Chapter 242: Shrek Food Festival?
"Good afternoon, boss!" x3
As the three girls entered the shop, Qi Han cleared his throat. "There's a new dish tonight, and I was thinking of having you three taste-test it. Interested?"
A new dish?
The girls' eyes lit up instantly, and they all turned to look at the price board in unison.
After searching for a while, they couldn't find any new price tags on the board.
"Boss, is there no more space for new prices on the board?" Fu Ya asked worriedly as she glanced at Qi Han. She had considered this issue earlier at lunch but hadn't expected it to become a problem so soon.
Hearing Fu Ya's concern, Ying Shuang and Ji Yunruo also caught on, their faces showing a hint of worry.
What would happen to new dishes in the future?
Noticing their concerned expressions, Qi Han chuckled. "Don't worry. If we run out of space, I'll use a menu booklet. Fu Ya, have you forgotten the hotpot menu from Star Luo City?"
Oh, right!
Fu Ya's eyes suddenly brightened.
The hotpot menu, which listed over a hundred ingredients, was all presented in a booklet.
In that case, the same approach could be used for the menu here.
But…
If that's not the reason, then…
"Boss, why hasn't the new dish been written on the board yet?" Fu Ya asked, puzzled.
"The current new dishes are enough for the customers to enjoy for a while," Qi Han replied with a slight smile. "There's no rush to introduce more just yet. Over the next little while, I'll be experimenting with a variety of new dishes. Once they're ready, I'll release them all at once and include them in the menu booklet."
So that's the plan?
Fu Ya nodded thoughtfully.
"Um…" Ji Yunruo, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, couldn't hold back anymore. "Boss, are you preparing for the Shrek Food Festival in two weeks?"
Huh?
Shrek Food Festival?
Qi Han's face showed a hint of confusion.
Shrek City has such a festival?
In contrast to his reaction, Ying Shuang and Fu Ya's eyes lit up almost simultaneously.
Yes! The Shrek Food Festival!
The boss must be preparing to release his new dishes for that event, right?
Their expectant and excited gazes turned to Qi Han, but then froze.
Why… does the boss look so bewildered?
"Um… what is the Shrek Food Festival?" Qi Han asked, feeling genuinely puzzled. His plan to release a batch of new dishes at once was simply to avoid having a sparse menu booklet—it had nothing to do with any festival.
The three girls exchanged looks. Finally, Ji Yunruo, who had brought it up, took the initiative to explain.
"The Shrek Food Festival is a grand event held in Shrek City every three years."
"You know, boss, that Shrek City has now surpassed the capitals of the two great empires—Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City—in scale. It's undoubtedly the number one city on the Douluo Continent. Located on the border of both empires and maintaining strict neutrality, Shrek City has become home to immigrants from all across the continent. These immigrants bring with them the cuisines of their homelands."
"Shortly after Shrek City was founded, the first Shrek Food Festival was held, thanks to the suggestions and advocacy of many food enthusiasts. The festival was designed to showcase and evaluate the cuisines of various cities, with a focus on selecting everyone's favorite dishes. Initially, the event was limited to Shrek City itself, but over time, as its scale grew, it began influencing the entire Douluo Continent."
Ji Yunruo smiled warmly. "Every Shrek Food Festival attracts countless food lovers from all over the continent, making it extraordinarily lively. Boss, if you debut several new dishes during the festival, I'm sure you could win the top prize as the most beloved food!"
After Ji Yunruo finished speaking, Ying Shuang and Fu Ya nodded vigorously.
Since Ji Yunruo was a native of Shrek City, she naturally knew a lot about the festival. In contrast, Fu Ya and Ying Shuang were from other cities, only coming here to attend Shrek Academy. However, they had been here for three years, and during their first year, they had experienced the last Shrek Food Festival. The dazzling array of dishes from that time was still fresh in their memories.
Now, if Small Shop were to participate in this year's festival…
The faces of all three girls showed a mix of anticipation and excitement.
It would definitely be amazing!
As Qi Han listened patiently to Ji Yunruo's explanation, he found himself deep in thought.
It wasn't the matter of new dishes that occupied his mind but rather Main Quest 7, which had been puzzling him for a while.
The one that required ten thousand out-of-town diners to complete. That ridiculous quest.
Turns out, the food festival could be the breakthrough he needed.
Main Quest 7 was crucial.
Once it was completed, he'd fulfill one of the prerequisites for advancing to an Intermediate Chef.
So, this upcoming food festival… Qi Han decided he had to take it seriously.
After tonight's business hours, he'd gather more information about the festival.
With two weeks to go? That should give him plenty of time to prepare.
Steeling himself, Qi Han looked at the three girls and said slowly, "Small Shop will participate in the food festival."
"Hey, what's up?"
The voice of Ruyi, his system spirit, suddenly echoed in his mind.
Qi Han smirked.
"Isn't this kind of a big deal? Shouldn't you issue a quest for it?"
Ruyi (grumbling):
"Tch… So now the mature host knows how to ask for quests, huh?"
After a moment of sarcastic muttering, a new task interface appeared before Qi Han.
[Side Quest 6: Conquer the Food Festival]
[Objective: At the triennial Shrek Food Festival, have the Small Shop dish voted as the most beloved by food lovers.
Description: Time to use one shop to dominate the whole street!
Reward: Random Recipe x2, Spirit Power Level +2.]
Having snagged a fresh side quest, Qi Han quietly gave himself a mental thumbs-up.
Well done!
Smiling slightly, he turned to the three girls.
"Today's new dish is a soup. You can order anything else you like alongside it."
The girls nodded and, after some thought, quickly chose the dishes they wanted.
Qi Han acknowledged their choices and headed back into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Qi Han had prepared their meals and, with Pururu's help, served them.
The dishes they ordered arrived first. However, the girls didn't start eating right away. Instead, they kept their eyes fixed on Qi Han as he walked back into the kitchen.
The new dish… what could it be?
They didn't dare to guess that it would be another extravagant dish like the Boiled Water Cabbage, especially since it had been served recently. They doubted Qi Han would introduce another similarly grand dish so soon.
The three girls silently speculated to themselves.
But they didn't have to wonder for long. Soon, Qi Han emerged, carrying a soup bowl in each hand, with Pururu carefully following behind, holding a similar porcelain-white bowl in its mouth.
As soon as the three servings of Wensi Tofu were placed on the table, the ambient energy of heaven and earth stirred once more.
Watching the misty fog rising above, the three girls looked a little dazed.
Why… is it another dish of such high caliber?
When the magnificent and awe-inspiring Painting of Glorious Rivers and Mountains appeared again, Qi Han was much less surprised this time.
Sitting at the next table, he watched with interest as the girls recovered from their shock. Pointing to the three bowls of Wensi Tofu on the table, he smirked and said,
"The dish name is Wensi Tofu. Give it a taste."
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