I've been possessed by a culinary genius, and I've turned Shaxian snacks into a rip-off!

"So, Master, are you really not going home?" Su Su asked.

Li Zhibai thought for a moment, then took out his phone and said, "I'll call my mom first and talk to her."

Whether I go back or not, I have to let my mother know, lest she say that I don't miss her.

Li Zhibai tidied himself up a bit, straightened his collar, and made a video call to his mother.

Soon, a middle-aged woman's face appeared on the screen. You could vaguely see Li Zhibai's features in her eyes and brows. You could say that Li Zhibai looked like his mother.

"Son, what made you decide to video call me? How's business at the store lately?"

Li Zhibai raised his phone a little higher so that the camera could capture a panoramic view of the store: "Look for yourself, we just saw off a group of customers, and we've only just managed to take a break now."

Li Ma leaned closer to the screen and saw Su Su tidying up the tables in the shop. Suddenly, her eyes lit up: "Oh, who's that girl? She's quite pretty. Are you dating someone?"

"That's my apprentice, not my girlfriend."

"Hey apprentice! Master-apprentice romances are all the rage these days. I've seen several in short dramas, like 'My Master Chef Fell in Love with Me' and 'The Domineering Chef's Little Apprentice,' they're so sweet. Son, if you try your best, maybe you can do it too..."

Li Zhibai quickly interrupted her: "Stop!"

"Mom, could you please stop watching those ridiculous short dramas? They're all just acting. There aren't that many teacher-student romances in real life. And could you please stop bringing this up every time? I'm only 23, there's really no rush."

"Why aren't you in a hurry at 23? When your dad was 23, you were already old enough to run errands."

"That was in your time; things are different now."

"What's the difference? Anyway, hurry up and bring me a girlfriend. Your mother is waiting to hold her grandson. If you really can't find one, I think your little apprentice is pretty good. He's handsome and works in the same industry. He's perfect for you."

Li Zhibai really regretted making the call and quickly changed the subject.

"Mom, let's not talk about this for now. I have something important to tell you."

"My business has just started to pick up, and I'm getting more repeat customers. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a peak season for the restaurant industry. What will happen to my regular customers if I close up shop and go home for the holiday? They're all waiting to eat at my place. As a responsible owner, I can't just abandon them, can I?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ma narrowed her eyes, her expression almost identical to that of Li Zhibai when he overcharged customers.

"So you're saying you're not coming back?"

"Yes, I want to stay and earn more money."

"Alright, then you just focus on your work in Jiangcheng. Don't worry about things at home. We celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival every year, so it won't make a difference if we get together this year."

Li Zhibai nodded, then, as if remembering something, added:

"By the way, Mom, why don't you and Dad come to Jiangcheng for the Mid-Autumn Festival? I've arranged everything perfectly for you two. All-inclusive accommodations, five-star hotels, private car service—let you experience the life of the wealthy and have a great time!"

"Hehehe... Five-star hotel? Your restaurant has only been open for a few days. Don't try to look big when you're not."

"I'm telling the truth. Your son has made money, so he can afford to spend this much. I'm not lying to you."

When Li's mother heard him say that, she laughed and said, "If you really make a lot of money, then buy your mother a sports car so I can pretend to be a rich lady for once."

Li Zhibai's parents are both in their forties and have driver's licenses, but they have never bought a car. It's not that they can't afford it, but that they are saving money to prepare for his future marriage, house purchase, and car purchase. Otherwise, they would have bought a car long ago.

His mother was quite a fashionable woman when she was young. He remembers that when he was a child, his mother would borrow a relative's motorcycle and take him for a ride. She used to envy those rich ladies who drove sports cars and fantasized about what it would be like to drive a sports car herself.

So she just made a joke offhand, but she didn't expect Li Zhibai to take it seriously.

"Okay! Mom, I'll try my best to make as much money as possible... cough cough, so I can get you a sports car when I go home for Chinese New Year this year! What color do you like? How about red? Do you want it with a convertible top?"

"Hehehe...Alright, stop bragging. I was just joking with your mom."

"Do you want to come to Jiangcheng for the Mid-Autumn Festival? I'll buy you tickets."

"We're not going. Your grandparents are getting old, and it wouldn't be right for us not to be home with them during the holidays. Besides, it's the Mid-Autumn Festival, and we have to celebrate it in our hometown to really feel the festive atmosphere. Most of your cousins ​​will be back. Your grandma said she's going to set up two big tables in the yard this year to make it lively."

Li Zhibai nodded: "Okay!"

"Then you two take good care of yourselves. I'll transfer some money to you later. Please help me buy some things for my grandparents, like good quality supplements."

"Okay, it's enough that you have such filial piety. By the way, son, don't overwork yourself in Jiangcheng. After you finish your work for the Mid-Autumn Festival, go out and have a good meal. Don't just focus on making money. I saw the photos you posted last time, and you've lost weight."

Li Zhibai subconsciously touched his face.

Thin?

No way, he eats his own amazing dishes every day, his face has gotten so round.

However, he still obediently said "Okay, Mom" ​​and then ended the chat.

Since my parents aren't coming, there's nothing to worry about.

Make sure to sharpen your knife before the Mid-Autumn Festival!

............

On the other side, Su Su walked over after seeing Li Zhibai finish the video call.

"Master, are you done making the call?"

"Okay, I'm done. I'm sure I'm not going back."

"Perfect timing, Master, I have something to tell you."

"What's up? Do you want to raise tuition?" Li Zhibai's eyes gleamed. "How much? I don't mind at all."

Su Su: "..."

Master, can you please stop being so realistic?

"No, it's just that the tasting event at my restaurant was moved up."

"It's earlier than expected? Wasn't it supposed to be in the middle of the month?"

"That was originally the case, but the schedules of the culinary experts we invited have changed. There seems to be a culinary competition before the Mid-Autumn Festival that clashes with our schedules, so we had to move it forward to tomorrow noon."

"Tomorrow? No problem, I'll definitely be there on time."

"Thank you, Master!" Su Su then added, "Oh, right, Master, just dress presentably tomorrow, nothing too formal."

"I've already prepared this," Li Zhibai said with a mysterious smile.

When Su Su saw his smile, a bad feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

"Master, what clothes have you prepared?"

"Battle Robe!"

"Battle robes?"

"Yes! I guarantee this outfit will be a showstopper from the moment it appears, leaving a lasting impression on all the judges at the tasting event!"

Su Su: "..."

For some reason, the more she heard him say that, the stronger her bad premonition became.

"Master, could I take a look at your battle robe first?"

"Of course, you wait here." Li Zhibai immediately turned around and went upstairs.

Su Su waited downstairs, her heart pounding with anxiety, desperately praying that her master wouldn't do anything too outrageous.

A moment later, Li Zhibai came downstairs, carrying a white T-shirt. He unfolded the T-shirt and proudly showed it to Su Su.

The T-shirt features a line of large red text printed on the front: "Premium Shaxian cuisine, a culinary delight for your taste buds!"

The back also has a line printed on it: "You'll regret it if you don't eat it!"

It also had a ring of small print—【No. 88 Jiangdong South Road, Shaxian Snacks, everyone who's tried it says it's amazing!】

Su Su stared at the T-shirt covered in the word "GG" and froze instantly, her mouth agape in an "O" shape.

"Master...Master, you're going to attend my product appreciation event wearing this T-shirt?"

Li Zhibai held up the T-shirt to himself and said, "How about it? Doesn't it look impressive? Look at the color scheme, red background with white lettering, so eye-catching! No one else will dress like this at the banquet. I guarantee I'll be the most dazzling person there as soon as I walk in!"

Su Su: "......."

She suddenly regrets inviting her master to the tasting event.

Too shameful!