After agreeing on the match for the next evening, Qin Feng strolled out of Yonghe Restaurant with a relaxed expression.

Seeing him so nonchalant, Qiao Lu asked, “Boss Qin, you don’t seem worried about tomorrow night’s competition at all? If you lose, Kung Pao Chicken will officially become their dish.”

“Don’t worry, the word ‘lose’ has never existed in my dictionary.”

Qin Feng smiled confidently. If he couldn’t even beat a restaurant chef, how could he still claim to be a world-renowned chef?

“Alright, I’ll come to watch you compete tomorrow night.”

After saying her goodbyes, Qiao Lu left, and Qin Feng headed back home.

Late at night, Zhao Yonghe was in his restaurant discussing the next evening’s match with a few chefs.

One chef spoke up first, “Boss, that kid can make a dish as good as Kung Pao Chicken. He’s probably got some real skills. I think if we send our chefs to compete, they’ll likely lose.”

Zhao Yonghe nodded and replied, “I know our chefs are decent at making home-style and specialty dishes, but they definitely can’t match up to that kid. That’s why I plan to bring in someone to help us.”

Hearing this, someone immediately asked, “An ordinary chef won’t cut it. Who are you planning to bring in?”

“Do you all know Liu Ming?” Zhao Yonghe grinned as he dropped the name.

“Of course we know him! He’s Chef King Xue’s youngest protégé and currently the head chef of a five-star restaurant. He’s one of the most promising chefs out there. Boss, do you know him?”

Hearing Liu Ming’s name, the chefs looked envious. At just over twenty years old, Liu Ming was already a head chef at a five-star restaurant, with a bright future ahead of him—a true winner in life.

Zhao Yonghe smiled smugly and said, “It just so happens that Liu Ming is courting my daughter. I’m confident he’ll help us with this.”

“That makes sense. Xiao Li is a general manager at an international company and absolutely stunning!”

“Boss, if Liu Ming really becomes your son-in-law, our restaurant’s future will be unstoppable!”

“And you know why I chose fish and tofu for the competition? Because those are Liu Ming’s specialties.”

“Boss, you’ve thought of everything!”

The next morning, after dropping off Nannan at kindergarten, Qin Feng received a call from Shen Yan asking him to come to the store.

When he arrived, he saw Shen Yan carefully placing a set of knives on the table.

While opening the knife set, Shen Yan explained, “There are 23 chef’s knives in total here. My grandfather personally crafted each one according to the blueprints you provided. Take a look.”

“Thank Old Master Shen for his hard work.”

Qin Feng’s eyes gleamed with joy as he gazed at the shiny knives. Even from their appearance, they were incredibly appealing—streamlined blades with a silver sheen, like pieces of art.

“I heard you have a competition tonight. My grandfather is resting now, but he says he’ll come to watch. Your Boiling Vegetable Soup has completely won him over.”

Shen Yan admired Qin Feng’s cooking skills, so he paid close attention to him.

“It’s my honor to have him enjoy my dish. Tonight, I’d be thrilled to hear Old Master’s guidance during the competition.”

Qin Feng smiled and left with the knife set on his back.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yonghe was sitting with Liu Ming, chatting over coffee.

Liu Ming put down his cup and said, “Uncle, since you’re Xiao Li’s father, I really shouldn’t refuse. But you know my position. If I help your restaurant with the match, people will accuse me of bullying and stirring up controversy.”

“I understand, but this match is critical for the restaurant. That’s why I came to you for help, Chef Liu.”

Zhao Yonghe wasn’t ready to give up.

Liu Ming thought for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll help. But I can’t show my face. I’ll wear a mask during the match.”

Liu Ming didn’t want to outright refuse—after all, Zhao Yonghe was his potential future father-in-law.

“No problem. I’ll just say you have a facial issue. That should clear up any concerns.”

Hearing Liu Ming agree, Zhao Yonghe beamed. With Liu Ming on his side, defeating Qin Feng would be a breeze.

At this moment, Qin Feng was relaxing at his shop, conserving energy for the match. Yonghe Restaurant would provide all the ingredients, so he didn’t have to worry about a thing. His thoughts drifted to how he could share his culinary creations with more people.

In his previous life, he had spent all his time working to earn money, eventually becoming a billionaire. But with wealth came the loss of passion for creating new dishes. In this life, he decided not to chase money and instead focus on creating even more delicious food for people to enjoy.

At 5 p.m., Qin Feng picked up Nannan from kindergarten and carried her to Yonghe Restaurant. He couldn’t leave her alone at home and wasn’t comfortable with anyone else watching her.

“This little girl is so cute! Whose child is she?”

When Qiao Lu saw Nannan, she couldn’t resist her adorably chubby cheeks and big, watery eyes. She looked ready to pinch them right then and there.

“This is my daughter, Nannan. What do you mean, ‘Whose child is she?’”

Qin Feng retorted with mock annoyance.

“What? You already have a daughter? And she’s this adorable?”

Qiao Lu looked at him in disbelief. Qin Feng didn’t look older than his twenties, yet he already had a child?

Seeing her reaction, Qin Feng said, “What’s so shocking? Can’t I have a daughter? Nannan, call her Auntie.”

Before he could finish, Qiao Lu hurriedly waved her hands. “Nannan, don’t call me Auntie. Call me Sister.”

“Sister,” Nannan said in her sweet little voice.

“What a good girl! Sister will buy you some yummy treats later.”

Qiao Lu couldn’t resist reaching out to touch Nannan’s cheek.

When Qin Feng entered Yonghe Restaurant, he noticed the venue had already been set up. Two stoves were positioned in the center for the competition, with various ingredients arranged neatly nearby.

Seeing there was still some time before the match, he sat down with Nannan to wait.

Soon, Shen Yuanshan and Shen Yan arrived and took seats beside Qin Feng.

Shen Yuanshan looked at Nannan and asked, “What a lovely child! Is she yours?”

“Yes, Old Master. Nannan, greet Grandpa.”

Qin Feng lifted Nannan, prompting her to greet Shen Yuanshan.

“Hello, Grandpa,” Nannan said softly, then quickly buried her face in Qin Feng’s arms, feeling shy.

Shen Yuanshan was delighted by her greeting. He immediately pulled out a jade pendant shaped like a rabbit and handed it to her. “Here, little one. Grandpa’s meeting gift for you. Do you like it?”

“A bunny! So cute!”

Nannan eagerly accepted the pendant, her eyes lighting up with joy.

“Old Master, isn’t this too valuable?”

Qin Feng recognized the pendant as a high-quality jade piece with a fine finish.

“Valuable or not, it’s just a piece of jade—a worldly possession. I’ve always wanted a great-granddaughter, but my girl here hasn’t delivered. She doesn’t even have a boyfriend yet!”

Shen Yuanshan sighed heavily.

Hearing her grandfather’s complaint, Shen Yan quickly turned her head away, pretending not to hear.