Chapter Thirty-Seven: Officer, May I Ask You for a Favor?

At some point, the owner of the spicy hotpot stall had already slipped away into the Chen family’s shop without anyone noticing or caring about his departure. Everyone was too busy savoring the special Juicy Beef Balls, each person deeply satisfied—one hundred yuan, truly well spent. Outside the Chen family’s shop, a long line had already formed, and the Juicy Beef Balls sold out at record speed. Even Chen Feng couldn’t help but sigh; he used to think the scenes in the movie were exaggerated, but now he realized they weren’t so far from reality after all.

In a single night, he had earned twenty achievement points. Chen Feng was very pleased with this. In his eyes, achievement points were far more lovable than cash. In a daze, he felt that the full version of the Super Soldier Serum was drawing closer and closer to his grasp.

“Chen Feng, can we talk?” Just as he was still basking in the joy of his achievement points, an elegant voice suddenly sounded in his ear, accompanied by a faint, refreshing fragrance. It was Xiao Yu!

Chen Feng snapped out of his reverie slightly and looked at her. “Director Xiao, it’s you?”

Xiao Yu gave a gentle smile and continued in her graceful tone, “So, what do you think? Are you interested?”

“Yes, of course!” Chen Feng replied immediately. “Since Director Xiao has invited me, how could I refuse?” With that, he turned and waved to his parents, asking them to take Fang Yue home. Then, he followed Xiao Yu into a Maserati worth millions.

The pure white Maserati held an unrivaled status on Sihai Street. Chen Feng had seen such cars before, but this was his first time sitting in one. The intoxicating scent that filled the car, emanating from Xiao Yu herself, was not the result of any perfume but her natural fragrance—a temptation that was difficult to resist.

Xiao Yu drove steadily, and neither of them spoke much on the way. Soon, she brought Chen Feng to a pure white building on the outskirts. Chen Feng recognized it as one of Jiangzhou’s most prestigious entertainment clubs. Ordinary people had no right to enter; only those with a certain status were allowed—this was a place for the city’s true elite.

At the entrance to the white building, Xiao Yu produced a golden card for the guard, who immediately let them through. The building was European in style, grand and luxurious, designed by a true master of landscape architecture. While mainly European in architecture, it also featured pavilions, bridges, and flowing water, blending Eastern and Western elements seamlessly, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

“Please, come in,” Xiao Yu said, opening the door to a room. Inside, the décor was elegant and luxurious. The outer area contained a desk and a bookshelf, while the inner room was furnished with a sofa and a wardrobe—clearly, Xiao Yu used this place not only for business but also for rest.

“Sit wherever you like,” Xiao Yu said, gesturing to a pure white sofa. She took off her coat and hung it on the wall, then casually ran her fingers through her hair—a simple gesture, yet one that exuded powerful femininity.

“Thank you,” Chen Feng said, leaning back on the sofa, trying to appear at ease.

Xiao Yu pressed a button on the desk, and a polite attendant entered. “Miss, what can I get for you?”

“Bring me a cup of black tea. And you?” she asked Chen Feng with a smile.

“I… Anything is fine,” Chen Feng replied, rubbing his hands nervously. To be in a place like this was beyond anything he had ever imagined, and even more so, to be alone with Xiao Yu, such a beautiful woman. With the Extractor System in his life, things had changed dramatically, but he still wasn’t used to such heights of luxury.

“Two black teas, then,” Xiao Yu said with a smile. The attendant left, and within a minute, two steaming cups of tea were brought in before the attendant quietly withdrew.

In such an exclusive club, attendants usually stayed out of sight, but if needed, one only had to press a button and they would appear instantly. Xiao Yu took a delicate sip of her tea, her gaze wandering over Chen Feng.

To be honest, Chen Feng did not look like someone from high society. He seemed like an ordinary young man, and his unease amidst these grand surroundings was plain to see. Yet, there was something about him—a quiet confidence, different from ordinary people. Xiao Yu sensed that, despite his nerves, he was certain that it wouldn’t be long before he could walk confidently into places like this as a matter of course.

As a self-made woman, Xiao Yu had met countless people, but Chen Feng intrigued her deeply.

“Little brother, there’s no need to be so nervous here. Just make yourself at home,” Xiao Yu said, crossing her legs in a pose that was impossible to ignore.

“Ah, alright, alright!” Chen Feng replied, swallowing hard—her allure was truly irresistible.

Seeing his awkwardness, Xiao Yu chuckled and continued, “Little brother, I want to discuss a business deal with you. Are you interested?”

“A deal?” Chen Feng composed himself and asked quickly, “What kind of deal?”

“I want to buy the recipe for your Juicy Beef Balls. Name your price, and I’ll buy it,” Xiao Yu said, a hint of authority in her tone. “If you’re willing, I can offer you ten million.”

Ten million? Chen Feng couldn’t help but lick his lips in disbelief at the difference between people. He had worked hard to become the city’s best athlete, and the scholarship was only thirty thousand yuan. Yet, she could casually offer ten million.

Ten million—a sum ordinary families could only dream of. But…

Chen Feng only sighed inwardly. For him now, ten million was an astronomical figure, but with the Extractor System, given enough time, it would be nothing.

“I can’t make that decision so lightly,” he replied hesitantly. “I spent so much time developing this recipe. I’m not ready to sell it.”

Seeing his hesitation, Xiao Yu laughed. “Don’t pretend in front of me, little brother. I’ve met plenty of actors in my life, and their skills put yours to shame. If you’re not satisfied with the price, just say so. I can raise my offer. How about thirty million?”

She raised the offer by twenty million in one go!

Chen Feng took a deep breath before replying, “Sister, tell me: should I slaughter the goose for its eggs, or should I let the hen keep laying golden eggs?”

Suddenly, Xiao Yu realized that this young man was not so easy to handle. Though inexperienced, he was no fool. He clearly understood the value of his Juicy Beef Balls. Xiao Yu laughed and said seriously, “How about this—why don’t we become partners? You contribute your technique, and I’ll handle the ingredients, production, promotion, and marketing. We split the profits thirty to seventy?”

Chen Feng was tempted. He frowned slightly and said, “If it’s done this way, I might consider it.”

“Let’s split it forty-sixty. You get forty, I get sixty,” Xiao Yu added.

Forty-sixty? Chen Feng was momentarily stunned. Xiao Yu was determined to get the deal signed tonight—she had already realized the potential of Chen Feng’s Juicy Beef Balls. As long as she obtained the recipe, she was confident she could make it a nationwide sensation, just like Lao Gan Ma.

She had already had other chefs try to duplicate it, but none had succeeded. None had figured out Chen Feng’s method or ingredient ratios.

Before Chen Feng could answer, Xiao Yu continued, “Little brother, forty-sixty is my bottom line. You’re not a businessperson, so I won’t go in circles. Forty-sixty.”

“Alright then!” Chen Feng said, spreading his hands. “Sister, since you put it that way, I can’t really refuse, can I?”

Xiao Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Feng, however, added, “But I have to make this clear: not just anyone can replicate what I make. Even with my recipe, others may only reach sixty or seventy percent of my standard. Ordinary people can’t match my skills.”

In the movie, Stephen Chow’s Juicy Beef Balls could be mass-produced, and Chen Feng understood how to do it, but the taste suffered, and the signature bounciness was lost. Still, they remained delicious.

“No problem,” Xiao Yu replied with a smile. “If you have any other requirements, let me know.”

“Of course, I do,” Chen Feng answered, smiling at her.

(Thank you all for your support! If tomorrow’s recommendations reach three thousand, I’ll update three chapters!)

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