C15 Random Reward

Uncle Wang found himself unable to convince Du Binn, so he reluctantly handed over the money. After expressing his gratitude, Du Binn glanced at the clock and, realizing time was pressing, he rushed back.

Upon arriving at his little shop, Du Binn was astounded; it was as if the place had undergone a complete transformation. Had he not been aware of the changes, he might have suspected he'd walked into the wrong location.

Du Binn was thoroughly pleased with the shop's new look. The tables and chairs were somewhat worn, but fortunately, he had already commissioned Uncle Wang to craft replacements.

With the shop's upgrade out of the way, Du Binn turned his attention to the task assigned by the system.

The system had challenged him to gather five hundred popularity points within a fortnight, a detail Du Binn hadn't yet fully explored.

Feeling the mission was somewhat vague, Du Binn was unclear on the specifics of garnering popularity and decided to consult the system for some guidance.

"System, is it possible for me to personally go out and drum up support within half a month?"

Du Binn had mulled over the task briefly. He figured that if he created some promotional materials and spread the word in neighboring cities, he could swiftly rack up the points.

But the reality wasn't as straightforward as Du Binn had imagined. After posing his question, the system promptly responded with a tip.

Ding!

A gentle reminder: The host is not allowed to self-promote or pay for advertising. Success must come from others who willingly share their experiences; this is a prerequisite for the host's journey to becoming a future Master Chef. After all, what kind of Master Chef needs to self-promote?

The system seemed to preempt Du Binn's thoughts, shooting down his strategy as soon as it formed, leaving him feeling somewhat disheartened.

"So, what level of fame is required?"

Du Binn inquired offhandedly, not really expecting a response, yet the system surprised him.

Recognition of the host's shop and appreciation for the host's culinary skills are all that's needed.

"Would it count if people simply know of the shop and have a good impression?"

Du Binn, recalling the tourist photos he'd seen online, posed the question spontaneously.

If mere recognition was the goal, surpassing five hundred popularity points would be a breeze – five hundred could easily become five thousand.

The task turned out to be more complex than Du Binn had anticipated. Yet, with his exceptional culinary skills, drawing a crowd to his unique restaurant seemed well within reach.

When the system barred him from spending money on advertising, Du Binn had no choice but to seek Wang Jianqiang's assistance. Wang Jianqiang was a social butterfly, with numerous social media accounts like Weibo, where his food recommendations garnered significant online interest.

Du Binn resolved to consult with Wang Jianqiang the next day, but just then, the system chimed in with a reminder.

Ding!

A special reminder: As a man destined to be a Master Chef, should you really be asking others to promote your dishes?

The message hit Du Binn like a splash of cold water. He found himself agreeing with the system and quickly abandoned his initial plan. After all, he was on his way to becoming a Master Chef; this was merely a bump in the road.

Yet, the system's words left him momentarily adrift in uncertainty.

Then, another alert from the system broke through his thoughts.

Congratulations, you've activated your culinary title. Claim it now.

Du Binn was perplexed. A culinary title? Without hesitation, he clicked to claim it.

Culinary Title: Newbie.

"Newbie?" Du Binn gaped at the word. Despite mastering Osmanthus Flower Lotus Porridge and Golden Egg Fried Rice, he was still ranked as a newbie?

"What's the use of this title?" he wondered.

The system piped up once more.

Ding! Congratulations on receiving your title. A random reward will follow. The title is automatically equipped and cannot be removed, only upgraded.

Du Binn was puzzled by the notion of an unremovable title that seemed to serve no purpose. Why couldn't he remove it? But he didn't dwell on it, his mind fixated on discovering what the random reward might be.

He clicked to claim, and the system promptly delivered his prize.

Congratulations, you've received a random reward: Soup Dumplings (Ready to claim).

Du Binn promptly claimed his reward: Soup Dumplings, priced by the system at 323 yuan.

He was quite pleased with the price, considering it was currently the most affordable item on the menu.

Exiting the rewards interface, Du Binn accessed the system panel:

Host: Du Binn.

Physical Quality: Average.

Skill: Divine Egg Fried Rice.

Tools: None.

Cooking Level: Beginner.

Cooking Title: Noob.

Current Mission: Accumulate 500 popularity points within half a month.

Du Binn grimaced at the "Noob" title; he wanted it gone but had no choice but to accept it, shaking his head in resignation.

The next morning, Du Binn rose early, eager to add a new breakfast item: Steamed Dumplings.

Entering the kitchen, the recipe for Steamed Dumplings instantly came to mind.

He scooped up a spoonful of the system's high-grade flour and mixed it with the fresh spring water of the morning.

As soon as he opened the flour, a fresh wheat aroma enveloped him.

Kneading was crucial; achieving the "three lights"—the bowl's gleam, the hands' sheen, and the dough's glow—was essential for perfect dough.

Though kneading was strenuous, Du Binn's regular labor ensured he had ample strength for the task.

Following the system's techniques, he quickly worked the dough to perfection, then covered it with a cloth to rest.

Next, Du Binn selected prime pork belly for the filling, its marbling reminiscent of fine marble.

He minced the pork belly as per the system's instructions, then expertly blended in the seasonings.

The system's mixing method ensured that the spices were evenly distributed, giving the meat mixture an ideal texture and bite.

Once the dough was ready, Du Binn crafted the wrappers, following the system's guidelines. A superior Soup Dumpling required a delicate, translucent, and resilient wrapper—a feat not easily achieved by many.

Du Binn swiftly executed the system's recipe for crafting the perfect xiaolongbao. Thanks to the specialized pot provided by the system, a mere ten minutes of steaming was all it took for the dumplings to be ready.

Gazing at the steaming, pillowy xiaolongbao, Du Binn couldn't resist salivating.

He placed a basket of the xiaolongbao before him and brought out the prepared dipping sauce, settling down to taste his creation.

Du Binn lifted one of the dumplings to his nose and inhaled deeply.

The aroma was indeed delightful.

Next, he dipped the xiaolongbao into the sauce and placed it in his mouth.

The wrapper was delicately thin and tender, while the meat filling was satisfyingly firm and flavorful. It was, without a doubt, scrumptious.