Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　This is the first time I've done something like this, and I have no experience. I hope you can give me some advice.

　Alice Nakiri humbly sought his guidance.

　"Alright, that's my duty as your mentor. Ask me anything you want, and I'll tell you all the details I know."

　"Actually, it's nothing. I just don't know what kind of dishes the restaurant will offer or what kind of dishes customers like."

　I think we should first check out the surrounding restaurants and find out what customers like—consider it market research.

　"Are you worried about this? It's actually not a problem, because I'm taking you to a processing restaurant, not a traditional one."

　"A processing-type restaurant?"

　Alice Nakiri looked puzzled, then a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

　"That's right, a processing restaurant that specializes in cooking fish!"

　Because what you need to do now is not to make money, but to hone your culinary skills. You need to find ways to satisfy the requirements of every diner. Over time, your abilities will naturally improve.

　A normal restaurant is for business purposes, but a restaurant that wants to hone its culinary skills must allow diners to order according to their own preferences.

　If I know how to do something, I just do it; if I don't know how, I ask the diners what they think of it. Through continuous attempts, I eventually meet their requirements.

　This is a kind of training; everyone is different, so try to satisfy each individual. When you come to your senses, you'll find yourself transformed.

　"Become omnipotent!"

　After speaking at length, Bai Yuan picked up the water glass next to him, poured himself a glass of water, and drank it.

　"I see, I understand now. I was just thinking about how to improve my cooking skills by making fixed dishes."

　If it's about preparing dishes according to customer requests, then I think I understand.

　With her right hand clenched into a fist and her left hand extended, she then brought her right hand down heavily towards her left, and a look of sudden realization appeared on Alice Nakiri's face.

　So this is what Bai Yuan meant by opening a shop.

　This can indeed quickly improve your cooking skills!

　"Even so, some commonly used ingredients should still be prepared in advance, and some less common ones should also be stocked up, because you never know what strange requests customers might make!"

　Of course, I'll be there to assist you for the first few days, helping you resolve some initial issues. You only have three days to adjust.

　As Bai Yuan spoke, he patted Nakiri Alice's head, and she promptly showed an expression of enjoyment.

　When he opened his restaurant in Guangzhou, he didn't have a single helper and it took him a long and difficult period to get the restaurant up and running.

　Of course, it wasn't that he was unwilling to hire chefs and waiters, but rather that becoming a chef in the Dark Cuisine World was the ultimate test, which could only be taken by one person alone, and those who failed to meet the requirements would be buried alive.

　A desperate gamble, a do-or-die battle, where one general's success is built on the bones of countless others.

　This was Bai Yuan's condition at the time. Fortunately, he pulled through and even shone brightly with his skills before suddenly disappearing a month later.

　Guangzhou has returned to tranquility.

　A vast culinary capital never grieves for the disappearance of one person; instead, countless new people flock in, some establishing themselves, others achieving nothing.

　Recalling that period, Bai Yuan suddenly fell silent. Although he had succeeded under the pressure of life and death, it was still a rather unpleasant memory.

　Therefore, this time, to the best of his ability, Bai Yuan will not leave Nakiri Alice alone, to avoid excessive pressure that could cause her Dao heart to shatter.

　"Don't worry, Master, I'm not just any ordinary chef, I'm your personal disciple!"

　Seeing Bai Yuan fall silent, Nakiri Alice thought he was doubting her strength, so she patted her full chest and said.

　Because he was wearing pajamas and nothing underneath, at that moment, Bai Yuan felt that it was wonderful to be born into this world!

　"I don't doubt your abilities, but there are many things to deal with when opening a restaurant, such as conflicts between customers and chefs, conflicts between chefs, and conflicts between competitors... It's not easy to resolve them all."

　Of course, if your cooking is the best in the world and no one can match it, then you really don't need to worry about this; just focus on cooking and you'll have countless followers.

　Bai Yuan patiently shared his experience in opening a shop with Nakiri Alice, interspersed with a few jokes. Although he teaches cooking, he doesn't just teach cooking; in a way, he could even be considered Alice's mentor.

　Faced with Bai Yuan's teachings, Nakiri Alice silently looked at his face, listened attentively, and always had a smile on her face.

　This was her favorite part because her mentor was very gentle and taught her all sorts of practical information that would be very useful for her future.

　A heartfelt conversation and guidance can often bring two people closer together. After spending so many years together, their relationship has become deeply ingrained!

　And this is probably the real reason why Alice Nakiri likes Shirabuchi.

　Chapter Thirty-Nine: The First Diner

　"Extra! Extra! Grand opening! Free processing of fish ingredients! Limited time offer for three days only!"

　The sign stands on the street, behind which is an old shop that has only undergone rough renovations. At this moment, a young man and a young woman are chatting at the door.

　"Brother Bai Yuan, is this kind of advertisement really going to work? Why don't we invite reporters to come and interview us? Anyway, we can make the money back in the future."

　"No need. Our target customer group is the users on this street. If we invite reporters to interview us, then the guests will come from all over the country."

　"We're opening a restaurant here not only to hone our culinary skills, but also for another purpose: to destroy the 'Nuoyu' restaurant across the street. Are you confident you can do it?"

　Pointing to the exquisitely decorated [Nuoyu] restaurant not far away, Bai Yuan seemed very excited. Now he could finally get his revenge!

　Although it was Alice Nakiri who did it, the other party was his personally trained apprentice, so it didn't matter who did it.

　"Huh? I'm going to fight a Special Grade opponent? Really?"

　As Alice Nakiri spoke, she covered her mouth, feigning surprise, but the playfulness in her eyes betrayed her true thoughts.

　"Where did you learn that cheesy joke? That guy was meant for you to deal with. With your current skills, you have a pretty good chance of winning using molecular gastronomy."

　Bai Yuan raised his hand and tapped Nakiri Alice on the head with a hint of punishment. Looking at her face, he couldn't help but laugh. This girl was really carefree. Her opponent was a top-level chef, yet she acted so relaxed.

　Excellent, that's the spirit of forging ahead!

　"Is that so? Then let me avenge my master myself. I will win this match!"

　"I expect you to win."

　His intense gaze was fixed on Alice Nakiri, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable. In the end, her face flushed slightly, and she turned her head away.

　"Okay, I'll go back to the kitchen first."

　Alright~

　With a playful sticking out of her tongue, Alice Nakiri touched the spot where she had been knocked, shrugged, and skipped towards the kitchen.

　"This girl..."

　Watching her departing figure, Bai Yuan shook his head and did not follow her inside. Instead, he stood on the street, enjoying the cool breeze, as if waiting for something.

　Soon after, fishmonger Mir appeared on a street corner.

　"Brother Bai, is this the place? I haven't come to the wrong place, have I?"

　"This is it. You can sell fish right here in front of this shop today, and I guarantee your business will be booming."

　Then, the business commission will be 30% of the profits, as agreed yesterday. Besides that, you must guarantee the fish is fresh; no dead fish left overnight.

　Bai Yuan said with a serious expression.

　Even close brothers should keep clear accounts. Although it's possible to do things without expecting anything in return, there's always the fear that a small favor might lead to resentment, and it's best to clarify things beforehand for both of you.

　"Don't worry, I know the rules. The fish are all brought in at the dock in the morning. They are absolutely freshly caught from the sea. We brought in three times the usual amount."

　If we can sell them all today, I'd be willing to give up 50%, let alone 30%!

　Fishmonger Mil said with a hint of excitement, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The chef in front of me is someone even my brother-in-law praises."

　If you follow him, you can eat five meals a day!

　"We don't need much, 30% is enough. The essence of cooperation is a steady and long-term approach."

　As he spoke, an unpleasant memory surfaced in Bai Yuan's mind, which made him smile bitterly. He then patted the fishmonger Mir on the shoulder to encourage him before turning and entering the restaurant.

　"Go, Mir! You have to prove me right this time!"

　Watching Bai Yuan's departing figure, fishmonger Mir raised his fist and waved it towards the sky to encourage himself. Then he lifted the waterproof cloth covering his stall and placed the megaphone on the table next to it: "Freshly caught fish, leaping with delicious flavor! Just..."

　·

　·

　"Brother Bai Yuan, you've arrived."

　Adjusting the oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar to her preferred level, and making some preparations before cooking, Alice Nakiri heard a noise coming from the doorway. She looked up, saw it was Shirayuki, and greeted him.

　"Well, how's the preparation going?"

　"Available to customers anytime!"

　As she spoke, Alice Nakiri rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair arms, and made a gesture of strength, looking ready to go.

　Seeing this, Bai Yuan nodded and told her to go about her business. Then, as if he had thought of something, he took out his phone and dialed Jonah's number.

　"Mr. Bai Yuan?"

　"That's right, it's me. Go to the restaurants under the Nakiri Group and transfer six waiters and two dishwashers to the new restaurant. The address is..."

　After hanging up the phone, Bai Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. No wonder he felt something was wrong earlier; it turned out the restaurant was short-staffed.

　This young lady is really oblivious. She was clearly in charge of this area, but she didn't realize it at all. She has almost zero life experience.

　The scene from the original work, where Alice Nakiri was eliminated by Soma Yukihira in the first match of the Autumn Selection Tournament for first-year students, came to mind.

　The old man said at the time that her cooking lacked a down-to-earth, everyday feel, and it seems that's true.

　It's so relatable...

　This kind of thing can't just be talked about; you have to experience it firsthand. What you're experiencing now is a great opportunity to help Alice Nakiri repair her weaknesses.

　In any world, the tastes of the common people and the upper class differ greatly.

　Ordinary people tend to choose affordable, hearty, and locally distinctive ingredients and cooking methods to meet their daily needs.

　The upper class prefers high-end, rare ingredients and exquisite cooking techniques, pursuing the original flavor of the ingredients and an elegant dining experience.

　The two are quite different and would not normally be compatible, but they do have one thing in common: they both love delicious food!

　Delicious food has the power to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and it can conquer all! It can ignore differences in taste and whether you like it or not.

　The moment you see it, the only thought that will stay in your mind is to eat it!

　"Excuse me, can you cook fish for free here?"

　Just as Bai Yuan's thoughts were drifting, a slightly uneasy female voice came from outside the kitchen. Bai Yuan and Alice Nakiri went out to take a look and found a simply dressed girl in the shop.

　"Excuse me, can you cook fish for free here?"

　The faded clothes had two patches on them. He seemed a little reserved when the two people came out, but he still stood firmly in place, staring straight at them.

　He then repeated what he had just said.

　"Of course, for the first three days of the new store opening, processing is free. Just bring the raw materials you want to eat and tell her directly."

　Bai Yuan pointed to Nakiri Alice standing to the side. Upon seeing this, the girl immediately stepped forward, blinking her big eyes as she handed over the fish she was holding.

　"It's my grandma's birthday today, and she's been wanting to eat fish, so she wants a pan-fried sea bass. But I'm not very good at cooking and I'm afraid I'll ruin the fish, so I'd like to ask you for help."

　As she spoke, the girl looked at the two of them somewhat shyly, rubbing the hem of her clothes as she spoke, seemingly afraid that they would refuse.

　"Is it an elder's birthday? Okay, when exactly? This dish can be prepared in 20 minutes."

　Looking at the small sea bass in front of her, and contrasting it with the girl's simple clothes, Alice Nakiri felt a little touched, but her face remained expressionless.

　“My house is just across the street. I can bring Grandma over now. 20 minutes is enough time, and it’s almost lunchtime!”

　Upon hearing Alice Nakiri's agreement, the girl immediately showed an excited expression, with a hint of surprise in her eyes, as she hadn't expected it to be so easy.

　"Then let's start preparing now. Go and bring the old man over, so that you can eat as soon as you arrive."

　"Great! Thank you so much!"

　Upon hearing Alice Nakiri's words, the simple-looking girl bowed deeply to her to express her gratitude.

　My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally at ease.

　Chapter Forty Longevity Noodles

　"In addition to frying the fish, let's also give the elderly a bowl of longevity noodles."

　The sign at the entrance also included this message: "Anyone celebrating their birthday can receive a free bowl of longevity noodles at our restaurant, which I will personally prepare."

　Watching the girl's departing figure, Bai Yuan suddenly turned to Nakiri Alice and said.

　"Okay master."