The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Compared to when I just received the system, the long list of beginner levels is now much more reassuring.

Continuing to scroll down, right after personal skill attributes is the affection list.

Perhaps it’s because of officially becoming an apprentice, but Liu Yunong’s affection value unexpectedly ranked first.

[NPC Celebrity Chef Liu Yunong’s Affection Value: 30]

The score is a bit low!

This was somewhat outside Fu Yu’s expectations.

He initially thought that being Liu Yunong’s beloved apprentice, even if he couldn’t achieve the level of Zhao Meng’s pride, he would at least pass, right?

Looks like I need to perform well!

After spending some time together, Fu Yu has become quite familiar with Liu Yunong.

He knows very well that groveling is useless in front of his master. To boost Liu Yunong’s affection value, there’s no shortcut other than diligently learning cooking and working hard.

However, there’s no rush.

After all, Liu Yunong is already very kind to him.

Whether it’s guiding him in cooking or interacting daily, she’s always considerate and caring.

But, compared to Zhao Meng who’s now in second place, his affection value has already reached 80.

If it reaches 100, would Zhao Meng really treat him as a son?

Wait a minute...

Why as a son?

If I boost Liu Yunong’s affection value to 100, what does that mean?

Will Liu Yunong also treat me as a son?

Thinking of Liu Yunong’s young and pretty face, Fu Yu shivered.

Ugh!

Being a son is out of the question, maybe...

Thinking of this, Fu Yu couldn’t help but glance at Liu Yuqing’s affection value.

Now that he thinks about it, he hasn’t checked Liu Yuqing’s affection value for him in a while.

[NPC Delivery Person Liu Yuqing’s Intimate Affection Value: 40]

Fu Yu was a bit stunned, why is there an additional word ”intimate” in this prompt?

He checked everyone’s affection value one by one, and only Liu Yuqing’s had an additional word.

Is it because he’s in a romantic relationship with Liu Yuqing now?

So there’s an additional category for intimacy?

Does this also mean that as the intimate affection value increases, his relationship with Liu Yuqing will deepen?

And this relationship is different from the others.

Does it represent love?

Then Liu Yunong’s affection for him should be a mentor-apprentice relationship.

As for Zhao Meng, if it reaches 100, maybe he’ll really consider him as a son.

Although there’s not much difference now, but thinking about it like this, it inexplicably makes me a bit eager, doesn’t it?

Looks like I have to find ways to increase affection value in the future.

In every aspect, I can’t slack off.

...

After Kang Guijie came to Bei’an, he was first busy with some affairs, then he met with two old friends.

As it was close to the Chinese New Year’s Eve, the store in the provincial city received several large orders. The customers were of high status, so he had to be the head chef.

The schedule was too tight, and he was busy all the way until the last day before leaving Bei’an when he finally squeezed out some time in the evening to meet with two old friends at Shangshi Private Kitchen.

Kang Guijie has been a long-time friend of Liu Yunong’s father. The two families used to interact quite frequently.

However, after Liu Yunong’s parents passed away, Liu Yunong first went abroad and then returned home to manage the family business.

During festivals, they only exchanged greetings over the phone, and gifts were sent to their door by someone.

Honestly, the last time they met was last spring when the Liu Sisters visited the provincial store for inspection and stopped by home for a meal.

Kang Guijie is very fond of his friend’s two daughters. During festivals, he would also send some special products and local goods from the provincial city.

Although he knows the sisters don’t lack these, it’s the thought that counts.

The Liu Sisters also appreciate Kang Guijie’s care and affection.

This time, learning that Kang Guijie was coming to the restaurant for a meal, Liu Yunong quickly got everything ready.

From personally welcoming him to arranging a private room, it was all done by Liu Yunong herself.

Liu Yunong’s respectful and cordial attitude made Kang Guijie feel very appreciated, especially in front of his two old friends, it made him feel particularly proud.

After all, Liu Yunong is quite famous among the new generation of celebrity chefs.

When Kang Guijie arrived, Liu Yunong helped him order dishes and wine and didn’t rush back to the kitchen. Instead, she stayed in the private room, chatting with Kang Guijie and the two senior friends.

”Uncle Kang, why did you suddenly come to Bei’an?” Liu Yunong asked curiously.

With the Chinese New Year’s Eve approaching, restaurants of all sizes are bustling with business, usually making kitchen staff scarce.

Kang Guijie’s status is special; in the provincial city’s Three Flavors Inn, everything relies on him to hold the fort.

Now that he’s not there, what will happen to the store?

Although Three Flavors Inn is a private kitchen restaurant, it’s different from Shangshi.

Shangshi Private Kitchen, despite being a traditional secret recipe, operates closer to the people, serving ordinary folks.

But Three Flavors Inn is different.

Three Flavors Inn specifically caters to the powerful and influential. Whether in terms of class or environment, it operates on a different level.

If Shangshi Private Kitchen is akin to a regular chain small restaurant, then Three Flavors Inn is a luxurious scenic Western restaurant. Without connections, reservations are impossible.

Kang Guijie chuckled and said, ”I came over for some errands, and now that they’re done, I’m heading back soon.”

Liu Yunong felt touched. She didn’t expect Kang Guijie would make time to visit her at the restaurant.

To be honest, most of Liu Yunong’s memories of Kang Guijie are from when her parents were alive.

Back then, her parents would take her to visit Kang Guijie, where everyone would sit and chat, and the kids would play together.

Liu Yunong did keep in touch with Kang Guijie’s children often, but wasn’t as close to Kang Guijie himself.

However, after all these years of learning from her parents by osmosis, she became very adept at social interactions.

So, over the years, her relationship with the Kang family has not dwindled.

While not exceptionally close, they kept in touch more regularly than with most others.

As a result, Liu Yunong’s attitude toward Kang Guijie was more respectful than intimate.

”Uncle Kang, I didn’t even know you came here. Otherwise, I would’ve visited you sooner.”

Liu Yunong’s words were polite yet carried a tinge of sincerity.

After all, the fact that Kang Guijie visited to check on her amidst his busy schedule made her feel particularly comforted.

Kang Guijie smiled and resumed his warm chat with Liu Yunong.

As they chatted, Kang Guijie suddenly remembered something and laughed, ”Oh, I visited Qianlima Restaurant the other day. I originally stopped by after running some errands, planning to have a meal. But by coincidence, I bumped into Xiaofu.”

”I didn’t expect you to have taken on an apprentice! This hasn’t been widely spoken of. If Yao Shi hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have known.”

Liu Yunong chuckled upon hearing this, ”So you went to Qianlima? Yes, Fu Yu is my apprentice; it hasn’t been long. I decided to take him under my wing during the National Day when I was invited to the cooking competition. At that time, I felt a good connection with him, which sparked the idea of taking an apprentice.”

As for taking on an apprentice, Liu Yunong hadn’t really publicized it.

On one hand, the short duration left no time.

On the other hand, when she finally found a decent apprentice, she naturally wanted to groom him first before showcasing him.

After all, an apprentice is a reflection of the master.

An outstanding apprentice gives the master face.

Kang Guijie could understand. Knowing Liu Yunong’s character, he knew she wasn’t one to be excessively ostentatious.

Plus, he genuinely admired Fu Yu.

The young man is indeed commendable—good looking and skillful in cooking.

Especially after chatting with Yao Shi, learning that the young man has a gentle temperament, detailed in his work, and very diligent.

He is said to be extremely talented in cooking.

He truly is an excellent talent.

Liu Yunong indeed has a keen eye.