Chapter 1: Yue Buqun Visits (Seeking Collections, Seeking Recommendations)

June 3, 2027

No. 93 Furong Street, Tianlu City

"Phew, finally open for business!"

Standing at the entrance of a small shop covering no more than a hundred square meters, Su Mu looked at the brand-new storefront and couldn't help but smile.

He had been in this world for three years, and ever since he arrived, Su Mu had been bound to a Gourmet System.

After three years of devilish chef training, he had successfully completed the system's program a month ago and gloriously became a gourmet shop owner.

The only thing that made Su Mu slightly dissatisfied was the dishes and pricing in this gourmet shop.

"System, can't you add more dishes, and maybe make them a bit cheaper!"

Looking at the menu posted in the shop, Su Mu felt a slight headache.

A cup of water cost one tael of gold, a braised egg cost five taels of gold, and a serving of egg fried rice cost ten taels of gold.

Even as the owner of the small shop, seeing these prices made him feel it was damn ridiculous!

"Beep, current gourmet shop level does not meet the requirements!"

A simple sentence in his mind caused Su Mu to give up.

Fine, he had long been familiar with the personality of his system over the past three years.

It seemed he would just have to continue like this.

Sitting inside the shop, Su Mu couldn't help but look outside.

"Sigh, I wonder when the first customer will arrive!"

Sighing, Su Mu shook his head.

Yet, just as Su Mu was speaking, a passerby at the entrance seemed to notice the newly opened gourmet shop and walked in.

But as soon as they entered, they were shocked by the menu posted on the wall.

"What? You dare charge one tael of gold for a cup of water? This is robbery!"

The man who entered was furious, pointing at the menu and cursing directly.

He had just wanted to see if there was anything good to eat, but seeing that a cup of water cost one tael of gold and a serving of egg fried rice was ten taels of gold, he couldn't hold back.

"Ahem, this customer, the gourmet food in this small shop is truly a rare delicacy!"

Seeing the man's reaction, Su Mu had been mentally prepared.

These days, no matter who you asked, anyone normal would think these prices were unreasonable—no, "unreasonable" didn't even cover it; they were absolutely absurd!

But there was nothing he could do; Su Mu didn't set the prices himself!

Sigh, System, you're scamming me!

"Heh, a delicacy!"

The man who entered looked at Su Mu as if he were an idiot.

What, do you think I'm an idiot, or are you the idiot?

Ten taels of gold for a serving of egg fried rice—will I become an immortal if I eat it?

With a cold sneer, the man turned and left, not wanting to listen to a single word of Su Mu's explanation.

At the entrance, following the man's loud shouting, several young people who had intended to enter immediately stopped in their tracks.

As they left, they even glanced at Su Mu as if he were a lunatic.

Being stared at like that, Su Mu couldn't help but feel a bit dejected.

As a transmigrator, to have ended up in this state—how miserable!

And just as Su Mu was lamenting, in the world of *Smiling Proud Wanderer*

Huashan Sect, at the back cliff

Yue Buqun, as the Sect Master of the Huashan Sect, was practicing his techniques on the cliff when, suddenly, a white mist began to permeate the area.

Yue Buqun, who was in the middle of practicing, changed his expression, stepped off, and leaped several yards back.

But to Yue Buqun's surprise, when he jumped out of the white mist, he didn't see the familiar back cliff of the Huashan Sect, but a small gourmet shop!

"This, where is this place?"

Looking at the void and chaos all around, with only a small shop standing in the void a few meters ahead, Yue Buqun was terrified, but he suppressed the horror in his heart and walked toward the shop step by step.

The distance of a few meters took only a moment, and Yue Buqun stepped into the shop.

"Hmm? Where is this? Could it be a fairyland?"

Stepping into the shop and seeing the novel scene, Yue Buqun felt a bit of difficulty breathing.

Having crossed the void of chaos, he didn't believe that a shop capable of standing above chaos could be any ordinary restaurant.

And just as Yue Buqun was examining the shop, Su Mu on the other side didn't say much.

Although Yue Buqun was dressed quite unusually, in full ancient attire.

But Su Mu believed that when he saw the prices of the dishes, he would surely flick his sleeves and walk away too.

But just as Su Mu was thinking this, Yue Buqun, on the other hand, did not leave immediately after carefully examining the menu.

"Shopkeeper, I would like a braised egg and a cup of plain water!"

The crisp voice rang in Su Mu's ears, and for a moment, Su Mu felt as if he had misheard.

"Are you sure?"

Looking at Yue Buqun's appearance—a man in his forties playing around with ancient-style Hanfu like some young kid—he was really living it up!

But you can't be mentally unstable!

At these prices, you dare to buy? Aren't you afraid of being forced to kneel on a washboard when you get home?

"Well, I am a bit short on funds at the moment!"

Questioned by Su Mu, Yue Buqun's face flushed red, appearing quite ashamed.

This expression left Su Mu stunned.

Good grief, are you trying to humble-brag to me!

You dare spend over a hundred thousand on a braised egg and a cup of water, and you tell me you're short on funds!

Pfft, the twisted hobbies of the rich!

Mentally categorizing Yue Buqun among the wealthy, he shook his head and went to prepare the braised egg and plain water for Yue Buqun.

Meanwhile, Yue Buqun found a seat and sat down, feeling quite anxious.

Just now, while he was looking at the menu, a lot of information had appeared in his mind.

It contained not only the contents of the menu but also information about assets already exchanged by the divine realm.

Unfortunately, the great Huashan Sect, while sounding prestigious, was actually quite poor.

Yue Buqun also wanted to curry favor with Su Mu, this immortal, but the egg fried rice was truly a bit too expensive.

Helpless, he had no choice but to order a braised egg and plain water.

Before long, Su Mu walked over carrying a cup of water and a small plate.

"Customer, your items are served!"

"Many thanks, Shopkeeper!"

Seeing the food served, Yue Buqun decisively handed over the six taels of gold he had exchanged.

The moment the six thin gold leaves were produced, Su Mu was slightly taken aback.

He cast a meaningful look at Yue Buqun, then put the gold leaves away.

Turning around, he was already crying silently in his heart.

Damn it, carrying these kinds of gold leaves just to go out for a meal!

Is this the joy of the rich?