93. Leaving the M95 Planet
[Is anyone from the M01 Planet there? I'm willing to pay 10,000 XB for one additive. Please help!]
[Is anyone from the Central Star there? I'll give you 20,000 XB for one!]
[I can offer 25,000! It's driving me crazy!]
The comments became more and more, many of which said that they wished for one additive and were willing to pay more.
The price Gu Bai set was 1,000 XB for each additive, which was quite cheap. The fans knew that he gave them the discount to repay their support, so they were more loyal to him.
"Xiaobai, there are many fans on the live stream who are asking for the additives for them. Can we do that?" Someone saw the comments and asked meaningfully.
Each of them was only allowed to buy three additives, which were not enough for them to eat. But if they were allowed to buy them on others' behalf, they could buy more than they had expected. As for whether they would sell them to other fans, it would be their decision to make.
Everyone had their plans.
"I'm afraid I don't have that many for you guys, so please obey the purchase restrictions. If you want to buy some for your family, feel free to share yours with them." Gu Bai refused their request but offered them another choice.
As expected, the fans started to talk to those who were at the restaurant.
As long as they kept one and sold the other two, they could make their money back and earn more.
Unfortunately, even if that was the case, no one was willing to share their additives.
Before Gu Bai decided to open a branch on other planets, they could only come to his planet to enjoy the dishes. Therefore, the additives would be the only thing that could ease their stomachs. They would be stupid to share any of them even if others would pay them much more than the cost of them.
"No way! I won't sell them no matter how much you will pay!" The present customers told the fans on the live stream directly.
The fans had all gone crazy, yet no one could convince Gu Bai to change his mind. In the end, they could only ease their minds by tasting them on the live stream. Also, they would continue to argue with their bosses so that they could have a long vacation.
[Xiaobai, will you please increase your production? I can invest if you lack money. Make more and deliver them to the Central Star. I promise you will sell them out before you realize what happened.]
The fans suggested so because the Starexpress Company wouldn't agree to send small things. Otherwise, they would like to pay the transportation fee if it could work.
"I'll try my best to expand the production in the future. You will have it sooner or later," Gu Bai promised smilingly.
He did have plans to open a production plant. Although the dishes he made wouldn't be sent to the fans, he could make some sauces and half-finished products which could withstand long-distance transport.
Furthermore, he had enough money to open a small factory, so it was already on his schedule.
However, it was too early to make the plan.
Before the students left, Gu Bai received an unexpected notice, which almost disrupted all his plans.
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the day for them to take the spaceship.
The students who were supposed to be in a daze were all smiling at that moment. They held the additives in their hands, carrying various ingredients on their backs as if they were the farms that were about to work in the urban area.
The rich ones who said they would stay on the M95 Planet also joined the students. Their big smiles exposed how happy they were.
They couldn't help themselves because what they had wished for had suddenly become true.
"Master Bai, are you sure you don't need me by your side? How are you going to take care of yourself? What if they target you again?" The butler looked at Gu Bai with a worried expression and suggested going with him again.
Gu Bai consoled him, "Grandpa Gu, I can take good care of myself. Besides, both Mu Mu and Mu Qiu will join me there. I'll be fine. Besides, I need you here to help me look after the farm. Don't worry."
The trip required one month on the spaceship. It was too far away to bear for the elders.
The butler still wanted to say something. Ever since the day when he learned that Gu Bai was leaving the M95 Planet, he was worried all the time and told Gu Bai constantly that he wanted to leave with him.
Gu Bai was moved that he said so much to him out of concern. Although he knew part of him felt this way because of Shen Bai, he still felt warm.
"Xiaobai, it's almost time," Fang Weixuan reminded him from behind.
"Grandpa Gu, please take good care of yourself. I've told Li San and other workers what to do on the farm. I'll be back soon," Gu Bai enjoined here and then boarded with Mu Qiu and Fang Weixuan. As for Mu Mu, it had already changed into a bracelet on Gu Bai's wrist.
It wasn't the first time he was on a spaceship. After all, when he first transmigrated over, he was on the spaceship, which happened to be the same one he had taken before.
He had plans to go to the Central Star someday, but he didn't expect it to be so soon.
"Xiaobai, I didn't expect you to go to Imperial University, either. How come you never mentioned it before? I'm a freshman at Imperial University and I'm majoring in mech combat. I'm so happy that we will be schoolmates soon," a handsome boy said excitedly.
Most of the students on the spaceship were from the university town in the Central Star. Therefore, they were all excited to learn the news because they could often meet Xiaobai and even possibly have chances to have meals in his restaurant if he opened one there.
Once they returned to school, they would go and see if there were positions with high salaries. They had to earn more so that they could consume in Xiaobai's restaurant every day.
"I didn't expect this, either," Gu Bai said helplessly, but his voice was too low to be heard.
Gu Bai didn't know that Shen Bai had applied to attend Imperial University before leaving the Central Star.
It made sense, though. Shen Bai was 18 years old. As a young adult, he was at the right age to go to college. However, it was hard for him to pass the test by himself.
Fortunately, the Gu family used to be a decent chef family in the empire before. Even if it was no longer as famous and prestigious as before, the family had its time in history.
Imperial University had given every top family a recommendation spot for attending the university without testing. It hadn't been used in the Gu family before. By now, Gu Bai was the only one left in his generation.
Although the family fell later, the quota was kept and left to Shen Bai.
Shen Bai didn't expect himself to be kicked out before going to college, so he ended his life when he was forced to leave the Central Star hopelessly.
When Gu Bai thought of how desperate Shen Bai was before dying, his eyes turned cold. Even if it was never his plan, he would do it for Shen Bai to fulfill his wish. Gu Bai had also decided to take this chance to finish Shen Bai's other wishes.
After graduation, he would return to M95 Planet and live a peaceful life afterward.
"Xiaobai, what's your major? Will you open a branch once you get to the Central Star?" a girl asked.
"I major in The Study of Ancient Earth Diet," Gu Bai recalled what he had seen on the notification.
Luckily, Shen Bai applied for a major related to diet. Otherwise, he wouldn't know how things would become later.
"If I don't have many classes to attend, I'll consider opening a restaurant there," added Gu Bai.
"If you do that, please make sure to let us know. We'll often have meals there," the girl said happily.
"I'll go there every day," the previous boy echoed as well.
The boy's name was Zhao Yi. He looked cute and young, but no one could connect his face with mech combat.
"Sure," Gu Bai was always patient with his enthusiastic fans.
It took them a month to get to the Central Star. Since it was the only spaceship assigned to this route, they stopped several times along the way so that the residents of other planets could go home.
Along the way, several fans got off the spaceship, while the rest would be there with Gu Bai until they arrived at the Central Star.
Before Gu Bai left the M95 Planet, Butler Gu had prepared many snacks and food for him, in case he might have nothing to eat on the spaceship or didn't sleep well. He also brought extra food for Gu Bai so that the latter could socialize with people by sharing them with other students at school.
Gu Bai didn't refuse him but accepted them all. Although Butler Gu had prepared a lot, the fans helped Gu Bai to take them.
During the time on the spaceship, Gu Bai didn't waste his time but connected to Starnet to search for information about Imperial University and the Shen family in case he would be confused when he arrived.
94. The Certificate Examination (I)
"Xiaobai, are you sure you are not going to my place? Your university won't open until half a month later. Don't worry. I don't have any roommates in my place," Fang Weixuan continued to persuade Gu Bai.
Since the spaceship started half a month ahead of schedule, Imperial University wouldn't start until a dozen days later.
Therefore, Gu Bai had to settle down somewhere first.
"Xiaobai, come to my place. My home is close to Imperial University. I can take you there for a visit in advance." Tang Qiu hurried to say that in case Gu Bai would go to Fang Weixuan's place.
Gu Bai was grateful for their invitations but eventually refused.
Although he wasn't familiar with this place, Shen Bai's memory had shown him enough to have a basic understanding of this planet. Besides, it would be inconvenient for him to live in their places because he had plans.
After sending Fang Weixuan and Tang Qiu off, Gu Bai found a hotel with a suitable price and good reputation and checked in for ten days.
Although the Shen family lived in the center of the Central Star, Gu Bai didn't intend to go back there. It was not the right time, even if he would go there one day.
After checking in at the hotel, Gu Bai sat on the sofa and opened his intelligent brain, logged into Starnet, and browsed if there were suitable stores near Imperial University.
Although he told those fans on the spaceship that he wasn't sure when he would open a branch here, he just realized the cost of the Central Star was quite high. Living in this hotel for ten days had cost him nearly 100,000 XB.
That meant he would cost 10,000 XB here. There were cheaper hotels, of course. Since Gu Bai had no intention of suffering, he could only work harder to live a better life.
The best way he could think of to earn money was to open a restaurant. Besides, as long as he made full preparation, he wouldn't have to worry about whether people would eat in his place.
He happened to have more than ten days to make preparations before school started. Once he had to have classes, he wouldn't have time to be a chef here, then he could hire an experienced chef to help him manage the restaurant. By then, all he needed to do was to check around at weekends.
The Internet during the ancient earth period was very convenient, which was even better in the interstellar era.
Gu Bai didn't need to go to the real site to see the store in person. He could choose the holographic experience directly as if he was there personally.
He spent the whole afternoon shopping around many rented stores. After comparing them, he chose the most suitable one and paid the rent for a month.
Gu Bai couldn't help but sigh again. In the Central Star, he had a better understanding of how fast he had spent money. They soon belonged to others.
He was lucky to have accumulated a lot before. Otherwise, he wouldn't even have enough money to pay the rent.
Afterward, Gu Bai began to look up information about what kind of material he needed for opening the restaurant. He didn't know until now that he would need a three-level chef certificate apart from the business license and other stuff.
Gu Bai knew a bit about the chef's level before from Zhou Xingchu.
In the interstellar era, chefs were divided into five levels, among which the one-star chef was the basic kind while the five-star chef was the top. If anyone was above the five-star level, he would be considered a national treasure.
One-star chefs were the basic kind, so they were qualified to be apprentices for the chefs in the major restaurants; two-star chefs were qualified to be assistant chefs, while three-star chefs could be real chefs and open their own restaurants.
The size of the restaurant was determined by the chef level of the restaurant.
The higher the chef's level. The bigger he could manage the restaurant. Accordingly, he could accept more people at a time.
Therefore, high-star chefs were very popular in the interstellar era, and their salaries were much higher than ordinary people could imagine. Given this reason, those chefs had basically chosen to work in other restaurants instead of opening their restaurants.
After all, if a chef wanted to start a restaurant, he needed not only excellent cooking skills but also the ability to manage the place and his employees. Moreover, he would have to deal with many other things which chefs couldn't handle most of the time.
Of course, the above had nothing to do with Gu Bai. Even if he got the chef certificate, he wouldn't go to other restaurants to be a chef. All he wanted was to start his small restaurant.
But now, even if it was a small restaurant he would like to open, he had to be a three-star chef, yet he wasn't one for the time being.
"Alas…" Gu Bai let out a deep sigh. It was not that he had no confidence in getting the certificate, but that he had been keeping embarrassing himself recently.
Previously, he had rejected Zhou Xingchu's proposal on M95 Planet, but one month later, he would have to attend the test.
It was awkward.
Despite the situation, he put his stomach above his dignity. After all, if he didn't attend the test, he couldn't open the restaurant, then he wouldn't earn money. If so, he wouldn't be able to buy any delicious food to comfort his stomach.
Thinking it through, Gu Bai checked a lot of information about the test. However, maybe there were limited chefs in the empire. Except for the test time, he couldn't find more useful information.
The Chef Guild held two tests every month, and the next one would be held tomorrow. Gu Bai checked the address of the Chef Guild and memorized it, preparing to attend the examination tomorrow.
...
The next morning, Gu Bai washed up and then prepared enough food for Mu Mu and Mu Qiu to eat for a whole day. Since he didn't know when the examination would end, he did his best not to starve them.
"Mu Mu, Mu Qiu, I'll attend an examination in the Chef Guild. You should stay here and not run around. I've prepared you enough food on the table. Remember to eat them if you are hungry." Gu Bai said patiently for fear that they might run away and get lost in the Central Star. If so, he wouldn't know if he could find them back.
"I want to go with you."
Mu Mu, who was disguised as a bracelet, rubbed against Gu Bai's wrist, expressing its wishes.
"Do you have the heart to leave Mu Qiu here alone? Stay here with him. I'll be back soon," Gu Bai consoled.
Mu Mu insisted. In the end, Gu Bai had to compromise. He turned to Mu Qiu and said apologetically, "Mu Qiu, I'm sorry. Will you please stay here alone? You can have Mu Mu's food as well. I'll cook you your favorite dish when I get back. Okay?"
Mu Qiu agreed obediently.
Gu Bai stroked its little head and smiled deeper, "I'll take you out and play around in the capital. The environment here is great."
"That's good to hear."
Since Mu Qiu agreed, Gu Bai was relieved to leave with Mu Mu.
However, if he had surveillance cameras in the room, he would know that he shouldn't feel that way.
Less than an hour after he left the room, Mu Qiu finished its breakfast, brought a pack over, and put all the rest of the food inside it. Then it hung the pack on its neck and left the hotel silently as if it was a child who was determined to leave his home.
Of course, Gu Bai didn't know any of it. He took a fast car with Mu Mu and got to the Chef Guild.
The Chef Guild was one of the largest guilds of the Central Star. Since people valued the revival of the diet culture, the Chef Guild was also valued in the empire. Not only was it located in the center of the Central Star but it also occupied a large building there.
Gu Bai got out of the car at the entrance of the Chef Guild. He saw a number of people lining up in two lines at the entrance.
One was filled with young people who looked anxious. They were probably here to attend the test to be chefs.
The other line was much shorter. There were only three to five people there. They all looked arrogant, so they had probably passed the former test and attended the next test for a higher level.
Gu Bai stood behind the longer line with Mu Mu.
"Are you here to take the One Star Chef Certificate?" The guy standing in front of Gu Bai seemed to notice that there was someone behind him and asked.
Gu Bai nodded.
"My name is Mao Dan, a freshman at Imperial University. It's my first time here to attend the test. I'm so nervous." Mao Dan was so talkative, taking Gu Bai as a close friend and saying constantly.
"A freshman at Imperial University? He is my schoolmate then." Gu Bai couldn't help looking at him carefully as he thought so.
Receiving Gu Bai's gaze, Mao Dan seemed to have been inspired and spoke even more.
Mao Dan continued, "According to your age, I assume you are a freshman at Imperial University, right?"
"How can you tell that?" Gu Bai raised his eyebrows, feeling curious.
There were many young people who came here to participate in the certificate examination. As far as Gu Bai could tell, there were at least ten people like him.
He could understand that the man could guess he was about to go to college, but he wondered how he figured out that Gu Bai was from Imperial University.
"Of course you are. The freshmen here are basically from our university," said Mao Dan proudly. He was very proud that he was a student of Imperial University.
It was understandable, though. Imperial University was the best university in the whole empire. Therefore, except for people who entered without testing, just like him, others were basically the most excellent all-rounders in the whole empire.
Now that Mao Dan was here for the test, they were probably the same major. Then they had a big chance to be in the same class.
"They are all from Imperial University?" Gu Bai didn't expect this.
"Of course. We are required to be at least one-star chefs before enrollment. It's the last chance for us to pass the examination before school starts, so all those who haven't attended the test came over for it," replied Mao Dan.