Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 268 - 267: ’Culinary Heart Incubation Plan

Chapter 268: Chapter 267: ’Culinary Heart Incubation Plan

Afternoon.

Three-thirty.

White Seagull High School was about to let out, and it was the time for student club activities to begin.

A black limousine glided into the shopping street early and stopped in front of Xia’s Main Store.

"It seems we’ve arrived a bit early."

In the passenger seat, Dojima Yin glanced at the tightly shut door of the shop.

"Let’s get out and wait."

The Far Moon General, Tiqie Xianzuowen, opened the car door and stepped out.

Dojima Yin closed the car door and stood next to the Far Moon General, but just happened to run into a group of workers coming out of the building next to Xia’s Main Store.

These workers all wore the same uniform, with the words "Urban Living Planning" printed on the back.

"It seems the renovation of this property is about to be finished, the efficiency is quite impressive, it’s only been a week, right?" Dojima Yin surveyed the workers who were tidying up their tools and loading large equipment onto a vehicle.

Tiqie Xianzuowen also cast an interested gaze.

"Is this the property he won in the Shokugeki not long ago?"

"Yes, General."

Dojima Yin pointed to a family inn to the right of Xia’s Main Store, "This inn is another property he won. However, he doesn’t plan to redevelop it. A simple refurbishment will turn it into dormitories for the employees."

Hm?

Suddenly, Dojima Yin and Tiqie Xianzuowen simultaneously furrowed their brows, turned their heads, and stared intently at the fifth-floor window of the five-story family inn facing the street. It wasn’t an illusion; there was a glint of light from a lens just then.

A woman emerged from the shadows, waving at them, signaling that there was no need for alarm.

"This is Main General Liangzi."

Dojima Yin paused, the cautious look in his eyes faded away, and he explained to Tiqie Xianzuowen, "Minister Shinohara assigned her to oversee this shopping street, strictly limiting the activities of the ’Gourmet Society’. This past week, those people from the ’Gourmet Society’ have all lain low."

Tiqie Xianzuowen just hummed indifferently.

"What do you think about the discussions on ’field internships’ these past few days?" Tiqie Xianzuowen asked.

"The majority seems to be in favor."

Dojima Yin smiled, then his tone shifted, "However, high approval is only within the student group. Far Moon’s instructors, professors, and workers fail to understand our teaching plan which involves students working and interning at Xia’s shop."

"Is it not better that they don’t know?"

Tiqie Xianzuowen’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

He crossed his arms and stood like a javelin, lifting his gaze to Xia’s Main Store before him, his eyes reflecting complex thoughts, "The ’culinary heart’ is an enigmatic thing. Even Lin Chef and Dragon Chef wouldn’t dare claim they can guide their disciples to grasp their own ’culinary hearts’."

"It’s a personal journey of spiritual cultivation."

"But, Dojima, I’m inclined to believe your hypothesis," a glint of sharpness flashed in Tiqie Xianzuowen’s eyes.

"Hypothesis..."

Dojima Yin gave a crisp smile, "General, I merely drew a conclusion based on facts, which still needs to be verified."

"Sen Tian Makoto, I’ve looked into her. She participated in Yuan Yue Primary School’s selection but unfortunately didn’t make it, so she spent 3 years of middle school at White Seagull Junior High School. We have no knowledge of how her culinary skills developed during these 3 years, but her progress must have surged in the month before Far Moon High School’s selection. I’m sure that in that month, she found confidence and perseverance, and clarified her own ’intent’!"

"Then, it’s Tanaka Hikari..."

As he spoke, Dojima Yin glanced at the Far Moon General.

"General, I’ve told you the story about the boarding internship more than once. Do you want to hear it again?" Dojima’s voice softened a touch as he spoke of the clumsy girl, Tanaka Hikari.

"A girl stumbling along the path of culinary arts?" Tiqie Xianzuowen smiled slightly.

"Exactly!"

Tiqie Xianzuowen said, "You’ve had Shigong apply for the Chiyoda Shrine’s autumn training class, right?"

"Yes."

Dojima Yin expressed his sentiments, "Actually, several years ago, Shigong should have already been an apprentice. And he finally found what originally moved him, the imprint of his heart’s intention, the ’original flavor’ is quite good!"

The two stood on the street, chatting now and then.

The topic of conversation always revolved around that young man.

Ding ding!

About a quarter hour later, the clear sound of a bicycle bell rang out from behind.

"General, Commander!"

Xia Yu parked his bicycle, locked it, and carrying his not-so-heavy backpack, opened the door while waving, "Sorry to keep you waiting, please come in—"

Having ushered the two distinguished guests inside the shop, Xia Yu then slipped into the kitchen to boil water for tea.

Soon after, he brought over the teapot and cups on a tray.

Tiqie Xianzuowen sniffed the rich aroma of tea in the air and could not help but lift the cup to sip gently on the hot tea, taking a long while before saying, "A familiar taste. That’s the same type of tea leaves my grandfather used to serve me with."

"I didn’t expect you to have a decent foundation in tea ceremony as well."

Far Moon Commander looked him over from head to toe.

Thinking back, Xia Yu recalled that this seemed to be only the second time Tiqie Xianzuowen had visited Xia’s Main Store. How come his words made it sound as though he was a regular? Xia Yu inwardly rolled his eyes.

"Will you be dining? I’m going to go upstairs to change clothes!" Xia Yu made as if to leave.

"Wait!"

Dojima Yin stopped him with a smile, "I’m accompanying the Commander for an inspection."

"Inspection?" Xia Yu was taken aback.

"Soon this place will become the internship location for Far Moon’s elite; what’s wrong with an inspection?" Dojima Yin blinked.

"I see."

Xia Yu said, "Actually, the main store just needs one head chef, one sous-chef, and one waiter. The VIP area kitchen will be under my supervision, with two sous chefs and two waiters."

"So, you mean each rotation of interns will comprise seven people?" asked Dojima Yin.

"That’s not how you should think about it," Xia Yu shook his head and patiently explained, "The main chef for the store must have certain achievements in the field of Chinese cuisine. It’s okay if they only know one type of cuisine; I can teach them firsthand. For the sous-chef, the requirements aren’t so high, but they must also have an understanding of Chinese cuisine."

Dojima Yin and Tiqie Xianzuowen exchanged glances.

"This..." Dojima Yin said awkwardly, "I’m afraid there aren’t many second and third-year students who meet your criteria."

"That’s why,"

Xia Yu shrugged and said with some disappointment, "I’m not planning to recruit too many interns all at once; I will definitely be selective."

"Unless..."

"Unless what?"

Dojima Yin frowned.

This kind of selective approach did not align with the culinary heart incubation plans of Dojima Yin and Tiqie Xianzuowen.

Their plan was to have second and third-year elite students take turns coming over for apprenticeship, which was essentially a wide net approach. If one or two of those elites inadvertently realized their own ’culinary heart,’ the internship plan would be considered a huge success.

"Unless one day I own the entire shopping district and establish a food street project, then I would need many Far Moon interns," Xia Yu said with a clean smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Dojima Yin and Far Moon Commander had plans of their own, which he faintly guessed, but he didn’t object to them.

It was a matter of mutual need, essentially an exchange – Far Moon would acquire more exceptional students, and his shop, even potentially the shopping street he aspired to create, would secure a steady source of talent.

Being a top-tier culinary institution in Neon, the students coming from Far Moon were naturally excellent. After undergoing internships, they would all lose their greenness.

As for how to "guide" Far Moon students in hatching their own culinary hearts, Xia Yu felt that once he evolved his own culinary heart to the high-level purple stage, his ability to guide would undoubtedly become incredibly strong.

Cough cough, from then on, please refer to him as the Provider of Culinary Hearts.

What kind of culinary heart do you want?

Try this dish first! What you’re seeking is right inside!