Era: You're asked to cook a home-style dish, but you cook Wellington.

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw seven or eight people dressed in fine clothes walking over.

"Patriarch Nangong, how have you been? What do you think of the suggestion from last time?"

The leader, waving a fan and wearing small round glasses, smiled broadly and said in a feigned magnanimous tone, "The Nangong family specializes in imperial cuisine, and our Xiao family runs an imperial cuisine restaurant. Meeting our Xiao family is your good fortune."

He snapped the fan shut and turned to look at Su Wanqing.

"Hello, Mr. Su, my name is Xiao Jianyuan, the current head of the Xiao family. I didn't expect to meet you here."

Xiao Jianyuan had a smile on his face, but anyone could see the calculation in his eyes.

Su Wanqing stared at that face and fell silent for a moment.

The Xiao family is indeed very strong; in the catering sector alone, they are even stronger than the Su family.

Moreover, it seems that Xiao Jianyuan had communicated with Nangong Ming.

She turned to look at Nangong Ming.

Nangong Ming naturally understood Su Wanqing's meaning and quickly raised his hand.

"Xiao Jianyuan, it's true that you contacted me, but I never agreed to communicate with you. In fact, this is the first time we've met."

Nangong Ming's gaze frequently swept towards Su Wanqing, his meaning quite clear.

He had absolutely no connection with the Xiao family who had suddenly barged in.

With just one glance, Su Wanqing understood and looked at Xiao Jianyuan with hostility.

There are very few people in this world who dare to disrupt Su Wanqing's business.

"For Patriarch Xiao to be able to enter the inner courtyard so easily, it must be more than just taking down a few guards."

Seeing that the situation was not going well, Gao Yang immediately spoke up.

In one sentence, everyone immediately understood.

Yes, although the Nangong family has never hidden their whereabouts, it still takes some effort to figure out their exact address in this era.

Especially the fact that they swaggered in with six or seven people like that—not everyone has that kind of ability. It seems there's a traitor within the Nangong family.

She glanced at Nangong Ming and Nangong Qinglang without making a sound, then turned her gaze back to Xiao Jianyuan.

"Boss Xiao, where is the old patriarch?"

"You mean that old man? That old man has been rendered obsolete by the times, so now it's my turn to take power."

"After all this talk, Patriarch Nangong, won't you invite me to sit down and have a cup of tea?"

Xiao Jianyuan suddenly opened the folding fan in his hand and started fanning himself.

The henchman behind him immediately handed him a pipe.

Nangong Ming was no fool; he could think of what Su Wanqing could think of, and his face was grim at this moment.

"Mr. Xiao, how do you plan to cooperate?"

He did not invite Xiao Jianyuan to sit down, but asked a question tentatively.

Xiao Jianyuan exhaled a puff of white smoke.

"Your Nangong family has a lot of people. Apprentices who come to my restaurant will be provided with three meals a day and will not be paid. Young chefs will receive 200 yuan a month, experienced chefs will receive 400 yuan a month, and those who are more skilled, like you, will receive 600 yuan a month."

"Let me tell you, this price is not low. Even in the whole of China, you won't find a boss like me who can afford to take on so many of your disciples."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of his mouth, hidden behind the fan, couldn't help but turn up.

As soon as he finished speaking, Nangong Qinglang turned his head and looked over, his brows furrowed with disbelief.

"This little bit? Do you think my Nangong family are beggars?"

Nangong Ming frowned deeply, barely suppressing the urge to curse.

"Patriarch Xiao, this price is really too low. Today is our first meeting. If Patriarch Xiao still shows no sincerity, then there is no need for us to come again."

"I have always believed that the Su family is more sincere than your Xiao family."

The Su family offered more than just this; if they lowered the price just because the Xiao family suddenly appeared, the loss would be too great.

He looked at Su Wanqing, and after seeing her nod, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He wasn't mistaken; Su Wanqing was a woman of great integrity and didn't lower her price because of the sudden appearance of a third party.

However, upon hearing this, Xiao Jianyuan showed no sign of panic; instead, his smile grew even wider.

"Really? That depends on whether the Su family has the resources."

He turned to look at Su Wanqing.

"Boss Su, we're all in the restaurant business. When it comes to imperial cuisine, you can't beat me. Why bother making things difficult for yourself?"

"Besides, you must have heard of Xiao Zhenguo's name. My grandfather has some prestige in the industry. You don't want the Su family to be blacklisted by the entire industry, do you?"

Xiao Jianyuan's words were full of threats, and he was undeniably arrogant.

At this point, even Nangong Lian couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Xiao Zhenguo, that's a very famous big shot."

Nangong Hong looked at her younger brother.

"Is he that impressive? How does he compare to Gu Jingzhou?"

Nangong Lian rubbed his chin, his expression indescribable.

"In terms of position alone, Gu Jingzhou is older than Xiao Zhenguo, but Xiao Zhenguo is older and has the influence of the Xiao family, so in terms of prestige, Xiao Zhenguo is much higher than Gu Jingzhou."

"Moreover, this new head of the Xiao family is no weakling either. He actually seized power from the old head of the family. You know, the previous head of the Xiao family was known as a fierce tiger."

After listening, Nangong Hong seemed to be deep in thought, and fell into a deep silence as she looked at the people in front of her.

It seems this negotiation is not going to end well.

On the field, Xiao Jianyuan looked at the group of people, his gaze then falling on Gao Yang.

"This must be Master Gao. I've heard so much about you."

He reached out his hand and bent down slightly.

He appeared respectful, but there was no shortage of mockery in his eyes.

"Hey, Master Gao, I've always felt that you're underutilized by President Su's side. Why don't you consider working for me? I guarantee you'll earn much more than before."

"Moreover, with the support of my Xiao family, and our combined strength, we would be invincible."

Gao Yang snorted coldly.

"What, my boss couldn't fool me, so now he's trying to work on me?"

"To be honest with you, Boss Xiao, I don't have a very good impression of you. I'm afraid that if I work for you, I might get sold off one day without even knowing it."

And that's exactly what he said.

In his previous life, when Gao Yang was somewhat famous, a friend of his from the same restaurant was approached by Xiao Jianyuan, who promised him a generous salary. Xiao Jianyuan spoke so eloquently that it was hard not to be tempted to work for him.

However, after Xiao Jianyuan's men learned the man's signature dish, they abandoned him, ruining his reputation and making it impossible for him to survive in the industry. In the end, he could only return to his hometown to farm.

Therefore, he looked down on Xiao Jianyuan, a smiling tiger, without a second thought.

However, this happened ten years later, and Xiao Jianyuan knew nothing about it, only assuming that Gao Yang was wholeheartedly following Su Wanqing.

Xiao Jianyuan, with a smug smile on his face, spoke casually.

"Really? As far as I know, four months ago you were just a wage earner, working three jobs a day to support your girlfriend. Can you tell me how you suddenly became Boss Su's favorite at the Grand Hotel?"

He then looked at Boss Su.

"Then please explain to me, Mr. Su, where did Gao Yang's girlfriend go? As far as I know, the last time that woman was seen was at the Grand Hotel."

"Of course, it's okay if you don't say anything. I will report this matter to Mr. Xiao Zhenguo and let him make a decision."