The Challenge (13)

The idea landed on the table without much fuss. Everyone at the table was silent like they did not know how to react to the suggestion. Eventually, it was Mrs. Lin who broke the silence, "Joann, that is a wonderful idea! I really like it! Xiu Ling and in-law, you should definitely consider opening a restaurant together. Yes, this is a marvelous idea!"

Technically, since the idea was inspired by what Mrs. Lin said earlier so it was natural for Mrs. Lin to get on board with the idea. She already said Mrs. Xiu could sell her dishes because her cooking skill was that good. On top of that, she knew Xiu Ling love to cook so it was a perfect combination. She could not see a way that this could fail.

Mrs. Xiu though was feeling a lot more hesitant. She only cooked for her family before and she was not confident that she would be capable of handling a business. She voiced her concern, "The idea is nice but I'm not sure I'll be able to handle the pressure, furthermore, in-law, you're just being kind to my cooking, they are definitely not the level of a chef at the 5 star hotel.

"I'm just a home-cook and not a professionally trained chef. However, I do agree that the idea of opening a restaurant is not bad so Xiu Ling, you should consider the idea but hire a reputable chef to work for you. I don't want to be your burden."

"In-law, what are you talking about? Your cooking is good, don't sell yourself short. The chefs might have the professional training but you have years of experience and I would take a delicious home-cooked meal any day over a pretentious dining experience." Mrs. Lin was quick to come to convince Mrs. Xiu of her talent. Mrs. Lin did not quite understand why Mrs. Xiu was being so reserved, she obviously had the talent, and the talent was one inherited by her daughter so why was she so hesitant to show it to the world?

It appeared to Mrs. Lin that the apple did not fall far from the tree, because she realized her daughter-in-law had that tendency to retreat into herself as well.

Before she got up to actively shake Mrs. Xiu out of her caution, Joann added, "Mrs. Lin is right. There are different types of restaurant. We're not suggesting Xiu Ling to open a fine dining, upscale restaurant but a family eatery where good home-cooked meals are served and where families can have a good time together.

"Furthermore, we have already been through so many ideas and this is the one that I think matches Xiu Ling's outlook the best. Xiu Ling has always shown a love for cooking and this is something that I'm sure she'll have a better handle over something like fashion or beauty products. Wouldn't you agree, Xiu Ling?"

Joann turned the question to Xiu Ling. Honestly, Xiu Ling had to agree with the points her friend was making. She could see herself better inside the kitchen, working in tandem with her mother, making friends with her customers over good food than working in some high fashion boutique.

Of course, Xiu Ling would not have made a decision like this normally but she was pressed. This was the challenge that she had accepted and if she was going to make a choice, might as well make one that was up her alley, one that spoke to her the most.

Xiu Ling turned to her mother and said, "Mom, I plan to do this but I cannot do this alone. You need to help me."

"But I'm not sure what kind of help I can provide, you're better off hiring a professional, I don't want to be..." Before Mrs. Xiu finished, Xiu Ling cut her off, she already knew what her mother was going to say and she was not going to hear any of it. "Mom, you are not going to be a burden, you're going to be my support system. No one is able to take your place, you're the only one who can provide me with the support that I need. Mom, I need you."

Since Xiu Ling had put it that way, Mrs. Xiu was silent for a long time before she promised, "Alright, Xiu Ling, for you, I will try my best."

Once that was settled, the women moved onto the operation part of the suggestion like the menu they were going to offer, the price of the menu and so on.

When asked about the location of the establishment, Xiu Ling told them about the real estate that she had been given. Mrs. Xiu who came from the countryside did not know the value of said real estate but Mrs. Lin's attention was caught immediately.

She assumed it was Lin Kang who helped Xiu Ling secured this plot of real estate so when Xiu Ling revealed that it was Elder Lin who gave her the space, Mrs. Lin was shocked. However, after she came to terms with it, it also confirmed her earlier suspicion that her husband was issuing this challenge to Xiu Ling for a reason. Although Mrs. Lin had no idea what reason it was, she was confident that it was ultimately for the good of Xiu Ling and the Lin family overall.

Halfway through the discussion, Joann excused herself, saying she had something else to attend to. Xiu Ling thanked her best friend for showing up and she walked Joann to the door.

Joann actually had an idea in mind when she left. Mrs. Lin had gone to bring Xiu Ling a helper to aid her for this challenge. If they were going along with the eatery idea, Joann actually had a candidate in mind that she could introduce to Xiu Ling. Joann believed her helper could be a valuable asset to Xiu Ling if she planned to proceed with the idea of opening a family-style restaurant.