Satou had just sat in the lounge for a while, drinking tea personally brewed by Miyoko Hojo, when the chefs from several major restaurants in Chinatown rushed in, including Hiroshi Tomita from Tomita Restaurant.
"Father, what do you want to do again? Can't you let Satou rest a bit longer?"
Miyoko Hojo frowned, looking at her father with some displeasure.
Satou had consumed a lot of energy just now, and he needed a good rest.
Hojo Head Chef couldn't help but smile wryly and said, "I've already tried to stop them, but they insisted on coming in, so there's nothing I can do."
As soon as he finished speaking, several people rushed forward, asking in a flurry, "Young man, what are you planning to do with that ice sculpture?"
"Yes, if you haven't decided, why don't you sell it to me?"
"Or sell it to me. Your father-in-law, Kitajo, and I have been old friends for many years."
Their eyes were incredibly eager. Satou's phoenix bird ice sculpture, being vivid and lifelike, was a rare work of art on one hand. More importantly, it had a good meaning and caused a sensation at the Food Festival, gaining immense popularity. If such a work were to be displayed in their restaurant, it would certainly boost the restaurant's popularity.
"Satou, Kitajo and I are old friends, and I watched Miyoko grow up. How about I buy this ice sculpture for one million Japanese yen?"
Hiroshi Tomita chuckled heartily, playing the emotional card.
"Heh heh, but I don't recall having any friendship with you, you know."
Hojo Head Chef chuckled faintly.
Hiroshi Tomita immediately choked, laughing dryly, "I say, Kitajo, you don't have to be like this, do you?"
Seeing the other party's crestfallen expression, Hojo Head Chef couldn't help but feel incredibly smug. That's what you get for always mocking me for not having a son!
Looking at the other party's expression, Hiroshi Tomita was furious, but what could he do when the other side suddenly had such an amazing son-in-law?
"I say, Tomita, you're too stingy, aren't you? Only one million? I'll offer five million."
"Exactly, Tomita, you're really cheap. Kitajo, don't mind this guy. Actually, I've long thought your daughter was well-raised, much better than having three sons."
"Isn't that right?"
The chefs from the other restaurants all started flattering, greatly annoying Hiroshi Tomita.
Hojo Head Chef felt refreshed and vindicated, feeling this was the most satisfying moment in ten years.
Indeed, having an excellent son-in-law is wonderful!
It seems I need to tell Miyoko to work harder.
"Miyoko, when you were little, I, your uncle, even held you. Can you talk to your boyfriend and ask him to sell that ice sculpture to me?"
"Miyoko, when you were little, your uncle gave you a lot of candies!"
At this moment, others began to curry favor with Miyoko Hojo.
Miyoko Hojo's cheeks flushed, feeling very embarrassed, and she quickly explained, "Everyone, please don't misunderstand. Satou and I are just ordinary friends, and besides, the decision for this work must be made by Satou himself."
Everyone immediately looked at Satou.
Hojo Head Chef was actually quite eager for this ice sculpture, thinking that if it were displayed in his Kitajo Restaurant, it would certainly boost its popularity. However, Satou was not his true son-in-law, so he found it a bit difficult to ask.
Looking at everyone's eager faces, Satou also felt a headache, unsure how to deal with this work.
Suddenly, he noticed Miyoko Hojo beside him, and with a thought, he asked, "By the way, Miyoko, do you like this ice sculpture?"
He remembered that last time, she seemed very keen on butterfly charm material, but he hadn't given it to her. Perhaps he could give her this ice sculpture as compensation.
"Huh? If I like it, I do quite like it."
Miyoko Hojo was startled for a moment, but still answered truthfully.
Girls are naturally drawn to beautiful things, and she was no exception. The ice sculpture of the phoenix bird, being crystal clear and lifelike, was indeed very beautiful.
"Hmm. Then I'll give it to you."
Satou said with a smile.
"Huh? Satou, are you giving it to me?"
Miyoko Hojo was immediately surprised, feeling both excited and a little embarrassed, hesitating, "But, isn't it too precious?"
Everyone had offered quite a high price just now.
"It's fine, if you like it, I'll give it to you."
Satou said with an indifferent smile. In others' eyes, this ice sculpture was very precious, but in his eyes, it was just an ordinary work that he could make at any time.
Miyoko Hojo was still hesitating, while her father beside her was already impatiently urging, "Miyoko, hurry and say yes."
"Alright then, thank you, Satou."
Miyoko Hojo had no choice but to accept the gift, her heart filled with sweetness.
Seeing that Satou ultimately gave the work to Miyoko Hojo, everyone was disappointed but helpless.
Because in everyone's eyes, the two already had a close relationship, so giving it to Miyoko was a very normal thing.
Looking at everyone's jealous gazes, Hojo Head Chef felt another wave of satisfaction, thinking, 'Let you guys always mock me for not having a son, now you know the benefits of having a daughter, right?'
He decided to immediately order a custom freezer and display this ice sculpture in the lobby on the first floor.
Stepping out of the lounge, the area in front of Satou's ice sculpture was already packed with tourists, making it the undisputed star piece of the knife skills segment. People gathered around it, exclamations of awe were everywhere, and many were even looking for the creator of the work, hoping to buy it.
Because this work was so popular, staff members had to stand in front of it to prevent people from touching it.
As soon as the organizers appeared, several people immediately rushed over.
"Hello, I'm a reporter from the TV station. Is this ice sculpture a work from this Food Festival? Can we interview the creator?"
"I'm a representative from Zero-Style Trading Company. Our president hopes to buy this work."
"We are…"
Hojo Head Chef stepped forward and smiled slightly, saying, "I'm sorry, the creator of this work has officially gifted it to Kitajo Restaurant. If you wish to admire this work in the future, you are welcome to visit Kitajo Restaurant."
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