"What did little Paimon do this time to bring about heaven's wrath?"
Just then, Sara came over with another plate of Golden Fried Rice.
Seeing Paimon's tragic state, she couldn't help teasing.
"Never thinking about anything proper, all day long!"
Lumine huffed and gave Paimon another good rua.
"Hey! I was doing it for your own good!"
Paimon struggled free from Lumine's arms, rubbing her cheeks, pouting in discontent.
"Imagine getting to eat Boss Han's cooking every day—that would be the ultimate blessing!"
Her eyes sparkled with longing.
"Boss Han, please… could you evaluate this fried rice? I want to know what's… lacking."
Sara's expression grew a little serious.
Though this Golden Fried Rice was extremely delicious—praised by so many— it was still her first attempt.
She wanted to improve further.
Others might not see the flaws, but someone with superior skills surely could.
And in her eyes, the comic shop's mysterious owner was exactly that kind of expert.
If she could get his feedback,
it would be a huge step forward.
"Eh? Boss Han is going to critique it?"
Lumine and Paimon's attention snapped to him.
To them, this fried rice was already beyond perfection.
Could it really still have shortcomings?
"Alright."
Han Feng didn't refuse.
He'd only smelled the aroma earlier but hadn't had the chance to taste it.
Now was the perfect time— and he wanted to compare it against the system's reward, that Magical Mapo Tofu.
Gently lifting the lid, a familiar golden radiance flared.
By now, this scene was all too familiar to Han Feng, so he wasn't overly surprised.
But Venti couldn't help sighing.
"No matter how many times I see it, the sight is still breathtaking."
Lumine and Paimon nodded vigorously.
A dish that glowed with golden light— it shattered their very concept of food.
"Oh right, Boss Han, why does the fried rice glow like this?"
Paimon tilted her head, utterly puzzled.
"It's simply eggs mixed with rice. But—every single grain of rice must be evenly coated with egg. Only then does it shine like this."
Han Feng smiled as he explained.
Simple to say, impossibly hard to master.
Sara only succeeded because the recipe was directly imprinted into her mind.
If she'd only watched, she would never have managed.
"So that's it!"
Paimon nodded like she understood.
…Though her face said otherwise.
Han Feng lowered his gaze, scooped up a spoonful, and tasted it.
The rice was soft yet springy, with superb texture.
And combined with the dazzling golden glow, it was undeniably a remarkable dish.
If he really had to point out a shortcoming— aside from a trace of rawness in technique— it would be the lack of emotion.
He recalled the manga scene, where that dignified man ate Golden Fried Rice and was so moved he shed tears.
With the background music swelling—utterly invincible.
Or like the Magical Mapo Tofu that Klee received, which could fill hearts with joy after just one bite.
"Could it be that the system's rewards only provide the recipe itself, not the soul of the dish?"
Han Feng wondered silently.
Then a thought came—
Would the culinary skills I obtained let me cook a dish that moves people to tears?
Tomorrow noon, he could test it.
And his test subjects would be perfect—Lumine, Venti, and Paimon, who had all just eaten Sara's fried rice.
Looking at Sara's nervous face, Han Feng shared his thoughts.
"Emotion, huh?"
Sara scratched her head awkwardly.
She knew exactly what he meant—she'd seen it in the manga.
But knowing was one thing; actually putting it into practice was another.
She had no idea how to infuse such feelings into a dish.
Just being able to recreate it this well already exceeded her expectations.
"Don't worry. As the restaurant's signature dish, your Golden Fried Rice is already more than enough."
Han Feng comforted her with a smile.
"You're right."
Sara nodded in relief.
"A dish that can make people cry? I'd love to try it."
Venti chuckled softly.
If such food existed, surely it could stir the deepest memories of the soul.
That kind of cooking—was something mortals couldn't even imagine.
"Ehehe, Boss Han definitely can make something like that!"
Paimon scampered over to Han Feng's side again, hammering at his shoulders with a grin.
Han Feng just gave her face a little rua, then turned to ask Sara about her ingredient sources.
"Boss Han, you also need those supplies?"
Sara blinked, then realized. She quickly told him which shop she had been buying from.
"I'll check that place out tomorrow."
Han Feng nodded.
"Boss Han, leave the ingredients to me and Paimon. We'll bring everything to you before noon tomorrow."
Lumine suddenly spoke up.
"Eh—?"
Paimon froze. "I don't really want to… ugh, fine, I'll help too."
One sharp glare from Lumine, and Paimon folded instantly.
"Alright, then I'll leave it to you two. Just come at noon."
With volunteers stepping up, Han Feng had no objections.
After all, whether cooking for one or for a group, it was the same effort.
And in return, he got one shoulder massage, one helper sourcing ingredients, and one bard working to attract customers.
No matter how you looked at it, it was a bargain.
"Yay!"
Paimon's mood instantly soared at the thought of more food tomorrow.
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
Since the ingredient matter was settled, Han Feng prepared to head back.
"…Oh, by the way, you might try using overnight rice next time. It could give a different effect."
Before leaving, Han Feng offered Sara one last tip.
He recalled how, in his previous world, fried rice made with overnight rice was often said to taste better.
"Overnight rice?"
Sara tilted her head thoughtfully.
She'd only ever used freshly cooked rice.
But if Boss Han said so, it had to be worth trying.
Tomorrow, she would.
Back at Solace Book House, Han Feng was about to rest when another thought struck him—
the comic shop's layout.
Renovations.
"System, can the comic shop be remodeled?"
"Yes."
The system responded instantly.
"Then I want it to resemble the comic shops of my previous world—but remove the unnecessary parts, and also add…"
Han Feng laid out his ideas in detail.
"Renovation will cost 5 million Mora. Permanent effect."
The system declared.
"Five million…"
That was nearly double his current savings.
But his income was growing rapidly.
Day one: 600,000.
Day two: 2.4 million.
At this rate, tomorrow could exceed 3 million.
By tomorrow night, he'd have enough for renovations.
"Then I'll remodel it tomorrow evening."
Han Feng resolved inwardly.
No need to rush.
With that settled, he washed up and went to bed.
Tomorrow would be another busy day of opening shop.
~~--------------------------
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