Chapter 25

So Su Zhuo took his trusted aides and friends to First-Rank Pavilion in disguise, intending to taste its dishes and see exactly what made them authentic and superior. Instead, he accidentally discovered that First-Rank Pavilion had been secretly using gutter oil.

Having uncovered such a scandal, Su Zhuo naturally would not cover for First-Rank Pavilion. Not only did he refuse to conceal it, he also hired private investigators to photograph evidence of First-Rank Pavilion passing off fake ingredients as quality goods and using gutter oil, then uploaded it online. Once the news spread, First-Rank Pavilion's century-old reputation was destroyed overnight. The relevant authorities stepped in to investigate. With the evidence conclusive, they directly revoked First-Rank Pavilion's Food Service License, and those responsible were severely punished by law.

Meanwhile, Su Garden seized the opportunity to qualify for a partnership with the Huaiyang Cuisine Museum. Su Zhuo struck while the iron was hot, opening a livestream on a short-video platform under the banner of genuine ingredients and honest prices, broadcasting Su Garden's kitchen conditions. Every day, he had Su Garden's head chef teach viewers how to make a dish while explaining its history as they cooked.

This method, supposedly teaching people to cook but actually showing off culinary skills, drew the attention of a huge number of netizens. Combined with Su Zhuo's lavish promotional spending, Su Garden's livestream grew increasingly popular. More and more tourists came to check in at Su Garden. Under Su Zhuo's painstaking management, Su Garden ultimately lived up to expectations and replaced First-Rank Pavilion as the most famous tourist hotspot in the area.

Because of the project's success, Su Zhuo earned the recognition of everyone throughout the group. Even Su Shiyuan felt proud of him. His precious son had accomplished something even he had been unable to achieve.

But none of this had anything to do with the original owner. By then, the original owner had already been driven out of the Su family, even out of the city itself, impoverished and sick in some unknown corner, waiting to die a miserable death.

Thinking of this, Huo Jiu's expression could not help turning strange.

Lu Manzhen, however, failed to notice Huo Jiu's expression and continued questioning him eagerly. "Who taught you how to cook? How are you this good? How did I not know you could cook?"

She asked Huo Jiu, "Since you like cooking, are you interested in becoming the head chef at Su Garden? What happened today was such a pity. You should have told them you were the Su family's son..."

Lu Manzhen rambled on, her tone carrying the satisfaction of avenging a great wrong. Even Su Shiyuan, who had never cared much about Huo Jiu, felt stirred. He silently calculated how to use Huo Jiu's connection to the Su family to let Su Garden profit from this fake-goods scandal.

Thinking of how First-Rank Pavilion had always trampled on Su Garden while promoting itself as an authentic old-established brand, and how that marketing had become deeply ingrained in people's minds, Su Shiyuan felt a touch of gloating amid his excitement. He silently scrutinized Huo Jiu. Who would have thought this little bastard had more than just a healthy body? He actually had some ability.

If that was the case, he could no longer treat Huo Jiu with the same neglect as before.

Su Shiyuan silently reflected on this. As a successful businessman, he naturally understood how to treat different people and situations. He had always been patient with those who had value.

Except...

Thinking of the file the private investigator had placed on his desk, Su Shiyuan's eyes flickered slightly as he asked with feigned curiosity, "Who taught you these cooking skills? Why haven't I heard about it?"

Although the information showed that Huo Jiu had worked in the back kitchens of several restaurants over the years and had specifically studied knife work, his cooking should not have been this impressive. Much less should he have been able to identify the authenticity of shark fin soup after just one taste. That did not seem like something an apprentice could do.

"Looks like the private investigator you hired isn't very competent." Huo Jiu came back to himself and smiled pleasantly. "Why not hire someone else? Spend more money and investigate slowly. One day, you'll find out."

Su Shiyuan choked. Sure enough, he and Huo Jiu were simply incompatible.

"This child!" Lu Manzhen rolled her eyes at Huo Jiu and chided him with a smile. "How can you speak to the chairman like that? We're all family. Can't you just say what you mean? Private investigator this, private investigator that—it sounds awful."

"Who's family with you?" Huo Jiu scoffed. "Your surname is Su, mine is Huo. We're not even on the same household registration. Stop forcing a connection."

That was something Lu Manzhen cared about as well. She glanced at Su Shiyuan and smiled casually. "Don't be in such a hurry. You're my child, so naturally you're also the chairman's child. Sooner or later, there'll be a day when you're added to the household registration."

After saying that, Lu Manzhen looked at Su Shiyuan with a coquettish smile. "Right?"

Su Shiyuan also smiled and nodded, saying meaningfully, "Naturally."

Aunt Zhao, who was carrying dishes to the table, heard this conversation and could not help feeling anxious. Su Zhuo's bone marrow transplant had yet to be settled, yet the bastard Lu Manzhen had brought home was already about to become part of the household. She wanted to say something, but her status made it difficult for her to speak too much. She could only wait until late at night, when no one was paying attention, to secretly call Su Zhuo's maternal grandparents and hope they would urge Su Shiyuan along.

Huo Jiu looked at the harmonious Su Shiyuan and Lu Manzhen and sneered. "Forget it. I'm not interested in being added to your household registration. Tell me when I'm added to the will instead."

The smile on Su Shiyuan's face froze. Even with his considerable self-restraint, he could not stand Huo Jiu repeatedly cursing him to death.

Lu Manzhen was even more furious. "What nonsense are you talking about? The chairman is only forty-two this year, in the prime of his life. He's perfectly healthy!"

Huo Jiu clicked his tongue and shook his head, his brows filled with indescribable regret. "That really is a pity."

Su Shiyuan: "..."

Su Shiyuan took a deep breath and rose from the table.

Lu Manzhen was so angry that she threw down her chopsticks. "I can't eat this meal anymore."

As she spoke, she could not help glaring at Huo Jiu again and complaining, "Why don't you know what's good for you? Su Garden is one of Uncle Su's most valued projects. If you became Su Garden's head chef, you'd be helping Uncle Su tremendously. He wouldn't treat you poorly."

Besides, after what had happened today, if Huo Jiu could represent Su Garden in continuing to suppress First-Rank Pavilion and even steal away its business, the group's other shareholders and board members would all think more highly of him.