AGN -Chapter 198 A Star-Studded Lineup

Huang Shengli and Zheng Da, who had originally been sitting in the opposite private room just watching the drama unfold, were suddenly dragged into the interview.

Qin Huai didn’t stay idle either. He had originally planned to go to the kitchen to see if there was any staff meal left, but before that, he needed to send Chen Gong a message to apologize.

At this point in the story, who still remembered that Qin Huai’s original plan today was to let Chen Gong taste dishes?

He hadn’t even seen Chen Gong all day.

Qin Huai started typing:

Qin Huai: Assistant Chen, I’m really sorry. There were too many unexpected situations today. I was supposed to talk to you after your meal about the pastries, but I didn’t even get a chance to see you. Were you satisfied with lunch? Did you like any particular pastries? When are you heading to Hangzhou? Do you have time to come again tomorrow for lunch?

Chen Gong didn’t reply.

But the door to Private Room 777 next door opened.

Chen Gong, dressed in a suit, stepped out and smiled. “Chef Qin, I knew you were busy, so I stayed in the room and didn’t leave. I just heard you outside and thought you might be handling something important, so I didn’t interrupt. If you’re free now, we can talk.”

Qin Huai was stunned.

He followed Chen Gong inside—and discovered that Ou Yang was there too.

Ou Yang was even sitting at the table with a bowl of aged tangerine peel tea in front of him.

Wait… don’t tell me you’ve been eating since noon until now?

Ou Yang shot Qin Huai a reassuring look: Don’t worry, I’ve already bragged about you enough.

Qin Huai: ?

He sat down carefully as Chen Gong switched into professional mode, his smile turning businesslike.

“Chef Qin, your situation and catering price—your friend has already explained everything to me.”

Qin Huai: …What catering price?

Had he ever done catering?

“If we count your custom high-end pastries for Mr. Chen Yingjun’s property company, the unit price was 288 yuan each,” Chen Gong continued.

“That’s a local acquaintance price. Our boss, Mr. Han, is inviting you to City A, out of province, so the price will definitely increase. I understand the market.”

“And just now, I overheard some staff chatting—Mr. Xu Cheng is here, right?”

“You know Xu Cheng?” Qin Huai was surprised.

“I do. Mr. Xu is a friend of our boss, Mr. Han,” Chen Gong nodded. “It was through him that our boss learned about you.”

He went on to explain:

Their boss, Han Guishan, was planning a birthday banquet in City A. Since there weren’t many top-tier restaurants there, they had to invite chefs from other regions.

Only Babao Zhai in Beijing accepted. Others declined.

They had also contacted Huang Ji, but Huang Shengli’s back injury prevented him from going.

Chef Pei Shenghua from Chengfangju had been interested, but he had to travel abroad in mid-March, so he recommended his friend Zang Mu. Chef Zang agreed and was willing to collaborate with Chef Tong Deyan from Babao Zhai.

The only issue: both were strictly red-dough chefs and not skilled in white-dough pastries.

So they needed a dedicated white-dough chef for the banquet desserts—especially important for a birthday banquet.

Thus, through Xu Cheng’s recommendation, they found Qin Huai.

“I tasted your pastries at lunch,” Chen Gong concluded. “No problem at all—you’re more than capable of handling the banquet. And among all the chefs I contacted, you agreed the most readily!”

“As for pricing, our boss is very sincere—we’ll offer 20% above the highest market rate. You won’t suffer any loss.”

Qin Huai could clearly feel the sincerity—almost too much sincerity.

He also understood that Chen Gong was emphasizing how important the banquet was and showcasing the luxurious lineup of chefs.

But honestly…

Aside from Pei Shenghua, he didn’t recognize most of the names.

Who exactly were Tong Deyan and Zang Mu?

He made a mental note to go back and study the Famous Chef Record again.

These would be his future “colleagues” at the March banquet.

Since Chen Gong had shown such sincerity, Qin Huai decided to respond in kind.

“Assistant Chen… can you still eat?” he asked.

Chen Gong: ?

“There’s actually one pastry you didn’t try at lunch.”

Twenty seconds later, Qin Huai called the kitchen and asked them to steam two remaining guo’er pastries and send them over.

Five minutes later, the pastries arrived.

Chen Gong took one bite—and immediately rushed outside to make a phone call.

From what Qin Huai overheard, he was reporting to Han Guishan with very enthusiastic wording, urging him to come personally and taste the pastries.

A truly dedicated assistant.

Meanwhile, Ou Yang was sitting there burping while continuing to eat.

Qin Huai slapped his hand lightly. “Stop eating, or you’ll end up in the hospital before Xu Cheng does.”

…

After some conversation, Ou Yang revealed he had quit his job.

He planned to start a business again.

“In the food industry?” Qin Huai asked cautiously.

“Yes! I’ll earn back everything I lost in the food business!”

“My dad already bought me a shop—right next to the convenience store across from Yunzhong Canteen!”

“…That place is tiny. No dine-in, right?”

“Who needs dine-in? I’m opening a herbal tea shop—mainly selling hand-shaken lemon tea!”

Qin Huai: …

Herbal tea, I’m sorry… I’ll never group you with lemon tea again.

Still, he had to admit—it might actually work.

Small investment, good location, and Ou Yang was good at making lemon tea.

“When are you opening?”

“Chinese New Year’s Day!”

Qin Huai: …Selling summer drinks in winter. You’re doomed.

…

After finalizing details with Chen Gong, Qin Huai learned that Han Guishan would personally come in about half a month to taste the pastries. Payment terms were straightforward—50% upfront upon signing, 50% after the banquet.

Everything was settled.

Chen Gong left, and Ou Yang revealed his true purpose for coming to Suzhou:

He had tricked money from his parents under the excuse of “market research” and planned to eat, drink, and have fun until the New Year.

Specifically—eat at Huang Ji for half a month.

Seeing this, Qin Huai offered to let him temporarily stay at his place.

Ou Yang immediately agreed and ran off to fetch his luggage—without even asking for the address.

Qin Huai: …6

…

Later, Qin Huai waited for Xu Cheng’s interview to finish.

Xu Cheng was tempted to stay for the evening wedding banquet, especially the famous “Three-Head Banquet,” but…

He had eaten too much.

Any more, and he’d be seeing a doctor.

So he reluctantly declined.

Huang Shengli invited him to stay a few more days, promising to personally cook for him once his back fully recovered.

Xu Cheng agreed.

…

And so, Huang Ji’s chaotic and eventful day came to an end—

With Qin Huai still not having eaten the staff meal.

Because of the busy kitchen, they had ordered takeout instead. By the time it arrived, Qin Huai was already out.

So in the end, he and Ou Yang went home and ordered food.

Spicy hotpot.

While eating and scrolling on their phones, Ou Yang suddenly asked: “Is Zhiwei magazine famous?”

“A bit,” Qin Huai replied.

Ou Yang nodded. “I looked it up. The restaurants it recommends are insanely expensive—especially overseas ones. Compared to them, Huang Ji is actually affordable.”

“…Did you factor in exchange rates?”

“Oh… right.”

Then Ou Yang fell silent, deep in thought.

“What are you thinking?” Qin Huai asked.

“I’m thinking… if Zhiwei is so famous, won’t people from Yunzhong Community or nearby office workers buy it?”

“And if they do… won’t they find out you’re at Huang Ji now—and that your pastries are even better?”

“And those retired uncles… they’re so free. Won’t they come here to eat too?”

Qin Huai: …

At that moment, only two words echoed in his mind—

It’s over.