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

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look.

Among the besieged crowd, the waiter was pointing at Old Man Lin with his finger, his eyes filled with terror, unable to utter a complete sentence.

He truly hadn't expected that this seemingly easy-to-bully old man was actually a big shot from the capital!

Brother Long frowned, looking puzzled.

Who is this person? I don't know him. Why are you pointing at Old Lin and shouting at him? Have you mistaken him for someone else?

Gao Yang was also confused, his eyes darting back and forth between Old Lin and the waiter. How did Old Lin get involved with the waiter of the Golden Dragon Hotel?

Only Su Wanqing, who knew some of the inside story, had a strange smile on her pretty face. She stood quietly to the side without saying a word, waiting for Old Master Lin's next move.

Upon seeing this, Brother Long's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly realized that something was amiss, so he quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Mr. Lin, well, I'm sorry, this is my fault. I didn't manage my subordinates well. Please give me another chance, Mr. Lin."

He walked slowly forward, a fawning smile appearing on his pockmarked face.

Old Lin sneered, raised his palm, and stopped in front of Brother Long.

"Hehe, don't try that. My old bones can't take your torture."

Recalling what happened a few days ago, Old Lin's anger surged up again, and his voice suddenly rose.

"You think it's just a matter of the waiters? Don't you know Jinlong Restaurant uses rotten meat? Is this how you do business?! And your waiters have the nerve to say your food is the best!"

Old Lin became increasingly angry as he spoke. He had come to Yicheng with a mission from above, intending to enjoy some local delicacies in his spare time and also to conduct market research, but he never expected to encounter such a disgusting situation.

This is the greatest insult to someone who has grown up in luxury! And for the catering industry, it's a cancer on the sector!

Brother Long blinked rapidly, his brain working at lightning speed, and large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead and streamed down his cheeks.

How could he not know about this?

This was clearly something he allowed himself!

In order to reduce costs and wage a price war, he specifically instructed the kitchen to use the cheapest rotten meat, expired ingredients, and even secretly buy gutter oil. Otherwise, how could those folded dishes possibly make money?

But he never expected that the trouble would actually involve this big shot.

Brother Long immediately bowed and apologized, his tone so humble it was almost palpable.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Lin, I'm so sorry, Mr. Lin. This is my fault, and I've made you feel wronged. I'll go back and rectify the situation immediately. I promise this will never happen again!"

At this moment, Brother Long was filled with regret. If stabbing himself could take him back to that time, he would not hesitate to kill himself.

Brother Long glanced sideways at the waiter.

The waiter's legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground.

He was filled with regret. He was just a lowly thug on the fringes of the Green Dragon Gang and rarely had the chance to show up.

I spent a lot of money bribing Brother Long's henchmen today to get the chance to stand next to him and get some screen time.

Now that's great! Not only will he get to show his face, but he'll also be back in perfect condition. We should be burning incense in gratitude.

His vision was shrouded in darkness, and he felt that living no longer held much meaning.

Gao Yang and the chefs in the kitchen marveled at the sight, their faces breaking into comical smiles.

So this is how Golden Dragon Hotel cuts costs. No wonder they dared to offer such a 50% discount; they're practically digging their own grave.

"Food-related issues need to be investigated more strictly in the future."

Zhou Guodong nodded to himself.

Old Lin glared at Brother Long with annoyance.

He came to Yicheng with a special mission, and it was not the right time to reveal his true intentions.

"Alright, alright, let's leave it at that for now. Since both of your hotels are the largest in Yicheng and you're both here, I won't beat around the bush."

Old Lin softened his tone, took out two documents from his bag, and handed them to Su Wanqing and Brother Long.

"Based on the submitted materials, you both meet the criteria for this star-rated hotel evaluation."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "So, I plan to hold a culinary competition in five days as an important criterion for star rating. I will invite the media, and you can prepare your own ingredients. Whoever serves up a surprising fish dish on the day will become Yicheng's first star-rated hotel."

As soon as Old Lin finished speaking, the eyes of Zhou Guodong and the other experienced workers lit up.

When it comes to cooking fish, they've never been afraid of anyone. This five-star hotel must be a luxury hotel!

Brother Long's eyes lit up too. He had been visiting various places recently, and now all he was missing from getting into a five-star hotel was a fish!

"That's easy, that's easy."

Realizing this, Brother Long quickly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Elder Lin.

"Mr. Lin, I'll go make preparations right away. Don't worry, I'll definitely revise it carefully when I get back and produce the best possible work!"

After saying that, he led his men back to his Golden Dragon Hotel.

Old Lin watched his departing figure with utter disdain, but at the same time turned to Su Wanqing with a smile, his gaze seemingly casually drifting towards Gao Yang.

"Xiao Su, oh, Boss Su, you need to prepare well too, don't let your parents down!"

Su Wanqing immediately realized what Elder Lin meant, and a blush appeared on her face.

She replied to Mr. Lin with a smile.

"Mr. Lin, you should rest well too. Just wait for my next good show."

Old Lin waved his hand and, as he left, gave Gao Yang a deep look.

…………

"Master Gao, do you have any good ideas?"

Zhou Guodong served a dish of steamed fish head with chopped chili peppers.

The fish head was steaming hot, with half of it covered in bright red pickled peppers and the other half in golden bell peppers. The unique fermented flavor, along with the spicy aroma, was irresistible.

"It smells so good!"

Lin Ran's eyebrows relaxed as she looked at Zhou Guodong's chopped chili fish head.

"That's right, but don't you look who this master is?"

Wang Biao pointed smugly at himself, his nose practically pointing to the sky.

"Come on, Gao Yang, have a taste."

Zhou Guodong handed it to Gao Yang, his eyes full of hope.

This is his original work, and also his most proud masterpiece, which he has carefully crafted.

Gao Yang took the chopsticks and picked up a piece of fish.

"So tender!"

Gao Yang picked up the fish meat next to the gills.

The fish meat is tender and trembles back and forth on the chopsticks; it can be cut in half with the slightest force.

He put the fish in his mouth.

The first taste is the fresh spiciness of pickled peppers, followed by the fermented aroma spreading layer by layer on the tip of the tongue. There is no fishy smell at all; it is spicy but not dry, and fresh but not fishy.

The fish meat is springy and chewy; it melts into fibers with the slightest touch of the tongue, releasing a gush of juice and filling the mouth with the subtle sweetness of the fish.

"How is it? How is it?"

Lin Ran stood to the side, extremely nervous.

Gao Yang chewed slowly, savoring the taste. After a moment, he put down his chopsticks and gave Zhou Guodong a thumbs up.

"Chef Zhou, this dish is really good! The meat is handled perfectly, the fishy smell is completely removed, and the chopped chili is seasoned just right, highlighting the freshness of the fish without overpowering its original flavor. It's perfect."

Hearing Gao Yang's praise, Zhou Guodong's smile widened, and the chefs in the kitchen echoed his sentiments, all brimming with confidence.

"I knew it! Master Zhou's cooking skills are absolutely top-notch!"

"Five days from now, we'll use this chopped chili fish head to give the Green Dragon Gang a good thrashing!"

"It seems we have the victory in our grasp in this competition!"

Lin Ran nodded in agreement, her eyes full of anticipation.

"When the media reports it, our Grand Court's reputation will be completely restored, and we'll no longer have to fear the rumors about the Golden Dragon Hotel!"

But at this moment, Gao Yang gently shook his head, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

He spoke slowly.

"The chopped chili fish head is delicious, but it's not an amazing fish dish."