128 First Time In The Chamber Of Commerce (2/2)

Da Tong Exchange was Huai Song's largest bank, with a total of 56 branches. It was the bank of choice among the wealthy in Jin Ling.

The Commerce Street was a street where all the Chambers of Commerce were, be it for medical, silk and cloths, tea leaves, pottery, or antiques. Any industry that you can name would have its Chamber of Commerce here, showing how advanced Huai Song's economy is.

The front of the Food and Beverage Chamber of Commerce was pretty imposing. One after another, horse carriages stopped in front of the door.

Shopkeeper Li has already given Ye Jiayao a holistic introduction on the way here.

There would be an election once every three years in the Chamber of Commerce. The current president of the Commerce was Zheng Fugui and the vice president was Qi Lin Pavilion's Duan Qilin. The previous president was Zhang Youcheng, the most senior member and also the only one who does not own a restaurant. The reason why he became president was that he has many disciples and all of them have impressive skills, like Lu Yiming and Zheng Fugui.

Ye Jiayao was very impressed with the old man. Lu Yiming was a master at vegetarian food but he's also great at other culinary styles. Zheng Fugui does not do vegetarian food, but he's still well-skilled in the other aspects. If there's a chance, she has to ask that old man for guidance.

The meeting room in the Chamber of Commerce was quite large, almost like that of Black Wind Ridge's. There were three seats of honors and on both sides, there were two rows of six seats and a table in between each. Judging by the looks of it, this meeting room could only seat 27 people, representing the most powerful bunch of people in Jin Ling's food and beverage industry.

Ye Jiayao felt a little agitated.

Shopkeeper Li pointed to a middle-aged man with a huge belly, introducing him as Zheng Fugui and on his right was Duan Qilin. On his left, the old man with a beard reaching his chest was Zhang Youcheng.

”Do you see that guy with droopy eyes? His name is Lian Xingwang, the shopkeeper of Xiang Yi Restaurant and the one with small eyes beside him is Niu Baoshun. The one drinking tea there is called Mei Xiuguang, the shopkeeper of Ju Xiang Yuan…” Shopkeeper Li said softly.

Ye Jiayao could not help but take a second look at Mei Xiugang. That's Consort Mei's relative!

When people noticed Shopkeeper Li's arrival, they started to come over to greet him. Everyone ignored Ye Jiayao, thinking that she was just Shopkeeper Li's attendant.

Shopkeeper Li signaled her to find a seat in the second row while he took a seat on the third chair on the left. Ye Jiayao knew her place as a newbie and a young chef so she sat on the last seat of the second row on the left.

Just when her butt touched the seat, someone walked over and said meanly, ”Who are you? Don't you know the rules? Do you think you can just sit in this seat?”

Ye Jiayao raised her head and saw a young man of about 20 years old looking down cockily at her.

Ye Jiayao gave him a pleasant smile. ”Is this your seat?”

”What do you think?” he retorted haughtily.

Ye Jiayao wanted to call him out for his holier-than-thou attitude, but seeing as this was her first visit here, she didn't want to cause trouble. Wordlessly, she stood up and gave him the seat.

When she searched around, she realized that all other chairs were already taken. What, am I supposed to just stand?

Left with no choice, Ye Jiayao headed to the back and stood in a row with all the attendants that the restaurant owner's brought.

The young man who told her to give up her seat turned back and glanced at her, the corner of his lips rising in a smirk. He told the person beside him, ”Whose attendant is that? So unruly.”

The person replied kindly, ”Maybe it is his first time here and he doesn't know the rules.”

”Ay, Xiaotian, my father said that you are a hot favorite for the champion in this culinary competition. I guess like father like son,” the cocky guy praised.

Xiaotian? Lu Xiaotian? Could he be Lu Yiming's son?

Ye Jiayao has taken a liking to Lu Yiming, and it seemed that this Lu Xiaotian was also as nice as him.

”Uncle Zheng is too kind. There are so many seniors and masters here, how would I be able to compete? I only go for the experience, but you, Brother Sanduo, is the skilled one that can really win the competition,” Lu Xiaotian replied.

Ye Jiayao frowned. This arrogant guy is Zheng Sanduo? The young master of Fu Ji?

Zheng Sanduo only said, ”I am not that skillful. I am just going to join in the fun.”

Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him. Disgusting hypocrite.

Someone joined in the conversation and said, ”I heard that the new head chef in Heavenly Residence is formidable. What do you guys think about him? Do you think he can win?”

Zheng Sanduo scoffed, ”Formidable? He's just full of tricks. All those chilled drinks and ice cream mooncake nonsense... pfft.”

”You cannot put it like that. He was the one in charge of the Helian Mansion's birthday banquet and was very highly praised. He wouldn't be hired if he wasn't capable,” Lu Xiaotian reasoned.

”The only reason he was hired is that he is friends with the Young Royal Highness Jing of the Helian Mansion. Besides, the Helian Mansion originally wanted my father to do the banquet but he declined because of his health,” Zheng Sanduo said in disdain.