Chapter 252 Dust to dust, ashes to ashes
Following closely behind is actress Huang Yifei, known for her upright character. She and Su Yingxue became friends through dietary guidance and have long been close friends in private. Upon seeing this, she directly forwarded the post and added: "Su Yingxue's dishes warm the stomach and protect the heart. Some people who try to make trouble should do things uprightly instead."
A group of fans followed suit in expressing their support, and many celebrities in the industry also reposted and expressed their opinions.
He Qianyu was even more straightforward, bringing her team directly to the store to check in, and saying to the camera, "This is the most heartwarming home-style cooking I've ever eaten. The owner is beautiful and kind-hearted, and no one can bully her."
In the footage, the shop is clean and tidy, with fresh ingredients, a stark contrast to the image Wang Qian wanted to project, instantly suppressing most of the rumors.
On the other side, Director Ye was furious with the surveillance footage Su Yingxue had sent him. Su Yingxue had also kept recordings of the bullying she suffered when she terminated her contract. She had kept them and hadn't deleted them. Now that this matter had blown up, it would be perfect to get those recordings out.
Director Ye immediately joined forces with several directors in the industry to speak out, exposing Wang Qian's long-standing history of using coercion and bribery to manipulate newcomers and maliciously suppress dissent.
What Wang Qian didn't expect was that Hou Yiming, who hadn't shown up for a long time, also took the initiative to step forward.
Houtu Group has also ventured into the film and television industry over the years and has established a certain foundation there.
Old Hou was a customer whom Su Yingxue met when she was running a stall at the hospital in her early years. She had tasted a bowl of Fuding sliced meat soup by chance back then and had remembered it for many years. After learning about this, Old Hou directly used his connections and asked his grandson to investigate further.
The industry association submitted concrete evidence of Wang Qian's past practice of withholding artists' salaries and signing unfair contracts.
He also instructed his subordinates to terminate any collaborations involving Wang Qian and that group of directors.
With the help of many parties, the industry was in an uproar. Wang Qian and her group of directors became pariahs. Not only did no one dare to work with her anymore, but the artists who had been cheated by her came forward to accuse her. Her network and business, which she had painstakingly built up over the years, collapsed overnight.
Desperate, Wang Qian actually rushed to the shop's entrance and threw a tantrum in front of the customers, cursing Su Yingxue for being ungrateful and ruthless, and even accusing Su Yingxue of getting her business through connections with Director Zhang and a group of celebrities.
At that moment, Su Yingxue was busy serving radish stewed with beef brisket to the guests. Upon hearing this, she simply put down her soup spoon, walked to the door, and held up a copy of the original termination contract and the transfer record of Wang Qian's exorbitant demands. Her voice was clear and bright: "I have never forgotten your kindness. It's just that back then, Sister Qian only had interests in her eyes. She forced me to sign unfair terms and deducted my salary at every turn."
I spent all my savings to terminate the contract, simply wanting some freedom. Now I run this little shop, relying on my home-style cooking and the word-of-mouth recommendations from my customers, not on anyone's help.
"But you, over the years, have cheated so many people like me and the young girls in this shop. Your current predicament is entirely your own fault."
Just as she finished speaking, Shen Yu and He Qianyu arrived at the restaurant for their meal. Upon seeing this, they immediately stepped forward and stood beside Su Yingxue. Shen Yu looked at Wang Qian and said coldly, "I know Sister Su because her food is delicious; we help Sister Su because she deserves it. How can you say we're using connections?"
Huang Yifei arrived shortly afterward, glanced at Wang Qian indifferently, and said only, "Justice resides in the hearts of the people," which made Wang Qian's face turn even paler.
The customers were mostly regulars who had already heard the whole story, so they started to criticize her. Some even took out their phones to record videos. Wang Qian was so frightened that she fled in a panic amidst the commotion. She never appeared in Hengdian again after that.
After this incident, the shop's reputation was firmly established. Not only did it become a popular spot for diners, but many artists and film crews with a sense of justice also made it their regular dining location.
Even Director Ye's new drama specially invited Su Yingxue to direct the scenes of everyday meals, but Su Yingxue declined. She smiled and said, "I am more comfortable running my little shop. The atmosphere of everyday life is more to my liking than the glamorous scenes in front of the camera."
Shen Yu and the others knew her feelings and didn't force her. They only agreed that when Wushan Yunhai Xiaoyao Shop reopened, they would definitely go hiking and eat together as a group.
Old Hou specially brought a batch of high-quality kitchenware, and said with a smile: "The meat soup you used to make is now a little less delicious, but I hope that your home cooking spirit can continue to thrive."
Spring arrived in the blink of an eye, and news came from Wushan that the heavy snow had melted and the mountain roads were open. Farmers at the foot of the mountain specially sent a message saying that the stone steps in front of Yunhai Xiaoyao Shop had been cleaned and were waiting for them to return.
Holding the newly filled ledger, Xu Qingqing's eyes were full of anticipation: "Sister Su, can we go back now? I was thinking of adding the new dishes I learned in Hengdian to the menu of Yunhai Shop, and I also need to reserve a table for Shen Yu and the others!"
Su Yingxue looked at the words "Fireworks warm people, clouds and sea understand hearts" on the wall, then looked at the steaming stove in the shop, and nodded with a smile.
She entrusted her small shop in Hengdian to a farmer's son she knew well—the boy was hardworking and reliable. He had been learning cooking from them for several months and was already capable of working independently. Su Yingxue specifically instructed him that the rule of offering affordable set meals should not be changed, and that the warmth of home cooking should be preserved to comfort travelers on their journeys.
On the day they set off to return to Wushan, Director Ye brought the main creative team of "Chang'an Banquet" to see them off. Shen Yu, He Qianyu and Huang Yifei were also present. President Hou even sent a special car to help them transport kitchenware and luggage.
Director Ye presented a wooden plaque inscribed with "The greatest flavor in life is home cooking" and joked, "When you go hiking in Wushan in the future, you'll have authentic home cooking to satisfy your cravings. You'll have to reserve a special seat for me at your Yunhai Xiaoyao Shop."
Shen Yu and the others discussed that after finishing their work in the spring, they would go to Wushan as a group just to eat Su Yingxue's braised pork ribs with potatoes and braised pork rice.
As the car traveled to the foot of Wushan Mountain, it then took a mountain road. In the distance, the wooden door of Yunhai Xiaoyaopu could be seen open. Farmers from the foot of the mountain were already waiting at the door, carrying fresh vegetables and local pork on their shoulders. When they saw them coming, they all greeted them with smiles.
After the two had finished getting ready, Yunhai Xiaoyao Shop reopened at noon. The firewood in the stove was burning brightly, and the aroma of braised pork ribs with potatoes and winter melon meatball soup mixed with the fragrance of mountain herbs and trees, wafted far and wide.
The first table of guests consisted of several familiar hikers who greeted us with smiles as they entered, saying, "Boss Su, we've been waiting for you to come back! We've been waiting all winter for this hot meal!"
Xu Qingqing was busy taking orders and keeping accounts. She carefully marked the guests' preferences in the ledger and even left a few pages to record the taste preferences of Shen Yu and the others.
Su Yingxue was in charge of cooking. The braised pork in the pot was bubbling and steaming, and the bacon rice in the casserole was steaming, echoing the lively atmosphere of the small shops in Hengdian.
As the sun sets, the sea of clouds surges with golden waves, and the shop is filled with laughter. Xu Qingqing leans close to Su Yingxue, points to the endless stream of customers coming along the mountain road, and smiles with her eyes crinkling: "Sister Su, look, our lively atmosphere has drifted back from Hengdian to Wushan, and it has warmed the hearts of even more people."
Su Yingxue smiled and agreed, adding a piece of firewood to the stove. The flames crackled and burned even brighter, making her eyes and brows feel warm and cozy. The evening breeze carried the aroma of food and the crisp scent of mountain grass and trees into the shop, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the diners, creating a particularly comforting atmosphere.
The inscription on the wall, "Fireworks warm people, clouds and seas understand hearts," and the wooden plaque given by Director Ye, "The greatest flavor in life is home cooking," complement each other perfectly in the setting sun, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere.
Looking at Xu Qingqing, who was busy with a smile on her face, and at the guests at the table eating with satisfaction, she felt a clear understanding in her heart—this was the best time of her life.
They've never been in the limelight; they've just been tending to their kitchen.
They cook warm, home-style meals, and welcome and send off guests with genuine sincerity.
Fireworks continue, warmth lingers, and peace prevails year after year.
(The End. There will be a bonus chapter tomorrow.)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com