The Second Upgrade

Night fell.

The evening breeze blew gently, making one feel intoxicated.

Zane and Erina had just left the amusement park after spending the entire day there. He held her hand, just like many dating couples.

"Do you want to go anywhere else?"

Zane asked gently, looking down at Erina, whose emotions were in turmoil.

"Tonight... let's just call it a night."

"Just being able to come to the amusement park with you has made me very happy."

Erina felt the warmth from his large hand, her face reddening as she replied softly.

"Alright, let's go back."

With that, the soft streetlights gently illuminated them, making the atmosphere even more cozy!

...

Late at night, the Tavern, which had been closed for a day for renovations, was finally ready.

The overall exterior didn't change much, but the focus was on the internal leisure functions. For instance, a new coffee lounge was added on the first floor.

The decor of this area was refreshed with a simple and clean style.

In the coffee lounge, there was the latest intelligent automatic coffee machine.

This machine featured professional extraction pump technology, a 4-inch l-rotate control screen, and a 45-degree tilt design. It could also be operated via a smartphone app.

Additionally, it had a unique grinding and brewing system that made the coffee grounds fine and even.

With a pre-infusion function, the coffee grounds could be moistened beforehand, increasing extraction efficiency.

Oh!

And during the brewing process.

You could adjust to high, medium, or low temperatures.

It also featured a dual-boiler system, allowing for simultaneous coffee making and milk steaming.

In just one minute, you could have a latte that tasted just as good as those from high-end Starbucks!

In short.

This coffee machine made it easy for customers to enjoy a coffee while relaxing.

Apart from the coffee lounge.

The chairs and tables in the leisure area were all made of wisteria wood.

The surroundings were decorated with low shrubs and roses, giving the area a refreshing natural atmosphere.

In such an environment, if you could sip coffee, sit on a wisteria chair reading a book, and listen to music, it would feel more delightful than being a fairy!

...

Other areas.

Although there were not many changes, every detail saw some improvements.

First, the path from the road to the Tavern's front door was now paved with cobblestones, creating a small pathway.

Previously, the door was manual, but it was now replaced with a tempered glass door with automatic sensors.

This meant customers no longer had to push open the door to enter the Tavern.

The countertops in the kitchen and cooking area were changed from walnut to granite.

This granite was more practical and durable, being the hardest natural stone with low water absorption, high brightness, stain resistance, and corrosion resistance. It was also quite beautiful, making it an excellent countertop material!

Moreover, the dining area around the cooking station was reduced to 10 tables.

Now, only 10 customers could watch Zane cook at the station simultaneously.

But with an added 50 square meters, the independent dining area was much larger, able to hold 8 tables, each seating 6 people.

Other decorations, like wall paintings, clocks, floor tiles, and lighting, were also updated.

...

"So this is the Tavern after its second upgrade?"

"I didn't expect the biggest change to be the addition of a coffee lounge and..."

"A cash register?"

Without sleep, Zane was examining the newly renovated Tavern.

Finally, he focused on the cash register in the hall, fiddling with it a bit before expressing satisfaction to himself.

The Tavern was a place for complete relaxation, but it mainly offered drinks, conversations, and food to satisfy the stomach!

Now, it not only offered great food but also focused on providing leisure and relaxation for the customers.

...

In this way.

This combination of food and leisure.

For customers, it meant they no longer had to choose between "cheap and convenient" and "delicious and healthy."

Every customer only needed to place an order at the cash register and wait a short time to enjoy a gourmet feast prepared by Zane.

They could also go straight to the coffee lounge, insert money into the coffee machine.

Soon, they would have a warm cup of coffee.

"Right now, we need to hire more staff."

"Relying only on Sonoka and temporary help from Erina won't be enough."

Zane mumbled softly, feeling a bit sleepy, stretched, and went back to his room on the third floor to sleep.

...

Extract the flesh of the peach and mash it.

Take 100 grams, add isomalt sugar, and heat to make syrup. Use a balloon to blow it into a peach shape.

Mix the peach puree with fresh cream and honey, put it into a siphon bottle, and add a cream charger.

Fill the peach shell with part of the mixture, then add mixed fruit bits.

Finally, garnish with orange grapefruit frost, cookie crumbs, red currants, raspberries, blueberries, edible flowers, and mint leaves.

Place all ingredients on a plate, put the peach on it.

Thus, using a peach, you create a "peach" molecular dish, completed!

Putting the "peach" on the tongue, its taste was fresh, like eating a freshly picked peach from the tree.

It had a soft texture.

It melted quickly in the mouth, feeling very comfortable.

Besides the taste and texture, Alice's dish had a magical effect:

Explosion!

Yes, during tasting.

The dish seemed to "explode" in the mouth.

Probably because of the bubbles inside the dish, creating this effect.

The hollow peach, filled with fruit and sauce, along with cookie crumbs and currants, offered a unique texture, always surprising!

...

"Your dish has indeed improved."

"But if it's at this level, it might be hard to achieve great results in the upcoming autumn selection."

Leonora savored a bit, then sighed and shook her head at Alice.

"What?"

"Still not good enough?"

Alice slumped in frustration, pouting.

She had changed many techniques, even using some tricks to enhance the flavors, but her molecular dishes still couldn't satisfy her mother.

"Alice, I know you're anxious."

"But as an old saying from China goes, what was it... haste makes waste?"

Seeing her daughter's near-breakdown, Leonora comforted her, telling her not to rush her progress.

"Mom, I understand."

Alice sighed and asked, "We haven't been to the Tavern in a while, right?"

Lately, she often thought of Zane and his dishes. Was it because they hadn't visited the Tavern for too long?

"It's been a while."

"Why, missing your sweetheart?"

Leonora raised an eyebrow, covering her mouth and teasing.

"Zane and I are not like that. Why do you always think that way, Mom?"

Hearing "sweetheart," Alice blushed and retorted.

"Really?"

"Not like that?"

"Then why do you mumble Zane's name every time I critique your dishes?"

Leonora laughed again.

"I... I... I say his name because."

"I'm thinking about how he would improve these molecular dishes in this situation, that's all!"

Alice's face turned redder as she nervously explained.

Sometimes, she felt lost.

This confusion stemmed from her cooking and Zane.

Even though her mother was by her side, whenever she struggled with cooking or felt hopeless, she thought of Zane.

To be honest, she envied Erina.

Because it was clear, Zane and Erina had a closer relationship!

Though she hadn't visited the Tavern much, she saw how tender and kind Zane was to Erina.

She often fantasized about Zane treating her the same way.

...

"Love is often blind."

"And women in love tend to be more emotional and impulsive."

"They view everything through the lens of love, always thinking about their beloved, so it's said that women in love have low IQ, even zero."

"Alice, at first, I misunderstood, but now I see you have an illness!"

"What illness?"

Alice was startled.

"Lovesickness!"

"You have lovesickness!"

Alice: (⊙o⊙)…

"What? Mom, stop joking!"

Alice couldn't hold it in anymore, clenching her fists and responding to Leonora.

"Alright, believe it or not, I think Zane is a good guy."

"As I said, if I had met him 20 years earlier, I'd have pursued him boldly. But now, making him my son-in-law is nice too!"

Leonora touched her blushing cheeks, smiling.

"Mom... what are you thinking?"

Alice was speechless, seeing her mother infatuated with Zane again.

"Indeed, it's been a while since we tasted his dishes. How about visiting the Tavern tonight?"

Leonora asked casually after a moment.

"Yes!"

Alice eagerly nodded.

...

"Oh my God!"

"The Tavern closed yesterday for renovations?"

"The layout on the first floor seems more reasonable, and the cooking station and kitchen surfaces are granite!"

"Wow."

"Is this a cash register?"

"Wait, there's a coffee machine in the lounge?"

Before the Tavern officially opened at night, Sonoka, acting as a kitchen helper, was stunned by the changes.

She walked around, taking everything in, then sat on a wisteria chair in the lounge.

She imagined a customer dining alone, like her, sitting quietly here.

Listening to beautiful music, reading books with twisting plots.

Finally, reaching for a small cup of coffee.

In such a free space, on a serene evening.

Any weary customer could relax, listen to music, read, and enjoy an artistic life!

This life wasn't just a material pleasure but a spiritual fulfillment.

Erina wasn't as surprised since she noticed the changes in the morning.

...

"Indeed."

"The system's products are always top-notch!"

"In just one day, the Tavern's renovation and upgrade seemed normal to everyone."

Seeing Sonoka's joy and

 surprise, Zane thought to himself.

Plugging in the machine, filling the water tank, grinding the beans, putting them in the hopper, selecting the cup size, pressing the switch... After a simple process, a steaming cup of coffee was ready.

Zane placed the coffee next to Sonoka.

"Thank you, Zane."

Sonoka was pleasantly surprised.

She quickly took a sip.

The unique aroma and special taste filled her mouth.

The fruity acidity lingered.

Unbelievable, that an automatic coffee machine could make such delicious coffee.

It wasn't as bitter as some, nor as sweet as honey, but it had an infinite taste.

Sonoka wasn't a professional barista but knew that good coffee had a direct feeling.

And this coffee couldn't be described in words, if she had to use one or two words, it would be:

Bitter!

But also a bit sweet!

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