A Bite of Douluo Continent

"Alright then." Xu Haolong sighed helplessly.

Chapter 506 Three Themes (Bonus Chapter 10/12 for the Loquat Boss's Donation)

"We've arrived. Let's draw a theme here."

After walking a few steps, Manager Zhang pushed open the door to a room. The room was empty and spacious, with only a platform in the center. On the platform was a metal box that was somewhat similar in size to a ballot box, which looked quite high-tech.

Zhao Yangfan was no stranger to drawing themes, so his expression remained unchanged. Qi Han, on the other hand, was here for the first time and was particularly curious about the metal box.

This metal box doesn't look simple at all. Judging from the special patterns on its surface, it's actually a soul tool.

Using soul tools to draw lots? How exactly is that possible?

Seeing Qi Han's confusion, Manager Zhang explained, "This is a lottery soul tool that our catering association specially commissioned from a level 5 soul master. It only requires a small amount of soul power to randomly pop out a competition theme card that has already been placed inside. By the way, Mr. Qi, you have soul power, right?"

"Yes, there are." Qi Han nodded.

"Then there's no problem. Which of you will go first?"

"Mr. Zhao, please go first." Qi Han took a half step back. He had never used this soul tool before, so if Zhao Yangfan drew it first, he would know how to use it. This way, he could avoid being discovered that he did not know how to use a soul tool.

Since everyone gets to draw once, it doesn't really matter who draws first or last.

“Okay.” Zhao Yangfan nodded and stepped forward first. He placed his palm on a protrusion on the metal box and slowly injected some soul power. Soon, with a crisp “crack”, a crack appeared at the top of the metal box, and a metal plate popped out from it.

Zhao Yangfan casually grabbed the metal plaque, glanced at it at first, and then showed it to Manager Zhang and Qi Han with a smile on his face. "Looks like I'm pretty lucky."

The word "beef" was clearly engraved on the metal plate, indicating that beef was the first competition item.

Beef is a common meat consumed everywhere, so this topic is a common one.

Drawing a less obscure theme obviously gives chefs more room to perform. While an obscure theme can lead to unexpected success, it can be troublesome if the chef happens to draw a theme they are unfamiliar with.

That's why Zhao Yangfan felt he was pretty lucky.

There are so many dishes that can be cooked with beef, giving you a wide range of choices.

Upon seeing this topic, Qi Han nodded without revealing his expression.

Currently, the only beef-related dishes that Qi Han knows are tomato beef brisket, various types of grilled beef, and "lantern shadow" beef.

The venue for the food competition is provided by the Mingdu Catering Association. You can only bring some commonly used tableware. The black technology that can accelerate time cannot be used, so the "Lantern Shadow Beef" which requires a long time to air dry is not suitable. Moreover, "Lantern Shadow Beef" is a three-star dish, so it is best not to use it if possible, otherwise, the occurrence of anomalies may cause new troubles.

So the only options are tomato beef brisket or barbecued beef skewers.

Tomato beef brisket is clearly the best solution, while grilled beef skewers are more suitable for a surprise win.

Tomato and beef brisket, let's make it!

Having made up his mind, Qi Han stepped forward.

He had memorized all of Zhao Yangfan's movements, and now he was imitating him by placing one hand on the protrusion and slowly injecting soul power.

Soon, the soul-guided metal box cracked open again, and a new metal plate popped out.

Qi Han glanced at it, his expression immediately turning strange, and then showed the text on the metal plate to the other two.

If Zhao Yangfan's previous draw was a fairly standard theme, then the theme Qi Han had was far more bizarre.

The sign clearly reads "Fruit".

fruit…

Disappointment flashed across Zhao Yangfan's face, but a hint of joy flickered deep in his eyes.

This topic is considered niche, since fruits are usually served as fruit platters in restaurants and are rarely used as dishes.

You can't exactly use fruit platters to compete in a food competition, can you?

But coincidentally, a chef at Mingtingque recently developed a new dish that uses a certain fruit, which could be used in this theme.

This dish hasn't been released yet, so I can lull the other person into a false sense of security and then surprise them later...

Thinking of this, Zhao Yangfan glanced at Qi Han and suddenly burst into laughter.

Why think so much?

Although Gu himself did not know why His Majesty had sent him to compete with this little-known restaurant, the two were clearly not on the same level.

What strategy is needed to deal with a restaurant like this?

Totally unnecessary.

Although His Majesty required me to compete, he did not require me to let the other party win. Ming Tingque would naturally not be lenient, so under these circumstances, the restaurant called Hanshi would certainly not be my opponent.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yangfan stopped pretending and slowly revealed a mysterious smile.

Qi Han was completely oblivious to Zhao Yangfan's flustered expression. He stared at the metal plaque in his hand, lost in thought.

I'm so lucky.

The theme is fruit, is there even a question?

I've decided to use you, Crab Stuffed Orange!

If we're really going to count, Qi Han has quite a few dishes related to fruit, with crab-stuffed oranges being the most obvious example, along with candied hawthorn and golden dragon spine.

The hawthorn used in candied hawthorn skewers goes without saying, and the sweet and sour dipping sauce for Golden Dragon Spine also contains Qinan juice, so it can naturally be considered to be related to fruit.

However, candied hawthorn is still not a safe bet, after all, it is just a dessert, and the fact that the Golden Dragon Spine sauce contains fruit is a bit far-fetched.

Therefore, crab-stuffed orange is the best choice.

Qi Han placed the metal plaque aside and made room for Manager Zhang.

This third draw will be conducted by Director Zhang on behalf of the Catering Association.

Soon, the third theme emerged.

vegetables.

It's a very broad topic, and a very common one at that.

Upon seeing this topic, Zhao Yangfan nodded, not taking it to heart.

There are so many dishes to choose from in the vegetable theme, so picking one at random shouldn't be a problem.

Moreover, this is the third theme. If Ming Tingque had won the first two themes, there would be no need for a third round.

Coincidentally, Qi Han was also thinking about the same question.

If we win the first two games, there shouldn't be any need to prepare for the third game, right?

However, this thought only flashed through Qi Han's mind for a moment.

Although he was almost certain to win the first two games, he still decided to play it safe.

Having confidence in yourself is a good thing, but you must never underestimate your opponent tactically.

As for choosing vegetable-themed dishes... that's putting Qi Han in a bit of a bind.

While vegetarian dishes are scarce during the Cold Food Festival, there are quite a few dishes that fit the vegetable theme.

After all, as long as vegetables are added to the dish, it can be considered to fit the theme. Dishes like tomato beef brisket with tomatoes are a given, and many other dishes also include various vegetables as side dishes. After all, a combination of meat and vegetables can not only cut through the greasiness but also ensure a balanced diet.

In the Douluo Continent, vegetables are generally cooked separately…

Thinking about how he would bring out a meat dish to compete with the other person's vegetable dish, Qi Han couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Forget it, it's not certain whether Ming Tingque can even last until the third round.

Thinking of this, he looked at Zhao Yangfan and gave a shy smile.

They're eager to come and get themselves killed.

What a kind person!

Chapter 507 Youthful Spirit (Seeking monthly votes and recommendations)

After the three food competition themes were drawn, Qi Han had no reason to stay in the Catering Association any longer. After confirming the location for the food competition the following afternoon, he left the association and headed towards Mingke Street.

After a whole morning of fussing around, and with the opening time of Hanshi Restaurant fast approaching, Qi Han ran into Meng Yun at the entrance and decided to go inside together.

"Boss, how did your investigation go?" Meng Yun asked curiously as soon as he entered the store.

She remembered that Qi Han had said he was going to find out about the food competition this morning. Qi Han had just rushed over from outside, obviously to investigate the situation.

"Not bad. I've already started the food competition with Ming Tingque. The theme has been drawn, and the competition can officially begin after the business closes at noon tomorrow." Qi Han's face showed a hint of joy. Although the trip had some twists and turns, all the goals had been achieved.

"So fast?" Meng Yun was slightly taken aback.

She didn't know much about the catering industry, so she had no idea what the competition between Mingtingque and Hanshi Restaurant was all about, and she wasn't surprised at all. However, something else aroused her great interest.

"Boss, what are the three themes?"

"Beef, fruit, and vegetables." There's no need to hide the theme.

"Hmm..." Meng Yun rubbed his chin. "As for beef, we have tomato beef brisket in our restaurant. For fruit, crab-stuffed oranges should be fine. As for vegetables... it seems like we add vegetables to many of our dishes? It looks like the theme of this food competition is very favorable to us!"

After several days of operation, Meng Yun had become quite familiar with the various dishes of Hanshi Restaurant, and what he was thinking at this moment was not much different from what Qi Han was thinking.

"Not bad." Qi Han smiled. "So there shouldn't be any problem with the meal competition this time. Okay, tell me what you'd like to eat for lunch?"

"Mmm!" Meng Yun nodded, her eyes shining.

That's great, my suggestion to participate in the food competition will help the boss.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yangfan returned to Mingtingque. Under the respectful gazes of the servants, Zhao Yangfan calmly walked into a private room. The moment he closed the door, his expression became even more respectful. "My lord, everything went smoothly. Hanshi has accepted the food competition."

“I already know that.” Inside the private room, a member of the Secret Service dressed in a black robe nodded calmly, put down his teacup, and stood up. “Is the time confirmed?”

"Tomorrow at 1:30 pm."

"Alright." The secret agents didn't linger and skillfully opened a secret passage to leave the private room.

"Um..." Seeing that the other party was about to leave, Zhao Yangfan suddenly remembered something and quickly spoke up, "Sir, in the competition with the food of the Cold Food Festival, should I go easy on them or something?"

Just to be on the safe side, Zhao Yangfan still wanted to find out the details.

"Go easy on them?" The secret service member's tone suddenly became a bit strange. "No need, just compete as you normally would."