CH 9: Elder Ren Hao & Chef Ryan

He accepted the jade slip and pressed his spiritual sense into it. For a few moments, the only sound was the faint hum of the jade counter as he read through the formula. Then his brows lifted slightly.

"The structure is balanced… the dosage ratios are steady, and the temperature control" he paused, nodding to himself, "you replaced Fiery Ginseng with Frostroot to neutralize excess heat. Clever. Very clever."

He looked up, this time with genuine respect. "This formula is complete and legitimate. If you sell it exclusively to the Pavilion, it could fetch around fifteen medium-grade spirit stones, perhaps more after testing."

The attendant beside Su Wen almost dropped his register tablet. "Fifteen… m-mid-grade stones?"

Su Wen smiled faintly, as calm as ever. "That should be more than enough to cover the amount for Spiritvine, I believe. Please deduct the cost from the total and record the remaining balance under my account."

He then handed over another small jade slip. "Also, the attendant is collecting a few herbs from the list I submitted earlier. Add those to the total."

The attendant quickly nodded, making a note on the ledger.

"And," Su Wen continued casually, "I'd also like to purchase the latest release of The Legends of Boss Wife novel, the limited edition version, for my grandfather. And a few silk dresses for my grandmother, the finest ones you have in stock."

The attendant blinked again, this time smiling faintly. "Excellent choices, Sir. The total for all requested items will come to around ten medium-grade spirit stones, including your purchases and packaging."

Su Wen nodded. "That's fine. Deduct it from the balance once the verification is complete."

As the attendant hurried off to arrange everything, the blue-robed alchemist gave Su Wen an approving look.

"You've got a good head for medicine and business," the old man said with a small smile. "Not many youngsters can stay that composed in a Treasure Pavilion. If you ever consider joining our ranks, mention my name; Elder Ren Hao."

Su Wen clasped his hands respectfully. "Thank you, Elder Ren. I'll remember that."

Elder Ren gave a faint chuckle. "Good. And tell your grandfather that The Legend of Boss Wife latest edition isn't for the weak-hearted."

Su Wen almost laughed. "I'll make sure he's prepared."

After leaving the Treasure Pavilion, Su Wen walked down the busy market street toward Emerald Leaf Pavilion, the most popular restaurant in Sunrise City. The building stood out with its jade-green tiles and redwood columns, a subtle fragrance of roasted herbs drifting from within.

The real reason Su Wen came here wasn't just the food, it was the chef. Ryan, the head chef of Emerald Leaf Pavilion, was a tall, broad-shouldered man in his mid-thirties with soft brown dog-like ears that twitched whenever someone mentioned food.

Ryan was one of the most respected chefs in the city, known for his talent, his laughter, and his constant habit of calling every successful dish 'a blessing from the pan.'

Ryan and Su Wen had become fast friends over the years, bound by their shared love for cooking.

Su Wen had introduced him to several recipes from his previous world, Blue Star, and together they'd turned the restaurant into a sensation among nobles and cultivators alike.

As soon as Su Wen stepped inside, Ryan's ears perked up from behind the counter. His tail even wagged once before he quickly tried to look professional.

"Su Wen! Took you long enough, brat," Ryan said with a grin, striding forward to greet him. "I thought you'd left the city already."

Su Wen smiled faintly. "Not yet. I couldn't leave without tasting your food one last time."

Ryan barked a short laugh. "Good answer. Sit tight, today, I'm cooking for you myself."

He led Su Wen to a private table near the window, then disappeared into the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves.

The rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables and sizzling oil soon filled the air. Su Wen could hear him humming a cheerful tune between bursts of steam and clattering pots.

As Su Wen waited for his meal, the door to Emerald Leaf Pavilion opened with a soft chime.

A family of four stepped inside, their fine robes and proud expressions drawing attention from nearby diners.

The man leading them walked with practiced dignity, tall, well-groomed, and exuding the kind of pride that came from old money and shallow reputation.

The woman beside him wore layers of expensive silk and jewellery that glittered under the lantern light, her sharp eyes sweeping the room like a queen looking for flaws in her court.

Behind them followed a young man and a young woman, both with delicate, pampered faces that mirrored their parents' arrogance.

The moment Kaler Coste's gaze met Su Wen's, the air seemed to tighten.

Su Wen's expression immediately darkened; his brows furrowed, and a deep frown creased his face.

The disgust in his eyes was cold and unmistakable, as if he were staring at something filthy. He turned away without a word.

Kaler's face turned red, his pride burning under the silent rejection of the son who had long abandoned his name.

"Wait… isn't that…?" his wife, Rima Coste, began, her voice laced with disdain.

Kaler's jaw tightened. "Ignore him," he muttered, but the anger in his eyes betrayed him.

Su Wen kept his gaze fixed on the table, calm and indifferent. To him, they were air. He didn't come here to dwell on the past.

The Coste family chose a table just a few seats away, as if fate itself wanted to test Su Wen's patience.

Rima adjusted her jewellery with a faint smirk. "How ironic," she said loudly enough for half the restaurant to hear. "Some people can't even greet their elders properly. No manners, no family upbringing."

Su Wen didn't even look up.

Her smile faltered, irritation flickering across her face.

Then Romy Coste, Su Wen's stepbrother, leaned back with an arrogant grin. "Still in the Qi Refining stage, are you? Pathetic. I reached mid Foundation Establishment months ago. You've truly shamed the Coste family's name."

His words earned a light chuckle from Reena Coste, their delicate, doll-like sister. "Brother, please, don't say that. He might start crying. Honestly…" she said mockingly, "How can someone like him even be related to us?"

That did it.

Su Wen slowly placed his cup down, then turned to face them. His calm gaze swept across the entire table, father, stepmother, siblings, his expression devoid of warmth.

"My name is Su Wen," he said coldly, his voice steady and cutting. "Don't ever call me family again. It's better to die in filth than be a part of your family."

He paused, glancing at each of them with an icy calm that silenced the entire table.

"You live your life, I'll live mine. However I live, you shouldn't worry."

Then he turned back to his table, as though the conversation never happened. The Coste family sat in stunned silence, their faces dark with humiliation.

A few minutes later, a waiter appeared carrying trays, but instead of stopping at Su Wen's table, he went directly to the Coste's.

"Your order, honoured guests," the waiter said politely, setting down an extravagant spread of food.

Romy sneered. "Hah, looks like this restaurant knows the difference between nobles and beggars."

Reena smirked. "Maybe he should sit outside, I hear street food suits his kind."

Su Wen didn't move. Didn't blink. He simply poured himself more tea, his silence more powerful than any insult.

Then, just as the Costes began to dig in, a familiar voice echoed through the room.

"Coming through! Hot dishes for my favourite customer!"

Every head turned as Ryan, the head chef of Emerald Leaf Pavilion, walked out of the kitchen himself, wearing his pristine white apron and cheerful grin, his dog-like ears twitching with excitement.

In his hands were plates of steaming, richly scented dishes, food so aromatic that the entire hall went silent for a moment.

He walked straight past the Coste family's table and stopped before Su Wen.

"Brother Su! Sorry for the wait. I wanted to make these myself, couldn't let anyone else touch them." Ryan smiled brightly, personally setting each dish in front of Su Wen.

The crowd whispered in surprise. The head chef, the famous Ryan, one of the most respected culinary masters in Sunrise City, serving food himself?

Kaler Coste's face turned pale, while Rima's went red with embarrassment.

Ryan sat down casually next to Su Wen, wagging his tail slightly as he poured two cups of wine. "Come on, let's eat. I made your favourite, Crimson Herb Stew and Flame-Seared Lotus."

Su Wen chuckled lightly. "You didn't have to, but I appreciate it."

The two began eating together, laughing and chatting like old friends. Ryan even took out a small pouch midway and handed it to Su Wen under the table.

"Here… seeds of rare spiritual herbs and spices. You'll need these when you reach your grandparents' place."

Su Wen accepted with a faint smile. "Thanks, old friend."

The Coste family could only watch in disbelief, their faces frozen in humiliation. Around them, other diners whispered, not about the Costes, but about Su Wen, the young man casually dining with one of Sunrise City's most respected chefs.

Su Wen didn't spare them a single glance as he stood to leave. He clasped Ryan's shoulder lightly and handed over a few jade slips and said, "Take care of yourself, Ryan. For now, try these ones out and next time we meet, I'll share some more recipes with you."

Ryan grinned. "And I'll have a feast ready when you come back."

Without another word, Su Wen turned and walked out of the restaurant, calm, proud, and untouchable.

Behind him, the family of four sat stiffly, faces red with anger and shame.For them, it was a humiliation. For Su Wen, it was closure.