After finishing the night supper, Fu Yu quickly paid the bill.

Zhao Meng laughed and said, “Am I starting to gain benefits from being around you?”

Fu Yu unabashedly replied, “This is just the beginning! Chef Zhao, there will be more good times ahead following me!”

Zhao Meng couldn’t stop smiling, looking at Fu Yu standing tall in front, feeling increasingly fortunate for recognizing such a great talent initially.

When calling home at night, Fu Yu restrained himself multiple times from bragging to his parents about his side earnings. He only mentioned that he was currently learning medicinal cooking from a master and would gradually start handling exclusive clients.

His parents were thrilled to hear this and repeatedly reminded him to learn the craft diligently from Zhao Meng.

After hanging up, Fu Yu couldn’t help but check his bank balance again.

He actually now had a six-figure savings!

Just a few months ago, this seemed like an extravagant dream to him.

But now, with the help of the system, he had achieved it effortlessly.

Fu Yu deeply realized the importance of the system.

That night, as he did every night before, he spent half an hour before bed studying classic old recipes, striving to enrich his culinary knowledge.

Opportunities always favor the prepared.

Fu Yu vowed to seize every opportunity, strive to become more excellent, and earn more money.

He hoped to provide the best life for his parents and wished one day Zhao Meng could be proud of him.

The next morning.

Yao Shi came over to inform them that the culinary school had already communicated with the restaurant, and six interns would join in a few days.

The kitchen needed to prepare in advance for arranging dormitories and specific work positions.

This matter required Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu’s attention.

When the people arrived, the two of them would first review and select three each to mentor separately.

Zhao Meng was responsible for managing accommodation, as Gu Yunwu neither stayed in dorms nor handled these matters.

The restaurant’s dormitories were typically two people per room, and currently, there were still two vacant rooms to accommodate four people.

As for the remaining two, any spare bed would suffice.

Considering there might be local residents who didn’t need accommodation, there was no rush to arrange it.

In the afternoon, Yao Shi received a call from Dong Jun Tian, asking Fu Yu to go to Bund Park for a temporary rehearsal for the Sanjiang Tourism Festival.

A head from the city’s publicity department contacted Dong Jun Tian directly, and once he nodded in approval, Fu Yu needed to act immediately.

Fu Yu changed outfits and rushed to Bund Park.

Qianlima being quite far from Bund Park, Fu Yu took a taxi to hasten over.

Getting off the cab, with only half an hour to spare before rehearsal, he ran all the way through the gates to avoid being late.

Even though it was quite a distance, Fu Yu ran with ease.

Many passersby turned their heads due to his rapid pace and seeing a neatly dressed and handsome young guy, their unanimous expressions were of appreciation and amazement.

“Teacher Liu, what do you think of this arrangement?”

Liu Yunong withdrew her gaze from the rapid-running figure outside, turning to the publicity department staff, and politely said, “I think it’s fine, just go with your arrangements.”

The staff let out a genuine sigh of relief.

Primarily because Liu Yunong was quite hard to deal with.

Seeming gentle and respectful yet exceptionally distant.

Call it cooperation? Not proactive at all.

Call it uncooperative? She never makes any suggestions and is okay with everything.

This made the staff responsible for communicating with her quite uneasy, unsure how to better manage the situation.

After saying her piece, Liu Yunong turned back to the window.

That figure had vanished.

Liu Yunong slightly raised her eyebrows, turning again to inquire with the staff, “How much longer until the rehearsal?”

The staff checked their phone and quick responded, “Half an hour left.”

Liu Yunong nodded and said nothing more.

Fu Yu arrived at the rehearsal venue early.

He took the rehearsal schedule and participant badges from the staff and began familiarizing himself with the venue along with the early arrivals.

The stage for the contest was quite spacious, with 12 kitchen stations set up for contestants. Though devoid of kitchenware, arranged in three neat rows it looked quite impressive.

A large promotional banner of the judges hung behind the judging panel.

Fu Yu walked closer for a look and saw Liu Yunong seated in the first position from the left.

Center stage was Dai Jinghe, flanked by Chen Xinwei and Zhang Zhiyuan.

Li Chongfu sat in the first position on the right.

The judges’ identities and statuses were clear from their seating arrangement.

At 4 PM, as several leaders from the city’s publicity department and the panel members entered, the rehearsal officially began.

Fu Yu and the other contestants only needed to wait backstage.

After the host finished the introductory remarks, a designated staff member would lead them on stage.

Fu Yu’s kitchen station was in the second row on the right. The four people in the first row were seasoned participants from previous contests, all head chefs from renowned local restaurants.

Fu Yu, young and without any fame in the industry, occupied a spot in the second row, thanks to the Qianlima Restaurant’s influence.

But as the formal rehearsal began, each contestant getting into position, as the cameraman aimed lenses at the stage zooming in and out, everyone took turns appearing on the main screen, when suddenly, Minister Zou from the city’s publicity department called the stage director over and whispered a few words.

Soon after, Fu Yu was moved to the second kitchen station on the left of the first row, and the camera positioned directly towards the contest stage ensured him ample screen time.

Sitting at the judge’s table, viewing contestants’ actions was done via the large screen above the stage.

Those contestants who were frequently on camera had a better chance of making a strong impression on the judges.

Fu Yu, participating for the first time, didn’t comprehend many of the intricacies within.

Nevertheless, moving from the second to the first row was an occasion that delighted him.

Fu Yu was pleased, but Liu Yunpeng, who got pushed aside, felt full of resentment.

Liu Yunpeng, head chef of the Family Joy Restaurant, had some renown in the field.

Although not comparable to the masters from the other three in the first row, compared to others, he had seniority.

During a pause in rehearsal, while the staff communicated and discussed arrangements, he approached the main planner responsible for stage layout.

“Your arrangement is a bit excessive! Why should I make way for him?”

Convinced that his culinary skills and industry reputation eclipsed Fu Yu’s entirely.

The main planner, listening to him, explained earnestly, “Oh, this decision was made by our Minister Zou.”

Liu Yunpeng frowned, “Why did he make such a decision?”

The staff chuckled awkwardly, “Perhaps considering the on-camera effect.”

Liu Yunpeng: “!”

Turning to glance at Fu Yu’s handsome face, then pulling out a phone to view himself.

Liu Yunpeng: “…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep