Chapter 9: A Meeting with Fate

Liang Chen woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing. As he rubbed his eyes, the sun was already beginning to filter through the blinds, casting a golden hue across his room.

He reached over to check the screen—multiple notifications from his social media accounts and the restaurant's reservation system.

His restaurant had officially blown up overnight.

The review from Liao Feng was nothing short of a goldmine for his business. In the span of just a few hours, his once-obscure, quiet eatery was now the talk of the city.

Wealthy food connoisseurs, local celebrities, and even high-end bloggers were clamoring to get a reservation. The restaurant had already been booked solid for the next three weeks.

"Looks like things are about to get busy," Liang muttered to himself, a small smile playing on his lips.

The system's voice chimed in:

"New customers detected. Popularity of restaurant increased by 300%.

Daily tasks have been updated.

New reward: upgraded kitchen tools."

Liang couldn't help but grin. Everything was moving at lightning speed, but he knew this was just the beginning.

As thrilling as the success was, it also came with a heavy sense of responsibility.

With this newfound attention, expectations would rise, and the margin for error would shrink. He had to be at the top of his game.

After getting ready for the day, Liang headed to the restaurant to prepare for the day's service.

As he stepped through the front door, Jessica was already bustling around the front of the house, organizing the reservation list and fielding phone calls from potential clients.

"Good morning, boss!" Jessica greeted him with a bright smile, though there was a trace of stress in her eyes. "I don't know how we're going to manage all these reservations. We're completely booked for weeks, and we still have more people calling in!"

Liang raised an eyebrow. "Really? It's that crazy?"

Jessica let out a small laugh. "You have no idea. We're going to need more staff at this rate. I can't handle all this on my own."

Liang nodded thoughtfully. It was time to expand. The system had provided him with everything he needed to run the restaurant on a small scale, but now, with the rapid growth, he needed more help to keep up.

He'd have to recruit new staff, but only the best would do. His reputation—and the restaurant's future—depended on it.

"I'll put out a notice for new hires," Liang said, leaning against the counter. "We'll take our time finding the right people. No rush, but we can't afford to drop the ball."

Jessica looked relieved. "That sounds like a plan. But you might want to consider a manager too. Someone to help oversee the day-to-day operations so you can focus on the kitchen."

Liang hadn't thought about that, but it made sense. Managing the restaurant, cooking, and dealing with the system's tasks all at once was becoming a lot to handle.

He would need someone he could trust to take some of the load off his shoulders.

"I'll look into it," Liang agreed. "For now, let's focus on getting through today's service."

The lunch rush was intense. The dining room filled quickly, with high-profile diners occupying almost every table.

Liang was in the zone, expertly crafting each dish with precision and care. The Dragon Breath Beef had become the star of the menu, and he was perfecting it with every plate he sent out.

But even with his elevated cooking skills, the workload was becoming overwhelming. Jessica was right—he needed help, not just with the front of the house but also in the kitchen.

He was handling everything by himself, and while the system gave him the edge, he couldn't sustain this pace forever.

Just as he was finishing the last plate of the lunch service, the door to the kitchen swung open, and Jessica appeared, her face flushed with excitement.

"Liang, you won't believe who just walked in!"

Liang wiped his hands on a towel and raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"It's Chen Rui," Jessica whispered, her voice filled with awe. "The CEO of Rui Entertainment. You know, the media mogul? She's here, and she specifically asked for you."

Liang's eyes widened in surprise. Chen Rui was a household name. She was one of the most powerful women in the country, running a multi-billion-dollar entertainment empire.

Her influence extended far beyond the business world—she was a trendsetter, a tastemaker, and someone whose endorsement could elevate anyone or anything to superstardom.

And she was here, in his restaurant, asking for him.

Liang's pulse quickened, but he maintained his calm exterior. "Alright, I'll go see her."

Jessica nodded eagerly and hurried back to the dining room. Liang took a deep breath and followed her out, mentally preparing himself for the encounter.

He wasn't exactly sure what Chen Rui wanted, but he had a feeling it wasn't just about the food.

As Liang approached Chen Rui's table, he could feel the air change. There was a palpable sense of power around her, even though she was sitting casually, sipping from a glass of water.

She was dressed in an elegant but understated black dress, her long, dark hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders. Her sharp, intelligent eyes locked onto him the moment he stepped into her line of sight.

"Chef Liang," she greeted him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I've heard many good things about you."

Liang bowed slightly out of respect. "Thank you for visiting, Miss Chen. It's an honor to have you here."

She gestured for him to sit, and Liang complied, taking the seat across from her. He could feel her studying him, analyzing every detail, just like Liao Feng had, but with an even sharper edge.

Chen Rui wasn't just evaluating him as a chef—she was sizing him up as a potential asset.

"I'll get straight to the point," Chen Rui said, her voice smooth and commanding. "Your restaurant is gaining a lot of attention, and that's no small feat in this city.

But you're just getting started. There's a much bigger world out there, one that I can help you navigate."

Liang remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"I want to offer you a partnership," Chen Rui continued. "Rui Entertainment has been expanding into lifestyle and luxury sectors. A partnership with your restaurant would be mutually beneficial.

We'll promote your brand, bring in high-profile clientele, and in return, you'll have access to resources and opportunities that you wouldn't get otherwise."

Liang's mind raced. A partnership with Rui Entertainment could catapult his restaurant to unimaginable heights.

The exposure alone would be invaluable. But he also knew that working with someone like Chen Rui came with risks.

She was known for being ruthless in business, and if things went south, it could destroy everything he had built.

"I appreciate the offer," Liang said carefully. "But I'll need some time to consider it."

Chen Rui's smile widened slightly, as if she had expected that response. "Of course. Take all the time you need.

But remember, opportunities like this don't come around often. And when they do, they don't wait forever."

She stood up gracefully, her presence still commanding even as she prepared to leave. "I'll have my assistant send over the details. Think it over, Chef Liang. I have a feeling this could be the start of something great."

With that, she turned and left the restaurant, leaving Liang sitting there, his mind spinning with possibilities.

A partnership with Rui Entertainment could open doors he hadn't even dreamed of.

But it could also tie him to someone with immense power and influence, someone who would likely expect more than just a simple business arrangement.

He had to be careful. Very careful.

Later that evening, as the dinner service wrapped up, Liang found himself alone in the kitchen, staring out the window at the bustling city beyond. The system's voice interrupted his thoughts:

"New opportunity detected: Partnership with Rui Entertainment.

Potential rewards: increased fame, wealth, and influence.

Task: Decide within 48 hours.

Rewards: 10,000 experience points, exclusive gourmet recipe unlocked."

Liang sighed. The system never let up, always pushing him toward the next challenge. But this time, the stakes were higher than ever.

A decision like this could shape the future of his career, his life, and his restaurant.

He had 48 hours to decide. No pressure.

The next day, Liang was at home, still mulling over Chen Rui's offer, when he received an unexpected visitor—his parents.

They had come to visit him after hearing about the restaurant's sudden rise in fame. His mother's eyes sparkled with pride as she hugged him tightly.

"We're so proud of you, Liang!" she exclaimed. "You've worked so hard, and now you're finally seeing the rewards."

Liang smiled warmly. "It's only the beginning, Mom."

His father patted him on the back. "We always knew you had it in you. Just don't forget where you come from, son. Fame and fortune can be fleeting."

Liang nodded, his father's words resonating with him. He knew they were right. No matter how big his restaurant became, no matter how much success he achieved, he couldn't lose sight of what mattered most—his values, his family, and the reason he started cooking in the first place.

As his parents sat down for a meal, Liang made a silent vow to himself. Whatever decision he made about Chen Rui's offer, it would be on his terms. He would rise on his own, with the people who mattered most by his side.