The Game of Life

Chapter 555: 553

Xu Cheng had no idea that the customers who had snatched the two portions of chicken tofu custard from him were also familiar faces, Ouyang Yang and Zhou Chang, seated in the private room next door.

Ouyang Yang and Zhou Chang could also be considered regulars at the Taifeng Building, showing up several times a month. Basically, whenever Ouyang Yang was in Beiping, Zhou Chang would invite him to Taifeng Building for a meal. The invitation wasn’t for anything special but for Ouyang Yang’s favorite Eight Treasures Chestnut Fragrant Pigeon.

“Alright, Ouyang, so the Eight Treasures Chestnut Fragrant Pigeon isn’t available today, look at that long face. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you lost a billion in a business deal today.” Zhou Chang, who had already ordered, spoke helplessly, “I admit, it’s my lack of preparation. I didn’t check properly and didn’t know Taifeng Building had just reopened today and that many dishes couldn’t be prepared in time, hence they’re not on the menu.”

“But, there’s a silver lining. Look, Jiang Weiming, Master Jiang’s dishes are on the menu today, getting to eat any is a stroke of luck. It’s just the Eight Treasures Chestnut Fragrant Pigeon. It’s much easier to get a reservation for than the Wazhan Flower Carving Chicken; sometimes, if you come early without a reservation, they still have it. If worse comes to worst, next time I’ll reserve the Wazhan Flower Carving Chicken and give you a quarter of it.” Zhou Chang, in a gesture of painful concession, offered Ouyang Yang a tempting but unattainable prospect.

Ouyang Yang was originally just disappointed, but after Zhou Chang’s words, he shot him an annoyed look: “Oh, please, you make a reservation? When have you ever successfully made one? Aren’t you always mooching off mine?”

“That’s not quite fair. I have my connections in Beiping, and being close to the water gets you first pick of the moonlight. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll get lucky and score a reservation,” Zhou Chang said, “Just be happy that you got to eat something personally prepared by Master Jiang. How often does Master Jiang actually cook something himself in a month? I’m in Beiping all day, every day, and I can hardly get one or two dishes, and here you are stumbling upon the chance the moment you arrive.”

“Fine, I can’t argue with you.”

Let’s leave that matter be.

“By the way, I’ve been hearing some rumors lately. It seems like the Sun Family is planning to…” Before Zhou Chang could finish, Ouyang Yang stopped him with a gesture.

Ouyang Yang glanced at the waiter standing at the entrance of the private room. The waiter immediately got the hint, smiled, and said, “Call me anytime if you need anything,” before stepping out and thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

“Why so serious? It’s not like we’re discussing trade secrets,” Zhou Chang said, somewhat puzzled.

“Better safe than sorry. Taifeng Building is also a restaurant, and although it’s a bit distant, it’s still in the same industry,” Ouyang Yang said, “Continue, you were saying the Sun Family intends to do what?”

“It looks like the Sun Family wants to put Jubao Building on the market. Is that true?”

“Nonsense! Who’s spreading such false rumors? He knows it’s illegal to fabricate rumors like that!” Ouyang Yang became so furious he was on the verge of slamming the table, his face locked in anger as if the moment Zhou Chang mentioned the name of the rumormonger, he would rush out to teach them about the heavy hand of socialist justice and the wrath of the public.

“Ouyang, don’t get worked up. I just caught wind of it. I asked you because I didn’t believe it,” Zhou Chang said, hurrying to calm him.

“You believe such ridiculous rumors? Zhou Chang, has your mind gone awry? Have you stuffed your brain with too much fat from eating meat over the New Year?” In his anger, Ouyang Yang lashed out at Zhou Chang too.

Zhou Chang didn’t take offense being scolded; he knew Ouyang Yang’s temper. At get-togethers, if anyone inadvertently said that Jubao Building’s dishes had declined in quality or that Jubao Building was no longer up to par, Ouyang Yang would be banging on the table and, red-faced, arguing with them. So, the ‘news’ that Jubao Building was going to be put up for sale really got under his skin.

“Don’t get so agitated. Sit down. I don’t believe it either. But nothing comes out of nowhere. Since someone is spreading gossip that Jubao Building is up for sale, there must be some kind of hint that’s leading people to think that way. That’s why I’m asking you if something happened with the Sun Family,” Zhou Chang said soothingly.

Ouyang Yang finally sat down and poured himself several glasses of water before reluctantly admitting, “There has been a bit of an issue.”

“What kind of issue? Have they broken the financial chain, an investment went sour, or have the eldest and the second son finally come to blows?”

“None of those. It seems Master Sun is not faring well,” Zhou Chang sighed, “The Sun Family probably wanted to keep it quiet, but it’s simply not something you can hide. Master Sun has been in the hospital throughout the New Year’s period, and the Sun Family spent New Year’s Eve there. I heard from others that he almost had to be moved to the ICU.”

Ouyang Yang was shocked; he had not considered this possibility at all: “What’s wrong with Master Sun?”

“I’m not sure,” Zhou Chang shook his head, “Old Zhou, you tell me, who let you in on the Jubao Building sale news? To spread this kind of rumor and even within our circles is audacious.”

“It’s true, around the New Year with Master Sun hospitalized, Jubao Building did face some issues, but those were to be expected. Whose household or company stays completely calm when the head of the family ends up in the hospital? Spreading such rumors while Master Sun is in the hospital is utterly heartless, and they shouldn’t be surprised if they get what’s coming to them.”

Zhou Chang cleared his throat awkwardly, “I overheard it from someone, who exactly started the rumor, I’m not sure. But Ouyang, do you know whether Master Sun was hospitalized before or after the New Year started?”

“I didn’t inquire about the specifics, but it should be before, why?” Ouyang Yang asked, clueless.

“If you have contact with the eldest from their family, you might want to give him a subtle hint. Around just before New Year’s, it seemed their second son was sending people to poach our executives, offering quite generous salaries and benefits. It looks like they’re gearing up for something big,” Zhou Chang said.

“Why would he want to dig into our high-level management? Your family isn’t in the catering business; you do real est… Is Sun Channing going into real estate?”

“I’m not sure either, just guessing. Otherwise, why would he be poaching people from us for no reason? Unless Sun Channing likes to engage in activities that are harmful to others but not beneficial to himself.” Zhou Chang said, “You know, I never liked his ways. If he goes into real estate, he might very well become my competitor in the future. So, I’d appreciate it if you could give the head of the Sun family a heads-up, especially now that Master Sun is seriously ill in the hospital and their family is in disarray. Don’t let that kid Sun Channing take advantage of the situation.”

“Sure, I’ll find an opportunity to remind Sun Changping.” Ouyang Yang agreed, “But if you ask me, Sun Changping is also… never mind, forget it. I shouldn’t talk behind others’ backs too much, it’s not nice.”

“Every family has its own set of problems. What seems calm on the surface might not be so behind closed doors.” Zhou Chang said with an unsurprised look.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen of Taifeng Building, Jiang Weiming was teaching Jiang Feng how to make minced chicken for the chicken mousse.

“Master Jiang, four servings of chicken mousse.” A staff member near the workbench called out loudly.

“We’ve just opened, haven’t we? To think they’re all sold out already, there shouldn’t be many customers in the restaurant at this moment.” Jiang Weiming said, slightly surprised.

“When the dishes are made by you, Granduncle Weiming, they always sell out immediately. Even if there aren’t many customers, as long as there are customers, the dishes will sell.” Feng seized the opportunity to butter him up, “It’s just because today is the opening and many customers don’t know that it’s not very crowded now. If it were a regular day, the dishes would be gone in two to three seconds. There might even be a commotion in the dining hall by now.”

The cries of anger or disappointment from those who missed out on the dishes.

Having spent so much time with his nephews and grandnephews, Jiang Weiming was used to their extravagant flattery and didn’t react much, simply nodding his head and continuing to guide Feng on how to mince the chicken.

“The chicken mousse must be smooth, with all tendons completely removed. Even a single strand left means failure and will definitely affect the overall taste of the chicken mousse.”

“Your angle is a bit off, and you need to use a little more force. Yes, that’s it. Remember how I made the chicken mousse yesterday? To achieve perfection, you need to be meticulous; the meat at the top left corner is a bit scattered.”

Wu Minqi watched eagerly from the side, her eyes filled with envy.

Even if Jiang Feng was her boyfriend, she couldn’t help but be envious when she should be.

Watching was one thing, but it was incomparable to Jiang Feng’s hands-on experience. Not only did he get to practice, but he also had skilled mentorship, one-on-one teaching, and hands-on guidance.

Wu Minqi sighed enviously. Even her grandfather had never taught her with such patience and attention to detail.

Lucky Feng, with not one but two grandfathers.

“Wu, would you like to give it a try?” Jiang Weiming asked with a smile.

Wu Minqi stood there stunned, and stammered, “Can I… really?”

“Of course, you can. Feng is working on a quantity for two servings, and I didn’t ask him to do more since it’s his first time. There’s still some chicken breast over there—start with removing the tendons.” Jiang Weiming pointed to a small bowl on the preparation table.

“Thank you, Grandpa Jiang!” Wu Minqi ran to the preparation table, took out the chicken breast from the bowl, and began removing the tendons with focus and concentration.

Jiang Weiming watched Wu Minqi and laughed helplessly, reminding her, “Be careful, don’t hurt your hand.”

Turning around, Jiang Weiming saw his only apprentice, Jiang Weisheng, staring at him with puppy eyes, while holding a head of Chinese cabbage.

“Weisheng, go chop your vegetables. You’ve already learned how to make chicken mousse, and it’s not like you can’t do it.”

Jiang Weisheng: ┭┮﹏┭┮

Indignant.