Era: You're asked to cook a home-style dish, but you cook Wellington.

When everyone arrived at the main hall, Xiao Jianyuan and his group were already seated, sipping their tea.

"Oh, everyone's here."

His gaze swept over the crowd and landed on Nangong Xun at the very back.

Nangong Xun hadn't seen the world for many years, so the only reason he could come with them was that his identity had been discovered.

His eyes darted around twice, and he paused for a moment before putting the teacup down on the table, deciding to stop pretending altogether.

"Grandpa Xun is here too."

He avoided everyone and greeted Nangong Xun with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.

Firstly, it was to test how these people viewed Nangong Xun, and secondly, it was to sow discord among them.

However, Nangong Ming saw through Xiao Jianyuan's thoughts at a glance, snorted coldly, and looked unfriendly.

"Stop talking nonsense. What do you want by coming to my Nangong family for no reason?"

"If there's nothing important, you should leave now."

Nangong Ming showed no politeness and directly ordered them to leave.

For some reason, Xiao Jianyuan was not afraid at all after hearing this, but instead looked at Nangong Ming with a smile.

"Here, give it to me."

He took a mobile phone from his henchmen behind him, dialed a few numbers, and said something to the person on the other end of the line.

"What trick do you think he's playing?"

Nangong Lian quietly moved closer to Nangong Hong and winked at Xiao Jianyuan.

Nangong Hong glanced at him speechlessly and said irritably, "I don't know."

But she had a bad feeling about it.

Sure enough, the next moment, Nangong Ming's mobile phone rang.

"What's wrong?"

"What did you say? A bunch of people have surrounded the exit of our Nangong family's residence?"

He repeated it incredulously, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, startling everyone.

"Brother, what did you say? That bastard has had our exits blocked? How are we going to feed our entire clan of hundreds of people?"

"You bastard, I'll kill you!"

Nangong Qinglang's eyes instantly turned red, and he rushed over as if to grab Xiao Jianyuan by the collar.

"don't want!"

Nangong Ming immediately tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Beside Xiao Jianyuan, a bodyguard in a yellow jacket stepped forward and kicked Nangong Qinglang to the ground with a single kick.

Taking advantage of Nangong Qinglang's momentary lapse in time, the man stomped on his chest with a light but humiliating force.

"Qinglang, you have too much of a temper. You need to learn from your brother, or you'll always suffer."

He rarely squatted down, but he gently patted Nangong Qinglang's face slowly and deliberately.

"Luckily it was me this time. If you were this rude to others, you might have your hand dislocated."

"I hope you remember this lesson and don't make the same mistake again next time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the bodyguard suddenly exerted force with his foot and kicked Nangong Qinglang, sending him flying back in front of Nangong Ming.

"Uncle Qinglang!"

Nangong Lian and Nangong Hong quickly stepped forward to help him up.

Nangong Qinglang sat in the chair, looking at Xiao Jianyuan opposite him with anger and fear in his eyes.

Xiao Jianyuan was very satisfied with all of this, his back to everyone, his tone full of arrogance.

"So what do you think of yesterday's proposal? I offered quite a price, you know. If you leave my Xiao family, there probably won't be any room for you to survive in the entire country."

Nangong Ming looked coldly at the person in front of him.

"Our Nangong family will never accept such an insult. Even without you, we still have Boss Su, whose offer is far more generous than yours."

Xiao Jianyuan turned his gaze to Su Wanqing.

The latter did not speak, but looked at him coldly.

A calculating glint flashed in his eyes, well hidden behind his black sunglasses, while an exaggerated smile plastered on his face.

"Oh, it's Boss Su. Well, Boss Su, you know I cook imperial cuisine. I've long admired the Nangong family. You can't compete with me for it, can you?"

Su Wanqing frowned slightly.

Xiao Jianyuan's statement clearly shows that he did not regard the Nangong family as real people, but rather as tools for him to amass wealth.

She wondered, what gave Xiao Jianyuan the audacity to challenge her like this?

"Xiao Jianyuan, I suggest you don't be too arrogant, otherwise even Xiao Zhenguo behind you won't be able to protect you."

Su Wanqing met Xiao Jianyuan's gaze directly, and the air was thick with tension, as if a battle was about to break out.

Xiao Jianyuan's smile widened, and his expression became even more exaggerated.

"Oh, Mr. Su, you know I'm easily frightened. I'm still in my prime and want to live a few more years."

He lowered his head slightly, looking at the crowd through the gaps in his sunglasses.

"I was just kidding, I'm not afraid at all."

He sat in the chair, crossed his legs, casually picked up a teacup from the table next to him, exaggeratedly skimmed off the tea leaves with the lid, and then took a big gulp of it.

"Um, Mr. Su, I'm so sorry, your phone might ring in a little while."

The next second, Qian Liu's expression changed, and he handed his mobile phone to Su Wanqing.

"Hello, this is Su Wanqing."

"Okay, I understand. Continue to stabilize the situation."

In just two short sentences, Su Wanqing's face visibly darkened. Although she didn't know what the other person had said, judging from Su Wanqing's reaction, the situation must have been very unexpected.

Su Wanqing hung up the phone.

"Boss Xiao, you brought people to my Grand Court Hotel to cause trouble. How do you plan to resolve this matter?"

Xiao Jianyuan fiddled with the jade thumb ring on his thumb, and upon seeing Su Wanqing's expression, he chuckled twice.

"Boss Su, don't rush, this is just the beginning, my men haven't even started yet."

"We're only blocking the Grand Hotel right now. If you delay for another two days, the people I've arranged in Yuncheng will make their move."

He spoke casually, not taking it seriously at all.

"mean."

Gao Yang said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jianyuan paused in his tea-drinking, looked up, and gazed at Gao Yang with great interest.

"Hey, Master Gao is right. No businessman is without guile. I am despicable."

"And there's something even more despicable coming up. Do you want to hear it?"

His gaze swept over Su Wanqing and landed on Nangong Hong, who was standing to the side.

"I didn't eat this morning and I'm very hungry now. I know that girl is very capable, so please make me something delicious."

"By the way, you need to hurry up, or I might do something unexpected."

He pointed at Nangong Hong, looking as if he had the Nangong family completely under his control.

"What?!"

All eyes immediately fell on Nangong Hong.

Nangong Lian's face was grim, and his eyes were practically spitting fire.

What does this tone and these actions mean?

They're being treated like servants!

The other members of the Nangong family also changed their expressions and stood in front of Nangong Hong. Even Nangong Xun leaned on his cane with a determined look on his face.

"Hong girl, the reason our Nangong family has survived to this day is because of our unity. With us old guys around, this fire won't reach you."

"Xiao Jianyuan, don't push your luck!"

Nangong Ming angrily confronted Xiao Jianyuan.

Hong Yatou is his daughter. She left him when she was young and followed Nangong Qinglang to learn the most authentic Nangong family dishes.

I wouldn't even let myself be used by someone else, and now I'm being looked down upon by an outsider.

This is something he absolutely cannot accept.

Xiao Jianyuan had an amused expression on his face.

"Is that so? Then your Nangong family is doomed. Trading a meal for a chance to live, you should think this deal through carefully."

"Oh, wait a minute, why does this little girl seem like she really wants to cook for me?"

Everyone turned to look.

Nangong Hong stepped forward and slowly shook her head.

"Dad, Uncle Qinglang, Grandpa Xun, I know you mean well, but the Nangong family is facing a life-or-death situation right now, so these things don't matter."

"Besides, I am a chef, and cooking is my duty. It is really worth it to exchange a meal for the survival of the Nangong family."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jianyuan revealed a triumphant smile.

"By the way, my thoughts have changed now. I want you to cook for me too!"

Gao Yang's pupils suddenly contracted; Xiao Jianyuan's finger was clearly pointing towards Su Wanqing!