Chapter 6: A Social Media Frenzy
The morning after the successful launch of Liang Chen's signature dish, the sun filtered through the window of his apartment, casting a warm glow across his room.
He sat up, feeling a sense of calm and contentment after the whirlwind that was the previous night.
The memory of the satisfied smiles from his guests replayed in his mind, filling him with a quiet sense of accomplishment.
Still, there was no time to rest. As he sipped his morning coffee, Liang Chen's phone buzzed relentlessly with notifications.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw the source: the restaurant's social media page was blowing up with activity.
"What in the world…" Liang muttered, unlocking his phone.
His eyes widened as he saw post after post of glowing reviews from the bloggers who had attended the event.
Photos of the Nostalgic Seafood Medley flooded his feed, each one accompanied by enthusiastic captions like:
"An absolute masterpiece! Every bite transported me to the seaside."
"Liang's Gourmet Kitchen is the hidden gem of the city—run, don't walk!"
His follower count was rapidly climbing, and more and more people were leaving comments expressing their eagerness to try the restaurant.
New follower count: 1,000+ and climbing.
Experience points: +1,500 for increasing social media presence.
New task unlocked: Create your next event to capitalize on the momentum.
Liang Chen couldn't believe how quickly things were escalating. He had gone from serving a small group of guests to becoming the talk of the city's culinary scene overnight.
He grinned, realizing that his restaurant was no longer just a quiet corner for a few food lovers—it was on the verge of becoming a sensation.
As Liang scrolled through the comments, one in particular caught his attention:
"This food looks incredible! But is it really worth the price? Anyone know the actual cost of dining here?"
Liang Chen frowned slightly. The pricing of his dishes had always been a point of concern.
The Nostalgic Seafood Medley wasn't cheap, but that was the system's doing. Every dish it provided had an incredibly high price tag, making it exclusive to those who could afford it. He wasn't sure how the wider public would react to that aspect.
Before he could ponder it any further, his phone rang. It was Jessica.
"Morning, genius chef!" she greeted cheerfully. "I see the internet has officially fallen in love with you!"
Liang laughed, still feeling a bit dazed by all the attention. "Yeah, I woke up to a social media frenzy. I had no idea the launch would get this much traction."
"Didn't I tell you?" Jessica teased. "You're amazing, and now the whole city knows it. But you should definitely think about how to handle the next steps."
"What do you mean?" Liang asked.
"Well, with all the attention you're getting, you'll probably be flooded with customers. Are you ready for that? And what about the high pricing? Some people might find it intimidating."
Liang sighed. "You're right. The system sets the prices, and it's not negotiable. But I also don't want to alienate potential customers."
Jessica was silent for a moment before speaking again. "Maybe you can make the exclusivity a selling point. Emphasize the quality of the experience—people are willing to pay more for something unique and special.
And if you're worried about pricing, maybe you can offer something smaller or less expensive as a way to introduce new customers to your food."
Liang Chen thought about it. "That's a good idea. I'll definitely consider that for the next event."
"Awesome! Speaking of which, Daniel and I are coming over to help brainstorm ideas. We'll be there in an hour."
Liang smiled. "Thanks, I could use the help."
By noon, Jessica and Daniel were sitting across from Liang at the restaurant. The place was closed for the day, allowing them to focus on planning without distractions.
"Okay, so you've got the momentum going," Daniel said, tapping away on his tablet. "Now, we need to keep the buzz alive. Any thoughts on what you want to do next?"
Liang Chen leaned back in his chair, considering his options. "I was thinking of doing another special event, maybe a limited-time tasting menu.
I could introduce a few new dishes along with the Nostalgic Seafood Medley."
Jessica nodded enthusiastically. "That's a great idea! You can even theme the event. Maybe something seasonal, like a fall-inspired menu?"
"That's perfect," Daniel agreed, jotting down notes. "Fall is coming up, so you can use that to your advantage. People love cozy, seasonal flavors around this time."
Liang Chen's mind raced with possibilities. The system hadn't provided him with new recipes yet, but he had a feeling that if he played his cards right, it would reward him soon.
"I think I'll do that," he said, nodding to himself. "A seasonal tasting menu with a focus on autumn flavors. Maybe something with pumpkin, chestnut, and seafood. It'll be a balance of warmth and freshness."
Daniel grinned. "People will love that. And for marketing, you can promote it as a limited-time event—build up the hype."
Jessica chimed in. "And I'll take care of the photos. We'll need to update the social media page regularly to keep the excitement going."
Liang was grateful for their help. "Thanks, both of you. I couldn't have pulled this off without your support."
Jessica waved him off with a smile. "We're just along for the ride. You're the genius here."
New task unlocked: Plan and execute a Fall Tasting Menu.
Reward: Seasonal ingredients and 5,000 experience points.
Over the next week, Liang Chen threw himself into preparations for the upcoming event. He worked tirelessly in the kitchen, experimenting with flavors and textures, refining each dish until it was just right.
Meanwhile, the restaurant's social media page continued to grow, with more people following and commenting on the launch.
Photos of the Nostalgic Seafood Medley were shared far and wide, and Liang Chen's reputation as a culinary prodigy was cemented.
By the end of the week, he had finalized the tasting menu:
Pumpkin Cream Soup with Black Truffle Oil
Chestnut-Crusted Seabass with a Light Citrus Glaze
Pan-Seared Scallops with a Butternut Squash Puree
Pear and Ginger Tart with Maple Syrup Drizzle
Each dish was carefully crafted to evoke the flavors of fall while maintaining the refined elegance of his cooking style.
He was confident that the menu would not only impress his regular customers but also attract new ones.
Task Update: Fall Tasting Menu planned.
Experience points: +1,000.
Liang was pleased with the progress but knew that the real challenge lay in executing the event flawlessly.
As the day of the Fall Tasting Menu event arrived, Liang Chen's restaurant was fully booked. The anticipation in the air was palpable as customers filed in, eager to experience the new menu.
Some were returning guests, excited to see what new creations Liang had in store, while others were newcomers, curious to see if the buzz surrounding the restaurant was warranted.
Liang, dressed in his crisp chef's whites, stood in the kitchen, going over the final details with his staff. His heart pounded with both excitement and nerves.
This was another big moment for Liang's Gourmet Kitchen, and he wanted everything to be perfect.
"Alright, everyone. Let's make this a night to remember," he said, his voice calm and steady despite the pressure.
The first course, the Pumpkin Cream Soup, was served to the guests with a drizzle of black truffle oil for added depth of flavor.
The velvety texture of the soup, combined with the earthy richness of the truffle, created an unforgettable first impression.
Liang kept a close eye on the diners, watching for their reactions. He was relieved to see smiles and nods of approval as they tasted the dish.
Customer feedback positive.
Experience points: +300 for successful execution of first course.
As the courses progressed, the guests seemed to fall deeper under the spell of Liang's culinary creations.
The Chestnut-Crusted Seabass was a particular hit, with its crispy exterior giving way to tender, flaky fish inside. The light citrus glaze balanced the richness of the chestnuts perfectly.
Liang felt a sense of pride and accomplishment as he observed the guests' enjoyment. He had worked hard to bring his vision to life, and it was paying off.
By the time the final course, the Pear and Ginger Tart, was served, the restaurant was abuzz with conversation and praise.
Liang Chen's name was on everyone's lips, and it was clear that the event was a resounding success.
Task Complete: Fall Tasting Menu executed successfully.
Experience points: +5,000.
New skill unlocked: Menu Development (Intermediate).
As the last guests left, Liang Chen leaned against the kitchen counter, exhausted but exhilarated.
The event had been a triumph, and he knew that his restaurant was on the path to greatness.
"Not bad for a week's work," he muttered to himself, a small smile playing on his lips. But even as he basked in the success of the night, he couldn't help but wonder what new challenges the future would bring. The journey was just beginning.