Ning Shun was already used to her attitude.

In fact, he even felt that this time, her not uttering anything harsh in public after being offended was her giving him face.

Forcing a smile, he dragged Teacher Nian away.

After leaving the studio, Ning Shun didn’t say a word the entire way.

Teacher Nian didn’t notice at first, as he was preoccupied with his own regrets.

He had assumed Rachel booked the studio to shoot some celebrity or model.

His main focus was the flagship program Whisper, which boasted big-name guests.

When the original studio arrangement ran into issues, he thought it was a perfect opportunity to inconvenience Rachel and knock her down a peg.

Recently, the competition between him and Rachel for a certain position had grown so intense that they wouldn’t even acknowledge each other when they met.

Who could have expected the guest to be someone from the business world?

Their demeanor was far from the small-time celebrities who usually catered to his whims.

But of course, such a person didn’t need to buy his favor.

Teacher Nian’s only relief was that the guest wasn’t too influential.

Offending them wouldn’t have serious repercussions—or so he thought, until his phone rang abruptly.

Answering the call, he was surprised to hear the head of the station on the other end, speaking cryptically:
“Xiao Nian, about that Youth Magazine job—who’s handling it, you or Xiao Lei?”

Startled, Teacher Nian sensed something significant and cleverly sidestepped:
“Oh, that job? Anything you’d like me to address?”

The leader, assuming the task was in his hands, replied naturally:
“Make sure to pass on instructions to the interview team. There’s a guest from Mingde, surname Jin. Be extra attentive when they come in.”

Teacher Nian froze mid-step, cold sweat breaking out instantly.
“Ming… Mingde? What about them?”

The leader continued:
“Instructions from higher-ups. The investors just conveyed this. Just do as you’re told—don’t neglect them.”

Neglect? He had already offended them!

Sweat pouring, Teacher Nian stammered:
“Higher-ups gave the order…?”

The broadcasting company had limited stations, and thus, few investors. For someone to have enough clout to directly issue instructions was even rarer.

Thinking hard, one name surfaced in his mind, making him ask cautiously:
“The investor is…?”

“What’s wrong with you today?” The leader barked impatiently.
“Jingmao! How many investors do we have that can give us direct orders?”

Thud! Teacher Nian tripped and fell flat on his face.

A vexed Ning Shun turned around to see the scene and was speechless.

The broadcasting hallways were perfectly smooth. Falling flat here—was this old man trying to steal the heroine’s spotlight?

—

After Teacher Nian left, the reporters in the studio felt a subtle shift, looking at Jin Yaotiao with newfound wariness.

Initially, the name Mingde didn’t carry much weight, and the team, seasoned from countless interviews, treated this assignment as routine.

Jin Yaotiao seemed easygoing at first. But when she asserted herself, she immediately cowed even Ning Shun and the higher-ups.

As insiders, they knew better than the general public.

Ning Shun was notoriously difficult behind the scenes, though his popularity shielded him.

Even Teacher Nian had to show deference to him.

But just moments ago, Jin Yaotiao had casually waved her hand in dismissal, and Ning Shun didn’t even dare to retort, quietly leaving instead.

Now, as the lead interviewer glanced nervously at Jin Yaotiao’s stunning face, they involuntarily hiccupped and dared not chatter idly with the makeup artist anymore.

Carefully holding the script, they approached her for confirmation.

Respect is earned, not given.

Even the photographers and lighting crew worked in complete silence, their movements precise, each striving to give their best performance.

The surprising part was Teacher Nian, who returned shortly after leaving, pale-faced.

Even in front of his rival Rachel, he set aside his airs, running around to assist.

The scene left everyone present bewildered.

Just as Jin Yaotiao finished her shoot, she was handed a cup of chrysanthemum tea.

The moment she sat down, a cushion was placed behind her back.

Watching Teacher Nian meticulously confirm the photos with the photographer, she calmly took a sip:
“Sister Lei, your station staff seem quite supportive of each other.”

Rachel: “???”

Who are you talking about? That infamous mad dog surnamed Nian?

The notoriously stern Rachel touched the crow’s feet at the corner of her eyes and, for once, softened with a hint of worry as she observed her rival.

If this mad dog really lost his mind…

She might actually feel lonely.

—

By the time Youth Magazine hit the stands, Jin Yaotiao was already busy with the grand opening preparations for Hidden Banquet.

The place was bustling with activity as the final touches were meticulously made. Countless supplies were moved into the cold storage, and even Jin’s father came to lend a hand.

The trial operation date was set, and everything was ready, awaiting the last push.

Father Jin’s injury had healed well enough for him to walk unassisted. Wandering around his daughter, he couldn’t resist poking and prodding at things.

The head chef, Master Tu, scowled like an overcooked sweet potato.
“Old Jin, dare to lift the lid, and see what happens!”

Father Jin froze, reluctantly withdrawing his hand with a wrinkled nose.
“What’s this? Smells strongly of wine. Ham again?”

Jin Yaotiao, knowing his intentions, was less stern than Master Tu. She lifted the lid and fished out something to place on a plate.
“Fine, since you’ve recovered well, you’re allowed half.”

Father Jin, holding the plate with a dignified air befitting a chairman, scurried off quickly, clearly afraid of being caught by Master Tu.

On the plate was Jin Yaotiao’s signature drunken crab.

The aroma of wine wafted enticingly, carrying a hint of sweetness. Running into his wife, Father Jin promptly said:
“Ask Yaotiao if there’s any congee.”

His wife rolled her eyes but went in. Shortly after, she returned with two bowls of thick, fragrant slow-cooked congee. The scent of rice filled the air as Father Jin, famished, cracked open the drunken crab.

The crabs were perfectly in season, their roe rich and creamy.

Simply steaming them would have been a delight, but the drunken preparation elevated them to an unforgettable culinary experience.

Jin Yaotiao emerged after assigning tasks, just in time to see her father savoring a small spoonful of crab roe.

The silky drunken roe was light on alcohol but melted instantly on the tongue, bursting with fresh umami as if the palate had swallowed an entire aquarium.

Father Jin smacked his lips in appreciation.
“Did you add honey? It’s not sugar, is it?”

“Mm.” The taste of sugar could not compare to the richness of natural honey.

When pickling foods, Jin Yaotiao usually preferred using honey to enhance sweetness.

The honey in this jar of drunken crab wasn’t added carelessly either.

It was a mix of at least five different types of local honey, blended with the aroma of alcohol to bring out the crab’s flavor to its fullest.

She held out her hand. “Give me a leg; let me try.”

Jin’s father took a sip of congee mixed with crab roe, set down his bowl, glanced at the crab, then at his daughter, and finally broke off the largest leg to hand to her.

Since his surgery, he rarely got to enjoy such rich flavors.

Jin Yaotiao cast him a sidelong glance and smiled as she took a bite of the crab leg.

The alcohol flavor wasn’t strong, but the aroma was distinct. It was excellent.

The crab meat was marinated to perfection.

The roe retained its enticing yellow hue, and the meat had turned gelatinous.

A gentle suck, and the whole piece slid smoothly into her mouth.

The salty umami awakened her appetite.

Jin’s father paired half a crab with a bowl of congee, finishing it with a satisfied slurp.

Seeing his daughter standing at the table, watching him with a cheerful smile, he hesitated for a moment before slowly reaching for the other half.

Her smile grew wider. “Dad.”

Jin’s father replied, “I didn’t quite catch the flavor…”

“Hmm?” Jin Yaotiao raised an eyebrow.

The tall, burly old man sat at the dining table, looking at his daughter. He solemnly scratched the back of his head, muttering inwardly: A father is the authority at home… a father is the authority at home.

It seemed Jin Yaotiao could hear his thoughts. Her gaze sharpened.

Jin’s father turned to his wife. “Ahem, dear, you try this.”

His wife, however, was too engrossed in her phone to pay him any attention. She hadn’t even touched her congee, smiling as she scrolled through a newly received notification.

It was about Lincheng Youth Magazine.

In the digital age, print media was rapidly declining.

Purely paper-based news no longer sold well.

As a tech-forward city, Lincheng had long since embraced the trend, with major publications releasing electronic editions early on, as physical copies barely sold.

But this issue saw a surprising uptick in sales.

In the bookstore’s magazine section, the shopkeeper, smoking a cigarette, squinted at the newly stocked Youth Magazine, puzzled.

The magazine had been running for years, and every year-end issue showcased interviews with outstanding young individuals across industries.

To be honest, this was the first time he’d seen a woman on such an important cover.

And not just any woman—she was stunningly beautiful, almost excessively so.

She stood in the center of the cover (C-position), surrounded by a circle of other interviewees’ photos.

While the others seemed like typical magazine pictures, her shot stood out, as if the photographer had suddenly leveled up their skills just for her.

The contrast was both amusing and striking.

Looking closer, the shopkeeper wondered if it was simply her looks.

A young, gorgeous woman surrounded by several balding men—wasn’t she bound to catch attention?

Her appearance gave this official publication an unexpectedly chic vibe.

Curious passersby who typically wouldn’t buy magazines might have thought she was a model, picked up the issue, and purchased it on impulse. But upon flipping it open, they were often dumbfounded.

“Wait, this is a business magazine?”

Online, discussions about the cover abounded.

The juxtaposition of such different characters sparked a natural buzz.

Whether intentional marketing by Youth Magazine or sheer coincidence, the cover soon trended on social media, delighting netizens and racking up significant popularity.

Only Cheng Chen’s family reacted differently.

Cheng Chen held the magazine, and an involuntary soundtrack played in his head:

“If we lack food and clothes, the enemy will deliver them… No guns or cannons? The enemy will build them for us…”

Dizzy with frustration, he saw that Youth Magazine had even prominently promoted Mingde’s new “Hidden Banquet” restaurant opening on its cover.

He was on the verge of tears.

No wonder.

No wonder Ms. Lei had suddenly transformed into a butterfly and flown away that day.

She had landed squarely on Jin Yaotiao’s forehead.

Why did I ever agree to meet Ms. Lei?
Why did I go to that club?
Why did I even fire that gun?

I was wrong—completely wrong.

---

At Yun Ding restaurant, Hu Wanyue and her girlfriends were busy taking photos of the dishes on the table. They didn’t eat but instead sipped juice after posting everything on social media.

One friend, scrolling her feed, saw the trending news about Hidden Banquet’s soft opening. Glancing at the enthusiastic comments below, she coughed lightly and said, “Honestly, I don’t get it. Why are people so excited about a restaurant? Qingqing, how’s your brother doing?”

The question was directed at Bai Qing, Cheng Chen’s cousin. Though not particularly close with this group, she was a recognized socialite in their circle.

Knowing they wanted gossip, Bai Qing smiled faintly. “It’s just a restaurant. What’s there to worry about? You all know what Mingde is like. Why would my brother feel threatened? Do you think Mingde would steal our business?”

Hu Wanyue chimed in immediately, “Of course not! I heard Jin Yaotiao is managing Hidden Banquet now. Honestly, how could she ever compete with your brother?”

The others agreed. “Exactly! Don’t worry, Qingqing. We’re all on your side.”

After the gathering, Hu Wanyue waved goodbye, looking every bit the elegant hostess. But once in the car, she reported an address to the driver nervously, glancing outside the window.

At her destination, she exited, checked her surroundings like a thief, and slipped into the mall. After winding through several corners, she finally arrived at her goal.

She glanced up at the large sign reading “Hidden Banquet,” coughed, and approached a server to get a number.

Then, a familiar voice rang out beside her: “Miss, how many tables ahead?”

Hu Wanyue froze.

The speaker turned to see her and gasped, “You?!”

It was none other than the same friend she had just pledged loyalty to at Yun Ding restaurant.

The two stared at each other, mortified.

Hu Wanyue: “Haha, what a coincidence!”

Friend: “Haha, isn’t it?”