Early in the morning, Qin Feng got up and went to the market to buy some ingredients—rice, chicken breast, peanuts, and a few other things. For the restaurant’s opening dish, he decided on Kung Pao Chicken, a world-renowned dish that represented their nation in his past life.  

After buying the groceries, he stopped by a small advertising workshop to get a signboard made for ‘A Spoonful Moment’ and had it installed. He then visited the industrial and commercial bureau to register a business license—after all, operating without one would be illegal.  

Back at the shop, Qin Feng began cleaning. As a chef, he firmly believed hygiene always came first.  

Half an hour later, the entire restaurant was spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.  

“Boss, your chili peppers are here.”  

A small truck pulled up at the door, loaded with bundles of chili peppers, vibrant and lush. Some were emerald green, others a vivid red, each variety looking fresh and enticing.  

“Got it, thanks for the trouble,” Qin Feng said as he signed the delivery slip.  

The delivery guy glanced at the restaurant and asked, “Boss, what’re you planning to do with so many chilies? Decorating? Your place doesn’t seem big enough.”  

Qin Feng chuckled. “Who said they’re for decoration? They’re for cooking.”  

“For cooking? You’ve gotta be kidding me. I’ve eaten chilies before, and they’re just spicy—no real flavor. Who’d actually enjoy eating them?” The delivery guy shook his head, clearly unconvinced.  

“Come by when you’re free and have a taste. You’ll see.”  

Qin Feng didn’t argue further, already picturing their faces when they tasted his chili-infused dishes. Chilies were a seasoning, but not every dish paired well with them—it was all about the art of balance.  

He began sorting the chilies, separating them by type. Each chili had a specific use: Bell peppers for their rich aroma and mild heat, perfect for making chili oil; Bird Eye Chillies, fiery and fragrant, ideal for stir-frying lobsters or skewers.

Once the chilies were sorted, Qin Feng brought out a jar and began preparing pickles. He added radishes, ginger, and some of the chilies into the jar, seasoning it with Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and yellow wine. Pickled vegetables were a must-have ingredient for many top chefs.  

With the pickles done, he grabbed a small blackboard and wrote on it:  

‘A Spoonful Moment’  

Today’s Special: Kung Pao Chicken  

Price: 100 yuan per serving  

Business Hours: 12:00–1:00 PM, 6:00–7:00 PM  

The limited hours were deliberate—Qin Feng wanted to spend more time with his wife and daughter, rather than being tied to the kitchen all day.  

Once the sign was ready, he placed it at the alley’s entrance and waited for customers.  

At the same time, Zhao Yonghe, the owner of the Yonghe Restaurant at the alley entrance, caught sight of the sign. His face showed disdain as he muttered, “Another fool opening a restaurant in that corner. It’s a dead end—only an idiot would eat there. And charging 100 yuan for a single dish? Does he think he’s running some fancy establishment? The last owner didn’t last two weeks. This kid? A week tops.”  

By 12:40 PM, not a single customer had shown up. Qin Feng wasn’t surprised—he knew the location was less than ideal. Building a customer base would take time.  

Meanwhile, Qiao Lu was wandering nearby, looking for a place to eat. She’d tried every restaurant in the area and was bored of them all. She wanted something new.  

As she passed the alley, her eyes caught the small sign. Intrigued, she decided to give it a shot and walked in.  

The name ‘A Spoonful Moment’ struck her as unique. Upon entering, she found the place small but impeccably clean, with a bouquet of flowers on each table, giving it a touch of elegance.  

Sitting down, she said, “Boss, can I see the menu?”  

“Only one dish: Kung Pao Chicken. Want to try?”  

Faced with her first customer, Qin Feng remained calm. After all, in his past life, he’d been a world-renowned chef, with people lining up to taste his dishes.  

“Just one dish?” Qiao Lu blinked in surprise. It was the first time she’d seen a restaurant with only one option.  

“Just opened, so it’s limited for now. More dishes will be added later. You’ve got ten minutes to decide—I’m closing soon.”  

Qin Feng was already thinking about prepping the chilies and catching up on some rest. He’d been so busy all morning he hadn’t even had a sip of water.  

“Fine, one serving,” Qiao Lu said. She was running out of time before work and didn’t feel like hunting for another place.  

Qin Feng headed to the kitchen and began cooking. He’d already prepped the ingredients, so it didn’t take long.  

While Qiao Lu was scrolling through her phone, a unique aroma wafted out of the kitchen. It was a scent she’d never experienced before, instantly awakening her appetite.  

Soon, Qin Feng brought out a plate of Kung Pao Chicken and a bowl of rice.  

The enticing aroma made Qiao Lu’s stomach growl. She quickly picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the chicken. First, she felt a mild tingling spice, followed by a hint of sweetness. As she chewed, a subtle sourness came through, creating a layered taste that was utterly satisfying.  

Then she tried a peanut. With a crisp crunch, its flavor melded with the rich, sticky sauce—balanced, savory, and sweet. Unable to stop herself, she exclaimed, “Boss, this chicken, these peanuts, the sauce, the green onions—it’s all incredible!”  

“Take your time,” Qin Feng replied with a faint smile, watching her speechless enthusiasm.  

Qiao Lu began devouring the meal, discovering that the Kung Pao Chicken paired perfectly with rice. She’d never thought plain rice could taste this good.  

“Boss, another bowl of rice!”  

“Boss, just one more, please!”  

“Boss, thank you! This will be the last one, I promise.”  

By the time she finished four bowls, Qin Feng marveled at her appetite.  

Burp.

Qiao Lu let out a satisfied burp as she leaned back in her chair, her stomach now visibly round.  

Qin Feng glanced at the plate, which was licked clean, and couldn’t help but chuckle. It seemed good food truly transcended all boundaries.  

Handing over 100 yuan, Qiao Lu grinned and said, “Boss, this Kung Pao Chicken is amazing! But it’s a bit pricey—once in a while is fine, but I couldn’t afford it every day.”  

“I’ll have a new dish every week. You can come back to try them.”  

Qin Feng took the money and started tidying up.  

“Count me in!” Qiao Lu replied cheerfully. She was already regretting not ordering extra portions to take home.  

At 2:00 PM sharp, Qin Feng closed the restaurant and headed home for a well-deserved rest.