In the inn's kitchen, Chen Xu discovered that Master Hong's praise brought him a [Like +1].

+1...?

Chen Xu's first reaction was surprise. It turned out MSG could also bring him likes!

But this surprise quickly settled.

Because after a detailed investigation, Chen Xu immediately learned through the feedback from the Celestial Book that the maximum likes MSG could bring each person daily was only [+1].

That's right, just [+1].

After all, it wasn't a dish personally cooked by Chen Xu; he had merely added some MSG he made to the soup.

It was understandable that this would be the effect.

Yet, this [+1] suddenly gave Chen Xu a new idea.

Though [+1] per person per day seemed scant and pitiful, it couldn't be helped given the large population of this world.

Chen Xu suddenly felt his previous idea was wrong. Why open a restaurant?

He should directly sell MSG!

No, no, that wouldn't work either.

If he directly sold MSG, it could cause a huge upheaval in the entire catering industry of Great Li.

Something so unique, once tied to great profits and solely controlled by one person, how could that person not become the target of everyone's criticism?

In this case, it's better to open a restaurant.

He could keep the recipe within a certain range and proceed steadily, avoiding major disturbances.

Chen Xu held a spoon in his hand, his eyes slightly shifting.

Around him were the sounds of clashing pots and pans, running water, the moving apprentices, and Master Hong's undulating analytical voice...

All manner of noises mixed together.

The kitchen's swirling smoke rose and steamed, seemingly coloring everything in this small world with a rhythm unique to the mortal world.

Chen Xu sat there, but in his heart, thoughts turned like sparks and lightning, with countless ideas flooding in an instant.

He heard Master Hong boasting again, "Let me guess your recipe. It must have something unique beyond mushrooms and dried shrimp. Could it be... dried fish paste? No, surely there's more to it.

Old Hong here can't guess it, but Mr. Chen, your treasure is good, reaching 90% of the power of my fresh soup.

Yet, a difference of one percent is still a difference. Crafting a fresh soup is a true art, with no less than 100% authenticity.

Your... well, you might fool ordinary folks, but true gourmets won't fall for it, haha!"

As he spoke, he gently patted his chest, concealing his guilty conscience.

His eyes turned as he continued, "Mr. Chen, compared to us chefs, it's the common folk who really need this thing.

If this were on their dinner tables, wouldn't they all praise it?

By the way, do you sell this stuff? I want to buy some for my wife. You don't know how much a chef doesn't want to cook when they get home.

But my wife loves cooking, just that her skills are a bit lacking, hehe..."

Goodness, using your wife as a pretext to talk, does your wife even know? Once you go home, you might end up kneeling on a washboard, huh?

In Chen Xu's mind, thoughts spun rapidly. Upon hearing this, a flash of insight struck him.

He realized his thinking was stagnant; he hadn't thought that he could actually make two, three, or even four or five different versions of the same thing!

In this way, he could supply restaurants and also cater to the common folk.

He could also reduce the "exclusive" nature of this item, making it less conspicuous.

Even though he was currently limited in receiving feedback, as long as he could open new paths, surely that "mere thirty thousand likes" could be gathered in no time.

If necessary, he could even use the reputation of Ji Weizi, the Great Scholar.

Of course, it would be best not to reach that point.

After all, during the growth stage, while development speed is important, so is stability.

In the inn's kitchen, Chen Xu suddenly made a move, unexpectedly and as quick as lightning, retrieving the small paper packet from Master Hong's hand.

He moved and withdrew without a trace of smoke or fire, looking at Master Hong with a slight smile after taking back the small packet.

Master Hong was dumbfounded, unable to believe someone would take back something they had given away.

"You, you..." Poor Master Hong stammered, hardly able to utter a complete sentence.

The next moment, Chen Xu shoved a small gourd into his hand.

Master Hong immediately reacted, exclaiming, "Oh my! Is this the same wine from last time?"

Chen Xu shook his head.

Last time, he'd given Master Hong a taste of the complete Flowing Clouds Spirit Wine, but this time it was the "blended" version.

It's not that Chen Xu was stingy, but the complete Spirit Wine he had was also limited.

After giving a portion to Master Wu, County Magistrate Feng, and Cui Yunqi, Chen Xu had only about twenty pounds left in his hands.

And the second batch of Spirit Wine would take another ten days to brew.

Spirit Wine is extremely valuable, and its supply must be moderated.

Master Hong chuckled, knowing well the rarity of Spirit Wine. Yet human desires are often such; having one leads to wanting two.

As for this vain desire, Master Hong was quite at ease with it: just dreaming big, if it happens, great, if not, no big deal.

He clutched the gourd in his hand, cautiously pulled out the cork, first squinting for a light sniff, then carefully taking a small sip from the gourd's mouth.

Then he swiftly sealed the gourd tightly again and tucked it into his jacket.

He glared around with both eyes, admonishing all the apprentices and helpers, "What are you all looking at? Shoo, shoo, get on with your work!"

Master's fine wine was not something to share with anyone.

Then, Master Hong sighed, "Mr. Chen, you're truly a wine expert. This wine is somewhat similar to our Yunjiang Prefecture's Flowing Clouds Wine, yet clearly superior by several degrees.

To use an analogy, I'd say it's like... hey, a peony on the Immortal Mountain versus a trumpet flower by the roadside?

Oh dear, no, I'm a rough man, can't put it well.

In any case, since you've given this wine to me, Mr. Chen, you won't be asking for it back, right?"

As he spoke, he protectively crossed his arms over his chest, as if afraid that Chen Xu might snatch it back.

[Like +20]

Chen Xu smiled slightly, having tested it, this blended version of Flowing Clouds Wine was enough to earn drinkers a straight 20 likes.

For ordinary mortals, this "pseudo spirit wine" naturally had a daily limit of 20 likes.

This was actually quite a lot, indicating that the blended version of Flowing Clouds Wine also had great potential.

Chen Xu stood up and said, "This wine is meant to thank Master Hong for his careful teaching over the past few days, it certainly won't be taken back."

After speaking, he took another small gourd from his sleeve pocket and placed it on the small table in front of him.

Master Hong was a bit dazed as he watched, not quite understanding how Chen Xu's seemingly flowing and soft sleeve managed to hold one gourd after another.

Questions aside, there was no slowing down in storing the wine gourds.

Master Hong quickly grabbed the second wine gourd, grinning at Chen Xu, patting his chest with a thumping sound, "Mr. Chen, just for these wines alone, old Hong will follow you loyally!"

Chen Xu laughed, "What would I want your loyalty for? Master Hong, a small drink for pleasure, overindulgence harms the body, isn't it better to sip slowly and savor it daily?"

He stepped out of the kitchen, clad in a simple blue robe with a fabric belt, amidst the mundane clamor of the mortal world, yet appearing to be surrounded by a faint breeze.

Master Hong couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Chen, what is this wine called?"

Chen Xu pondered for a moment, then said, "Its use is to dispel worries, distancing me from worldly emotions. People often say this beverage relieves worries, but why fear worries at all?

Even if you forget them, they still exist, better to 'embrace joy and sorrow'."

"Joy and Sorrow, Joy and Sorrow... Joy and Sorrow Wine!"

Master Hong murmured, recalling how his family had recently grown, adding new expenses. Yet his two sons lacked promise, unable to inherit his craft.

How will the family manage in the future?

His daughter's marriage wasn't ideal, often encountering friction; there were always troubles, worries, and concerns. Apart from frequently bringing his daughter back home for comfort, there was little he could do.

He was frustrated, which sometimes led to his temper flaring, and he'd scold his apprentices harshly during cooking sessions.

Sometimes he wished to drown his sorrows in wine, but could it really dispel them?

Better to keep a clear head and face the issues directly.

There must always be a solution, right?

Master Hong murmured and murmured until suddenly he felt the alcohol hit, his eyes tearing up.

A sip of the "Joy and Sorrow Wine" carried a gentle lingering effect, as if a transparency of indescribable clarity surged straight through him.

Master Hong suddenly burst into hearty laughter, "Ha! What a Joy and Sorrow Wine!"

His booming voice almost echoed from the kitchen to the front hall, prompting a curious question, "What Joy and Sorrow Wine?"

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