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

Three days later, Yicheng.

"Mr. Xiao, have you been having a good time these past few days?"

Gao Yang pushed open the visiting door and sat down with Su Wanqing, looking at Xiao Jianyuan across from them.

Xiao Jianyuan was no longer as arrogant as he had been in the Nangong family. His fine clothes had been stripped off, and he was now dressed in a drab, uniform outfit.

His hair was also shaved flat, making him look ten years older. He sat slumped in the chair, looking at the two of them.

To be honest, going to the Nangong family was a really dangerous step.

If Gu Jingzhou hadn't finally managed to pry Qin Wanshan open up and drag Xiao Zhenguo, who was behind him, into the mess, they might not have been able to take down Xiao Jianyuan.

At this moment, Xiao Jianyuan stared at Gao Yang, his throat bobbing a few times.

"You think you've won by dragging me down with you?"

"Let me tell you, it's far from over. My Xiao family accepts this setback, but I hope you can survive the next one."

Xiao Jianyuan's voice was hoarse, as if it had been sanded, carrying a sense of resentment and bitterness, like a demon from hell.

"The next attack?"

Gao Yang retorted, "What do you mean? Are you saying there will be others targeting me?"

Xiao Jianyuan smiled and said nothing more. He sat quietly in his chair, watching Gao Yang with a strange smile in his eyes.

Su Wanqing tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, her expression calm, but a hint of vigilance flashed in her eyes.

Xiao Jianyuan's current demeanor definitely doesn't seem like he's just spouting threats casually. The next attack he mentioned must be hiding something, and there might be forces behind the Xiao family that they don't know about.

Gao Yang also frowned.

Xiao Jianyuan's unusual behavior intensified his unease, making him feel that a new crisis was quietly brewing.

…………

Meanwhile, in Japan.

In a quaint courtyard, the bluestone path meanders and is lined with neatly trimmed cherry blossom trees on both sides.

However, the flowering season had already passed, and the trees were covered with only green leaves, making them appear somewhat monotonous.

Smoke curled from the tea room deep in the courtyard, where an elderly man dressed in a black kimono knelt before the tea table.

The old man had a weathered face and sharp eyes. He held a cup of hot tea in his hand and exuded the aura of a superior.

A young man in a black suit stood in front of the old man.

The man looked respectful, his head bowed, and he was reporting something in a low voice.

"What! You mean Xiao Zhenguo and Xiao Jianyuan have both been arrested, and the entire Xiao family is now in complete disarray."

"These two good-for-nothings, despite receiving so much help, haven't made a single ripple."

The old man frowned, his displeasure evident, but he gently swirled the teacup in his hand, and not a single drop of the scalding tea spilled.

"Yes, Mr. Fujita."

The man answered with a cautious tone and utmost respect.

"According to information from informants, the Xiao family is currently under investigation. In addition to Xiao Zhenguo and Xiao Jianyuan, quite a few others have also been taken to the police station."

"The culprits behind all this are Su Wanqing and Gao Yang, and now their influence in China's catering industry can be considered the mainstay."

"Furthermore, it is said that the Kawasaki family, specifically the Kawasaki Yuki family, had an accident related to them."

The man carefully observed the old man's expression, afraid that a single word he uttered would ruin his career.

Fortunately, the old man didn't say anything more after listening.

He gently put down his teacup, his eyes growing colder, and his fingertips lightly tapped the tea table.

"Da da da".

The quiet space was filled only with the crisp tapping sound, each tap seeming to strike the heart.

"Okay, I understand. Xiao Zhenguo is too ambitious but not capable enough. Xiao Jianyuan is even more arrogant and conceited. He started trouble before he could even stand firm. With Gu Jingzhou interfering, he deserved to be caught red-handed."

"But our plan absolutely cannot stop. Tell our informants in China now to completely abandon the Xiao family and find another way."

"So, what does Mr. Fujita mean?"

The man understood that Mr. Fujita was already angry, so he could only bite the bullet and lower his voice.

"Keep a close eye on them first, then offer the remaining members of the Xiao family a large sum of money to harass the Su family's businesses."

"Let the Chinese take action again and seize the market from them. As for the Nangong family, they have some strength. If they can be used by us, we'll keep them. If they can't, we'll wipe them out. But we must get our hands on that ancestral recipe book."

"Now, please contact the head of the Kawasaki family. I need to discuss the next steps with him."

Fujita remained calm and gave the orders without changing his expression.

"Yes! I'll arrange it right away."

The man quickly bowed and turned to leave.

"Wait a moment."

Fujita called out to him, his tone becoming more stern.

"We need to keep this discreet, so they don't find any more evidence against us."

He understood that Gao Yang and Su Wanqing were backed by someone no weaker than Xiao Zhenguo. After all, they were in a foreign country, so it was best not to make too much of a fuss.

"Understood."

The young man bowed again, turned and quickly walked out of the tea room.

In the tea room, Fujita drank tea alone, his eyes cold yet greedy.

He couldn't rush into taking over China's catering industry; he had to plan for the long term. He had endured for many years for this move.

"Saito."

He spoke softly to the air.

"gentlemen."

From the darkness, a ninja dressed entirely in black slowly emerged.

This ninja named Saito looked incredibly thin, with two short swords strapped to his back, and his face was tightly wrapped with a mask and strips of cloth, making it impossible to see his features.

"You should also go to China and make sure this matter is resolved. If necessary, you will be allowed to intervene."

Fujita's tone was devoid of any warmth.

Saito knelt on one knee.

"clear."

After saying that, he vanished from the tea room in a flash, and the large tea room returned to peace.

…………

Yicheng.

"Let me introduce you. These are Nangong Lian and Nangong Hong. They will be working with us from now on."

In the kitchen of the Grand Court Hotel, everyone gathered in a circle, with Gao Yang standing at the front, introducing the brother and sister to everyone.

With the downfall of the Xiao family, those who had caused trouble dispersed, and the Grand Hotel returned to its former tranquility.

"They're both very young, just like Chef Gao."

The little girl spoke first, her face full of joy, clapping nonstop.

"Yes, it's true that heroes emerge from among the young. I was washing dishes in the kitchen back then."

Zhou Guodong also joked with a smile.

He was already getting old and nearing retirement age, and he was extremely anxious about the restaurant's lack of successors.

it's good now.

Having witnessed the siblings' abilities, he was completely reassured and could hand over the kitchen to the young people.

Congratulations!

Nangong Lian also returned the gesture with a cupped-hand salute, looking at everyone with eyes full of joy.

Aside from the bonuses he received from Gao Yang, he can now earn more money with a stable job.

After a few years of experience, I can open a shop with my sister. Just thinking about it makes me happy.

He scratched his head, lost in his daydream.

Nangong Hong glanced at him, realizing that her younger brother must be thinking about something from a very distant past.

However, life has indeed stabilized now, so it's not a bad choice.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone returned to their posts and resumed their duties.

Gao Yang took a deep breath, ready to make a big splash.

Just then, Lin Ran pushed open the kitchen door.

"Gao Yang, there are little trolls stirring up trouble outside!"