After being scolded so harshly by his own father, Shan Yingguo slumped down in his chair, looking dejected.
Shan Shengshuo, expressionless, leaned on his cane and continued to berate Shan Yingguo, "Look at the fine son you've raised! He swaggered into our Shan family home with people! And brought Liu Yinyin to my party!"
"Don't you know who those people are? Some of them live on the same street as Guo Zhen!"
Shan Shengshuo was not only cursing Shan Yingguo, but also Shan Fangdu, that brainless bastard, and those who actually recognized Liu Yinyin but didn't tell him.
Shan Shengshuo knew that those people came to his gatherings partly out of respect for his power and partly because they saw something to gain. As for what they were really thinking, only they knew.
People who are bound together by shared interests would probably not tell him about his family's scandal, even if they knew about it.
The thought of those who fawned over him while secretly mocking his grandson and son-in-law for their promiscuous past relationships made Shan Shengshuo feel that the eldest son's family had completely disgraced the Shan family.
Shan Yingguo's face turned pale and then red, knowing that his Shan family was about to lose face.
He lowered his head and endured the scolding until Shan Shengshuo had vented his anger, then whispered, "Dad, what do we do now?"
"What should we do?" Shan Shengshuo laughed angrily. "You're asking me what to do? Are you a pig?"
Dan Yingguo, realizing he had made a fool of himself, had no choice but to shut his mouth and remain silent.
Dan Shengshuo closed his eyes, gathered his anger, and said irritably, "When your son goes to work, have someone take her away and dump her at the Xia family's place. Tell Xia Lei and the old man of the Xia family what you know."
"The Xia family is really declining day by day; they can't even control the women in the family."
"good."
Dan Yingguo nodded immediately. When Xia Lei was mentioned, Dan Yingguo paused, then his mind cleared. He lowered his voice and said to Dan Shengshuo, "Dad... two years ago, the people we sent to Zhongmo Town to look for the Imperial Seal didn't find a trace of it... Last year, Guo Zhen gave it to you. Do you think... Liu Yinyin and Xia Lei got it?"
"You forgot, years ago Xiao Lian almost got into trouble, and it was Xia Lei who helped save her. Guo Zhen was very grateful to him..."
Upon hearing this, Shan Shengshuo looked up at him and said, "You do have some brains."
"It must have been this couple who beat us to it and took the imperial seal first," Shan Shengshuo sneered. "It was also because Xia Lei was stupid and foolish, and his illegal sale of cultural relics was discovered, that we had the opportunity to get that treasure back."
Shan Yingguo also laughed.
Who can argue with that?
His grandfather was a person who was crazy about ancient artifacts such as imperial seals.
The Shan family possessed countless antiques, but Shan Shengshuo's favorite was only one: the imperial seal.
The jade seal symbolizes supreme power and signifies status.
Ever since the archaeological team found the jade seal in the deep mountains surrounding Shanding Brigade and the news spread to the capital, Shan Shengshuo regarded it as his own.
He went to great lengths to obtain the Imperial Seal of the State, but the archaeologists had hidden it deep in the mountains and never revealed its whereabouts until their deaths.
Having missed out on the jade seal he so desperately desired, Shan Shengshuo was depressed for several days.
When Guo Zhen brought the jade seal to him, Shan Shengshuo was overjoyed. He even went so far as to print the design of the jade seal, which he had personally drawn, on a card, declaring his ownership in a subtle yet flamboyant way.
Shan Shengshuo's cloudy but shrewd eyes flashed, and he said to Shan Yingguo, "In that case, Liu Yinyin and the Xia family should be left even more."
The origin of the item lies in the mountains of Zhongmo Town. In any case, Liu Yinyin and Xia Lei, who know the origin of the jade seal, cannot be allowed to live.
"I understand."
Shan Yingguo nodded solemnly.
The first thing his family needs to do is to get rid of that bitch Liu Yinyin from his son's side!
...
Zhou Mingli has been quite busy lately.
I don’t know if it’s because spring has arrived, but many people are getting married and have gone through a lot of trouble to invite Chef Mo to cook. As Chef Mo’s apprentice, Zhou Mingli also has to go along.
Compared to last year when he was always the assistant, Zhou Mingli can now cook all the dishes for Chef Mo, except for some dishes that are extremely demanding on a chef's skills.
Chef Mo genuinely taught his apprentice, passing on almost all of his family's culinary skills to Zhou Mingli.
Chef Mo and Zhou Mingli rode their bicycles to the home of the private job they had taken on. On the way, Chef Mo said to Zhou Mingli, "Even if you don't work as a kitchen helper, you can still become a head chef in a state-run restaurant with your skills."
Zhou Mingli smiled and said, "It's still far from being as good as yours."
"You really want to learn all my skills? Well, you've got a lot to learn."
After chatting for a few minutes, Chef Mo said, "This time we're going to a high-ranking leader's house, so don't look around or listen to anything. Just focus on doing your job properly."
Zhou Mingli became cautious and replied, "Okay."
At first, Zhou Mingli didn't know who the big boss Chef Mo was talking about was. But when he arrived at the place and met the person, Zhou Mingli fell silent.
I didn't dare to breathe too loudly.
That's really... a big boss.
It was clear that Chef Mo knew the other party; he spoke to the senior leader with utmost respect and courtesy.
"My second son is getting married today. I didn't want to trouble anyone, but I'm too busy with things at home. My second son came to me and said that your cooking skills are top-notch, so I had no choice but to swallow my pride and ask you, Lao Mo, to help me prepare a wedding banquet."
Chef Mo's smile deepened the wrinkles on his face. "I used to follow you all over the country. It's my honor to be able to host your son's wedding banquet. I can't let you ask me to!"
The senior leader smiled kindly, "I also miss your cooking very much. Do you need two more people to help you?"
Chef Mo waved his hand, "No need, no need. I brought my apprentice with me; he'll assist me."
Only then did the senior leader's gaze fall on Zhou Mingli.
He looked very nervous, his body stiff, his head down, and he seemed too reserved to say a word.
The senior leader jokingly said, "I told you you should find an apprentice to pass on your skills, but you said you didn't want to. How come you suddenly took on an apprentice?"
"I think he's clever, hardworking, and conscientious."
"His name is Zhou Mingli." Chef Mo patted Zhou Mingli on the back. "You should know who this is, right?"
Zhou Mingli nodded, swallowed hard, and said respectfully, "Hello."
The high-ranking leader shook hands with him, his expression kind and approachable, completely without airs. "Young man, don't be nervous, I'm not going to eat you."
Zhou Mingli smiled shyly and embarrassedly, "This is the first time I've seen you up close, I'm a little nervous."
Upon hearing this, the top leader couldn't help but burst into laughter.
He patted his strong shoulder. "Zhou Mingli...a very good name."
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