C9 Happiness Restaurant

The income column flashed, recording an addition of +55 Experience Points.

This time it was +55. Reflecting on the current 110 square meters of the Super Farm, Chung Yuan speculated that the Experience Points were likely earned at a rate of five points per interaction with every ten square meters of the Super Farm.

"Ding!

As the Super Farm Level has been upgraded to Level 2, you have earned a new achievement and a One-click Harvest Power reward. It has been delivered. Would you like to use it now?"

Chung Yuan's face lit up with an unexpected delight upon hearing the system's prompt.

So, a new achievement meant an immediate chance to use the One-click Harvest Power?

Having previously enjoyed the convenience of this feature, Chung Yuan was quite pleased.

Considering his recently opened Reunion Restaurant, which urgently needed new dishes, the fiery hot peppers would make an excellent ingredient.

Without a moment's hesitation, he clicked to use it.

"Ding!

One-click Harvest Power successfully activated.

Congratulations, you've received 150 standard hot peppers."

Before Chung Yuan, a small mound of fiery red peppers materialized.

The peppers were thumb-thick and roughly ten centimeters long. Beyond their striking red hue, they seemed unremarkable.

"No mutation, unfortunately."

Chung Yuan felt a twinge of disappointment; it looked like he hadn't hit the jackpot this time.

Nevertheless, having elevated the Super Farm to Level 2 and secured 150 hot peppers, he was quite content.

Armed with this novel and distinctive ingredient, he was confident in creating a world-unique culinary masterpiece.

After storing the pepper plants in the system, Chung Yuan planted another round of hot peppers and then exited the Super Farm.

Meanwhile, on the west side of Liyang Street, the Happiness Restaurant was bustling.

Business at the Happiness Restaurant thrived year-round, and the owner, while raking in profits, continually sought to expand. Now, the restaurant spanned three floors, with two dedicated to dining, each exceeding 200 square meters, bringing the total area to over 500 square meters.

The space was five times larger than that of the Reunion Restaurant.

Despite this, the Happiness Restaurant was bustling with patrons at the moment. Each customer wore a relaxed smile, engaging in lively conversations and toasting with their drinks. It was a lively scene.

This was in sharp contrast to the deserted Reunion Restaurant.

Outside, a casually dressed middle-aged man, around forty with a stubbled beard and a weathered look, was about to enter the Happiness Restaurant when he heard a voice from behind.

"Zhang Zhuo, my man, you're back at this place for a meal?"

Zhang Zhuo, the man with the seasoned appearance, paused and turned to find the voice belonged to his colleague, Liu Lang.

Their friendship spanned over two years and was anything but ordinary. A warm smile spread across Zhang Zhuo's face. "This restaurant's food is affordable and tasty. Where else would I go?"

Liu Lang dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. "Affordable and tasty is all relative."

Zhang Zhuo, taken aback, asked, "Bro, do you have a better spot in mind?"

"Absolutely," Liu Lang nodded, his smile broadening. "I promise, try it once and it'll be unforgettable."

"Can it really be that memorable?" Zhang Zhuo was skeptical.

He was a laid-back guy with no particular passion for gourmet food. For him, as long as the price was right and the food satisfying, that was plenty.

He couldn't recall ever eating anything that left a lasting impression, much less something unforgettable.

"What kind of friends are we? I wouldn't steer you wrong," Liu Lang said, patting his belly. "I overate at lunch and I'm not even hungry now, but just thinking about that taste makes me crave it... I really want another serving. Let's go there tonight, my treat!"

"Sure thing!"

At the mention of a free meal, Zhang Zhuo immediately accepted. After all, why pass up a free lunch?

Once they'd departed, a man stepped out of the Happiness Restaurant, his shoes gleaming, a gold chain glinting at his neck, dressed in a stylish suit and sporting an expensive watch on his wrist.

The man was in his thirties, radiating an air of nobility from head to toe. He was none other than Chiang Liqiang, the owner of Happiness Restaurant.

Three years prior, when Happiness Restaurant's business had hit its stride, Chiang Liqiang stepped back from the day-to-day operations, entrusting the work to highly paid staff, while he took on the role of an absentee owner, savoring life with abandon.

Yet, his domineering nature, coupled with the fact that the restaurant was the culmination of years of his effort and the cornerstone of his wealth, drove him.

His unwavering aim was to dominate all of Jinling City's culinary scene, to stand at the pinnacle of a pyramid far beyond the reach of his peers.

He would never tolerate any rival outperforming his Happiness Restaurant.

The recent exchange between Liu Lang and Zhang Zhuo had not escaped his ears, leaving him quite displeased.

Compelled, he stepped out and followed them without a second thought.

He was eager to discover which competitor's fare could so captivate diners that they would forsake his establishment, claiming an unforgettable experience after just one meal.

"If possible, I should be able to deconstruct their flavors and ingredient pairings and create something superior," Chiang Liqiang mused.

His culinary gifts were exceptional, with a strong knack for imitation and innovation.

The success of Happiness Restaurant was largely due to his ability to outdo the signature dishes of Jinling City's finest, thereby capturing their clientele.

Since the restaurant's boom three years ago, he hadn't felt the thrill of reverse-engineering a rival's recipes—until now.

Reinvigorated, he followed Liu Lang and Zhang Zhuo until they arrived outside Reunion Restaurant on East Street.

"Here we are," announced Liu Lang, coming to a halt.

"Where?" Zhang Zhuo scanned the area, puzzled.

"What are you looking at? It's right in front of you," Liu Lang said, a touch of irritation in his voice as he gestured toward the sign overhead bearing "Reunion Restaurant."

"Is this really the place?" Zhang Zhuo asked, his face a picture of astonishment. He couldn't shake the feeling that he might have been played for a fool.