Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 287 - 286: The Explosion of Passenger Traffic

Chapter 287: Chapter 286: The Explosion of Passenger Traffic

Saturday afternoon.

Approaching evening.

One car after another pulled into the shopping street.

Mashiro Takumi and Takagi Shuutoku were the first diners of the day at Xia’s Main Store, having snagged an 18:00 reservation at dawn. Unexpectedly, just as they got off the train and left the station, they found themselves in a crushing gridlock on the surrounding streets.

All luxury cars.

Passersby pointed and talked, wondering what had happened up ahead.

Glancing at each other, the two quickened their pace.

Sure enough.

By the time they reached the old quarter, the place was overcrowded, with cars haphazardly parked along the curb and closed shop doors all around, making one think it was some kind of abandoned parking lot.

"Can’t believe there are so many people!"

While weaving through the crowd, Mashiro Takumi and Takagi Shuutoku suddenly heard a blonde girl with twin ponytails complaining.

The girl had just gotten out of a black car, and right after that, another woman in a kimono, also with twin ponytails and a dignified demeanor, stood in front of the girl, smiling gently as she adjusted the girl’s dress.

"Mom!" the blonde twin ponytailed girl kept complaining, "It’s all because you wanted to wear a kimono, and it took an hour just to put it on. We’re definitely going to have to queue!"

Mashiro Takumi and Takagi Shuutoku were petrified.

Mom?

They couldn’t help but stop and look at the raven-haired twin ponytailed mother.

This mother was actually just an older version of the girl, with more mature features and more distinctly feminine traits, and even in a kimono that didn’t show off her figure, her curves were still captivating, a stark contrast to her flat-chested daughter.

Slap!

Hearing her daughter’s complaints, the youthful-looking mother, holding a folding fan, gently tapped her daughter on the forehead and winked at her, "Eri Eri, don’t you know the chef—or should I say, the manager..."

Covering her forehead, the girl’s annoyance turned into delight.

"Yes, yes!"

Reminded, she quickly pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and excitedly chirped a few words before contentedly putting away her phone.

At that moment, a tall, blonde middle-aged man stepped out of the car.

He was the British diplomat stationed in Neon, Sazuma Eri’s father.

His daughter and wife, each holding one of his arms.

"Let’s go—"

The diplomat’s face and eyes were filled with adoration.

This family was actually all prominent figures in the otaku community. Sazuma Eri’s mother, Sazama Kobayashi, and her father frequently sold doujinshi for Eri Eri at comic conventions, as, being a minor, she needed her parents’ help with these matters.

In a sense, within this familial relationship, there was also an element of comradeship, meaning likeminded interests, commonly known as fellow otakus.

Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that Sazuma Eri’s pseudonym as an 18+ doujinshi artist, Bai Muying, was known and operated by her parents.

Mashiro Takumi and Takagi Shuutoku watched enviously as the family walked away.

"Boss Xia!"

They crossed the traffic and the crowds, an ordeal akin to climbing mountains and crossing rivers, and finally reached Xia’s Main Store.

Calling out at the entrance, there was no usual response, and entering with puzzlement, they found two unfamiliar young chefs, a man and a woman, standing in the kitchen.

The waitstaff was two high school boys, one tall and the other short.

"Welcome!"

Hattori Ken, trained for this, greeted them with an impeccable smile and manners.

They looked at each other.

If not for the unchanged layout and decor of Xia’s Main Store, they would have doubted they were in the right place!

"Um..."

Mashiro Takumi awkwardly asked, "Where is Boss Xia?"

The tall and robust Igarashi Daisuki pointed next door, saying, "Instructor Xia is over at the branch store next door."

"Ah!"

Disappointedly, Mashiro Takumi gave a helpless glance at his buddy.

His buddy, Takagi Shuutoku, also looked helpless.

In fact, their main purpose for visiting today wasn’t just about eating, it was to earnestly ask Xia Yu for a favor related to their fourth manga production.

Whether this manga could succeed depended not only on Mashiro Takumi’s artwork and Takagi Shuutoku’s storylines, but also on the guidance of a professional chef.

After all, a manga about cooking definitely needed to involve professional knowledge and gourmet food.

Mashiro Takumi and Takagi Shuutoku were just ordinary high school students with scant cooking experience. Being nobodies in the manga industry, they couldn’t ask the editor for a culinary expert’s help, so they had to try their luck with Xia Yu.

Xia Yu was busy attending to customers, so they had to shelved their request and enjoy the food peacefully.

In the branch’s main hall.

"Welcome—"

"Welcome!"

With the addition of the capable Liangzi Lina in the kitchen, Xia Yu had sent Kobayakawa Ryodan to the front as a waiter.

Thus, the second seat of the Ten Masters of Far Moon, along with the seventh seat, Ichise Hui, stood at the entrance, greeting customers.

They had both changed into kimonos, adding to the solemnity.

Every wealthy tycoon and celebrity who entered and recognized the faces of the attendants couldn’t hide their astonishment.

"I didn’t believe the news, thought it was just the reporters making things up!"

A certain socialite, clutching her companion’s arm, whispered with a surprised look directed behind Ichise Hui and Kobayakawa Ryodan.

"How interesting!" her companion chuckled, "One a second-year and one a third-year, both from the Ten Masters of Far Moon. If they’re supposed to be on an internship, they shouldn’t be here; seems like coming here wasn’t a waste after all! I’m looking forward to the food!"

Just then, a hearty laugh came from the entryway.

A familiar voice!

The couple at the stairs glanced toward the door, sharing a look of surprise.

The ’living legend’ of the Far Moon Lineage, the undisputed titan of the Neon Food World, Dojima Yin, had arrived!

The customers waiting outside whispered among themselves.

Dojima Yin came in, removed his shoes, and glanced back at the long line, shaking his head with an amused tone, "This turnout is terrifying. Xia’s branch is opening today, and it looks like it’s going to be packed!"

Ichise Hui’s forehead was already beaded with sweat.

He didn’t need Dojima Yin to remind him—he felt the immense pressure weighing on his heart.

The second and third floors had only ten private rooms combined, plus two VIP rooms in the main hall that couldn’t be used carelessly.

Thus, the branch could only host ten groups of guests at a time.

Moreover, since they targeted the high-end market, guests tended to dine for extended periods, all of them affluent and privileged—it wasn’t easy to rush them.

Realizing this, Ichise Hui resigned himself to the fact that from opening at 6 PM to closing at midnight, the branch probably wouldn’t be able to host many groups. In fine dining, talking about turnover rates was a joke; this wasn’t fast food but a place to savor culinary delights.

After removing his shoes, Dojima Yin didn’t go upstairs but crossed his arms and stood aside, apparently waiting to see how Xia Yu would handle things.

Ichise Hui gave Kobayakawa Ryodan a meaningful look.

The second seat’s red-haired girl quickly ran to the kitchen.

A moment later, she returned slightly out of breath, pulled Ichise Hui into a corner, and whispered a few words.

"This..."

Upon hearing her, Ichise Hui’s expression of surprise lingered, "Are you sure Instructor Xia said that?"

He couldn’t believe it.

"Yes!"

Kobayakawa Ryodan responded, her eyes wide and dazed.

"If that’s really the case, then the service rating for Xia’s branch will definitely be abysmal!"

"No, negative points!"

Ichise Hui said with certainty.