Artists under the Rebirth of the Coal Boss

Chapter 285 The CEO's Insight!
Ma Yili pushed open the kitchen door, her apron still tied over her dark green dress. She took large strides, her back straight, and her arms outstretched.

Wen Zhang swiftly stepped forward, serving the general as if he were removing his armor, and took the initiative to help him take off his apron, his movements crisp and efficient.

Ma Yili looked at Lin Xingzhuo and said enthusiastically;

"Oh my! Xingzhuo! Please sit down! I heard you're a connoisseur of food. I specialize in authentic Shanghainese cuisine, you must try it! And give me your feedback!"

Wenzhang hung up his apron and struck up a conversation:

"That's right, Brother Zhuo is a recognized gourmet."

"It's such a pity you didn't go on that episode of Zhejiang TV's 'Delicious Food Wins the World'! I heard you left Hua Shao speechless and even made the French chef bow down in admiration!"

Lin Xingzhuo enjoyed this emotional value, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said, "Just performing normally!"

"By the way, do you have the braised sea cucumber with shrimp roe today? I heard it's especially delicious."

These words created an awkward atmosphere in the restaurant...

Li Nian was chatting with screenwriter Qi Qi when he thought, "Oh no!"

I clearly mentioned in the car that this Commander Ma's least favorite local dish is sea cucumber with shrimp roe, and I even gave him a bit of gossip!

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In her early years, Ma Yili met her best friend Liang Jing during the filming of her boyfriend Guan Hu's movies "Black Hole" and "Winter Solstice".

Liang Jing, a graduate of the PLA Academy of Arts, was dating her senior, Gao Yalin, at the time.

During the filming of "Lu Buwei, the Hero of the Chaotic World", Gao Yalin developed a liking for Shanghai cuisine.

So his girlfriend Liang Jing specifically learned from Ma Yili how to make the shrimp roe sea cucumber, which best embodies the essence of Shanghainese cuisine's "rich oil, dark sauce, and heavy fire" technique!
At that time, Ma Yili and Guan Hu had been in a relationship for five years, and Liang Jing, as Ma Yili's best friend, frequently entered and exited their lives.

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Later, Ma Yili's career entered a period of growth, and she went to film "Princess Pearl III: Heaven and Earth".

Taking advantage of the situation, her best friend Liang Jing offered to cook for him, and her signature dish, sea cucumber with shrimp roe, was particularly praised by Guan Hu!
Guan Hu eventually broke up with Liang Jing and married her in 2005.

When Ma Yili was later interviewed by a reporter from Sohu Entertainment, she mentioned this incident and said:

"The two people who understand you best are together now. When they're bored, they can still eat shrimp roe and sea cucumber and make fun of you..."

Everyone in Shanghai knows that this dish is a taboo for Commander Ma...

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Wen Zhang said awkwardly, "Brother Zhuo, this sea cucumber with shrimp roe is not good. It's too mushy. It's not worth eating."

Lin Xingzhuo remained noncommittal and said, "Then what you ate wasn't authentic."

"The real shrimp roe sea cucumber is soft but not mushy! Although it has a tender and mushy texture, it still retains its shape when picked up with chopsticks, and it is soft and chewy with a gelatinous elasticity!"

Director Teng Huatao smoothed things over by saying, "There's no need for that."

"Just make some braised pork, pickled bamboo shoots with pork belly, braised pork belly with clover and pork intestines, and smoked fish. These are representative traditional Shanghainese dishes!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xingzhuo, based on the information he had gathered from reviewing the "Taste of Wangjiasha" program on Shanghai TV's financial channel in his previous life, retorted:
"Actually, Shanghainese cuisine came about along with Shanghai's industrialization."

"At the beginning of the 20th century, Shanghai experienced a great industrial development, with tens of thousands of factories appearing in the city."

"In 1920, China had 200 million modern industrial workers, of which 50 were in Shanghai."

"At that time, most companies did not have canteens. For lunch, workers either brought their own food or ate at the food stalls at the factory gate."

"The food stalls serve dishes with lots of meat and fish, oily dishes with soup. Workers can eat three big bowls of rice with just one dish, which keeps them full."

"Therefore, the characteristics of Shanghainese cuisine are large amounts of meat and fish, rich and dark sauces, and soups..."

“In some large state-owned factories or later large factories with good performance, there are occasions such as important celebrations and year-end dinners.”

"The cafeteria will carefully prepare hearty dishes like braised sea cucumber with shrimp roe to reward the employees..."

"Therefore, this dish of braised sea cucumber with shrimp roe is also a very representative local Shanghai dish."

Ma Yili listened attentively and said in an admiring tone:
"Although I'm good at cooking Shanghainese cuisine, this is the first time I've heard of these dishes..."

"Xingzhuo, you are truly well-read and knowledgeable!"

"Shrimp roe and sea cucumber... I especially love this dish! Luckily, I have some sea cucumber at home! I'll make it! Consider it tuition!"

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This was the first time Wen Zhang had seen Ma Yili, this powerful, independent woman, the queen of Shanghai's elite circles, so submissive and tolerant in the face of Lin Xingzhuo's aggressive advances…

He outwardly appeared indignant, but inwardly he was secretly pleased.

How awesome would it be if I could stand up to that fierce and powerful queen of Shanghai's entertainment circle even once in my life?!
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Of course, Wenzhang understood his wife's forbearance.

There was nothing that could be done about facing such a pure-blooded young dragon.

Compared to other circles, the Shanghai and Hong Kong entertainment circles have very close connections, and Ma Yili, as the leading lady of the Shanghai circle, knows some little-known secrets...

For example, the action director of "Reign of Assassins" offended someone and had half of his hand cut off;
Hunan TV was targeted and destroyed, while Zhejiang TV surrendered; the Wanxiang Group was ambushed and the perpetrators escaped unscathed.

She manipulated the Golden Horse Awards to help her lover win the Golden Horse Awards civil war at Huayi Brothers and successfully become the Best Actress winner;

Rumors and speculation abound in Hong Kong's entertainment circle, including reports of the Cheng family losing gold coins, the Taibei cinema chain, Indonesian cinemas, and other assets.

However, one conclusion is clear!
A super ancient god who broke through the boundaries of the coal industry and descended into the Chinese entertainment circle can already be vaguely seen in various descriptions!
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As for Lin Xingzhuo's insistence on eating the large sea cucumber with shrimp roe...

Wen Zhang suddenly remembered a quote from Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein during an interview with Time magazine this year.

"Boldly test the boundaries of power... Don't be afraid to offend... You will enjoy and discover... Obedience is the best medicine for those who hold power..."

Wen Zhang suddenly felt a pang of longing for that person from the "New Dream of the Red Chamber" production team.

Compared to my own shrew, that's a real woman...

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While Ma Yili was making sea cucumber with shrimp roe, Lin Xingzhuo got excited and started giving a long talk about Shanghai cuisine and local delicacies.

Everyone had opened the door to a new world.

A group of Shanghai natives, like greenhorns in front of Lin Xingzhuo, all said that listening to his words was better than reading for ten years.

Wen Zhang even took out a sticky note from the refrigerator to write down the dishes, saying that he would cook them for Ma Yili later.

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In this situation, Lin Xingzhuo recalled his past life when he participated in a youth forum held by the bureau to solicit opinions.

Young and impetuous, he criticized current affairs and actually said a lot of things...

Dude, are you really giving me feedback?

Lin Xingzhuo's content was angrily criticized by the leader, who said it was nonsense, rambling and empty.

At that time, Lin Xingzhuo also reflected that honest advice is hard to swallow, and that he should pay attention to his speaking skills and communication methods.

I bought books such as "One Sentence Worth Ten Thousand: 124 Speaking Techniques That Penetrate People's Hearts", "99 Speaking Details of Successful People", and "Who Moved My Cheese?"

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Two years later, a young woman from the department returned from maternity leave in October and was named an annual model worker and outstanding worker in November!
When she reported on her work at the conference, what she said was exactly the same idea that Lin Xingzhuo had put forward at the youth symposium years ago.

The leader praised him highly, saying that his thinking was clear, incisive, and excellent!
At this moment, Lin Xingzhuo understood.

The only reason why honest advice is hard to hear is because one is in a lowly position and has little influence over it!
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Do you think these Shanghainese locals wouldn't know about local cuisine?

Ma Yili was born in YP District, Shanghai. Her parents were sent to work on a farm in Fengxian. Later, her mother worked at the Shanghai Machine Tool Factory and her father was an electrical worker.

She grew up in Hong Kong and graduated from North Hong Kong Secondary School, where she also attended Sun Li and Chen Rong. She went on to study at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

In order to perfect the local cuisine, I made a special visit to Li Borong, the head chef of Shencheng Old Restaurant, known as the "Grand Master of Local Cuisine".

Would Ma Yili not know the origin of Shanghainese cuisine?
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Having a low status means having little influence and no one listening to you!
High status really allows for tank tones and fun of foolish talk!

Your Excellency's insight is truly remarkable!
Watching these master actors, these scoundrels trying so hard to play dumb, they're putting on a show of giving themselves a great deal of emotion.

The emotional value provided is fully realized!!!
Lin Xingzhuo is really growing to love the entertainment industry more and more...

(End of this chapter)