Food gives me an entry, I will be invincible if I stay alive

Chapter 153 Floating on this forget-me-not, I am far removed from worldly affairs.

In the inn's kitchen, Chen Xu noticed that Chef Hong's praise earned him a "like +1".

+1...?
Chen Xu's first reaction was surprise; MSG really could earn him praise!
But that initial surprise quickly faded.

After a thorough investigation, Chen Xu immediately learned through the Heavenly Book that the maximum number of likes he could get from MSG to enhance flavor was only [+1] per person per day.

That's right, it's just +1.

After all, it wasn't a dish that Chen Xu cooked himself; he just added some MSG he made to the soup.

It's not hard to understand why this would have such an effect.

But this "+1" suddenly brought Chen Xu a completely new perspective.

The daily bonus of +1 for a single player may seem meager, but the world has a huge population.

Chen Xu suddenly realized that his previous idea was wrong. Why should he open a restaurant?
He should just sell MSG directly!
No, no, no, that won't work either.

Selling MSG directly could potentially have a major impact on the entire catering industry in Dali.

Once something so unique is linked to huge profits and is controlled by a single person, how can that person not become the target of public criticism?
In that case, it would be better to open a restaurant.

By keeping the secret formula within a certain range, we can proceed steadily and surely, avoiding any major chaos.

Chen Xu held a spoon in his hand, his gaze shifting slightly.

All around him were the sounds of pots and pans clattering, water running, apprentices moving about, and Master Hong's measured, analytical voice...

All sorts of noise were mixed together.

And the wisps of smoke rising from the kitchen seem to imbue everything in this small world with a rhythm unique to humankind.

As Chen Xu sat there, his mind raced like a whirlwind, a whirlwind of thoughts surging within him.

He then heard Master Hong boast, "Let me guess your recipe again. Compared to dried mushrooms and shrimp, it must have something unique. Could it be... dried fish paste? No, it must be more than that."

Old Hong, I can't guess it. But Master Chen, although your treasure is good, it has nine-tenths the power of my fresh soup.

But even a slight difference is still a difference, and the skill in making the broth is absolutely genuine.

You... hehe, you might fool ordinary people, but real gourmets won't fall for it, haha!

As he spoke, he gently patted his chest, trying to hide his guilty conscience.

His eyes darted around and he said, "Master Chen, compared to chefs like us, ordinary people really need this stuff."

If this were to end up on the dinner table of an ordinary family, everyone would surely praise it.

By the way, are you selling this? I'll buy it for my family. You have no idea, a cook really doesn't want to cook when he gets home.

"Oh, but my wife loves to make it, she's just not very good at it, hehe..."

Good heavens, the true colors are revealed!

You're using your wife as a scapegoat to make fun of her, does your wife even know? When you get back, she'll probably be kneeling on a washboard, won't she?
Chen Xu's mind raced with thoughts, and upon hearing this, a flash of inspiration finally struck him.

He realized that his thinking was still rigid, and he couldn't even think that he could actually make two, three, or even four or five different versions of the same thing!

In this way, it can supply both restaurants and the general public.

It can also reduce the "exclusivity" of this product, making it less conspicuous.

Even though I still have my limits, as long as I can open up new avenues, I'm sure I'll be able to collect those "mere 30,000 likes" in no time.

If absolutely necessary, he could also try to exploit the reputation of the great Confucian scholar Ji Weizi.

Of course, it would be best to avoid this situation altogether.

After all, during the growth stage, while the speed of development is important, stability is equally important.

In the inn's kitchen, Chen Xu suddenly made his move, unexpectedly and swiftly retrieving the small paper package from Master Hong's hand.

He made and withdrew his move without a trace of malice, and after putting away the small paper packet, he looked at Master Hong with a slight smile.

Master Hong was stunned, unable to believe that someone would snatch back what they had given him.

"You, you..." Poor Master Hong's tongue was almost tied in knots, and he could barely utter a complete sentence.

The next moment, Chen Xu slipped a small gourd into his hand. Master Hong immediately realized what was happening, exclaimed "Oh my!" and his eyes lit up, "This...this is that wine from last time?"

Chen Xu shook his head.

Last time, he gave Master Hong the whole Liuxia Zuiling Wine, but this time it was a "blended" version.

It wasn't that Chen Xu was stingy, but rather that he only had a limited supply of whole spirit wines.

After giving some to Master Wu, Magistrate Feng, and Cui Yunqi, Chen Xu now only has about twenty jin left.

The second batch of spirit wine will take about ten days to brew.

The spirit wine is extremely valuable, and its supply must be limited.

Master Hong chuckled, knowing that the spirit wine was rare. But human nature is generally like this: once you have one, you want another.

Master Hong is quite frank about such delusions: "It's just wishful thinking. It would be best if it came true, but I won't be sad if it doesn't."

He held the gourd in his hand, carefully uncorked it, first squinted his eyes and took a gentle sniff, then carefully sipped the wine from the gourd's mouth.

He then quickly stuffed the small gourd back in and hid it inside his clothes.

He glared at them from both sides and scolded all the apprentices and helpers: "What are you all looking at? Go away, get back to your work!"

Master's fine wine is not something he would share with anyone.

Then, Master Hong sighed, "Master Chen, you are truly a master of wine. This wine is somewhat similar to the Liuxia Zui of our Yunjiang Prefecture, but it is clearly several levels better."

Let me, Lao Hong, give you an analogy: it's like comparing peonies on a sacred mountain to morning glories by the roadside.
Oh no, I'm a rough man, I can't explain it well.

In short, now that you've given me this wine, Mr. Chen, you won't want it back, will you?

As he spoke, he clutched his chest warily, as if afraid that Chen Xu would try to snatch it again.

【Like +20】

Chen Xu smiled slightly. The test was successful. This pot of "blended" Liuxia Zui could earn 20 likes from the drinker in one go.

Ordinary mortals who drink this "pseudo-spiritual wine" are limited to a daily like limit of 20.

This is actually quite a lot, so it seems that the blended version of Liuxia Zui also has great potential.

Chen Xu stood up and said, "This wine is to thank Master Hong for his careful instruction over the past few days, and it is impossible to take it back."

After saying that, he took out a small gourd from his sleeve and placed it on the small table in front of him.

Master Hong stared blankly, not quite understanding how Chen Xu's sleeves, which looked so flowing and soft, could hold so many wine gourds.
Despite the doubts, the task of tidying up the wine gourd could not be delayed.

Master Hong hurriedly grabbed the second wine gourd, grinned at Chen Xu, and thumped his chest loudly: "Master Chen, just for this wine, I'll follow you with my life!"

Chen Xu chuckled: "What would I do with your head? Master Hong, a little wine is good for the soul, but too much is bad for your health. From now on, have a small cup every day, and keep it up. Wouldn't that be better?"

He stepped out of the kitchen, dressed in a blue robe and cloth belt, amidst the hustle and bustle of the world, yet it seemed as if a gentle breeze was surrounding him.

Master Hong couldn't help but ask, "Master Chen, what is the name of this wine?"

Chen Xu pondered for a moment and said, "Floating on this forget-me-not allows me to distance myself from worldly affairs. People often say that this thing makes one forget worries, but what is there to fear about worries?"
Even though you've forgotten it, it still exists; it's better to be both joyful and sorrowful.

"Joyful sorrow, joyful sorrow... Joyful sorrow wine!"

Master Hong muttered to himself, thinking about the recent addition of a new member to the family, which increased expenses once again. But his two sons were disappointing and lacked talent, neither of them able to inherit his skills.

What will become of our family's livelihood from now on?
His daughter's marriage was not without its challenges; they were constantly bickering and causing him much worry and distress. He had no other recourse but to frequently bring her home to dispel these anxieties.

He was also feeling frustrated, which sometimes made him irritable. Whenever he went to the kitchen, he would scold his apprentices mercilessly.

Sometimes I want to drown my sorrows in alcohol, but can those sorrows really be dispelled?
It's better to clear your head and face the problem directly.

There's always a solution, isn't there?
Master Hong muttered to himself, and as he did so, he suddenly felt the effects of the alcohol rising in his head, and his eyes reddened.

That sip of "Joyful and Sorrowful Wine" had a lingering aftertaste, making one feel as if an indescribable sense of clarity had penetrated their entire body.

Master Hong suddenly burst into laughter: "Good! What a wonderful wine to bring joy and sorrow!"

The loud voice carried almost from the kitchen to the front of the room, prompting a question: "What kind of 'Joyful and Sorrowful Wine'?"

(End of this chapter)