The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 343: Chapter 342: That Depends on Fate

Hu Kaixing’s understanding of Li Dan’s current situation also comes from his wife, Wang Mengqi.

Wang Mengqi has privately remarked more than once that Che Yuhang is simply an exemplary man in the second marriage arena.

He graduated from the Culinary Institute of Jinan University and then qualified to attend the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.

During his time in school, he did not take any detours; he first followed his teachers, taking internships at various high-end restaurants. After five years, he consecutively obtained the professional qualifications of senior chef, technician, and senior technician.

After working for ten years, he returned to his hometown’s provincial capital to independently found Zhongxiang Restaurant, and in the following three years, he opened three branches one after the other.

He just turned forty-five this year and has already amassed considerable wealth. This time he came to Bei’an to prepare to open a branch there.

Although he hasn’t returned yet, the specific renovations for the branch have already been commissioned and actively organized by his people, with adequate staffing from top to bottom. He even sent a trusted apprentice to help manage the branch.

It’s well-known both within and outside the industry how wealthy famous chefs are.

Being able to own your own restaurant and open branches is not just about having money; you must also have extensive connections and be able to navigate various channels smoothly.

This is a highly capable person.

After finishing his words, Hu Kaixing couldn’t help but let out a small sigh in his heart.

Luckily, Zhao Meng reacted quickly earlier; if they had truly run into him, it would have been so awkward!

No matter how well Zhao Meng does, he’s still just a chef working for someone else, not even close to being compared to him.

However, similarly, although Che Yuhang is impressive, he doesn’t know him, and today is their first encounter. They’re not on the same path and not familiar with each other.

As long as things look good on the surface, that’s enough.

He can’t be compared to an old friend like Zhao Meng, whom he’s known for over a decade.

However...

Looking at Zhao Meng, Hu Kaixing couldn’t help feeling a bit regretful.

To think once upon a time, Zhao Meng and Li Dan were such a good pair!

Who would have thought...

”Just like you said, it’s all in the past now. Li Dan is just here to check on the branch; she’ll probably leave in a few days.”

Observing Zhao Meng’s expression and seeing that he had indeed moved on, Hu Kaixing felt relieved and started talking more: ”The key responsibilities here are handed over to Che Yuhang’s people, so there won’t be many chances to run into them in the future.”

Zhao Meng nodded: ”As long as she’s doing well, I’m genuinely happy for her... Alright then, let’s head out. I still need to check on things in the kitchen.”

The two of them left together.

Fu Yu, with his ears perked up, waited until the noise outside had completely disappeared. Only then did he casually hit the flush button and opened the door to come out.

In the adjacent stall, Sun Qingning had stepped out as well.

The two exchanged looks.

Sun Qingning couldn’t help but quietly curse, ”Damn!”

Fu Yu walked over to wash his hands and remained silent.

Sun Qingning followed suit and washed his hands, then slowly asked, ”Chef Fu, have you ever met Chef Zhao’s ex-wife?”

Fu Yu shook his head and softly said, ”Didn’t you hear what that guy just said? Chef Zhao’s ex-wife just came back.”

Sun Qingning asked worriedly, ”They’re dining on the second floor, and Sister Dai’s in charge of that floor. Do you think they’ll run into each other?”

Fu Yu turned to leave: ”They won’t; they don’t know each other. Once we’re out, don’t mention what happened today to anyone, got it?”

Sun Qingning nodded: ”Of course, I wouldn’t just bring this up casually with anyone!”

Fu Yu felt somewhat complicated about Zhao Meng’s affairs. Although he hadn’t specifically inquired, he had picked up bits and pieces during conversations.

Zhao Meng met his ex-wife when they both had humble beginnings. At that time, he wasn’t head chef yet, just working as a cook at Qianlima, with meager wages and commission.

Busy with work, earning little, having no time to care for the family, every day entangled with the trivialities of life.

Eventually, his ex-wife couldn’t endure any longer and asked for a divorce.

Knowing this, Fu Yu couldn’t help but feel a bit of resentment towards Zhao Meng’s ex-wife, whom he’d never met.

Isn’t life just like this?

Day-to-day, struggling for a living.

Both husband and wife come from ordinary backgrounds without significant abilities; striving for a prosperous future requires effort and hard work.

In Fu Yu’s imagination, Zhao Meng’s ex-wife simply couldn’t bear the loneliness, craved enjoyment, and found myriad excuses to justify herself.

Fu Yu always believed Zhao Meng was a particularly good person, and his ex-wife’s lack of appreciation was her shortcoming.

For a woman like this, who left Zhao Meng high and dry, it’s better not to have her.

While walking out, Fu Yu contemplated inviting Zhao Meng for a late-night snack.

There’s nothing else he can do to help, but he can surely keep him company with some drinks to ease his mind.

Lost in thought, Fu Yu didn’t pay attention to his surroundings as he approached the second-floor corridor when suddenly, a voice called from a private room nearby: ”Waiter!”

Fu Yu paused abruptly, turning towards the sound.

He saw several guests seated in Private Room 203, with a middle-aged man sitting at the head of the table, summoning the waiter.

This man appeared to be in his early forties, with a square face and penetrating eyes, speaking to the waiter who entered upon hearing the call.

Fu Yu looked intently at the middle-aged man.

That voice!

It was unmistakably the same ”Old Hu” who had been speaking with Zhao Meng in the restroom earlier.

Having finished his conversation with Zhao Meng, Hu Kaixing returned to the private room.

After engaging in some friendly banter, the atmosphere at the dining table became quite congenial.

In the presence of such an outstanding chef industry elite, Hu Kaixing felt respect and admiration, deeming the person worthy of esteem.

As for forming connections, that would depend on fate.

No need to force it.

With many people dining together, adding dishes was inevitable.

Hu Kaixing called the waiter again to order a few of the restaurant’s specialty dishes.

Beside him, his wife Wang Mengqi was casually chatting with Li Dan.

Their seats were positioned conveniently close to the door, and in their stirred emotions, they spoke somewhat louder.

Wang Mengqi asked with concern, ”How long will you be staying here this time?”

Li Dan replied, ”We plan to stay for three days. There’s a lot to handle in the provincial capital, and since someone is managing things here, there’s nothing to worry about.”

After ordering, Hu Kaixing overheard their conversation and curiously asked, ”Is Chef Che’s branch already fully prepared?”

Che Yuhang nodded and replied crisply, ”Yes, there’s nothing much left to prepare. I’m mainly here because I was invited to a TV interview program and decided to visit on the way.”

Hu Kaixing fell silent.

He usually watched programs on TV from home.

While someone of his acquaintance was being invited to interviews.

Truly incomparable!

Upon hearing that Li Dan could only stay for three days, Wang Mengqi quickly said, ”Then you must set aside a day for us to catch up properly. I still have so much I want to chat with you about!”

Li Dan laughed and said, ”We’ll settle in the provincial capital from now on. It’s only a five-hour drive to Bei’an; I can visit you whenever I have time.”

Wang Mengqi was somewhat surprised, ”You’ve moved to the provincial capital?”

Li Dan had been working out of town all these years and hadn’t returned much.

Li Dan nodded, her face radiating an unmistakable happiness: ”Previously, he was busy with his startup, and my work was impossible to leave. We were living separately. He said he doesn’t want to be so far from me anymore, so he arranged through connections for me to work at the health bureau.”

Wang Mengqi was instantly filled with envy.

Incredible!