Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"Good third brother, it was my fault, please forgive me."

"Alright, I was just kidding. Do you think your third brother is the kind of stingy person?" Chen Zaiguang said nonchalantly, but what he really thought was unknown to outsiders.

After all, even his father, Chen Xiangui, knew about his reputation for being stingy. When everyone heard Chen Zaiguang say this, they just laughed it off, knowing better than to say anything.

Chen Zaiguang suppressed his smile and asked his master, Ye Daqiu, "Master, what do you think of this program? You'll have to come out of retirement to help me again."

Ye Daqiu stroked his sparse beard, squinted and smiled, "Zai Guang, when your master was the head chef at Baocheng Grand Hotel in the 1960s, provincial leaders came to inspect. After eating my dishes, they held my hand and said, 'Old Ye, your skills are amazing.'"

Ye Daqiu gave a thumbs-up as he spoke, then continued, "Guess what? Not long after, the line of people specifically requesting my dishes stretched from the restaurant lobby all the way to the street corner. Do you know why?"

Chen Zaiguang and the others who were listening all shook their heads in agreement, indicating that they did not know. Then Ye Daqiu said mysteriously, "It's because someone spread the word that your master's cooking is so good that it was praised by the provincial leaders."

"In this day and age, even the best wine needs advertising. Relying solely on word-of-mouth from diners at 'Nanyuelou' is too slow. Television can broadcast news all over the country in one night. If you can really invite chefs from all walks of life to compete and let the whole country see it, that would be more effective than any big shot promoting you."

Chen Zaixing joked, "Master Ye, when the time comes, we'll ask you to come out of retirement and be a judge. You can't refuse!"

"Why would I refuse? There's food and conversation to be had. I'm a retired old man, I'm overjoyed," Ye Daqiu laughed and said to Chen Zaiguang, "Then let your two senior brothers show their faces too. They've been with me for so many years, and their skills are now comparable to mine. It's time for outsiders to know."

Chen Zaiguang nodded upon hearing this, and then Ye Daqiu said, "Your two senior brothers must go up and compete. They must show off their skills so that the other chefs who are participating in the competition will know."

Chen Zaiguang nodded again, seemingly understanding, "Master, I understand what you mean. If the winner of this show is really invited to the kitchen of our 'Nanyuelou' restaurant, then if my senior brothers don't show off their skills, they might not be able to keep these people in check."

"Yes, that makes sense. That's why I said we should let Liangming and Depeng participate as well. Firstly, it will further enhance the reputation of our restaurant and let diners all over the country know that the chefs at our 'Nanyuelou' are no ordinary people," Ye Daqiu said. "Secondly, when those arrogant and fierce generals arrive, they will all be defeated by your two senior brothers, and they won't dare to be too arrogant, making it easier to manage them."

"Master Ye is right," Chen Zaiguang said, standing up. "Now that we've decided to do this program, we brothers in the Chen family must work together as one and make it a great success."

"Big Brother is right," Chen Zaisheng raised his glass, tea instead of wine, "Third Brother, all the brothers fully support you!"

Chen Zailong and Chen Zaixing raised their glasses and clinked them together. Chen Dong chuckled and downed his drink before sitting down. Lin Qingsheng walked over, raised his glass, and said to everyone, "Wishing Nanyue Restaurant's 'Chef Showdown' a resounding success!"

"good!"

"May our celebratory words bring you joy! Let us all drink to victory!"

Everyone raised their glasses, the clinking of glasses echoing crisply in the private room. Chen Xianhai watched as Chen Dong casually came up with an idea and set up a game for Chen Zaiguang, with the eldest son's brothers all contributing money. Remembering what he had told his wife, Chen Xianhai came over and pulled Chen Dong, who had drunk quite a bit, to sit down beside him.

"Third Uncle, what's going on? Why are you being so mysterious?" Chen Dong asked, frowning as Chen Xianhai pulled him along.

"Ah Dong, I saw you've had quite a bit to drink today, so I pulled you over to sit for a while and talk to you, so you don't get drunk later," Chen Xianhai's wife, Yang Xifeng, had reminded him to be more tactful when mentioning his daughter Chen Lianzhen to Chen Dong, so Chen Xianhai awkwardly started beating around the bush.

Chen Dong laughed in anger. "I was drinking with someone and you pulled me over here saying you were worried I'd get drunk? How much do you underestimate my drinking capacity?" Chen Dong was feeling the effects of the alcohol, but he still spoke in a restrained tone, saying, "Third Uncle, just say what you have to say."

"Nothing much..."

As soon as Chen Xianhai finished speaking, Chen Dong got up to leave. "I have nothing to say, why am I having this awkward chat with you? I'm bored!" Chen Xianhai saw that Chen Dong was about to leave and quickly grabbed him. "Dong, there's something to say, sit down and listen to me."

Chen Dong then sat back down in his chair, took out a cigarette, lit it, and looked at Chen Xianhai as he exhaled smoke. "Third Uncle, just say what you need to say!"

"Hey!" Chen Xianhai sighed first, then said, "Adong, your sister Lianzhen has graduated and is working at Xiaoyi's company. She's twenty-five this year and is almost an old maid. Do you think you can help find a husband for your sister Lianzhen?"

Chen Dong immediately frowned. "Third Uncle, what do you mean by that? I'm a little confused."

"Ah Dong, since you were able to bring Lianxiang and Qingsheng together, you must have quite a few friends on America's side," Chen Xianhai said with a fawning grin. "I'm not asking you to introduce Lianzhen to a husband like Qingsheng. Anyone slightly less suitable, as long as their character is acceptable, is fine with me..."

"No, wait a minute," Chen Dong quickly interrupted Chen Xianhai, "Third Uncle, you must have misunderstood. I didn't bring Lianxiang and Qingsheng together. They got to know each other, got to know each other, and after a three-year courtship, they finally got together. It has nothing to do with me."

"Besides, Third Uncle, if you want to find a husband for Lianzhen, you need to find a matchmaker. Don't ask me. I've never introduced anyone before. I'm not familiar with this business and can't do it," Chen Dong said directly, not trying to fool Chen Xianhai into agreeing. He didn't give Chen Xianhai any room for imagination.

To avoid Chen Xianhai feeling that he was going to introduce Chen Lianzhen to someone else and delaying Chen Lianzhen's marriage, which would only lead to complaints from Chen Xianhai and his wife.

Chen Xianhai's tone became somewhat harsh after being directly rejected by Chen Dong, "No, Dong, if you can introduce someone to Lianxiang, why can't you introduce someone to Lianzhen as well?"

"Third Uncle, I've already told you, Lianxiang and Qingsheng have nothing to do with me. They just fell for each other on their own," Chen Dong said, getting a little angry. "I'm busy to death every day, where would I find time to help you find a son-in-law? You should find a matchmaker and see if there's anyone suitable. Don't delay Lianzhen's marriage."

After saying that, Chen Dong got up and left, leaving Chen Xianhai sitting there with a gloomy face. Yang Xifeng had been watching her husband and Chen Dong closely. Seeing Chen Dong walk away and her husband's dark face, she walked over and asked softly, "So, did A-Dong agree?"

"No, he refuses to help Lianzhen find a match. I've tried everything to persuade him, but he just keeps making excuses," Chen Xianhai said angrily, biting his cheek. Yang Xifeng's expression changed upon hearing this. "If he doesn't want to, he doesn't want to. He only cares about his uncle's family. He doesn't care about us poor relatives at all."

Provoked by Yang Xifeng's words, Chen Xianhai's face darkened even more. At that moment, Chen Xianhai thought that Chen Dong did not respect him, his cousin Chen Xianhai. Otherwise, why would he refuse without even giving an excuse to try?

"Forget it, don't be angry. They look down on us, so there's no need for us to keep trying to please them," Yang Xifeng said, walking back to her original table. Chen Xianhai also walked back with a gloomy face. Chen Xianfu, who was eating at the time, saw Chen Xianhai return and asked him, "Third brother, what's wrong with you?"

"It's alright, let's drink," Chen Xianhai waved his hand, glanced at Chen Dong's side, and saw Chen Dong and Chen Zaiguang drinking and chatting. He angrily tilted his head back and drank the liquor in one gulp. Because he drank too fast, he choked and coughed repeatedly.

Chen Xianfu quickly patted his back, "What's wrong? What upset you?"

"Second brother, they don't treat us like uncles at all," Chen Xianhai said angrily. Chen Xianfu, puzzled, asked, "Who are you talking about?"

"Who else could it be!"