After the divorce, he took care of his child and sold fried rice; his ex-wife was filled with regret

Seeing these important figures, who were now so desperate to keep him for a drink, even to the point of being "shameless," with even a seventy-year-old titan like Ye Weiguo pretending to take off his clothes.

Lin Fan couldn't help but feel a little helpless.

He actually disliked these social engagements, but one can't refuse a smiling face.

He stepped forward and gently pressed down on Ye Weiguo's hand, which was unbuttoning his shirt. His tone was calm, but it carried a hint of respect for the elder in the clothes:

"Mr. Ye, you are my elder, you are making me feel ashamed."

Seeing that Lin Fan was finally showing signs of relenting, the perceptive Mr. Chen immediately raised his voice and shouted:

"Master Lin is right! Elder Ye, please don't take your clothes off! But since Master Lin thinks it's proper to speak standing up, then we at this table will all stand and keep Master Lin company today!"

After saying that, this real estate tycoon, worth hundreds of millions, actually pushed the chair behind him and stood up abruptly.

Seeing this, the other group chairmen and vice presidents of the chamber of commerce immediately understood that this was an excellent opportunity to show their loyalty and give face.

"That's right! How can we sit down if Master Lin doesn't take a seat!"

"Everyone stand! We'll be having this dinner standing up tonight!"

Splash!

At the same time, more than a dozen of Jiangcheng's top bigwigs at the main table all stood up.

This shocking scene left the guests at the other tables in the hall completely dumbfounded.

All the hundreds of people in the room, with their varied expressions, focused their gazes on the young man in the white chef's uniform.

This scene is absolutely bizarre!

Qin Lang watched in disbelief, his eyes wide, inwardly screaming:

My goodness! Brother Lin's arrogance is absolutely outrageous! The entire city's elite are being forced to stand in the corner waiting for him to take his seat!

Lin Fan glanced around the room and knew that if he refused again today, the banquet might really have to stop.

Moreover, this endless tug-of-war will only delay his time to go back and see Tuantuan.

"All right."

Lin Fan sighed softly, released his grip on Elder Ye, and conceded:

"Since Elder Ye and all the bosses are so hospitable, then I, Lin, will humbly accept. However, I will refrain from drinking alcohol and opt for tea instead."

"Great! Tea is good! Tea is good for your health!"

Zhao Hongming felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He rubbed his hands together excitedly and turned around to shout at the lobby manager who had just run over carrying an expensive carved huanghuali chair:

"Quickly! Place it between Elder Ye and me! Serve tea to Master Lin!"

Under the gaze of hundreds of pairs of eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and even worship.

Lin Fan walked calmly to the most central position at the main table, without the slightest restraint or awkwardness, and sat down with ease.

"call--"

As Lin Fan sat down, Elder Ye, Zhao Hongming, and the others finally sat down with a sigh of relief.

The moment Lin Fan sat down, the atmosphere at the main table subtly changed.

Those usually arrogant big shots unconsciously adjusted their posture, leaning slightly forward towards Lin Fan, their eyes filled with eagerness and flattery.

Even the few business owners next to him, who are worth billions and usually have to wait in line to even speak to Old Master Ye, could only stand on the outside with their wine glasses in hand, without even the right to interrupt.

"Master Lin, let me offer you a cup of tea first!"

Mr. Chen reacted the fastest, personally picking up the purple clay teapot on the table and pouring Lin Fan a cup of hot tea with utmost respect. He then picked up his own wine glass, his face beaming with a smile, and said:

"To be honest, my stomach has been in terrible shape for years due to frequent business dinners. But after eating the red bean paste in your peony pastry just now, my stomach feels warm and comforting! Your cooking skills are simply divine!"

Mr. Chen paused for a moment, then continued:

"Master Lin, I, Old Chen, own a newly built commercial building in the city center CBD. The top floor has a fantastic view and even a rooftop garden. Just say the word, Master Lin, and I'll offer you ten years of free usage rights, including all the renovations. Please open a branch there. What do you think?"

hiss--!

The guests who had been eavesdropping nearby gasped in shock.

A penthouse in the CBD? Ten years rent-free?! And even fully furnished?! This is worth at least several million! It's like throwing mountains of gold into Lin Fan's arms!

However, Lin Fan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and shook his head without hesitation, his expression unchanged.

"I appreciate Mr. Chen's kindness. However, for now, 'Lin's Shop' is only considering one store. My dishes can only be made by me personally. If I open a branch and have someone else do the cooking, the taste will change."

I was rejected!

Faced with such a tempting offer worth tens of millions, Lin Fan didn't even blink and immediately refused!

"This..." President Chen choked, but dared not show the slightest anger, and could only nod repeatedly, "Yes, yes, the master is right, ingenuity and humility are essential, I, old Chen, have been presumptuous!"

"Well... Master Lin, what do you think about investing?"

A bank president from the financial sector nearby immediately seized the opportunity and offered an even greater temptation:

"I'll invest 20 million! That's only 10% of your Lin Family Shop's shares! You don't need to worry about anything except developing new dishes. We'll handle everything else—operations, promotion, and packaging—and guarantee your brand will become a household name in Jiangcheng within three years!"

Twenty million! Ten percent?!

This is equivalent to directly valuing Lin Fan's small, run-down shop, which currently doesn't even have a signboard, at 200 million!

Faced with this astronomical figure, enough to drive any ordinary person crazy and make them kneel down and call him "Dad,"...

Lin Fan put down his teacup, his expression calm:

"Thank you in advance for your kind offer, bosses."

"However, cooking is all about purity. If you'd like to try it, you're welcome to come to Lin's Shop on Phoenix Golden Street anytime. Whether it's boiled cabbage in clear broth or these pastries, you'll have a chance to taste them."

These words were a resolute rejection!

They showed no respect to these bigwigs, and could even be described as arrogant!

But these words, when they reached the ears of Ye Weiguo and the others, did not make them angry. Instead, they raised their awe of Lin Fan to an even higher level!

"Hahaha! Well said!"

Ye Weiguo slammed his hand on the table, looked around at the big shots at the table with an admiring expression, and reprimanded them:

"Did you hear that? I told you people are filthy with greed! How could Chef Lin's extraordinary culinary skills be measured or bought with money?"

"For Master Lin, cooking is a form of spiritual practice, an art! Your attempts to bribe him with money are an insult to the master!"

"Yes, yes, Elder Ye is right! We've become too worldly!"

"Master Lin's noble character and integrity, his disregard for money, make him a true role model for us all!"