Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 272 - 271: Hosting the ’Demon’ (Part 1)

Chapter 272: Chapter 271: Hosting the ’Demon’ (Part 1)

It was hard to imagine that the shopping street, having been nearly deserted for almost a month, except for the bustling evening when Xia’s shop opened, could suddenly become flooded with traffic.

And no sooner had cars and commercial vans found parking spots along the curb, a swarm of men and women, fierce as wolves and tigers, spilled out of the vehicles and encircled a black car at the head of the queue.

"Is some high-ranking official coming for an inspection?" Xia Yu was startled.

In his subconscious, apart from certain dignitaries, even the presence of celebrities wouldn’t warrant such a spectacle.

"Definitely not!"

Tiqie Eriina asserted with a tone of certainty, "Pay attention to the logos on those vehicles; they’re all from gourmet media outlets."

Ichise Hui and Kobayakawa Ryodan exchanged glances.

"We know quite a few faces in there; they often interview us Ten Elites," said Kobayakawa Ryodan, somehow producing another snack from his person and munching away while he observed the crowd in the distance.

"Who could it be?"

Xia Yu rested his chin on his hand, his eyebrows deeply furrowed.

Considering the excited expressions of the media reporters, it was almost certain that it was neither Dojima Yin nor Tiqie Xianzuowen.

They were very cautious when they went out, their vehicles unmarked, and no one dared to expose their itineraries unilaterally.

If The Far Moon Lineage was that cautious, not to mention the trio from Far Moon’s Neon Department.

Then who else could it be?

Xia Yu’s puzzlement didn’t last long. The crowd suddenly parted, and a man in a trench coat, not particularly tall or burly, effortlessly emerged from the throng. Though the reporters clearly intended to block him, the man in the trench coat slipped through them like an eel, stepping through gaps as if by chance.

"Principal Mars..."

Chiyoda Aichi and Watanabe Yuuki, panting, followed the man in the trench coat all the way to the front of Xia’s shop.

The man in the trench coat stopped in his tracks.

"Eh...?!"

Chiyoda Aichi and Watanabe Yuuki suddenly came to their senses, focusing intently on the youth standing at the entrance of the shop, rubbing their eyes, then scanning the surrounding environment.

"How did we end up here?" both women exclaimed in shock.

Xia Yu looked surprised as if he hadn’t heard the media calling out to the man in the trench coat, but he simply smiled slightly and said, "Sir, would you like to dine here?"

The man in the trench coat didn’t respond, but just walked into the shop.

The media reporters swarmed forward, and just as Xia Yu was about to speak, Watanabe Yuuki shouted coldly, "Everyone, stop—"

"Stop!"

Chiyoda Aichi also signaled her team, "That’s far enough!"

"Sorry for the disturbance, Chef Xia," Chiyoda Aichi and Watanabe Yuuki said simultaneously, bowing deeply, their postures and tones filled with respect.

The sight of these two top figures being so careful caught the eyes of the media people, and after a short silence of about ten seconds, the noisy crowd fell quiet.

After all, they were all keen observers.

And besides, wasn’t it enough of a clue that Principal Mars headed straight for this street and this small shop immediately after getting off the plane?

The astute members of the media immediately began to inquire about the origins of Xia’s shop among those nearby, most of whom shook their heads, completely clueless, while a few thought Xia Yu looked vaguely familiar, but couldn’t recall his name.

Xia Yu glanced at the crowd and then calmly turned to attend to the distinguished guest who had just entered the shop.

Thus, only Ichise Hui, Kobayakawa Ryodan, and Tiqie Eriina remained outside the shop door.

All three wore the uniforms of Far Moon, but even without the uniforms, the media crowding Xia’s shop would recognize them in an instant.

"The Tenth Seat, ’Divine Tongue’, Tiqie Eriina!"

"The Seventh Seat, Ichise Hui!"

"...And the Second Seat, Kobayakawa Ryodan!"

After the initial astonishment came the shock.

Chiyoda Aichi and Dubian Yuuki had noticed something amiss for a while, but considering Xia Yu’s status as Far Moon Guest Lecturer, it seemed only natural for elite members to show up at his small shop. Perhaps the elites were there to discuss something with him.

Chiyoda Aichi pursed her lips and fixed her gaze on Ichise Hui. Compared to the queenly aura of the "Divine Tongue" and the laid-back Kobayakawa Ryodan, Ichise Hui was undoubtedly the easiest one to interview.

"Student Ichise..."

Chiyoda Aichi stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, did you come here to see Instructor Xia, because...?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Chiyoda Aichi regretted them. She shouldn’t have conducted the interview this way; her mind felt a bit muddled, and she panicked.

Ichise Hui, who had a very pleasant personality, smiled and answered:

"Miss Tiqie, Senior Sister Kobayakawa, and I are all here for part-time jobs."

Part-time jobs?

Chiyoda Aichi opened her mouth in astonishment.

The group of media personnel behind her was stunned. Chiyoda Aichi’s reference to "Instructor Xia" led many to an epiphany. Now, Ichise Hui’s content expression about part-time work caught everyone’s attention, sparking a long session of hushed whispers.

Everybody was discussing it.

Now, no one dared to barge into Xia’s shop on a whim.

"We’re not open for business yet."

"And, you haven’t made a reservation for a meal!"

Tiqie Eriina crossed her arms and towered above the others with a queenly demeanor, glancing at the group of media personnel and said, "So, please leave."

Upon hearing this, nobody moved.

...

The shop.

"Sir, please start with some tea—"

Xia Yu placed a hot kettle of tea and a cup on the table with a wooden tray, and then leisurely sized up this unexpected guest.

"So, this is Mars."

He thought to himself.

It was odd; in contrast with Lancelot, this ’Cuisine Club’ magnate looked more like a student with his babyface, long brown hair, overcoat, and knee-high boots.

He did not have the air of a great villain about him; he was very ordinary, extraordinarily so.

Meanwhile, Mars was also scrutinizing Xia Yu.

"Did he disrupt my plans?"

Without hurrying to drink the tea, Mars’s pale fingers touched the scalding cup and tapped it lightly. Watching the ripples in the tea, he suddenly let out a light chuckle and said, "I am Mars Arnold, Vice Principal of Orlando Academy..."

There was a pause, and then he lifted his head to lock eyes with Xia Yu, and slowly added, "In the Dark Cuisine World, I am the leader in charge of intelligence gathering for the Cuisine Club’s second branch!"

Throughout this exchange, Xia Yu’s eyes remained as tranquil as ancient well water—deep and undisturbed.

"Welcome—"

Xia Yu simply took a step back and bowed slightly.

"You must be wondering why I, from across the ocean, am so determined to acquire this block," said Mars after draining a scalding cup of tea in one gulp and then leisurely exhaling a breath of steam into the air.

Seeing this, Xia Yu’s pupils contracted slightly.

"But unfortunately, I can’t tell you," Mars leisurely placed down the tea cup and said, "I hear you have VIP specialties here?"

He patted his stomach lightly, showing a row of white, sharp teeth as he smiled and said:

"My appetite is quite terrifying, you know."

"If your cooking can satisfy me, no, if it can fill my stomach, I might just change my mind. Who knows, I might even hand over the entire block to you..."