Chapter 6: The Turning Point

Li Wei awoke the next morning with renewed energy coursing through his veins. Today would be pivotal for his meal delivery service, and he could feel the excitement and anticipation bubbling inside him. After breakfast with Xu Lian and Li Mei, he made his way to his makeshift office—a corner of the kitchen where he had set up his laptop and notepad.

He poured himself a cup of coffee and opened his social media accounts, eager to see the response to his recent posts. As he scrolled through the comments and messages, his heart raced with hope. The support he had received from friends and neighbors was overwhelmingly positive. It felt like a warm blanket against the chill of doubt that Xu Chen's visit had instilled in him.

"Let's see how we can grow this," he murmured to himself, determined to capitalize on the momentum. He started responding to inquiries and comments, ensuring potential customers felt valued and appreciated. His phone buzzed with notifications, and he took a moment to smile as he read messages from satisfied customers sharing photos of their meals and leaving glowing reviews.

"Your food has made my family so happy!" one message read. "Can't wait to order again!"

With each message, Li Wei felt a surge of confidence. He realized he wasn't just cooking; he was creating a sense of community. Families were bonding over his meals, and that was more valuable than any financial gain.

After a productive morning, he decided it was time to take things to the next level. He began brainstorming ideas for a promotional event to attract even more customers. A cooking class or a tasting event might pique interest. Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind—a community dinner, where families could gather and sample his dishes. It would be an opportunity not only to showcase his cooking but also to build connections within the neighborhood.

Excited, he drafted a plan for the event, outlining the menu, location, and potential dates. He envisioned families coming together, children laughing, and parents enjoying each other's company over a delicious meal. This could be the turning point for his business.

Once he finalized the details, Li Wei reached out to local community centers, inquiring about renting a space for the dinner. To his delight, the manager responded positively and offered a suitable venue at a reasonable price. It was perfect—a cozy community hall that could accommodate families comfortably.

By late afternoon, Li Wei had secured the venue and crafted a promotional flyer detailing the event. He created an event page on social media, inviting everyone to join him for a night of food and fun. As he clicked "publish," a wave of nervous excitement washed over him. This could be the catalyst he needed to elevate his service.

"Lian! I'm hosting a community dinner!" he called out as he stepped into the living room, where Xu Lian was playing with Li Mei.

"Really? That's amazing!" Xu Lian exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "What's the plan?"

Li Wei explained the details, and Xu Lian listened intently, her support unwavering. "This is such a great idea! I can help you with the preparations. We can create a fun atmosphere for everyone."

The next few days flew by as Li Wei and Xu Lian worked tirelessly to prepare for the event. They spent evenings designing decorations, organizing seating arrangements, and finalizing the menu. Li Mei happily contributed by creating colorful drawings that they could hang up around the venue.

As the date of the dinner approached, excitement bubbled in the community. Li Wei's social media posts garnered attention, and people began sharing the event with their friends and family. It felt like something magical was about to unfold.

Finally, the day of the community dinner arrived. Li Wei woke up early, nerves fluttering in his stomach. He spent the morning in the kitchen, meticulously preparing the dishes he had planned. The aromas of simmering sauces and sautéed vegetables filled their apartment, creating an atmosphere of anticipation.

"Are you ready, Daddy?" Li Mei asked, her tiny hands gripping his leg as she watched him cook.

"Almost, sweet pea. Just putting the finishing touches on everything," he replied, kneeling down to her level. "Are you excited to see everyone?"

"Yeah! I can't wait to show them my drawings!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.

As they finished breakfast, Xu Lian joined them, looking radiant in a simple but elegant dress. "You both are going to do great," she said, placing a reassuring hand on Li Wei's shoulder. "Let's make this a night to remember."

After packing the food into thermal containers, they loaded everything into the car and made their way to the community center. Upon arrival, Li Wei was relieved to see that the hall was warm and inviting, adorned with colorful decorations they had prepared together.

With Xu Lian's help, he set up the tables, arranged the dishes, and created a small area for children to play. The scent of his carefully crafted meals wafted through the air, drawing curious guests to the entrance.

As families began to arrive, Li Wei's heart raced with excitement. He welcomed each guest with a warm smile, encouraging them to try the food. Laughter and chatter filled the room as children played and adults mingled. It felt like a gathering of friends rather than a mere business event.

"Li Wei, this food is fantastic!" one guest exclaimed, taking a bite of his signature stir-fried noodles. "You've outdone yourself."

"Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoy it," Li Wei replied, his heart swelling with pride. Each compliment fueled his passion further.

As the evening unfolded, he watched families bonding over shared meals, exchanging stories, and forming new friendships. The atmosphere was electric, and Li Wei couldn't help but smile at the joy radiating around him.

In the middle of the event, Xu Chen and his friends entered the hall, their presence like a dark cloud hovering over the joyous atmosphere. Li Wei felt his heart drop, but he reminded himself of the love and support surrounding him. He refused to let Xu Chen's negativity dampen this special night.

"Look who it is," Xu Chen sneered, eyeing Li Wei from across the room. "Didn't think you had it in you to throw a little party."

Li Wei steeled himself, determined not to let Xu Chen's taunts affect him. "We're just having a community dinner, Xu Chen. Would you like to join us?"

"Oh, please," Xu Chen scoffed, glancing around the room. "This is just sad. You think people are actually here for your cooking? They're just being polite."

The comment stung, but Li Wei took a deep breath. "Actually, they're enjoying themselves. Why don't you give it a try?" he said, gesturing to the spread of dishes.

Xu Chen exchanged glances with his friends, who shrugged and snickered. "Sure, I'll humor you. Let's see if you're worth this hype."

Li Wei's determination flared. He led Xu Chen to the food table, and despite the man's arrogance, he kept his composure. He served Xu Chen a portion of his signature dish, his heart racing as he awaited the reaction.

"Let's see what you've got, then," Xu Chen said, taking a bite with a skeptical expression.

For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, and Li Wei could feel every pair of eyes on them. Xu Chen chewed slowly, his expression unreadable. Then, he swallowed and turned to Li Wei, feigning a look of surprise. "Not bad," he admitted, albeit begrudgingly. "For a home cook."

Li Wei felt a surge of triumph. "Thank you," he said, a smile creeping onto his face. "I'm glad you like it."

As Xu Chen and his friends moved away, murmurs of curiosity spread through the crowd. Li Wei noticed people leaning in, whispering about Xu Chen's unexpected praise. The atmosphere shifted, and Li Wei felt the weight of Xu Chen's negativity lift, replaced by a sense of validation and support from his community.

As the night progressed, more guests approached Li Wei to compliment his cooking, some even expressing interest in placing orders for future deliveries. The joy of seeing families come together and enjoy his food filled him with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

As the event came to a close, Li Wei looked around the hall, his heart swelling with gratitude. Xu Lian was chatting animatedly with some guests, and Li Mei was happily playing with a group of children. The love and warmth radiating from them felt like a protective shield against any negativity.

"Daddy, can we do this again?" Li Mei asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Of course, sweet pea," Li Wei replied, kneeling down to her level. "We'll make it even bigger next time."

As they began to clean up, Li Wei reflected on how far he had come. He had faced challenges and doubts, but with the support of his family and the community, he had turned a dream into a reality. The Ultimate Family System had given him the tools to succeed, but it was the love he felt for Xu Lian and Li Mei that truly fueled his journey.

That night, as they drove home, Li Wei couldn't help but smile. He had overcome not just the doubts of others but also his own fears. The world was vast and filled with possibilities, and he was ready to seize them, one meal at a time.

With every bite, every shared moment, he was building a future for his family—a future where they could thrive together, and nothing could dim the light of love and happiness they had created.