The grand opening had barely ended when the news began spreading.
At first, it was just whispers among customers leaving the restaurant.
Then it spread through the streets.
Then through the markets.
Then across the entire city.
"Have you heard about the new restaurant on Golden Street?"
"The food is unbelievable."
"I heard the owner is some young woman from the countryside!"
Inside the restaurant, the staff moved quickly to clean the tables and prepare for the dinner rush.
The lunch crowd had been overwhelming.
Every single seat had been taken.
And people were still waiting outside.
Lu Wang leaned against the counter, exhausted but excited.
"I swear this is the busiest place in the city today."
Mara laughed softly.
"You should see the people outside taking pictures."
Liu Qiang walked in holding a stack of receipts.
"We sold out of three dishes already."
Zhao Lihua stared at him.
"What?! Already?!"
Liu Meilin stood calmly behind the kitchen counter, wiping her hands with a cloth.
She wasn't surprised.
The system had predicted this.
[System Notification]
Restaurant Popularity: Rising
Customer Satisfaction Rate: 97%
Trending Dish:
Signature Braised Beef Noodles
Liu Meilin glanced at the screen floating quietly in her mind.
Just as she expected.
Lu Jianfeng walked into the kitchen, his expression unreadable.
But the moment he saw Liu Meilin standing confidently in her restaurant…
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You just conquered the city in one afternoon."
Xiao Yue laughed.
She didn't conquer it.
"She cooked it into submission."
Everyone chuckled.
But Liu Meilin simply shook her head.
"This is only the beginning."
Meanwhile… Across the City
Inside a luxurious mansion on the east side of the city…
Miss Zhao sat comfortably on a velvet couch.
Her assistant stood nervously beside her.
"Miss Zhao… we received news from the restaurant."
Miss Zhao smirked.
Let me guess.
The opening failed.
The food was contaminated.
The customers left.
Her assistant hesitated.
"…No."
Miss Zhao frowned.
What do you mean no?
"The restaurant was a success."
Miss Zhao's smile slowly disappeared.
The assistant continued nervously.
Customers are praising it everywhere.
"People are saying it's the best food in the city."
Miss Zhao's hand tightened around her glass.
That's impossible.
Her assistant swallowed.
"And… the police are investigating the sabotage."
Miss Zhao froze.
The glass in her hand cracked slightly.
"What sabotage?"
The assistant's voice trembled.
They found the chemical bottle.
And the label… still had our company name on it."
Miss Zhao's eyes widened.
"How careless!"
Before she could say another word
The mansion door suddenly opened.
Heavy footsteps entered.
Police officers.
"Miss Zhao?"
The lead officer stepped forward.
"We need you to come with us."
Miss Zhao stood up immediately.
Her voice turned cold.
"On what grounds?"
The officer placed a small evidence bag on the table.
Inside was the spray bottle from the restaurant.
Illegal chemical usage.
"Food contamination."
And attempted sabotage of a business.
Miss Zhao's face went pale.
You have no proof I ordered this!
The officer remained calm.
"We also have security footage of the man you hired."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"That's ridiculous!"
The officer simply gestured toward the door.
"You can explain everything at the station."
For the first time in years…
Miss Zhao felt fear.
Back at the Restaurant
Lu Jianfeng stood beside the window, looking down at the busy street.
Cars stopped outside.
Customers kept arriving.
Even reporters had begun gathering.
Zhao Lihua peeked through the window.
"Oh my god."
"There are journalists outside."
Xiao Yue blinked.
"Already?"
Liu Hao laughed.
"The city works fast."
Liu Meilin wiped her hands and stepped forward.
What are they saying
"They're calling your restaurant…"
She paused dramatically.
"'The Miracle Kitchen of Golden Street.'"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Liu Meilin raised an eyebrow.
"That's a strange name."
Lu Jianfeng smirked.
It's working though.
Just then, Lu Jianfeng's phone rang.
He stepped aside to answer.
"Yes."
A short pause.
His expression turned colder.
"Good."
"Keep watching her."
He hung up.
Liu Meilin walked over.
"What happened?"
Lucian met her eyes.
"Miss Zhao has been arrested."
Zhao Lihua gasped loudly.
"WHAT?!"
Xiao Yue clapped her hands.
"That snake finally got what she deserved!"
Liu Cheng nodded.
"That was fast."
Lu Jianfeng shrugged slightly.
"When you break the law, consequences come quickly."
But Liu Meilin knew.
This wasn't just coincidence.
She knew Lu Jianfeng had connections.
Powerful ones.
She studied him quietly.
You had something to do with it.
Lu Jianfeng didn't deny it.
His voice remained calm.
"I simply made sure the evidence reached the right people."
Zhao Lihua crossed her arms, impressed.
"Remind me never to become your enemy."
Lu Jianfeng smirked.
Good idea.
A New Reputation
That evening…
The restaurant was packed again.
Customers filled every seat.
Some even waited outside in a long line.
The kitchen buzzed with activity.
Dishes moved from stove to table like a perfectly choreographed dance.
Jiang Yanyan watched quietly from the center of the kitchen.
This place.
Her restaurant.
Her dream.
It was alive.
The system glowed again.
[System Notification]
Restaurant Reputation: Citywide Recognition
Reward Unlocked:
Business Expansion Opportunity
Liu Meilin smiled softly.
This was only the first step.
From a bullied village girl…
To a woman controlling the city's most popular restaurant.