After three years of dormancy, the Gourmet Tyrant was born.

For the store, it will not have any negative impact on its reputation.

It was just giving them a chance; Ji Zhiguo Ningning was willing to cooperate with Lu Xuanyu's actions.

"Alright, alright, stop standing there."

"We also have a few mystery guests today who will be joining us as judges."

"You are the main characters today, so cheer up! You'd better not make me lose face in front of the others."

"Hmph, you'd better think about it... I'll have some special punishment for you!"

Lu Xuanyu gripped his wrist and spoke in coded language that only they could understand.

Tadokoro Megumi, Mito Ikumi, Shinto Hisako, and Nakiri Alice—whoever heard it felt that Lu Xuanyu was hinting at them.

Will anyone else be joining us today?

"I haven't heard you mention it before, who could it be?"

Erina looked at Lu Xuanyu and asked curiously.

.......

138. A mentor of competition caliber, Ningning's cooperation! [Please subscribe and follow!]

Commercial street in the northern part of Dongjing.

Kanda Soba House.

This time in the morning is not within the business hours.

There are usually not this many employees in the store; today, it includes Kinokunori Nene.

It was entirely because of Lu Xuanyu that they arrived early to wait.

What surprised Kinokunori Nene even more was...

The only person on the entire street who could currently overpower their restaurant, the owner of Haruka-tei, Kikuchi Sonoka, had also come to the restaurant.

This naturally also includes Fuyumi Mizuhara and Hinako Inui.

The three mysterious guests that Lu Xuanyu mentioned were none other than these three women.

Regarding the arrival of Kikuchi Enka, Lu Xuanyu only asked a tentative question.

Surprisingly, she agreed very readily.

They even suggested that, if needed, their restaurant's kitchen could also serve as a testing ground.

Two cars stopped in front of the Kanda Soba House.

Led by Nene Kinokuni, the internal staff quickly went out to greet them.

"Good morning, Mr. Lu, and esteemed guests!"

"Good morning, Mr. Lu, and esteemed guests!"

"Good morning, Mr. Lu, and esteemed guests!"

"..."

Lu Xuanyu had seen this scene far too many times.

Every time they arrive at the gates of their own businesses, they are greeted with all sorts of welcoming ceremonies.

Over time, Lu Xuanyu did get used to it and didn't feel it as much anymore.

Today, standing in front of the team leader, Ji Zhiguo Ningning, caught his eye quite a bit.

She stood gracefully at the front, dressed in a traditional orange floral print outfit.

The haughty and noble air of a well-bred young lady could be fully felt in her expression.

"Senior Ningning, it seems I'm going to have to bother you today."

"Please provide us with as much convenience as possible without affecting our normal business operations."

Lu Xuanyu waved to the crowd and first came to Ji Zhiguo Ningning's side.

Lu Xuanyu could tell perfectly well who had the final say in the room.

"Mr. Lu, I didn't know you were a major shareholder in your family's chain of restaurants."

“It’s no trouble at all. I received a call from my father yesterday. I will do my best to cooperate with the arrangements made by President Lu.”

"If there's anything you need me to do, just give me the order. Closing the shop for a day is fine too."

Ji Zhiguo Ningning received a call from Lu Xuanyu last night.

I confirmed this directly with my father.

As the largest shareholder of the store, Ji Zhiguo's family definitely gave Lu Xuanyu the highest level of attention.

Ji Zhiguo Ningning's father told her that after meeting Lu Xuanyu, she must maintain the courtesy she would show to a shareholder.

He needed to feel the proper manners and temperament of a well-bred young lady in Ji Zhiguo Ningning.

"Haha, Ningning, can't we just have a normal conversation?"

"You've suddenly started speaking in such an official tone, it's making me a little uncomfortable!"

"If your family members have told you something, you don't need to worry at all."

"It's more comfortable for us to get along like senior students and junior students."

Lu Xuanyu waved repeatedly, signaling Ji Zhiguo Ningning to relax.

Hearing him say that, Ji Zhiguo Ningning breathed a slight sigh of relief.

They kept calling Lu Xuanyu "President Lu," which made Ji Zhiguo and Ningning feel very uncomfortable.

"Senior Ningning, excuse me!"

"Thank you so much, Senior Ningning!"

Hello, Senior Ningning!

"Good morning, Senior Ningning! You're so beautiful!"

"..."

Several girls followed behind Lu Xuanyu and greeted Ji Zhiguo Ningning immediately.

"Hello, I won't bother you."

"Please come in quickly, the seniors are still waiting inside."

Kinokuni Nene's words made the girls even more curious.

Before they arrived, Lu Xuanyu had told them that a mysterious guest would be participating in the trial.

Everyone was very excited, so they quickened their pace as they followed Lu Xuanyu.

Push open the restaurant door.

Mizuhara Fuyumi, Inui Hinako, and Kikuchi Sonoka were sitting at a table. They all stood up and nodded to each other.

"Fuyumi-senpai! Hinako-senpai! And Sonoka-senpai?"

"Is Senior Yuanguo here too? I remember her Spring Fruit Garden is nearby!"

"My God, isn't this the judging panel for a major competition?"

"It's really lucky to be by Lord Xuan Yu's side. I can't believe I get such treatment!"

"..."

Erina had roughly anticipated that Fuyumi Mizuhara might be present.

As for the other two, she really hadn't expected them.

Especially since I had just met Kikuchienka not long ago.

The other party also expressed the confidence and determination that a competing restaurant should have.

Why are you suddenly so agreeable now, willing to come and be a judge?

What terrifying methods does Lu Xuanyu possess that allow him to firmly control all the graduates of Totsuki Academy?

"It seems I don't need to introduce today's three judges, do I?"

"In addition to the three seniors, Erina and I will also be joining the judging panel."

"Senior Ningning, you'll be in charge of tallying our scores. We'll score according to the rules of the preliminary rounds."

"As for the choice of dishes..."

Lu Xuanyu looked at Ji Zhiguo Ningning, waiting for her cooperation.

"The selection of dishes is very simple; I will provide the menu from the restaurant."

"Each of you will randomly select a dish, and I will be responsible for providing the ingredients needed for that dish."

"But we won't provide recipes, because recipes are a store's core competitive advantage."

"Of course, I personally have no problem providing recipes; I don't mind."