Chapter 2: Landlord Zhao Chuan

The original owner lost both parents at a young age, left with no support. Although there was some inheritance left by his parents, it had now nearly dwindled to nothing.

When Qin Lang transmigrated, the original owner’s assets amounted to just over a thousand, essentially starting from scratch.

Fortunately, Qin Lang possessed culinary skills. In this world, he was confident that with his cooking talent, he would not fare too poorly.

“No rush about the rent,” Zhao Chuan said, frowning slightly. “If you ever need any help, just let me know.”

Zhao Chuan had rented the house to Qin Lang for several years and knew his circumstances fairly well. Seeing such a large boy living alone naturally stirred his sympathy.

Not only did he charge Qin Lang a lower rent than other places, but he also frequently checked in on him. Delaying the rent was a minor matter.

Qin Lang felt a warmth in his heart and smiled more genuinely. “Thank you, Mr. Zhao, but I don’t need any other help for now.”

“Alright,” Zhao Chuan nodded, suddenly recalling something. “Why don’t you come have lunch at my place today, Qin?”

“Mrs. Liu made a rich beef soup—it smells wonderful!”

Mrs. Liu was Zhao Chuan’s wife, Liu Suyun. In Qin Lang’s memory, although she wasn’t a master spirit chef, her cooking was quite good compared to ordinary people.

Qin Lang politely shook his head. “Thank you, Mr. Zhao. I’ve already bought groceries and will cook for myself.”

He paused briefly before smiling. “Another day when I have time, I’ll invite you and Mrs. Liu to taste my dishes.”

The original owner had received much kindness from the landlord couple. Qin Lang felt that once he earned some money, treating them to a big meal was only right.

However, he didn’t notice that upon hearing this, Zhao Chuan’s mouth twitched sharply, his expression turning strange.

It was precisely because he saw Qin Lang carrying groceries that he invited him for lunch in the first place!

Qin Lang’s cooking skills...

He remembered that a couple of years ago, when he first learned Qin Lang had become a culinary apprentice under a food recommender, he had high hopes and even daydreamed about occasionally enjoying meals at Qin Lang’s place.

But after tasting once...

Better not mention it.

Although Zhao Chuan had little interest in Qin Lang’s cooking, he did not want to dampen his enthusiasm. Smiling, he nodded and then closed the door.

Only then did Qin Lang enter his rented room.

---

The original owner’s life was quite frugal, so the furniture was only what was necessary. Though the rental space was small, it still felt rather empty.

But entering the kitchen, everything was different.

Various knives, pots, and an array of cooking tools made the tiny kitchen feel compact yet fully equipped.

It was still early before lunchtime. Qin Lang sorted and stored the groceries he had bought, then leaned back on the living room sofa and opened his phone.

He accessed the official website of the Dongxia City Spirit Chef Association. Reading through the content, his expression was serious, eyes often flickering with thought.

He was contemplating how to resolve the original owner’s little troubles.

In this world, spirit chefs held a prestigious status, and the original owner naturally wanted to become one.

So two years ago, he enrolled in a culinary training course.

This was no ordinary course.

Because the instructor, Pang Long, was one of the seven first-class food recommenders of the Dongxia City Spirit Chef Association.

Food recommenders, formally called gourmet endorsers, ranked from low to high in three tiers: first, second, and third class. They were certified spirit chef evaluators with significant authority in culinary assessments.

More importantly, to become a spirit chef through official channels, one had to gain recognition from at least one first-class food recommender and obtain the corresponding token.

Therefore, despite the high fees, Pang Long’s culinary course attracted many applicants.

The original owner had spent nearly all his inheritance to enroll, hoping that by becoming a spirit chef he could soon support himself. However, reality dealt him a harsh blow.

The tuition paid at enrollment only covered the most basic skills under Pang Long. To learn more, one had to continue paying “advanced training fees.”

Unable to afford the advanced fees, the original owner wasted two years with no progress. After futile negotiations, he angrily lodged a complaint against Pang Long with the Spirit Chef Association, foolishly choosing to file it under his real name to add credibility.

Though satisfying at first, the complaint led to his expulsion from the course and a complete falling out with Pang Long.

Thinking of this, Qin Lang shook his head.

Gaining recognition from a first-class food recommender was not difficult for him, but since the original owner had offended Pang Long, even seeking approval from others might be hindered by their respect for Pang Long.

Still, Qin Lang did not believe all recommenders were corrupt, so he planned to approach one with a good reputation first.

As he opened the list of Dongxia City’s food recommenders to examine them one by one, his phone rang again.

---

Upon answering, a familiar voice came through: “Have you finished buying groceries? I didn’t finish what I was saying earlier!”

“Alright, alright, go ahead,” Qin Lang replied with a resigned look.

The caller was the only friend the original owner had made in the training course, named Cao Dongdong.

Cao came from a better-off family and had paid the advanced training fees several times. Knowing Qin Lang’s situation, he had privately taught him some of Pang Long’s deeper culinary secrets.

Though well-intentioned, Qin Lang advised against accepting this help.

Cao’s culinary talent was, to put it mildly, questionable. Pang Long’s teachings, though valuable, were so distorted through Cao’s filter that what he passed on was barely recognizable.

Yet the original owner believed it wholeheartedly and studied diligently, only to become more misguided, evolving from a novice to a culinary black hole.

A case of a brave teacher and an even braver student.

“I’ve checked. Although Pang Long has connections in Dongxia City, he’s got none in other cities,” Cao lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously. “So don’t lose heart.”

“I’ll keep teaching you privately the things he showed me. Once your skills are enough, you can take the food recommender exam in other cities and still become a spirit chef!”

Qin Lang: “...”

If you keep teaching me, the original owner might never become a spirit chef in his lifetime.

Cao’s idea of taking the food recommender exam in other cities was indeed a good one.

But...

Qin Lang narrowed his eyes.

The original owner was somewhat stubborn, and he himself was no saint.

Just one Pang Long wasn’t enough to make him retreat like a defeated dog.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan,” Qin Lang smiled. “No need to teach me anymore. When I have time, I’ll teach you a few things.”

“At least enough to help you pass the food recommender exam.”