Reborn in Japan as a Chef God

```

Kitchen.

After washing his hands, Xia Yu didn't rush to leave but silently tallied the gains from preparing the Burgundy Red Wine Stewed Beef.

He opened the system log:

"Completed task: [Observations in the Shopping Street (1)]."

"Learned the green recipe: Burgundy Red Wine Stewed Beef."

The key was still the task. Xia Yu hadn't expected that stepping out to enjoy a change of taste would lead to an unexpected task. This task was exactly why he decided to step up and help the Western restaurant.

"System, what level is my cooking skill now?" he asked.

"Lv5."

"No upgrade?"

Xia Yu felt a tinge of disappointment.

In fact, his cooking skill had been Lv5 for the past few days.

Successfully creating a glowing magical Mapo tofu instantly raised him by one and a half levels. Then, over the next two days, with the help of the system, he studied the old man's cooking manual, practiced various recipes, and prepared a variety of Chinese dishes. His experience gradually accumulated, finally breaking through to Lv5.

The 2 Talent Points gained from the upgrade had already been evenly distributed between 'Knife Techniques' and 'Heat Control,' these two fundamental skills.

"The host has gained 10 Reputation Points," the system suddenly announced.

"Reputation?"

"You can view Reputation Points as system currency. By spreading your influence and showcasing your culinary skills, more people will enjoy your dishes, thereby increasing your Reputation."

Oh right!

Reminded by the system, Xia Yu almost forgot that the system also had a Chef God Mall.

"Reputation, huh...?" He opened his personal panel.

"Host: Xia Yu.

Gender: Male

Age: 16

Comprehensive Physical Quality: Lv9 (Strength, Agility, Burst, Nerve Reflexes, etc.)

Comprehensive Culinary Skill: Lv5 [Novice Start]

Reputation: 10 (This item is related to the host's fame, exposure rate, and achievements. Reputation can be used to purchase items in the system mall.)"

This... only 10 points?

Damn it!

Xia Yu shrugged off checking the mall list; what could 10 Reputation Points possibly buy?

"How did you make this beef so tender?"

The Chef of Xiazhiqiu stood behind him, and his sudden voice startled Xia Yu.

"And why only roast it for 30 minutes? A dish like Burgundy Red Wine Stewed Beef can't be flavorful without two or three hours of cooking time, but..." The restaurant's head chef looked troubled. "Is the problem in the knife techniques?"

"You could say that."

Xia Yu patted his chest.

"Actually, when handling the beef, I made cuts on the surface. This meat processing method is quite common, but well, I just grasped it a couple of days ago and decided to try it on the Burgundy Red Wine Stewed Beef, and it turned out pretty well."

More than just well!

The Chef of Xiazhiqiu listened in astonishment.

Just by using knife techniques, could the softness and taste of the beef be significantly enhanced? Unheard of!

A small doubt sprouted in his heart, soon crushed by the overwhelmingly fragrant beef dish.

No matter the internal skepticism, this young man had completed a dish he found hard to comprehend right under his nose. Xiazhiqiu Yingshu, thinking of this, couldn't help but hang his shoulders, his face turning gloomy, recalling what the "Top Ten" had said to him when he was expelled from Far Moon:

"Cooking is art."

"Those without talent are trash, tarnishing the art. So... leave Far Moon. You don't have the talent of a chef!"

Yet the wavering in his eyes was quickly replaced by a firm determination.

Xiazhiqiu Yingshu clenched his fists, took a few deep breaths to steady his emotions, and then made a solemn request to Xia Yu, "Could you demonstrate those knife techniques for me?"

"You want to see?"

"I'm quite fast with the knife. Slowing down to the level of 'lifting heavy as if it's light' is needed... um, never mind, I'll show you."

Xia Yu had intended to refuse after just washing his hands, but seeing the resolution on the face of this middle-aged chef, he subconsciously changed his mind.

"Thank you."

Bowing deeply at ninety degrees, Xiazhiqiu Yingshu retrieved a large piece of beef and laid it on the cutting board.

"Watch carefully!" Xia Yu held the chef's knife, while Xiazhiqiu Yingshu fetched a phone from his pocket, seemingly activating the recording mode and aiming the camera over.

Xia Yu was speechless.

Could you be a bit more reserved, sir? My appearance fee is very high, you know!

Gripping the chef's knife, Xia Yu immediately discarded any excess thoughts and assumed a serious demeanor.

Without any warning, the knife moved, thumping up and down. The collision between the knife and the cutting board didn't create a noisy sound. On the contrary, it was rather melodious, forming an incredible rhythm.

Xiazhiqiu Yingshu couldn't see the knife's trajectory, only the flash of the blade's gleam appearing each time, combining movement and stillness, leaving a powerful impression.

So smooth!

Before long, Xia Yu set down the knife, exhaled, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He had comprehended this knife technique from the old man's cooking manual, mastering it in just two days. Using it was quite taxing on his body's muscles.

In other words, he needed to exercise more.

Strong and powerful arms were a must for a head chef.

"Chef of Xiazhiqiu, please, I'll head out first to enjoy the beef stew." Washing the chef's knife clean and then his hands, Xia Yu left the kitchen without looking back.

Xiazhiqiu Yingshu paid no attention to Xia Yu's departure, continuously replaying the video he had just recorded.

In the footage, the young chef faced away from the camera, holding the chef's knife like a world-renowned chef.

Slowing down the video, analyzing each move, Xiazhiqiu Yingshu couldn't help but be astonished, murmuring, "He's only fifteen, sixteen years old, about the same age as my daughter; why does he have such knife skills? This is not a fundamental skill a student should possess!"

Xiazhiqiu Yingshu felt ashamed, unable to resist approaching the cut piece of beef on the counter.

At first glance, the beef looked as if it had just been taken out of the freezer. However, using both hands to curl the beef revealed a series of small cuts, almost honeycomb-like, spreading across the surface.

Each cut wasn't long but quite deep, which was why they were hard to detect.

"No wonder it cooked so quickly and tenderly."

"This treatment enhances the texture and flavor without damaging the meat," Xiazhiqiu Yingshu muttered to himself, admiration on his face.

He seemed to have encountered an extraordinary young chef.

Western restaurant.

Two Chinese young ladies were dining when a young voice suddenly asked with a laugh, "How is it, tastes pretty good, right?"

The round-faced female tourist wiped her mouth with a napkin and gave a thumbs-up towards the boy sitting opposite them, "This is definitely the best Western dish I've ever had!"

"Is it?"

Xia Yu couldn't help but grin.

Every chef hoped to hear their diners' genuine praise, which swept away all the weariness from toiling in the kitchen.

"What do you think, miss?" Xia Yu glanced at the other goddess-like Chinese tourist.

"Delicious..."

The goddess, dressed in a fashionable dress, answered modestly, swallowing the beef in her mouth. Her beautiful eyes immediately revealed a look of enjoyment and aftertaste, a genuine expression impossible to fake.

```