Chapter 69

(Please note that the original text is a part of a story and contains some cultural and contextual elements specific to the setting. The translation aims to maintain the original tone and style as closely as possible.)

---

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

In the midst of the flying cherry blossoms, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written inside.

---

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

---

In the midst of the flying cherry blossoms, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written inside.

---

In the short period of just over twenty days after the launch of the Exploding Beef Balls, they quickly became a sensation throughout Hong Kong, from the bustling streets to the quiet alleys. Regardless of who they were, people would find time to visit Temple Street and buy a bowl of Exploding Beef Balls, savoring the supreme deliciousness that burst in their mouths to add a touch of leisure to their lives.

TVB and Asia Television also vied to report on the news of culinary genius Stephen Chow's return, capturing the hearts of Hong Kong residents once again. For a time, Stephen Chow's posters began to flutter at the entrances of stalls and small restaurants on every street.

During this period, Luo Tai had been by Stephen Chow's side, witnessing firsthand how this man, hailed as the first genius in the culinary world, gradually expanded the market for Exploding Beef Balls until they became a household name in Hong Kong.

Previously, when Luo Tai saw this scene in the movie, he always thought that Stephen Chow was too funny, summoning the henchmen one by one to make all sorts of strange poses. Such an advertisement could only work in a movie; in reality, who would believe such a thing?

Now that he was really by Stephen Chow's side, Luo Tai truly felt the penetrating insight of this business genius. In business operations, Stephen Chow could keenly grasp every detail and meticulously plan every step of an event. In front of Stephen Chow, the market seemed like a gentle woman, completely at his disposal.

Luo Tai was completely captivated by Stephen Chow's ingenious ideas when he saw the first advertisement Stephen Chow planned.

Sun Fatso had mentioned wanting to open a small restaurant with Luo Tai in real life. Why not have Stephen Chow, this business genius, help with the planning?

Unfortunately, when Luo Tai asked Stephen Chow for help, Stephen Chow rolled his eyes and told him, "Are you kidding? You want me to make a plan without telling me any details? Do you think I'm a god? Every plan requires a thorough market investigation before it can be tailored to the market. Even after making a plan, it needs to be constantly adjusted based on actual conditions. Brother, if you want to truly excel in the market, you need to learn from me!"

So, Luo Tai became Stephen Chow's personal secretary, starting from market research, absorbing Stephen Chow's business experience like a sponge.

Moreover, Stephen Chow had a near-premonitory intuition about traps set by competitors. When the CEO of Da Kuai Le, Hei Kou Gou, used a bank loan to lure Stephen Chow to a branch, Stephen Chow accepted it with a sinister smile, without needing Luo Tai to remind him.

Using this capital, Stephen Chow quickly collaborated with a food processing plant to mass-produce the Exploding Beef Balls. Although the taste of these mass-produced balls was not as fresh as those made by hand, Stephen Chow ingeniously canned them and sold them in supermarkets, successfully transforming the product into an industrialized form.

Two months later, Stephen Chow's rise was unstoppable. He had completely reversed his image as a swindler in the eyes of Hong Kong residents and once again stood at the pinnacle of the culinary industry.

Stephen Chow's brilliant business turnaround gave Luo Tai endless inspiration. If he could learn just a fraction of Stephen Chow's business acumen, he would soon become a successful person in the real world, accumulating enough wealth. At that time, would he still fear the gap in status with Liu Yifei?

Imagining the day he would park his luxury car next to Liu Yifei and see her surprised and delighted expression when he opened the door, Luo Tai couldn't help but smile broadly.

Turkey, seeing Luo Tai laughing foolishly on the sofa, asked curiously, "Hey? What's up with Luo Tai? Why is he laughing to himself like that?"

Stephen Chow's sharp tongue struck again, "What else? We're getting rich, and he's dreaming about getting a wife! Look at that lecherous smile on his face. He's probably imagining a dozen or so busty beauties fawning over him right now!"

Stephen Chow's words immediately sparked a burst of laughter. With the business of Exploding Beef Balls booming, everyone present had seen their wealth multiply several times, even a hundred times, and they would laugh in their sleep every night.

Thanks to the successful market entry of the Exploding Beef Balls, Stephen Chow was selected for the Hong Kong Culinary Genius Awards. With the Exploding Beef Balls made by Luo Tai himself, he successfully created a unique selling point of being both delicious and fun, defeating other rising competitors and winning the title of Culinary Genius.

Before going to the award ceremony, Luo Tai declined Stephen Chow's invitation and did not accompany him to the ceremony.

Having seen the movie, Luo Tai knew that nothing interesting would happen at the ceremony, and he particularly disliked such ceremonies centered around mutual flattery.

Before everyone left, Luo Tai suddenly called out to Turkey and made a request that surprised everyone.

"Turkey, can you stay at home and teach me how to make your specialty, Chop Suey Noodles? That kind of occasion is meaningless anyway. Just help me out, okay?"

Turkey was puzzled by Luo Tai's request. The straightforward woman came to Luo Tai, touched his forehead, and asked with a blink, "Strange, you don't have a fever. Luo Tai, did you not sleep well last night? You know how bad my Chop Suey Noodles are compared to Stephen's. If you really want to learn, why don't you ask Stephen to teach you after the ceremony?"

Luo Tai shook his head and said to Turkey, "Turkey, Brother Zhou has already taught me, but I can't reach his level. So, I thought I might start learning from you first, and once I reach a certain level, I'll continue learning from Brother Zhou. You know, Turkey, I came to Hong Kong to learn excellent culinary skills and open a restaurant back home. Please help me."

Turkey, looking at Luo Tai's sincere eyes, found it hard to refuse. She really wanted to stay and help this exceptionally skilled and kind brother, but when she turned to look at Stephen Chow, she hesitated. Her dream had always been to stand by that man's side and share all his glory. Tonight was a rare opportunity, and if she missed it, she might never have such a chance again.

Stephen Chow came to Luo Tai's side, put his hand on Luo Tai's shoulder, and said with a radiant smile, "Brother, today is the great day when our Exploding Beef Balls are famous throughout Hong Kong. You're still thinking about Chop Suey Noodles? Come with us today, and I'll teach you some skills when we get back, making you a top chef. In the future, you'll have the chance to stand by my side and dominate the Hong Kong culinary world."

Luo Tai still insisted on not going to the award ceremony. Seeing this, Stephen Chow shrugged at Turkey and said softly, "This guy is stubborn. Nine oxen can't pull him back. I can't do anything about it. You decide whether to stay home and teach him how to make noodles or go with us to witness the glory."

Turkey looked at Luo Tai, then at Stephen Chow, feeling torn. After much thought, she hesitantly said, "Sorry, Luo Tai, I'll teach you the best Chop Suey Noodles after the award ceremony."

With that, everyone waved to Luo Tai and climbed into the rented bus parked by the roadside.

Luo Tai watched the bus start and waved to it, then turned and walked back to the store. Changing the course of the movie wasn't as easy as he thought. He would deal with Turkey's issue later.

Before Luo Tai could enter the store, he suddenly heard the bus screech to a halt. Turning around, he saw Turkey get off the bus, wave to the bus as it started again, and walk towards him with a big smile.

Coming to Luo Tai's side, Turkey showed her trademark grin, her eyes squinting into almost invisible slits, her prominent front teeth gleaming in the streetlights.

"Luo Tai, I thought about it. I can't leave you alone at home. If you want to learn how to make my Chop Suey Noodles, I'll teach you. But let me warn you, if you don't learn properly, I'll chop you up with a knife!"

Looking at Turkey's ugly smile, Luo Tai suddenly felt a warm glow in his heart, as if a sun had been placed inside him.

---

(Please note that the original text is a part of a story and contains some cultural and contextual elements specific to the setting. The translation aims to maintain the original tone and style as closely as possible.)