Chapter 12: Hundred Flavors of the Heavenly River, Forever Welcoming Young Master Ye

"Young Master?"

Lin Zixuan stared in disbelief. Approaching him was none other than Zhang Baiwei, the Seven-Star Chef of Tianhe Flavors!

He just called me ‘Young Master’?

This is Zhang Baiwei!

It’s said that ever since Tianhe Flavors was founded, Zhang Baiwei has been the head chef of Dragon Country cuisine. Even though the restaurant has changed hands several times, no one has ever replaced him. The reason is simple: his culinary skills are unmatched, and he is synonymous with Tianhe Flavors. No shareholder has ever dared to remove him, for people come here not just for the restaurant, but for Zhang Baiwei himself.

Without Zhang Baiwei, Tianhe Flavors would be nothing but a scattered heap, let alone a thriving business.

Moreover, this man is notoriously proud and arrogant, his eyes always set high above others. He never regards the guests who come and go, not even the young masters of influential families. Even if the heads of the three great families of Central City visited, without a refined palate, he would treat them no differently.

Lin Zixuan himself had once been mocked by Zhang Baiwei, who told him he lacked taste and was not worthy to dine here.

Lin Zixuan remembered it vividly and still held a grudge.

But today, had Zhang Baiwei changed his nature?

He actually called him ‘Young Master’ in front of so many people.

Or perhaps, because of the Lin family’s recent cooperation, this man was finally showing restraint?

At this thought, Lin Zixuan’s lips curled with satisfaction.

Zhang Baiwei, oh Zhang Baiwei, who would have thought you’d one day have to humble yourself like this?

Though he was secretly delighted, Lin Zixuan still maintained a cold and aloof demeanor, for the person he liked was by his side, and he wanted to appear indifferent.

Yes, aloof!

“I’m here. Where’s the table?”

Who is this man? Is he out of his mind?

Zhang Baiwei glanced at Lin Zixuan as if he was an idiot, having no recollection of this person at all. Then his eager gaze landed on Ye Tian, who stood behind.

The designer of Tianhe Flavors, Young Master Ye of Central City!

If it hadn’t been for Ye Tian back then, Zhang Baiwei would probably have remained an obscure chef, scraping by in a small eatery, never to become the head chef of Tianhe Flavors.

It was all because of those few words:

“Your skills are far above this. Come to Tianhe.”
“With you, Zhang Baiwei, Tianhe gains two more words—Tianhe Flavors!”
“You have the talent, and I trust you. It’s that simple.”

Every time he recalled those words, Zhang Baiwei could not help but be moved to tears.

Such a debt of gratitude could not be repaid in a hundred lifetimes.

Seeing an old friend, Ye Tian did not rush to reveal himself. He simply waved his hand gently, signaling Zhang Baiwei not to make a fuss.

His identity was sensitive, and all the diners here were the scions of noble families. If word got out, it would inevitably cause a sensation.

“The table is over there. Let me show you the way.” Zhang Baiwei understood instantly and respectfully invited them in.

“Alright,” Lin Zixuan replied.

At this moment, his vanity was thoroughly satisfied. Under the astonished gazes of the onlookers, he walked at the front with his head held high, following Zhang Baiwei’s lead to the central table.

The area was partitioned for privacy, perfectly tranquil. The round table, patterned in black and white, resembled two Go stones merging, or perhaps the symbol of yin and yang.

This was a special seat, positioned at the very heart of the restaurant, the so-called “Tengen” of a Go board.

“Isn’t there a mistake? This isn’t the table I reserved. Mine should be the one by the side!” Lin Zixuan’s eyes widened in confusion.

This was the ‘Tengen,’ the table reserved for Tianhe Flavors’ most distinguished guests. Whenever such a guest arrived, the restaurant would clear the entire floor. Only for the most powerful figures of Central City or the Great General of the Dragon Nation would Tianhe Flavors set a feast here.

Even Lin Zixuan, naive as he was, knew this rule—how would he dare take such a seat?

“No mistake. This is the young master’s table.” Zhang Baiwei offered a meaningful smile, then quickly left.

“Is—Is that so? Haha…” Lin Zixuan broke out in a cold sweat, overwhelmed by the honor. But seeing Li Muqing’s calm face and Ye Tian’s composed expression, he could only hold his ground.

“Haha… I never expected the Lin family’s reputation to carry such weight, to allow me to dine at the Tengen!”

Heaven above, Lin Zixuan was actually seated at the Tengen!

Could it be that from now on, he too would rise to the top, smooth sailing into the ranks of Central City’s elite?

This fool…

Li Muqing, who knew the real reason, could hardly keep from laughing, but catching Ye Tian’s steady gaze, she refrained and simply sat upright.

Meanwhile, the kitchen was already ablaze with activity.

“Everyone, show me your best work!”

“Did you hear me?”

Zhang Baiwei gripped his ladle, inspecting each chef and scrutinizing every ingredient.

“This tenderloin isn’t soft enough—do it over!”
“The blanching is incomplete—throw it out and start again!”
“Do it again!”
“This one too—again!”

As he barked orders, he emphasized, “Remember, you must present the very best of Tianhe Flavors to this guest. Understood?”

“Understood!” the chefs responded in unison, beads of cold sweat running down their faces, none daring to protest.

After a long wait with no food in sight, Lin Zixuan could hardly contain his boredom. Seeing both Ye Tian and Li Muqing silent, he finally spoke up.

“So, Xiao Ye, right? What do you do for a living?”

“Currently unemployed,” Ye Tian replied honestly.

He truly had no job, so it was only right to say so.

“You’re so young, yet you don’t work. Are you just sponging off your family? That’s rather unambitious! Tell you what, tell me your skills, and I’ll arrange something for you!”

Lin Zixuan spoke with a tone of regret, patting his chest, as if he was earnestly offering a job. In reality, he was simply taking the chance to belittle Ye Tian and vent his own dissatisfaction.

Li Muqing, I brought you to a high-end restaurant, yet you insisted on bringing this country bumpkin along! What’s that supposed to mean—looking down on me?

At this moment, his vanity was inflated to the extreme, as if he was already a top-tier power in Central City, able to accomplish anything with a word.

What right did this bumpkin have to share a table with him?

“Skills?” Ye Tian found it amusing—he hadn’t expected that one day someone would offer to arrange a job for him.

“I’m fairly good at fighting. Does that count as a skill?”

“Well… I suppose it does.” Lin Zixuan put on a thoughtful look, as if he was seriously considering job options for Ye Tian.

“How about this!”

All of a sudden, his eyes lit up.

“Why not come work as a security guard for the Lin family? Since you’re a friend of our Qingqing, I’ll pay you eight thousand a month. How about it?”

“No need,” Ye Tian couldn’t help but rub his forehead at this man.

At this, Li Muqing finally couldn’t hold back. Her cool expression dissolved in an instant, replaced by peals of laughter.

“That’s too funny—hahahahaha…”

“What’s so funny, Qingqing?” Lin Zixuan asked, puzzled. “Even if you don’t think much of Ye Tian’s martial arts, there’s no need to laugh at him in front of everyone. He’s your family’s honored guest, after all.”

“She’s laughing at you,” Ye Tian said, unable to suppress his own laughter any longer.