When Fu Yu passed the side door, Boss Pang had already arrived. This trip was not only to deliver a birthday cake to Fu Yu but also to bring a batch of desserts to the store.

Boss Pang was busy checking the goods, and Fu Yu greeted him briefly before taking the cake and leaving.

Fu Yu returned to his dorm to put away the cake, then went to the kitchen to ask Zhao Meng for leave.

Upon hearing that the city’s publicity department was inviting participants to a meal, Zhao Meng quickly called Yao Shi.

Upon receiving the news, Yao Shi immediately headed back.

Fu Yu saw there was still time, stayed a little longer, and only changed into his newly bought clothes in haste after Yao Shi arrived at the kitchen, then rushed to Ju Feng Garden.

Ju Feng Garden was far from here, located near the Department Store. Fu Yu took a taxi but hit rush hour. It was a traffic jam at every red light, and the taxi couldn’t speed up.

Therefore, Fu Yu arrived nearly at six-thirty. The hosts, participants, and judges were already present, and most dishes had been served.

Introductions and pleasantries were customary.

Fu Yu learned who was who among Minister Zou of the city propaganda department, and the senior member accompanying Zhang Qun.

The judges each sat in their places.

Fu Yu scrutinized them one by one. Their appearance matched the image in the data sheets quite closely, easily recognizable.

Only Liu Yunong looked entirely different from her photo.

She was wearing a V-neck top, with hair of medium length cascading over her shoulders, looking drier and harder compared to other women.

When she stood up to toast, her figure was tall and well-proportioned, revealing form-fitting pants with long, straight legs.

Her face did not resemble someone thirty-six years old; anyone claiming she was ten years younger wouldn’t be doubted.

Everyone was very polite during dinner, and Fu Yu, attending such an event for the first time, spoke very little to avoid mistakes.

He was very anxious about someone leading the way to curry favor with the judges, which would be awkward.

However, fortunately, this meal was just an ordinary welcoming dinner; the leaders and judges only symbolically toasted them, and then let them be.

Fu Yu was thinking about hurriedly returning to celebrate Zhao Meng’s birthday. This big table of food before him seemed tasteless, causing his thoughts to wander.

Still, despite his distraction, he understood Minister Zou’s words.

Their hope was for the judges to agree to the apprentice-taking arrangement for the competition, or behave well for the show.

In other words, this apprenticeship segment was for attracting attention and gaining publicity.

Regarding whether they genuinely take on an apprentice afterward wasn’t really important.

The publicity department was focused only on the process.

Minister Zou said, “Well, it depends on how you say it. The suggestion from the city this time is actually very good. It’s precisely because of this that we have a chance to cooperate, right? Your fame will attract more attention, making the event vibrant, and we participant organizers will have some prestige.”

“You all actively cooperate with the needs of the event, and we will try to coordinate the arrangements so the competition process does not delay your time. At that time, after you complete the judging work of the competition, it will be easier for us to report to our leaders, perfect, right?”

All the judges nodded in agreement.

No matter how absurd the words sounded, nobody rebutted them directly.

Fu Yu couldn’t help but take another glance at Liu Yunong.

He found her demeanor rather aloof, neither flattering Minister Zheng nor overly amicable. It was courteous yet distant, giving no fault for others to find.

Zhang Qun turned into a complete assistant and server today, attentively offering tea and refreshments to everyone present.

Fu Yu understood the real meaning of this dinner through eating.

It was essentially a Hongmen banquet.

Whether the judges liked it or not, today, they had to give a definitive answer; they must cooperate with the apprenticeship part on the contest day.

Once the dinner ends, the publicity department will begin disseminating this news through various channels.

They must ensure that on the National Day, the culinary competition becomes a hot topic. If possible, they might buy a round of trending topics to amplify the event’s national presence.

Just as Fu Yu anticipated, the arm couldn’t twist the thigh. Eventually, the judges also relented, agreeing to participate in the event.

Minister Zou revealed a satisfied smile, saying with laughter, “Work is work; privately, we can also be friends!”

Zhang Qun had just been out with the senior member but reappeared timely, each carrying several large bags: “These are the souvenirs prepared by our publicity department for this event, each of you has one as instructed by Minister Zou.”

Fu Yu received a bag—a large red paper pouch, heavy in his hand.

Inside it was a fine premium Jinhua ham and some local specialties like sausages.

Once everyone had received gifts, Minister Zou mentioned, “This year’s competitors are all chefs from highly reputed restaurants in the city, extremely outstanding…”

Minister Zou introduced the topic inviting others to continue the conversation.

A middle-aged woman sitting diagonally opposite Fu Yu began eloquently introducing the participants.

This aimed to give the judges an impression before choosing apprentices, ensuring they’re prepared.

The chefs present, all head chefs of their respective restaurants, were skillful, though most aged in their forties.

Only Fu Yu, full of youthful vigor, sat among them, standing out conspicuously.

The agreement had been made, and the judges’ attitudes were still amiable, politely responding to some participants’ attempts to ingratiate.

The atmosphere was kept lively by the middle-aged woman, who happened to sit next to Liu Yunong. She engaged with a smile, saying, “Chef Liu, after a day’s flight, it must have been tiring.”

Liu Yunong smiled, “Not bad.”

The woman continued, finding words, “This year’s competitors are very skillful!”

She delicately went through the competitors’ profiles she had seen.

Upon mentioning Fu Yu, she casually praised, “Chef Fu from Qianlima, though only working for one year, has created several innovative dishes for the restaurant. And this young man looks handsome too; it’s said that he is responsible for orders alongside two other head chefs in the kitchen now.”

Liu Yunong couldn’t help but look at Fu Yu.

The middle-aged woman continued, “I hear the kitchen staff work tirelessly, standing from dawn till dusk, needing to toss pans. Strength is one thing; having a stable stance is essential too!”

Liu Yunong agreed with a nod, “Indeed, having a stable stance is crucial; this Chef Fu is young, promising, very good.”

They exchanged a couple of casual laughs.

Zhang Qun happened to be carrying a bottle of wine over to their side and was stunned upon overhearing their conversation.

Why did his colleague say Fu Yu has a stable stance, and Liu Yunong follow up with praises about being young and talented?

What’s the connection between the two?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep