Miyoko Hojo's cheeks flushed, and she secretly glanced at Satou. Usually a beautiful ice queen, she now showed the demeanor of a young girl, stomping her foot and exclaiming, both shy and annoyed, "Father! What nonsense are you talking about? Satou and I are just ordinary classmates!"
"So, you're still just ordinary friends?" Hojo Head Chef muttered disappointedly.
Hearing his words, Miyoko Hojo was both annoyed and amused, and at the same time felt very embarrassed, glaring at her father unhappily, thinking he was too embarrassing.
Satou was also a bit speechless, feeling that this uncle was a bit too enthusiastic.
Hojo Head Chef cleared his throat and laughed heartily, "It's fine if you're not boyfriend and girlfriend, we're all family. I'll leave this Gourmet Grand Prix to you, Satou."
"With Satou participating, there will be no problem!"
"We're definitely going to get first place this time."
"Yes, indeed."
The other chefs also nodded with smiles.
Next, Hojo Head Chef led Satou and the others to the event location, the West Gate of Chinatown.
Today, Chinatown was very lively, with festive red lanterns hanging everywhere on the streets, full of Chinese elements. There were bustling tourists everywhere, many of whom were foreigners, holding newly bought snacks and curiously wandering around.
Walking on the street, Satou also found it very novel, feeling as if it were the Chinese New Year in China.
Soon they arrived at the West Gate, where a tall archway was visible in the distance. All four gates of Chinatown had such an archway.
Under the archway, several exhibition stands had already been set up, presumably to showcase works to tourists later.
"How is it, Satou? Isn't it lively?" Hojo Head Chef smiled at Satou.
"Yes, it's really interesting," Satou nodded.
"It's even livelier during the Chinese New Year, with dragon and lion dances. You can have Miyoko show you around then," Hojo Head Chef said with a smile, then gestured to his daughter.
Miyoko Hojo had a bit of a headache, but still said, "That's right, it's really lively every Chinese New Year. You can come and see, Satou."
"Is that so? Then I might visit," Satou said with a smile.
Neon no longer celebrates the Lunar New Year, but it is still celebrated in Chinatown or in remote rural areas.
Just then, a loud voice rang out.
"Hojo, you old ghost, aren't you dead yet? I thought I wouldn't see you at this year's Gourmet Grand Prix."
Satou turned his head and saw a group of people walking towards them. The speaker was a fat, middle-aged man wearing a chef's uniform.
"This is Hiroshi Tomita, the Chef of Tomita Restaurant. Although they always argue when they meet, they actually have a very good relationship," Miyoko Hojo whispered to Satou.
Hojo Head Chef glared, saying unhappily, "It's that old thief Tomita. I thought you were already dead."
"You old ghost aren't dead yet, so how could I possibly die?" Hiroshi Tomita laughed heartily, saying smugly, "This Gourmet Grand Prix, needless to say, will definitely be first place for our Tomita Restaurant again. Ah, no choice, who told me I gave birth to three capable sons? While you, old ghost, only have one daughter, no wonder you've always been suppressed by us."
Hojo Head Chef was greatly annoyed. Every time, this old thief would use this point to mock him, yet he was helpless.
Although Neon is a modern society, it has maintained its traditions very well, retaining many ancient customs, such as the eldest son inheritance system.
In Neon, Temples, shrines, and the like are family-run, passed down through generations. Professions or crafts like chefs, sumo wrestlers, and chess players are also inherited from generation to generation. In these families facing inheritance issues, male heirs are especially important.
Hojo Head Chef, because he only had one daughter and Chinese cuisine restaurants in Neon have always discriminated against women, always felt inferior among his peers. Therefore, he had always longed for a son, or even a son-in-law would do.
Of course, although he longed for a son, he still loved Miyoko very much. Prioritizing boys and favoring boys over girls are two different concepts.
Because Kitajo Restaurant faced inheritance issues, his desire for a son was understandable, and it was also out of love for Miyoko, not wanting her to suffer for it.
"Oh? Isn't this Miyoko?" Hiroshi Tomita noticed Miyoko Hojo, and his eyes lit up, "Miyoko has grown more and more beautiful, fortunately, she doesn't look like your father. I heard you're attending Far Moon? That's truly excellent."
"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Tomita," Miyoko Hojo smiled politely. Although Hiroshi Tomita always mocked her father for not having a son, he was actually quite kind to her.
"Miyoko, long time no see." At this moment, a young man in his twenties behind Hiroshi Tomita smiled at Miyoko Hojo.
"Long time no see, Brother Shàng'èr," Miyoko Hojo smiled slightly. Their two families were old acquaintances, so she usually had a good relationship with Tomita Jouji.
"Uncle Tomita, are you still planning to have your son participate in this Gourmet Grand Prix?" she asked.
"Of course. Shàng'èr is very skilled in Chinese cuisine, unlike some people who can only entrust it to the family's chefs at a time like this," Hiroshi Tomita laughed, once again taking the opportunity to mock Miyoko's father.
"By the way, Miyoko, have you found a boyfriend at school? If not, I think Shàng'èr is quite good. Your father doesn't have a son, so a son-in-law would be good too," he suddenly said with a smile. He really admired the daughter of his old friend; she was beautiful, a student at Far Moon, and had known his son since childhood. If she could marry into his family, that would be wonderful.
"Uncle Tomita, what nonsense are you talking about?" Miyoko Hojo said, a little embarrassed. She only considered the Tomita family's son as a regular friend.
"Haha, old thief, you're wrong this time!" Hojo Head Chef suddenly burst into triumphant laughter, "This time, the one representing our Kitajo Restaurant is not some outsider chef, but this Satou!"
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