“Wasn’t the jar just fine? How did it suddenly explode?” Ling Rui was utterly confused.
“How would I know?” Ling Mingshan was confused too. “They only said that they were doing some tests on the jar when it exploded.”
“How could this be?” Ling Rui said, crestfallen. “If we don’t have the jar, does that mean we’ve lost everything?”
Ever since Magical Kitchen closed its doors, they had hoped to turn the tables by figuring how to replicate the bronze jar. If they could do it, they could continue to produce magical cuisine, and even the wondrous weight loss tea and beauty cream.
When that happened, Tai An Group would easily rake in millions or even billions in profit.
Now that the jar had exploded, their final ray of hope was extinguished.
Ling Mingshan suddenly seemed to have thought of something. He gritted his teeth as he looked toward the crowd. “I say, no wonder that kid can be so calm. He was never planning on taking the jar back. He must have done something to it.”
“What? It’s him?” Ling Rui exclaimed.
“Who else could it be?” Ling Mingshan blurted angrily. “Why didn’t the jar explode any sooner or later, but at this crucial moment? He’s taken us for a ride!”
“Father! That kid is a total scoundrel!” Ling Rui said viciously.
“This kid has a powerful background. We can’t touch him here. We’ll have to retreat for now. Don’t be rash and do anything stupid,” Ling Mingshan said with a low voice.
“Are we going to let him go just like that, Father?” Ling Rui said indignantly.
“What else do you want to do? I’ve already told you, we’ll come back for him. It’s never too late for revenge!” Ling Mingshan reprimanded his son.
He was also very angry. After this, Tai An Group would become a joke in Provincial City’s business world. If they had continued with the collaboration, half of the city’s magical cuisine market would still be theirs. Too bad, their greed had caused them to lose everything.
They did not expect the kid to have powerful people backing him. They would have to retreat and come up with another plan.
“Let’s go!” He shouted, then got in his car.
Ling Rui gritted his teeth. He was not satisfied with the outcome.
Eventually, he grunted angrily, then got in the car.
The convoy of cars hastily left the scene.
Everyone in the public square cheered. Everyone stood up and crowded around Secretary Weng to greet him.
Tang Hao also stood up from his seat and went to greet the province secretary.
“Here, Secretary Weng, this is the Lil Bro Tang that I’ve been telling you. He’s the one who invented magical cuisine,” Vice Governor He said.
Secretary Weng examined Tang Hao for a while and exclaimed, “You’re so young yet so accomplished! That is incredible!”
“You flatter me, Secretary!” Tang Hao replied modestly.
“Haha, you don’t have to be so humble, young man!” Secretary Weng laughed heartily. He shook hands with Tang Hao.
“Young man, I’ve heard from Changshun about your accomplishments. Not bad at all! Province Z is lucky to have someone like you!” Secretary Weng praised him.
Tang Hao was getting a little embarrassed.
“I’ve never tried magical cuisine before, but I’ve heard that it tastes delicious and has amazing medicinal effects. We ought to promote this to the best that we can!
“The price is quite affordable too. I hope that you can maintain your prices so that more people can benefit from your cooking.”
“Of course, of course!” Tang Hao said.
“That’s good to hear!” Secretary Weng laughed heartily.
“This way please, Secretary Weng, Vice Governor He!”
Tang Hao brought the two people to the VIP seats.
The lavish opening ceremony soon started. After that, the guests flooded into the restaurant. Other than magical cuisine, Tang Hao also shared some of his Divine Liquor to generate some hype for the future product.
A long queue soon formed in front of the restaurant.
“This is a good start for our restaurant, President Tang. I’ve never seen such a crowd at a restaurant opening before,” Shi Yiwen said emotionally as she looked at the people in front of the restaurant.
She felt that taking up the position was the best decision she made in her life.
The other five branches across the city would open at night. The popularity of magical cuisine would reach another peak, and that would make New Magical Kitchen one of the biggest restaurant chains in the city.
“Thank you for your hard work!” Tang Hao said with a smile.
At night, Tang Hao rushed to attend the opening ceremonies of the five other branches. Every one of those restaurants had an immense crowd waiting.
They had a party late that night. After that, Tang Hao drove back to Westridge.
It was already almost the end of the lunar year by then. Every passing day meant another day closer to the Lunar New Year. The atmosphere was getting more and more festive as well.
Sis Xiangyi’s clothing factory had already been closed for the holidays. The couple spent all their time together.
The Lunar New Year was one of the most important festivals in Huaxia. Everyone in the country celebrated it merrily.
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, the couple cleaned up and decorated the mansion.
Tang Hao was emotional when he remembered how he spent his last Lunar New Year, alone at home in Tang Village.
Now, he owned a mansion and also had many friends who cared for him. He had been receiving many presents from them.
Tang Hao quite liked that feeling.
He crafted many defensive talismans and concocted many potions to be given to his friends as presents. Of course, the presents included other mundane items as well.
On New Year’s Eve, the couple went to Greenwillow Village. Qin Gang was there too. Tang Hao joined the Qin family for the reunion dinner.
That night, under the cold, bright moonlight, two figures sat on top of a skyscraper.
The wind was strong. Qin Xiangyi’s slender frame trembled.
“Are you cold?” Tang Hao mumbled and grasped her delicate hands.
She pressed her lips and shook her head, though she leaned closer to Tang Hao and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m not cold if you’re next to me!” She said softly.
They silently looked at their watches while leaning on each other.
The second hand ticked resolutely toward its destination.
“We’re almost there!” She said softly.
“Three, two, one!”
The second hand finally met up with the other clock hands at midnight.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
All over the city, fireworks rose and exploded in the air.
“Wow, this is so pretty!”
Qin Xiangyi exclaimed as she looked all around her.
“Happy Lunar New Year, Lil Tang!”
She turned around and looked intensely at Tang Hao. She smiled gently and two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks. Her beautiful, animated eyes reflected the fireworks.
“Yup! Happy Lunar New Year!”
Tang Hao nodded as he looked straight into her eyes. He felt warmth in his heart.
Their hands were tightly locked together.
Bang! Bang!
The fireworks illuminated the night sky.
The two people continued sitting there, leaning against each other, looking at the night sky full of fireworks.
That scene was just like a dream.
