Gu Zhaoping had done many things in her life, including driving others into desperate situations—even her own siblings, relatives, and mentors.
As someone who had fought her way out of a true aristocratic family, Gu Zhaoping was accustomed to the absence of excessive sentimentality among relatives.
Her younger brother had once altered the will of the previous family head, attempting to take her to court. She, in turn, had issued new shares to dilute others' stakes, formed alliances through marriage, rallied shareholders, and waged a public relations war.
She had scrutinized lawsuits, pressured opponents into relinquishing inheritance rights—there was nothing she hadn’t done or experienced.
When she first arrived in this world and looked at Gu Zhaoye, she regarded him with the patience one might reserve for a preschooler. Still, there were moments when his stupidity made her fingers itch, and she wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson herself.
Liang Zhiwei and Chu Yanze listened in stunned silence, their eyes filled with even more admiration as they watched Gu Zhaoping’s retreating figure.
"How could those people be so foolish as to look down on Sister Zhaoping?"
A graduate of world-renowned universities with dual degrees in business and law, the eldest daughter of a wealthy family—wielding power and manipulating the rules was only natural for her. How could anyone truly believe she was useless?
Just as Chu Yanze was about to follow her, he suddenly remembered Su Yubai’s peculiar gaze, and a hint of wariness flickered in his mind. He couldn’t quite figure out what was going on with that man.
Those who observe others are quick to notice when they themselves are being observed.
At first, he felt an instinctive aversion, but then he paused, recalling the male models Sister Zhaoping had been involved with in the past. A faint uncertainty settled over him.
Could Su Yubai be one of her former flames?
If she wanted to mingle with young men from the entertainment industry, it wouldn’t be difficult for her.
Chu Yanze’s steps slowed as he pondered. He and Su Yubai had no prior connection. He was a musician, while Su Yubai was an actor.
Not even a TV actor—he had gained fame from a role in a film, one that earned him an award as a newcomer.
He had played a doomed white moonlight from a school romance, a character that suited him all too well.
Rumors painted Su Yubai as talented, hardworking, and cultured—a man of good reputation, known for his pleasant demeanor.
Not just a pretty face. What a shame.
Though they worked in different fields, their career trajectories were similar—both had risen swiftly from obscurity. Chu Yanze felt a competitive edge, as if he had encountered a rival.
At this realization, he suddenly laughed at himself. The real competition wasn’t their restaurant—it was him.
He glanced back and saw Su Yubai walking away with his group, carrying a box and chatting amiably. Dressed in a blue-striped shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows, his slightly tousled hair, high nose bridge with a slight bump, and deep-set eyes gave him a gentle, melancholic air. His smile seemed warm, but his gaze carried a quiet sorrow—perhaps the "white moonlight" aura people often spoke of.
But to Chu Yanze, it just looked like weak upper eyelid muscles.
Not charming at all.
He turned and quickened his pace, catching up to Gu Zhaoping to accompany her as they inspected the shopfront.
Su Yubai also glanced back.
After Chu Yanze approached, he seemed to exchange a few words with Gu Zhaoping, who responded with her usual magnanimity.
Su Yubai merely smiled faintly before turning away.
His temperament was mild, his presence unobtrusive—the type who neither fought nor contended. He could sense Chu Yanze’s hostility but had no intention of engaging.
Whoever stood by Sister Zhaoping’s side did so with her permission. He had no right to resent it.
If he focused on himself, perhaps one day she would notice him again.
The production team had arranged a van to take them to the town where they would run their business. However, the space was cramped, filled with props and ingredients, leaving little room for passengers. Gu Zhaoping took one look and said, "Take my car."
The two hesitated briefly before eagerly abandoning their belongings and trotting after her to the parking lot.
So impressive!
Mao Xinci had been waiting by the car and spotted them immediately. She opened the door, white gloves on her hands, and politely ushered them inside.
Liang Zhiwei and Chu Yanze eyed the vehicle with caution, well aware of its value. They boarded gingerly, hands clasped in gratitude as they nodded to the driver.
The extended car could seat seven comfortably, leaving ample space even after they settled in.
Mao Xinci offered them a brief smile before resuming her professional demeanor, buckling up and smoothly reversing out of the parking spot.
The car’s length made maneuvering tricky in such tight quarters, and Liang Zhiwei had initially worried about the difficulty. But the driver’s practiced hands turned the wheel effortlessly, making them the first team to depart.
Throughout the ride, Mao Xinci remained silent, following the GPS without a sound.
Liang Zhiwei couldn’t help but compliment, "The driver’s skills are amazing."
Mao Xinci didn’t respond, but Little Zhao, the assistant, turned and smiled in acknowledgment—a small gesture that left Liang Zhiwei pleasantly surprised.
When she first joined the show, she had been in awe of Gu Zhaoping, wary due to the rumors swirling around her. She had braced herself to explain that her past with Gu Zhaoye was over, that she wouldn’t cause trouble.
Yet Gu Zhaoping never asked, as if she couldn’t care less about her brother’s love life. She barely spoke to Liang Zhiwei, and contrary to gossip, she showed no hostility toward Ruan Nian.
The few times they interacted, it was always Ruan Nian who initiated.
Liang Zhiwei found it strange—how times had changed. Who would have thought they’d now be teammates, sitting peacefully in Gu Zhaoping’s car?
The untouchable Gu Zhaoping had become "Sister Zhaoping."
And Gu Zhaoye, the supposed center of their conflict, was now a stranger, irrelevant to their dynamic.
No one cared.
After several encounters, Liang Zhiwei realized Sister Zhaoping truly didn’t give a damn about Gu Zhaoye’s existence.
So what about all those rumors from before…?
The place they were heading to was a small commercial town not far from the estate. The dining brands here were limited, leaving them with ample competitive opportunities—at the very least, a broad market awaited them.
The shopfront was located just off the main street of the town, in a highly visible spot. The moment Liang Zhiwei saw it, she instantly understood why the rent was so steep—it was completely worth it!
The entire shop was already mostly renovated, bathed in bright, warm lighting with light-colored tones and a hint of soft yellow. The kitchen was spotless and brand-new.
Liang Zhiwei’s eyes sparkled—this was exactly what she had envisioned for her ideal restaurant!
"Zhaoping-jie, your decision was absolutely perfect! This place is gorgeous!" Liang Zhiwei exclaimed excitedly, immediately unpacking the kitchenware, cleaning and sterilizing each piece before neatly arranging them in the kitchen.
She tackled these basic tasks with meticulous care, never once feeling bothered or acting as though her celebrity status entitled her to any special privileges.
Chu Yanze, quick on the uptake, jumped in to help. Having lived alone for a while, he was quite adept at handling kitchen essentials.
After the earlier decision-making process, they had already placed their full trust in Gu Zhaoping. Now, they followed her lead without question, seeing her as their guiding light.
"Zhaoping-jie, what kind of restaurant are we planning to open?"
Gu Zhaoping slowly circled the space, taking everything in before declaring, "Sichuan-inspired healthy dining."
Chu Yanze, who had been in the middle of handling fish, paused in surprise. He hadn’t expected his own skills to come into play here. Had Zhaoping-jie factored in his strengths too?
Gu Zhaoping continued, "I just checked on my phone—there are a lot of high-end office buildings nearby. The main customer base will be corporate employees. The area is packed with gyms, martial arts studios, dance studios… Where there’s a high demand for fitness, there’s also a demand for healthy eating. There are a few health food and light meal spots around here, but based on the reviews, they’re all mediocre. A light dining spot with bold flavors still has a huge market."
Working a full-time job while sticking to a strict diet was hard enough. If the food didn’t even taste good, it would feel like torture.
The more Liang Zhiwei and Chu Yanze thought about it, the more it made sense. Plus, this played right into Liang Zhiwei’s expertise—nutritional balance!
"I can even customize meal plans based on different needs—muscle gain, fat loss, or just general healthy eating!" Liang Zhiwei’s eyes lit up. Zhaoping-jie hadn’t left anyone out. She wouldn’t let Liang Zhiwei shoulder the workload alone, and Chu Yanze had his own role too.
Their group quickly finalized their plans and began discussing the menu, prepping ingredients for the next day’s business.
Meanwhile, the other two groups had just arrived in the commercial town. The third group couldn’t help but feel envious when they saw the prime location of the shop.
Their envy turned into outright dismay when they were assigned a mobile food cart by the production team. The stark contrast between their setups became an instant joke.
But for Li Xunxi’s group, the sight of the spacious, eye-catching shop only darkened their moods. No amount of silver lining could lift their spirits.
At best, they could console themselves with the thought that at least they weren’t stuck with the food cart—no shelter from wind, rain, or sun, barely any space to rest, and slim profit margins that would make breaking even a grueling challenge.
The third group, meanwhile, was bustling with activity as they set up their stall. Spotting Li Xunxi’s group passing by, they couldn’t resist commenting, "Their shop looks like it’s way out there, huh?"
Others chimed in, "Yeah, it’s in such a remote spot. Getting there would be a hassle."
"If it were me, I wouldn’t bother going. Breaking even’s gonna be tough for them."
Shaking their heads sympathetically, they threw themselves into setting up their own stall.
Unaware of these remarks, Li Xunxi’s group rode on until their van stopped in front of a building. When they stepped out, Li Xunxi frowned—the place looked anything but upscale, almost rundown.
Inside, the elevators were scarce, and the wait was long. The people queuing were office workers from nearby, patiently standing in line.
Then, in marched a group led by a woman in designer clothes, flawless makeup, and a coat draped over her shoulders. She strode in with an air of impatience, flanked by a crew of cameramen, and loudly remarked, "This place is a dump. I don’t know how anyone tolerates it."
The crowd: "…"
Excuse me? Who just got randomly insulted while minding their own business?
At first, no one paid much attention to the seemingly unpleasant woman—until two more figures emerged from the group.
One of them was instantly recognizable. Several people gasped, forgetting what they were doing as they shrieked, "Ruan Nian!"
The name echoed through the crowd, and heads whipped around. The moment they confirmed it was indeed Ruan Nian, the celebrity, the place erupted into screams.
Ruan Nian was here?! The actual Ruan Nian?!
Were they filming something? A show? A drama?
Ruan Nian, having just squeezed through, had a sinking feeling about the location but kept her composure, smiling and waving. "Hello, everyone! Sorry for the disturbance."
One fan in the elevator queue clutched her hands to her chest, nodding eagerly. "Nian-nian, don’t worry! Are you branching into short dramas? We get it—this kind of setting is perfect for playing the villain. It must be tough, but go for it!"
The production team froze. Short dramas? What?
Then it hit Li Xunxi. Wait—what did he mean by "playing the villain"?
Was he talking about her?!
Li Xunxi’s temper flared. "What’s that supposed to mean? Are you calling me arrogant?"
The fan blinked, confused. Why was this "actress" still in character?
Just then, the director assigned to their group rushed in, took one look at the scene, and felt his world collapse.
"Everyone, our apologies! We’re filming a show here. Sorry for the disruption. We’ll need to reserve an entire elevator, so please bear with us."
The director forced a smile, but Li Xunxi wasn’t about to let it go. She shot the fan a glare before rolling her eyes.
"No manners. Unbelievable."
The onlookers were stunned. Wait—this wasn’t a scripted drama?
So… this woman wasn’t acting like a villain. She was just like this in real life?
One of Ruan Nian's fans was stunned. Then she felt extremely wronged. She had been queuing up nicely. Who did she provoke? As soon as this person came in, she started being picky and disdainful.
Moreover, she directly pushed them aside.
She looked at Ruan Nian, still holding a faint glimmer of hope in her heart. She believed that Ruan Nian wasn't such a person. Maybe she would speak up for her. After all, Ruan Nian was known to love her fans the most.
Normally, when the security guards pushed the fans and they almost fell, Ruan Nian would offer help. She had even assisted a seriously ill fan who couldn't afford medical expenses. Her fans were very loyal.
However, Ruan Nian just pretended not to see and shifted her gaze back slightly guiltily. Then she turned to talk to Li Xunxi.
She even called her "Sister Xunxi".
It was true that she often helped her fans, but that was to maintain her lovable persona. She wasn't that bold enough to confront Li Xunxi over such a trivial matter. Li Xunxi had a temper that would make anyone who crossed her suffer.
When the elevator arrived, Li Xunxi, who had stepped aside from the elevator - waiting area because others were surrounding Ruan Nian, didn't hesitate to step right in. The program's photographers who came with her also squeezed in.
Ruan Nian followed suit and got in. That fan of hers just stood there blankly, watching the elevator disappear.
After the elevator went up, someone among the others suddenly reacted and murmured in a low voice, "Is that the Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi siblings?"
Only then did small voices start to buzz around.
"Yes, they seem to be quite popular recently. Didn't they participate in some program before? The interactions between the siblings were so interesting and they were so outstanding that they attracted a large number of fans."
But is this what they're really like?
After seeing the three of them, someone realized that this might be the recording site of the recently very popular program "Seasons in the Aristocratic Family".
Weren't the Li Xunxi siblings supposed to be popular contestants? Weren't their loving interactions supposed to outshine Gu Zhaoping and her sibling?
But in reality, this was their quality?
It was simply absurd!
After going up and seeing the whole environment, Li Xunxi, who was already annoyed, really broke down. All her emotions were written on her face. Standing at the door, looking at this ordinary little restaurant, she felt that everything had gone wrong today.
Everyone could sense that Li Xunxi was in a bad mood, so no one dared to say a word.
Ruan Nian was still trying hard to improve the atmosphere. "Sister Xunxi, I think this place is quite nice. We can see a great view and even the river."
Li Xunxi didn't even listen to her. She just strode forward into the restaurant, leaving Ruan Nian standing there. Ruan Nian was stunned for a moment, and a look of embarrassment flashed across her face.
However, when she saw that the camera was pointed at her, she felt a little better. Well, let Li Xunxi make a fuss. Anyway, she could gain some lovable points after the program was aired.
That fan who had unexpectedly met Ruan Nian felt extremely uncomfortable all over.
Was the idol she had always admired really like this?
Ruan Nian had followed them to grab the elevator without caring about the people who had queued up first. And even when that arrogant female guest spoke like that, she didn't show any sign of discomfort, as if she didn't think there was anything wrong.
After leaving the building, she received a message from Ruan Nian's fan support club. It said that Niannian was inside this building, participating in a program and running a restaurant. Her turnover was very important.
So fans in Haishi and the surrounding cities, as long as the high - speed train journey was within an hour, were encouraged to go and help Niannian complete her performance task.
[Really? Niannian has opened a restaurant in Haishi? Then can I taste the dishes made by Niannian with my own eyes?]
[Wow, I'm in Haishi. How lucky I am! I can interact with Niannian face - to - face!]
[Wait, is this the program she's doing with Gu Zhaoping? Won't Gu Zhaoping bully her?]
Some fans were a bit hesitant. Although there had been a large - scale online clarification that Gu Zhaoping had never beaten Ruan Nian, and the widely - spread incident of Gu Zhaoping crashing a car in an accident was completely fabricated, with so much evidence and surveillance footage presented, they still couldn't fully believe it. As fans of Ruan Nian, they were used to the image Ruan Nian had intentionally or unintentionally created for them.
Even if Gu Zhaoping hadn't really bullied her, there must have been some kind of soft violence! As a wealthy young lady, there were so many ways to torment people. Did it have to be physical abuse?
Even if she didn't beat Ruan Nian openly, couldn't she secretly be sarcastic, exclude, and make things difficult for Ruan Nian?
The fan group suddenly became lively. They started to feel sorry for Niannian having to serve the young lady. To support their idol, many of Ruan Nian's fans quickly organized a large - scale punch - in group. They would come to this office building tomorrow to help Ruan Nian complete her performance. Each group even had a consumption quota.
[Guys, after we go in, we mustn't let it be known that we're organized by the support club. We should pretend that we were just strolling around nearby, accidentally came across this restaurant, and were attracted by their promotion and dishes. Then we happened to meet Niannian. We should act really surprised, got it?]
[Especially, we should praise the dishes made by Niannian a lot. If she doesn't show up at first, we should praise the boss a lot. Say that the dishes are incredibly delicious and ask for a reward for the chef or give a special mention. Then the next group of sisters can say that they came because they heard from their previous friends. Okay?]
[Received!]
[Received!]
...
Looking at the lively and orderly discussion in the group, that fan who had met Ruan Nian in the elevator had mixed feelings. She was also an active member of the group. Normally, since she was in Haishi, she would definitely be very excited to participate in such an event.
But now, looking at these enthusiastic messages, she felt strange and a bit ironic.
Serving the young lady?
It seemed that Ruan Nian was really serving a young lady, but was it really Gu Zhaoping?
It seemed that Li Xunxi, who was very popular online, highly educated, and very capable, was even more difficult to serve than Gu Zhaoping!
She felt extremely sad. She walked aimlessly out of the building and continued walking dejectedly on the street. After walking for a while, she saw what seemed to be a newly - opened restaurant ahead.
Huh? It didn't seem to be there yesterday.
This restaurant had just hung up its customized signboard.
Sichuan - style Light Meals?
Gu Zhaoping found it quite novel. Usually, light meals were those low - calorie simple meals. How could they make Sichuan cuisine into light meals? And wasn't Sichuan cuisine known for being oily and spicy? How could there be low - calorie Sichuan - style light meals?
She was a bit curious. She walked closer and saw that the signboard even said Low - calorie Mala - hot.
Well, now she was really interested.
There was even low - calorie mala - hot? She had to give it a try.
After the fan of Ruan Nian walked in, she found that the inside of the shop was neatly tidied up and very bright. There didn't seem to be many customers yet. It wasn't mealtime yet, and perhaps she was the first customer in this shop.
She had just scanned the QR code and was about to see what tricks this shop had when she paused for a moment.
Besides low - calorie spicy stew, what else was there?
Sichuan - style barramundi set meal?
Shredded chicken with prickly ash and pepper on konjac noodles? Spicy and sour konjac cold noodles?
There was a huge poster hanging in the shop, which read that it reduced the use of red oil and grease and used natural spices for flavor; it carefully selected low - fat, high - protein, and high - fiber ingredients to increase satiety, and replaced refined carbohydrates with buckwheat noodles and brown rice.
Looking at the menu again, there were also dishes like lightly - oiled boiled fish, low - fat Mapo tofu, cold shredded chicken, and calorie - controlled Qiaojiao beef.
She was a bit shocked. Weren't these all traditional Sichuan dishes? People trying to lose weight and control their calories would avoid them. Had every single dish been modified?
Some doubts welled up in her heart. She knew that once the recipes of classic dishes were changed to make them healthier, they would probably end up tasting terrible.
At this time, she was already a bit hesitant. She was in a bad mood today, and if she ate something unpalatable, she might just break down even more.
But just then, she looked up and saw a boy lift the curtain of the back kitchen and walk out.
It seemed that he had heard a customer come in. His attitude was very polite. When he saw the person sitting there, he paused for a moment and looked a bit embarrassed that he had come out late.
He craned his neck and shouted inside, "Sister Zhaoping, Sister Liang, our first customer is here!"
It was not until she heard that familiar magnetic voice that it woke the customer up. Her face suddenly showed shock.
Who... who was this?
This handsome and charming boy had a rich - colored complexion, slightly parted curly hair, distinct facial features, and a sharply - angled side profile. He was wearing an apron. It seemed that he had taken off his coat because he had been busy inside and was only wearing a T - shirt with the sleeves rolled up. The slight muscles made the apron bulge a little. This was the ultimate sense of a young and handsome husband - like figure.
Her pupils constricted. Chu Yanze!?
Chu Yanze and Ruan Nian had a very popular CP. She was far too familiar with them! Fans of the two often had disputes.
Recently, they had also had an argument because of their performance in the first episode of the program. Chu Yanze and Ruan Nian seemed like strangers and didn't take care of her. Moreover, he let Gu Zhaoping question Ruan Nian's fake injury without stopping her. Recently, there were also many people in their fan group scolding Chu Yanze, saying that he was ungrateful and wondering if he wanted to break up the CP with Ruan Nian after it became popular.
This was the person she had just been annoyed with!
Immediately afterwards, she heard footsteps coming from inside. A very beautiful young woman in her twenties walked out.
She didn't have the airs of a female celebrity. Her hair was pulled up high and tightly, without a single stray hair. She was neat and tidy, and was still wearing gloves on her hands, as if she had just been cooking.
There was a look of surprise on Liang Zhiwei's face.
They had just finished setting up the whole shop today, and it was going to officially open tomorrow. Now she was in the back kitchen adjusting the recipes. She didn't expect that someone had already come.
"Hello, customer!" Liang Zhiwei greeted with full energy, feeling more confident about tomorrow's opening.
The girl's pupils constricted again. Was this Liang Zhiwei? Ruan Nian's rival, the one their fans originally hated the most, the one who had risen to fame by imitating Ruan Nian?
At this time, Chu Yanze came over with the order form and stood in front of the customer. He put the menu on the table and looked up and asked her, "Sorry, our mini - program isn't very well - developed yet. You can place your order through me."
... No, with such a handsome face and such a nice voice right in front of her, this impact... was this supposed to make people place an order?
Ruan Nian's fan stared blankly at him as he lowered his head and carefully wrote down the menu. It took her quite a while to come to her senses.
Right, they should have just finished recording that program!
She was completely stunned. Before, their fan group had been dissatisfied with Chu Yanze's grouping and had protested many times.
But who could have thought that she would be so lucky (or unlucky) to run into the shop opened by Chu Yanze's group. Wait, then didn't it mean...
Just as this thought popped up, she suddenly turned her head and heard a noise.
It turned out that there had been a ladder in the corner all along, and there was a person standing on the ladder. She was quite tall and had a slender figure. She had also taken off her coat and was wearing a shirt tucked into her trousers.
She was raising her hand to paste a poster on the wall. She had been casually brushing the glue on the wall when she heard the sound. She stopped the motion of brushing the wall and turned her head to look down.
Her hair was pulled up, and she was wearing a pair of frameless glasses. From the side view, one could only see her high - bridged, even sharp, and somewhat aggressive nose.
As she moved, her waistline was very obvious, and her legs were long and neat.
She just said, "Welcome."
Her attitude wasn't very enthusiastic. But combined with her overly cold and sharp face, although she seemed like a person with such a strong aura and high - and - mighty demeanor, she was seriously pasting a poster here. Even this simple "Welcome" from her made the Ruan Nian's fan sitting below shiver, feeling flattered.
At this time, Chu Yanze beside her asked again, "Do you have anything you want to order?"
Oh my god.
Who could stand this? She quickly came back to her senses and frantically pointed at several dishes on the menu and placed her order.
Although Liang Zhiwei knew that today's turnover wouldn't be counted, she was still very happy that someone had come to the shop to taste the food. She was glad that someone was tasting the recipes she had just improved, and she could observe the feedback.
She moved very quickly. Before long, she brought out the several dishes the customer had ordered and placed them all on her table. Then she looked at her with shining eyes, waiting for her to take a taste.
She even very enthusiastically introduced them to her: "The ingredients for this dish are selected from..."
"I've modified the seasoning for this one..."
As the only customer in the shop, she felt a bit fidgety and was very uneasy and embarrassed because of Liang Zhiwei's enthusiasm.
After all, Liang Zhiwei was someone she had hated before. Now that Liang Zhiwei was standing right in front of her, she just realized that Liang Zhiwei smelled good, had a big smile, was so beautiful, had such good skin, and spoke so gently.
Moreover, when introducing each dish to her, she was so patient, telling her to eat with confidence and not to feel guilty because these were all low - calorie dishes.
Only then did she know what the effect of the beauty trap was!
With such a beautiful woman and another handsome guy standing beside her, waiting for her feedback, she felt that even if there were bombs on the table, or something like firecrackers that could make one fly into the sky, or diarrhea medicine that could keep one up all night, or even if she saw with her own eyes that the oil was scooped from the gutter, she could close her eyes and eat it, and even praise it as extremely delicious.
Her hands were trembling slightly. She almost endured her own thoughts, buried her head, and started eating.
Spring Day
Even if it tasted terrible, she would provide enough emotional value!
After all, what restaurant could have two big celebrities, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, serving her so warmly?
There was also a wealthy young lady, the rumored one with a particularly bad temper, who was pasting posters on one side and saying welcome to her!
She felt that this scene was like a dream.
Especially when she inexplicably compared it with the encounter with Ruan Nian's group in the elevator hall before, the feeling in her heart was even weirder, with a bit of unwillingness and incomprehension.
Why? The people she hated the most were more kind to her than Ruan Nian. Clearly, she had shown that she was Ruan Nian's fan, but Ruan Nian didn't react at all to Li Xunxi's treatment of her.
She suppressed the strange sourness in her chest and took a bite of the so - called low - calorie spicy hot pot...
Suddenly, she was stunned.
She lifted her eyelids, as if shocked by something.
Then she quickly picked up a few more dishes with her chopsticks and put them into her bowl, starting to eat frantically.
After she confirmed the taste, her eyes began to show excitement.
The spiciness of this spicy hot pot was just right. You could feel the taste stimulation without being overly spicy. It was fragrant, but there wasn't much red oil, and it tasted very refreshing. The ingredients were fresh, and when you bit into them, they made a crisp sound in your mouth, and the juice filled your tongue. Before she could react, she swallowed them after chewing a few times.
She still couldn't believe it and picked up two more chopsticks of the fish beside. The fish was very flavorful. It wasn't as tasteless as she had imagined, and not much oil was used. The tender, fresh and delicious taste of the fish was not masked at all.
Looking at the so - called calorie - controlled beef soup on the side, it wasn't cooked with beef bone soup but a special clear soup they made. But when it entered her mouth, the meat was extremely tender and so fragrant that she felt she could eat a big bowl of rice. Oh, right, their rice was also made of pure grains, with each grain distinct.
She couldn't say a word and just buried her head and ate. Liang Zhiwei was a bit nervous looking at her reaction at first, but then a smile appeared on her face.
Great, her improved recipe should be quite good!
It was good that she could play a role in their group. Liang Zhiwei was afraid that she couldn't help much. Whenever there was something in the group, she would rush to do it. That was just the way she was. When she saw others enjoying the food she made, she would be happy.
This sole customer was almost in tears while eating. No one had ever told her that Liang Zhiwei could cook so well. How could it be so delicious?!
She really felt as if she had been hit hard and was in a daze. Before, she had only heard that Ruan Nian was good at cooking and was a well - known little chef in the entertainment circle. People praised her on various variety shows. Usually, when she cooked at home to entertain friends, her friends all liked her dishes.
So she had high expectations for Ruan Nian's restaurant but had no expectations for Liang Zhiwei at all. Liang Zhiwei had never built such an image. The only time people knew she was good at cooking was in the first pilot episode of this program. She hesitantly said this sentence during her self - introduction.
She was good at cooking and had self - studied to obtain a nutritionist certificate.
Originally, she thought that being able to cook was just about making ordinary home - cooked dishes that were barely edible. Moreover, a nutritionist? Once you focused on nutrition, it was hard for the food to be as delicious as unhealthy food.
But now she realized that healthy food could also be this delicious!
This fan of Ruan Nian almost wanted to cry. What a hard life she had been living with those light meals before!
She was so engrossed in eating that her face turned a little red. After a while, she let out a burp and asked, "How much should I pay?"
She was too shy to talk to Liang Zhiwei too much, but Liang Zhiwei understood her shyness and smiled, "You don't need to pay, dear. We're in a trial operation today, and we'll officially open tomorrow. As our first trial customer, of course, it's free. Thank you for giving feedback on our newly developed dishes."
She also took out a small notebook from her pocket and carefully wrote down, "Can you tell me what you think of these dishes? Thank you."
The girl was clearly caught off guard. No need to pay?
It was so delicious, and she could even get a free meal?!
Wait, what did Liang Zhiwei just call her? Dear?
The girl blushed and whispered, "I think the spicy hot pot is the most delicious..."
Liang Zhiwei carefully recorded her opinion, nodded, and put the notebook away. Then she ran over to get a beautifully wrapped small bag and gave it to her, saying, "Thank you. This is a small gift for you!"
The girl was even more stunned. There was even a gift. Could she really get a free meal and take a gift away?!
She subconsciously looked inside. The things inside were all beautifully wrapped. It was obvious that the person who made the handicrafts was very careful. She was a bit in a daze.
She hurriedly said thank you. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered and turned back shyly to ask, "Um... Is your seasoning special? It's really delicious. Can I ask why it can be so delicious without adding much red oil?"
Liang Zhiwei was stunned for a moment and then smiled, as if very proud. She turned back and pointed at Chu Yanze, who was lowering his head to clean the dining table, "That's the Sichuan - style seasoning made by Teacher Chu Yanze. He's very good at cooking Sichuan cuisine. I don't know the secret recipe either. You can ask him."
The girl was shocked. Chu Yanze?!! This seasoning was actually made by Chu Yanze?!!
How many more times was she going to be shocked?!!
He looked so arrogant and didn't seem like someone who could cook at all!
Chu Yanze also looked over. He looked at this girl, seemed to really think about it seriously, then took out a small notebook from his pocket, picked up a pen, and asked her, "Do you need it?"
Then he wrote a few lines in the notebook, writing down the secret of his seasoning.
Was he really going to write it down for her?
The girl stammered and could only quickly say, "Thank you, thank you."
At this time, Gu Zhaoping finally pasted all the posters on the wall. She turned around and landed on the ground. Then she looked up and said in a friendly tone, "You're welcome. We'll officially open tomorrow. If you're satisfied with our restaurant, welcome to bring your friends and colleagues to taste. We'll also launch many other new dishes."
Just now, when looking at Chu Yanze, the girl didn't feel such a strong sense of oppression. But when facing Gu Zhaoping, she didn't know why, but her face became even redder and she felt a bit hot.
She took the small note that Chu Yanze wrote for her and nodded hurriedly, saying, "Okay!! I'll definitely come!!"
After she got home, the girl's heart still hadn't calmed down. Today's experience had been so dreamlike that it was only now that she began to involuntarily compare the two encounters. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. She clearly should have restrained herself from thinking about Ruan Nian like this.
However, the more she tried to stop comparing, the deeper the knot in her heart became.
Just then, a fan contacted her:
[Hey, sis. I remember you're in Haishi, right? You usually take part in so many of Niannian's support activities. You're definitely going to support her tomorrow, right? How much are you planning to contribute? Let's go together.]
But this time, she was silent for a while before replying: [I'm not going.]
The other person sent a: [?]
The other fan couldn't believe it. This girl was quite well - known among Ruan Nian's fans and was extremely loyal to her. She always put in a great deal for every event.
She remembered that the girl worked nearby. With such a close - up chance to see Ruan Nian, she wasn't going?
[? Are you switching your allegiance?]
Normally, when faced with such a question, she would never have admitted it. Her love for Ruan Nian was as clear as day.
But at this moment, the girl looked at the little note that Chu Yanze had written for her, thought about Liang Zhiwei standing in front of her with bright eyes asking if it tasted good, and Gu Zhaoping standing on that ladder pasting up posters, then turning around and saying "Welcome" to her politely in a soft tone.
Finally, she typed out these words: [ ... Yes, I'm switching my allegiance, and I even want to stop being a fan.]
[???]
[Are you crazy?]
Ignoring the other person's words, the girl went back to the fan group that was extremely excited about tomorrow's event.
She originally wanted to give them a heads - up, but seeing their fanatical expressions, she felt that even if she told them about today's experience, they wouldn't believe her. Instead, they would scold her.
She was about to keep quiet, but this fan directly posted their chat record in the group and accused her:
[As a core fan of Ruan Nian, she's openly saying she wants to stop being a fan! I think we should check if she's a spy sent by some black - PR agency.]
The group instantly became agitated. Seeing many people start to voice their opinions about her, the girl was completely stunned!
After a moment, she got so angry that she directly posted a Weibo:
[I've loved her for many years. I'm confident that the time, energy, and money I've spent on her are no less than most fans. But the way you're questioning me today, let me tell you, I saw her today. Maybe I'm an exception, but she really isn't that enthusiastic towards her fans. When someone bullied me, she pretended not to see and still chatted and laughed with that person. Moreover, she even cut in line for the elevator!]
[If you want to keep supporting her, go ahead. Good luck.]
As soon as these words were posted, the entire fan community exploded!
A flood of crazy messages came in. She read messages like [Niannian would never be like this. What are you making up out of thin air? Do you think we've never seen her in person?]
[She must be a spy from another celebrity's camp. She's been lurking among us for so long just to smear Niannian deliberately now! Dig into her background!]
[Niannian is so unlucky to be back - stabbed by a long - time fan like this!]
[Did Gu Zhaoping pay you to do this? Or were you bought off by her?]
Seeing these words, the girl's anger just kept rising!
Paid off by Gu Zhaoping?
She thought they were the ones with something wrong in the head!
She sneered: [Fine, go by yourselves. Don't blame me for not warning you!]
She thought that a lot of these fans were likely to encounter big problems tomorrow!
However, those fans still didn't believe her. They seemed to be so infatuated with Ruan Nian that they were blinded and brainwashed:
[Laughable. Our Niannian is as close as family to her fans. We're going to take pictures with Niannian tomorrow and even get her autograph. Those who don't go will regret it and be jealous!]
[Liang Zhiwei and Chu Yanze are also in this program, but they haven't mobilized their fans to support them at all. This time, Niannian's popularity will definitely crush them all! Let them know what a top - tier female celebrity is!]
