The Reviled God of Cooking Tries to Slack Off - Chapter 82

Jiang Tingzhou was basking in the sun outside today. After hearing what Lu Baiyu had to say, he narrowed his eyes in thought for a while. He didn’t agree immediately.

“But Young Master Lu may have found the wrong person. The sugar factory already has stable suppliers—we’re not lacking any at the moment.”

“That may be the case now, but there will be a shortage later. And besides, Lu Group has a price advantage, and the sugar factory will have more to offer than just its current products.”

Since Lu Baiyu was already standing there, he had naturally come prepared.

“I brought samples. Tingzhou, can we talk?”

He had overheard what Jiang Yifeng told the Jiang family back then and had witnessed firsthand how quickly the sugar factory introduced new products. Those words at the hospital weren’t just for others to hear—they were also for himself.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tingzhou sat up slightly, somewhat curious about what Lu Baiyu had brought. Since he had the time, he nodded.

Lu Baiyu had visited this courtyard many times before, but this was the first time he came in without Jiang Tingzhou’s explicit permission.

Although Jiang Tingzhou was now running the sugar factory, he hadn’t neglected his vegetable garden. The courtyard was mostly planted by now, lush and green. Recently, he had added a peach tree and a plum tree. Underneath them were parasols and bamboo chairs. Neighbors still came by to sit around, giving the space a relaxed atmosphere.

Lu Baiyu noticed all these changes, but didn’t show it on his face.

After sitting across from Jiang Tingzhou, the first thing he did was touch the glass of milk on the table and say, “It’s already cold. Don’t drink it.”

Though Jiang Tingzhou only had a mild cold, he hadn’t fully recovered yet and needed to take care of himself. Lu Baiyu had brought him something warm.

Jiang Tingzhou was already familiar with this thermos. The Lu family had sent the same one before—for hangover soup, ginger tea, and now this.

As soon as Lu Baiyu opened the lid, the rich aroma of chocolate greeted him.

“Hot cocoa?” Jiang Tingzhou asked.

Lu Baiyu handed it over and nodded.

The chocolate’s aroma was incredibly pure. Even with a cold, one could still appreciate its richness. The temperature was just right.

Jiang Tingzhou took a sip. The chocolate was smooth, the cocoa flavor melting in his mouth. It was a perfectly made hot cocoa milk—far better than the regular milk he had been drinking.

The taste reminded him of his favorite brand, Simu. But Simu no longer made beverages; they had shifted focus to chocolate. That made it all the more special while still preserving the flavor.

“They didn’t make drinks before, but they can collaborate with the sugar factory now,” Lu Baiyu explained. “The raw material used really is from Simu.”

The quality of their handmade chocolate was impeccable. Otherwise, Jiang Tingzhou wouldn’t have gone out of his way to buy it. Simu selected cocoa beans directly from the source and even had its own farm. Though a niche brand, its craftsmanship was top-notch.

“Simu’s prices are high, and its appeal is limited,” Lu Baiyu said. “But the domestic high-end chocolate market is still wide open. It’s worth trying. The sugar factory recently launched a peanut milk drink line, which is doing very well. With good brand-building—if we can make Simu’s name known—business will only improve.”

The message was clear.

The sugar factory was already exploring collaborations—like with their cookie line—so why not branch out further?

The factory had its own advantages: a complete production line, experience in mass production, an established brand, strong sales, and consumer trust.

If it teamed up with Simu to produce boxed chocolate milk, it could lower the cost while maintaining quality. The sugar factory’s pricing strategy was never just about being “cheap”—it was about value for money.

As for Simu, anyone who had actually tasted it knew why it was expensive. It wasn’t just marketing—it was real quality. A collaboration like this would be a win-win.

But Jiang Tingzhou said, “This doesn’t seem to have much to do with the Lu family.”

“It does,” Lu Baiyu replied. “Lu Group invested in Simu, bought half the shares, and took over domestic operations. You know how Lu Group’s investments go. They’re not insignificant.”

Large corporations often diversify. Years ago, Lu Group even invested in the Qin family’s film projects for marketing purposes. Jiang Tingzhou was aware of that. What he didn’t know was that Lu Baiyu had sent someone to negotiate this acquisition the very day he had dinner with Wen Qi.

Still, he could guess that Lu Baiyu’s sudden involvement with Simu had something to do with him. And as he finished a cup of steaming hot cocoa, he had to admit: this was a viable opportunity.

The quality of the chocolate spoke for itself.

From his perspective, if Simu could supply ingredients, they could be used in more than just beverages. Chocolate was key in products like cookies and candies. At the moment, he even had some mille-feuille by his side, and the sugar factory’s shops had just started selling doughnuts and croissants.

He had tried them—the baking was fine—but the chocolate glaze could use improvement. If they’d used Simu, he would have held them to a much higher standard.

Lu Baiyu knew Jiang Tingzhou was meticulous about food quality. This was an offer he wouldn’t easily turn down.

And he hadn’t brought just this. He handed Jiang Tingzhou a handful of fresh sunflower seeds to try.

They were bigger than those sold in the market, sliced into thin, crispy pieces with a rich flavor. A delicious snack.

Jiang Tingzhou thought the recipe needed refining, but the raw material was excellent.

“The best edible sunflower plantation in the country has partnered with Lu Group,” Lu Baiyu said. “The road to that site was just built this year. The fields are vast—producing not just seeds, but high-quality sunflower oil.”

He glanced unconsciously at the sunflowers Wen Qi had given Jiang Tingzhou.

Lu Baiyu had looked into it just to find something Jiang Tingzhou would like—and to one-up Wen Qi. A few flowers or some limited-edition chocolates couldn’t compare to owning an entire brand and plantation.

If he wanted to give Jiang Tingzhou something, he had to give the best.

But once the deal was sealed, he found the business potential even more compelling.

He was persuasive in business. And what he brought today wasn’t just about chocolate and sunflower seeds.

Lu Group’s plans didn’t stop at transportation. In his past life, he’d launched the “Lu Group Select” app—cutting out middlemen and profiting from source to consumer.

Jiang Tingzhou had worked on this app in his past life, so he understood the advantage better than anyone.

Even if Lu Baiyu hadn’t remembered their past life, Lu Group’s strategy wouldn’t have changed.

“That’s all great,” Jiang Tingzhou said with a nod. “But this is a partnership. Right now, I don’t think I can offer anything to the Lu family. The sugar factory’s supply isn’t large enough to warrant Young Master Lu personally negotiating with me. Lu Group’s regular clientele is already more than enough.”

Lu Group’s scale dwarfed the sugar factory’s. Jiang Tingzhou knew his place. Even if they did collaborate, it didn’t have to be through Lu Baiyu directly. There was no need to negotiate with someone of his rank.

Things like the A Bite of China case were an exception—not something that would happen every day.

But Lu Baiyu shook his head.

“Tingzhou, A Bite of China isn’t a one-time deal. Your sugar factory’s crispy pastries are already on the radar. Many of your products have a short shelf life to preserve freshness. I’d like to propose exclusive land transportation services, rather than letting it go to competing express couriers,” Lu Baiyu said. “Also—aren’t you planning to join the association?”

The sugar factory already had its foot in the door. It was only a matter of time. The influential Dongjiang Food and Beverage Association couldn’t interfere with a business directly, but it could guide. Each company’s supply and transportation deals were massive. In the long run, transportation was no less crucial than food production itself.

“Lu Group has been in talks with the association,” Lu Baiyu continued. “But the current provincial president, Liu Ping, has his own ideas. His relationship with Lu Group is just average. He’s getting older, though, and I’ve heard he’s thinking about retirement. Tingzhou, I don’t think you’re aiming for just a Yongqing council seat. If the collaboration is at that level, then I should personally handle the negotiations.”

Jiang Tingzhou was stunned for a moment.

The sugar factory might be thriving, but the association was made up of long-established giants. The Jiang Group was just one of a dozen members in the Yongqing branch. Even Jiang Yisheng wouldn’t dream of being its president.

As for Liu Ping—the provincial president—he had made his fortune in bottled water. His brand was a household name, and his wealth rivaled the entire Lu Group itself. It wasn’t surprising Lu Group struggled to stay connected with him.

Jiang Tingzhou also knew the association was looking for a new president. Liu Ping’s heir had gone off to pursue their own dreams, and the company was now managed by professional managers. Without a clear successor, the presidency wouldn’t easily stay in the Liu family. They truly were looking for a new leader.

Even so, Jiang Tingzhou had never imagined himself in that role.

After a moment of silence, he curled his lips and smiled. “Young Mr. Lu really thinks highly of me.”

In his previous life, he took over the Jiang family and climbed to the position of Vice President of Jiang Corporation in just a few years—an extraordinary achievement.

“I mean it,” Lu Baiyu said. “Tingzhou, you might as well go for it. You’ve come this far. Why not give it a try?”

As he said that, he gently pushed the cup toward Jiang Tingzhou.

It was freshly poured hot cocoa. He knew Jiang Tingzhou would like it, so he brought plenty—enough to last the whole day.

Lu Baiyu had been nervous at the start. He wasn’t sure if this approach would push Jiang Tingzhou further away. But now, he was confident.

This was something Jiang Tingzhou genuinely cared about. He was seriously considering it. Though he didn’t give an immediate answer, he told Lu Baiyu, “I understand. I’ll consider it.”

For Jiang Tingzhou, anything that would benefit him and the sugar factory was worth thinking about.

That one sentence was enough.

Lu Baiyu didn’t linger. After that, he turned to leave.

But just as he reached the door, he looked back.

In the backlight, he couldn’t make out Jiang Tingzhou’s expression clearly. He only saw the sunlight falling across his figure, casting a warm glow over him. The sun really was shining brightly today—and Lu Baiyu felt a warmth in his chest that he hadn’t felt in a long time.