City's Best Divine Doctor-Chapter 1771 - 1731: Taking Gifts Ties the Hands, Accepting Food Softens the Mouth
When Huo Yingying displayed the etiquette of a Hong Kong socialite, it made Ye Weidong and his wife feel that this female celebrity was not only good-looking and a good singer, but also far ahead in terms of etiquette.
As the saying goes, it takes three generations to cultivate a noble, and Ye Weidong had heard of this. Now he felt that his family was just nouveau riche, nowhere near comparable to the grand families of Hong Kong that have lasted for generations.
"Miss Huo, I would like to invite you to dine at the Imperial Cuisine Restaurant tomorrow."
Jinling’s Imperial Cuisine Restaurant was very famous. Li Fanghua and Huo Yingying had heard of it, but they didn’t expect it was owned by the Ye Family.
And it was a brand created by Ye Qiu.
On this point, Huo Yingying couldn’t believe it, no matter what.
When Ye Weidong invited the two to stay at the villa, Li Fanghua and Huo Yingying stayed.
Ye Qiu cultivated all night, and the next morning, when he came downstairs after washing up, he saw his father sitting there smoking a cigar, and Weidong said, "Kid, I didn’t expect that Miss Huo would actually come. I have already invited her to the Imperial Cuisine Restaurant. Do you want to host her properly today?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
"Dad, I have classes to attend and don’t care to entertain her."
In the eyes of others, Huo Yingying was adored by the masses as a young lady, but to Ye Qiu, she was just a celebrity.
After Ye Qiu finished breakfast, he didn’t greet Huo Yingying, who had just come downstairs. He simply drove off.
This made Huo Yingying feel that Ye Qiu must not really think she was like those other female stars in the entertainment industry, thinking she was dirty and not wanting to associate with her, did he?
If that were really the case, Huo Yingying would feel too wronged. While other actresses might be like that, how could she possibly be?
"Miss Huo, Ye Qiu has to go back to school for class, so he won’t accompany us there. However, Ye Xue can accompany you," Ye Weidong quickly explained.
After Li Fanghua and Huo Yingying finished breakfast, they put on masks and sunglasses, and got into the car with Ye Weidong and Ye Xue to drive to the Imperial Cuisine Restaurant.
At that time, there weren’t many people queuing to eat, but after nine o’clock, the number began to increase.
Upon arriving at the parking lot outside the Imperial Cuisine Restaurant, as they got out of the car, the waitresses and the restaurant’s chefs were busy.
Ye Weidong took Li Fanghua on a tour, discovering that the decor inside the Imperial Cuisine Restaurant was indeed very special, one could say the environment was first-class.
"Was this also designed by Ye Qiu?"
"It indeed was. Initially, this was a bankrupt restaurant that Ye Qiu bought and then redesigned and renovated, turning it into what it is now."
Upon leading Li Fanghua and Huo Yingying inside and then up to a room on the third floor, Huo Yingying noticed many photos and couldn’t believe so many celebrities had visited here to dine, including even the Prince of the French racing world.
And many foreign officials had dined here as well, indicating this really was a remarkable restaurant.
"Miss Huo, would you mind if we took a photo together?"
From the way Huo Yingying and Li Fanghua listened, they immediately knew what was going on, but there was nothing wrong with taking a photo. It wasn’t like the promotional advertising you see on TV; at many tourist spots, taking a photo while eating is common, especially since many male and female stars have dined here, showcasing the restaurant’s quality.
"Mr. Ye, of course!" Huo Yingying said.
Reflecting on having been extorted for five million yesterday by Ye Qiu, she didn’t expect to be dragged by his parents to take photos here now.
Of course, the so-called extortion was actually for medical expenses, which Huo Yingying felt was worth the price, but she couldn’t help feeling indignant, as if the family had taken advantage of her.
But when she thought about the concert, without Ye Qiu soothing her voice, the compensation for losses would be more significant, so in retrospect, the Ye Family hadn’t taken advantage of her at all.
"So why don’t you sit down, and I’ll have the kitchen send over some delicious dishes."
Before long, Huo Yingying heard from Ye Xue that Ye Qiu was still cooperating with The East Ocean’s Akiha Clan and that chefs from The East Ocean were sent to learn here, meaning there would be franchises there in the future.
This left Huo Yingying at a loss for words, only able to marvel that Ye Qiu was young, wealthy, and most importantly, talented, while also appearing low-profile. Had she not come to Jinling, she wouldn’t have known.
Li Fanghua and Huo Yingying sat there for about half an hour before the first dish was brought in. Just the presentation of the dishes was very enticing.
"Miss Huo, rinse your mouth and start tasting. Several more dishes are coming ahead," Weidong said.
As Huo Yingying and Li Fanghua began to rinse their mouths and then taste the dishes, starting from a little after eight in the morning until slightly past ten, they sampled continuously. With more than a dozen dishes, they couldn’t finish them all, yet they found everything quite delicious.
It turned out this was indeed the Imperial Cuisine of the Ming and Qing dynasties, once enjoyed by royalty and even emperors. Who would’ve thought that Ye Qiu would replicate it, allowing ordinary people to have a taste? Truly remarkable.
Looking out the window now, it was clear a long queue had formed outside, and many customers were ready for lunch.
"Aunt Li, this meal is certainly well-deserved. It’s delicious," Huo Yingying commented.
"But just look at the price. This meal alone could cost an average person a month’s wage," Li Fanghua noted. She was aware that in Mainland China, a monthly salary of two or three thousand was still common, though rich people were everywhere.
So even so, for ordinary people, it’s not something just anyone can afford.
Having eaten their fill, too full to continue, there were several dishes they hadn’t even tasted, as they were already too full.
"Miss Ye Xue, we are quite full, no need to bring any more dishes,"
Huo Yingying told Ye Xue.
"My father knows, and he has already instructed the kitchen to prepare meals for other customers,"
Ye Xue replied.
"Does your restaurant’s daily revenue get high then?"
"Pretty good, during the holidays, daily revenue can even cross a million," Ye Xue explained.
Daily revenue exceeding a million?
That’s incredible!
Of course, this culinary business must be highly profitable, probably earning more than half.
This five-story building, including the first-floor hall, would be fully seated all day long from morning till midnight. Daily revenue exceeding a million is quite achievable.
Last year, besides the circulating capital, Ye Weidong had already set aside 20 million for Ye Qiu to invest, but to Ye Qiu, this was just pocket money.
When Ye Weidong and Chen Fang came up, Huo Yingying said, "Mr. Ye, don’t let anyone know I am here, or I fear I won’t be able to leave then."
"Miss Huo, we understand. Besides the three of us, no one else is aware,"
"Then let’s take a photo now!" Huo Yingying smiled.
There is a saying, "When you take a favor, you owe a debt." Truthfully speaking, having enjoyed their hospitality, Yingying and Li Fanghua sat there while Ye Weidong and Chen Fang moved over for a group photo, with Ye Xue taking several shots. Then Ye Xue joined them for more photos.
