"A chef from Songhe Tower has come to visit."
A tall, slender middle-aged man wearing a Chinese chef's uniform walked in, smiling slightly.
"What? It's Songhe Tower?"
"They've really come knocking on our door?"
The chefs of Kitajo Restaurant were immediately startled, their expressions turning grim as they watched the middle-aged man warily.
Satou noticed that Miyoko Hojo's expression was also very serious, and he couldn't help but ask, "Miyoko, who are they?"
"Songhe Tower is a new restaurant that just opened in Chinatown. It specializes in authentic Chinese cuisine and is very popular with customers. However, I heard that shortly after they arrived, they immediately started challenging restaurants throughout Chinatown. Several establishments have already closed down," Miyoko Hojo said with a frown.
Satou nodded, then began to observe the chef.
Although the middle-aged man was not burly, the veins on his hands, hidden in his sleeves, were exposed, indicating great strength.
Chinese cuisine, unlike other cuisines, requires wielding heavy woks and cleavers, so it demands significant strength in the hands.
Miyoko Hojo was initially looked down upon by the chefs of Kitajo Restaurant because of her gender, and only later gained their recognition.
And just by looking at this man's hands, it was clear that he had put in a lot of hard work in Chinese cuisine.
"I am the head chef of Kitajo Restaurant," Chef Kitajo walked over and said in a deep voice. "You must be the head chef of that new restaurant, right? What brings you here to visit?"
"My name is Miyazaki Ryūsei. I studied cooking in Huaxia under a culinary master for ten years. I heard that Kitajo Restaurant is a famous establishment in Chinatown, so I wanted to come and taste your signature dishes." The slender middle-aged man leading the group smiled slightly and spoke quite politely upon hearing this.
"I see." Chef Kitajo was slightly taken aback; this was quite different from the aggressive demeanor he had imagined.
"Don't worry, I'll pay," Miyazaki Ryūsei said with a polite smile, but then his tone turned stern. "Of course, if your dishes aren't delicious, I won't hesitate to criticize them."
Chef Kitajo's brows immediately furrowed, and he asked in a deep voice, "It seems you intend to test us, then?"
"I wouldn't dare." Miyazaki Ryūsei smiled, then sat down in a seat.
"Chef, what should we do? Should we really cook for him?"
"Yes, that guy definitely has bad intentions. Do we really have to cook for them?"
Several chefs from Kitajo Restaurant gathered around, asking Chef Kitajo questions excitedly.
Chef Kitajo's expression was serious, clearly sensing the other party's ill intentions, but then he laughed heartily and said boldly, "Since he said he'll pay, then he's a customer of our restaurant. There's nothing to be afraid of. Since he wants to taste our dishes, then let him have a good taste!"
Although he knew the other party was definitely there to test their restaurant's cuisine, if they didn't even dare to serve the dishes, they would already have lost.
Satou couldn't help but look at Chef Kitajo with admiration. As expected of Miyoko Hojo's father, he was steady and magnanimous, and his daughter was very much like him.
"Is this young man in a hurry to leave?" Chef Kitajo smiled at Satou and asked.
"Not at all," Satou said. Besides Kitajo Restaurant, he had no other tasting assignments.
"Then stay a bit longer and chat more with Miyoko," Chef Kitajo laughed heartily, adding, "Miyoko has also grown up, and I won't object to her dating a boyfriend."
"Father!" Miyoko Hojo's cheeks were flushed, and she glared at her father, both shy and annoyed.
Satou also felt a bit speechless, then sat down in a chair. At this point, the restaurant's waiter poured him a cup of tea.
Miyoko Hojo went into the kitchen to prepare dishes with the other chefs.
Although she was not old, her strength already surpassed many of Kitajo Restaurant's head chefs, and everyone respected her greatly.
Satou sat in the chair waiting when his phone suddenly rang.
He saw that it was Alice Nakiri calling.
"Hey, hey, Satou, where are you right now?" Alice Nakiri asked.
"I'm at Kitajo Restaurant in Chinatown for a tasting," Satou said.
"Really? Then I'll be right there!" Alice Nakiri said gleefully.
"You're coming?" Satou was surprised.
"Of course! You have to go shopping with me and eat delicious food!" Alice Nakiri said, "I don't usually get a chance at school, but today I finally got out, so you have to accompany me!"
Satou couldn't help but picture Alice Nakiri puffing out her cheeks and glaring at him, which made his head ache a little. But then he thought that he and she indeed didn't have many opportunities to be together at school, so he said, "Alright then."
"Mm!" Alice Nakiri happily agreed, then hung up the phone.
About an hour later, a young girl with silver-white medium-length hair, wearing a school uniform, and looking exceptionally exquisite, arrived at Kitajo Restaurant.
It was Alice Nakiri.
"Satou!" As soon as Alice Nakiri saw Satou, her eyes lit up, and she walked over and happily hugged his arm.
"Isn't he the young lady's boyfriend? Why is he so intimate with another girl?"
"Don't talk nonsense, the young lady hasn't admitted their relationship, has she?"
Seeing this scene, the chefs of Kitajo Restaurant all had somewhat strange expressions, and many even glared at Alice Nakiri.
Clearly, in many people's hearts, they hoped Satou was their young lady's boyfriend.
Chef Kitajo's eyes also flickered, then he shook his head with a wry smile, muttering to himself, "It seems Miyoko has a competitor. This girl, she's decisive and quick when it comes to cooking, but when it comes to things like this, she's a bit hesitant."
After all, they were father and daughter. Chef Kitajo, observing his daughter's demeanor towards Satou earlier, guessed that his daughter probably had a slight liking for the young man.
"Alice, so many people are watching," Satou said helplessly to the clinging Alice Nakiri.
"What does it matter!" Alice Nakiri said somewhat angrily, "We're outside of school right now, aren't we?"
At this moment, Miyoko Hojo and the others had finished preparing the dishes and walked out of the kitchen.
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