Chapter 1540: Great Wisdom

"Don't you lecture me with your high-minded principles; when I was talking about principles, you didn't even know where you were. I don't agree, and if you insist, you and Yuxin must break up."

Gu's father issued an ultimatum.

Gu's mother also chimed in, echoing her husband: "What are you going to Jiangzhou University to be a cook for? It would be so much better if you went to a technical school; you could even free up a spot for someone who wants to get ahead."

Gu Yuxin's parents were aggressive and overbearing.

But the grandfather and grandmother did not speak.

The grandfather's birthday banquet ended on a sour note, and Zichen prepared to take his leave when Principal Gu called him back: "Zichen, come to the Study for a moment."

Inside the Study.

Principal Gu personally brewed tea and poured a cup for each of them: "Try this; it's this year's new tea. It tastes very good."

Zichen apologized: "I'm sorry, because of me, your birthday didn't go well. It's all my fault."

"Where did you go wrong?"

Zichen:...

He thought to himself, why is the Principal just like my mother? Is admitting a mistake not enough?

He even has to get to the bottom of it and ask where I went wrong?

"I was wrong to disturb your birthday banquet," Zichen answered honestly.

Principal Gu nodded approvingly: "Not bad, I didn't misjudge you. Actually, this matter isn't your fault. If we're talking about responsibility, I should also bear half, or even more than half."

"I knew about your plan, but I didn't tell them. I also didn't expect them to react so strongly, so I should also apologize to you. I'm sorry."

"Grandfather, please don't be like this; you're making me feel ashamed," Zichen felt even more guilty.

He wanted to say something more, but Principal Gu suddenly changed the subject: "How did you make that Peach Cake? Especially the dew on top; I've been wondering what those drops of dew were made of just now."

"Since it has the taste of a peach, yet it's the texture of a cake, and it's neither too sweet nor greasy—it's truly superb." Principal Gu did not mention graduate school or being a cook—those two opposing topics—but instead asked about the longevity peach.

Although Zichen was puzzled, he still answered the question earnestly: "The longevity peach is made from peach juice and flour, which is why it has the taste of a peach. The dew is just pure water."

Usually, the highest-grade food only uses the most ordinary ingredients, and to complete a stunning work and stand out, one relies on superb craftsmanship.

Principal Gu said: "I ate this kind of longevity peach once when I was young. It was at a very famous restaurant at the time. I remember that the peach was made exactly like this one. Back then, I wondered what kind of expert could make a peach look like this? I never imagined you could do it too."

"Are you talking about the Gu Family Restaurant?"

The longevity peach today was a signature dish from the Gu Family Private Kitchen Menu.

Zichen had studied it for several years before he could make it look like the real thing.

Principal Gu shook his head: "I can't remember the name of the restaurant, only that peach. Later, that restaurant suddenly disappeared, and I never ate it again, but I have always kept it in my heart."

"I never imagined that in my lifetime I would be able to eat this peach again. It's truly a blessing; this birthday has been very meaningful."

"I'm sorry," Zichen apologized again.

"You don't need to apologize. I've already said it: choices are different, and this is not your fault."

"But today is your birthday. It should have been a very happy occasion, but because of me, the whole family is unhappy."

Principal Gu laughed heartily and said: "The only unhappy people are Yuxin's father and mother. Grandmother and I are still quite happy."

"Grandfather, you don't object to me opening a restaurant?"

"I don't object. Why would I object? It's nothing more than using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken or a chicken knife to kill an ox. These are all clichés. Everyone says that all professions are equal, but when it actually comes to themselves, how many people can truly live by that?"

Most people in the world are still worldly; there are too few who can truly see through fame and fortune. You can do it, and I think you're great!"

Zichen was very moved; he choked up a little: "Thank you, Grandfather. Thank you for your understanding."

"Don't worry, young man. What you said just now about all trades being equal and that there is a master in every one of the three hundred and sixty trades is very correct. As long as you have made your choice, stick with it. The hardships ahead are nothing; you can only see the rainbow after walking through the thorns. Everything is worth it."

Zichen walked out of the Gu family home, feeling very warm inside.

From childhood to adulthood, he had faced too many doubts. Everyone disapproved of him wanting to be a cook, including his father; only Grandfather Gu approved.

A dispute broke out in the Gu family.

The grandfather and grandmother were one faction, and the father and mother were another.

The Gu family held a family meeting. Although the center of the meeting was Yuxin's boyfriend, she watched her family argue back and forth like a bystander.

Her father was very agitated. He stated that his daughter must find a son-in-law with ambition, and Sheng Zichen clearly did not meet the standard of "ambition." Their family had been scholars for generations; no one had ever been a cook.

As a hobby, it might be fine, but as a career, wouldn't it make people laugh their heads off?

Her mother also chimed in: "That's right. Marriage isn't just about romance; they have to walk hand-in-hand through decades of wind and rain in the future. If they are too far apart, how can he have common ground with our Yuxin?"

"Only with a common career can a couple possibly be happy, and their marriage be happy."

Grandfather said: "Then according to your logic, all couples who are not in the same field will not be happy?"

The daughter-in-law added: "It doesn't have to be a common career; being in the same field is fine too. But at the very least, they must be on the same level. If they are too far apart, there will definitely be problems. The people they come into contact with will also be different. What kind of people do chefs come into contact with? People at the bottom of society."

"The people Yuxin will come into contact with in the future, besides professors and teachers, will be scholars. The gap between them will only grow larger and larger. Anyway, he wants to open a restaurant, and I am firmly against it."

Her father was concise: "Exactly!"

Gu Yuxin suddenly said: "I also want to go open a restaurant."

"No!"

Her mother was furious: "Are you crazy? From the time you were small until now, what hobby have you ever stuck with for a long time? If others don't know, can I not know you?"

"You are supposed to be studying for your master's degree; don't let your imagination run wild."

Grandmother gave an example: "There are also students from the top universities who go to sell pork, and they have reached the top level too."

Her father said: "That's an isolated case; you can't use an isolated case to look at probability..."

The family meeting lasted for two days. Everyone expressed their own opinions, and in the end, no consensus was reached.

In the evening, Gu Yuxin walked into her grandparents' room, and with a bitter face, asked them what she should do.

She didn't want to make her parents worry about her, nor did she want to put her boyfriend in a difficult position.

"What do you want to do?" Grandmother asked.

Yuxin said with a bitter little face: "I just don't know what the right thing to do is, that's why I came to ask Grandfather and Grandmother. You have to give me some ideas."

Grandmother kindly stroked her head and gave her answer: "Follow your heart; we will not make this kind of decision for you. You have already grown up and should be responsible for your own life!"

Grandfather said: "Follow your heart."