Luo Shu wasn't a food critic.
This fact wasn't just known to him, but to every adult present.
Thus, no one requested his evaluation, allowing the meal to proceed quite harmoniously.
Of course, the dishes were truly exquisite, satisfying even Luo Shu's superhuman palate. However, he couldn't claim to experience any culinary hallucinations from them.
After the satisfying meal, Senzaemon stroked his beard cheerfully and asked Luo Shu:
"Were today's dishes to your liking, Luo Shu?"
"You've put considerable thought into today's menu, old man." Luo Shu wiped his mouth with a hot towel, glancing at the table dominated by Chinese cuisine.
Half the table featured Huaiyang-style dishes - clearly prepared with him in mind.
As for the taste, Luo Shu could only say it was excellent. But elaborating on exactly how was beyond his amateur expertise.
"Hohoho, as long as you don't blame this old man for not serving my signature dishes."
Senzaemon chuckled merrily. His culinary expertise was diverse, but his specialities leaned towards French, Italian and Japanese cuisine. While proficient in all eight major Chinese culinary traditions, he still couldn't surpass those top-tier state banquet chefs.
"Those who freeload meals dare not make demands."
Luo Shu quipped at himself while squinting at the burly, close-cropped middle-aged man pushing the dessert cart:
"This must be your disciple, Gin Dōjima?"
Before Dōjima could respond, Senzaemon said with a smile:
"That's right, this boy here is arguably my most accomplished student."
He then added:
"This old bones can barely lift a kitchen knife these days, so the preparatory work for today's feast was handled by Dōjima here."
Hearing his master's praise, Dōjima smiled modestly:
"Not at all. The true essence came from master's cooking techniques. I merely handled some trivial tasks."
Ignoring their mutual flattery, Luo Shu rested his chin on one hand and observed Dōjima:
"Remarkably pure energy. It seems you've truly inherited the old man's teachings, Mr Dōjima."
Though Luo Shu had encountered few martial artists, their quality was exceptional.
Both the self-taught Fumonshichi and Shin Natsume, current head of the Natsume family and wielder of the Dragon Eye, were considered martial arts masters comparable to newly ascended Hero Grade Great Yokai - true experts who had reached profound heights in their craft.
Yet compared to those two, Dōjima's aura was noticeably purer, even surpassing Senzaemon's in clarity.
To put it plainly, Luo Shu didn't sense any murderous intent or the aura of someone who'd taken lives from Gin Dōjima's qi.
The most likely explanation was that Gin treated martial arts as supplementary to his culinary skills – his impressive physique was purely cultivated to enhance his cooking craft.
"Would the old master be interested in giving his disciple some additional responsibilities?"
Hearing Luo Shu's sudden question, Alice Nakiri blinked in surprise.
'Has the collaboration been settled this quickly?'
Though participating in this small banquet indicated both Luo Shu and Senzaemon Nakiri had cooperative intentions, Alice hadn't expected a decision to be made right after the meal.
'As expected, when Grandfather makes a move, it's practically a done deal.'
Meanwhile, Erina Nakiri wasn't particularly surprised by this turn of events.
In her view, Totsuki Group's flourishing success in recent times owed much to Senzaemon Nakiri's culinary skills, earning patrons' acclaim.
When it came to collaborations involving cuisine, the old man's involvement virtually guaranteed success.
And Luo Shu, in Erina's estimation, was yet another person conquered by her grandfather's cooking.
While his granddaughters' minds buzzed with thoughts, Senzaemon Nakiri stroked his beard and chuckled:
"Indeed, Gin could use a change of environment for further growth."
Normally, Senzaemon would have been more circumspect, but researching Great Yokai flesh held such significance for chefs like Gin that he dared not play coy. Seizing the opportunity, he confirmed directly:
"Gin, for the time being, set aside your duties as head chef at the resort."
Turning to Luo Shu with a smile, he added:
"I entrust this disciple of mine to you, Director Luo."
"Grandfather?" Erina stared in shock.
Collaboration was one thing, but why was he relinquishing the resort's head chef? What kind of manoeuvre was this?
As Totsuki Resort was the group's flagship establishment, it couldn't function without a top-tier chef like Gin at the helm.
To put it bluntly, whether the ageing Senzaemon could still surpass Gin – currently at his peak – in culinary skill was questionable. Why was her grandfather dismantling their household's pillar?
Senzaemon shot Erina a warning glance, silencing her. Though brimming with questions, she didn't dare voice them.
Meanwhile, having heard the exchange between Luo Shu and Senzaemon, Gin Dōjima took a deep breath and bowed solemnly to his master:
"Master, thank you for your guidance."
Finally, Gin Dōjima also bowed to Luo Shu:
"And thank you, Director Luo, for this opportunity."
Seeing Gin Dōjima happily accept the matter, Erina Nakiri's heart skipped a beat.
In culinary arts, Gin Dōjima was a man she currently believed she stood no chance of defeating. Yet now, he was this excited about an opportunity to leave the resort and research new ingredients.
'Could it be... that behind Director Luo lay a culinary training institution stronger than the Totsuki Group? Was this why Senior Dōjima was so thrilled?'
As Erina Nakiri wrestled with these doubts, Luo Shu added:
"Since the old master is willing to part with even his closed-door disciple, I'd be remiss to be too stingy."
"For the research of those new ingredients, Mr. Dōjima can establish an entirely new research department. Of course, necessary security vetting for personnel is non-negotiable."
The implication was clear - Senzaemon Nakiri could use the department's positions as favours to forge new connections for the Nakiri family, with no strict limit on numbers.
Used wisely, this privilege could elevate the Nakiri family by two whole tiers.
Hearing this, Senzaemon Nakiri's eyes gleamed as he stroked his beard cheerfully:
"Luo-kun's generosity leaves this old man rather overwhelmed. How about this - I'll exchange 30% of Totsuki Group's shares in return?"
Noticing Senzaemon's shift from the polite "Shu-san" to the more familiar "Luo-kun", Luo Shu wasn't surprised. He understood perfectly the allure these special ingredients held for chefs.
Whether enhancing culinary skills, personal strength, expanding influence or gaining profits, all these could be reaped from new ingredient development.
To put it simply, viewing new ingredient research like alchemical pill refinement in Xianxia stories revealed the potential benefits.
And the most crucial element in ingredient development? New ingredients themselves.
The SDS, controlling this key resource, held true dominance.
Thus, without hesitation - under Erina and Alice's astonished gazes - Senzaemon offered 30% shares. But his ambitions didn't stop there.
"An additional 15% as testament to our friendship."
30% plus 15% - these shares came from Senzaemon's personal Nakiri family holdings. Nearly half their fortune was bet on the SDS.
The wily old fox understood perfectly: incomplete loyalty is, in fact, complete disloyalty.
Were it not for familial considerations and uncertainty about Luo Shu's character, he'd have proposed a marriage alliance already.
Naturally, as future family head, Erina would require a husband to take the Nakiri name - typically, Alice would handle such alliances.
But if Luo Shu proved suitable and genuinely took a liking to Erina, Senzaemon could compromise.
So long as one great-grandchild inherited the Nakiri name, he could endure.
Alas, Senzaemon never imagined Luo Shu's thoughts: 'Why not have both?'
'30% from the family, 15% personal - this old man really knows how to play the game.'
Luo Shu narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly at Senzaemon Nakiri before speaking calmly:
"Let's proceed as the old master suggests."