"Erina, why aren't you saying anything?"
Satou couldn't help but ask, looking at the Tsundere who was silently eating her rice.
"This child has always been like this since she was little, not close to people. Don't mind her. Come, you said you liked pork cutlets last time, and Aunt made them again!"
Leonora Nakiri affectionately placed a large piece of pork cutlet into Satou's bowl, smiling.
"That's right, this child is just like that. Satou, you don't need to worry about her."
Souei Nakiri also said.
Erina Nakiri was so angry! She slammed her bowl on the table, turned her head Tsundere-like, and huffed, "I'm not eating!"
"Oh, Erina-chan, how can you be like this in front of Satou? That's very rude."
Leonora Nakiri frowned and reprimanded her.
"Erina, your temper is too volatile. What will you do after you get married?"
Souei Nakiri also began to lecture her.
"Even Uncle..."
Erina Nakiri was quite upset. She hadn't expected that after her Aunt sided with Satou, even her own Uncle would completely favor Satou!
At this moment, she felt like an adopted child. They weren't even married to Satou yet, and it was already like this.
If Satou really became a member of the Nakiri in the future, wouldn't she have even less status in the family?
She sullenly took a large mouthful of white rice, chewing it with gritted teeth, clearly imagining the rice as Satou.
Looking at the sulking Tsundere, Satou was quite speechless.
It wasn't that Souei Nakiri and the others didn't care about her; it was precisely because they treated her as family that they spoke that way.
The next day, Satou, at Miyoko Hojo's request, went with her to Kitajo Restaurant.
Although Hojo Chinatown is in Kanagawa Prefecture, this prefecture is right next to Tokyo, with a direct subway line to Chinatown, taking only one or two hours.
So Satou didn't ask for a special car from Far Moon but took the subway with Miyoko.
"Actually, Satou, it's fine if you don't come. My father was just saying it."
Miyoko Hojo's face was red, and she sat somewhat awkwardly next to Satou, looking down.
She, who was usually cold and indifferent to all boys, now looked like an uneasy little girl.
"It's fine, I have nothing else to do. I'll just treat it as a trip."
Satou said with a smile.
Actually, he didn't mind, and he also had a mission.
"Mm, then thank you, Satou."
Miyoko Hojo breathed a sigh of relief and said gratefully.
They soon arrived at Chinatown, and a strong Chinese atmosphere wafted over them. At the entrance was a fifteen-meter-tall archway with red pillars and green tiles, and the characters "Chinatown" written in traditional Chinese.
It was unclear if it was because of the Food Awards, but there were many more tourists in Chinatown today than usual. Not only were there Japanese people, but also many foreign tourists with backpacks.
"They're here, they're here!"
As soon as they reached Kitajo Restaurant, an employee called out, and then a large group of people enthusiastically came out to greet them, clearly having been waiting for a long time.
"Haha, you two are finally here? Satou, are you tired? Come in quickly and have some tea."
Miyoko Hojo's father, Hojo Head Chef, laughed heartily, clapped Satou on the shoulder, and then enthusiastically led him inside.
As soon as Satou sat down, a waiter served tea and pastries.
Satou felt a bit speechless, why did he feel like a son-in-law visiting the bride's family for the first time?
They were too enthusiastic.
Miyoko Hojo also blushed; she wished she hadn't invited Satou.
"My father is a bit too meddlesome," she whispered to Satou, a little embarrassed.
"Oh, it's fine," Satou smiled, not minding it.
"By the way, Hojo Head Chef," he said.
"If you don't mind, just call me uncle!" Hojo Head Chef said with a hearty laugh.
"Alright then, uncle, when does this Gourmet Grand Prix roughly begin?" Satou asked.
"Hehe, no need to rush, I'll take care of it. Oh, you haven't explored Chinatown yet, have you? I'll have Miyoko show you around," Hojo Head Chef changed the subject, chuckling.
"But, uncle, aren't you feeling unwell lately?" Satou couldn't help but ask.
"No, my health is very good... Oh, I have been feeling a bit unwell these past few days." Hojo Head Chef, who had accidentally let it slip, couldn't help but blush and quickly corrected himself.
Satou was a bit speechless; hadn't he been invited to be a helper?
He couldn't help but look at Miyoko Hojo, but she was also blushing, head bowed, feeling her father was embarrassing.
Actually, it wasn't entirely her father's fault.
Hojo Head Chef only had her as a daughter, and Kitajo Restaurant was certainly going to be handed over to her in the future.
However, the kitchens of Chinese cuisine restaurants in Neon have always discriminated against women. Although Miyoko Hojo has gained recognition from many people now, it's another matter entirely to have her manage Kitajo Restaurant in the future. Moreover, as a father, he didn't want his daughter to toil for the restaurant every day, so it was best to choose a son-in-law skilled in Chinese cuisine to manage Kitajo Restaurant on her behalf.
And Satou perfectly met all the conditions: he was skilled in Chinese cuisine, exceptionally capable at a young age, and everyone at Kitajo Restaurant approved of him, making him the ideal candidate to manage Kitajo Restaurant in the future.
Of course, more importantly, he sensed that his daughter seemed to have a lot of good feelings for him, so he wanted to create opportunities for her.
Satou sat for a while, and Hojo Head Chef never brought up the Gourmet Grand Prix, instead, he occasionally asked him personal questions, such as what his parents did and where they lived, which left Satou quite speechless.
Miyoko Hojo, beside him, had burning cheeks, feeling utterly mortified.
"Um, Hojo Head Chef, what exactly did you call me here for this time?" Satou finally couldn't help but remind him, because he was hoping to complete the task and get rewards!
"Alright." Hojo Head Chef cleared his throat, then his expression turned serious, and he said, "By the way, Satou, for this Gourmet Grand Prix, could I ask you to represent our Kitajo Restaurant?"
"Represent Kitajo Restaurant? That's no problem," Satou breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "But is my identity alright?"
"Hehe, it's fine. Anyway, you and Miyoko are in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, so you're also a part of Kitajo Restaurant," Hojo Head Chef chuckled.
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