Chapter 258: The Elusive Chef
Previously, Mo Liwei didn't have a single interest in making dumplings, but because they didn't have anything but their uncle growing up, he long accepted that not everything he wished for would be granted.
It was only after they discovered Mo Lihui's interest in cooking that he started working diligently in the kitchen with her. Now, there was nothing left but their uncle's debt and their restaurant. If he couldn't come up with a solution to stabilize the financial capabilities of Blue Haven, then there would be no chance for him to help his sister to attend Silver Leaf.
Mo Liwei lowered his head and clenched his fists on his lap. "Our uncle left a huge amount of debt. Blue Haven wouldn't be able to keep up and running if it stays this way."
Lu Xinyi cupped her chin and gave the Mo siblings a good look. "I wasn't really interested in your restaurant, but since you came here to acknowledge the bet then..." She gave her husband a glance.
Mo Lihui was taken aback. So all this time Lu Xinyi was just waiting for her to give up? Then what was the point of making a bet if neither of them was willing to give up?
There was a conflicting glint on her eyes. Was there something else she could do now to help her brother? Was it too late for her to correct her mistakes?
"So what's your plan now?" The record and account books were put down by Shen Yi at the table. If Lu Xinyi decided not to acknowledge their bet, then Blue Haven would have to deal with all these problems alone.
"If Miss Lu isn't interested to get Blue Haven, then there's nothing else we can do but to close down Blue Haven or sell it to someone else."
There was a brief silence around them as they waited for Lu Xinyi to decide.
"What do you think, Xinxin?" Shen Yi asked.
"I personally think that Blue Haven just needs some adjustments with regard to receiving customers and controlling the supplies before the restaurant opens. It seems there's a lot of mishandling happening with your supplies. Not everything that was listed on your ingredients is needed based on your menu."
"So? You mean to say that you refuse to accept Blue Haven?" Mo Lihui blinked. She was expecting Lu Xinyi to take advantage of this situation.
"Miss Mo should know that managing one restaurant is already too much for me to handle. With your skills in making dumplings, it would be easy for you to help your brother stabilize Blue Haven's finance. In any case the two of you can't still handle Blue Haven and wish to sell it, then you only need to tell your intention to the Yang siblings."
They were still discussing when Yang Jian came rushing into the main room, opening the door in such a hurry. He found Lu Xinyi pouring some newly-brewed coffee on his young master's cup.
"Young Madam, I found him!" Yang Jian said excitedly. His face alit, excited to report what he'd found out after painstakingly roaming around the town to get the information his young madam needed.
Lu Xinyi lifted her gaze from the teacup and smiled to Yang Jian.
"You did?"
"Found who?" Mo Lihui couldn't help but ask.
"We're looking for He Haotian," Lu Xinyi replied as she sat back beside her husband. Mo Lihui gasped. Just how this couple could be influential that they could seek out a legendary chef?
"He Haotian? Isn't it the popular chef with a two-star Michelin rating under his belt? You're planning to get him to work for Grace Palace?"
"Oh? You don't know?" Lu Xinyi's laughter was like a tinkling bell on a summer day. How could Mo Lihui not know? They both came from the same town! "He Haotian's real name is Chu Anyang. He's the youngest son of the Chu family who used to own Grace Palace."
She then faced Yang Jian. "So where is he? Is he somewhere near the town?"
Shen Yi had planned from the start to lure He Haotian out by letting the locals talked about Grace Palace's re-opening and how Lu Xinyi was able to make it popular once more.
"He's here! He's staying in an inn near the boundary next to the river. I hear rumors that he loves women's company and hadn't cooked anything for the last two years. Should I send someone to pick him up?" Yang Jian answered.
"There's no need for that Yang Jian. It doesn't work that way." Lu Xinyi paused as she thought how to reach the elusive chef they've been trying to find since she and Shen Yi arrived. Her eyes then landed to Mo Lihui; the woman fidgeted in her seat and adjusted her eyeglasses.
Why was Lu Xinyi smiling at her like that? As if she was planning to throw her in a pack of hungry wolves. Was this Lu Xinyi's real punishment.?
"Yang Jian, send a message that Madam Shen wishes to see He Haotian tomorrow afternoon. I will bring Miss Mo with me."
"What?! No way! What if he's an old creep?! Lu Xinyi, must you always treat me like this?" The horrified reaction written all over Mo Lihui's face made Lu Xinyi laughed more.
Ah, this girl. She could never get tired of playing with her.