Mingde made significant changes this time, not only separating the department responsible for managing frozen products but also independently separating several restaurant project teams.

After completing this series of actions and moving into the Shenzhen industrial park, Mingde Company successfully transformed into a group, marking a monumental change.

Since Jin Yaotiao began managing Mingde, the performance improvements from top to bottom were visible to the naked eye, especially in recent times. New challenges followed one after another, such as the establishment and launch of new production lines, and internal changes were almost like a rebirth.

From Linjiang to Shenzhen, the old atmosphere was thoroughly cleared away.

It was unclear when, but rumors began circulating within the company that Chairman Jin might make major moves.

Everyone could feel that their working environment was rapidly advancing.

Mingde was like a rocket, having unknowingly filled up on fuel and launched, with an impressive trajectory.

But speculation turned into reality, and even though employees had guessed, they still felt a sense of unreality when it actually happened.

Was this witnessing history with their own eyes?

Their company, step by step, was moving from a small local business to a significant player in the restaurant industry.

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For most Mingde employees, the day the group was established was a memorable one.

Besides being pioneers in their respective project teams, they would benefit from a series of rare career opportunities in the newly established company.

More importantly, the company canteens in both locations held a lavish celebratory meal.

The signature dishes from the three existing brands flowed continuously, and everyone was so satisfied they couldn’t help but savor every bite.

The mood was joyful in the cafeteria.

On the other side, Mingde’s restaurants and products also held rare celebratory events, spreading the festive cheer to customers and consumers alike.

Even the Linjiang city government joined in the celebration.

Without Mingde’s involvement, local media spontaneously spread the news about the company’s new atmosphere and continuous overseas sales successes, solidifying their local support and admiration for Mingde as the “Linjiang light.”

Even Jin Yaotiao’s supporters were vigorously promoting her new achievements.

Thus, the establishment of Mingde Group was widely known, with congratulations pouring in from all sides.

Such celebrations were not only rare in the restaurant industry but even in other sectors. This showed how well-regarded Mingde’s reputation and influence were at the moment.

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In the Jin family, Jin Yaotiao was packing Luna’s belongings.

Luna lowered her head, helping by carefully taking a small jar out of the cupboard.

The jar contained freshly pickled waxberries. When opened, the sour and sweet aroma spread.

Luna sniffed the delicious scent, her eyes drooping, and tears began to fall.

Jin Yaotiao laughed: “Why are you crying?”

Luna sniffed and said, “I’m going to miss you. How come you’re staying in Shenzhen for work? It would be great if you could come back to Linjiang.”

“Shenzhen isn’t far from Linjiang. We can still chat on the phone, and you can drive a few hours to see me. Didn’t you also say shopping in Shenzhen’s malls is more enjoyable than in Linjiang?” Jin Yaotiao comforted her while taking a spoonful of the waxberries and tossing them into a pot, then explained, “But when you’re in Linjiang, you won’t always be able to eat what I make. The company cafeteria is always busy, but you can always go to the head office’s canteen. I guess when you’re learning from your dad at home, you won’t have time. So when you’re craving something, you should try cooking it yourself and maybe let your parents try it too.”

The waxberries were marinated after drying out some of their moisture. They were small, tightly curled, but still moist and coated with a thick, sweet syrup made from honey and sugar.

Luna, feeling sorrowful, picked one up and popped it into her mouth.

The rich, sour-sweet taste immediately exploded on her taste buds.

The honey came from Mingde’s processing plant, with a special fragrance that matched the sourness of the waxberries perfectly, so much so that even a tiny bit more sweetness or sourness would have ruined the balance.

The dried waxberry was thick and tender, and as Luna chewed, she couldn’t stop herself from reaching for more.

“I wish I didn’t have to leave.”

The ribs in the pot sizzled as Jin Yaotiao added a spoonful of homemade rice wine. The rich meat fragrance spread, and after adding stock, the lid was placed to simmer.

She laughed and said, “You don’t have to go, just stay with Mingde. You’re a shareholder; do you think I can’t afford to keep you?”

The pickled waxberries were indeed delicious, and the more she ate, the more she craved.

Luna popped another into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster. Hearing Jin Yaotiao’s words, she smiled but then sighed, “I can’t keep being a freeloader forever. I want to be as amazing as you and never let you down.”

“Besides,” Luna continued, with a somewhat mature expression that contrasted with her usual carefree demeanor, “you’re right. My parents can’t support me forever. They’re getting older, and I can’t let them worry about my future when they’re so old. I didn’t understand them before, thought they were old-fashioned and judgmental. First, they didn’t like Jian Wen, then after we broke up, they kept pushing me into blind dates. But now, I realize… I was the one who didn’t understand.”

Jin Yaotiao packed some of her homemade dried ribs into a bag and frowned, “It wasn’t your fault that you were deceived. It was that jerk Jian Wen’s fault.”

“I know you’ll always help me!” Luna grinned. “But I was so dumb back then. I must have made my parents really worried. If I was smarter, I wouldn’t have been so easily fooled by him.”

She popped another waxberry into her mouth, chewing it slowly while looking down.

She had come to Shenzhen from Linjiang, staying at Mingde to escape her parents’ pressure for marriage. But ever since working alongside her best friend, Jin Yaotiao, she had slowly changed.

She realized that having a life fully in her control, like Yaotiao, wasn’t such a bad thing.

Moreover, since her family learned she was staying in Shenzhen to work with Yaotiao, her parents had been calling less and less to pressure her into blind dates.

As Mingde grew bigger, the topic of matchmaking had not come up at all in recent conversations.

Previously, she had always felt her parents didn’t understand her, especially her father.

Since she started dating Jian Wen, they frequently argued, and after their breakup, the conflicts were even more intense due to her resistance to blind dates.

But now, her relationship with her father, who she once thought was judgmental, had become more about guidance and teaching.

Yaotiao was so busy, and it wasn’t easy to be a good assistant. At the beginning, Luna was constantly making mistakes, even struggling with the simplest tasks.

Though Yaotiao was always forgiving, teaching her gently, Luna still felt guilty.

Why was it that she could only rely on her family’s money and couldn’t do anything right?

Her father had called after hearing her complaints, and instead of arguing, he spent the whole night teaching her, patiently guiding her through the work she had struggled with.

Now, she truly understood their intentions.

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The pot lid opened, releasing the savory aroma of the braised pork ribs, which were coated in rich, thick broth.

The stock had reduced into a sticky, glossy sauce, enveloping the ribs, making them look juicy and tender.

Luna watched as Yaotiao picked up a piece with chopsticks and handed it to her: “Did you remember the steps? Just follow this method, the rest doesn’t matter. As long as you have this jar of pickled waxberries, the taste will be perfect. After you finish, let me know, and I’ll have someone send you more.”

Luna took a bite.

Having eaten so much in Mingde’s cafeteria, her taste buds had been spoiled by the chefs there, but Jin Yaotiao’s cooking was unquestionably better.

The pickled waxberries, cooked with the meat, had blended their sharp, distinct flavors into a smooth, new experience. The rich stock and bone flavor intertwined, creating a unique combination.

The sauce had soaked into every fiber of the ribs, making them so tender they practically fell off the bone. The fatty membrane and tender meat melted in her mouth.

Luna’s eyes warmed up again, and she hurriedly lowered her head to chew, softly saying, “Good.”

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Pickled waxberries, dried yak ribs, beef jerky, pickled pork legs, stir-fried crabs…

The trunk was packed with these ingredients, causing the driver sent by Luna’s family to Shenzhen to eagerly imagine what the dishes would taste like.

As a local from Linjiang, he knew how popular Mingde’s restaurants were in the city. It wasn’t unusual to see long lines, but during holidays, people from nearby cities would flock to the restaurant, and without an early reservation, it was impossible to get a seat.

These items, especially the pickled pork leg, could probably be sold for a higher price than Spanish ham at an auction.

Luna, hugging the jar of waxberries, had let go of her usual professional demeanor, shedding tears while eating: “Yaotiao, I’ll work hard and become as amazing as you. Wait until the day I’m the CEO and support you.”

Jin Yaotiao helplessly watched her: “Stop eating, if you keep going, you’ll finish this jar before you even get back to Linjiang.”

Luna looked at the jar, realizing she had eaten most of it, sniffled, and sadly reached for another: “Just one more, the last one.”

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After sending Luna off, Jin Yaotiao straightened her clothes and looked up at the sky.

The cold wind was rising.

Another winter had arrived.

But everything seemed to be sprouting with new life, like seedlings growing under frozen soil.

At Shenzhen Radio, a group of representatives from various places were whispering to each other, discussing a report that Mingde’s frozen foods had become internet sensations.

“Achieving this level in the restaurant industry is truly impressive.”

“Our company has been around for nearly twenty years in X City. When will we see a day like this?”

“This Chairman Jin may look like a young girl, but she’s amazing.”

Meanwhile, Liu, a representative from Xing City, was struggling to keep up with the conversation.

As a representative recommended by Xinghe, his situation had recently worsened, and things were looking increasingly grim as Xinghe faced attacks from major industry players in various cities.

Since the things that Xinghe had done in the past were exposed, the conflict between Xinghe and Mingde spread.

Even though the representatives present here weren’t keen on browsing the internet, they still had various ways of knowing about it.

As a result, Xinghe’s situation became very awkward. Perhaps because of Mingde’s face, most of the industry peers were unwilling to engage with him.

Xinghe’s boss, who himself was struggling, naturally no longer had the desire to help Xinghe go up against Mingde.

However, deep inside, he still felt some resentment.

In his hometown, he was a well-known figure in the food and beverage industry.

Otherwise, why would Xinghe have a good relationship with him and recommend him to this TV show?

Xinghe’s province is famous for its cuisine, with many industry peers being renowned. His company was able to hold its ground in such fierce competition, which showed that it had some real strength.

He was also the most prominent chef in his company, having won several prestigious awards.

In this aspect, Jin Yaojiao couldn’t compare to him.

When he thought about how Mingde had risen far faster than his competitors by relying on frozen food and had even overshadowed Xinghe, the Liu representative felt a bitter pang.

He complained privately to his employees, “How can they be so highly regarded? We, who run restaurants, should focus on improving the taste of our dishes, not get distracted by some frozen food products. Honestly, Mingde is just neglecting the core of the business.”

The employees naturally agreed.

One makeup artist, unable to keep quiet, responded, “Although Mingde’s frozen food is well-known, their restaurant also has an excellent reputation.”