Chapter 29: The World Beyond the Restaurant
The next day, the restaurant hummed with its usual life.
The smell of freshly prepared dishes filled the air, and the soft chatter of satisfied customers brought a certain serenity to the space.
Despite the usual routine, Liang Chen's mind was anything but calm. Zhao Wen's offer, though he had tried to push it aside, lingered like a faint shadow in the back of his thoughts.
He had spent the night researching everything he could about the "Zhenzhi Group" that Zhao mentioned. It was a powerful, discreet conglomerate that specialized in luxury services, but public information was scarce.
What was available painted a picture of a shadowy organization with deep pockets and even deeper connections.
They handled exclusive clientele, some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the world.
But what worried Liang the most was how little he knew about their operations—what their real intentions were.
As noon approached, the restaurant saw a familiar face entering through the front door: Feng Jie, one of the city's most prominent food critics.
Liang knew that when Feng showed up, it was both a blessing and a curse. His reviews could make or break a restaurant, but fortunately, his visits to Liang's establishment had always been positive.
Feng greeted Zhu at the front, nodding toward the dining room. "I trust you'll set me up with my usual?"
Zhu smiled and waved Feng toward his favorite spot by the window. "Right away, Mr. Feng. Chef Liang has a new dish I think you'll enjoy today."
Liang could hear the conversation from the kitchen and smirked to himself. Feng was not an easy man to please, but his refined palate was always up for a challenge.
Today, Liang was prepared. He had been experimenting with a new dish, a combination of delicate sea bass and rare herbs infused in a broth made from wild mushrooms. The system had hinted that this particular dish had great potential.
As Feng settled into his seat, Liang prepared the ingredients with precision, each movement deliberate. In his mind, cooking was an art, and the kitchen was his canvas.
No matter the turmoil in his thoughts, the act of creating something beautiful and delicious brought him peace.
As the dish was served to Feng, the critic's expression remained unreadable as usual.
He took a slow, deliberate bite, letting the flavors rest on his tongue before nodding approvingly.
That slight nod was all the confirmation Liang needed—another success. But even as the restaurant continued to thrive, his thoughts drifted once again to Zhao Wen's offer and the world beyond this kitchen.
That evening, after closing the restaurant, Liang found himself walking through the quiet streets of the city.
The bustling energy of the day had given way to a stillness that allowed his mind to roam freely.
His steps were unhurried, his hands deep in his pockets as he wandered aimlessly.
The cool breeze rustled the leaves of the trees that lined the street, and the distant glow of city lights illuminated the path ahead.
He stopped at a small park, sitting down on a bench that overlooked a tranquil pond. The moon reflected off the water's surface, casting an ethereal glow over the scene.
It was a place he often came to think, to clear his head when the pressures of life became too much.
As he sat there, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw a message from Zhao Wen.
"I hope you've had time to consider our offer. We'd like to arrange a formal meeting to discuss the details. Let me know when you're ready."
Liang stared at the message for a long moment. A part of him was tempted to ignore it, to push the whole thing aside and continue building his restaurant on his own terms.
But another part of him—the part that sought more, that wanted to elevate his craft—felt drawn to the opportunity.
He tapped out a quick reply: "I'm free tomorrow evening. Let's talk."
Almost immediately, a response came back: "Perfect. I'll send a car to pick you up at 7 p.m."
Liang pocketed his phone and leaned back on the bench, staring up at the stars. The die was cast.
He would meet with Zhao Wen again, but this time he would come prepared. Whatever the Zhenzhi Group was offering, he wouldn't let himself be swept away without understanding the full picture.
The following evening arrived faster than expected. At precisely 7 p.m., a sleek black car pulled up outside the restaurant.
Zhao Wen's punctuality was not lost on Liang, who, dressed in a simple but sharp suit, slid into the back seat without a word.
The driver, a man of few words himself, offered a polite nod before setting off into the city's evening traffic.
The car wound through the city streets, heading toward a part of town Liang rarely visited.
The buildings here were taller, sleeker, and the atmosphere exuded wealth and power.
Eventually, they pulled up in front of an unmarked building—a towering structure of glass and steel, its reflective surface shimmering in the fading light.
Zhao Wen stood at the entrance, his usual composed smile in place as he greeted Liang. "I'm glad you could make it."
Liang nodded, stepping out of the car and following Zhao inside.
The building's interior was as opulent as its exterior, with marble floors and high ceilings, sleek modern furnishings, and an air of exclusivity that made it clear this was no ordinary office space.
Zhao led him to a private elevator, which whisked them up to the top floor in silence.
When the doors opened, they were greeted by a spacious, dimly lit room with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline.
A large, polished table sat at the center, and seated around it were several individuals who exuded power and influence.
"Liang Chen, allow me to introduce some of the Zhenzhi Group's key members," Zhao said, gesturing toward the table. "This is where we make our most important decisions, and tonight we want to discuss how you can be a part of that."
Liang scanned the faces at the table.
There was a man in his early forties with sharp features and an air of authority, a woman in her thirties with a poised, calculating expression, and an older gentleman who seemed to watch everything with a calm, practiced gaze.
These were people who wielded influence not just in the culinary world, but across multiple industries.
Zhao motioned for Liang to sit, and as he did, the room fell silent for a moment before Zhao spoke again.
"Liang, you've already proven yourself to be an extraordinary talent. Your restaurant has gained a reputation for excellence, and your skills are undeniable. But we believe you can achieve even more. We want to help you expand your brand, to bring your culinary genius to an international stage. With our backing, you could become a household name."
Liang listened carefully, his expression unreadable. "And what exactly would this partnership entail?"
The woman at the table leaned forward, her voice smooth and professional. "We're offering you the resources to open a series of exclusive, high-end restaurants. You'd have complete creative control over the menu and the dining experience, but we would handle the business side—financing, marketing, logistics. You focus on what you do best: cooking."
The offer was tempting, but Liang wasn't naïve. "And in return?"
The older gentleman spoke this time, his voice slow and deliberate. "In return, we expect loyalty. We want you to be the face of this new venture, to represent the Zhenzhi Group in the culinary world. Of course, there would be certain expectations—exclusive events, private dinners for our most valued clients. But you would be compensated handsomely."
Liang considered their words carefully. It was a generous offer, no doubt, but the vague mention of "expectations" left him wary. He didn't want to be tied down by obligations that would compromise his vision or his independence.
"I appreciate the offer," Liang said slowly, "but I need more clarity on those expectations. I won't agree to anything that limits my ability to run my restaurant the way I want."
Zhao's smile never wavered. "Of course, we can provide more details. This is just the beginning of our discussions. We want you to feel comfortable with the terms."
Liang nodded, though the unease in his chest hadn't fully subsided.
He wasn't opposed to working with the Zhenzhi Group, but he needed to ensure that the partnership wouldn't come at the cost of his integrity.
The meeting continued for another hour, with the group laying out more specifics about the potential partnership.
By the time Liang left, he had a lot to think about.
Zhao Wen had made it clear that they wanted him, but Liang still needed time to decide if this was the right path for him.
As he rode back to his restaurant in the sleek black car, Liang stared out at the city lights, his mind racing with possibilities.
The offer was tempting, but the price? He wasn't sure if he was ready to pay it just yet.