The chef wanted to chase people away, but his phone rang.

It was a call from the Executive Director.

In fact, he was also a shareholder and had a buddy-buddy relationship with the Executive Director, playing golf and drinking together now and then.

"What’s the matter." The chef’s tone wasn’t very good.

He already guessed the general purpose of this call.

Sure enough, the other party began: "I was having a meal with Grandpa Mei’s Executive Director, and we reached an agreement—"

"Enough, don’t say anymore."

These filthy businessmen!

He’s just a chef, who develops dishes, and truly can’t understand their mindset.

"Don’t get upset, listen to me properly. It’s all for the good of everyone. You’re a shareholder too; don’t you want a bigger cut at the end of the year?"

"I don’t need it!"

"But I’ve already agreed with him. Come on, don’t put me in a difficult position."

"Agreeing is your business, what does it have to do with me?"

"It’s just a bit of hype, there’s really no loss. Besides, that kid might not even be the final champion. If we give it up, we give it up."

"You’re a fool!"

"Hey... hey hey hey..."

The chef hung up the phone directly, feeling extremely angry.

The money he got last year wasn’t as much as the year before, and the year before wasn’t as much as the year before that. Clearly, the company is on a downturn, getting worse year by year. This isn’t entirely the Executive Director’s fault, but he certainly isn’t blameless either. Since he took the position, he hasn’t brought profit to the company, so he is indeed responsible.

The chef genuinely believes the boy has potential. First, he’s young, so once he becomes the spokesperson, he could stay popular for a long time. If the company uses him every year, it creates a sort of virtual child-rearing experience. During the New Year when new ads appear, everyone will notice the boy has grown a bit; ten years later, everyone will see the boy has become a young man and then a man!

The specifics of this mode of operation are unclear to the chef, but he believes if executed, it will definitely be a hit and bring the company to fame with it. Everyone will remember the boy and treat him like their own child, watching him grow, which will attach some sentiments to the company!

This is somewhat like certain star-making teams using the advantage of kids, plus the high tolerance adults have for kids. They cultivate some child stars with a team-binding approach; a group consists of three or more kids, each with different personalities and styles, so no matter what kind of style you like, you’ll be hooked on the group.

This technique isn’t particularly clever—there’s some calculation involved, and it’s akin to gambling. After all, no one knows whether the kids will grow up straight or not. The star-making teams will have famous plastic surgeons testify during auditions by examining each child’s bone structure. As long as a child’s bone structure is good and they don’t binge eat, they generally won’t turn ugly.

The chef truly feels he shouldn’t give it up. He has a premonition that if they give up this spokesperson, Grandpa Mei could overshadow his company in the future—for ten years or even twenty—by a wide margin.

"Was it your Executive Director’s call?" Grandpa Mei’s flagship store manager leaned over with a grin and asked.

"You are truly despicable!" The chef hated the poacher’s smug face, wishing to immediately make him cry.

"Accept it, old classmate. Let him come to Grandpa Mei’s side; nobody loses, it’s a win-win."