Chapter 10: A New Challenge
Liang Chen sat in his small living room, leaning back in his chair as he stared out the window.
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the room. His parents had left after a warm, heartfelt visit, but their words still echoed in his mind.
His mother's pride and his father's caution had struck a perfect balance, leaving him both grounded and motivated.
But the decision he had to make regarding Chen Rui's offer weighed heavily on his mind. The system had given him 48 hours to decide, and time was quickly running out.
Liang stood up, pacing across the room as his thoughts raced. Rui Entertainment was a massive opportunity.
Partnering with them would bring immense exposure and influence, and he had no doubt that Chen Rui's network could open doors he didn't even know existed.
But at the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling that he would be selling a part of his soul if he agreed.
Chen Rui was shrewd, and her reputation for ruthless business tactics wasn't lost on him.
He needed advice, but there was no one who could fully understand the magnitude of what he was dealing with. Not his parents, not even Jessica.
The system was his secret, and he had to navigate this delicate situation on his own.
"48 hours remain," the system reminded him, as if sensing his hesitation. "Failure to decide will result in forfeiture of rewards."
Liang sighed, feeling the pressure mount. He had never been one to rush decisions, but the ticking clock was making it impossible to ignore.
In moments like this, Liang often found solace in the kitchen. Cooking had always been his escape, his way of grounding himself when life became overwhelming.
He decided that working on a new dish might help clear his mind and give him some much-needed perspective.
Stepping into his restaurant's kitchen after hours, Liang felt an immediate sense of peace.
The sleek, modern appliances, the polished countertops, and the neatly organized ingredients—everything was just as it should be.
He pulled out a cutting board, grabbed a few vegetables from the fridge, and began slicing them with practiced precision.
His mind wandered as his hands worked automatically.
He thought back to all the moments that had brought him here—the nights spent studying recipes, perfecting his technique, and learning from every mistake.
The system had accelerated his growth, but he knew that deep down, it was his dedication and passion that had laid the foundation for his success.
Before long, he found himself immersed in the creation of a new dish, one he hadn't even planned.
His knife moved with fluidity, slicing through the ingredients as though they were an extension of his thoughts.
He added spices and sauces without hesitation, trusting his instincts to guide him.
The scent of the dish filled the kitchen, a rich, intoxicating aroma that made his stomach growl. He hadn't even realized how hungry he was until now.
As the dish came together, Liang plated it with care, taking a step back to admire his work.
It was a stir-fried lobster dish, coated in a delicate sauce that glistened under the kitchen lights. The vibrant colors of the vegetables and lobster made the dish look as appetizing as it smelled.
He took a bite, savoring the flavors as they exploded on his tongue. The lobster was tender, the sauce perfectly balanced. It was a dish worthy of his growing reputation.
"New dish created: Dragon Emperor Lobster."
"Reward: 5,000 experience points. 2,000 reputation points."
Liang raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn't even been aware that the system was monitoring his actions this time.
But the rewards were welcome, and the notification reminded him of the benefits that came with the system's guidance.
Just then, the door to the kitchen swung open, and Jessica stepped in, her face flushed with excitement.
"Liang, you won't believe this!" she exclaimed breathlessly. "I just got off the phone with a high-end food critic.
He wants to feature your restaurant in a nationwide food magazine. They're sending a photographer tomorrow!"
Liang blinked, caught off guard. "A national feature? That's... amazing."
Jessica grinned. "I know, right? This is huge! You're going to get so much exposure from this. It's the perfect way to build on the momentum from Liao Feng's review."
Liang nodded, his mind already working through the logistics. A national feature would be incredible for the restaurant, but it also added another layer of complexity to his situation.
The more attention he garnered, the more careful he had to be about his decisions—especially regarding Chen Rui's offer.
"Thanks for letting me know," Liang said, giving Jessica a grateful smile. "We'll have to prepare for the photoshoot and make sure everything is perfect."
"Already on it," Jessica replied. "I've got a cleaning crew coming in early tomorrow, and I'll be handling all the details. You just focus on the cooking."
Liang chuckled. "I appreciate that."
As Jessica left to finish her preparations, Liang stood alone in the kitchen once more. The excitement of the upcoming feature was tempered by the looming decision. His restaurant was already on the rise, and the national spotlight would only accelerate that growth.
But what if he didn't need Chen Rui's offer? What if he could rise on his own, without tying himself to someone as dangerous as her?
Later that night, Liang found himself sitting on his balcony, overlooking the city.
The skyline was dotted with lights, a sea of twinkling stars reflecting the vibrant life below. He leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.
His phone buzzed beside him. It was a message from Chen Rui's assistant, as expected.
"Miss Chen would like to remind you that the offer remains open for another 24 hours. We look forward to your response."
Liang sighed, his finger hovering over the screen. He could ignore it, but that would only delay the inevitable. He needed to make a choice, and soon.
Just as he was about to put his phone down, another message popped up. This one was from an unknown number:
"Be careful of Chen Rui. She doesn't play fair. Don't make a deal you'll regret."
Liang's heart skipped a beat. Who was this? And how did they know about his situation with Chen Rui?
Before he could respond, the number was disconnected, leaving him with more questions than answers.
Liang stared at the message, his mind spinning. Someone was warning him. Was it a friend? A competitor of Chen Rui? Or perhaps someone within her organization who didn't agree with her methods?
The message added another layer of complexity to an already difficult decision. He couldn't shake the feeling that there were hidden forces at play, people watching his every move, waiting to see what he would do next.
The next morning, Liang arrived at the restaurant early, his mind still buzzing with the events of the previous night.
Jessica had already gotten everything ready for the photoshoot, and the photographer was setting up his equipment in the dining room.
"Everything's looking great," Jessica said, beaming with pride. "The restaurant's spotless, and I've set up the dishes you want to feature.
The photographer said he'll start with some shots of the interior, and then he'll move on to the food."
Liang nodded, his focus returning to the task at hand. "Perfect. I'll head to the kitchen and start preparing the featured dishes."
As he worked in the kitchen, Liang's thoughts kept drifting back to the message from the unknown number.
He couldn't help but wonder who had sent it, and why they were warning him about Chen Rui. His instincts told him to tread carefully, but there was still so much he didn't understand.
By the time the photographer was ready to shoot the food, Liang had prepared three of his signature dishes, including the new Dragon Emperor Lobster.
The photographer snapped away, capturing each dish from multiple angles. As he worked, he asked Liang a few questions about the restaurant, his cooking style, and his vision for the future.
Liang answered thoughtfully, careful not to reveal too much. He was proud of what he had built, but he didn't want to overplay his hand.
The national feature would bring attention, but he knew it also meant more scrutiny.
After the photoshoot wrapped up, the photographer thanked Liang for his time and left, promising to send over the final shots within the next few days.
Jessica approached Liang with a satisfied smile. "That went better than I expected. I think the feature's going to be a huge success."
"I hope so," Liang replied, though his mind was still elsewhere.
Jessica noticed his distracted look and frowned. "Is everything okay? You seem... off."
Liang hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "It's nothing. Just a lot on my mind."
Jessica didn't press him further, but she gave him a supportive pat on the shoulder before heading back to her tasks.
That evening, as Liang sat alone in his apartment, he stared at his phone once again. The deadline for Chen Rui's offer was fast approaching, and he still hadn't made a decision.
But now, with the mysterious warning fresh in his mind, the stakes felt even higher.
Liang took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.
It was time to make his choice.