The morning of the restaurant's soft opening began perfectly.
Golden sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows of Arielle's restaurant, illuminating polished wooden tables and elegant red lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
The kitchen smelled heavenly sizzling garlic, slow-braised beef, fresh dumplings steaming in bamboo baskets.
Outside, a line had already formed.
Curious customers whispered among themselves.
"I heard the owner used to be from the countryside."
"They say her cooking is unbelievable."
"Even rich investors came to taste it."
Inside the kitchen, Liu Meilin stood calmly in front of the stove, tying her apron.
Zhao Lihua leaned against the counter, smiling proudly.
"Look at this place," she said. "From a village kitchen… to this."
Xiao Yue nodded. "Our little sister really built something amazing."
Everyone hands were busy.
Lu Jianfeng watched quietly, His sharp eyes scanned the entire restaurant like a hawk protecting its territory.
He trusted Liu Meilin.
But he never trusted the world around her.
The First Sign of Trouble.
Half an hour before opening…
A loud crash echoed from the storage room.
A worker ran out, panicked.
"Boss! Something's wrong!"
Everyone rushed toward the back.
The storage door swung open.
A terrible smell filled the air.
Rotten vegetables.
Spoiled meat.
Ruined seafood.
Zhao Lihua covered her nose. "What the hell?!"
Xiao Yue stared in disbelief. "This was fresh this morning!"
Liu Meilin's eyes narrowed.
She had personally inspected every ingredient.
Nothing had been spoiled.
Yet now… entire crates were rotten.
Lu Jianfeng crouched down and examined a box of shrimp.
His jaw tightened.
"This isn't natural."
The shrimp had been sprayed with something.
Liu Meilin felt the system flicker in her mind.
[System Notification]
Food Contamination Detected
Cause: Chemical Spoilage Agent
Source Probability:
Staff Error — 8%
Supplier Issue — 12%
External Sabotage — 80%
Liu Meilin's eyes turned cold.
"So someone tried to destroy the opening before it started."
Zhao Lihua slammed her fist on the counter.
"Which bastard would do that?!"
Lu Jianfeng slowly stood.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Someone who's afraid of her success."
The Investigation Begins
Liu Meilin closed her eyes briefly.
"System, analyze the contamination."
[System Scan Activated]
Chemical Composition: Industrial Spoilage Liquid
Application Time: Within the last 30 minutes
Possible Entry Points:
* Back Door
* Kitchen Window
* Staff Access Hallway
Lu Jianfeng immediately called security.
"Pull the cameras."
Within minutes, a laptop was set on the table.
The security footage began playing.
Staff moved normally.
Suppliers came and left.
Customers walked outside.
Then
A hooded figure appeared briefly near the back entrance.
Only for a few seconds.
But it was enough.
Lu Jianfeng paused the screen.
His eyes sharpened.
"That's not one of your staff."
Liu Ming leaned closer.
"He came from the alley."
Zhao Lihua frowned.
"Wait… rewind."
The video zoomed slightly.
The figure dropped something near the trash bin.
Then walked away quickly.
Liu Meilin's eyes flickered.
[System Notification]
Object detected near trash bin
Probability: Evidence Item
"Let's go," Liu Meilin said immediately.
The Evidence
Behind the restaurant, the alley was quiet.
Trash cans lined the wall.
Liu Meilin walked straight to the second bin.
Lu Jianfeng raised a brow.
"How did you know?"
She simply smiled.
"Instinct."
Inside the trash bin was a small spray bottle.
Lu Jianfeng picked it up with a cloth.
The label was partially scratched off.
But one word remained.
Zhao.
Zhao Lihua's eyes widened.
"Miss Zhao?!"
Xiao Yue clenched her fists.
"That snake!"
Liu Meilin exhaled slowly.
Miss Zhao had been humiliated during the fashion contest.
And clearly…
She hadn't forgotten.
Lu Jianfeng's expression darkened.
"She hired someone."
Liu Meilin nodded.
"But she made a mistake."
Turning the Tables
Liu Meilin looked back at the restaurant entrance.
The line of customers had grown even longer.
She smiled slowly.
"This won't destroy our opening."
Zhao Lihua blinked.
"Half our ingredients are ruined!"
Liu Meilin tapped the counter confidently.
"The system already solved that."
[System Notification]
Emergency Storage Access Activated
Fresh Ingredients Available:
Beef — Premium Quality
Seafood — Fresh
Vegetables — Organic
Zhao Lihua's jaw dropped.
"You had backup ingredients stored?!"
Liu Meilin winked.
"Always prepare for war."
Lu Jianfeng chuckled softly.
"That's my wife."
The Trap
But Liu Meilin wasn't finished.
"Lu Jianfeng."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
Her smile turned dangerous.
"Let's expose Miss Zhao properly."
Lu Jianfeng's lips curved.
"Already ahead of you."
Within minutes, he made a phone call.
Police arrived quietly.
And an officer examined the spray bottle.
"This chemical is illegal without a license," the officer said.
"Attempted food poisoning is a serious offense."
Lu Jianfeng handed over the security footage.
"And we know exactly who ordered it."
Grand Opening
Two hours later…
The restaurant doors finally opened.
Customers flooded inside.
The aroma of food filled the room.
Dumplings.
Braised pork.
Signature noodles.
Every dish came out perfect.
The crowd exploded with excitement.
"This is incredible!"
"Best food in the city!"
"Who is this chef?!"
Liu Meilin stood in the kitchen, watching quietly.
Lu Jianfeng stepped beside her.
"You saved the opening."
She shook her head softly.
"We saved it."
Lu Jianfeng leaned closer, voice low.
"But I still plan to deal with Miss Zhao."
Liu Meilin smirked.
"Oh don't worry."
Her eyes gleamed with confidence.
"The system says she'll be dealing with the police very soon."
[System Notification]
Sabotage Attempt: Neutralized
Restaurant Reputation: Rising Rapidly
City Popularity: +35%
Outside…
A police car quietly stopped in front of Miss Zhao's mansion.
And somewhere in the city.