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

Gao Yang was startled, then looked in the direction of the sound.

He was puzzled as to who would dare to directly contradict the old man at this critical juncture. Wasn't this just an old man who was tired of living?

The speaker was a middle-aged man, an unfamiliar face, but with an arrogant air about him. He was Su Jianming, a distant uncle from the second uncle's lineage who had stayed in the inner circle.

Gao Yang understood why this person was the first to object; it turned out he was here for revenge.

Su Jianming suddenly stood up, pointed at Gao Yang, and said in a sharp and agitated voice.

"Sir, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

Su Jianming sneered and glanced at Gao Yang with disdain.

"Gao Yang is just a cook from the bottom of society, and he was even a debtor of the Green Dragon Gang. What makes him qualified to take on such a big new project from the Su family?"

"The Su family's assets are the foundation of our Su family. How can we hand them over to an outsider, especially an outsider of unknown origin?"

These words immediately caused a slight commotion in the audience.

Several previously silent strangers began whispering amongst themselves, their eyes revealing dissatisfaction and skepticism.

After all, no matter how many dynasties the Su family has changed, the deep-seated xenophobia and class prejudice remain. Now, handing over the Su family's new business to an outsider is a truly big project.

Gao Yang's expression darkened slightly. He was about to speak when Su Wanqing stopped him.

She stood up, walked to Gao Yang's side, her gaze cold and clear as she swept over everyone before finally settling on Su Jianming.

"Uncle Jianming."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"Isn't everyone aware whether Gao Yang is an outsider or not?"

"The old man was critically ill. Who risked their life, seriously injured, to gather ginseng for him?"

With each question Su Wanqing asked, her voice grew colder.

"Gao Yang, all by himself, revitalized the alley hotel and even acquired the hotel across the street."

"Who among you has that ability?"

"Therefore, he is qualified to take on the Su family's new project, and he must take it on."

Su Jianming's face turned ashen from the rebuke, and he retorted with a stiff neck.

"We can't be so hasty! How can the people below be convinced if someone with no background or qualifications suddenly takes over? Aren't we afraid of being laughed at by our peers?"

"joke?"

Grandpa Su suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it silenced the entire room.

He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp and fixed on Su Jianming.

"Su Jianming".

The old man spoke calmly, yet with immense force.

"You just said he came from the lower class? He was a debtor from the Green Dragon Gang?"

Su Jianming was taken aback, then quickly nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"Then do you know?"

The old man said slowly, "Just yesterday, the leader of the Green Dragon Gang personally came to visit us."

"He said that Gao Yang had already paid off all his debts and, through his own abilities, had transformed the Qinglong Gang's abandoned land into the largest catering and entertainment center in Yuncheng."

He also said...

The old man smiled slightly, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"If Gao Yang goes to the Green Dragon Gang, he can take the position of deputy leader."

"But he didn't go."

"Because he is a member of the Su family."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar.

Green Dragon Gang!

That was the absolute overlord of Yuncheng's underworld, a power that even the authorities had to give some face to.

Gao Yang actually had a past with the Green Dragon Gang, and was appreciated by such a big shot, even refusing the position of vice gang leader?

The way everyone looked at Gao Yang changed instantly.

It was no longer contempt, but shock, awe, and even some fear.

Gao Yang was completely baffled by this.

Oh no, wasn't the Green Dragon Gang finished? How come I'm going to become the vice leader?

Could it be that Long Tianxiang has been possessed?

What he didn't know was that while Long Tianxiang had indeed fallen, the third brother had betrayed them all, using the information he had to atone for his crimes.

As it happened, Su Wanqing needed an obedient puppet to stabilize the situation in Yicheng, so she naturally pushed him into the position of gang leader.

Su Jianming's face turned deathly pale instantly, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed into the chair.

He never imagined that this lowly kid would have such a powerful connection!

They say the family is strong, but that's based on the entire Su family.

Who does Su Jianming think he is? He's no match for the Green Dragon Gang.

The old man paused for a moment, then continued.

"The second thing, I'll say it again, is that Gao Yang will take over the new project."

"Now, does anyone still have any objections?"

The audience was silent.

Everyone bowed their heads, no longer daring to look into the old man's eyes that could see right through people.

Su Jianming opened his mouth, but could only utter two words heavily in the end.

No objections.

The old man nodded in satisfaction, his gaze falling on Gao Yang again, much gentler now.

"Gao Yang, I'm at ease leaving the Su family in your hands."

"Wanqing is a promising talent; you should protect her."

Gao Yang took a deep breath, walked to the front of the stage, and bowed.

"Yes, sir."

"Wanqing."

He turned his head and looked at Su Wanqing.

Their eyes met, and a thousand words were condensed into a tacit understanding in their gaze.

…………

After the meeting, Gao Yang was pulled into a small room by Su Wanqing, where the old man was already inside.

"Gao Yang, you attended the entire meeting just now, and you saw it yourself. The Su family still harbors some resentment towards you."

Gao Yang nodded, indicating that he understood.

"So now I've assigned you a new task. This new project is a resort hotel, which of course needs to include a restaurant. You'll need to hire people and get the hotel up and running."

Gao Yang listened with his eyes down, understanding the old man's intentions.

Letting him take over the restaurant in the resort hotel was, firstly, to establish himself with his best culinary skills and use his solid abilities to shut up the mouths of the Su family's collateral branches.

Secondly, handing over the key parts of the core industry to him would solidify his position in the Su family and show the entire Su family that Gao Yang stayed on based on his own abilities, not just on favors.

Su Wanqing stood beside him, gently squeezing the back of his hand, her eyes full of trust and support.

This was a silent message to him that no matter what decision he made, he would be there for him.

The old man looked at him, his tone softening, losing some of the authority he had displayed at the meeting, and gaining more of the earnestness of an elder.

"This resort hotel is the core project of the Su family next. It has a good location and high standards. The hotel is the most important part of it. It must not only support the Su family's image, but also make a reputation that is unique in Yuncheng."

"You were originally a top chef, so Wanqing and I are at ease leaving this matter to you."

"You can choose any staff you want. The master chefs in the Su family's kitchen or the famous chefs we've poached from outside, as long as you like them, just send them. We'll give you the green light for funding and ingredients, so you don't have to worry."

Gao Yang raised his eyes, his gaze firm, without the slightest hesitation or resentment stemming from the questions raised at the meeting.

He started from the bottom and worked his way up, relying on his skills to make a living, which has always been his most solid source of confidence.

"Sir, I understand what you mean."

He spoke in a deep voice, his tone resolute.

"I will take over the restaurant, and I will definitely do a good job."

"We not only want to make it the best hotel and restaurant in Yuncheng, but also to make it famous so that everyone knows that the Su family's business is not something that just anyone can take over and make it the best it can be."