffic king in the food industry.
Those who liked it loved it so much they wished they could join the grand Cilantro Cult and wished for every inch of land on Earth to be covered in cilantro.
As for those who hated it, they were at the complete opposite extreme.
Copper Hot Pot
Thank you for the update! I kinda wanna read farming and cooking novels now 😆