Chapter 1560 - 1546: Where Does It Hurt? (Part 2)

Five hotels, three were rejected, leaving the two currently competing. Marcus Quinn delivered pig trotters to both, then left with his toolbox to work.

To speak of these two restaurants, one is the century-old "Qingfeng House" in Fountain City, the other a recently risen high-end chain "Luxury Taste". Originally, Qingfeng House was the leader in Fountain City, but a year ago, the high-end dining chain brand "Luxury Taste" opened a branch in Fountain City, with an advanced business philosophy and chefs trained by famous masters. Thus, half of Qingfeng House’s business was stolen, and this year, by mid-year, its business had plummeted.

Whenever "Luxury Taste" couldn’t take reservations, diners would turn to "Qingfeng House". Even Fountain City’s dignitaries mostly booked private rooms over at "Luxury Taste". Qingfeng House was as anxious as ants on a hot pan, so the owner and head chef, Gabriel, came up with a plan to host a culinary appreciation event, inviting many gourmet experts, including some food-loving dignitaries as judges.

So, during this time, Qingfeng House has been racking its brains to develop new dishes, scouring the folk for various delicacies.

When Marcus Quinn delivered the pig trotters, the owner Gabriel wasn’t at the restaurant, mainly because Marcus arrived early and the owner was still sleeping in. Thus, the pig trotters ended up with the manager.

Qingfeng House is a century-old restaurant in Fountain City; it was the manager’s first time seeing a chef come to promote with prepared dishes. Moreover, Marcus didn’t seem like a chef but more like a burly laborer, especially with the conspicuous toolbox.

The manager saw him, nearly 1.9 meters tall with ape-like arms, a slim waist, solid muscles, and a scared face, looking like trouble. The restaurant was empty early in the morning, and the manager feared that if he refused, this fierce guy might cause trouble. So, he took the pig trotters with a smile, and as soon as Marcus left, he uncovered the crock, releasing a domineering aroma with not a trace of greasy meat smell, which made him instantly hungry, with a hint of medicinal herbs.

The manager hurriedly got plates and tasted a piece of the pig trotter. As soon as it hit his stomach, his taste buds were conquered; what he usually ate seemed like pig fodder in comparison.

"Quick, call Mr. Gabriel." The manager nearly bit his tongue in excitement. Qingfeng House was saved, he dared to assert that the pig trotters from "Luxury Taste" were definitely not as good as these humble ones from the crock.

This taste had opened a whole new world for him.

Gabriel just got up at home, with the culinary appreciation event about to start. Reports said "Luxury Taste" was developing several new dishes, and though Qingfeng House also developed new dishes, even his own tongue found them unremarkable. How could they conquer those accustomed to the rich flavors from north to south?

So Gabriel was so anxious that his hair was falling out in handfuls, nearly becoming bald. Hearing the manager mention a unique new dish, he skipped breakfast and rushed to the restaurant.

Gabriel’s ancestors were chefs; by his generation, he rarely cooked himself and focused on being the boss, yet his ability to taste great food remained. Arriving at Qingfeng House, he smelled the domineering aroma from the crock, initially thinking it was some delicacy from the mountains and seas. When he saw it was pig trotters, he was shocked, but after sampling, he was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Who developed this dish?"

Seeing this, the manager felt confident and quickly recounted the story of a fierce-looking man delivering the pig trotters earlier, only to realize the man had left no phone number, just dropped the pig trotters and left.

Gabriel’s face turned somber: "Foolish, why didn’t you get his phone number?"

"We didn’t know these pig trotters were so delicious, and the man truly didn’t look like a chef," the manager defended, having no explanation.

"Are you saying he just came to deliver pig trotters and left without saying anything?" Gabriel, ever the businessman, immediately grasped the implications. Since someone was delivering free food to the door, they would surely return. This person was clearly fishing for success like ancient strategists.

"Quick, check if ’Luxury Taste’ had someone deliver pig trotters early this morning." Gabriel’s expression shifted subtly.

Half an hour later, news came from "Luxury Taste" that indeed, a man had delivered pig trotters early in the morning, but it wasn’t taken seriously there due to their many top chefs developing numerous new dishes. Luxury Taste’s management model differs from Qingfeng House; even if the pig trotters were good, spreading to the higher-ups’ ears required timing, opportunity, and the right circumstances.

Gabriel finally breathed a sigh of relief but remained vigilant, gathering the staff and instructing everyone to keep a close watch on both Qingfeng House and Luxury Taste these few days. If the person appeared, they were to bring him straight to him without question.

Marcus, unaware of all this, did odd jobs nearby as usual, but stayed within Fountain City, looking for work. Incredibly strong and skilled, hardworking, and diligent, he could do the work of ten men, earning more than others by the end of the day.

Seeing time was about right, Marcus ceased taking new jobs. On the way home, he visited the market, bought vegetables, and 30 pounds of pig trotters, handing over the remaining money to Ah Tan without mentioning his morning delivery of pig trotters to Fountain City’s top hotels.

Ah Tan happily assumed the over a thousand was from selling pig trotters, thinking Marcus truly capable.

She had specifically circled the neighborhood and nearby areas looking for Marcus earlier but hadn’t found him and wondered where he had gone to sell pig trotters. In the meantime, her own work had progressed with a call about a potential piano teaching job for a seven-year-old girl, setting up an appointment.

Piano lessons charged by the hour in Fountain City, with the rate no less than 600 yuan per hour. Just a couple of hours teaching daily would earn her as much as Marcus. Ah Tan considered that once she started earning, she would have Marcus not work so arduously, waking before dawn; even the strongest body couldn’t handle such strain.

Since the teaching job wasn’t finalized, Ah Tan hadn’t mentioned it to Marcus. That evening, they shared dinner. Marcus used the leftover marinade to cook more pig trotters, while Ah Tan sat happily with her papers, calculating finances. Soon, though, she felt a dull ache in her lower abdomen, turning pale and breaking into a cold sweat.

Standing up to fetch hot water, she found herself unable to straighten up due to the pain.

In their one-bedroom apartment, the kitchen and bedroom were separated only by a sliding door. From the kitchen, Marcus saw her condition immediately, his expression changing as he swiftly stepped inside, lifting her in his arms. Feeling her forehead, damp with cold sweat, he asked steadily: "Where does it hurt?"