The Game of Life

Chapter 541: 539

Jiang Feng couldn’t help but sit up straight.

For some reason, although Lu Sheng was telling him about something that could be a matter of life and death for the restaurant, all he felt at that moment was the thrill of a spectator.

Perhaps this was what they meant by “Men die in pursuit of wealth, and birds die in pursuit of food.”

“Do you happen to have heard some rumors?” Jiang Feng asked curiously.

He was confident that Lu Sheng must know something; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so certain in his statements.

“I heard a bit of gossip, but it’s just hearsay. One thing I can say for sure is that this newly opened restaurant is very formidable and not to be underestimated. Plus, they don’t seem to come with good intentions,” Lu Sheng replied vaguely, obviously reluctant to disclose too much.

“Do you know what their main cuisine is? At least I can be prepared. If the enemy comes in a fierce tide, and I’m caught in a complete fog, the battle would be difficult,” Jiang Feng said, changing his question when he saw Lu Sheng was unwilling to elaborate.

“I’m not sure about their main cuisine, but it’s definitely not Japanese. There are only a few famous Japanese cuisine masters, and I haven’t heard of any of them coming to Beiping; they all stay in their own restaurants,” Lu Sheng excluded one possibility for Jiang Feng, leaving a hundred thousand others.

“During the New Year period, many went to spy on information about that restaurant, but no one seems to have discovered anything substantial. Neither Ling Guangzhao nor Pei Shenghua, with their extensive networks, have found anything. But if I’m not mistaken, there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance it’s a—”

“French restaurant,” Jiang Feng and Lu Sheng said in unison.

“You guessed it as well?” Lu Sheng stayed beside the kettle that was heating up water.

“I just figured it out,” Jiang Feng smiled, “You might not believe it, but there is a chance it’s really this coincidental. Do you remember a chef named Zhou Shi from our Taifeng Building?”

Lu Sheng pondered for a moment, tapping his fingers idly on the edge of the table: “I have some impression—remember he had worked at quite a few places.”

“That’s him. A few months ago, he told me he wanted to resign because he had learned from a friend that there would be a new high-end restaurant opening in Beiping at the beginning of this year. He wanted to apply, but found out that the high-end restaurant was a French one. If there wasn’t a second new high-end restaurant opened at the beginning of this year, then the one Zhou Shi heard about should be the same one,” Jiang Feng explained.

Lu Sheng raised an eyebrow: “That’s quite a coincidence. I didn’t realize that Zhou Shi from your restaurant had such a wide network. I underestimated him. If it can be confirmed to be a French restaurant, then it’s easier to deal with. There aren’t many famous French cuisine masters, and although I’m not close with them, I do know a few people. I can ask them to help gather information. Even if we can’t pinpoint it, we can narrow down the possibilities, which will make things easier.”

While they were talking, the water boiled and the piping hot water was poured into the cups, instantly filling the room with the fragrance of tea.

“This is excellent tea, truly exceptional,” Lu Sheng, utterly enraptured, stared at the tea in the cup, then glanced at Jiang Feng with a look of regret, “With your culinary talent so much greater than mine, why don’t you appreciate tea?”

Jiang Feng: …

“Taifeng Building will tidy up and be able to open for business by tomorrow afternoon. If it’s really a French cuisine master, I’ll ask Zhang Guanghang directly tomorrow; he should be more familiar,” Jiang Feng said.

Slapping his forehead, Lu Sheng exclaimed, “Look at my memory, completely forgot about him. I even said I’d help you gather information. I heard that Zhang Guanghang went to France over the New Year; he probably already knew and went to gather information for you. Since that’s the case, I won’t hide it from you anymore. We already received information last year that this year, the Michelin inspectors would come to Beiping to make their selections for Michelin-starred restaurants.”

“Michelin restaurant selection? Nationwide?” Jiang Feng asked.

In recent years, China had remained detached from the Michelin selection system, with only the Hong Kong and Macau regions participating. Although the culinary world generally believed that the Michelin Guide didn’t carry as much weight as the Celebrity Chefs list, Michelin rated restaurants while the Celebrity Chefs list rated chefs, and there were significant differences between the two.

After all, what restaurant wouldn’t want another reason to raise their prices?

If Taifeng Building were to be awarded three Michelin stars, Wang Xiulian wouldn’t hesitate to double the prices of all the dishes on the menu the very next day. No, doubling might be an exaggeration, but she would definitely consider raising prices by 30 to 50 percent.

“The specifics aren’t clear, but it seems to start from Beiping,” said Lu Sheng.

“That newly opened French restaurant…”

“Is that even worth mentioning? It’s certainly a move to display their dominance. Over the years, our Chinese cuisine restaurants have always stayed out of the Michelin system, and although we don’t make up half the Celebrity Chefs list, we still hold a substantial forty percent,” Lu Sheng said as he picked up his teacup, blew on it, and took a small sip. “There are prestigious restaurants everywhere, but Beiping has the most and the most prosperous ones. With such formidable opponents, it’s logical for them to make a strong entrance.”

“It sounds like we’ve got a tough battle ahead of us in March,” Jiang Feng said, not knowing why but suddenly feeling much more at ease.

“What’s there to fear? If they want to show us their strength, we’ll set up a banquet just like the famous Hongmen Banquet for them. Beiping is the territory of Shandong cuisine, and other culinary styles will find it a bit uncomfortable on our turf, not to mention cuisines from other countries.” Lu Sheng handed another cup of tea to Jiang Feng. “But it’s going to be tough on you guys since you’re the vanguard in the upcoming battle. Your Taifeng Building is the closest and it’s new; they’re sure to target you first.”

Jiang Feng managed a bitter smile. Of all places for that shopping mall to be built, it had to be right next to Taifeng Building; the competitors would hardly miss the chance to come after them.

“However, there’s an old saying that good things can come from bad and vice versa. If you guys do well in this first battle and make a name for yourselves, there will be plenty of good things waiting. Don’t worry, just get through the first couple of months, and they won’t be able to stir up trouble afterward.” Lu Sheng smiled mysteriously.

Seeing the look on Lu Sheng’s face, Jiang Feng felt there was more to it: “Mr. Lu, why do I feel like you’re keeping something even more important from me?”

“How could that be? I’ve told you about the Michelin Guide, what could be bigger than that?” Lu Sheng said. “When the time comes for the selection, we’ll all be competitors, and I’m only telling you this because we have a good relationship.”

Jiang Feng found the logic sound and prepared to leave.

He had been with Lu Sheng for at least 20 minutes, and the others in the private room had probably already started eating. If he arrived late, there might be no Silver Fungus and Vegetables left for him.

“The tea, you didn’t take it with you. This is a fine Puer tea, such a pity you didn’t even take a sip,” Lu Sheng pointed at the teacup Jiang Feng hadn’t even touched on the table.

“That tea’s boiling hot. If I carry it all the way there, I might accidentally spill it,” Jiang Feng glanced at the shelf and noticed that the Lushan Cloud Mist Tea that Lu Sheng had served him a long time ago seemed to still be there, its box resting on the shelf.

“How about this, you know I’m not a tea drinker, but my grandfather is. He doesn’t drink Puer, he likes Lushan Cloud Mist Tea. It seems you still have some left on the shelf, so why don’t you brew another pot of Lushan Cloud Mist Tea for me to take back to the private room?” Jiang Feng shamelessly peeled off his ‘skin’, threw it on the ground, and even stomped on it for good measure.

“Inviting the wolf into the house,” Lu Sheng laughed and reached for the tea leaves on the shelf.