Tang Hecai's Hidden Trouble
Tang Xiachuan finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked,
"Master Jiang, what do you think of today's dishes? How do they taste?"
Tang Hehu immediately chimed in,
"Dad, that's a strange question! These dishes were all prepared by our Head Chef Yan. How could they not be delicious?
Besides, didn't you see? Master Jiang sampled every single dish!"
Neither Tang Hehu nor Wang Jinchai knew anything about Jiang Ning's culinary skills, much less that he was the famous "Young Stay-at-Home Dad".
At present, the only people who knew the true identity of the "Young Stay-at-Home Dad" were Tang Hecai, Tang Helong, the old butler Zhang Haichen, and Tang Hecai's secretary Ke Hanliang. Tang Xiachuan had personally warned them that anyone who leaked the secret would face severe consequences.
Jiang Ning could only answer against his conscience.
"The food is indeed very good. I can tell every dish was prepared with great care."
Although brief, his comment hit the nail on the head.
Tang Xiachuan glanced at Jiang Ning, secretly planning to ask him in private which dishes still needed improvement.
So he quickly said,
"Then please eat more, Master Jiang."
Jiang Ning nodded.
At that moment, Wang Jinchai suddenly spoke.
"Master Jiang, there's something I've been wanting to ask you."
Jiang Ning smiled politely.
"Sister-in-law, please ask. There's no need to be so formal."
She looked at him curiously.
"You're so young. What exactly are you a master of? My father-in-law, eldest brother, and second brother all keep calling you 'Master Jiang.'"
"Ahem..."
Before Jiang Ning could answer, Tang Xiachuan hurriedly coughed twice.
"Master Jiang is a master calligrapher. His calligraphy has already reached the grandmaster level."
He immediately added,
"You know how much I love calligraphy. Master Jiang's achievements far surpass mine. Calling him 'Master Jiang' is only natural."
Wang Jinchai curled her lips.
"Oh, so you're just good at writing? I thought you had some extraordinary ability."
Then she smiled at Jiang Ning.
"Master Jiang, listen to your sister-in-law. Go home and divorce your wife. I'll introduce you to one of my best friends. I guarantee you'll never have to worry about food or money for the rest of your life."
Jiang Ning was speechless, but still replied politely,
"Thank you for your concern, Sister-in-law, but I have no such plans. My wife and I have a wonderful relationship."
She waved her hand dismissively.
"Can a good relationship put food on the table? Listen to me. Go get divorced, then contact me. I'll arrange everything for you."
As she spoke, she even winked at him.
Tang Hehu finally couldn't stand it anymore.
"Enough, Jinchai. You're talking way too much tonight. How can you encourage someone to break up another person's marriage? That's completely inappropriate."
Sitting beside Jiang Ning, Tang Xiachuan was already fuming.
He wanted nothing more than to slap his daughter-in-law.
What sins did I commit to end up with such a daughter-in-law?
If the Wang Group hadn't possessed even greater assets and influence than the Tang Group, making them impossible to offend, he would never have tolerated her rude behavior at the dinner table.
But Wang Jinchai merely glared at her husband.
"Go away. I'm doing this for Master Jiang's own good. Stop getting in the way."
The dinner became increasingly uncomfortable for Jiang Ning.
Tang Xiachuan regretted inviting his disappointing sons and daughters-in-law to meet Jiang Ning.
Especially his second son, along with his third son and third daughter-in-law—they had completely embarrassed the family.
The look in his third daughter-in-law's eyes made her intentions obvious to anyone paying attention.
After dinner, his second son even insisted on taking Jiang Ning out for an "after-party," infuriating Tang Xiachuan.
He scolded them harshly before ordering his eldest son, Tang Hecai, to accompany him and Jiang Ning back to the villa.
The entire evening had been a disaster.
He could also tell that Jiang Ning had been forcing a smile the whole time.
After returning to the villa, Tang Xiachuan apologized sincerely.
"Master Jiang, I'm truly sorry about my second son and daughter-in-law..."
Jiang Ning waved him off.
"Old Master Tang, there's no need to be so polite. Every family has its own troubles."
Tang Xiachuan continued,
"Master Jiang, now that no one else is around, please tell me honestly.
Which dishes tonight need improvement? Which ones weren't done well?
If you hold back out of courtesy, you'll only be hurting the Tang Group's restaurant business."
Seeing Jiang Ning hesitate, he quickly added,
"Of course, I won't fire the head chef just because his cooking still has room for improvement.
To ordinary people, his dishes are already excellent.
But to an expert like you, there must be many details worth refining.
Only with your guidance can the Tang Hotels serve even better cuisine."
Hearing that, Jiang Ning nodded.
"Old Master Tang, let's go to the study.
I'll write down every issue I found with tonight's dishes."
Tang Xiachuan immediately became excited.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Master Jiang! This way, please!"
His trip back to Kyoto had been unbelievably rewarding.
Not only had Jiang Ning cured the old commander's illness—a relationship that had greatly contributed to the Tang Group's rise over the past decades—but now he was also willing to improve the restaurant's signature dishes.
These were the hotel's flagship recipes.
Even a slight improvement would significantly elevate the restaurant business.
With Jiang Ning's guidance, every signature dish would reach another level, attracting even more customers and greatly increasing profits.
The night passed quietly.
The next morning, at Kyoto Airport.
Jiang Ning and Tang Xiachuan waited with Tang Hecai for clearance to board their private jet.
Tang Xiachuan looked at his eldest son seriously.
"Hecai, while I'm away from Kyoto, you need to act like the eldest brother.
The eldest brother is like a father.
Just look at Helong and Hehu. They've become complete disappointments.
You absolutely cannot let the Tang Group fall into ruin."
He sighed before continuing,
"And another thing.
You're already this old.
People your age are already becoming grandfathers.
What about you?
What's your problem?
Hurry up and find a wife who can give birth.
I don't even know when I'll finally get to hold a grandchild.
Look at my old commander.
He's only a little over ten years older than I am, yet he's already become a great-grandfather.
I'm so jealous."
Tang Hecai smiled awkwardly.
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll manage the Tang Group well.
But you saw Second Brother and Third Sister-in-law last night yourself.
Even you couldn't do anything about them. What could I possibly do?"
There was no way he dared discipline his sister-in-law Wang Jinchai.
As for his second brother Tang Helong, his carefree, womanizing personality wasn't something that could change overnight.
Then there was his own problem.
Several times he had wanted to ask Jiang Ning for help.
But he simply couldn't bring himself to do it.
What if Master Jiang isn't knowledgeable in this area?
If he can't treat this kind of problem... wouldn't I completely embarrass myself?
If his dragon could raise its head again, there would naturally be no problem.
Giving the old master grandchildren would be easy.
But the truth was...
His dragon simply refused to rise.
And as the dignified president of Kyoto's Tang Group, how could he possibly admit such a humiliating problem to anyone?
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