Chapter 998: Chapter 415: Begin the Group Battle, Lin Xu! Our Side Solemnly Promises Not to Use Xie Baomin First! [Subscription Requested]

"We don’t mind you, Guo Jichang, taking on apprentices, but this title... we do not recognize this executive chef position, and your apprentice lacks the qualifications to serve as the executive chef of the Yanjing Hotel."

Since entering the banquet hall until now, they’ve been waiting for someone to raise the issue of Cheng JianShe’s position.

As soon as someone brings it up, they can question it.

And then directly deny it.

However, just as the elderly man started to speak, Dai Jianli chuckled:

"You don’t recognize it? May I ask if you are the legal representative or a shareholder of the Yanjing Hotel? Are you currently holding a management position at the Yanjing Hotel? This is something appointed by the general manager; what right do you have to not recognize it? What qualification do you have to deny it? Is the Yanjing Hotel your family business?"

Oh my, I’ve been waiting for you to speak for so long, finally got a chance to quench my thirst for words.

Old Dai took a sip of tea and winked at Lin Xu on stage, "Good assist, little brother, you’ve got me into fighting form right away."

This string of words left the other party speechless.

"I... you!"

The old man hadn’t expected that just as he was getting started, he would be rendered speechless by such a fierce counterattack.

He took a couple of deep breaths, trying hard to calm down, then said:

"Just because I’m an old employee of Yanjing Hotel, I can’t just watch Yanjing Hotel fall into a pit of fire. Besides, we have so many good chefs at Yanjing Hotel, why let someone from Fishing Platform take the position of executive chef."

Old Dai looked at the old man in surprise.

Oh, coming in strong?

Great, let’s hash it out today!

To better express himself, Dai Jianli stood up from his seat and walked toward the stage while saying:

"I thought Yanjing Hotel had secretly learned from Ancient Rome and established a senate. So a retired old employee still dictates how the business is run? You said you have so many good chefs, sure, they’re so good they landed themselves in jail. The losses uncovered this time have already reached millions, and since you’re so responsible, why don’t you lead the effort to use your retirement fund to cover this hole for Yanjing Hotel?"

"I..."

The old man opened his mouth, his expression somewhat dazed.

Before coming here, they all did their homework and thought that the more difficult person to deal with from the middle-aged generation of Fishing Platform would be Xie Baomin. As long as he kept silent, others were no threat.

As a result, Xie Baomin was leisurely drinking tea, while this unknown character was firing on all cylinders.

Not to mention himself, even those adept at quarreling might not stand a chance against him.

Seeing this old man glance at him continuously, Dai Jianli put his hands on his hips and introduced himself: 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"My surname is Dai, full name Dai Jianli, the executive chef of Building 18 at Fishing Platform. If anyone wants to take a photo with me later, remember to line up at the door. I’m quite approachable, no need to be nervous."

Lin Xu: "..."

Bro, are you developing a fan base here?

He handed Geng Lishan’s priceless calligraphy to Cheng JianShe, then stepped off the stage to watch the drama unfold back at his seat.

Just as the situation was at a standstill, another old man stood up:

"No matter what, Yanjing Hotel’s business is Yanjing Hotel’s own affair; you at Fishing Platform have no right to intervene."

As Dai Jianli was about to speak, Qiu Zhenhua adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and stood up:

"Recruitment is normal; if the leadership deems someone suitable, they can be hired. Have you contracted Yanjing Hotel’s kitchen, or what? Since when did the kitchen become your private garden? If I recall correctly, weren’t you transferred from Great Wall Hotel in your last few years before retirement to serve as the chef head of the steamed buns department? If we have no right to intervene, then you from Great Wall Hotel have no right to meddle here."

Damn it, after enduring grudges from Xie Baomin for so long, today’s finally the day to let it all out.

Lin Xu grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds from the snack tray on the table and started munching as he watched the chaos.

"Elder brother, why aren’t you going up?"

"Let Qiuqiu and the others vent a bit; they’re on the verge of depression from being bullied by me all the time."

Xie Baomin said with a veneer of high moral ground, as if he had made a great sacrifice by giving this opportunity to the other chefs.

Huo Yifan glanced at both sides of the dispute and asked curiously:

"The elder folk over there are speaking up, while here it’s all middle-aged chefs. Why do their middle-aged chefs all look like they don’t want to get involved?"

Xie Baomin replied quietly:

"Because they know we don’t fight the elderly or bully the young, but when it comes to peers our age, we take no prisoners."

Last time they didn’t get the chance to beat the competition in the culinary contest, so everyone’s been holding their fire.

If they dare to speak up, our side will immediately swarm them.

Things were getting interesting, with Fishing Platform’s middle-aged generation attacking Yanjing Hotel’s old guard fiercely, while the retired chefs from Fishing Platform were completely uninvolved.

How to elevate one’s reputation in the culinary world?

Let opponents squabble with your juniors, and your stature naturally stands out.

As the argument continued, Qi Zhentao’s master uncle also picked up on the issue.

Good grief, we’re arguing with a bunch of middle-aged folks while you old-timers are just sitting back and enjoying the show, huh?

He stood up and addressed Cheng JianShe:

"Master Cheng, since even Mr. Lishan acknowledges you and Master Guo as master and apprentice, could you demonstrate by making a Cantonese dish? Master Guo is a Cantonese cuisine titan, so as his apprentice, your Cantonese skills should be decent, right?"

He was crafty, asking Cheng JianShe to make Cantonese cuisine on the same day of his apprenticeship.

If he doesn’t perform well, they can openly criticize him for not being deserving of the title of a top apprentice.

If he does a good job, so be it; nothing can change at this point, and the retired elders can’t do much but voice their displeasure.

The reason for the Cantonese dish request is because he found out that Cheng JianShe’s previous workplace, Building 2, had little Cantonese options, focusing mainly on Northern dishes.

So suddenly asking him to make a Cantonese dish would be a significant challenge.

However, Cheng JianShe was amused, and the other chefs from Fishing Platform were too.

Building 2 of Fishing Platform is the area with the most banned dishes, and although it appears it only serves Northern home-cooked dishes, there is a thick book of dishes they are not allowed to serve.

If they’re asking him to do it, he might as well show off his full cooking prowess!

Cheng JianShe didn’t refuse but instead handed the scroll in his hands to Guo Jichang:

"Please, Master, keep this safe for your apprentice, and while you’re at it, see how well your apprentice handles Cantonese cuisine."

Guo Jichang nodded, curiously asking:

"Little Cheng, what dish do you plan to make?"

Cheng JianShe glanced at those nitpicking elders and said word by word:

"Stir-fried Rice Noodles with Beef!"

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Sorry, brothers, coming late today. This Chapter is 5,200 words, asking for the monthly ticket!