noveldrama
Chapter 174 A Huge Order
Chapter 174 A Huge Order
"Furthermore, the people who are still undecided, consider this, how often will you get this chance again? A few hundred times? A few dozen times? Or never again? How will you feel after hearing the constant bragging from your friends, family, and even strangers who tasted the Siren's Melody poached Egg?"
After Yoshiko finished speaking, she turned to Meng Ruo beside her and continued via Voice Transmission, [A minute from now, I expect a tally and names of everyone who orders the Siren's Melody Poached Egg.]
Following that, Yoshiko unfurled her wings and silently flew back to her office, leaving everyone to their thoughts.
Meanwhile, James watched her departure with a satisfied smile. 'She did well.'
"Sir James, how many of them do you think will order the Siren's Melody Poached Egg?" Fenwick asked respectfully.
Hearing this, Lily and the others perked up their ears. They were also curious.
James replied thoughtfully, "Out of the 5,203 people in the auction house, 2,231 Mages meet the Mage Rank Requirement. But only a fourth or so will order the dish."
"Isn't 500 people pitifully low?" Lily asked dejectedly. She had been hoping her Big Brother Lucian would receive as many Mana Stones as possible.
"Not everyone in the venue has the capital to take out 5 Low-Grade Mana Stones. If the announcement had been made a week or more in advance, more than half of them would have ordered the dish." Fenwick answered, and then he continued with a shake of his head, "2,500 Low-Grade Mana Stones is a fortune many could only dream about but not achieve."
"Greed is a Sin!" Lane said.
Just then, the image on the screen changed, displaying the Siren's Melody Poached Egg.
Lily's brows furrowed when she saw the image. "How do they know what the Siren's Melody Poached Egg looks like?"
"A few minutes ago, I used an Artifact to transmit a part of my memory to Branch Leader Yoshiko," James explained.
"Oh." Lily nodded.
Following that, Meng Ruo's seductive voice sounded, "Esteemed Guests, please use your Auction Tablets to place your orders for the Siren's Melody Poached Egg.
Please remember, this is a first-come first-served opportunity, only one Siren's Melody Poached Egg can be ordered by each person, and stealing or giving your dish to another is punishable by a lifetime ban from all of our Dragon Phoenix Auction Houses. After your order has been placed, an attendant will come over to receive the payment. So please have the 5 Low-grade Mana Stones ready by then."
As soon as she finished speaking, the name 'Peng Ting' appeared on the screen.
As much as he found Lucian and his group displeasing, it went without saying, his food was magical.
Instantly afterward, another name appeared, followed by another.
In the corner of the venue, the group of alchemists watched the names with grim expressions.
Even the Alchemist part of the Alchemy Tower felt a sense of foreboding despite what he told the other Alchemists.
[This is worse than we thought. If this continues won't our potions be seen as a second-rate option compared to his dish?]
[How about we find a way to counter this? Or we can hire an assassin.]
[Old farts, calm down. Alchemists will always be needed.] Alchemist Kiin from the Alchemy Tower snapped.
Instantly, they turned silent.
[We don't need to do anything. I don't believe a brat can change the norm.]
Up in the VVVIP Room, James' knowing smile grew with each name that appeared on the screen. "Once the floodgates open, it's almost impossible to close them." He said as he snuck a glance at the Alchemists.
Fenwick nodded. "This is just the beginning. Once these Mages experience the effects of the Siren's Melody Poached Egg firsthand, they'll become walking advertisements for Chef Lucian. The words that come from their mouths alone will be more than the Mana Stones Chef Lucian earns today."
Lily's eyes lit up as she turned to James and asked, "Sir James, did you plan this from the beginning?"
"That is the groundwork I laid out," James nodded. "Soon, Young Miss will be able to climb mountains of Mana Stones."
Previously, he called her 'Miss', but after recalling Garm's words about her youthful appearance and hearing her young voice, he changed the way he addressed her.
Lily's eyes sparkled with admiration. "You're amazing, Sir James. You thought so far into the future."
James chuckled as his gaze never left the screen, with names constantly appearing on it. "This is just the first step. Success isn't just about having a great product. It's about making sure people recognize its value."
"And once they do, they'll spread the word. They'll brag to their friends, colleagues, family, and anyone who they come across, about how they missed out on the Siren's Melody Poached Egg. That's why, the limited availability is crucial to the plan. It's good that Senior had such a rule in place from the start.
It creates envy and urgency, making those who missed out on the opportunity desperate to taste it the next time. The next auction will have double the orders, if not more."
"... So it's not just about today's Mana Stones."
"Exactly! It's about creating a demand that keeps growing. And as that demand grows, so will Senior's reputation. The more famous he becomes, the more influence he gains. Soon, the queue to enter Senior's restaurant will be miles long."
"But has Big Brother Lucian agreed?" Lily suddenly asked.
At that instant, James' perpetual smile slightly stiffened, to the point it was seen by everyone in the room.
"You didn't ask for Big Brother Lucian's permission?" Lily asked again, this time, with a frown.
"Well… While I was talking with Branch Leader Yoshiko, Senior didn't disagree or agree, so I took it as he accepted." James replied honestly.
"I'll ask Big Brother Lucian later," Lily said in a tone that left no room for argument.
James shot her a wry smile. "Then, I'll wait before finalizing the contract."
Lily huffed and nodded, while James was certain Lucian would agree to the deal.
After that, they returned to watching the screen.
—------------------
Many minutes later, a young woman could be seen approaching Duan Restaurant.
"Duan Restaurant." The young woman murmured under her breath as she glanced at the signboard.
She then pushed the door open and entered.
*Ding*
Hearing the chime, Duan Mu's brows furrowed briefly, but his expression eased into a smile when he saw it was a young woman who had just entered.
He quickly stood up and greeted, "Welcome, Miss, to Duan's Restaurant. Will you be dining here or taking it to go?"
The young woman smiled and shook her head, "Neither, Owner Duan. Perhaps next time. I am here for Chef Lucian."
It was at that moment that Duan Mu saw the famous Dragon and Phoenix logo on the right side of her chest.
"Ahh. I'm sorry." Duan Mu smiled awkwardly. Ever since Carlton said he could help his parents, he had been in a good mood. Therefore, he thought she was a customer.
Meanwhile, Lucian opened his eyes, glanced at the young woman, who approached his table, and bowed, "Sir, although we met previously, allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Mei, the head attendant of Harmony City's Dragon Phoenix Auction House Branch."
When the time limit to order the Siren's Melody Poached Egg was over, she first reported to Yoshiko. Then, she immediately left the auction house and rushed over to Duan's Restaurant.
Lucian nodded and asked indifferently, "Miss, how many people ordered the Siren's Melody Poached Eggs?"
"553 people ordered Sir's Siren's Melody Poached Egg," Mei replied respectfully.
Duan Mu's eyes widened with envy. '553?'
Even Carlton's eyes briefly widened. He had expected such a high number from the beginning, but hearing it was another matter.
Lucian, on the other hand, remained indifferent. Back on Earth, he had catered to thousands many times before
Cooking for 553 people was child's play.
With that in mind, Lucian stood up and looked at Duan Mu. "I'll be using your kitchen. I hope you don't mind."
Duan Mu nodded his head repeatedly, "Senior, I don't mind at all. Please go ahead. If there is anything Senior needs, please don't hesitate to inform me."
Mind? How would he dare mind? This was his opportunity to save his parents. Not only that, he did not dare go against James, and even more so Lucian, who was called 'Senior' by James himself.
After receiving Duan Mu's permission Lucian made his way over to the kitchen, but just as he was halfway to the door, Mei's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Sir, the Branch Leader tasked me to stay and watch. I hope Sir does not mind my presence in the kitchen."
Lucian turned around and glanced at her neutral face briefly before shaking his head, "I don't."
With that, Lucian resumed his footsteps and entered the kitchen, followed closely by Mei, leaving Duan Mu and Carlton in the dining area.