Chapter 1617: Boasting isn't scary; it's only awkward when you're exposed

Flying Speed Chinese.

"At the end of the day, it's all just culinary arts; to put it plainly, it's just cooking. What does it matter who claims first place or second place? Just because you cook well doesn't mean my cooking isn't delicious."

"Wouldn't it be better for everyone to set aside their prejudices and exchange culinary skills in the same kitchen? Why must we fight until one of us is dead..."

Huo Zhenteng put on the act of a good person, even though he was the worst of them all.

As a result, after he said a few words, it somehow became everyone else's fault. It was as if not doing as he said meant one was ungrateful and ignorant of what was good for them.

But one had to admit, Huo Zhenteng's words were very seductive.

For someone whose resolve was not firm, it was quite normal for their inner scales to tilt toward him after this series of misunderstandings.

Zichen's face showed hesitation; he did not agree immediately, saying instead that he needed to consider it.

"No problem, I'll wait for you. I'll wait until the end of time."

Huo Zhenteng kept smiling, smiling very "sincerely."

One day later.

Zichen arrived, agreeing to cooperate with him, but with one condition—Li Dashao must be released first!

Huo Zhenteng wore a smile that didn't reach his eyes: "My nephew's magnanimity truly makes me, your uncle, sigh in admiration. He treated you like that, and you still want to release him? Aren't you afraid he'll retaliate against you even more fiercely once he's out?"

Zichen said: "One must see things through to the end. I promised his family I would save him, so I must keep my word. Him misunderstanding me is his loss, but I must be a person of my word."

Clearly, this explanation could not put Huo Zhenteng at ease.

He changed the subject: "There is no rush for this matter; let's discuss the details of the cooperation first."

Zichen did not fall for it: "No, this is my bottom line. If this cannot be done, I won't have the heart to do anything else."

"The person must be released first, then we can discuss the rest."

Huo Zhenteng used every trick in the book, but no matter what he said, Zichen was set on releasing the person first before discussing anything else.

Huo Zhenteng chose to take a step back: "Fine, but I have conditions too. We can discuss the details first, right? I don't want what happened at the auction to happen all over again."

"What do you think?"

"Fine, let's do as you say!"

The two began to discuss the details, including everything from equity to trademarks to personnel allocation, making it extremely meticulous.

Such matters could not be settled in a moment. During the discussions, Huo Zhenteng secretly had his subordinates spread photos and evidence of the two of them together everywhere, attempting to make the matter a reality.

Now everyone believed that Sheng Zichen was truly cooperating with Huo Zhenteng!

Even Gu Zhihao wanted to call Zichen to settle the score, but he didn't make the call; his wife stopped him in time.

Shi Yuke asked him what he wanted to do.

He huffed and puffed, saying he wanted to settle the score with that heartless Sheng Zichen!

Shi Yuke grabbed his ear and scolded: "Are you a pig? Do you have a pig's brain? These are all that man's schemes. Others might not understand Zichen, but don't you?"

"He grew up right before your eyes; this child wouldn't be so poor at judging people. On the contrary, it's you—you panic at the slightest disturbance. You've lived all these years in vain..."

Gu Zhihao didn't dare to make a sound after being scolded by his wife, and naturally, he didn't dare to call Zichen to "settle the score" either.

One week later.

All the details were finally negotiated, and public opinion outside had reached its peak.

Huo Zhenteng handed the complete contract to Zichen: "Mission accomplished, sign it."

Zichen smiled and refused: "Did you forget what we said at the beginning? Release the person first, then sign."

Huo Zhenteng gave a cold, insincere smile: "If I release the person and you don't sign, what then?"

Zichen said: "You haven't been idle these past few days, have you? Everyone thinks we are together now. You still don't trust me? Since you don't trust me, I see no need for cooperation. Farewell."

He didn't linger, turning to leave.

Only then did Huo Zhenteng set aside his suspicion, having Zichen invited back and calling for the person to be released from the police station right in front of him.

"Thank you, Uncle Huo."

"You're welcome. Li Dashao can be released home today. Can we sign tomorrow?"

Zichen said: "Cooperation is a major event. For the sake of a good start, I think it's best to have a ceremony for the signing, like picking an auspicious date and holding a press conference or something..."

He still wanted to hold a press conference.

This time, Huo Zhenteng did not object; he agreed.

Not only did he agree, he even praised Zichen: "You are very smart and consider things very thoroughly. I like that!"

Sheng Zichen wanted to make a big scene, and he had no reason to disagree.

Li Dashao was released.

After being released, he went to find Sheng Zichen to settle the score, storming into his house, and then didn't come out for the whole night!

The auspicious date.

The weather was clear and the sun was bright.

The press conference was not held at a grand, glittering hotel, but right at Huo Zhenteng's Resort!

Although the place was unremarkable, it was the result of Huo Zhenteng's painstaking efforts.

He did it on purpose—purposely holding the press conference on his own turf, specifically to blow the matter up. Whether Sheng Zichen was sincere or fake didn't matter; he was going to make it look even more real than the truth!

As long as everyone believed it was real, Sheng Zichen would have no way out.

Once he had no way out, he would sincerely help him with his work!

He had originally been plotting for the Gu Family Cookbook, but he had changed his mind now.

Huo Zhenteng discovered that Sheng Zichen was a talent, and talents should be used for his own benefit. With someone like this, he wouldn't have to worry about not making a fortune!

His abacus was clicking away, and he had calculated every detail, but a problem still arose.

On the day of the press conference.

Huo Zhenteng's Resort was decked out in festive decorations, prepared early on to look joyous, with lanterns hung from the lobby where the signing would take place all the way to the village entrance, as if it were the Lunar New Year!

The reporters arrived very early, some even arriving the night before and simply staying there, waiting to grab the first scoop early the next morning.

Huo Zhenteng had racked his brains, waiting for this very day; he thought his moment of triumph had finally arrived and made the scene very grand, but the awkward part was—the signing time was almost up, and Sheng Zichen still hadn't arrived!

His right eyelid kept twitching, and a bad premonition struck his heart.

Huo Zhenteng felt uneasy; he called Sheng Zichen, but the phone was turned off.

Furious, he sent men to Chen Family Village and Chenxin Snack to find him; once they found him, they didn't need to say much, just tie him up and bring him over immediately!

The result was as expected: the men he sent out didn't see Sheng Zichen at all.

Never mind tying him up, they didn't even see a single Yingzi.

The ones who went to Chenxin Snack were fine, only receiving some cold mockery, but those who went to Chen Family Village to look for him were almost beaten up again!

The grander the scene was set, the more awkward it became!

The strong alliance between the Sheng Family and the Huo Family, originally considered a done deal, had now turned into a joke.

An epic joke.

So much for a strong alliance; not a single person from the Sheng Family appeared at the signing venue!

Huo Zhenteng had embarrassed himself greatly this time, but the matter was far from over.