154: Agree to participate in the competition

Lu Chuan had already sat back down, but his heart was still racing, especially when he thought about how close Neng Tong had been just now. He couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

In all his life, this was the first time he had been in such close contact with a girl his age; it was impossible for his heart not to stir.

Just then, he heard Neng Tong's deep sigh and couldn't help but look over, only to see her beautiful brows furrowed, looking deeply troubled.

"..."

What did she want to do now?

Lu Chuan instantly became wary.

"Little Boss, to be honest, the reason we came this time is because we really had no other choice!"

Neng Tong sighed again.

"My father, my father he... Wuwuwu..."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but bury her head in her lap, her shoulders trembling.

This left both Chairman Neng Xing and Lu Chuan dumbfounded, but their internal reactions were vastly different.

Chairman Neng Xing's expression suddenly became very strange, and his eyes kept darting elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Lu Chuan felt a pang of sadness, reminded of his deceased parents.

She was crying so sorrowfully, it was likely her father must have... Thinking of this, Lu Chuan couldn't help but offer comfort.

"My condolences..."

However, before he could finish, Neng Tong looked up in surprise.

"My father is fine!"

Lu Chuan's unfinished words froze on his lips, and his expression became incredibly strange as he asked:

"Then why are you crying?"

Neng Tong scratched her head.

"I wasn't crying. I was just about to say that my father, after getting drunk, made a bet with someone about this competition. He bet that the contestants from Yinhua City would achieve good results. If they didn't, he would have to clean the toilets at the other person's restaurant for a year."

"So, to avoid losing the bet, he insisted that we invite you to participate in the competition."

Hearing this, Lu Chuan was silent for a moment, then looked at her and said hesitantly:

"So you weren't crying just now, but thinking of this bet, you couldn't help but laugh?"

"Uh-huh."

Neng Tong rubbed her cheeks, which ached from laughing.

"Although it's really funny, if he really loses, my father will actually have to clean toilets, which would be terrible."

"..."

Lu Chuan was silent again, then suddenly pointed to the exit of the flower garden and said:

"Have a good trip, I won't see you out."

Hearing this, Neng Tong became anxious, couldn't help but stand up and step forward, shaking Lu Chuan's arm, and said pitifully:

"Little Boss~ Good Brother~ Please help us~"

Listening to the sweet, tender words that melted him to the bone, and smelling the faint scent of the young girl, Lu Chuan felt completely numb and stammered:

"This, no, it won't work, I can't, really..."

Neng Tong didn't expect Lu Chuan to have such strong self-control, and a sense of frustration rose in her heart.

Just then, she suddenly felt a prickling sensation on her back, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

Oh no, she had been too engrossed for a moment and had forgotten that her old-fashioned grandfather was also there.

She quickly stood up and retreated to Chairman Neng Xing's side, then lowered her head and remained silent, reverting to her usual obedient granddaughter demeanor.

Chairman Neng Xing glanced at Neng Tong, snorted, and then stood up to bid Lu Chuan farewell.

"Young friend, since you are unwilling to participate in the competition, this old man cannot force you and can only find someone else. Farewell."

Lu Chuan nodded, stood up, and watched the two leave.

Just then, He Jingrui, who had been eating chicken with his head down, suddenly leaned over and whispered:

"A Chuan, why aren't you going to the competition?"

Lu Chuan shook his head, pointed at the Regular Customers around him, and smiled:

"Of course, it's because so many people are waiting for me to set up my stall! I can't let down their expectations."

"But this competition is on the weekend, and the first prize is five hundred thousand!"

"..."

Lu Chuan's raised hand froze in mid-air, his smile instantly rigid.

But soon, he clasped his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, and his gaze became profound.

"But then again, exchanging ideas with peers and improving one's culinary skills is also very important. Participating in a competition occasionally is not out of the question."

He Jingrui looked at him suspiciously.

"Are you sure it's not because of the five hundred thousand?"

Hearing this, Lu Chuan immediately glared at him.

"That's slander! Am I someone who loves money?"

He Jingrui thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, if you loved money, you would have opened a restaurant long ago, why would you still be running a stall?"

"..."

Lu Chuan felt guilty hearing this and chose not to respond.

He then looked at Chairman Neng Xing and the other person, who had already walked away, and quickly hurried after them, shouting:

"Wait, Old Sir, I've changed my mind! I agree to participate in the competition."

Hearing this, the two of them turned around simultaneously with joy.

Because they were so perfectly synchronized, Chairman Neng Xing couldn't help but glance at Neng Tong, only to find that her eyes had become somewhat dreamy, and a blush hung on her face.

His heart instantly skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but speak.

"Good granddaughter, you..."

Neng Tong turned her head to look, her blush still present, along with a hint of suppressed joy.

"Grandpa, do you think he suddenly changed his mind because of me?"

Chairman Neng Xing suddenly felt a headache coming on.

How did this girl get so caught up in her own act? If you can't use a honey trap, don't use it. How did she get herself trapped? Has it really become a case of throwing a meat bun to a dog, never to return?

But then again, if he thought about it carefully, it really might be the case.

His good granddaughter was clever and pretty; with just a little charm, how could someone her age not be moved?

He then thought again, this Little Boss is so young and already has such good skills, he must have an extraordinary teacher, and he's not bad-looking either, quite a good match for his good granddaughter.

Thinking this, his heart suddenly felt at ease.

Now looking at Lu Chuan, he had a feeling of looking at a prospective grandson-in-law, and the more he looked, the more satisfied he became, so he couldn't help but nod.

At this moment, Lu Chuan had already walked in front of the two, but found their gazes somewhat strange.

He couldn't pinpoint what was strange, but it was just very strange, an indescribable strangeness.

Lu Chuan blinked his eyes in confusion, but since it involved five hundred thousand, no, since it involved the important matter of improving his culinary skills, he immediately got to the point.

"Old Sir, I've decided to participate in the competition!"

Chairman Neng Xing nodded and smiled:

"Good, good, good. Then you must prepare well. I'll have Neng Tong go cheer you on then."

Lu Chuan was also very happy that the matter was settled and couldn't help but smile. His gaze inadvertently met Neng Tong's for a moment, but quickly shifted away.

Neng Tong heard Chairman Neng Xing specifically ask her to go cheer him on, and how could she not know her grandfather's intentions? Her ears immediately turned red.

Afterward, she 'accidentally' made eye contact with Lu Chuan again, feeling his undisguised joy, and her heart immediately raced. She shyly stomped her foot and then quickly ran away.

"Hahahaha..."

Chairman Neng Xing watched his granddaughter's retreating figure and couldn't help but laugh.

He then turned to Lu Chuan and couldn't resist teasing him.

"Young friend, you must seize this opportunity!"

Lu Chuan thought he was being told to do his best in the competition and nodded heavily.

"Old Sir, I will do my utmost best and will absolutely not disappoint you."

He paused, remembering Chairman Neng Xing's arrangement for his granddaughter to cheer him on at the competition, and quickly added:

"Of course, I won't disappoint Neng Tong either."

Chairman Neng Xing was stunned for a moment, then looked up and burst into laughter.

Then, he patted Lu Chuan's shoulder with satisfaction and turned to leave.

Lu Chuan looked at Chairman Neng Xing's departing back, seemingly seeing a hefty five hundred thousand, no, seeing his culinary skills improve even further. He couldn't help but clench his fists, his heart overflowing with joy.

Just then, a voice sounded beside him.

"Little Boss, you're going to participate in the competition?!"

Lu Chuan turned around and found that, at some point, the Regular Customers had gathered around, all looking gossipy.

His smile stiffened, and he quickly explained:

"Yes, I'm going to participate in a chef's competition, but the competition time is on the weekend, so it won't delay my stall. Please rest assured."

However, the Regular Customers waved their hands dismissively.

"Setting up the stall is important, but your own matters are important too! Oh, where will the competition be held then? If it's close, we'll go cheer you on in person!"

Lu Chuan's heart warmed.

"That Old Sir said the time is set for this weekend, and the preliminary rounds are at the Food Exhibition."

Hearing this, the Regular Customers became excited and all expressed that they would definitely be there to show their support.

Just then, a voice suddenly interjected.

"Little Boss, I will definitely arrange the best viewing spots for your supporters then!"

Lu Chuan heard this and turned to look.

"You are?"

CEO Li handed over the business card he had already prepared and smiled:

"This humble person is the boss of Yinhua City's Liuli Mirror Exhibition Co., Ltd. The Food Exhibition at the plaza is planned by my company."

Hearing this, Lu Chuan nodded in understanding, and at the same time took the business card.

"So it's CEO Li. Then I must thank you on behalf of my customers."