The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 438: Chapter 432: Appreciation Banquet

Zhang Zhen happened to overhear Fu Yu and Chen Chen chatting idly, and just one sentence made him immediately think of the New Year’s event. Actually, it’s because he’s been preoccupied with this matter lately.

As the head chef of the music restaurant, he has to pay extra attention to social interactions, both internally and externally.

Each year, the restaurant holds various holiday events, which require a lot of work, but mainly it’s about dealing with all sorts of complex social exchanges.

With Yao Shi, the owner of the music restaurant, at the helm, the business is thriving.

Naturally, Zhang Zhen’s status has risen along with it.

As the year-end approaches, various friends and relatives come knocking, asking for discounts, table reservations, and jumping the queue. Each challenging request gives Zhang Zhen a headache.

He wants to handle everything smoothly to earn a good reputation and give some favors.

But... the restaurant isn’t his, and he’s just an employee, which doesn’t allow for much leverage.

They chatted a bit about the restaurant’s arrangements for activities during the New Year.

He changed his clothes, and just as he was about to leave the changing room, Zhang Zhen’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID; it was an old friend he was on good terms with.

Zhang Zhen answered the phone, just as he was about to step aside to let Fu Yu and Chen Chen walk past him, he heard his old friend Gao Qiming’s anxious voice on the other end: ”Old Zhang! Are you still at the restaurant?”

Zhang Zhen paused and asked with concern: ”I’m here at the restaurant. What’s up? Do you need something?”

Gao Qiming is a teacher at Bei’an University and has known Zhang Zhen since childhood. They have always been very close.

Gao Qiming got straight to the point: ”I’m right in front of your restaurant. Our university is planning to book a table. Can we meet to discuss?”

Zhang Zhen hung up the phone, feeling quite surprised.

Bei’an University wants to book a table?

What are they celebrating?

New Year’s festivities?

An annual celebration for the staff?

That sounds like a big booking!

If it’s something Gao Qiming is so concerned about, it’s probably not a small event.

In that brief moment, Zhang Zhen’s mind whirled with countless speculations, but what surfaced last was how considerate Gao Qiming had been this time. He resolved to forgo his commission on this order and give it all to Gao Qiming.

That’s just how friendships work.

Reciprocity keeps relationships enduring.

After all, no one is a fool. When benefits are received, everyone is very aware of it.

”My friend is here to see me. He should already be here, so I’ll go greet him first.”

Zhang Zhen explained briefly, quickly heading towards the restaurant entrance.

Fu Yu and Chen Chen followed behind.

Just as Zhang Zhen reached the front hall, he saw Gao Qiming, along with another companion, being led in by a server.

Seeing Zhang Zhen, Gao Qiming quickly greeted him and walked over briskly.

”Is your school hosting an event?” Zhang Zhen immediately inquired as he stopped.

Gao Qiming nodded and said, ”Yes, we are hosting a hero. Their schedule is quite tight, so we can only set the event for tomorrow.”

A hero?

Zhang Zhen couldn’t help but feel a bit excited.

Bei’an University is a provincially key university, although not a 985 project, it has produced many notable figures over the years.

To be called a hero, this event seems quite significant!

After a brief conversation, Zhang Zhen looked at the middle-aged man standing beside Gao Qiming.

This man’s attire was quite casual, but his demeanor clearly indicated he was a leader, and obviously ranked above Gao Qiming.

As Gao Qiming spoke, he immediately took a step back, showing obvious respect for this person.

Gao Qiming turned to the middle-aged man, smiling as he introduced: ”Director Qian, this is my buddy Zhang Zhen, the head chef at the music restaurant.”

Zhang Zhen politely greeted, ”Oh, so you’re Director Qian, hello!”

Director Qian smiled and nodded, ”Hello, Chef Zhang.”

The two shook hands.

Director Qian said, ”Chef Zhang, we’re here to ask for your help in booking a table. Due to the tight schedule, the school couldn’t find a solution despite reaching out to numerous contacts. But Teacher Gao says you’re good friends, so we thought we’d give it a try here.”

Zhang Zhen smiled, ”If I can help, I’ll certainly do my best. Having Old Gao as a friend means your business is my duty. But what’s the situation exactly? How large of a booking are you planning, and when exactly? Even if we can find space, the menu arrangements must be prepared in advance.”

Director Qian quickly explained, ”We received the notification suddenly. Last year, one of our dormitory buildings caught fire due to students misusing electrical appliances. At a critical moment, dormitory teacher Fan Xiubin bravely rushed into the fire and rescued four students, preventing any casualties.”

”She was injured at the time and was sent to the provincial capital’s burn hospital for treatment by government leaders. She has since been discharged and is visiting the school on short notice.”

”She was originally planning to go to her hometown to recuperate, so her schedule is very rushed. We received the notification in the afternoon. The leaders had a meeting and decided to hold a gratitude ceremony for Building Chief Fan.”

”She’s our school’s hero and a People’s Hero awarded by Bei’an City, so both the university and city leaders are taking this event very seriously. They demand that the event site be set up properly, and the dishes should ideally showcase local Bei’an specialties since the TV station will be covering it for interviews.”

Zhang Zhen is an astute person.

After listening to Director Qian, he immediately understood the situation’s true nature.

Fan Xiubin’s heroic act of saving people from a fire has been a hot topic online since it happened last year.

Due to this incident, the third-tier city of Bei’an momentarily attracted national attention.

And now, with the hero returning after recovery, Bei’an University is bound to give her a grand welcome.

The city is undoubtedly placing significant importance on it as well.

The scale of this thank-you ceremony is certainly not small, and the event atmosphere must be handled just right—not too lavish, but also not lacking in class.

Moreover, it seems the city leaders intend to use this opportunity to promote Bei’an.

From Fan Xiubin’s heroic deed to the promotion of Bei’an’s specialty cuisines and cultural introduction, everything seems likely involved.

Gao Qiming also added, ”Old Zhang, please help organize this. The university is really in a rush, and with such a large booking, they just can’t find a place.”

Director Qian nodded, ”Organizing large banquets in our city means this place is the best in terms of ambiance! Don’t worry about the costs; the funds allocated by the university are ample. As long as the banquets are arranged properly and the event proceeds smoothly, everything will be fine!”