Chapter 911: No Wonder It's Like This (2)

After reading the entire news article carefully, Song Xuanhe looked at Ren Yuchang in surprise: “What’s up with this news?”

Ren Yuchang explained: “The Chef Fu mentioned in the news who assisted the police in solving the case is the herbal chef I invited to attend the annual meeting. Because of this incident, he was delayed and couldn’t make it to the annual meeting on time.”

Song Xuanhe’s expression eased slightly, but his voice remained serious: “This Chef Fu is a herbal chef, not a doctor from your Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Why did your hospital allocate the spot to an outsider?”

Song Xuanhe did not deliberately lower his voice when asking.

Seeing that the atmosphere was off, the others immediately fell silent, all focusing on the commotion here.

Seeing Song Xuanhe’s dissatisfaction, Ren Yuchang patiently explained: “Fu Yu is a specially appointed herbal cuisine chef at Bei’an Music Restaurant and is somewhat famous in the circle. He joined the Provincial Gourmet Association during the winter and participated in the video cooking competition this year, receiving very high awards. Moreover…”

Ren Yuchang paused for a moment and deliberately raised his voice to announce: “Just now, the inspection team members of the National Herbal Cuisine Research Association voted on the matter of inviting Fu Yu to join the association and serve as a consultant, and the final result was unanimous approval.”

“Although Fu Yu is a young herbal cuisine chef, he has very unique insights into herbal cuisine and is also very interested in the theories of Chinese medicine.”

“This time, I wanted to bring him to attend the annual meeting to provide a platform for exchange. I didn’t expect him to encounter this matter right before departure. He is a chef with great morals and is very righteous, so he stepped forward resolutely when he encountered the situation.”

“He couldn’t come to the provincial capital this time, not only missing out on attending our annual meeting but also missing the award ceremony of the Provincial Gourmet Association.”

After listening to Ren Yuchang, Song Xuanhe fell silent.

No wonder Ren Yuchang would allocate such a precious annual meeting spot to an outsider.

And Fu Yu couldn’t make it to the annual meeting because he was assisting the police in breaking up a black workshop.

The video cooking competition of the Provincial Gourmet Association has been particularly popular in recent years, repeatedly trending with high attention.

Even giving up such a good opportunity shows that this Chef Fu truly puts personal fame and gains aside, being a person of integrity, righteousness, and high culinary morals.

This is the attitude and responsibility a chef should have.

Although their work nature is completely different, at this moment, Song Xuanhe feels his work philosophies align completely with this Chef Fu.

He is the hospital director and was also once a doctor.

He respects those who love their work positions and appreciates people with attitude and responsibility.

No wonder!

Ren Yuchang would go out of his way to speak well of Fu Yu and be willing to give his hospital’s precious spot to the latter.

Seeing Ren Yuchang’s solemn expression, Song Xuanhe couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

It seems Ren Yuchang highly praises and acknowledges Fu Yu, and he is right.

If Fu Yu is indeed highly skilled in herbal cuisine, he is fully qualified to attend the annual meeting of the provincial traditional Chinese medicine department.

And this person not only receives an invitation to join the National Herbal Cuisine Research Association but also serves as a consultant, with full vote approval.

This person is truly extraordinary!

Though missing the chance to meet this person, it was a missed good opportunity.

However…

Since this Chef Fu is in Bei’an, not far from the provincial capital, there will always be chances to interact in the future.

Thinking of this, Song Xuanhe said to Ren Yuchang: “Indeed very unfortunate. There are several guests this year who were very hard to invite, and the vice president of the association also personally exchanged with everyone.”

Ren Yuchang nodded empathetically: “It really is, we’ll just have to wait for another opportunity.”

Song Xuanhe thought for a moment, leaned close to Ren Yuchang, and whispered: “Next time there’s an exchange meeting, be sure to remind me, and I will allocate one more spot for your hospital. Be sure to invite this Chef Fu.”

Ren Yuchang’s eyes lit up, glancing at Song Xuanhe: “Alright, Director Song, don’t worry. I’ll surely remind you then.”

Song Xuanhe couldn’t help but smile.

Ren Yuchang also nodded.

…

Having finished a phone call with Liu Shaoxian, Fu Yu chatted with Liu Yuqing for a while and then took the initiative to escort Liu Yuqing back to her room.

He had no choice; Sister Dai was watching closely, and specifically instructed Liu Yuqing to return early so as not to upset her.

Liu Yuqing chuckled and gave Fu Yu a loving hug: “What time is it now? My sister isn’t specifically rushing me back, and we originally planned to go to the shopping street for a walk. It’s hard to come to the provincial capital once and haven’t bought anything yet.”

Fu Yu, upon hearing this, hurriedly said: “Going for a walk? Can I join you? I can help carry the bags.”

Liu Yuqing replied with a smile: “No, my sister specifically instructed you to rest early since you’re meeting Expert Liu tomorrow morning. Just me and my sister going is fine, you don’t know, we both love shopping so much and could buy endlessly.”

Fu Yu then had to give up.

Since he has matters to attend to tomorrow.

And with Liu Yunong there, it could count as a date, quite something to look forward to.

With the big sister joining, it won’t be as free.

Fu Yu reluctantly hugged Liu Yuqing, then accompanied her to knock on the room door.

Liu Yunong was already dressed and, seeing Liu Yuqing return, she instructed Fu Yu: “Liu Shaoxian just called me, I didn’t mention we were together. However, he invited me to meet tomorrow morning for a final gathering.”

Fu Yu couldn’t help but smile: “That’s great, Master, shall we go together tomorrow?”

Liu Yunong nodded: “Alright, let’s go early so we don’t keep people waiting.”

Liu Yuqing hurriedly asked: “Sister, are we still going out?”

Liu Yunong nodded: “Yes, but Xiaofu shouldn’t follow. You’ve been tossed around enough today, go back and rest well.”

Fu Yu agreed: “Alright, Master, I’m heading back, see you tomorrow morning.”

Returning to his room, Fu Yu had nothing to do, so he called Zhao Meng to report in peace.

This is the first time since graduation that he traveled alone.

Typically, when calling, Zhao Meng would pick up quickly unless it’s work hours.

Usually, there’s hardly any call seeking him.

Glancing at the time, Fu Yu figured the kitchen should be less busy by now.

But the call went through, and it was engaged.

Fu Yu listened to the tone “the user you are dialing is in a call,” pondering that it might be Sister Dai calling Chef Zhao?

These two rarely call unless one’s day off?

He waited for a while and dialed again, still engaged?

Who could it be?

Not likely Sister Dai; Chef Zhao’s nature is to talk work-related issues during calls, never liking idle chat, just doesn’t have the habit.

Then who could it be?

Strange…

While Fu Yu was musing, Zhao Meng was discussing this year’s participants’ cooking video content with Yao Shi at the Provincial Gourmet Association.

The award ceremony at the Provincial Gourmet Association was live, and almost immediately after the event ended, the website had uploaded all winning participants’ competition videos.

Yao Shi was in a gloomy mood today, using video watching as a relief, brushing through nearly four hours of competition videos.

After watching, he realized Fu Yu’s competition video was remarkably unique, showcasing featured cooking dishes worth appreciating and viewing.

Unbeknownst to him, Fu Yu’s cooking skills had improved significantly.

Several techniques demonstrated during cooking impressed Yao Shi too.

He specifically called Zhao Meng because he thought Fu Yu’s competition video was worth watching and learning.