What?
They even called the company?
Xu Yanxia found it unbelievable and quickly asked Lu Jingming, "What do they mean by that? Is it a provocation or a threat?"
Her husband, who was still in the car wearing a business suit, replied, "Pretty much the same thing. The marketing department reported that if we don't delete the video, they will take corresponding measures against us."
"Are they crazy!"
Xu Yanxia couldn't help but let out an uncivilized remark, and then took the opportunity to explain to Lu Jingming, "To be honest, I didn't even plan to record that video at first. The food just tasted off, so I wanted my grandpa and my teammates to analyze it. But the manager of their restaurant insisted that we were engaging in malicious competition and trying to smear them."
"I was so angry that I asked Ye Shu to record a review video right in front of them. I was actually quite merciful with my words, because every single dish of theirs had fatal flaws. The skin of the dry-braised yellow croaker wasn't crispy enough, and they actually put vinegar in a perfectly good dish of braised beef strips. Covered by the sourness, the aroma of the meat was completely lost. I seriously suspect the chef lost his mind and poured the finishing vinegar meant for the Nine-Turn Large Intestine onto this plate instead."
She scoffed and continued, "Honestly, until just now, I had no intention of posting that video at all. I just thought since they disgusted me, I'd disgust them back a little. I can't believe they actually called the marketing department! How many shady things have they done to be this guilty and paranoid?"
"Exactly,"
Lu Jingming smiled as well and said, "Given your personality, it's impossible for you to go looking for trouble at their door. That's why I found it strange and wanted to ask you about it right away."
He then asked her seriously, "The main thing is, how are you guys? Did they bully you? Are Grandpa and Grandma doing okay emotionally?"
"I wouldn't call it bullying,"
Xu Yanxia said, "I'm just a bit angry. Such a big restaurant markets itself so well online and keeps claiming to be an industry benchmark, yet their food is so outrageously bad. It's not the money I spent on the meal that I care about; I feel bad for the reputation of Shandong cuisine."
"Many customers from out of town probably learn about Shandong cuisine through them. After tasting food of this standard, what kind of impression will they have of this culinary style? I come from a family rooted in Shandong cuisine after all, so I really couldn't stand it."
"My grandpa is probably even more heartbroken. After all, that's where he used to work. But since there were other people around tonight, he didn't say anything."
Lu Jingming nodded. "I can imagine how Grandpa feels. Being offended by a bunch of ignorant youngsters in a place where he used to work—any normal person would be angry."
He then told her, "Send me today's video, and I'll have the company handle it. They bullied my wife and elders like this; we can't let them off easily."
"Okay,"
Xu Yanxia nodded. "I'll have Shushu send it to you in a bit. But we still shouldn't let our guard down. This company is quite good at marketing, and they might do something completely without a bottom line."
Lu Jingming chuckled. "They are the ones who need to be careful. After all, the biggest taboo in marketing is departing from the truth. Otherwise, when it backfires, it will be very ugly."
"That's true,"
Xu Yanxia analyzed the situation with her husband, "I think the reason they had such a huge reaction is probably because their business isn't actually that good."
Lu Jingming asked, "How so?"
She explained, "During a prime time like tonight, and in such a prime location in Jingbei, private rooms in truly profitable restaurants have to be booked at least a few days in advance. Like our Jiushan, for example."
"But I only thought of trying to book it this morning, and I didn't expect it to be so easy. I figure they are probably just like the old Jiushan right now—the food is terrible, leading to fewer and fewer returning customers, so they can only rely on aggressive marketing to draw in new ones."
"Makes sense."
Lu Jingming nodded, then sneered, "With that kind of capability, they still dare to mess with us? Did they get their heads slammed in a door?"
Xu Yanxia was amused by him and casually mentioned, "Listening to what their manager meant tonight, it seems they are also thinking about cooperating with Meyer? I'm guessing they caught wind of our upcoming partnership with Meyer and decided to treat us as their imaginary enemy."
"It would be a miracle if Meyer chose them,"
Lu Jingming smiled again and told her, "I get the picture now. They're just an empty shell with a false reputation; they won't withstand a single blow. Leave this matter to me to handle, and you just focus on your competition. No matter what, I have to get justice for you and Grandpa."
"Mhm,"
Xu Yanxia nodded and thanked him.
Who knew he would immediately raise an eyebrow at the camera. "Being so polite with your own husband? We've only been apart a few days and you're already acting like a stranger?"
"What are you talking about,"
Xu Yanxia laughed. Seeing the background on the screen change from the car to the Lu family's courtyard, she asked him, "Did you just finish working overtime at the company? You didn't drive yourself today?"
"I had a dinner gathering tonight and drank some alcohol, so I asked Uncle Li to pick me up."
As Lu Jingming spoke, he had already entered the living room. After greeting Aunt Zhang, who was waiting for him, he went straight upstairs back to his room.
Seeing that there were no other people around him, Xu Yanxia spoke to him again, "Although socializing is important, you should still try to drink less. Alcohol is really bad for your health."
"I know."
Lu Jingming smiled warmly at her. "I only drank a little bit, don't worry. I also make time to go to the gym every day now, getting ready to see you."
Getting ready to see her?
Xu Yanxia's face instantly turned red, and she said to him, "What are you talking about?"
"What did I say?"
He played dumb on purpose to tease her, saying, "I just want to train myself to be a bit stronger, so that when I see you, I can pick you up easily. What did you think I was talking about?"
"...You're so annoying,"
Xu Yanxia pretended she was going to hang up the video call. "I'm not talking to you anymore."
Only then did he quickly beg for mercy, smiling as he said, "Baby, don't hang up. I'm wrong, okay? I haven't even said the most important thing yet."
Xu Yanxia asked him again, "What other important thing is there?"
Who knew he would say, "I miss you."
"I really miss you."
Especially when night falls and I'm riding in the car through the city, I really just want to go back to that little house with you in it, hold you, watch a movie together, and enjoy our private world.
Xu Yanxia paused and said, "I miss you too."
She then reminded him, "Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables tomorrow, it helps protect the liver."
"Noted."
He smiled and waved at her. "Go to sleep early, and do well in your competition tomorrow."
"Mhm, goodnight."
Xu Yanxia also waved at him through the phone and ended the video call.
...
The night passed.
Early the next morning, as soon as Xu Yanxia woke up, she saw a message from Ye Shu—
[Xiaxia, let me know when you're up. I have something to tell you.]
It wasn't even seven o'clock yet, and it was still dark outside. For Ye Shu to look for her this early, it must be something important.
Xu Yanxia's first reaction was that it must have something to do with Decui Restaurant from last night.
She quickly replied to Ye Shu's message. Less than a minute later, Ye Shu came over to see her.
"Good news, babe! Decui Restaurant completely crashed and burned by their own doing!"
Ye Shu held up her phone to show her. Right there, prominently displayed on the trending search list of a news app, was the name Decui Restaurant.
