Chapter 534

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Protagonist:

Lu Feng

"Wait a moment!"

A companion suddenly recalled something, grabbing the arm of the middle-aged man who was just about to leave, and cautioned in a somewhat careful tone: "I remember... Boss Lu dislikes customers who waste food the most. Have you forgotten the rules of his shop? Waste food and you're directly blacklisted, no further service thereafter!"

He paused, then pointed at the steak on the dining table and continued: "Although this isn't Boss Lu's shop, it's at least right next door to his. What if Boss Lu finds out we're wasting food like this, gets angry, and puts us on the blacklist?"

The middle-aged man's steps faltered, and he rapidly calculated in his mind.

The situation his companion described, while unlikely to happen, what if it really was the case?

A steak set meal at this restaurant, he originally thought wasting it was no big deal.

But if because of this reason, they really ended up on Lu Family Restaurant's blacklist, never able to eat the exquisite flavor of the cuisine personally made by Boss Lu again, that would be a huge loss!

"Alright alright alright, takeaway! Taking it to go is fine, right?"

The middle-aged man decisively turned his head, raised his hand and waved vigorously at a waiter not far away, shouting loudly: "Waiter! Pack up the steak at this table quickly! No need for any packaging box, just give me a plastic bag to stuff it in casually! Quick quick quick!"

Scenes identical to this situation were unfolding one after another right now in the front hall on the first floor of Sunshine Garden Western Restaurant.

In the blink of an eye, one-third of the guests on the first floor had already left.

They acted as if they had agreed simultaneously, without the slightest hesitation, without any reluctance, every single one choosing to pack up the food they had just ordered and take it away.

As for those who had just placed orders, whose steaks hadn't been served yet, they also anxiously communicated with the waiters: "Don't serve the dishes, just pack them directly for me. I'll finish eating and come back to pick them up later!"

This situation occurred too suddenly; no matter how well-trained those waiters were, faced with such a scene they had absolutely no psychological preparation.

Originally performing their respective duties in every corner of the restaurant, they were instantly surrounded by the sound of "Waiter, pack it up" coming from all directions.

Faced with so many customers calling at the same time, each of them was rushed off their feet.

Many waiters were summoned by several tables simultaneously, and for a moment didn't know which one to respond to first, sweating profusely with anxiety.

The originally quiet and elegant high-end western restaurant had now become extraordinarily noisy, looking just like those small eateries on Food Street.

Amidst the chaos, those waiters didn't even have time to notify the hall manager of this abnormal emergency.

Finally, it was Waiter Xiao Lin who, taking advantage of a moment to catch his breath, called over a young man responsible for delivering dishes.

Having him immediately go upstairs to the second floor and inform the hall manager, who was currently entertaining distinguished guests in a private room, of the current situation.

Compared to the clamor on the first floor, the private rooms on the second floor appeared much quieter; the soundproofing of the private rooms was good, and outside sounds simply couldn't penetrate inside.

At this moment, the hall manager was standing in the innermost private room on the second floor, personally entertaining Guo Mingyuan and his party, pouring red wine for the guests at the dining table in turn.

Restaurant Head Chef Yang Zhenguang was also in the private room at this time, wearing a spotless chef's uniform, standing with hands behind his back beside the dining table, a faint smile on his face.

Guo Mingyuan sat in the seat of honor, a silver fork in his hand.

He had already tasted the pan-fried lamb chops on the plate, and praised Yang Zhenguang incessantly: "Mr. Yang truly deserves to be an internationally renowned high-end special chef; your skill is absolutely amazing!"

As he spoke, he gave a thumbs-up to Yang Zhenguang, his eyes showing a very satisfied expression: "Your lamb chops are incredibly tender to eat! And not a trace of mutton smell! The ones I've eaten at other restaurants, compared to yours, the difference isn't just a little bit!"

The others at the dining table also nodded in agreement one after another, and for a moment all kinds of words of praise filled the entire private room.

"Thank you everyone for your praise."

Yang Zhenguang studied Western culinary arts, and his conduct and handling of affairs were more or less influenced by some Western culture.

Faced with everyone's effusive praise, he did not feign humility, but nodded in thanks quite calmly.

Zhou Li, sitting next to Guo Mingyuan, seeing that Guo Mingyuan was in a good mood at the moment, teased: "General Manager Guo, look at you bringing so many leaders here personally today; it's like you're afraid we'll mess up on our very first day of opening! Now that you've witnessed Special Chef Yang's skill, you should be able to rest easy, right?"

As she spoke, she glanced at Yang Zhenguang standing not far away, her eyes bright and sparkling, her gaze full of confidence.

Although she had never personally tasted the dishes at that Lu Family Restaurant next door, in her heart she firmly believed that Yang Zhenguang, who had won multiple international chef awards, absolutely could not compare unfavorably to an unknown nobody running a small eatery on Food Street.

Moreover, Zhou Li fully agreed with what Yang Zhenguang had said that night.

Running a restaurant isn't just about making the food delicious; meticulous service, a comfortable environment, high-end ingredients — these are all crucial factors.

And in these aspects, Zhou Li felt that her high-end restaurant, no matter how you looked at it, steadily suppressed that Lu Family Restaurant by a head.

"Hahaha, Manager Zhou, you're complaining to me, but I have to clarify: I really came today to sample Mr. Yang's skill, not to inspect."

Guo Mingyuan's face wore a thoroughly satisfied expression, and he said with a hearty laugh: "Besides, with the team you lead providing such meticulous service, plus Mr. Yang's consummate culinary skill, with the two of you holding down the fort here, how could I possibly not be at ease?"

His words had just fallen when the others at the table opportunely let out a burst of echoing laughter, warming up the atmosphere in the private room.

"Exactly!"

Another department manager from a branch company at the table pointed at his own plate, which had only sauce and side dishes left: "Mr. Yang's culinary skill is truly astonishing! If it weren't for all the leaders being present, and me having to mind my image in front of everyone, I really want to lick the sauce on this plate clean — the kitchen wouldn't even need to wash it!"

"Thump thump thump."

Just as everyone was chattering away praising how amazing Yang Zhenguang's culinary skill was, a few knocks suddenly came from outside the private room door.

This sound was still very clear inside the private room; the crowd who had been chattering praises instantly fell silent, their gazes swiveling in unison toward the tightly shut private room door.

Guo Mingyuan set down the fork in his hand, his tone carrying the composure of a superior, and called out toward the door: "Come in."

The private room door was gently pushed open, and a young man wearing a white work uniform walked in.

He was precisely the dish runner who had just rushed up from the first floor in a fluster, intending to report the situation downstairs to the hall manager.