The story begins in Food Wars, when Alice took him home.

Faced with Bai Yuan's sudden appearance, the man frowned, his words filled with a threatening tone.

The main reason he dared to go to the house alone and act so arrogantly was that he knew there were no men in the Tadokoro family, and the few staff members were all elderly people.

However, Bai Yuan's appearance in the hall and his attempt to stop him made him realize that things were not so simple.

"Fool, I'm not attacking you because I'm well-mannered, not because I'm easy to bully." Before Bai Yuan finished speaking, he had already grabbed the man's collar, slammed him to the ground, and dislocated his arm. The man immediately let out a pig-like scream.

"Aaaaah! How dare you treat me like this! Do you know who I am? If you offend me, you're all doomed!" the man screamed in agony.

"There's no reason to welcome an unwelcome guest."

Bai Yuan said coldly, then picked him up like a piglet and carried him to the door, kicking the man out without giving him any face.

Outside the hotel, passersby cast curious glances, and the mocking looks made the man in the suit blush with embarrassment.

"We're not selling the hotel. If you really want to take it, send your best chef over for a food battle!"

Bai Yuan's voice was cold and resolute.

"You wait for me!"

The man fled in a sorry state, like a stray dog, not forgetting to utter a harsh remark before leaving.

Bai Yuan stood at the door, his gaze cold and stern. Through the conversation just now, he had roughly understood the ins and outs of the matter.

This man is from the newly opened chain hotel across the street. His purpose in coming here is to acquire Zhuang Huiyuan in order to expand his own business.

During the conversation, Bai Yuan learned that the town's tourism industry is booming, making it a veritable untapped treasure trove.

It's not surprising that some people are envious of the business opportunities here, but that doesn't mean they can act recklessly.

Zhuang Huiyuan is where Tadokoro Megumi grew up; it's her home. As her partner, Bai Yuan feels it's his duty to help her protect this home.

"Teacher Bai Yuan, where are you going?"

"I'll go check out their situation. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle."

Upon hearing the question, Bai Yuan revealed his purpose: he planned to follow the great man's footsteps to see who he would meet.

Waiting passively is not in Bai Yuan's nature; he needs to know the specific situation on the other side!

"This is too dangerous! You just made your move; if you follow them now, they might have already set up an ambush..."

However, just as Bai Yuan was about to leave, Tadokoro Megumi grabbed his arm. She looked at him with a worried expression, as if she didn't want him to risk leaving.

"Don't worry, I have my own measure."

Bai Yuan didn't explain much, he just patted her hand, left those words, and strode away in the direction the big man had gone.

He knew that now was the best time to spy, otherwise he wouldn't be able to find out anything!

"Let's go back first. Now we can only trust Xiaobai."

Watching Bai Yuan's departing figure, Tadokoro Mieko, who had been silent until now, patted Tadokoro Megumi on the shoulder and spoke, before returning to the inn alone.

Although Tadokoro Megumi wanted to wait at the door, she knew that Shiro wouldn't be back for a while, so she went back and prepared to personally prepare a room for him.

As for the other side.

Bai Yuan followed the big man, watching him stagger. Even though his arm was dislocated, he didn't immediately seek treatment. Soon they arrived at a teahouse in the town.

The man who met the burly man was a young man. The young man was surprised to see the burly man's dislocated arm, and then helped him put the dislocated arm back in place.

His movements were practiced and skillful, clearly indicating that this wasn't his first time doing something like this, which surprised Bai Yuan somewhat.

"Tell me, what happened? How did you get yourself into this state? Did Zhuang Huiyuan's people attack you? Don't tell me you can't even beat some old people, women, and children..."

The young man took a sip of tea from the table, his fingers lightly rubbing the outside of the teacup, his face filled with confusion.

Although the big man in front of them wasn't very strong, he was physically imposing. Most people would tremble at the sight of him, let alone try to defeat him.

It's obvious that the other person is also a trained fighter.

"My lord, you must do me justice!"

Upon hearing the young man's question, the burly man immediately burst into tears, embellishing the story of what Bai Yuan had done to him.

"What audacity! How dare they disregard us like this and even challenge us to a food battle. But this will save us a lot of trouble; as long as we win the food battle, we can take over the inn."

However, since that guy is so confident in mentioning the food battle, his strength must be considerable. To avoid any unforeseen complications, you go and…”

As if he had just thought of something, a cold smile appeared on the young man's face. The other party dared to propose a food battle so aggressively, so he must have something to rely on.

Judging from the martial arts skills displayed by the opponent, the person who made the move is likely a master chef. And the only one who can defeat a master chef is a master chef.

However, even if a kid in his early twenties is a master chef, his skills can't be that strong. He would be crushed if he faced a veteran master chef!

This is also why he sent the big man to request offerings...

Since Bai Yuan wants a food battle, then we'll participate. However, we can't agree so hastily, since Zhuang Huiyuan is the one who can't hold out right now.

If we delay a little longer, we might be able to obtain more favorable conditions.

Half an hour later, Bai Yuan left the teahouse. Because he was a martial arts master, he was not discovered while eavesdropping the whole time.

After learning of the young man's plans, Bai Yuan did not choose to return immediately, but instead went to the chain hotel that Tadokoro Mieko had pointed out to check the situation.

Compared to the quietness of Zhuang Huiyuan, this chain hotel was much more lively. People would come in with their luggage every now and then to check in at the front desk.

Business and leisure...

Comparing the conditions of the two hotels, the following thought came to Bai Yuan's mind.

Although they are both hotels, their target audiences are clearly different due to their completely different styles.

In other words, even with the addition of this hotel, Zhuang Huiyuan's business would be affected to some extent, but it would certainly not be so desolate in terms of customers.

Thinking of this, Bai Yuan took out his phone and started searching online.

Soon, he found a post on LINE and various social media platforms titled "Unscrupulous Hotel Overcharging," and clicked on it.

The post was made two months ago, and it received many likes, but was filled with nothing but insults, with only a few explanations lost in the crowd.

As Bai Yuan predicted, the first thing to do to positively impact a hotel's business is to smear it, and posting on the internet is undoubtedly the most effective way.

As a famous Japanese hotel chain, it undoubtedly far surpasses Shohokuen in terms of financial resources. In addition, it took the initiative, which led to Tadokoro Mieko's inability to cope.

After all, she didn't have any effective means to counter it, and her hotel didn't have any irresistible advantages. It was neither high-end nor low-end, which was the main reason why her customers were being poached.

Having figured out the differences between the two hotels and the current shortcomings of Zhuang Huiyuan, Bai Yuan refused the greeter who came to ask if he wanted to check in, left the chain hotel called Bai Niao Ju, and strode towards Zhuang Huiyuan.

He had already devised a comprehensive plan to turn Zhuang Huiyuan's losses into profits, the core of which was the fish offal stew that the big man had previously looked down upon.

Chapter 223 The Key to Breaking the Stalemate

"I am back."

In Zhuang Huiyuan, Bai Yuan's voice rang out.

The next moment, two figures, one tall and one short, strode out of the hall. Tadokoro Megumi walked hurriedly, only breathing a sigh of relief when she saw that Bai Yuan was safe and sound. But she was still worried, so she went up to Bai Yuan and looked him over from left to right, afraid that he might be injured but wouldn't tell her.

"Relax, this is a time of peace, why would they really be wielding knives and sticks? I'm perfectly fine, let me go in and have a drink of water first."

Bai Yuan felt a warmth in his heart at Tadokoro Megumi's concern and raised his hand to let her examine him. However, not wanting to linger at the door for too long, he smiled and asked to end the visit early.

"I'll go get you some water."

Upon seeing this, Mieko Tadokoro immediately spoke up.

"No need, no need, I can go by myself in a bit."

Seeing that Tadokoro Mieko was about to pour him water, Bai Yuan hurriedly waved his hand, telling his mother-in-law to pour water for him, which was really going against the natural order!

"You've gone to so much trouble for me, it's what I should do."

Tadokoro Mieko spoke firmly, then turned around and went back inside to pour water, before carrying the water out again.

"Thank you."

Because he was restricted by Tadokoro Megumi, Shiro didn't actually stop Tadokoro Mieko. Seeing the water she handed him, he didn't hesitate any longer and accepted it generously, while looking at Megumi in front of him.

"It seems like there shouldn't be any problems."

After drinking the water and having their bodies checked, Bai Yuan smiled and patted Tadokoro Megumi's head as she breathed a sigh of relief. He then joined the two of them in Zhuang Hui Garden, returned to their original dining spot, and began discussing the inn across the street.

"Have you gathered any useful intelligence?"

Mieko Tadokoro was the first to lose her composure, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Bai Yuan, her gaze filled with both anticipation and apprehension at the prospect of her expectations being dashed.

“Yes.” Bai Yuan nodded. “They will most likely agree to the food battle invitation, since their ultimate goal is to take over our inn.”

"That…"

Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Tadokoro Mieko's face showed a worried expression, while Tadokoro Megumi next to her breathed a sigh of relief.

She knew that since her opponents dared to accept the challenge, it meant that they must have exceptionally skilled chefs. But the one standing in front of her was Bai Yuan, the youngest Special Grade Seven-Star Chef in history!

"Don't rush. Although they have decided to take over Zhuang Huiyuan in the end through a food battle, they don't plan to make a move so early. Instead, they intend to put some pressure on us first."

In fact, we don't have that much time to wait. If they really resort to delaying tactics, even if it's a food war, we probably won't be able to participate.

"What if it really turns out like that?!"

Shiro's words made Tadokoro Mieko somewhat lost in thought, and she couldn't help but mutter to herself. She had never been very confident in the food battle, and if the inn on the other side insisted on dragging it out until Shiro and her daughter left, then she really wouldn't have any chance of winning.

After all, Zhuang Huiyuan's best chef passed away two years ago, and the guys working in the kitchen now are only second-class chefs at best. They're not bad in a small town, but they're no match for the strong chefs from the big city.

Ultimately, they are a hotel, and their business is providing accommodation, not catering to guests.

Thinking of this, Mieko Tadokoro's face showed some worry. Now it seemed that rashly starting a food battle was not a good thing.

"Don't worry, I have a way to get them to agree to the food battle within the next few days."

Seeing Tadokoro Mieko's worried expression, Shiro's voice rang out at the right moment.

Getting the other party to agree to a food battle isn't difficult. If they want to put pressure on them, then they can just put pressure on them in return!

Repay the other person with his own way.

It's very simple.

"Xiaobai, do you have an idea yet?"

Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, a look of surprise flashed in Tadokoro Mieko's eyes. Then, as if grasping at a lifeline, she looked at him expectantly.

"Of course, it's actually quite simple..."

Seeing the other party's anxious look, Bai Yuan didn't keep her in suspense and directly stated his thoughts, which made Tadokoro Mieko fall into deep thought.