Chapter 1502: Empty-Handed: A Basket of Water

Zichen's personality is not like his father's; he is still somewhat like his mother. Knowing what to say to whom is an innate ability of his.

"No, no, I wouldn't blame you. Zichen, you really are a sensible, good child; I like you very much."

"If we could work together in the future, that would be great. I'd wake up laughing in my dreams. It's just a pity that you are someone destined for big things; liking to cook is just a hobby, right?"

Huo Zhenteng beat around the bush, actually wanting to find out if Zichen would come to the Resort to take charge as a chef. If not, things would be easy to handle.

His plan could then be implemented.

Zichen wouldn't need to stay long; as long as his name was attached to the Resort, Huo Zhenteng's game would be hard to play!

Zichen said bashfully, "You make me blush with what you say. Your evaluation of me is too high; I'm not as good as you say..."

The more polite he was, the more anxious Huo Zhenteng became.

Zichen exchanged pleasantries, indicating that he didn't have great ambitions; he just wanted to be a cook. As for doing big things, that would have to wait for the future. Who knows what will happen in the future?

He also said that everything needs someone to do it. You also graduated from Jiang University, but you became a cook and did it very well. I want to take you as an example and learn from you.

It seemed like he had said everything, yet it also seemed like he had said nothing at all.

In any case, Huo Zhenteng didn't find out a single thing he wanted to know. He was so stifled and frustrated he almost had a heart attack.

Just when he was at his wit's end, Gu Zhihao came to the hospital to visit him.

He was very happy; he was just worrying about having no pillow to sleep on, and the pillow fell from the sky.

Getting something out of Gu Zhihao's mouth was much easier than chatting with Zichen.

He hardly spent any effort to find out that if Sheng Hanyu contracted the Resort, he would not let Zichen get involved in the Resort's affairs.

The reason was simple: just as Sheng Zichen himself said, he was a student, and everything should prioritize his studies!

This was easy to handle. As long as Sheng Zichen didn't participate in this matter, he had a way to turn the tide.

After thinking of a good idea, Huo Zhenteng's body also quickly "recovered." He was discharged that same afternoon.

The second round of bidding began.

The procedure was the same as the first time, requiring a speech, but this time Sheng Hanyu didn't come, and the Mayor didn't come either. The person who came was the same one who represented Dingsheng in the previous speech, and this assistant would also be the person in charge of the Resort in the future.

The content of the two speeches was about the same.

If there were no accidents, Dingsheng would definitely be in the lead, or it would be fine if Huo Zhenteng could accept Dingsheng's contract.

But he wouldn't accept it.

Huo Zhenteng clearly stated that every family has its own rules, and it was impossible for him to follow the rules of Dingsheng Group.

The outcome was obvious, but just as the voting session was about to begin, Huo Zhenteng pulled another stunt.

"Wait a moment, there is something, I wonder if the other representative knows about it?"

"What is it?"

Judging by their expressions, the Dingsheng representative probably didn't know.

He was very smug, took out a document, waved it in front of everyone, and then handed it over: "See for yourself, I've already marked the key points."

The representative took the document, and the big screen in the village committee lit up, scrolling through the content of the document.

The content was not obscure or difficult to understand; basically, anyone who could read could understand it.

This was a notice issued last year regarding the standardization of resorts, the gist of which was that one must have a suitable chef to be qualified to contract the Resort.

The level of the chef could also be used as a condition for contracting the Resort.

The appearance of this document meant that the price of the contract could no longer be the primary factor in considering the bid.

If Dingsheng Group couldn't produce a presentable chef, they might even be disqualified from bidding. There were only two bidders in total; if one side was disqualified, wouldn't it be up to him alone to decide?

At that time, whatever price he gave would be the price.

The Dingsheng representative frowned slightly, and Huo Zhenteng asked him: "What should you do after contracting the Resort? Do you have a suitable chef?"

The Dingsheng Group representative replied: "That is none of your business; it is a trade secret, and I have no comment."

"A trade secret?"

Huo Zhenteng was certain that they hadn't thought of this point, so he was full of confidence and said: "But if you don't say it, how will the villagers know what benefits they will get? The Resort is famous for its food festival, and it will continue to follow the path of food in the future."

"As everyone knows, a resort must have a good chef; it cannot be industrialized. It must have the spirit of a craftsman. Dingsheng Group is large and powerful, that's true, and you are good at other industries, but when it comes to running a resort, you are not experts..."

Huo Zhenteng put away his usual humility and began to become aggressive.

"I, Huo, am untalented. Although I don't have great abilities, if I claim to be second in culinary arts, no one dares to claim to be first."

"And my apprentices are all over Jiangzhou, so in this area, Dingsheng has no way to compare with me..." Huo Zhenteng had the air of someone who was sure to win.

The villagers began to hesitate again, whispering in groups of three or two.

"What he says also makes sense."

"Then who should we vote for?"

I don't know either. Dingsheng is big and powerful, and I want to vote for Dingsheng, but what he says also makes sense. If Dingsheng can't make our resort work, it won't affect them much, but we will be the ones screwed over...

"That's right, and if we have to beg Chairman Huo again then, won't the price be even lower?"

"Why don't we just vote for him..."

Everyone was wavering, and many people felt that Huo Zhenteng was right.

Especially Gu Zhihao, who immediately expressed his support for Huo Zhenteng!

Because food was his lifelong pursuit, and if there were no good cooks, he wouldn't care even if they offered a sky-high price.

It's just that what he didn't know yet was that if Huo Zhenteng got the Resort, he would immediately scheme against his Gu Family Cuisine!

If he didn't crush him like sugarcane residue, Huo Zhenteng would not let it rest.

The atmosphere at the scene gradually changed; everyone went from caring about their own interests to caring about which side had more chefs and whose chefs were better.

The Dingsheng representative saw everyone's performance. He hadn't spoken, and only when Huo Zhenteng aggressively asked again, "Do you have a chef?" did he answer.

He replied: "Of course we do, only better than yours, and certainly not worse than yours."

Typically confident.

"Heh, anyone can just say that with empty words; I'll only believe it if you name specific people." Huo Zhenteng thought he was making excuses and, naturally, would not let him off easily.

"Who it is is none of your concern, it has nothing to do with you, and I don't need you to believe it."

Sheng Hanyu's Assistant also possessed Sheng Hanyu's temper and was skilled at killing a conversation!

Huo Zhenteng would not give up; to show his sincerity, he revealed the names of the chefs who took second and third place at the Food Festival.

It was not that he did not want to invite Li Dashao.

It was just that Li Dashao simply would not give him any face, and no matter what method Huo Zhenteng used, it was ineffective.