“The ingredients provided by the system can only be used in the restaurant and are not allowed to be sold separately.” System replied calmly, then continued, “New task released: The host must purchase ingredients worth three thousand gold coins in cash within ten days. Completing the task will unlock the new recipe for Braised Pork Bun. If the task fails, physical fitness -0.5.”

“Th-three thousand gold coins!” System refusing to sell dishes was something Alex had already expected, but the newly issued task that followed almost made him cry out loud.

Three thousand gold coins, that’s three hundred thousand copper coins—a huge sum!

And this isn’t even turnover, but the cost of purchasing ingredients!

The cost of ingredients for one serving of Yangzhou Fried Rice is three gold coins, which means that within these ten days, he needs to sell one thousand servings of Yangzhou Fried Rice. If he fails the task, physical fitness -0.5, which would put him back into a half-disabled state.

“System, are you deliberately trying to make me disabled again?” Alex couldn’t help but complain in his heart.

Although he was confident in his Yangzhou Fried Rice, for a restaurant that hasn’t even opened yet, selling a thousand servings in ten days is basically an impossible task.

On the Nolan Continent, fried rice isn’t a popular cooking method. At least in his predecessor’s memory, he had never eaten anything like fried rice.

“The task has been issued. Please complete it as soon as possible.” The host had no intention of negotiating with Alex.

“Alright, let’s not talk about this for now.” Seeing there was no room for negotiation, Alex smiled and said, “System, I don’t have a single coin on me right now, and I haven’t even had breakfast. How about you provide me with one more free serving of ingredients? If I starve to death, there’s no way we can continue our God of Cooking plan.”

“Considering the host’s current situation, System is launching Elephant Pay. With your current credit score, you can spend up to 3,000 copper coins in advance and repay by the 10th of next month. You can also choose to repay in installments, but a certain percentage of interest will be charged.” System’s voice sounded.

Chapter 10: The Benefits of Eating Yangzhou Fried Rice

“This... this is just Huabei, isn’t it!” Alex was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses. Although he’d never used it, he knew a bit about it. System was quite considerate, but it really went to great lengths to avoid giving him anything for free.

Three thousand copper coins can buy ingredients for ten servings of Yangzhou Fried Rice. If he can sell a few servings in the next couple of days, that’s fine. If not, System will probably roll out a loan shark plan next, right?

“System, isn’t my credit limit a bit too low? I used to swipe an unlimited black card, and now you’re only giving me three thousand. Are you questioning my credit?” Alex was a little dissatisfied.

“This limit was calculated precisely by System based on the host’s current situation. Please make money as soon as possible. As the amount spent on ingredients increases, the credit limit will also increase accordingly.” System replied.

Alex thought about it and realized it made sense. Right now, aside from this plot of land, everything else was sponsored by System. Getting a three-thousand limit was already pretty good. He was used to spending without looking at prices, but being thrifty had its own kind of fun. Anyway, once the restaurant opened, fried rice would definitely become popular, and then he wouldn’t have to worry about money.

“I’ll buy one serving of ingredients first.” Alex said in his heart, taking out the required amount of ingredients from the fridge. He had always thought these ingredients were good, but didn’t know exactly why. After hearing System explain their origin, he felt that the rice in his hands was full of the flavor of the Spring of Life.

“Since the rice is irrigated with the Spring of Life, will eating it extend my lifespan?” Alex suddenly asked curiously.

“This System only uses a very small, diluted underground branch of the Spring of Life for irrigation. Eating it daily has a certain strengthening effect, but it will not extend lifespan.” System replied.

“Strengthening is good too.” Alex nodded. His weakest point right now was his body, so any improvement was welcome. While scooping out the leftover rice from the rice cooker, he casually asked, “Then System, do you sell the Spring of Life?”

“Not for sale at the moment.” System answered.

“If it’s not for sale now, that means it might be in the future.” Alex raised his eyebrows. He had basically figured out System’s way of speaking. The closer you are, the sooner you get the benefit. When he has money in the future, he’ll drink the Spring of Life as herbal tea every day, and his body will definitely be in top shape.

The ingredients in this world are still quite different from those on Earth. Although they look similar in appearance, due to environmental reasons, their quality is greatly improved. Eating them can strengthen the body or even stimulate potential.

Of course, these things are for Alex to explore slowly. He was already looking forward to seeing what kind of effects would result from the collision of Earth’s recipes with this world’s ingredients. He ate that mouthful of Yangzhou Fried Rice too quickly just now to really savor it, so he planned to taste it carefully later.

Skillfully handling the ingredients, Alex began to think about the new task. The cost of one serving of fried rice is 296 copper coins. Given the preciousness of these ingredients, Alex felt that even if he set the price at 3,000 copper coins, it would still be cheap.