"This...this is just Alipay's Huabei!" Mai Ge was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses. Although he had never used it before, he still knew a little about it. The system was quite user-friendly, but it had gone to great lengths to prevent him from getting it for free.
3000 copper coins could buy ingredients for ten servings of Yang Zhou Fried Rice. If he could sell a few servings in the next couple of days, that would be fine. But if he couldn't sell them, the system would probably have to resort to high interest loans next.
"System, my credit limit is too low! I used to have an unlimited black card, and this is only 3000? Are you questioning my credit?" Mai Ge was a little indignant.
"This credit limit is precisely calculated by the system based on the host's current situation. Please earn money as soon as possible. As the amount spent on purchasing ingredients increases, the credit limit will also increase." the system replied.
Mai Ge thought about it carefully and realized it made sense. Aside from this land, everything else was a "friendly donation" from the system. A three thousand points credit limit was already quite generous. He was used to spending money without considering the price, and being frugal had its own charm. Anyway, once the restaurant opened, the fried rice would definitely become popular, and then he wouldn't have to worry about money.
"I'll buy one serving of ingredients first." Mai Ge thought to himself, taking out the necessary amount from the refrigerator. He had initially just thought the ingredients were good, but didn't know exactly why. After hearing the system's explanation of their origin, he felt as if holding this rice in his hands was filled with the taste of the Fountain of Life.
"Since it's rice irrigated with the Fountain of Life, will eating it extend lifespan?" Mai Ge suddenly asked curiously.
"This system only dilutes a small branch of the Fountain of Life's underground river for irrigation. Eating it daily will have some health strengthening effects, but it won't extend lifespan." the system replied.
"Health strengthening is fine too." Mai Ge nodded. His weakest point right now was his health, so every little bit helps. While scooping out the leftover rice from the rice cooker, he casually asked, "Then, system, do you sell the Fountain of Life?"
"Not now." the system replied.
"If don't sell now, that means might sell later." Mai Ge raised an eyebrow. He had basically figured out the system's talking style. Being in a good position, he could drink the Fountain of Life like herbal tea everyday when he had money; his health would definitely be excellent.
The ingredients in this world are quite different from those on Earth. Although they may look similar, their quality is greatly enhanced due to the environment, making them beneficial for health and potentially unlocking one's potential.
Of course, Mai Ge needs to explore these things gradually. He's already looking forward to seeing what the effects will be when Earth's recipes collide with the ingredients of this world. He ate that bite of Yang Zhou Fried Rice too quickly to fully appreciate its flavor, but he'll have to savor it more carefully later.
Skillfully handling the ingredients, Mai Ge began contemplating his new task. A single serving of fried rice cost 296 copper coins. Given the rarity of these ingredients, Mai Ge felt that even 3000 copper coins would be a bargain.
A serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice for 3000 copper coins would definitely not sell. He dared not advertise the origin of these ingredients. If the elves knew their sacred spring was being used for farming, even the most mild-mannered among them would probably riddle him with arrows. And other races were not to be trifled with either. Keeping the origin of the ingredients a secret was the best option.
"I'll set it at 600 copper coins a serving." Mai Ge decided after a moment's hesitation. This way, he could earn 304 copper coins per serving, and 3040 gold coins from a thousand servings.
Having made his decision, Mai Ge stopped worrying. After all, this was only the first dish he had learned. Once he learned how to cook more complex meat dishes, raising the price wouldn't be a problem. Starting too high now would be difficult to manage.
Furthermore, the system just mentioned that the second dish unlocked after successfully completing this mission is a La Zhi Rou Jia Mo (Chinese hamburger). Since even the sweet crispy biscuits sell so well, the La Zhi Rou Jia Mo will definitely sell well too, which should have a good effect on spreading the restaurant's reputation.
Moreover, and more importantly, Amy used to love sweet crispy biscuits so much. If she could eat a La Zhi Rou Jia Mo that's a hundred times better than those, she'd be so happy!
"It's just a thousand servings of Yang Zhou Fried Fice, I refuse to believe I can't sell them." Mai Ge regained his confidence and was thinking about whether to use some marketing tricks on the first day of business when the system's voice suddenly rang out.
"Please confirm the prices of the dish and the restaurant name. The system will price the menu items and modify the restaurant sign."
"Yang Zhou Fried Rice, 600 copper coins per serving." Mai Ge answered directly. As for the restaurant's name, he thought for a moment, glanced back at Amy who was still leaning on the table looking at the light reflected from her cup, and nodded, "Let's call it Restaurant Mai Mi, my and Little Amy's restaurant."
"Yang Zhou Fried Rice—600 copper coins per serving, Restaurant Mai Mi, confirmed."
"Modification in progress..."
"Modification complete."
The system's voice sounded one after another. Mai Ge noticed that each table now had an elegant menu with a black leather cover, and a new sign had appeared outside the door, its corner visible from the kitchen.
"Having a system is indeed quite convenient." Mai Ge shrugged. Yesterday it was a dilapidated wooden hut, and overnight it had become a mid-range restaurant; otherwise, the renovations alone would have taken him few months.
Mai Ge quickly stir-fried a serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice, filled a small bowl for Amy, and then carried the plate and bowl out of the kitchen.
Seeing Amy leaning over the table, looking around at the glass, Mai Ge put down what he was holding and bent down to look at the glass of water. They stared at each other through the glass, and Mai Ge said in a deep voice, "Little princess, your rainbow fried rice has arrived. Please come and eat."
"Little princess had received it, coming right away." Amy looked up, giggling at Mai Ge's smiling face. She thought her father was so gentle and funny today, unlike before when he was always silent.
"Eat up." Mai Ge placed a small spoon in her hand.
"Okay." Amy nodded, looking at the colorful fried rice in the small bowl in front of her. She grabbed the bowl with one hand and the spoon with the other and began to eat.
Mai Ge also picked up a spoon and scooped up a mouthful of fried rice. The tender egg coated the soft yet firm rice, mixed with the flavors of various ingredients, constantly assaulting his taste buds. Perhaps it was because knowing the origins of these ingredients allowed for a more refined appreciation, but each ingredient's flavor seemed so distinct yet perfectly blended together. After swallowing, a lingering, Fountain of Life fragrance seemed to remain on the lips and teeth.
"After eating, my body feels slightly warm, but it's quite comfortable, like my cells are growing. The fatigue has completely disappeared. Could this be the benefit of the ingredients in this Yang Zhou Fried Rice?" After finishing the last bite, Mai Ge put down his spoon and muttered with a hint of surprise.