Chapter 7: The System’s New Challenge
Liang Chen stood alone in the quiet kitchen after the final customers of the Fall Tasting Menu event had left.
The lights cast a soft glow on the gleaming surfaces, and the clinking of cutlery being cleaned was the only sound that broke the silence.
He let out a deep breath, exhausted but satisfied. The event had been a resounding success, far exceeding his expectations.
As he walked through the restaurant, his thoughts were a mix of relief and excitement. It was clear that Liang's Gourmet Kitchen was no longer just a hidden gem—it was quickly becoming the place to be in the city's culinary scene.
He had impressed the elite diners, and the word about his food was spreading like wildfire.
Suddenly, the familiar mechanical voice of the system echoed in his mind:
"Congratulations, Host, on successfully completing the Fall Tasting Menu event."
"Rewards: 5,000 experience points, Seasonal Ingredient Package, and a New Recipe!"
Liang's heart skipped a beat. A new recipe? He'd been waiting for this moment—the chance to expand his menu and surprise his guests with something completely new.
"The new recipe has been unlocked: Dragon Breath Beef."
Liang's eyes widened at the name. Dragon Breath Beef? The title alone sounded mythical. He could already imagine the dish being the star of his next event, something bold and powerful that would draw in a whole new crowd of curious food lovers.
"Task Unlocked: Prepare and serve Dragon Breath Beef for 50 customers. Reward: 10,000 experience points and advanced cooking skill upgrade."
Liang smiled to himself. The system always knew how to keep him on his toes, and this new challenge was no exception.
He couldn't wait to experiment with the new recipe, but he also knew that there was no rush. He had time to perfect the dish and make sure it was worthy of the extravagant name.
The next day, Liang woke up early, unable to shake the excitement. His mind was already buzzing with ideas on how to incorporate the new recipe into the restaurant's evolving menu.
The day was crisp and clear, a perfect autumn morning, and the cool breeze invigorated him as he made his way to the market.
Thanks to the system, he had access to the highest quality ingredients, and the Seasonal Ingredient Package he had just received would be essential in creating something truly extraordinary.
Still, he wanted to see what the local market had to offer—sometimes inspiration struck when he least expected it.
The market was bustling with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to seafood. Liang walked through the stalls, picking up fragrant herbs, ripe vegetables, and a few cuts of meat that caught his eye.
While he wasn't sure exactly how the Dragon Breath Beef would come together, he had a feeling that experimenting with different textures and flavors would help guide him.
As he strolled through the market, he overheard a few people talking about his restaurant.
"Did you hear about that place in the alley? Liang's Gourmet Kitchen? I've been trying to get a reservation for weeks, but it's impossible!"
"I heard it's expensive, but the food is out of this world. My cousin went last week and hasn't stopped talking about it since."
Liang couldn't help but smile. Word of mouth was spreading even faster than he thought. His restaurant had started as a small, quiet venture, but now it was quickly becoming the hottest spot in town.
He knew that with great success came even greater expectations, but he was more than ready to meet them.
Back at the restaurant, Liang was alone in the kitchen, preparing to tackle the Dragon Breath Beef recipe.
He laid out the ingredients carefully, eyeing each one with the precision of a master craftsman about to create a work of art.
He had no idea what to expect from the system's recipe, but if the previous dishes it had given him were any indication, this would be something extraordinary.
"Recipe: Dragon Breath Beef."
"Ingredients: Prime Wagyu beef, Dragon Chili Peppers, Glazed Honey Carrots, Black Garlic Puree, and a special blend of spices."
"Cooking method: High-heat searing followed by a smoky chili infusion."
Liang's eyes lit up. He had never heard of a dish like this before, but the concept intrigued him. The combination of flavors—rich, tender beef with the intense heat of Dragon Chili Peppers—was bold and adventurous.
He could already imagine the fiery, smoky aroma that would fill the restaurant once the dish was complete.
As he began prepping the ingredients, he felt a familiar surge of energy from the system. His knife skills were more precise than ever, each movement smooth and effortless.
The experience points he had accumulated were paying off, sharpening his abilities to near-perfection.
The Wagyu beef was marbled and tender, practically melting at the touch. Liang seasoned it carefully, making sure not to overwhelm the natural flavor of the meat.
Next, he prepared the Dragon Chili Peppers, carefully removing the seeds to balance the heat. The peppers had a deep, fiery red color, and just holding them in his hands made him feel their intense spice.
He moved to the stove, his heart racing with anticipation. The system had described the cooking method as "high-heat searing followed by a smoky chili infusion." It was a delicate process, requiring perfect timing and control.
Too much heat, and the beef would lose its tenderness; too little, and the smoky infusion wouldn't develop the desired depth.
As the beef hit the hot pan, the kitchen filled with the mouth-watering sizzle of meat searing to perfection. Liang watched carefully, flipping the beef with precise timing to ensure it developed a crispy, caramelized crust.
Once the beef was seared, he added the Dragon Chili Peppers and the special blend of spices. A rich, smoky scent filled the air, and Liang's mouth watered at the thought of tasting the finished dish.
He completed the plate with a garnish of glazed honey carrots and a smear of black garlic puree, the sweet and savory flavors designed to complement the intense spice of the chili peppers.
Finally, after what felt like hours of concentration, the dish was done. He stepped back, admiring his creation.
It was perfect.
Liang Chen tasted the dish, and the explosion of flavors nearly knocked him off his feet. The beef was tender and succulent, its natural richness balanced by the fiery heat of the Dragon Chili Peppers.
The smoky infusion gave the dish an extra layer of complexity, while the honey carrots and black garlic puree added a sweetness that tempered the heat just enough. It was a dish that demanded attention, a culinary masterpiece that pushed the boundaries of flavor.
"Task update: Dragon Breath Beef prepared. First tasting complete."
"Feedback: Exceptional."
"New Task: Serve Dragon Breath Beef to VIP customer within 48 hours.
Reward: 2,000 experience points."
Liang smiled to himself. He was eager to share this new creation with his customers, but he also knew that he needed to be strategic.
The system's task required him to serve the dish to a VIP, someone influential who could help propel his restaurant's reputation to new heights.
As he was considering who might be the perfect guest, his phone buzzed. It was Jessica.
"Liang! I have exciting news!" she exclaimed, her voice practically vibrating with excitement.
"What is it?" Liang asked, curious.
"There's a high-profile food critic coming to town in the next two days. I'm talking about THE food critic—Liao Feng! His reviews can make or break a restaurant, and I think you should try to get him to come to your place."
Liang's heart skipped a beat. Liao Feng was a legendary figure in the culinary world, known for his meticulous, no-nonsense approach to food reviews. Getting a positive review from him would be a game-changer for any restaurant.
"I don't know, Jessica. Liao Feng is notoriously hard to impress. What if he doesn't like it?"
"Liang, trust me. Your food is amazing, and this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your new dish. If anyone can win him over, it's you."
Liang thought about it for a moment. The timing was perfect, and the system's task seemed to align with this unexpected opportunity. It felt like everything was falling into place, as if the universe—or maybe the system—was pushing him toward this moment.
"Alright," he said finally, a determined glint in his eyes. "I'll do it. Let's invite Liao Feng."
Jessica squealed with excitement. "I'll take care of the details! This is going to be huge, Liang. I know it!"
As he hung up the phone, Liang felt a surge of adrenaline. Serving the Dragon Breath Beef to one of the most feared critics in the culinary world would be the ultimate test of his skills. But he was ready for the challenge.
The restaurant was growing, his reputation was expanding, and now he had the chance to take things to the next level.
Task updated: Serve Dragon Breath Beef to Liao Feng.
Reward: 5,000 experience points and potential skill upgrade.
The stakes were high, but Liang Chen wouldn't have it any other way. The path to greatness was never easy, but he was prepared to take it, one dish at a time.