Chapter 50: Dishes Tailored to Each Person

“Heh, it’s just a personal hobby,” Chairman Jiang replied with a smile.

Whoa! Chen Yun gazed at Jiang Shan with admiration. Incredible—a businessman who can diagnose illnesses, and even the dignified chief of the Lanyun City Public Security Bureau seeks his medical advice. And he calls him ‘Little Chao’!

“What’s wrong with him?” Chen Yun asked, intrigued.

“He’s… not quite functioning in that area. Ah, what am I telling you this for? You mustn’t spread this around, it’s hardly a matter to boast about.” Chairman Jiang warned Chen Yun with a laugh after blurting it out reflexively.

“Heh, I understand, you can trust me not to say a word,” Chen Yun thought gleefully. For a man, what’s more terrifying than being… inadequate?

“By the way, Chairman Jiang, what brings you here?” Chen Yun queried.

“I’m here partly to see an old friend, but also because of you,” Jiang Shan said.

“Because of me?” Chen Yun was confused. What did his visit have to do with him?

“Well, since you’re overseeing the branch, Azure Hotel has felt the pressure. They’ve transferred a master chef from headquarters. I’m here to sound him out, see if I can poach him.”

“Oh.” Chen Yun understood—this was business competition. Whenever one side gained a clear advantage, the others would immediately try to even the playing field. But he could produce grandmaster-level dishes—could they?

“Chairman Jiang, I’ll head inside to keep watch, make sure they don’t get away.”

“Mm, don’t act rashly. Remember, your safety is more important than anything,” Jiang Shan said sternly.

“I know what I’m doing. Rest assured, Chairman Jiang.”

As Chen Yun entered the hotel, Jiang Shan’s phone call connected.

“Chairman Jiang, what prompts you to call me?” The Lanyun City Public Security Bureau Chief, Chao Shangyue, answered with delight.

“Well, a friend of mine spotted two thieves. Didn’t you mention a roaming pickpocket gang operating in the city recently? I suspect these two might be connected to the group you described. They’re right here at Azure Hotel—why don’t you come take a look?”

“All right, I’ll head over immediately. And thank you again for those medicines you gave me! I’ve only been taking them for less than half a month, and honestly—my vigor, my energy, it’s remarkable!” Chao Shangyue grew excited just thinking about his recent nights, after so many years, he could finally reclaim his youthful prowess.

“Heh, medicine isn’t a solution in itself—you need to adjust your routine. I’ve told you before, chronic late nights and overwork sap your vitality most.”

“Mm, you’re absolutely right. I’ve begun to ease my workload already. Wait for me there, I’ll be right over.”

Inside the hotel, Chen Yun glanced around and easily spotted the two thieves.

“Honey, the dishes here are so expensive! My money can only buy three—yough, what a miscalculation,” the woman pouted at the menu, looking dejected.

“Just order fewer. You wouldn’t finish more anyway.”

“I guess that’s all we can do. I heard the snake soup is really good here—let me see… Wow, fifty-eight purple coins a bowl!”

“Heavens, that’s outrageous! We definitely can’t afford that. Let’s pick something else.”

“We have no choice. Waiter, two servings of Luoding black bean chicken.”

“Two is too much. Just one for you, I’ll watch you eat.”

“No way, we eat together. Otherwise, I won’t eat either.”

“But it’s so expensive… All right, whatever you want.”

Hearing their exchange, Chen Yun felt a slight ripple in his heart. Though they were thieves, their affection for each other was clear in every detail. He wondered what had driven them down this path.

He took a seat near them and picked up the menu marked ‘Advanced Recipes’ by the system. A glance nearly made his eyes pop out.

“Fresh Mushroom with Seasonal Vegetables: Green consumable. Upon use: Life +60, Mana +50, Max Life +20, duration 12 hours. Price: 888 copper coins.”

“Luoding Black Bean Chicken: Green consumable. Upon use: Life +80, Mana +80, Max Mana +10, duration 12 hours. Price: 999 copper coins.”

“Red Wine Braised Beef: Green consumable. Upon use: Life +100, Mana +100, Max Life +50, Max Mana +50, duration 12 hours, permanent Strength +1, permanent Constitution +1. Effective up to 5 times. Price: 18 purple coins. Paying ten times the price triggers attribute bonus.”

“Exclusive Secret Snake Soup: Blue consumable. Upon use: Life +150, Mana +150, Max Life +10, Max Energy +50, duration 48 hours, permanent Strength +5, permanent Constitution +5, effective up to 3 times. Price: 58 purple coins. Paying ten times the price triggers attribute bonus.”

Good heavens! Chen Yun was startled. As expected of a master chef—all dishes were at least green-grade items, and the attribute bonuses were considerable, almost half as good as the dishes he made from catfish essence!

But what about the note regarding permanent attribute increases on the last two dishes? What does ‘paying ten times the price triggers attribute bonus’ mean?

“Waiter, two servings of Red Wine Braised Beef!” Unable to figure it out, Chen Yun decided to test it.

“Certainly, please wait a moment.”

It must be said—the speed at which a five-star hotel serves food is unmatched. In less than three minutes, the two thieves’ Luoding Black Bean Chicken was brought over. Chen Yun watched the waiter serve it with a puzzled look.

Luoding Black Bean Chicken: Green consumable. Upon use: Life +80, Mana +0, Price: 999 copper coins.

What’s going on? Same dish, but the attribute bonuses are so different?

After thinking for a moment, Chen Yun looked up at their stats.

“NPC Li Lili, level 6, human, occupation: thief. Life: 60, Mana: 0…”

“NPC Di Yuan, level 7, human, occupation: thief. Life: 80, Mana: 0…”

Oh! After reading their stats, Chen Yun suddenly understood.

The effects of dishes varied from person to person. For other NPCs, it only increased their current highest value of Life, meaning the same dish would merely bring them gustatory pleasure and satiation, but wouldn’t boost their maximum attribute limits as it did for him.

Thinking about it, that made sense. If everyone could increase their attribute caps by eating, the world would be full of superhumans.

But how was he able to see their levels? He hadn’t used Detection.

After pondering, Chen Yun realized the answer: after killing the catfish spirit, he’d reached level 5, and after a night’s sleep, he was now level 6. Their levels were only one higher than his, so the gap wasn’t too great, allowing him to see their stats.

“Looks like ordinary folks in this world aren’t very high-level, after all,” he murmured to himself.

“Here is your Red Wine Braised Beef. Please enjoy,” the beautiful waitress’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Oh, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask,” she said with a gentle smile, stepping aside.