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He asked Xie Ran, "Sir, do you really have no ideas?"

Xie Ran leaned back slightly against the sofa, assuming a resting posture. "No need. There's no

room

."

As Xie Ran's capable assistant, Meng Feixuan immediately and expertly ran an analysis through his processor. "I understand. If the goal is to promote Chinese cuisine, then this task is meaningless."

Xie Ran took a sip of water. "Mm."

Promoting a culture required vast resources and time. It was far beyond what a small three-day task could accomplish.

Although this Chinese cuisine promotion task was positioned as something lofty, it was really just an entertainment-oriented business challenge. The production team had limited resources to offer, and the guests' publicity methods amounted to little more than immediate, short-term sales tactics. In the end, the show's audience would also be domestic viewers.

In other words, it would not be difficult to meet the final revenue target, but it would be nowhere near the level of "cultural promotion." That was why Xie Ran said there was no room for it, and no need to put in too much effort.

Sure enough, after the guests discussed it, the marketing strategy they settled on was largely the same as in previous seasons: posters, food display stands placed outside the restaurant, flyer distribution, and small handicrafts given out as gifts. The rest would depend on each guest's ability to draw in customers on the spot.

"Ha ha, good thing I came prepared!" Zhu Chuanjia gave a sly grin and actually pulled a pair of clappers with red tassels from his pocket.

The two girls stared blankly. Chen Xiaoxuan wiped at her sweat and said, "Brother Jia, why do you even have something like that?"

"You girls don't understand." Zhu Chuanjia said smugly, "This is called winning by surprise. Think about it: we'll all be trying to attract customers in the same place. Once I start clapping these, won't I be far more eye-catching than you lot just using your voices? Won't all the customers come straight to me first?"

Chen Xiaoxuan teased, "But if you do that, won't people think you're a street performer?"

Meng Xixi was even harsher. "Brother Jia, do you remember that you're a pop singer? Aren't you afraid people will think you've switched careers to perform crosstalk?"

Zhu Chuanjia said, "Shoo, shoo, shoo. I'm making a sacrifice for the promotion of Huaxia culture!"

Even his partner could not stand it anymore. Jiang Wei hooked an arm around his neck to stop him from talking. "Enough. Just admit it—we'll stop at nothing for victory."

Joking aside, the plan was finally settled.

Before they dispersed, however, Zhu Chuanjia still felt uneasy. He looked at Xie Ran, who had barely participated in the discussion. "President Xie, you really have no ideas?"

Seeing how seriously he asked, Xie Ran thought for a moment. "Now I have one."

The other guests were instantly alarmed. Zhu Chuanjia cried out, "Chang Wei, and you said you didn't know martial arts!"

Fang Huiwang also turned to look at Xie Ran. Unlike the others, his expression held a more complicated sort of anticipation.

Last night, Kuang Youfang had told him to win Xie Ran back. He had not explicitly agreed, but he had tossed and turned the entire night, reexamining everything Xie Ran had done during this period. The more he examined it, the more shocked he became.

Only now did he belatedly realize that, at some point, Xie Ran had seemingly become someone he did not recognize at all. Every decision Xie Ran made had surpassed what he had previously understood him to be capable of.

Whether it was launching the top virtual idol Meng Feixuan, his astonishing performance in the stock market, or what had happened just yesterday—his almost miraculous recreation of the filming locations from "New and Old West"—every single thing Xie Ran had done was far beyond Fang Huiwang's ability.

Without Fang Huiwang noticing, Xie Ran himself had become composed and aloof, yet incomparably sharp. This personality, utterly different from before and seemingly difficult to approach, had been forged by absolute strength into an aura no one could afford to disregard.

An aura that even he had to look up to.

Fang Huiwang suddenly realized that his persistent urge these past days to compete with Xie Ran, even to suppress him and crush him completely, might have stemmed from an indescribable, barely perceptible fear of the Xie Ran he had become.

Back then, he and Xie Ran had been evenly matched, so he had been able to remain calm. He had always believed that as long as he was willing to put in the effort, he could stand beside Xie Ran again.

But what if the gap between them had widened? What if Xie Ran had already surpassed him, even left him far behind?

Fang Huiwang did not dare think any further. He only stared fixedly at Xie Ran, wanting to know what astonishing decision he would make this time.

Xie Ran fell silent for a moment. He did not quite understand what Zhu Chuanjia had said.

Meng Feixuan recognized Xie Ran's state and smoothly explained, "He was quoting a line from the film Hail the Judge. It means you deliberately lied and pretended not to have any ideas."

Xie Ran said, "...Mm."

Without changing expression, Xie Ran said, "I only have a few thoughts regarding the plan you proposed earlier."

He named several places. "These locations are all within walking distance of the restaurant. They are the main commercial and entertainment areas nearby, with heavy foot traffic and demand for dining out. If you want to attract more customers, those would be suitable places to hand out flyers."

He kept it brief, but Jiang Wei was deeply impressed. "President Xie really did his homework thoroughly."

On the first day, he had already gained a complete grasp of the visitor flow and business conditions at the scenic area where they worked. Now, he was once again showing his understanding of the local area.

Zhu Chuanjia gave him a thumbs-up. "No wonder President Xie is so successful!"

But while everyone admired him, they were not afraid. Xie Ran had shared what he knew; when the time came, it would still depend on each person's ability to perform on the spot. In that regard, Xie Ran did not have much of an advantage.

Zhu Chuanjia struck his clappers. "I believe I'll definitely become the brightest star."

Once the plan was set, the related work proceeded in an orderly fashion. The production team had actually prepared most of the materials in advance. After all, the focus of this segment was still on how the guests attracted customers and interacted with them.

Soon, everything was ready, and the Chinese restaurant officially opened. The production team had even hired a lion dance troupe from Chinatown, making the atmosphere exceptionally lively.