The Reviled God of Cooking Tries to Slack Off - Chapter 104

If this year’s competition had been as lackluster as in past years, Zhang Xiaocong wouldn’t have bothered putting so much thought into it—he wouldn’t even have taken a second look.

But this year was different.

The Xiushui Group had placed great importance on the event. Even Liu Ping had mentioned it several times, which meant that Zhang Xiaocong had to double his efforts to ensure a worthwhile return.

The champion title was always the centerpiece of the competition—and naturally, something that had to be tightly controlled.

Compared to the other contestants, Zhan Rui was the most useful pawn in Zhang Xiaocong’s eyes—he was the most “suitable” person to be crowned champion.

“Tingzhou, I saw you go down and taste the dishes in the third round,” Zhang Xiaocong said. His tone had grown more familiar and intimate, as though he already considered Jiang Tingzhou to be one of his own. “I knew you’d catch onto the situation with Zhan Rui. But even if you hadn’t noticed, I planned to inform you before the finals. I just wanted to see how long it would take for you to come find me. You called today—sooner than I expected. I knew then that I wasn’t wrong about you. Tingzhou, you really are exceptional in every way. Director Zeng was short-sighted to only appoint you as a board member of the Yongqing branch. You deserve a higher position.”

Rather than flustered, Zhang Xiaocong seemed pleased. Jiang Tingzhou’s sharp judgment had met his expectations, and he treated the entire situation as something well within his control.

As for manipulating Zhan Rui into winning, Zhang Xiaocong dismissed it as a minor issue.

The finals had no public voting; the winners would be announced on-site. With just ten judges—all selected by the organizers—it wouldn’t be hard to steer the results. In his eyes, a single instruction could reshape everything.

To him, this wasn’t a serious matter. Even Zhan Rui was insignificant.

The real focus was Jiang Tingzhou.

Jiang Tingzhou responded calmly, “Xiushui may be the main investor, but this competition has its own rules. Investors don’t get to decide everything. Mr. Zhang, this chef competition is something I’ve poured my heart into.”

He had always felt a special connection to this event.

In his previous life, he had made his career comeback by winning the gold medal in this very competition. Though he wasn’t a contestant this time, he was even more invested. Every bit of attention and praise this competition received felt like it was his own.

“Of course I understand that,” Zhang Xiaocong replied smoothly. “That’s exactly why I’m willing to make you a generous offer. Isn’t that why you came on board? Working with Xiushui brings real benefits. You don’t need to strain yourself for anything. Even your good friend, that young President Lu you know so well, wouldn’t think there’s anything wrong with this. As long as you follow me from now on, I promise you’ll gain far more. What do you say, Tingzhou? If you have other conditions, feel free to bring them up.”

On the other end of the line, Zhang Xiaocong waited patiently for Jiang Tingzhou’s reply.

In his view, Jiang Tingzhou was the true “contestant” in this competition.

Before,  Jiang Tingzhou had designed all the challenges for the chefs. Now, someone had placed a challenge before him—demanding a choice.

Zhang Xiaocong didn’t think this needed to be debated too much—especially since Jiang Tingzhou had taken the initiative to make the call. That alone, in his mind, implied Jiang Tingzhou wanted to negotiate.

But Zhang Xiaocong wasn’t on-site. He couldn’t see Jiang Tingzhou’s expression, or Zeng Rong’s hesitation. If he could, he’d know immediately—Jiang Tingzhou’s answer would not be what he expected.

“Mr. Zhang, I do have a condition,” Jiang Tingzhou said. “I mentioned it from the very beginning.”

He turned his head, stared at Zhan Rui, and said coldly: “I want you to apologize—and get out of my competition. Immediately.”

Zhan Rui, who had already relaxed and was talking excitedly about his future as the champion, jumped to his feet in shock. “You—”

Zhang Xiaocong, still on the phone, was just as stunned. “What do you mean by that? Jiang Tingzhou, don’t you understand what I’m offering you?”

“I’ve made myself very clear,” Jiang Tingzhou replied. “Mr. Zhang, considering Xiushui is the lead investor, I’m already showing you respect. I’m only asking for an apology and for Zhan Rui to leave. I’m not even pursuing accountability. You should be grateful.”

Zhang Xiaocong’s voice rose with anger: “You’re being unreasonable! Stubborn!”

“Call it what you want,” Jiang Tingzhou said, unbothered. “But this is where I stand.”

Zhang Xiaocong’s voice turned cold: “Then tell me—why are you doing this? Don’t tell me it’s about fairness and justice. Do people like you really believe in that nonsense?”

Zhang Xiaocong didn’t believe it for a second.

Even contestants in the finals were weighing which company had the strongest backing—planning their future moves based on benefits. Tao Jintian, who had made it to the finals, was known to be Jiang Tingzhou’s man. He might not win gold, but silver was almost guaranteed.

So why was Jiang Tingzhou going out of his way to make enemies?

Jiang Tingzhou answered plainly, “Mr. Zhang, like I said before—this competition is my hard work. And the point is: it’s mine.”

From the start, Jiang Tingzhou had built every part of this competition, step by step. Onstage and offstage, his fingerprints were everywhere.

That meant only one thing: he would decide everything.

“A chef’s greatest skill is balance. Mr. Zhang, you should understand that when I stand at the stove, no one gets to reach into my pot. No one tells me how to cook,” he said coldly. “Not Zhan Rui. Not the Zhan family. Not Xiushui. Not even you.”

Zhang Xiaocong was now completely furious. “So this is how it is? You really think you call the shots?”

“I do,” Jiang Tingzhou said. “The competition has reached this stage, and I absolutely have the final say. Don’t believe me? Feel free to try.”

This wasn’t a discussion. This call was Jiang Tingzhou’s way of drawing the line.

He had already uncovered the evidence. He knew Zhan Rui wasn’t acting alone. Someone from Xiushui was pulling the strings.

And unlike smaller forces he had dealt with before, the Xiushui Group couldn’t be easily brushed aside.

Jiang had chosen to confront them head-on. His message left no room for compromise.

Zeng Rong, seeing how direct Jiang was, tried to intervene.

“Mr. Zhang, Tingzhou’s always been like this—he just says what’s on his mind. Let’s not blow things up. We’ve been friends for years. No need to make a mess over someone like Zhan Rui, right?”

Zhang Xiaocong snapped, “Mr. Zeng, are you taking his side now?”

Zeng Rong laughed—but his stance was clear.

He had already assessed the situation before entering the room. He knew exactly what Jiang Tingzhou meant and where his own interests lay.

Xiushui had put in years of investment, but it had never paid off like this year. With such a successful project, there was no need to cling to a single backer. Future funding wouldn’t be an issue.

Many organizers—including Zeng Rong’s own people—had directly benefited from the competition’s success. Their loyalty aligned naturally with his.

Remaining silent was already a statement.

“There’s one thing I should remind you of,” Zhang Xiaocong said coldly. “Xiushui is still the biggest investor. This competition is called the Xiushui Cup! Jiang Tingzhou, I’m giving you a choice right now—a chance. Whether you accept it or not, I can do this. I will make it happen. Do you think you can stop me?”

With only the finals left, he could always find the right people to push his decision through, and shape the outcome to his liking.

Jiang Tingzhou replied: “If that’s your stance, then the competition ends here. If you insist on fixing the winner, then there will be no finals.”

He had recorded this entire call—including every word spoken by Zhang Xiaocong.

At this point, Jiang Tingzhou had no intention of “playing the game” anymore. He had his own way of doing things. If someone crossed his bottom line, he’d rather overturn the whole table than compromise.

Zhang Xiaocong barked, “What are you trying to do?!”

“Mr. Zhang,” Jiang Tingzhou said evenly, “I’m not just some nameless player who’ll take a loss lying down. Just wait. If the finals suddenly vanish after building so much hype, the reporters and public will definitely be interested. How will I explain it? Simple. Xiushui tried to rig the outcome, and when the organizers refused to cooperate, they were kicked out. So the finals got canceled.”

Zhang Xiaocong was furious. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Watch me,” Jiang Tingzhou  said calmly. “If I let you ruin this event, then it’s better not to do it at all.”

He had already recouped the investment in the first three rounds alone.

Zhang Xiaocong was aware of the recording risk. But he didn’t believe anyone would dare oppose Xiushui. It wouldn’t benefit Jiang Tingzhou in any way—at least, that’s what he thought.

He took several deep breaths. Jiang Tingzhou’s uncompromising attitude shocked him.

In the end, he turned to Zeng Rong: “Old Zeng, are you seriously making trouble with me? Are you crazy? Do you want to go against Xiushui too?”

Zeng Rong had always been diplomatic. But now, he set aside his usual tone and answered sternly: “Mr. Zhang, trying to take what’s on my plate and boss me around? That’s not ‘making trouble’—that’s you stepping out of line. And frankly, you don’t speak for Xiushui.”

That, too, was why he hadn’t taken Zhang Xiaocong’s side.

This competition was backed by Xiushui Group at Liu Ping’s request. It was named the “Xiushui Cup” not because of Zhang Xiaocong, but because of Liu Ping.

And if this really blew up?

Knowing Liu Ping’s personality, Zhang Xiaocong would not come out of it unscathed.