Wu Yue Zhai, the Wu family's highest-tier restaurant, was never open to the public, only reserved for exceptionally esteemed guests. Those lacking in status or standing were simply not qualified to dine at Wu Yue Zhai. Furthermore, only one table was set each day, accommodating no more than 8 people.
In Fog City, countless officials and dignitaries felt honored to have a meal at Wu Yue Zhai. The head chef of Wu Yue Zhai was Hu Ziming, renowned in Fog City as the 'Unrivaled Chef'. Unrivaled Chef, unmatched in the world. To taste a dish prepared by him was a supreme enjoyment in life! Half of the recipes from other Wu family restaurants originated from Hu Ziming's hands; his culinary mastery was unparalleled in the entirety of Fog City. After he drove Bian Ru to madness, no one in Fog City could match Hu Ziming's skill, let alone surpass him. Hu Ziming was indeed an exceptional chef.
The lounge.
Wu Hao pushed the door open and walked in. He saw Hu Ziming sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, in meditation. Every day, Hu Ziming meditated for two hours to recuperate his mind and body. This time was strictly reserved and no outsiders were allowed to disturb him.
"Who?"
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Hu Ziming frowned, extremely displeased. He detested being disturbed during his meditation. He opened his eyes, ready to scold the intruder soundly. Upon clearly seeing Wu Hao, Hu Ziming suppressed his anger. No matter how angry he was, he could not scold his master. However, Hu Ziming's expression clearly showed his considerable displeasure.
He asked, "Master Hao, what brings you to Wu Yue Zhai today? Are you here to book a banquet table in advance to entertain important guests?"
This was a perfectly normal assumption. Generally, Wu Hao wouldn't come to Wu Yue Zhai unless he was entertaining important guests and needed to give advance notice. However, today was slightly different.
Wu Hao waved his hand. "No, I'm here to take you to see someone."
Huh?
See someone?
"Master Hao, I'm quite busy with work and don't have time..."
Before Hu Ziming could finish, Wu Hao stated directly, "Bian Ru, I'm taking you to see Bian Ru."
Huh?
Hu Ziming's mouth immediately snapped shut. The name Bian Ru held a very special place in Hu Ziming's heart. Hu Ziming was a proud man, yet he could never defeat Bian Ru, to the point where he eventually resorted to despicable means to eliminate him. Why bring up the past now?
Hu Ziming asked in confusion, "See a lunatic? For what reason?"
Wu Hao didn't lie. He said directly, "The Su family is building a brand-new restaurant, directly challenging our Wu family. So, the Su family has brought Bian Ru out of the mental hospital to be their head chef. From what I know, Bian Ru's skill is still above yours."
The phrase 'above yours' completely ignited the rage in Hu Ziming's heart.
"Hmph!" Hu Ziming slammed the ground heavily and stood up, saying, "Even if his culinary skills were superior to mine before, after all these years of dedicated research, my skills have greatly improved. And Bian Ru, a deserter in a mental hospital, his culinary skills have regressed instead of progressed! With the ebb and flow, my current ability far surpasses his! Master Hao, you can rest assured. Even if Bian Ru becomes the Su family's chef, I, Hu Ziming, will still defeat him and protect the Wu family's reputation!"
"Well said," Wu Hao patted Hu Ziming's shoulder. "I admire your confidence. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry. I think we still need to go see Bian Ru. Firstly, to ascertain his culinary skills, and secondly, to observe his mental state. If possible, I hope you can provoke him a little more, drive him crazier, and give the Su family no chance to surpass the Wu family, nipping the Su family's hopes in the bud!"
Hu Ziming pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'll accompany you."
"Then let's go."
An hour later, the car stopped in front of the Su family's office building. Wu Hao and Hu Ziming alighted and walked towards the entrance. They had made prior arrangements with Su Wanran to see Bian Ru.
Arriving at the entrance.
Su Wanran led Bian Ru out. Su Wanran initially didn't want Bian Ru to see them, as she knew their intentions were not good. But Bian Ru insisted on meeting them. If one wants to eliminate rivals, one must have the courage to face them directly. If one dares not even meet, how can one contend with opponents?
Enemies meeting, eyes ablaze with hatred.
Bian Ru stared intently at Hu Ziming and said, "Junior Brother, I trust you've been well."
This single sentence indicated Bian Ru's current state. His madness had recovered by about seventy to eighty percent. Hu Ziming was somewhat surprised. Was a person's madness so easily cured? Just recovering just like that? Tsk, he wondered what kind of miracle drug the Su family had used to achieve this.
Hu Ziming coughed and extended his hand towards Bian Ru, smiling and saying, "Senior Brother, I heard you were discharged from the hospital and will be the Su family's chef. I'm happy for you and have come especially to see you."
Bian Ru glanced at Hu Ziming's outstretched hand, then extended his own. They clasped hands. On the surface, it was calm, but beneath the surface, currents churned. Both exerted strength secretly. The hands of chefs possessed immense power, which ordinary people could not withstand! Their grip strength was evenly matched; neither gained any advantage.
Hu Ziming was secretly astonished: After so many years of neglect, his strength had not regressed one bit. Senior Brother, Senior Brother, only you are worthy of being my rival, Hu Ziming.
Their hands separated.
Hu Ziming said, "Senior Brother, you're still as spirited and strong as before. Seeing you like this, I am truly happy for you from the bottom of my heart."
Suddenly.
His tone shifted, and he said sarcastically, "If Sister-in-law knew, and saw Senior Brother regaining his spirit, she would surely be very happy too."
This was deliberate provocation! Everyone present knew what had happened back then. Weren't Bian Ru's family members' deaths all orchestrated by you, Hu Ziming?
"Hu Ziming!" Su Wanran, fearing something would happen to Bian Ru, deliberately raised her voice and shouted, "What do you want?"
Hu Ziming feigned remorse, saying, "I don't want anything. I just regret it. If I hadn't called Senior Brother back then, perhaps Sister-in-law and the others wouldn't have died. Alas, it's all my fault."
Direct provocation.
Ripping open old wounds and rubbing salt in them. Such malicious conduct revealed the depravity of Hu Ziming's heart.
Su Wanran, afraid of something happening to Bian Ru, was about to reprimand them and tell them to get lost when Bian Ru slightly raised his head, looked coldly at Hu Ziming, and said in a deep voice, "It's not your fault."
Huh?
Everyone simultaneously looked at Bian Ru.
Bian Ru continued, "What's the use of blaming you? Blaming you won't bring the dead back to life, nor will it quell the rage in my heart. I won't blame you. I will only... deal with you!"
This!
How ruthless.
Hu Ziming and Wu Hao's expressions changed simultaneously. The Bian Ru standing before them now was completely different from the spineless coward who only knew how to escape in the past.
Bian Ru continued, "Hu Ziming, and the Wu family, I won't let any of you off! I will help the Su family build a brand-new brand and defeat the Wu family's century-old establishment. Also, I will snatch away the title of 'Unrivaled Chef'."
Every word was resolute. The two sides had completely fallen out, with no pretense left.
"Hahaha, hahahaha." Hu Ziming roared to the heavens. "Excellent, truly excellent. Senior Brother, I thought you were completely finished. To see you so confident, I am overjoyed. You have no idea how lonely and isolated I've been these past few years while you were in the mental hospital, reaching the summit but feeling the chill." Senior Brother, I eagerly await the day we clash again!"
Bian Ru sneered, "It's not far."
The two faced each other again, then Hu Ziming turned and left, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. He refused to believe it. After all his hard work for so many years, would he lose again to a mental patient who had been inactive for so long? In a rematch, Hu Ziming was confident of victory!
Hu Ziming and Wu Hao got into the car and departed.
At the entrance.
Su Wanran looked at Bian Ru and let out a long sigh. "You scared me. Just now, when Hu Ziming said those things, I was truly afraid you'd break down and fall into mental distress again."
Bian Ru smiled. "It won't happen. Now that I've returned, I won't run away again. For me, Bian Ru, it's either victory or death. There will be no third outcome!"
Seeing Bian Ru's earnest expression, Su Wanran's fighting spirit was unknowingly ignited.
The Su family versus the Wu family, war has begun!