In the Ming Dynasty 1498, my restaurant connects two worlds.

After Mr. Wu explained it this way, the imagery in Song Xiaoyi's mind became even more vivid.

That's pretty much it. If I have the chance tomorrow, I'll ask Zhu Zhishan if that's true.

My gossip fire is burning fiercely!

"So, from this I can be certain that this is undoubtedly a genuine work with a rich history. Feng Qi, I'm sorry, but this old man really likes these paintings. I'll offer fifteen million. How about I let this old man have them?"

"One million...five million?" Song Xiaoyi pointed with his fingers and stared wide-eyed at Zhu'er.

Everyone was used to Song Xiaoyi's reaction and ignored him. The director of the Jinling Museum said, "This trip has been worthwhile. Although I don't have the family background of Mr. Wu, it is a great honor to witness the unveiling of the original painting created by Tang Bohu, Zhu Zhishan and Wen Zhengming."

"Since Mr. Wu has already asked, I'm naturally happy to save money. However, hehe, once you've finished framing it and enjoyed it, you can borrow it to exhibit at the Suzhou Museum for a few months."

"Hey! You wish! A few more months! Once the news of these three paintings is released, it will cause a global sensation. Do you still want to borrow them for a few more months then?"

"Well, our Suzhou Museum is an expert in framing paintings..."

"Our Nanjing Museum is just as good..."

"Alright, what are you two arguing about? The young friend hasn't said anything yet."

"Young friend Song? Young friend Song?"

"Huh! What?"

"Would Mr. Wu be willing to resell it for 15 million?"

"Yes! Of course I'm willing!"

"Alright, then this deal is done!" Old Wu waved his hand, and his secretary took out special equipment, carefully packed it up, and put it into the safe. Everything was prepared!

"Give my secretary an account number, and the money will be transferred to you shortly. We'll provide the bank with the necessary documentation, so don't worry."

"Okay!"

While verifying the account with Song Xiaoyi, Wu Fei, Wu Lao's secretary, added, "According to the rules of Xun Gu Zhai, we will bear the income tax for the first transaction. Moreover, if this painting enters the market for the first time and its market value exceeds 20% of the current selling price, Xun Gu Zhai will proactively make up the difference; if the market value is less than 15 million, the loss will be borne by the buyer. If you have any good items you're unsure about in the future, you can bring your business card to Xun Gu Zhai in Beijing."

"Okay! Thank you, Fei-ge."

Xun Gu Zhai's move is truly generous. Putting aside the fact that the market value exceeds the difference, the income tax on this first transaction alone, even at 20%, is three million, and they agreed to it without hesitation.

In a word, grand!

"Young friend Song, speaking of good things, your signboard is actually a good thing too."

"Yes, it's rare to find a shop sign with an authentic inscription by Wen Zhengming from his early period. But it's someone else's sign, so we shouldn't take it from them."

The main reason is that this signboard has no collectible value for these bigwigs.

It's better to offer help in times of need than to add flowers to brocade. Since these three paintings brought in fifteen million and he didn't have to pay taxes, Song Xiaoyi decided to temporarily leave the "ghostly scribbles" frame of Zhu Zhishan's cursive script that he had originally planned to store in the attic warehouse.

At first, I thought the person who was fighting with me for instant noodles was a fellow down-on-his-luck scholar, but little did I know that he was an SSSR-level treasure.

Fifteen million was enough to reopen the restaurant, and Song Xiaoyi was completely satisfied.

Besides, there are still unknown secrets in this old building waiting for me to explore. It's best to get them to leave as soon as possible. These people are all shrewd and experienced. If they discover something amiss, we'll be in big trouble.

Around 3 a.m., the money arrived in the account. After seeing off all the bigwigs, Song Xiaoyi and Wu Lao's secretary exchanged phone numbers and WeChat contacts.

In the parking lot, watching the taillights of the departing car, Song Xiaoyi was filled with thoughts. The difference between being down on your luck and finding a way out of a desperate situation is just a thought away. Life is indeed very dramatic.

Zhu Zhu'er jumped up and clung to Song Xiaoyi, hugging his head and kissing him repeatedly until she was tired. "Brother Xiaoyi, am I dreaming? We're rich! We're rich enough to reopen the restaurant!"

"Shh~, keep your voice down, don't reveal your wealth!"

"Hmm~!"

"I can't tell my aunt either."

"Hmm~!"

"I have the money to marry you!"

"Hmm~!"

"Why do you always say 'hmm'?"

"Mmm~!" Pearl nodded repeatedly, "I'll do whatever you say."

"Okay, come down first and go back to sleep. You have to go to work at the museum tomorrow."

"Hmm~, but I can't sleep."

"Even if you can't sleep, I can't possibly take you back. Isn't it too early to push things over now?"

"Hmph! You're so mean!"

After coaxing Zhu'er home, Song Xiaoyi also returned to his family's small restaurant.

Seeing his family restaurant's old signboard lying flat on the table, Song Xiaoyi couldn't help but feel a bit dazed; he'd really been dealing with a lot of information that day...

The signboard, "Song Family Restaurant," was heavy and ancient. Holding it, Song Xiaoyi thought of his mysteriously disappeared grandfather, his parents...

Things have changed, and more than two years have passed in the blink of an eye. Song Xiaoyi gently stroked the signboard, his thoughts drifting further and further away with the memories of history. He didn't even care that his hand was pricked by a splinter from the signboard and bled.

[Ding! Host's bloodline verification passed, Song Family Inheritance System activated]

[Goal: To become the Great Chef of the Ming Dynasty 1000]

[Current Level: Low-class eatery]

[Song Family Recipe: 0/10 (Beginner)]

[Host's Original Dish: 0/10 (Beginner)]

[Song's Dish Selection: 0/10 (Beginner)]

[Two-way ingredient interaction: 7/10/0 (Beginner)]

[Two-way food interaction: 447/1000/0 (Beginner)]

[Ding! Detection indicates the host has legally obtained Ming Dynasty coins; currency exchange channel is now open.]

[Ding! Detected that the host has legally acquired artworks from the Ming Dynasty. The side-quest auxiliary function, Art Appraisal and Evaluation, is now available.]

Art Appraisal: 3/10 (Beginner)

[Ding! Detected that the host has completed the legal transactions of 3 Ming Dynasty artworks. The auxiliary space of the dining hall will be expanded by 3 cubic meters.]

The four consecutive ringing messages in his mind left Song Xiaoyi completely bewildered.

"Huh? Host? Auxiliary space?" Song Xiaoyi finally noticed the system notification in his mind, carefully reading it three times. "Damn, heaven has been kind to me; I have a system now!"

The system plus storage space is both practical and incredibly powerful!

When I used to read novels in the dorm about other people being reborn or transmigrating with a system, I would always curse, "It's another damn system."

Now it's my turn, "Holy crap, this is delicious!"

But all I wanted to do was lie low in the Ming Dynasty, why are you forcing me to have a goal?

The inheritance system seemed to know what Song Xiaoyi was thinking:

[Host, you have only one thousand days to achieve your goal.]

"So the number 1000 after the target is a timer? What are the penalties for not reaching it?"

[If the goal is not achieved, the system will automatically close the portal between the two worlds and wait for the next host.]

There's no point in arguing further; don't try to understand the rules, it's the most important thing.

"System, how should I use this auxiliary space?" Song Xiaoyi's favorite and most concerned thing was still the space.