The Reviled God of Cooking Tries to Slack Off - Chapter 16

As soon as he entered, everyone in the lounge looked at him.

Jiang Tingzhou glanced around and also looked into the meeting room.

Jiang Moli wasn’t there. Manager Yang said she was still downstairs reading materials. Aside from her, compared to the lineup from his previous life, there was one additional person from the Lu family—Lu Jiahe’s biological mother, Qin Rushuang.

The Lu family’s situation was complicated. It was a blended family—Lu Baiyu’s biological parents divorced amicably when he was very young. Lu’s father quickly remarried into the equally prominent Qin family, and then Lu Jiahe was born.

The Qin family worked in film and entertainment, a golden name in the industry. Their alliance with the Lu family was strong.

Qin Rushuang, the eldest daughter of the Qin family, was beautiful and capable. She was in charge of the Lu family’s interpersonal relations within the circle and oversaw the Lu Group’s public relations and external affairs. Even without the title of Mrs. Lu, she remained a major figure in the family.

That was why when Lu Jiahe first joined Lu Group, he entered the PR department—exactly what he was just complaining about.

Compared to Lu Baiyu, his talents were average. Though his position wasn’t low, his performance was mediocre. Many in the company gossiped that he was just a privileged second-gen parachuted into the role. This talk even reached Chairman Lu, who scolded him harshly.

Judging by his mood that day, he was clearly still stewing—except when he was with Jiang You, where he managed a faint smile.

In the conference room, Qin Rushuang sat at the center. Jiang Yisheng sat beside her, diligently pouring tea.

When she saw Jiang Tingzhou enter, she pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses, broke the room’s silence, and raised her hand in greeting. “Tingzhou, come. Sit.”

Jiang Tingzhou walked over and took the seat next to her, on the left side of Jiang You and Lu Jiahe.

Manager Yang followed but didn’t sit. He stood silently behind Jiang Tingzhou.

“Brother, everyone’s waiting for you,” Jiang You said with a smile, glancing him up and down. “There was a bit of traffic today, you must have rushed. Want to change clothes and wash up? My office is downstairs.”

Jiang You was dressed head to toe in a perfectly tailored white suit. Even his hair was immaculately styled, looking like a little prince.

Jiang Tingzhou was also formally dressed, but compared to Jiang You, he seemed casual and unkempt. After dozing off in the car, his hair was still messy. He carried a backpack, looking more like an office worker catching the subway than a board member.

He ignored Jiang You completely.

He understood the implication behind Jiang You’s words perfectly.

Jiang You had an office in Jiangshi Foods; he didn’t. Jiang You had been making sarcastic remarks and showing off for a long time.

He tried to make Jiang Tingzhou look bad but got no response.

Lu Jiahe looked unhappy and said to Jiang Tingzhou, “Hey, we’re all in the company. Don’t be angry. Who upset you?”

“Forget it, my brother didn’t rest well yesterday,” Jiang You said, patting Lu Jiahe’s shoulder as if to soothe him. “He just got out of the hospital yesterday, remember? He’s probably not feeling great. Bad moods are understandable. He didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I said you’re too kind-hearted. He was so rude, and you still defend him,” Lu Jiahe, who always had a bad relationship with Jiang Tingzhou, grumbled. “He messed up big time and still has the nerve to act all high and mighty. I think he’s deliberately targeting you!”

Qin Rushuang frowned and shot him a glare.

Jiang Tingzhou said, “You’re right, I am targeting him.” He turned to Jiang You and asked, “Since you care about me so much, knowing I just got discharged yesterday, why didn’t you visit me? Dad’s busy with work, and Mom isn’t well, but you went back to Yongqing’s home two days ago. Why didn’t you think of coming to the hospital to see your dear brother who’s dying?”

Jiang You was caught off guard by the reply. He paused, then said, “Brother has always disliked me. I thought…”

“If you think I dislike you, why offer me your clothes earlier? In your eyes, I have to wear your clothes, right?” Jiang Tingzhou sneered. “You didn’t come when it really mattered, but now you’re being all fake and concerned. Jiang You, I’m done playing games with you. Don’t put on that fake act in front of me. Try putting some of that energy into doing actual work.”

Manager Yang added sarcastically, “Yes, you’re usually sweet-talking, but who knows what bad water you’re really carrying inside.”

He had been burned before, so his disdain for Jiang You ran deep.

In such a formal setting, everyone maintained a superficial harmony. Few spoke so harshly. The others looked visibly uncomfortable.

Jiang Yisheng’s face darkened as he said, “Jiang Tingzhou, are you crazy? Are you crazy?”

Lu Jiahe lost his temper and slammed the table. “Don’t talk about Xiaoyou here as if you’re capable. If my family hadn’t helped you delete those negative comments, you’d still be getting scolded online. Now you’re showing off here.”

Qin Rushuang frowned angrily and scolded, “Lu Jiahe, that’s enough. You’re old enough—can’t you be more stable?”

Hearing this, Jiang Yisheng caught a key phrase. “Wait… President Qin, are you saying it was the Lu family who cleaned up that PR mess?”

At the time, he found it strange that celebrities and big Vs apologized, and the trending content suddenly reversed. He assumed those people bowed their heads to preserve their reputation. The online matter was resolved, so he didn’t look into it further. Now, hearing this, he understood the real reason.

This was the Lu family’s move.

Except Jiang Tingzhou himself, no one else knew. Even Manager Yang was stunned. No wonder the water army company scolded him for offending a big shot.

The Lu family actually stepped in to help Jiang Tingzhou?

Lu Jiahe clearly knew the whole story and replied with confidence, “Yeah. My brother personally makes the call. Even though he’s super busy abroad, he still finds time to worry about your mess. I don’t know what you said to him, but he even convinces Mom to come to the meeting and tells us not to let anything happen to you. You were always like this. Jiang Tingzhou, your tricks only work on my brother, not on me. I don’t like your seductive looks… ah!”

He was interrupted by Qin Rushuang, who could no longer tolerate him and knocked the back of his head with a hardcover notebook.

“Sit down,” Qin Rushuang glared at him, annoyed. “You’ve been working at the company this long and still act like a fool. And you dare bring up your brother? If you were half as useful as him, I’d light incense in gratitude!”

Then she turned to Jiang Tingzhou. “Don’t listen to him. He’s not very smart. Tingzhou, I heard you had a serious illness and suddenly moved out of your place. I was worried something might happen to you. Now I see you’re fine, I’m relieved. You don’t have to worry about the rest.”

Lu Jiahe, beaten down by his mother, didn’t dare speak.

Jiang You quickly reached out to rub the back of his head and gently advised Aunt Qin not to be angry.

Jiang Yisheng also reacted quickly to smooth things over but couldn’t help glancing at Jiang Tingzhou sitting there.

The Lu family never cared about the actual operation of Jiangshi Foods, so why would they attend a board meeting just because of the old store’s closure? Lu Jiahe might come along to support his friend Jiang You, but Qin Rushuang wasn’t the type to bother with such matters.

Now he understood—she came because of Jiang Tingzhou.

—Are Jiang Tingzhou and Lu Baiyu really that close?

Jiang Tingzhou didn’t bother arguing anymore, though he sensed Jiang Yisheng’s gaze. What really made him want to laugh was that “fox spirit” comment from Lu Jiahe.

It was the first time he heard someone describe him like that.

The small lounge grew noisy for a while, then it was time for the board meeting.

Everyone entered the meeting room one by one. Jiang Moli did come, arriving on time from the finance department downstairs. When she saw Jiang Tingzhou, she smiled softly, called him Xiaobao, and then sat in the center.

She carried a file bag, which she calmly placed next to Jiang Yisheng, whispered something to him with a warning look, and pushed the file bag toward him.

Jiang Yisheng’s expression shifted briefly, then returned to normal.

The meeting began.

Following the usual procedure of the Jiang Board, personnel appointments and dismissals were saved for last. Naturally, the competition results between Jiang You and Jiang Tingzhou came at the end. The first part was routine reports from various departments.

Jiang You was the first to speak. He was well prepared, with a polished PPT. He proposed many novel ideas and professional concepts in rapid succession. The business at Xiangyun Peninsula was doing well, and he planned to open branches in first-tier cities nationwide, already gaining momentum online.

After Jiang You finished, Jiang Yisheng praised him repeatedly.

Qin Rushuang nodded slightly.

According to Gongyan’s report, other stores performed about the same as before, with turnover even slightly declining. Operationally, nothing stood out.

The old store was like other chain stores—relatively independent. The board had no intention of listening to its report because the negative situation, public complaints, and online backlash concerning Gongyan’s old store had even affected other chain stores.

Yang Jinhao had already written multiple self-criticisms. Everyone at the table knew the situation.

Jiang Yisheng cut to the chase. “Let’s not waste time. The damage is done. What we need now is a solution.”

They were all good at blaming others, but when it came to solutions, everyone hesitated.

Some small shareholders suggested mediocre compensation plans.

Jiang Yisheng was unsatisfied. Tapping the table with his pen, he said, “Jiang You, your turn.”

Jiang You sat next to Lu Jiahe, suggesting a close relationship, though seating was carefully arranged. That seat was the deputy general manager’s, a few seats from Jiang Tingzhou.

He spoke confidently. “Everyone’s suggestions are good, but I think customers want to see sincerity. We can’t stop at compensation—we need serious accountability.”

“You mean…?”

“We need to handle this with maximum severity. Fire the store manager. Anyone involved in the incident should be dismissed or disciplined. The company has rules—when mistakes happen, consequences must follow. At the time, emotions were high, but now that things have settled, if we show sincerity and shift public anger toward a few individuals, I believe we can win back some goodwill.”

His words made sense.

However, a small shareholder worried, “If so many are fired at once, won’t the old store’s business suffer?”

“Does Jiangshi Foods lack staff? We can send people from headquarters,” Jiang You smiled. “This incident reveals a management problem. My brother—Chef Jiang—was sick, so business slipped. What began as an internal conflict became public. This exposes flaws in the old store’s business model. It needs restructuring help.”

Everyone picked up on what he was really implying, and their interest sharpened.

Yang Jin’hao, a relative of Jiang Yisheng, had run the store for years. His position had always been secure. If he was fired, that plum role opened up. Jiang You’s comments also put responsibility on Jiang Tingzhou’s shoulders. Promoting a head chef to store manager? Out of the question. That position could go to one of their own.

Every company had factions. Shareholders were always looking for chances to place their people in key roles. This was one of those rare opportunities.

Jiang You wanted in.

After all, the old Gongyan store was a key Jiang family foundation. No one would complain about too many resources. But Jiang You wasn’t about to let this valuable piece go to Jiang Tingzhou.

His proposal was ruthless. Innocent employees might get caught up, but it sounded attractive.

Jiang Tingzhou sometimes admired Jiang You.

Faced with disaster, Jiang You somehow spun it into opportunity. Compared to Jiang Yisheng, he really was the better strategist.

After Jiang You’s proposal, many agreed enthusiastically, saying, “Good, this works,” repeatedly.

Manager Yang had mentally prepared for the worst—being fired. But Jiang You’s plan exceeded his expectations, especially when someone said, “Firing is too lenient. He should resign and take responsibility.”

That pushed him into a corner.

Firing at least came with severance. Forcing him to resign and bear the blame? That was a dead end.

And of all people, it was Jiang You pushing this—despite knowing exactly what role he played. If not for Jiang You hiring that PR firm to stir the pot, would things have gotten this bad?

This wasn’t a rescue effort.

It was looting. Taking advantage of a fire to seize territory.