After the divorce, he took care of his child and sold fried rice; his ex-wife was filled with regret

At the next table, a Mr. Wang, who runs a building materials business, also joined in the commotion with loud laughter:

"Old Zhao, stop hiding your secrets! You've spent your whole life making Sichuan-style spicy chili oil, and now you're suddenly closing down and making a big show of making clear broth, even challenging to be the best in Jiangcheng!"

"Hurry up and bring out your secret delicacy, that top-grade three-delicacy matsutake mushroom golden soup hot pot. Let us see for ourselves if it really can grant immortality!"

"Haha, that's right! Hurry up and bring the soup!"

A burst of laughter immediately filled the hall.

Despite the constant teasing and pressure from Jiangcheng's top figures, Zhao Chengming remained completely unfazed.

"President Li, fellow executives, don't worry. Today's meal will make you feel that enduring this snowstorm was worthwhile!"

Zhao Chengming walked to the center of the hall, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the surrounding bigwigs, and said loudly:

"Distinguished executives, honored guests! I, Zhao, am deeply grateful for your presence!"

"I know that many of you old friends here have recently gotten used to the clear broth hot pot from the street next door and find my century-old restaurant's beef tallow broth too dry, greasy, and harsh on the throat!"

As Zhao Chengming spoke, his gaze swept intentionally or unintentionally across Li Dayong and Chairman Chen's faces, and his voice suddenly rose:

"I, Zhao Chengming, am a rough man, and I only believe in one principle: a craftsman's reputation is based on his skill!"

"Today, I've invited all the big bosses from Jiangcheng, not for profit, but to let everyone know that when it comes to hot pot broth, whether it's spicy or clear, my Shuweitang will always be the best!"

As he spoke, he suddenly gave a thumbs up.

Then, he waved his hand and let out a loud, powerful shout:

"Braised broth!"

"yes!"

With Zhao Chengming's loud and energetic shout.

The double carved wooden door on the side of the hall, which connects to the food preparation room, was pushed open completely from the inside.

Immediately following, accompanied by a series of rhythmic, light footsteps, two rows of waitresses dressed in bright red slit cheongsams with elegantly styled hair filed in like butterflies flitting among flowers.

This scene was certainly quite grand.

The waiters, working in pairs, moved with practiced ease to each of the large mahogany round tables.

They carefully lifted the white cotton cloth covering the mouth of the heavy purple clay teapot in their hands.

"Gentlemen, this is the finest broth, please be careful, it's hot."

"Splash—"

A thick, amber-colored liquid, like jade nectar, poured down from the spout of the purple clay teapot and landed steadily in the scalding hot cloisonné copper pot in the center.

"Sizzle—!"

The moment the golden broth touched the hot pot bottom, a rich aroma that had been sealed for ten hours exploded throughout the entire banquet hall!

The aroma forcefully penetrated the nasal cavity of everyone present!

Holy crap!

The investors from the High-tech Zone, who had just been sitting with their legs crossed and acting all high and mighty, suddenly widened their eyes and instinctively straightened their backs.

"What...what is this smell?!"

Mr. Liu stared intently at the bubbling bronze pot, his nostrils twitching wildly, as if he wanted to inhale all the aroma in the air.

So delicious!

This is absolutely the ultimate in the mortal catering industry that money can buy! It's an extremely domineering and luxurious meat aroma built with real gold and silver!

The lively greetings, jokes, and banter in the hall just moments before suddenly ceased as if a mute button had been pressed.

"Gulp."

In the huge banquet hall, one after another, extremely clear sounds of swallowing saliva could be heard.

Zhao Chengming took in the shock of the big bosses in the hall.

Hearing the sounds of people swallowing their saliva one after another, he finally let out the pent-up frustration and anger that had been suppressed for so long!

Cool!

That was fucking awesome!

Zhao Chengming strode to the center of the hall.

"Gentlemen, stop just smelling it, everyone take a look at what's in the pot."

He stretched out his hand and pointed proudly at the boiling liquid in the copper pot.

"To be honest, for this soup, more than twenty people in the kitchen of Shuweitang worked for three days and three nights without sleep! Only then did we manage to produce this pot of crystal-clear 'premium golden broth'!"

He straightened up, deliberately looking towards the main table, his voice firm and resolute:

"I know that clear broth is all the rage in Jiangcheng lately. But I, Zhao, dare to say this today—when it comes to making hot pot base, whether it's spicy or clear broth, in Jiangcheng, if Shuweitang admits to being second, no one dares to claim to be first!"

The hall was quiet, except for the bubbling sound of dozens of copper pots boiling, which accentuated Zhao Chengming's arrogant aura.

"Get the bowl!"

Zhao Chengming abruptly raised his hand and commanded with overwhelming force, "Serve soup to our distinguished guests! Before we eat the meat today, let's first savor what true delicacy is!"

Upon hearing this, two rows of waitresses dressed in bright red cheongsams picked up the prepared white porcelain bowls and pure silver soup spoons, and served each of the VIPs present half a bowl of golden clear soup from the boiling copper pot.

"Gentlemen, please have a taste while it's hot!" Zhao Chengming stood in the center of the hall, his face beaming, and made a "please" gesture.

Mr. Huang, who was standing next to Li Dayong, couldn't resist the aroma any longer. He didn't even bother with pleasantries. He picked up the small white porcelain bowl, blew on it a couple of times, and then eagerly slurped up a big mouthful.

"Hiss—my God!"

Mr. Huang's eyes widened suddenly, and he slammed the bowl he was holding onto the table, slapping his thigh repeatedly in excitement:

"Delicious! So incredibly delicious! Old Zhao, I, Old Huang, have traveled all over the country for so many years, and I've eaten at at least eight or a thousand high-end restaurants, but this soup is absolutely the most delicious I've ever tasted in my life!"

Mr. Liu, standing next to him, went even further, downing half a bowl of soup in one gulp, smacking his lips, and looking at the pot with lingering satisfaction.

"Absolutely amazing! The flavor explodes on your tongue! Old Zhao, this soup is worthy of a state banquet!"

"Today was worth the trip!!"

In the hall, dozens of business tycoons at seven or eight tables all exclaimed in genuine amazement and praise after tasting the first sip of the "premium golden soup".

Hearing the cheers from the audience, Zhao Chengming felt as if his bones had become two ounces lighter!

The frustration and self-doubt I felt these past few days due to declining sales and being outmaneuvered by the Lin family's shop completely vanished at this moment.

Zhao Chengming remains a big name in Jiangcheng's catering industry!

"Old Zhao! Just drinking soup isn't enough! Where's the meat? Hurry up and bring the meat!"

Mr. Huang wiped the soup from the corner of his mouth, picked up the chopsticks beside him impatiently, and slammed them on the table.

"This broth is so incredibly delicious! I can't even imagine how heavenly it would be to use it to cook top-quality lamb! Hurry, hurry, don't hold back!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Hurry up and bring out the meat!" Boss Liu also chimed in loudly, his face flushed.