Chapter 373
Chapter 373 - The Xue Family Was in Chaos and the Grandmaster Chef Was Provoking Them
“I come from a large family—I have six uncles and three aunts!”
“My father is the eldest, so when my grandfather passed away, he stepped up as the head of the family.”
“But not everyone in the clan was on board with that.”
“Given that my father's leadership was initially on shaky ground, he had to distribute some of the family assets to others to manage, which secured him a base of supporters.”
“Over a decade has passed since then. My father has no sons; I'm his only child. Lately, the dissent within the clan has been growing louder.
Yet, over the years, my father has managed to solidify his position and has even started reclaiming the assets he once doled out.
This move has increased his power, but it has also increased the number of those who oppose him.
Once I came of age, my father entrusted me with the management of our family's most significant asset—the Heavenly-Mansion Tavern.
Many in the family objected, but with no sons and me as his only daughter, my father was resolute in setting me up for success.
Thankfully, I've dedicated myself to the task and have successfully run the Heavenly-Mansion Tavern.
But the discontent with my father has only grown.
My second uncle, in particular, has been especially ambitious, rallying clan members to his side and secretly winning over many with bribes.
He's been building his power quietly, and now he controls nearly half of the Xue family's assets. And he's set his sights on the Heavenly-Mansion Tavern.
He's even secretly won over the tavern's culinary Grandmaster, Wu Yong!
Now, with his influence cemented, my second uncle is pressuring my father to step down as the family patriarch.
I was forced to claim that I had you, a Grandmaster chef, in my corner!
But my second uncle is hell-bent on usurping power. He's conspiring with Wu Yong to challenge you to a culinary showdown!”
“And the rest of the clan is backing this move!”
“I had no choice but to seek you out!”
After explaining her situation, Xue Zixi looked at Jiang Hao, her eyes filled with hope.
Now, she had pinned all her hopes on Jiang Hao!
It seemed that only Jiang Hao could be of help!
After listening to Xue Zixi's situation, Jiang Hao reflected briefly before responding.
“Alright, I'm on board!”
“After all, I'm a minor shareholder in the Heavenly-Mansion Tavern. We've collaborated for quite some time, and I've grown accustomed to it. I'm not too keen on interacting with strangers.”
Upon hearing Jiang Hao's acceptance, Xue Zixi's face lit up with joy.
She quickly stood and bowed deeply to him.
“Thank you, Mr. Jiang, thank you so much!”
Jiang Hao dismissed the thanks with a wave of his hand and a smile.
“Don't mention it. Just let me know when the cook-off is, and you can pick me up then.”
Xue Zixi, sensing an opportunity, ventured a question.
“The event is set for sometime in the next three days. Mr. Jiang, perhaps you'd like to start preparing? Shall I come to get you in two days?”
Hearing this, Jiang Hao glanced at his third-level God Chef skills and chuckled.
“No need for that. They're just a bunch of stinky fish and rotten shrimp—what preparation is necessary?”
Xue Zixi was at a loss for words.
A culinary Grandmaster was being referred to as stinky fish and rotten shrimp by Jiang Hao!
She was also slightly concerned that Jiang Hao might be underestimating the challenge, but she didn't feel it was her place to caution him.
Feeling a bit helpless, Xue Zixi bit her lip and spoke up.
“Mr. Jiang, the earliest we could start would be tomorrow morning.”
“We still need to extend invitations to the prominent families of Tianhee City and set up the venue, after all.”
Jiang Hao, hearing this, kept his reply short.
“Just handle the arrangements. However, the sooner, the better.”
Xue Zixi stood, ready to take her leave.
“Great, I'll go back and notify everyone and get things in order. I won't take up any more of your time, Mr. Jiang!”
Jiang Hao rose as well, seeing Xue Zixi out.