That is right. Although there were three spots for the finals and currently four groups competing, the one who claimed to be the descendant of an imperial chef and only knew how to brag did not actually have such great culinary skills.
If this Best Actor Yao could prepare well, he might actually kick Jin Jiexiang out.
Of course, she also admired this Best Actor Yao for actually having the delusion that their Xiaxia would withdraw and leave the spot for him?
What a wild imagination!
...
Xu Yanxia, however, politely added, "Regardless, I am still very grateful to you for telling me so much in advance, but it is impossible for me to withdraw from the competition. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
And that Best Actor Yao surprisingly was not discouraged at all. He immediately said, "Of course. If Miss Xu is not interested in the film and television industry, I wonder if you are interested in film and television investment?"
"The project I just mentioned to you is really excellent, and the story happens to take place over in Rong City. If you are willing to invest, we can help promote your brand in all aspects within the film."
"You should know that this time, besides a gold-tier production crew, we have also invited many top-traffic stars. Their fan appeal is incredibly strong. When the time comes, besides box office returns, you will definitely experience fantastic brand promotion effects."
Ye Shu, "..."
Well then, this guy truly lived up to coming from the entertainment circle. He came fully prepared to make a profit no matter which path he took, absolutely refusing to take a loss!
Xu Yanxia also provided him with enough emotional value, immediately nodding and saying, "Hearing you say this, it does sound quite good. How about this: you leave me your contact information, and ideally give me a project proposal. I will forward it to the head of our company's investment department. As long as their comprehensive evaluation passes, I would be very happy to invest."
"No problem."
Best Actor Yao also immediately took out his phone and added her on WeChat.
The two sides chatted briefly for a few more sentences, and then Xu Yanxia left with Ye Shu.
Behind them, once the private room door closed, the assistant quietly said to Yao Yi'an, "They look quite confident. They might really not lose to Decui Restaurant."
"Who cares," Yao Yi'an smiled and said. "Anyway, as long as we let the news out, it is fine. The more chaotic the situation gets next, the better it is for us."
—Regardless, this clash of the titans was inevitable, and as a layman, he was bound to lose.
But even if he lost, he had to lose with some value.
As far as he knew, that Jin Jiexiang was very likely going to cling to Decui Restaurant's coattails. As for him, being able to cling to the Lu family's coattails was not bad either!
After all, they had money.
...
After leaving the cafe, the two of them returned to their hotel room.
Ye Shu had been holding it in the whole way. Now, taking advantage of the fact that there were no unrelated people around, she immediately said to Xu Yanxia, "Actually, what that guy surnamed Yao said just now was not completely unreasonable. For Yayan to make such a grand move this time, they must be crazy to win. Is that executive chef from Decui Restaurant really that formidable?"
Xu Yanxia just smiled and said, "It is best if they are formidable. I also want to see their true skills."
In a competition, it only feels right when you meet your match.
Ye Shu, however, reminded her, "The problem is, since they want to win so badly this time, they will definitely arrange a professional team. But in our group, you are the only one with a background in Shandong cuisine, and the other team members are still so young. Will we be at a bit of a disadvantage?"
"Should we also prepare a backup plan? We cannot just watch them pull shady tricks and suffer a loss for nothing, right?"
"That is right," Xu Yanxia nodded and said. "Decui Restaurant will definitely choose its core strength. In comparison, our team members are indeed younger, but everyone has their own strengths."
For example, Xiaoman has excellent knife skills, Xiaoxian's pastries are beyond reproach, Suisui's heat control and seasoning are flawless, and Sister Gao's noodle dishes are not something ordinary people can compare with.
Of course, what Ye Shu said was not without reason.
If Yayan could act like this, and the production team could be so shameless, then they could do the same!
She just wanted to compete fair and square; she did not come here to be bullied for nothing.
She took out her phone and said, "I will make a few calls. Could you please help me gather everyone? We will have a meeting in a bit."
"Alright." Ye Shu immediately went out.
Xu Yanxia also unlocked her phone screen and started looking for people on WeChat.
A while later, after she finished her calls and went to Ye Shu's room, her friends already knew about Decui Restaurant coming to challenge them and were indignantly voicing their opinions—
"With their level, where do they get their confidence? Do they think they have not embarrassed themselves enough online, and insist on embarrassing themselves again on the show???"
"Yeah, they even changed the judges! Isn't the production team just being shamelessly greedy for money? This is too much!"
"Exactly, we are already at the final stages and they are still pulling these insider tricks? They might as well just hand the championship directly to them!"
...
Amidst the indignation, Xu Yanxia calmly spoke up, "Everyone, do not worry. Although they did use some tactics to force their way in, and this production team indeed lacks principles, we are not without backing either."
"In short, what they have, we might also have, but what we have, they might not. Right now, if they want to keep it dignified, we will compete with them with dignity. If they do not want to be dignified, we can play along with them."
As her voice fell, her phone vibrated again.
She tapped it open to look at the newly received message, then told everyone, "It has been confirmed that we can compete normally this afternoon. Moreover, I have also gotten hold of Decui Restaurant's menu for this round. Knowing ourselves and our enemy will give us more certainty."
"Captain is awesome!"
The friends filling the room gave her a thumbs up. "Exactly, who is afraid of whom! Let us just fight them and be done with it!"
"That is right!"
...
After Xu Yanxia and her teammates intensely concluded their pre-match meeting, at noon, they indeed received the recording notice from the production team.
Everyone quickly ate lunch and went to get their hair and makeup done. By the time they arrived at the studio, the people from Decui Restaurant were already there.
Just as Best Actor Yao had told Xu Yanxia, the other side had sent out their restaurant's executive chef, Zhao Yanting. He was in his forties, slightly plump, looking like a typical northern chef. He also brought three assistants, all in their thirties, who were clearly the core strength of their restaurant at first glance.
And that fake imperial chef, Jin Jiexiang, was also leading his team members to exchange pleasantries with them, looking very enthusiastic.
Ye Shu quietly muttered to Xu Yanxia, "Is this guy surnamed Jin clinging to their coattails, chatting so happily? People who did not know better would think they were in the same group!"
Xu Yanxia smiled and said, "He might really be clinging to their coattails. Do you see the older man next to Zhao Yanting? That is the new professional judge Yao Yi'an mentioned this morning."
"Oh, the one from the same sect as his master?"
Ye Shu said, "Speaking of which, then they can be considered from the same sect as you too! After all, their grandmaster was also Grandpa Xu's master."
That is right.
Xu Yanxia nodded.
Just as she finished speaking, she saw Jin Jiexiang point in her direction, and then he led those people walking towards her.
"Director Xu,"
Jin Jiexiang smiled at her hypocritically, "Since you are a newcomer, you might not be familiar with everyone yet. Let me introduce them to you. These two are our challenger guests for today, Chef Zhao Yanting from Decui Pavilion."
"And today's special chef judge, Master Chen Shouyi."
"Hello, Chef Zhao."
"Hello, Master Chen."
Seeing that they were right in front of her, Xu Yanxia shook hands with the two men out of basic politeness.
Zhao Yanting, the executive chef of Decui Pavilion, was the first to smile at her and say, "A pleasure to meet you, Director Xu! Speaking of which, it is all thanks to you that we are able to meet here today!"
Thanks to her?
Well, since the other party was being straightforward, she would not mince words either.
Xu Yanxia also smiled politely and said, "I am also very happy to meet you here today. To be honest, I was quite disappointed with the food at Decui Pavilion last night. I am very much looking forward to having the opportunity to taste your restaurant's true standard today!"
"I am actually quite ashamed to hear that."
The man chuckled and continued, "It is mainly because the restaurant is usually too busy. Since you are also in the food and beverage industry, you must understand that when there are a lot of people in the restaurant, the back kitchen inevitably loses its standard. If I had known you were coming, you could have asked the manager to notify me, and I would have cooked for you personally. It really hurts our feelings that things have turned out this way."
Ha, hurts their feelings?
As soon as these words came out, her companions on the side could not help but roll their eyes.
Who had any feelings for their arrogant Decui Pavilion that bullied its customers!
Besides, customers all spent the same amount of money for their food. Did you have to have a certain status to eat good food, while ordinary people naturally had to eat terrible food?
What kind of logic was that?!!
Sure enough, they were rotten from the inside out!!!
Then, he deliberately pointed at the newly arrived professional judge, Special Chef Chen, and said to Xu Yanxia, "Do not worry, with Master Chen here today, I will definitely perform well and let you taste the true standard of our Decui Pavilion."
That fake imperial chef Jin Jiexiang also immediately added pointedly, "By the way, Director Xu, aren't you from Qingcheng? Speaking of which, Chef Zhao and Master Chen's grandmaster is also your fellow townsman!"
"..."
Ha, Ye Shu and the others on the side were practically rolling their eyes into the backs of their heads.
Sure enough, manipulative hypocrites came in all ages and genders!
This greasy middle-aged man with a receding hairline was truly a top-tier hypocrite!
He said this as if he was afraid others would not be able to tell that Decui Pavilion and today's professional judge came from the exact same lineage!
Fortunately, their mentally strong Director Xiaxia was not affected at all.
After Jin Jiexiang finished speaking, she nodded calmly and said, "I know, both of your masters are disciples of Master Lyu Jizong!"
"So is my grandfather."
