With Yao Wenxian present, Lu Ming was virtually invincible. After all, a superior’s authority could crush subordinates, and Yao Wenxian was in charge of the entire television station.
However, Lu Ming did not have Yao Wenxian appear at the beginning. Instead, he waited until Xue Hong's performance was nearly over before Yao Wenxian made his entrance.
This indicated that Lu Ming had already planned everything. He wanted Xue Hong and the others to act out, to do as they pleased, and to create a sufficient atmosphere before Yao Wenxian stepped in to resolve the situation.
What a sinister tactic.
Xue Hong himself felt inferior to such cunning.
The entire venue fell silent. Cold sweat dripped from Xue Hong's forehead. He, who had felt "invincible" moments ago, was now as terrified as a mouse seeing a cat, too scared to even breathe.
Yao Wenxian slowly walked over and said, "Xue Hong, your remarks just now were truly impressive, denigrating Ming Yue Zhai as utterly worthless. I find it strange, though. Ming Yue Zhai was personally recommended by Elder Xie. How can it have no merits at all?"
This…
Xue Hong secretly lowered his head and took a deep breath.
After careful consideration, he steadied his mind and said, "Elder Xie is old, and easily deceived. Ming Yue Zhai's methods are not simple; I fear they used some unsavory, unknown means to trick Elder Xie."
Tricking Xie Yuqing as well!
"Oh?" Yao Wenxian turned to the chief director, Chang Yunwei, and asked, "Elder Xie is your old mentor. Do you think Elder Xie could have been deceived?"
Chang Yunwei was conflicted. He glanced at Xue Hong intentionally or unintentionally. The situation had escalated to this point, and he had to align himself with the station chief. Even if it meant betraying his old mentor, he had to do it!
He took a deep breath and said, "My master is old, and it's natural for him to occasionally make mistakes. This is understandable and not unusual."
Oh, really?
Hearing his words, Yao Wenxian's disgust intensified.
He sneered and said, "I understand a thing or two about appreciating cuisine. I will also judge whether Ming Yue Zhai's medicinal cuisine is good or not."
With that, Yao Wenxian found a table and sat down.
He raised his hand and said, "Mr. Lu, please prepare a serving of ordinary medicinal cuisine for me as well. I'd like to taste it."
"Alright."
Lu Ming turned and went to prepare.
The scene was incredibly awkward.
It was obvious to everyone that Yao Wenxian was on Lu Ming's side. If Yao Wenxian were to protect Lu Ming, then… Chang Yunwei, Xue Hong, and the others would be finished.
This won't do!
Xue Hong's expression turned cold. He walked up to Yao Wenxian and said, "Deputy Director Yao, I hope you will consider the overall situation."
Although his voice was soft, its impact was immense.
The phrase "consider the overall situation" carried significant weight, even bordering on a threat.
The entire television station was now criticizing Ming Yue Zhai. The ten great culinary critics had presented a united front, and Xue Hong had further denounced Ming Yue Zhai, essentially sealing its fate.
If Yao Wenxian insisted on defending Ming Yue Zhai at this juncture, it would be akin to putting the entire television station on the spot.
The credibility of the television station would be shattered.
Was this beneficial to the television station? Certainly not.
The television station and Ming Yue Zhai; only one could be saved. Either the television station would be destroyed, or Ming Yue Zhai would be discredited. There was no third option.
As a leader, Yao Wenxian should prioritize the interests of the television station!
Of course, these were all Xue Hong's personal thoughts.
In his view, choosing between the television station and Ming Yue Zhai, Yao Wenxian had no reason to choose Ming Yue Zhai.
Justice and righteousness?
Heh, go to hell!
Xue Hong was essentially blackmailing Yao Wenxian with interests.
Yao Wenxian had been a leader for so many years that he could see through such tactics. He smiled gently and said, "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. You don't need to teach me how to act."
Hearing this, Xue Hong's face broke into a smile.
It's settled!!!
Following the normal course of events, Yao Wenxian shouldn't go against him. In Xue Hong's opinion, Yao Wenxian had no vested interest in Ming Yue Zhai, so there was no need for him to stubbornly protect it.
Soon, Lu Ming came out with fresh medicinal cuisine.
He placed the food in front of Yao Wenxian and said, "Deputy Director Yao, please taste it."
"Mm, alright."
Yao Wenxian picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. The moment he tasted it, he was utterly stunned.
Delicious, incredibly delicious!
No wonder Yao Xue's anorexia was cured. The potency of this medicinal cuisine was indeed remarkable.
Soon, the entire large bowl of medicinal cuisine was devoured.
Yao Wenxian wiped his mouth and nodded with great satisfaction. Just as he was about to speak, Xue Hong stepped forward, placed his hand on Yao Wenxian's arm, and gently shook his head.
He had made his intentions very clear, repeatedly signaling to Yao Wenxian to prioritize the overall situation and not to help Ming Yue Zhai.
Helping Ming Yue Zhai would ruin the television station.
Yao Wenxian chuckled. He pushed Xue Hong's hand away, stood up, walked in front of everyone, and said with a smile, "I have tried Ming Yue Zhai's medicinal cuisine. I must say, it is simply perfect! I have never eaten such healthy and delicious food. Ming Yue Zhai's medicinal cuisine will undoubtedly become a new signature dish of Cloud Capital!"
Whoa~~
Yao Wenxian's words left everyone present bewildered.
"What… what's going on? Why are the Deputy Director's words completely opposite to Station Chief Xue's?"
"One supports Ming Yue Zhai, and the other opposes it. Who should we believe?"
"Actually, I still think Ming Yue Zhai's food is delicious. The problem is, Station Chief Xue just denied it, and now the Deputy Director is supporting it. Sigh, it's all so confusing, I don't know who to believe."
The crowd was stunned, unsure of who to trust.
Once the arrow is shot, there's no turning back.
The situation had reached this point. Xue Hong could no longer afford to worry about the consequences. Even though he was facing the Deputy Director, his superior, he had to stand his ground!
Xue Hong let out a cold snort and said loudly, "Deputy Director, I believe you are mistaken. After all, you are not a culinary critic; you are not a professional. You are very likely being deceived by Ming Yue Zhai. Furthermore, you just came out of Ming Yue Zhai's private room, which makes it hard not to suspect that there is some form of corrupt dealings between you and Ming Yue Zhai."
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Shifting the blame, how insidious.
Yao Wenxian had seen plenty of such scenes. He burst into laughter and pointed at Xue Hong, saying, "Xue Hong, people have reported you to me before, saying you are treacherous and two-faced. I never believed them. Today, I finally see your true colors."
Xue Hong's expression tensed. "Deputy Director, please watch your words! You say I'm two-faced? Heh, perhaps it's you who is two-faced!"
They were now in direct confrontation, going head to head!
Chief Director Chang Yunwei looked at Yao Wenxian, then at Xue Hong, and felt a pang of regret. If he had known things would escalate to this point, he shouldn't have participated in this episode.
No matter who won or lost in the end, Chang Yunwei would not fare well.
Alas…
Then, Xue Hong turned to the culinary critic Song Xiao.
He cleared his throat and said to Song Xiao, "Mr. Song, you are Cloud Capital's foremost culinary critic, the embodiment of authority. Now, I want to hear your opinion. Is this medicinal cuisine a delicacy, or is it rubbish?!"