"Isn't it blatant enough? Go stand by the bridge near Xinyue Kiosk. Every day, kids from the two restaurants are screaming at each other about whose food is better. It's terrifying—even the children are brainwashed."
"I don't get it. Why can't they just make peace? There's enough money for everyone in Liyue."
"You're naive. The rivalry between Li and Yue cuisine is a blood feud. They used to be one school of cooking, then split ages ago. It's not just business; it's history."
"Back then, countless restaurants closed down, merchants went bankrupt... even Wanmin Restaurant was on the brink of collapse. And now Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion have the nerve to ask Chef Mao for a partnership?"
"Exactly. Chef Mao would never agree. Those two monopolized rare ingredients and nearly destroyed his livelihood. He remembers."
"I don't know where they get the confidence to think he'd say yes."
"Who knows? As long as Chef Mao keeps the Instant Noodle recipe to himself, I'm happy. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to afford them."
"Seriously. Instant Noodles are a lifesaver. Cheap, convenient, a few Mora a pack. Compared to dry steamed buns, they're a delicacy."
"Eh, they're okay. I got sick of them after eating them for a few days straight."
"You're supposed to eat them for convenience, not as a main course every day! But eating them dry as a snack? That never gets old."
"Wait, people actually eat them three times a day?"
...
The crowd gathered outside Wanmin Restaurant gossiped loudly, casting unfriendly glances at the representatives from the two elite establishments.
"Chef Mao, we are serious."
Ignoring Chef Mao's cold demeanor, the representative from Xinyue Kiosk spoke earnestly. "We aren't joking. If you are willing, I invite you to visit Xinyue Kiosk tonight. We await your esteemed presence."
"The same goes for Liuli Pavilion," the other representative added. "We are sincere. Name your price, and we will do our best to meet it."
"Hmph. I don't need it."
Chef Mao snorted. "I will never collaborate with you. Even if you knelt down and begged me, I wouldn't agree."
Are they kidding? Instant Noodles were Wanmin Restaurant's ticket to fame across Teyvat. Why would he share that with the people who tried to crush him?
He remembered how close he came to bankruptcy. He might be a nice guy, but he had a temper too.
Years ago, the war between Li and Yue cuisine led to the monopolization of high-end ingredients. Eight out of ten restaurants went under. It was brutal.
Now that Wanmin Restaurant had a hit product, they wanted a piece of the pie? Keep dreaming!
He wasn't just refusing them; he planned to use Instant Noodles to challenge their dominance.
Their food was good, sure, but overpriced and exclusive. He would make his noodles a household name in all seven nations. Adventurers, merchants, travelers—everyone would carry Chef Mao's noodles.
When that happened, who would care about Xinyue Kiosk or Liuli Pavilion?
"You!"
Hearing Chef Mao's harsh words, the representatives flushed with anger. "Watch your tongue! 'Even if we knelt and begged'? Do you really think having Instant Noodles makes you a god?"
They had come with politeness and sincerity. To be insulted like this was humiliating.
"Having Instant Noodles is amazing," Chef Mao smiled slyly. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be here, would you? Now get lost. Don't disturb my business, or I'll call the Millelith for harassment. Don't embarrass yourselves further."
"Yeah! Get lost!"
"We want to eat! Scram!"
"Hahahaha!"
The crowd jeered, laughing at the humiliated representatives.
"Hmph."
With cold snorts, the men from Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk turned and left. There was no point staying where they weren't wanted.
"Does he think we don't know where he got the recipe?"
Walking away, the Xinyue rep muttered angrily. "It came from that Jar Shop. I asked around—people saw Xiangling and Chef Mao opening jars there right before the noodles launched."
They weren't stupid. They had done their research.
Since Chef Mao wouldn't cooperate, they would go to the source.
"Agreed," the Liuli Pavilion rep nodded. "If Wanmin won't share, we'll just go to the shop ourselves. We have the money."
"Let's go."
They headed straight for the mysterious shop.
Arriving at the entrance, they saw two Millelith guards stationed there.
"Just seeing the guards confirms everything," the Xinyue rep whispered. "Only a place this important would have official protection."
Excitement bubbled in their chests. If they could pull a recipe as valuable as Instant Noodles, their restaurants would dominate the market completely.
They stepped inside.
"Uh."
The representative from Liuli Pavilion froze. His eyes locked onto the table in front of Felix.
There, steaming in a bowl, was Golden Shrimp Balls—Liuli Pavilion's signature dish.
When did the shopkeeper order from us?
"Here to open jars?"
Felix looked up calmly. "100,000 Mora per jar. Limit ten per person."
"Yes, Shopkeeper. We are here for jars," the Liuli rep said quickly, recovering from his surprise. "Since Chef Mao got his recipe here, we figured we should try our luck too."
"Then pay up."
Felix didn't elaborate.
Outside, the crowd grew as people recognized the uniforms.
"Holy crap. Those two just left Wanmin Restaurant and came straight here?"
"Makes sense. If they can't buy the recipe, they'll try to win their own."
"Hehe, Chef Mao embarrassed them, so they're desperate."
"I hope they get nothing. If they get a recipe, they'll sell the food for a million Mora a plate. Wanmin is for the people; these guys are leeches."
"Can we go in and watch? Even if we don't buy?"
"Yeah, let's see what happens."
Passersby stopped to watch the drama unfold. The rivalry between the culinary giants had spilled over into the jar shop, and everyone wanted a front-row seat.
"What jar shop? What are you guys talking about?"
"Damn, you don't know? Are you from out of town?"
"I'm local! I just never come down this street. What is this place? Someone explain!"
"Ugh, I'm tired of explaining. Someone else do it."
"Don't be like that, brother! Tell me!"
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