The Reviled God of Cooking Tries to Slack Off - Chapter 43

This was the history of the Lu family’s rise, but it wasn’t promoted much before, and few people knew about it.

Everything Lu Baiyu said was true. He didn’t embellish or falsify anything—the story could withstand any investigation and inspection.

It wasn’t easy to stay honest in such chaotic times, but the Lu family managed to do so. After earning money from their first ship, the family expanded their business and, for various reasons, moved overseas and became overseas Chinese. But they always remained concerned about their homeland.

Among the Lu family’s fleet, there was always one ship dedicated to transporting supplies to China at their own expense. During wartime, when transportation was nearly impossible, it was Lu Baiyu’s great-grandfather who personally returned to the country. Relying on his network built abroad, he braved gunfire to deliver a batch of medicine.

Later, the Lu family entered the import-export business and became very wealthy overseas. Eventually, Lu Zhenting’s generation decided to return to their roots in Dongjiang Province, founding the Lu Group. Their smooth return wouldn’t have happened without the protection and influence of their great-grandfather.

“What you see in front of you is the Lu family’s first ship. It has been preserved until now despite all the wind and rain. After all these years, many parts of the hull were damaged, but the cargo hold was built with the best materials—waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and reinforced—so that part remained intact. This ship was stored in the warehouse of the Lu Group and carefully preserved without the slightest damage. Due to its large size and fragility, many companies wouldn’t even consider moving something like this. But Lu Group could. They transported it to the venue of the Economic and Trade Fair and placed it at the Lu Group booth. It wasn’t damaged during the whole process, which far exceeded the industry safety standards by a wide margin.”

Instead of presenting their technological capabilities through complex data, Lu Group showcased this ship directly and openly, right in front of everyone.

Following this story and the image of the ship weathered by time, Lu Baiyu went on in the latter half of the presentation to introduce Lu Group’s business model and services—not only refusing to lower their prices but even raising rates on certain customized services, defying the industry’s trend.

The publicity strategy at that time was adjusted along with Lu Baiyu’s speech, reflecting the dignity of a century-old family legacy and fully demonstrating Lu Group’s technical advantages.

At the same time, the Lu family implemented the most comprehensive risk protection system in the industry, offering the highest level of compensation. Regarding the high-profile traffic accident widely reported in the news, Lu Baiyu didn’t shy away from addressing it publicly:

—Guaranteeing double compensation for customer losses, and the injured driver was also covered by Lu Group. The most expensive medical treatment was used to pull the person back from the brink of death.

To this day, the insurance system and treatment of Lu Group’s drivers and couriers remained the best in the industry.

Lu Baiyu wasn’t unwilling to spend money. The Lu family had plenty of it, but he preferred to spend it on areas like this.

“Even if knives are falling from the sky, we’ll still deliver the goods intact into the customer’s hands—this is the mission Lu Group insists on,” Lu Baiyu said. “We are willing to provide everyone with the safest and most secure service possible.”

On the same day, Dongjiang Local TV and CCTV broadcast his speech simultaneously, and the highest ratings came during his 20-minute presentation.

This introduction clip circulated on major platforms. Lu Group didn’t reduce prices, which showed they were high quality. It wasn’t just lip service—they were really efficient and had good service. If there was a loss, they really compensated, and payment was received quickly.

The price war—based on selling below cost—was never sustainable. It started with a bang and collapsed just as quickly. Discount courier services were soon criticized by consumers for rough handling and delayed deliveries, especially during the shopping festivals.

It was impossible for a company not to make money. Low prices meant cutting costs elsewhere. After several major accidents and negative public opinion, Suda gritted its teeth, was forced to pay huge compensations, burned through its cash flow, and the price war came to an end.

Soon after, all major courier companies could no longer sustain their lowered prices and gradually raised prices back up.

After Lu Group overcame difficulties, they built the original infrastructure, stabilized technology investment, and with spare capacity, chose to lower ordinary freight prices.

By then, everyone’s prices were similar, but Lu Group’s service network was more complete.

Through that fierce competition, Lu Group’s brand value only climbed higher—especially in the southern regions near Dongjiang, where they stood dominant.

When the price was the same or just slightly higher, many customers subconsciously thought “just choose Land Transport (Lu Yun),” assuming it had the best service quality. Even if others tried to imitate this route, they couldn’t imitate the essence.

This meant Land Transport (Lu Yun) held an absolute brand advantage with ordinary customers.

The result of the price war two years ago was beyond doubt. Lu Baiyu and Lu Group were the biggest winners—they weren’t the ones with the lowest price, but the ones with the best overall quality.

In addition to recognition for his solid service quality, Lu Baiyu’s image was undeniable.

He started charity work on behalf of the Lu family at sixteen. Even though there was no media coverage at first, by the time he gave that speech at twenty-four, the charity’s scale expanded yearly, with the Lu family spending a large amount of money on it every year.

The Lu family’s business had a long history. Since their ancestors, they attached great importance to reputation. After years of training and education, Lu Baiyu was cultivated. He obviously embodied the perfect image of an excellent heir and young entrepreneur. Not only did he stay consistent with the story he told, but all aspects could withstand scrutiny.

Yet as the spotlight focused on Lu Baiyu, as he stepped off the stage to thunderous applause, he kept thinking of the look in Jiang Tingzhou’s eyes.

Now, when he brought it up again and claimed he was already clear-minded back then, Jiang Tingzhou’s face showed no softness at all.

Lu Baiyu, trapped on the sofa, saw him smiling—but it was a bitter, mocking smile.

“Oh? So, young master Lu thinks I’m especially useful, right?” Jiang Tingzhou said. “And over these past two years, you found me even more useful—not just in that one flash of inspiration, but interesting in other ways too. So you picked a good time when I was easiest to get and made your move. That’s about right, isn’t it?”

Lu Baiyu really had a fever. When he came over, he was blowing cold air and his mind was a little confused, but he sobered up after hearing that sentence. His stunned moment gave Jiang Tingzhou an opportunity. After bending his knees, Jiang Tingzhou kicked him decisively.

Lu Baiyu couldn’t dodge in time and was kicked off the sofa. His back hit the coffee table and struck the wound.

The wound on his back was sharp and painful, probably bleeding, but Lu Baiyu had no time to worry about it. He suddenly became extremely afraid Jiang Tingzhou would leave.

It seemed that if he missed a moment, the person in front of him would disappear forever.

He turned and half-knelt on the sofa, holding Jiang Tingzhou.

Their positions changed. He could only look up into Jiang Tingzhou’s eyes, but he couldn’t find the light in his eyes anymore—only coldness.

“I really like you, Tingzhou,” Lu Baiyu said. “I’m not… saying this to deceive you.”

These were the words he truly wanted to say, but they felt weak—especially after what Jiang Tingzhou said next.

“If you think that’s true, then tell me—during that time when you were supposedly sincere, what was I doing? What was I thinking? Do you even remember?”

While Lu Baiyu was giving his speech at the expo, Jiang Tingzhou was unveiling his new dishes at Gongyan. Lu Baiyu kept his promise and attracted many rare guests for him.

One of the main dishes was Yongqing tofu. The plate was carefully arranged with a pine and cypress landscape, matched with a handmade stone bowl. It was beautiful, with a simple yet interesting flavor.

There was no need to explain the details of how the dish was made. The beans were carefully selected. Wild vegetables like those were rare. Jiang Tingzhou adjusted the sauce’s taste seven or eight times before settling on that flavor—a rare taste that fit the style of Gongyan.

“…That official who was once demoted served in Yongqing for three years, then earned the emperor’s favor again and rose to the highest rank,” Jiang Tingzhou had said softly while personally serving dishes to VIPs. “Tofu also symbolizes fortune and wealth. This Yongqing Tofu wishes you blessings like the evergreen pine and cypress—long-lasting and prosperous.”

Needless to say, that Yongqing tofu became very popular.

At that time, wild vegetables were hard to find. A plate of tofu sold for 3,000 yuan at the shop and was always in short supply. VIP guests had to reserve in advance. Many peers tried to copy it, but no one could replicate Jiang Tingzhou’s flavor.

From that day, the old Gongyan shop’s mediocre business started to improve, and people began lining up.

There were many regular guests at Gongyan, and Jiang Tingzhou held more than one tasting event. It lasted for over a week, inviting different guests and preparing many dishes.

Lu Baiyu said he would come back for the last tasting but never showed up.

He was the guest Jiang Tingzhou expected most, but the seat remained empty until the end.

Young master Lu was too busy with many matters. No one really expected him to come to such a small tasting event. The economic and trade conference was the focus of everyone’s attention—how could he find the time?

He was busy at the conference for half a month before returning and had no time to care for Yongqing. When he came back, he only learned that Jiang Tingzhou had achieved great success during that same period.

“Young Master Lu, when you think back, do you feel sorry for making me wait for you? You think I felt terribly wronged back then, right?” Jiang Tingzhou said. “You’re thinking the same now as you did two years ago.”

Lu Baiyu felt guilty for missing the event and gave Jiang Tingzhou many expensive gifts to make up for it—clothes, watches, even two luxury cars parked at the Brilliant Star garage. Later, when Lu Baiyu started Zhouyu Express, he asked Jiang Tingzhou to choose the logo. Jiang Tingzhou received a sizable number of founding shares, and their relationship deepened afterward.

But Jiang Tingzhou returned all those gifts and compensations when he left—not taking a single thing.

“It wasn’t what you imagined. I didn’t feel wronged back then, nor did I need any compensation.”

That dish of Yongqing tofu sold for 3,000 yuan—already very expensive. He was a young and successful chef, but his achievements seemed insignificant compared to the hundreds of billions in business scale of Lu Group. He didn’t need to understand the industry details like those who studied Lu Yu’s speech.

He and Lu Baiyu were in different positions. Even if they shared similar ideas, their achievements were incomparable.

Just like back in high school—he gave his side of the story, but everyone only listened to Lu Baiyu.

The gap between them was too big, and Jiang Tingzhou understood this well.

Jiang Tingzhou said, “At the time, I thought that I must keep rising—until there’s no empty chair in front of me ever again.”

Everyone, including his favorite Lu Baiyu, had to take him seriously. Everything Jiang wanted—he would earn with his own hands.

That was always his most steadfast goal.

And in his past life, he really achieved it.

Whether as a chef or as the head of Jiang Group, he succeeded. He could say he climbed to the top of the mountain he wanted to conquer, even if the view from the top wasn’t as beautiful as he imagined.

Lu Baiyu kept looking at him, feeling that Jiang Tingzhou’s eyes were as cold as a knife.

Then Jiang Tingzhou continued, “So don’t bother saying these things. Young master Lu, you’ve always stood above others. You don’t know how to love anyone. You and Lu Jiahe are blood brothers. What I said to him applies to you too: recognize it as soon as possible—we’re not suitable. I didn’t want to fight with you tonight, and I don’t want to bother the neighbors. Please leave now.”

“Tingzhou, I didn’t do things well before, but I can change,” Lu Baiyu refused to give up. “You’re the most special person to me, I really like you, I used to…”

When he said this, Jiang Tingzhou, who was calm before, finally lost patience and got angry. He no longer wanted to talk. He raised his hand and slapped him.

“Young master Lu, if you truly care and cherish what we had, you shouldn’t come here looking for me again.”

Just like in the previous life, never seeing each other again was the best ending for them.

Jiang Tingzhou took two deep breaths and calmed himself. He said only two words: “Get out.”

Lu Baiyu refused to let go and wanted to say more, but his phone rang. He couldn’t ignore it; it kept ringing.

How could he care about anything else at this moment? Jiang Tingzhou was in no good state. Even if there was a major job, it had to wait.

But Jiang Tingzhou said, “Answer it.” He added, “Your brother Lu Jiahe is in trouble. If you don’t handle it immediately, it will only get worse. Don’t waste time with me.”

Hearing this, Lu Baiyu still didn’t answer, holding onto Jiang Tingzhou tightly. But he felt strange that Jiang Tingzhou said this as if he had anticipated everything.

“Sponsorship for ‘A Bite of China’ isn’t easy to get. Your car accident was a warning,” Jiang Tingzhou said. “If the sponsorship is a small issue, then the old grudge your rival’s holding is much bigger. Young master Lu, wouldn’t you agree? I’m not who you think I am. If I’m upset, I will retaliate.”

Lu Baiyu wanted to speak, but Jiang Tingzhou pushed him away, stood up, looked down, and said, “You’ve never understood me. So how can you talk about sincerely loving me?”

At that moment, An Xiaoping, who heard the voices, woke and walked over from the yard.

“Brother,” he saw the tense scene and hurried over, “Are you okay? Young master Lu, what are you doing here?”

Jiang Tingzhou looked fine; his pajamas were neat. But Lu Baiyu didn’t look well at all.