At Qianlima, Lin Minghao experienced for the first time what it felt like to bask in reflected glory.

From the moment they walked in, people kept greeting Fu Yu.

"Chef Fu!"

Their warm calls were filled with obvious respect.

Fu Yu deliberately led Lin Minghao to the ordering area first, allowing him to see the restaurant’s various specialty seafood.

Upon hearing that Lin Minghao was Fu Yu’s brother, the ordering staff’s enthusiasm doubled, treating him like family and attending to him thoroughly yet warmly.

Lin Minghao was both flattered and amazed.

Is this really just the ordering area?

It looked more like an aquarium!

There’s seafood you can’t even imagine, but there’s nothing the store doesn’t have!

Then, listening to the staff’s detailed introductions and looking at the menu with its expensive prices, Lin Minghao realized for the first time that an established restaurant could have hundreds of specialty dishes for customers to choose from.

Fu Yu asked Lin Minghao to order a few dishes he liked.

Feeling a bit burdened by Fu Yu spending money to treat him, Lin Minghao used the excuse of not knowing which dishes were special to let Fu Yu help with the ordering.

So, Fu Yu first ordered the restaurant’s spicy crayfish and then a sweet and sour fish.

At this time of year, it’s actually past the seafood season, so Fu Yu thought for a moment and ordered a modified salt and pepper mantis shrimp, a specialty pot-wrapped pork, marinated blood clams, and finally a bowl of seafood porridge.

Lin Minghao mentally calculated the price of the meal and felt a bit light-headed as he followed the waiter to their private room.

Watching the waiter chatting warmly with Fu Yu, Lin Minghao inexplicably felt like Fu Yu’s image had suddenly become more imposing.

Are chefs really this influential?

Everyone in the restaurant treated Fu Yu with both respect and warmth, and there was even a hint of admiration in their conversations.

Because Fu Yu dropped out of high school and went to culinary school, he often faced criticism from relatives and friends back home.

Even his parents sometimes privately lamented, saying how his aunt and uncle worked so hard to raise him, only for him to not even finish high school.

Though he stayed to work in Bei’an now, he was merely a chef, earning hard money to barely make ends meet.

But now, looking at Fu Yu beside him, dressed in branded casual wear.

Easily ordering a table full of dishes worth several hundred without batting an eye.

And just to host him, he could borrow a newly renovated house from his mentor to let him stay temporarily.

Especially that house, given its location and size, wouldn’t come cheap without at least a few million.

Do chefs really earn this much?

Lin Minghao couldn’t help but think of the live streaming industry he knew.

Similarly seen as unreliable, a profession that’s embarrassing to mention to outsiders.

But once you really get into it, making money feels just like picking it up effortlessly.

When Lin Minghao looked at Fu Yu again, there was a shared understanding in his gaze.

He felt that he and Fu Yu were alike, working in careers misunderstood or even looked down upon by others, but if he succeeded, he too could be respected by his peers and recognized by his family like Fu Yu.

When the dishes arrived, there were also spicy crabs, steamed abalone, several of the restaurant’s specialty marinated side dishes, and a classic seafood soup.

"Brother! When did you add more dishes?"

Lin Minghao was stunned by the abundance of seafood dishes; how much could all this cost!

Fu Yu looked at the additional dishes, not needing to ask to know they were definitely sent by Zhao Meng, as the order hadn’t even been billed.

So he smiled and said, "I wanted you to taste the restaurant’s specialties, so I added a couple more dishes at the last minute."

Looking at the plate of crabs and abalone, Lin Minghao felt deeply moved.

Ever since he changed his major without permission, his relatives and friends treated him with such disappointment as if he were committing a grave sin, constantly advising him to rethink his choices and return to the right path.

Only Fu Yu offered him such sincere hospitality, which gave him a warm sense of familial affection he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Fu Yu served two bowls of seafood porridge, prompting Lin Minghao to try it while it was hot, and then taste the soup.

At the same time, he began to address the reason for the meal: "Minghao, what made you suddenly consider taking a leave of absence?"

Not just his mom surprised, even he thought it was sheer nonsense.

After all the effort to get into university, suddenly deciding not to attend was just irrational!

Enjoying the seafood porridge and half a bowl of the flavorful seafood soup, Lin Minghao felt comfortable and cozy, naturally more sincere in his tone.

"Brother, you must have heard by now about my participation in the national e-commerce live streaming competition. I came to Bei’an to join the pre-competition intensive course at Qiming E-commerce Training School."

"I know my sudden leave of absence was shocking for the family, and you all struggle to understand my choice. But listen, I really thought it through before making this decision."

Fu Yu put down his chopsticks, turned to listen attentively to Lin Minghao.

Lin Minghao continued, "A high school classmate of mine’s family owns a cosmetics processing factory. They operate multiple cosmetic brand production lines. I can get products from them, ensuring both quality and quantity. And if I succeed, other manufacturers might be willing to collaborate with me."

"But right now, what I lack most is recognition. This national e-commerce live streaming competition, organized by Bo Ming’s company, will feature many well-known influencers to help create buzz."

"If I can stand out in the competition, I’ll have a chance to gain popularity, paving the way for my future in live streaming sales."

Though Fu Yu had never been exposed to the live streaming industry, hearing Lin Minghao’s explanation made it seem feasible to him.

Fu Yu nodded, stating honestly, "I’m not very familiar with live streaming, but from what you described, it seems promising. Also, live streaming sales seem quite popular now. Watching videos gives a clear, intuitive understanding of products. After ordering, the products can be directly delivered home, much more convenient than shopping in stores."

Lin Minghao nodded, "I know you all think I’m a bit rebellious, irresponsible, just fooling around. But honestly, I’ve carefully considered this decision, being responsible to myself."

"To become a famous influencer, you need a few conditions: first, physical appearance is important for appeal, secondly, a steady supply of high-quality products at competitive prices, and lastly, and most crucially, good communication skills to engage customers effectively."

"I meet all these conditions, except for lacking a bit of attention and popularity. I’m only one step away from success; why not give it a try?"

Fu Yu thought about it and realized it made sense.