Madam Malena's Arrival, Technical Investment!

"Although what I said to one of your waitresses earlier was somewhat exaggerated, it wasn't wrong. Noble Hall may be famous throughout Nuoding City, but your dishes truly don't live up to your reputation.

"Though I am hardly exceptional, I was fortunate enough to develop several entirely new cooking methods beyond roasting, stewing, and boiling. I have also created countless quite delicious dishes. This time, I came intending to use the culinary skills and recipes I developed to make a deal with you and buy shares in your restaurant.

"I believe my joining you could bring in greater profits and further develop Noble Hall's dining business. Of course, you may not believe me, but you can have your head chef compete with me. I will prove it with facts."

Looking at Wang Tian, Bai Ge spoke unhurriedly.

Although Wang Tian felt that Bai Ge had no reason to lie, seeing that Bai Ge was barely taller than a stove, he still hesitated somewhat.

After all, it was hard to imagine that a child who could barely lift a spatula would be a master chef capable of developing new cooking techniques. But as a genius young man who had become a Soul Master at the age of six, Bai Ge had absolutely no reason to deceive them.

Moreover, just as Bai Ge had said, although Noble Hall had become a top-tier restaurant in Nuoding City, it had won over the wealthy and the nobles mainly through impeccable presentation. Yet Nuoding City was only a small city, and there were not many nobles or wealthy people.

Although Noble Hall had gained the favor of the wealthy and the nobles, their numbers were ultimately limited, so the money Noble Hall could earn was still too little. Comparatively speaking, it might not even earn as much as a restaurant of the same grade that catered to ordinary people.

But Noble Hall had already established its reputation among the upper class, so it could not simply turn around and cater to ordinary people again. And though Noble Hall's head chef was skilled, there were many chefs with equally good culinary skills. After all, becoming an excellent chef was far easier than becoming a Soul Master.

Even if Noble Hall opened another branch for ordinary people, without something to attract them, it would likely be difficult to achieve the same success as Noble Hall had now—unless Noble Hall could gain a new competitive edge.

If the new cooking methods and dishes Bai Ge spoke of were real, they could very likely change Noble Hall's way of doing business and allow it to escape its current predicament. Thinking of this, Wang Tian's gaze at Bai Ge became somewhat strange, as though he were looking at a monster.

A six-year-old Soul Master was already astonishing enough, yet this genius Soul Master could even develop new cooking methods. Was he just throwing away all his time for cultivation?

Or was this some monstrous prodigy?!

"Little Brother, I'm sorry, but I can't make the decision about buying shares. We'll have to wait until Madam arrives."

Taking a deep breath, Wang Tian calmed himself down and spoke to Bai Ge apologetically.

"It's fine. I have time."

Bai Ge smiled faintly, showing that he did not mind.

But just as Bai Ge and Wang Tian were talking, a series of footsteps suddenly sounded in the corridor outside the private room, drawing closer and closer.

Creak!

At last, the door to the private room opened. A beautiful golden-haired woman in a red gown, with a voluptuous figure and seductive features, swayed her slender waist as she gracefully entered. Behind her was none other than Sister Hong, the Reception Manager who had previously received Bai Ge and Xiao Chenyu.

"Little Red, is this adorable Little Brother the six-year-old genius Soul Master you mentioned?"

As soon as the beautiful woman entered the private room, her gaze fell upon Bai Ge. There was no need to say more—this beautiful golden-haired woman was undoubtedly Madam Malena, the owner of Noble Hall.

"Madam, hello. My name is Bai Ge. It is an honor to meet you!"

Seeing Madam Malena, Bai Ge gave a slight bow and said.

"Oh my, such a polite Little Brother. You seem quite mature too."

Seeing Bai Ge's gesture, Madam Malena could not help but laugh coquettishly.

"You flatter me, Madam."

Faced with Malena's deliberate friendliness, Bai Ge remained very serious. He did not believe that Malena was growing close to him merely because he was a genius. More likely, it was simply an act.

If she had not known how to put on an act, Madam Malena would likely have long been devoured whole by Nuoding City's nobles and would never have built Noble Hall into such a vast enterprise.

"Hehe, Little Brother, you didn't come all the way to Noble Hall to stir up trouble just to meet me, did you? Of course, for a genius of the Soul Master world like you, Noble Hall certainly would not hesitate to invest. As long as you are willing to sign an agreement with us, Noble Hall is willing to fully support you."

Looking at Bai Ge, Malena spoke seductively.

"You think too highly of me, Madam. Though I, Bai Ge, am young, I am still a person with principles. And compared to wealth, I prefer freedom. This time, I did not come to seek investment from you. I came to make money together with you."

Looking at the seductive Madam Malena, Bai Ge Shook His Head and said.

"Make money? Little Brother, Elder Sister isn't looking down on you, but you are only six this year. You should have only just entered the Primary Soul Master Academy. Although Elder Sister knows you are talented, otherwise you would not have become a Soul Master at six, making money is not as simple as cultivation."

A Hint of strangeness flashed through Malena's eyes as she looked at Bai Ge.

"Madam may have misunderstood. The business I mean may differ somewhat from what Madam has in mind. As for my business, I have already explained it to Manager Wang. Manager Wang should be able to tell Madam what it is."

Seeing Malena's expression, Bai Ge immediately knew that she had probably misunderstood. His business was merely investing technology for shares, not actual business dealings.

"Wang Tian?"

Hearing Bai Ge's words, Malena turned her gaze to Wang Tian. Seeing this, Wang Tian immediately leaned close to Malena's ear and began explaining Bai Ge's "business."

As she listened, the seductive smile that had been on Malena's face gradually disappeared, and she unexpectedly became serious. After hearing Wang Tian's explanation, Malena could not help turning to look at Bai Ge.

"Little Brother, is what you said true? You actually developed new cooking methods and even created your own recipes?"

Malena's gaze was extremely serious as she looked at Bai Ge. If Malena's purpose before had been investment, making her seem passionate as fire, then Malena in business mode was cool as ice. Perhaps this was the real Malena.

"Madam, I have no reason to deceive you. It would do me no good. I know that because of my age, you may all have some doubts about me, but a genius is a genius. I will prove it to you."

Bai Ge said confidently.

"Bring Old Xing here."

Seeing Bai Ge's confident expression, Malena believed him.

"Yes, Madam."

Upon hearing Malena's words, Sister Hong quickly left the private room and headed toward the kitchen. Old Xing was Noble Hall's head chef.

"Madam, you're not asking me to compete in cooking against this little brat, are you? At his height, whether he can even reach the stove is a question!"

Very soon, Sister Hong brought head chef Old Xing over. Seeing that Bai Ge was only just over a meter tall, barely level with the stove, the tall, slightly plump Old Xing burst into laughter.

"Old Xing, do not underestimate him. He is a Soul Master of the same rank as you."

Hearing Old Xing's words, Madam Malena frowned.

"This brat... is a Soul Master?!"

Hearing Madam Malena's words, Old Xing's eyes widened.

"Enough. Let's begin directly."

Seeing that Old Xing did not believe him, Bai Ge did not want to explain. They would start directly and let their skills speak for themselves. By then, everything would become clear.

Everyone made their way to the kitchen.

Noble Hall's kitchen was very tidy and spacious. But perhaps because there were not many diners, it had only three stoves. Still, the carts beside each stove were piled high with ingredients and seasonings, dazzling in variety.

Bai Ge examined the ingredients and seasonings on the carts. Thanks to the frenzied research he had done into the ingredients and seasonings of Douluo Continent after obtaining Grandmaster Culinary Skill, Bai Ge recognized almost all of them.

Putting the ingredients aside for now, the ingredients of Douluo Continent were more or less the same as those from Bai Ge's past life. But in terms of seasonings, Douluo Continent had far fewer than Bai Ge had seen on Earth in his past life.

However, because Bai Ge was proficient in every style of Huaxia cuisine and could handle sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty flavors with ease, although Douluo Continent lacked some seasonings he needed, what was available here was already enough for Bai Ge to recreate most Huaxia delicacies from Earth.

The competition officially began!

After more than two hours of effort, Bai Ge successfully made Mapo Tofu, Dongpo Pork, West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork, Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, and other delicacies.

Compared with the cooking of Douluo Continent, which could basically produce only food with a single flavor, nearly all of Bai Ge's dishes possessed two flavors, and those flavors blended perfectly. Thus, Bai Ge's dishes conquered the tasters' palates almost the instant they were sampled.

After all, for people who had only eaten food with a single flavor, the numbing spiciness of Mapo Tofu, the salty sweetness of Dongpo Pork, the sweet and sour taste of Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs...

One of these unique flavors was always enough to conquer someone's palate. After tasting Bai Ge's food, Malena immediately made her decision: she had to keep Bai Ge.

After all, for such a genius Soul Master, one who could not only take her business to greater heights but also possessed astonishing potential, keeping him would be nothing but profit.

As for giving Bai Ge a portion of Noble Hall's profits, that was a minor matter.

The new cooking methods Bai Ge used alone were already worth the price, not to mention Bai Ge's incredibly astonishing potential.

If she could bring Bai Ge into her camp, she might even gain a powerful Soul Master as backing in the future. This deal was an absolute steal!