Can humans really time travel?
If you'd asked Zane in the past, he would have given a firm answer: Impossible.
But life… well, life has a way of surprising you.
Never in his wildest dreams did he think that the kind of time-travel plot you'd find in web novels and dramas would actually happen to him.
When he first arrived in this unfamiliar world, he went through the usual emotions—fear, confusion, and eventually, acceptance. In the end, he decided to go with the flow. And so, he opened a tavern on this bustling food street.
That was when he awakened a system.
This system was deeply integrated with the tavern, sometimes issuing tasks like:
• [Increase daily sales!]
• [Earn high ratings from diners!]
• [Develop new recipes!]
• [Increase customer flow!]
As the owner and head chef, Zane worked hard to complete these tasks, earning rewards in return.
Now, after a month of relentless effort, he had finally hit a major milestone—1,000 orders served!
With it, the system's check-in feature had been unlocked.
From today onward, before the tavern opened each morning, he could check in to receive daily rewards.
System Rewards
The system's rewards fell into four main categories:
• [Recipes]
• [Ingredients]
• [Kitchenware]
• [Culinary Skills]
Each category had multiple subcategories.
For example, under Recipes, there were cuisines like Chinese, Japanese, French, and Molecular Gastronomy.
Under Ingredients, there were categories like meat, seafood, dairy, vegetables, grains, and spices.
Excited, Zane immediately chose to check in.
[Ding!]
• [Host, check-in successful!]
• [Reward: Peacock Charm Kitchenware Set ×1 + New Recipe: Thousand-Layer Pancakes!]
• [New task issued: Increase daily customer flow to over 50 people within 24 hours! Completion will grant a reward!]
Zane's eyes lit up.
A good knife is a chef's greatest ally.
Some ingredients require precise cuts, and a dull knife can make prep work exhausting. A high-quality, razor-sharp knife not only improves efficiency but also enhances the dish's texture and flavor.
The Peacock Charm Kitchenware Set he just received was a work of art, inspired by the elegant display of a peacock's feathers.
Of course, it wasn't just for looks—its functionality was what mattered most.
Peacock Charm Kitchenware Set
This premium kitchenware set was crafted from BG42 steel, an aerospace-grade alloy known for its durability, sharpness retention, and corrosion resistance.
Its secret weapon? Vanadium.
This element significantly enhanced the steel's wear resistance and cutting precision, making it sharp enough to cut through tough bones effortlessly.
The set included seven specialized knives:
• [Bone Cleaver] – For chopping through thick bones
• [Slicer] – For precision cuts on delicate meats
• [Paring Knife] – For peeling and intricate carving
• [Fruit Knife] – For small, precise cuts
• [Kitchen Shears] – For cutting herbs, meat, and more
• [All-Purpose Knife] – A versatile blade for everyday use
• [Bread Knife] – Serrated for slicing through crusty loaves
Each knife featured an elegant musical note pattern etched onto the blade, adding a touch of class.
The handles were made from bloodwood, known for its rich color, durability, and luxurious satin finish.
Of course, this wasn't some mythical, blood-recognizing weapon from a fantasy novel. But for Zane, it was exactly what he needed.
Thousand-Layer Pancakes
Next was the new recipe.
A famous dish from Northern China, Thousand-Layer Pancakes had since spread across different regions, even making their way to Japan.
However, the most authentic versions still came from Shandong and Henan.
At its core, the dish was deceptively simple—layers of thin, delicate dough, baked to golden perfection with a crispy, flaky texture.
But making it? That was an entirely different challenge.
Rolling the dough thin enough and ensuring it doesn't stick was tricky, even for skilled chefs. Unlike other pancakes, every single layer in a Thousand-Layer Pancake remains distinctly visible.
Inside these paper-thin layers, you could add fillings like:
• Beef
• Minced pork
• Leeks
• Scallions
No matter the combination, every bite was an irresistible delight.
In his past life, Zane had already mastered various cooking techniques.
Something like Thousand-Layer Pancakes? He could make them blindfolded.
However, the system's version of the recipe had been optimized to perfection.
Every step, technique, and secret was meticulously recorded—including common mistakes to avoid.
Zane didn't need to spend hours practicing or refining the process.
With just a single thought, he clicked [Receive] in his mind—
And instantly, the perfect method for making Thousand-Layer Pancakes was embedded into his knowledge.
"Great."
Zane smirked.
"The first check-in rewards are pretty generous."
With high-quality kitchenware and a new dish, attracting over 50 customers tomorrow should be a piece of cake.
Not to mention—he now had a new weapon to dominate the food scene.
Feeling satisfied, he stretched lazily and let out a small yawn.
Suppressing his excitement, he took a warm bath before heading to his room.
As the tavern lights dimmed, the once lively space fell into peaceful silence.
Tomorrow… was going to be an interesting day.