Peerless Divine Doctor in the City of Flowers
Chapter 461: Tonight, I’ll Reward You

Chapter 461: Chapter 461: Tonight, I’ll Reward You

"How is this possible! This can’t be!"

Xu Dakang stood frozen on the spot.

As a renowned chef with more than thirty years of experience,

how could he have suffered such a crushing defeat.

A score of thirty to zero was simply inconceivable.

Unless what he cooked was utterly inedible.

"It’s you... you all colluded with them... how much money did they give you... you actually betrayed me... no... they must have threatened you, right... winning like this... it’s not an honorable victory!"

Regaining his senses, Xu Dakang had already forgotten his fear.

For a chef of renown, losing a competition like this

was an absolute humiliation.

And watching the frenzied Xu Dakang, his apprentices were equally dumbfounded.

They had thought their master was cunningly holding back, using the delicious cabbage and tofu soup to humiliate his opponent.

But now it seemed that was not the case.

"Mr. Xu, the real cannot be faked, the fake can’t become real, in front of a delicacy, everyone is a judge, why don’t you try a bite for yourself? If after tasting it you still believe you’re the victor, then we’ll cancel the bet, and from hereon everyone can go their separate ways."

Looking at an almost insane Xu Dakang, Lin Fan pointed to the small remaining amount of cabbage tofu soup.

True or false, one bite was enough to settle it.

"If it’s just a taste, then I’ll taste it. I refuse to believe a cabbage tofu soup could be more delicious than my seafood."

Xu Dakang’s pride was ingrained in his very bones.

After all, as a master chef, he had reason to be confident.

In Jiangning’s culinary industry, no one could speak with more authority than him.

So, he picked up a spoon and took a sip.

Immediately after, he stood completely still.

The explosion of flavor in his mouth left him speechless.

For a chef of his caliber, it wasn’t just cooking or knife skills that were his forte.

But rather, his highly developed taste buds.

He could identify the ingredients in anything he ate with just one bite.

A little more tasting, and he would know the cooking process.

But with this bite, he couldn’t discern what kind of exquisite flavor it was.

The savory taste of beef, lamb, chicken, and fish couldn’t match it.

If there had to be a comparison, only the mythical dragon liver and phoenix marrow could possibly compare.

Looking at the cabbage and tofu soup again, he didn’t know what to do.

It took a while before he came back to his senses.

Staring at Lin Fan he asked, "This... who on earth... made this?"

"Her."

Lin Fan pointed to Li Qiqi beside him.

At that moment, she was anxiously looking at Xu Dakang.

"Did you really make this exquisite dish?"

Xu Dakang looked at Li Qiqi who was just of an age where she was experiencing the first blooms of youth.

She wasn’t even born when he was already a renowned chef.

"It’s just something Lin Fan wanted to have a go at creating with me, I made it casually, it’s nothing special."

Li Qiqi shyly nodded her head.

She still didn’t think much of her cooking skills.

As long as Lin Fan enjoyed her food, that was enough for her.

"Just made it casually... just made it casually... just made it casually..."

Unable to hold back, Xu Dakang directly picked up the large bowl.

He swallowed all the soup along with the tofu and vegetables.

After carefully tasting it, his gaze was still so empty.

"Mr. Xu, you tell me, who won this culinary battle?"

Lin Fan, smiling, had his arm around Li Qiqi’s waist.

Xu Dakang’s expression was the best answer.

"I’ve lost... fair and square... But I have a request."

Xu Dakang, having regained his composure, took a deep breath.

His gaze, burning with intensity, was fixed on Li Qiqi.

"I am willing to work for the restaurant without pay for the rest of my life, if only you would take me as your disciple and teach me your culinary skills!"

"How can this be... I’m still an apprentice... how can I take on a disciple!"

Such a request frightened Li Qiqi into repeatedly shaking her head.

Not to mention her own cooking skills, the difference in their ages alone was more than just a little.

"That really won’t work, after all, it’s a family secret technique, and it’s passed down to females, not males, so I really can’t teach you, but..."

Lin Fan naturally knew that what belonged to the Five Poison Sect wasn’t easily shared with others.

But he was of course going to support Lu Feifei’s business.

"She can give you a blend of secret spices. When the time comes, you can add it where appropriate as the signature product of the establishment. I think this green vegetable and tofu soup would be excellent. In doing so, it will also ensure that your reputation will spread far and wide in the future. And on your behalf, I guarantee the same compensation, but you must fulfill a five-year tenure. If you break the contract, I’ll have the brothers outside come looking for you."

Lin Fan narrowed his eyes, the carrot-and-stick approach was enough to ensure everyone’s fortune.

"Five years won’t do..."

Yet unexpectedly, Xu Dakang, his eyes filled with red, refused without hesitation.

"I want to sign for life, as long as Phoenix Building exists, I’ll work until my death!"

"Deal."

Lin Fan, with a smile, pulled Lu Feifei, who was behind him.

This collision of a young woman and a young girl was perfection.

Both ladies had expressions of pure enjoyment on their faces.

The apprentices watching from behind couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

What kind of man is this, to make Phoenix so willing?

"Qi Qi, you really helped a lot this time, you deserve a generous reward."

Lin Fan looked at Lu Feifei, alluring to the bone, on his right.

And he whispered a few words in her ear.

"No problem, Qi Qi is my good sister, and tonight I’ll definitely reward you thoroughly."

Lu Feifei immediately nodded obediently.

Her watery eyes laughed as they gazed at Li Qiqi across from her.

"This... this isn’t much..."

Just thinking about Lu Feifei’s words from earlier made Li Qiqi’s face flush and her heart race.

And she wondered if the reward would involve Lin Fan.

If she truly were to participate in person, was she to accept, or to accept?

After the show of strength, they certainly let everyone give up on competing with Phoenix.

It was then that Lin Fan, smiling, said to Xu Shikang, "Alright, now that everything is settled, go busy yourselves. We’re opening tomorrow, and the kitchen better not let Phoenix Building down."

"Of course, boss. Rest assured, if tomorrow’s food isn’t exceptional, I’ll perform a bungee jump without a rope for everyone!"

Xu Dakang quickly patted his chest and loudly assured him.

Now that both power and influence were completely in his opponent’s hands.

He had come to realize the proverb, ’There’s always a higher mountain out there.’

Immediately, he gestured to his disciples to leave the private room.

"Master, do you really plan to work at Phoenix Building until you die?"

Just as they exited, one of the disciples quietly asked.

He thought that Xu Dakang’s earlier words were only a stopgap measure.

"When have my words ever been empty? Based on their abilities today, what else can I say?"

Xu Dakang, as someone who spoke his mind.

Had become convinced and was now only focused on making sure the dishes for tomorrow were a hit.

"But don’t forget the offer we talked about from Tongtian Pavilion; although Sister Phoenix has great power, the boss of Tongtian Pavilion is no ordinary person either. He fears no physical threat. Whether Phoenix Building can open at all is still up for discussion."

The disciple’s words caused Xu Dakang’s brow to furrow.

Not long after they returned to the kitchen, the phone suddenly rang.

Xu Dakang pressed the answer button.

"Hello, Mr. Xu, it’s Du Defa, the boss of Tongtian Pavilion!"