The Reviled God of Cooking Tries to Slack Off - Chapter 71

Lu Baiyu also raised his glass.

He knew Cheng Shifei’s camera was still recording, so he had been holding back. But when the Yongqing Tofu was served, a wave of emotions rose within him. Seeing Jiang Tingzhou’s gestures, he could no longer suppress his gaze and simply stared at his beloved in silence.

Their relationship had shifted because of Yongqing Tofu—once it had moved him, and later, it had marked their parting.

Jiang Tingzhou hadn’t understood what that dish truly meant when it was criticized. Lu Baiyu hadn’t grasped the problem between them either. 

But now, Jiang Tingzhou understood.

And Lu Baiyu, too, had taken the wrong path—but now he understood as well.

He saw some of the comments in the livestream chat and could naturally sense Jiang Tingzhou’s current attitude —Jiang Tingzhou wasn’t pushing him away on purpose, and he still spoke to him. But he treated him no differently than anyone else. 

In his livestream room, even if Lu Baiyu wanted to spend money, he could only send ten-yuan gifts, just another face in the crowd.

He might get a response eventually, or maybe not. But even so, after the setback, Lu Baiyu had absolutely no intention of giving up.

He watched as Jiang Tingzhou walked past him, humbly asking others for advice. Soon, he was able to make excellent taro strips. Chef Wu praised him the first time they met, and when the dish was applauded at the banquet, Jiang Tingzhou raised his glass to thank everyone. The entire atmosphere of the banquet hit its peak.

Who wouldn’t want to be a little happy?

With such good luck and such a good dish, tonight was complete. Everyone at the table came from different backgrounds and generations, brought together by the filming of A Bite of China. They all smiled and offered each other well-wishes: “Smooth sailing and may lucky stars shine upon you.”

In this warm atmosphere, Jiang Tingzhou stood in the center, as if he were the core of it all. He usually didn’t drink, but tonight, he couldn’t resist. His face was slightly flushed, and the light shimmered in his eyes, making them shine even brighter.

Lu Baiyu was grateful that the camera was on to capture this moment—even if it no longer belonged to him alone.

Just seeing Jiang Tingzhou like this, he couldn’t help falling for him again. The more he looked, the more he loved. 

How could he give up just because there was little hope?

Jiang Tingzhou was busy at the banquet and didn’t notice Lu Baiyu’s gaze, nor did he care what he was thinking. Many people approached to compliment his dishes. Cheng Shifei chatted with him at length, reluctant to leave. Even Wen Qi, who had attended the banquet, smiled and found himself reevaluating Jiang Tingzhou—and the sugar factory project—more positively. He came over to chat for a bit too.

But the person who spoke the most with him was Chef Wu.

Even after the banquet ended and guests began to leave, Jiang Tingzhou was still talking with him.

Chef Wu had only come out on business because Lu Group had asked him several times. After tasting the first dish, he and Jiang Tingzhou hit it off.

“You’re really talented,” he said. “I’ve heard of your skills before, but I thought people were exaggerating. Turns out they were being modest. Master Chef Wang is lucky to have an apprentice like you.”

Chef Wu was of the same generation as Master Chef Wang, though not as renowned.

Jiang Tingzhou showed great respect: “Your cooking skills are also remarkable. The Wu family’s culinary school has several famous specialties. It’s a pity you have to head home early. Otherwise, I’d have kept you around for a few days.”

Beyond seeking his advice, Jiang Tingzhou had other plans in mind.

His fans, seeing the golden, sweet-smelling taro crisps, were craving them—hoping he would keep Chef Wu around. The livestream comments were blunt and aggressive like online bandits, which startled Chef Wu. But to Jiang Tingzhou, this was just a sign of how much people cared.

Candied taro crisps could be preserved. Even when cold, Jiang Tingzhou found them delicious after a taste.

He thought the dish could be packaged and launched—not just the taro strips, but also the lotus taro towers, perhaps in a canned format.

He found them delicious and wanted his fans to try them too.

Although Chef Wu had to return home, he wasn’t the only one capable of making that style of taro strip. 

Jiang Tingzhou casually probed, “You have many apprentices at home, right?”

“Yeah, more than a dozen. But they all have different talents,” Chef Wu replied. “None are as versatile or quick to learn as you.”

Jiang Tingzhou, having trained under Master Chef Wang, knew how selective apprenticeship could be. Not everyone could make it to the end. Some apprentices would be eliminated.

Looking at Chef Wu, who nodded in agreement, Jiang Tingzhou added, “Those who were eliminated—could they still make a decent taro strip dish?”

“Of course. That’s a basic entry-level dish. If you can’t even make that, you won’t pass the gate.”

As for the lotus taro tower, with the right ingredients, even an amateur could make it.

But being a chef meant far more than mastering a few desserts. The future held more complex dishes, and it was easy to fall behind.

Chef Wu sighed. Many of the eliminated apprentices had worked hard, but cooking also required talent. 

Jiang Tingzhou understood that struggle deeply.

“Chef Wu, I actually have an idea,” Jiang Tingzhou said. “They may not suit your kitchen, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t suit mine. In my sugar factory, they don’t need to master countless dishes—just one category. So I’m thinking: if your former apprentices can make taro desserts, why not invite them to work for me? It’s still a factory, but the treatment is good. perform well, they could even receive bonuses.”

Chef Wu was surprised. “Really?”

Top chefs wouldn’t normally go into factory work. But many ordinary chefs weren’t making great money. And in Jiang Tingzhou’s factory, they weren’t just workers—they’d be senior consultants.

Jiang Tingzhou nodded. “Of course it’s true.”

He even showed a screenshot of his payroll to prove it. Some of his dessert chefs earned more than the average apprentice from Chef Wu’s school.

Yongqing was a prosperous city with high wages. The sugar factory had launched successful bread, Black Sugar, and sandwich product lines, signed supermarket supply contracts, and made significant profits. Jiang Tingzhou wasn’t stingy—he paid skilled chefs well.

“In that case, I’ll tell them when I return,” Chef Wu said seriously. “I still have their contact info. I think they’ll be willing. Many chefs are struggling right now. A stable, well-paying job would be a blessing.”

As long as they could make solid taro desserts, they could earn a decent living. It was a new and unexpected opportunity.

Wen Qi, sitting nearby and slightly tipsy, hadn’t expected this turn. He thought Jiang Tingzhou and Chef Wu were just exchanging chef stories—but here was Jiang Tingzhou thinking about the sugar factory, even extending generous offers to chefs once deemed “failures.”

It was already late. Chef Wu excused himself to rest, promising to reply the next day. 

After seeing him out, Wen Qi walked with Jiang Tingzhou, continuing the conversation.

“No wonder your fanbase is growing so fast,” Wen Qi said, checking his profile. After the last livestream, his followers were nearing two million. “You actually respond to their requests. If I were a fan, I’d follow you too.”

Given the pace, within ten days or half a month, Jiang Tingzhou could launch those candied taro crisps products—better quality than what’s on the market, and likely cheaper too.

“They should be able to,” Jiang Tingzhou said, smiling. “We can’t mass-produce Yongqing tofu, but some products are still doable.”

When they reached the parking lot, Wen Qi continued chatting with him about the sugar factory. His driver arrived, so he gave Jiang Tingzhou a ride and kept the conversation going on the way.

Meanwhile, the Lu family’s car was still parked nearby.

Jiang Tingzhou knew the driver but declined the ride. The driver didn’t insist—just politely wished him well.

Wen Qi noticed as they drove off: the Lu family car didn’t leave but followed at a short distance, ready in case Jiang Tingzhou needed it.

Tsk, Wen Qi thought, I’ve never seen Lu Baiyu so careful.

He knew Lu Baiyu cared about Jiang Tingzhou, but this was unexpected.

Where was Lu Baiyu, anyway?

He had stayed nearby while Jiang Tingzhou talked with Chef Wu but disappeared ten minutes ago. Given his involvement tonight, it seemed unlikely he would just leave.

Jiang Tingzhou noticed the car trailing behind but didn’t wonder where Lu Baiyu had gone. He didn’t care.

They didn’t know that at that very moment, Lu Baiyu was still in the restaurant parking lot, hiding in a corner.

He had come out to handle an important matter—and he had deliberately avoided being seen.

The Jiang family had shown up.

No one knew how they found out, but they had come tonight, sneaking around the house. If it had been just Jiang Yisheng, Lu Baiyu would’ve had him thrown out. Jiang Tingzhou wouldn’t have been disturbed at all. But this time, Jiang Moli had come too.

Lu Baiyu knew Jiang Tingzhou’s feelings toward his mother were complicated—unlike the disgust he felt for Jiang Yisheng.

Especially now that Jiang Moli was in poor health, she had much to say. But she was intercepted by Lu family staff before reaching the door.

Still, she refused to leave.

The Lu family couldn’t use force. 

Seeing this, Jiang Yisheng grew bold and insisted on seeing Jiang Tingzhou to “clear things up.”

Previously, Jiang You had brought Vice President Chen to Jiang Tingzhou’s house and made a scene—only to be caught by Lu Baiyu. After being warned, the Jiang family had quieted down for a while. But with Jiang You gone, Jiang Tingzhou remained their last hope.

Now, they couldn’t wait any longer.

The two refused to leave, even after being escorted away. Jiang Moli’s health meant they couldn’t be rough with her. 

Jiang Yisheng grew angry and yelled: “Let Jiang Tingzhou come out! I’m his father! Isn’t this a livestream? Let his fans see what his real parents are like!”

But the moment Lu Baiyu appeared, Jiang Yisheng fell silent.

Jiang Moli still raised her head and said, “I want to see him.”

Lu Baiyu looked at her and politely said, “Aunt Jiang,” but his tone didn’t soften. “If Tingzhou still wants to see you, I won’t stand in the way. But Aunt Jiang, after that situation with A Bite of China, you went to see him that very night. Tingzhou made it clear—he won’t go back. He’s done all he can for the Jiang family.

Today had been such a good day—he wouldn’t let the Jiang family ruin Jiang Tingzhou’s mood.

Jiang Moli trembled. “No matter what, I’m still his mother. There are many misunderstandings between us. Mr. Lu, what right do you have to stop me?”

Lu Baiyu’s expression didn’t change.  “I just don’t want to see him unhappy. Aunt Jiang, if he truly wants to speak with you, I don’t need to stop you—you can call him anytime. Besides, the fact that you came here tonight—you know in your heart what the Jiang family is here for.”