Chapter 24: Old Ties and New Faces

The morning after the event, Liang Chen woke up feeling lighter than he had in weeks.

The collaboration with Chen Rui had been a resounding success, and the positive reviews were already pouring in.

For the first time in a long while, Liang allowed himself to bask in the achievement. It wasn't just the acclaim from critics or the praise from celebrities; it was the satisfaction of knowing that he had taken a risk and it had paid off.

However, there was no time to rest. The event had catapulted his restaurant into the limelight, and the demands were only going to increase.

As he sipped his morning tea, Liang glanced at the calendar.

Today marked an important date: the arrival of a mysterious guest who had booked the entire restaurant for an exclusive dinner.

The booking had been made a month ago, and the only instructions had been to prepare a personalized menu that would "challenge the boundaries of culinary artistry."

Liang smiled at the prospect. It was a vague but intriguing request, and after the adrenaline of the last few weeks, he was ready to dive into a new creative challenge.

By mid-afternoon, the restaurant was closed to the public, and the team was hard at work.

Wei Lan was in the kitchen experimenting with new dessert ideas, Zhu was busy managing stock and ingredients, and Liang was finalizing the menu.

He had decided to go bold—a five-course meal that incorporated unexpected ingredients and flavor profiles.

As the sun began to set, the atmosphere in the kitchen shifted. Everyone was on edge, but it was a good kind of tension—the kind that pushed them to give their best.

Liang, ever the perfectionist, double-checked every detail, from the plating designs to the seasoning of each dish.

Whoever this guest was, they were going to get a meal they wouldn't forget.

At exactly seven o'clock, the front door creaked open. Zhu greeted the guest, a tall man dressed in a tailored suit.

His hair was silver at the temples, but his sharp eyes and confident demeanor made him seem much younger than he appeared.

There was something enigmatic about him, a quiet intensity that filled the room as he entered.

"Welcome," Zhu said with a polite bow. "Mr. Liang will be preparing your meal this evening. If there's anything else you need, please don't hesitate to ask."

The man nodded, his gaze sweeping across the restaurant as if he were mentally evaluating every inch of the space.

Without a word, he followed Zhu to the best table in the house—the one near the window, with a perfect view of the city's skyline.

Liang stepped out of the kitchen just as the man settled into his seat. He approached the table with the same calm confidence he always exuded in his restaurant.

"Good evening," Liang greeted, his voice steady. "I'm Liang Chen, and I'll be preparing your meal tonight. If there's anything specific you'd like to request, now is the time."

The man looked up, his piercing gaze meeting Liang's. For a moment, there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

"No requests," the man replied, his voice deep and measured. "I trust you."

Liang nodded, though the man's cryptic demeanor made him uneasy. There was something about him that Liang couldn't quite place. He turned on his heel and returned to the kitchen, where his team was waiting.

"Let's give him a meal that pushes the boundaries," Liang said, clapping his hands together.

The first course was a cold appetizer: an intricate salad of heirloom tomatoes, cucumber ribbons, and edible flowers, drizzled with a delicate sesame and yuzu dressing.

The contrasting colors and textures were meant to surprise and delight the senses. The dish looked like a painting on the plate, and Liang felt confident that it would set the tone for the rest of the evening.

As the appetizer was served, Liang watched from the kitchen window. The guest ate slowly, savoring each bite. He didn't show much emotion, but the fact that he was taking his time was a good sign.

The second course was more daring: an infusion of duck liver pâté with black garlic, served atop a crispy sesame cracker.

The flavors were rich and bold, designed to make a statement. Liang had taken a risk with this dish—its intense flavors weren't for everyone—but he trusted his instincts.

Again, the guest ate in silence, methodically working through the dish with careful precision. Liang couldn't help but feel like he was being studied, not just as a chef but as a person.

The third course was where Liang truly let his creativity shine. He had prepared a delicate sea bass, poached in a saffron-infused broth, and served with a side of smoky eggplant purée and compressed watermelon.

It was a dish meant to play with expectations—the watermelon providing a sweet counterpoint to the savory fish and the smoky eggplant adding depth.

Liang held his breath as the dish was served. This was the one he had agonized over the most, the one that could make or break the entire experience.

The man took a bite, and for the first time, Liang saw a reaction—a slight raise of the eyebrow, barely noticeable but enough to confirm that the dish had achieved what he had hoped.

Liang felt a rush of satisfaction but quickly refocused on the remaining courses.

The fourth course was a palate cleanser: a sorbet made of green apple and basil, garnished with a touch of thyme. It was light and refreshing, intended to reset the guest's palate for the final dish.

The fifth and final course was the pièce de résistance: a seared wagyu beef, marinated in a secret blend of spices and served with a side of truffle-infused mashed potatoes and sautéed wild mushrooms.

The dish was a masterful combination of richness and finesse, the kind of dish that lingered in your memory long after the meal was over.

Liang watched as the final course was served. The man's expression remained unreadable, but there was a certain intensity in the way he ate the dish.

He was focused, as if analyzing every nuance of flavor, every layer of complexity.

When the meal was finished, the man set his fork down and looked up. Liang approached the table once more, his heart pounding slightly in his chest.

"Well?" Liang asked, his voice calm despite the nerves bubbling beneath the surface.

The man was silent for a moment before nodding. "Impressive," he said simply. "Your reputation is well-deserved."

Liang exhaled, relieved. "Thank you. It was an honor to prepare this meal for you."

The man stood, slipping a card from his pocket and handing it to Liang. "I'm sure you've heard of the Tian Group," he said, his tone almost conversational.

Liang's breath caught in his throat. Of course he had heard of the Tian Group. They were one of the most powerful conglomerates in the country, with influence that spanned multiple industries—from technology to entertainment to high-end luxury goods.

But why was this man, presumably a member of the Tian Group, dining at his small, private restaurant?

The man must have sensed Liang's confusion because he offered a slight smile. "My name is Tian Xuan. I represent our interests in the culinary world, among other things. We're always looking for talented individuals to collaborate with."

Liang stared at the card, still processing the implications of what Tian Xuan was saying.

"We'll be in touch," Tian Xuan said before turning and walking out of the restaurant, leaving Liang standing there with the card in his hand and a thousand questions racing through his mind.

Later that night, as Liang sat in his office, staring at Tian Xuan's card, he couldn't help but wonder what the future held.

The Tian Group was no small player in the culinary world. If they were interested in him, it could open doors he hadn't even dreamed of. But with those opportunities came new challenges and potential risks.

Zhu knocked on the door, stepping inside with a knowing look. "You okay, boss? That guy seemed intense."

Liang chuckled, shaking his head. "Intense doesn't even begin to cover it. We might have just gotten involved with the Tian Group."

Zhu's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's... huge. What are you going to do?"

Liang leaned back in his chair, tossing the card onto the desk. "I don't know yet. But whatever happens, it's going to be interesting."