Chapter 35:

In November, while other parts of China were cooling down and gradually entering winter, Yuzhou seemed to have just stepped into autumn. On the streets, some young and beautiful girls were still wearing skirts, revealing their snow-white legs. If not for the bare trees lining the streets, stripped of their leaves, one might easily mistake the season entirely.

Today, Lu Yaoqing was exceptionally busy. Since waking up at eight in the morning, he hadn’t had a moment’s rest. Yet, he was happy about it—his medicinal cuisine restaurant was finally opening.

After signing the contract with Qin Chaoyu that day, he had informed his nominal father of his decision. Though the man had some reservations about Lu Yaoqing acting without prior consultation, he ultimately agreed.

Recalling the hypocritical warnings from that man, Lu Yaoqing felt a wave of nausea. If not for his mother, he wouldn’t have stayed in that family for even a moment longer.

“Boss, this flower basket was sent by Mr. Tao from Hengjia Real Estate. Where should we put it?” Today wasn’t just hectic for Lu Yaoqing—the restaurant staff were also swamped, moving so fast they might as well have been flying. There was no time for slacking off, let alone idle chatter.

But despite the chaos, they were happy.

Lu Yaoqing glanced at the flower basket and pointed casually toward the entrance. “Put it there. The same goes for any others that arrive later.” He vaguely remembered Mr. Tao—they’d shared drinks when Lu Yaoqing was networking with local Yuzhou elites. The man was sharp.

“Got it, boss.”

Lu Yaoqing had positioned his restaurant as high-end, targeting the upper class. Being part of that circle himself, he understood their psychology: they weren’t afraid of high prices—they feared things that weren’t expensive enough. As long as they felt they were getting the best, they wouldn’t hesitate to splurge. Thus, every detail in the restaurant was meticulously crafted to perfection.

To match the restaurant’s upscale image, the primary requirement for hiring staff was good looks. Lu Yaoqing had even gone so far as to invite Mo Roubai, a renowned etiquette trainer from the capital, to Yuzhou. Mo Roubai specialized in training flight attendants, many of whom ended up on international flights. Occasionally, she also trained staff for luxury hotels—none of which were anything less than five-star. Her fees were steep, starting at a million, and as she grew older, she rarely took on new projects. Lu Yaoqing had pulled strings to get her here, all to ensure his staff’s manners were impeccable and their demeanor outstanding.

Lu Yaoqing wasn’t one to skimp on wages. He paid generously—even the servers earned more than many white-collar workers.

Money was a powerful motivator, and despite the busyness, the staff had no complaints. In fact, they worked diligently, afraid of displeasing the boss and losing their jobs.

Glancing at his watch, Lu Yaoqing noted it was 10:30 AM. The guests were scheduled to arrive at noon, so it was time for the kitchen to start preparing the medicinal dishes.

He stopped a passing server. “Notify the chefs in the kitchen—they can start cooking now.”

These chefs had been carefully selected and hired after extensive research. Money wasn’t the main draw—what had won them over were the rare medicinal recipes Lu Yaoqing possessed. After reviewing simplified versions of the recipes, they’d eagerly accepted the offer.

At their level, skilled medicinal chefs weren’t short on money—they craved rare recipes. Compensation was secondary; the chance to study these recipes was the real prize.

The server hurried off to relay the message.

Upon receiving the order, the chefs sprang into action, determined to perfect today’s dishes and honor the precious recipes.

As noon approached, Lu Yaoqing stepped outside to await his guests.

He’d invited nearly half of Yuzhou’s elite, many of whom held significant status. But how many would actually show up? He wasn’t sure—especially when it came to the head of the Bai family.

Objectively, as the heir to Tongrentang, a century-old legacy, Lu Yaoqing shouldn’t have to grovel before the Bai family. Moreover, the Lu family was an established name in the capital. But even among aristocratic families, hierarchies existed. The Bai family, though rooted in Yuzhou, ranked among the nation’s top-tier clans. The saying “Southern Bai, Northern Huo” spoke volumes about their standing. While the Bai family’s direct lineage was small, its branches were numerous—and all were kept firmly in check by the family head, Bai Jixi, who ruled with an iron fist. The Lu family, by comparison, was at best a second-tier name in the capital, overshadowed even by the Bai family’s peripheral branches there.

Thus, Lu Yaoqing’s status as the Lu family’s next heir paled in comparison to Bai Jixi’s prominence.

Getting an invitation to Bai Jixi had been sheer luck. At a recent gathering, the host had invited a Bai family branch member—Bai Zhanghua—who had some influence with the family head. Many who couldn’t reach Bai Jixi directly sought Bai Zhanghua’s favor for even a sliver of opportunity.

Lu Yaoqing had taken note. Later, he’d treated Bai Zhanghua to a private meal, offering incentives to pass the invitation along to Bai Jixi.

Time ticked by. As the auspicious hour neared, there was still no sign of Bai Jixi. Lu Yaoqing felt a twinge of disappointment, though he hadn’t dared hope too much in the first place.

Then Bai Zhanghua arrived. Lu Yaoqing greeted him warmly.

“I delivered the invitation to the family head, but whether he’ll come is anyone’s guess,” Bai Zhanghua said honestly. Though his connection to Bai Jixi earned him admiration, he was a man of his word. After returning that day, he’d seized an opportunity to hand the invitation to Bai Jixi, who’d reacted inscrutably. Bai Zhanghua knew better than to speculate.

His rise in the Bai family was partly due to his discretion—he always knew what choices suited him best. When the previous Bai family heads died unexpectedly, leaving their children, Bai Jixi and his sister, vulnerable, many branches and rival families saw an opportunity to pounce. Only Bai Zhanghua had refrained. After assessing Bai Jixi’s capabilities, he’d decisively aligned himself with the young heir, playing a key role in consolidating power. As a result, his branch was the only one spared Bai Jixi’s purges—and later thrived the most. As for those who’d tried to take a bite? They’d vanished from Yuzhou’s upper echelons.

“Thank you for your trouble,” Lu Yaoqing nodded, accepting the reality. If Bai Jixi didn’t show, Bai Zhanghua would be the last guest. With the auspicious hour upon them, Lu Yaoqing stopped waiting and invited Bai Zhanghua inside.

Just as they stepped in, a voice called from behind.

“Has it started?”

Bai Zhanghua froze—the voice was unmistakably Bai Jixi’s. He turned immediately. “Family Head! You came!” He hurried over. “It hasn’t started yet—you’re just in time.”

Lu Yaoqing was stunned. He hadn’t expected Bai Jixi to actually appear. “Family Head Bai, your presence honors our humble establishment! Please, come in!”

Bai Jixi merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Neither Lu Yaoqing nor Bai Zhanghua minded. In their eyes, even a response from Bai Jixi was a blessing. Though curious about his sudden appearance, neither dared ask. They simply ushered him inside.

Bai Jixi’s visit was pure coincidence. Lately, he’d been restless, unable to focus on work—a first since taking over the family. He couldn’t pinpoint the cause, though it seemed to trace back to parting ways with his sister’s friend that day. Unfamiliar with such emotions, he’d been at a loss. After another unproductive work session, he’d given up, remembered Bai Zhanghua’s invitation, and driven straight here.

Lu Yaoqing knew that after today, his restaurant would be the talk of Yuzhou’s elite. Not everyone could boast of Bai Jixi’s presence at their opening. The mere mention of his visit would elevate the restaurant’s prestige.

Such was the power of celebrity—even someone as low-key as Bai Jixi couldn’t escape the allure his reputation created.

At the center of the restaurant’s first floor stood a table with a red-draped plaque. Two male servers flanked it, while guests mingled below, awaiting the unveiling ceremony.

Bai Jixi’s entrance drew every eye.

Acquaintances exchanged glances, silently questioning why the Bai family head had come. Many were wary of approaching him, but all agreed the trip had been worth it.

As the ceremony time arrived, Lu Yaoqing prepared to unveil the plaque. Then, on a whim, he turned to Bai Jixi. “Family Head Bai, would you do us the honor of unveiling the plaque?”

Bai Jixi shot him a cold look before sitting on a nearby chair—clearly uninterested.

Bai Zhanghua, who’d taken a liking to the young man, stepped in to diffuse the awkwardness. “Our family head prefers to keep a low profile. How about I do it instead? I hope you won’t mind, Brother Lu.”

Little did he know, Lu Yaoqing felt no embarrassment. Years in the Lu family had taught him the value of thick skin when necessary. Though he despised the family, he’d undeniably been shaped by it—tainted beyond redemption.

Smiling warmly, he appreciated Bai Zhanghua’s tact. Since Bai Zhanghua had called him “brother,” sticking to formalities would seem distant. “Of course not, Brother Bai. You flatter me.”

The address wasn’t inappropriate—Bai Zhanghua was in his thirties, while Lu Yaoqing was only twenty-six.

Bai Zhanghua laughed. “Then let’s proceed. The auspicious hour is here.”

“After you.” Lu Yaoqing gestured for him to lead.

Without hesitation, Bai Zhanghua approached the plaque.

Once both stood before it, Lu Yaoqing clapped for attention. “Thank you all for joining us today. Without further ado, Mr. Bai and I will now unveil our restaurant’s plaque.”

The crowd fell silent.

Each man took one end of the red drape and pulled.

“I declare Ben Yuan Zhai officially open!”

The name, chosen by Lu Yaoqing, reflected the restaurant’s essence: “Ben Yuan” (Root and Origin) symbolized the medicinal cuisine’s restorative purpose, while “Zhai” (Studio) conveyed refinement. Simple yet elegant.

After the unveiling, Lu Yaoqing directed the servers to mount the plaque outside.

Once applause subsided, he continued, “We’ve prepared medicinal dishes suitable for all. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that essence, qi, and spirit are the three treasures of life—the foundation of vitality. Nourishing them ensures health and longevity. Today’s signature dish targets precisely this. Regular consumption revitalizes these treasures. But words pale beside experience. Please, let our staff escort you to your private rooms.”

Revealing only one of Qin Chaoyu’s recipes had been deliberate. By staggering the releases, Lu Yaoqing could sustain interest—a common tactic in the industry.

His explanation piqued curiosity. Eager to test the dishes’ reputed effects, guests urged servers to lead the way. Fortunately, the staff were numerous enough to handle the rush.

As the crowd dispersed, Lu Yaoqing invited Bai Zhanghua and Bai Jixi to join him for a tasting.

Bai Jixi nodded indifferently. With his consent, Bai Zhanghua readily agreed.

Lu Yaoqing led them to a VIP room reserved for special guests, where only the finest dishes were served. He instructed the kitchen to prepare all signature dishes fit for the occasion.

He knew Bai Jixi’s time was scarce. If the food failed to impress today, a return visit would be unlikely. Hence, pulling out all stops was essential. Thankfully, he’d had backup dishes prepared—just in case.

The food arrived swiftly, having been kept warm on the stove.

Each dish was served in a small blue-and-white porcelain tureen, its lid slightly ajar, allowing wisps of aroma to escape.

To Bai Zhanghua, the scent was divine—intoxicating even before the first bite. He barely restrained himself, waiting for Bai Jixi to begin.

Bai Jixi, however, remained still, lost in thought. The fragrance stirred something in him—an inexplicable familiarity, as if he’d encountered it before. But where? He couldn’t recall.

The silence stretched. Finally, Bai Zhanghua couldn’t resist. “Family Head, shall we…?”

Bai Jixi snapped out of his reverie and picked up his chopsticks. The moment he tasted the dish, his eyes flickered with recognition. The flavors aligned perfectly with his elusive memories.

Meanwhile, Lu Yaoqing observed Bai Jixi’s reaction closely. The man’s subtle shifts in expression hinted at approval—or at least interest. Encouraged, he signaled for the next course.

As the meal progressed, Bai Zhanghua couldn’t stop praising the food. “Brother Lu, this is extraordinary! I’ve never tasted anything like it.”

Lu Yaoqing smiled modestly. “The credit goes to our chefs and the recipes. We aim to offer something truly unique.”

Bai Jixi remained silent, but his steady consumption spoke volumes.

By the meal’s end, Lu Yaoqing felt a quiet triumph. Bai Jixi’s presence alone would elevate the restaurant’s status, and if the food had won him over, even better.

As they rose to leave, Bai Jixi paused at the door. “The chef who prepared this—I’d like to meet them.”

Lu Yaoqing’s heart skipped a beat. “Of course. Right this way.”

He led Bai Jixi to the kitchen, where the head chef, a seasoned master in his fifties, stood respectfully.

Bai Jixi studied the man briefly before asking, “The third dish—what was its origin?”

The chef glanced at Lu Yaoqing, who nodded permission. “It’s based on an ancient recipe from the Tang dynasty, passed down through generations. We’ve adapted it slightly for modern palates.”

Bai Jixi’s gaze sharpened. “Where did you acquire it?”

This time, Lu Yaoqing answered. “From a private collector specializing in medicinal texts. It took considerable effort to obtain.”

A beat passed. Then Bai Jixi said, “I’ll return.”

With that, he turned and left, Bai Zhanghua scrambling after him.

Lu Yaoqing exhaled slowly. That had gone better than expected. Bai Jixi’s promise to return was worth more than any advertisement.

Back in the dining area, guests were already raving about the food. Word would spread quickly.

As the evening wound down, Lu Yaoqing allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. Today marked the beginning of something significant. With Bai Jixi’s implicit endorsement, Ben Yuan Zhai was poised for success.

Yet, beneath the triumph, a nagging thought lingered. Bai Jixi’s interest in the recipe seemed unusually personal. What connection did he have to it?

Shaking off the unease, Lu Yaoqing refocused on the present. Whatever the reason, he’d cross that bridge when he came to it.

For now, the future looked bright.