Original subtitles

♪The sun comes out♪

♪While the clouds are idle♪

♪What a beautiful day♪

♪Catching up with all my might♪

♪The wind blows away the fatigue♪

♪Telling me♪

♪To love the world♪

♪The smell of cooking♪

♪Fills the streets♪

♪Indulge myself♪

♪In the tenderness of life♪

♪The small restaurant we once went to♪

♪Is filled with my longing for you♪

♪Oh, I want to meet you♪

♪Oh, hand in hand♪

♪Stroll through the small town at night♪

♪Take our time with our sweet love♪

♪Love means to be with you♪

♪During three meals a day for all seasons♪

♪Each meal is♪

♪A beautiful feast♪

♪Underlying♪

♪The warmth of home♪

♪Please remember♪

♪Love's about trivial matters in life♪

♪Enjoying ordinary meals with you♪

♪Your smiling face♪

♪Will always be vivid♪

♪Give me the happiness♪

♪That I expect♪

[Chef Son-in-law]

[Adapted from Yandou Laoge's novel, The Great Nation's Master Chef]

[Episode 7]

Alright then.

See you on the 30th.

Okay.

[Zhan Jun Calling]

Mr. Zhan.

Mr. Zhan,

I'm so sorry.

I forgot to inform you in advance.

A last-minute matter came up today.

Well,

it's my treat next time.

I'll make the arrangements. Okay?

No problem!

My apologies again!

Qiao,

you're amazing!

This dish must be expensive.

Since I invited you to taste,

I'm treating everyone.

That's not what I meant.

Is your restaurant

positioning a bit high-end?

The average person wouldn't afford it.

Well,

this dish

was specially prepared for you three

as true masters of the industry.

I do have some

home-style dishes as well.

I guess I was worrying for nothing.

Well, thank you for your hospitality!

We should get going.

You must be busy.

Let me see you out.

No need to trouble yourself.

Not at all. Please.

Do you know who they are?

Mr. Xu's friends must be influential.

You really don't know?

One is the famous food show producer!

The other is Huang Cheng, CEO of Kuaiyin!

What's your dish that got him so happy?

Just rice with soup.

No way!

That could never make him ecstatic!

Is there anything left？

Let me taste it!

No.

They almost licked the pot clean!

Bao,

thank you.

Thanks for all your help

with this renovation.

Don't mention it!

When it comes to cooking, you are the best.

But about connections in Xunyang,

I've got that covered over the years.

Here.

This is

for you.

It's

the recipe for that dish we just had.

Mandarin Ducks Stewed with Five Treasures?

Giving it to me?

No.

But...

But I really can't accept this.

This is...

I...

The…

Recipes

are what we rely on to make a living.

If you give it to me,

I just...

I...

Bao.

I…

Accept it.

A dish is only as good

when the chef makes it.

Read it and ask me if you have any questions.

No,

I can't...

Why should I see him?

I told you

he had someone follow and threaten me!

My brother-in-law was even seriously injured!

If I see him and get hurt,

are you going to be responsible?

It's just a few ads.

Listen.

I'm not taking the job!

I knew it!

Following Mr. Xu is always the right call.

Look!

It's been a long time since you ate so well.

Just look at his expression!

By the way, Mr. Xu,

what's your impression

of Qiao Zhi?

Genuine and top-quality,

with a perfect color and aroma.

It leaves an unforgettable aftertaste.

Mr. Huang meant Qiao Zhi, not his dish.

The way one cooks is like the way one lives;

One's character is revealed in one's cuisine.

I've learned a great deal.

Here's the case.

My platform,

Kuaiyin, is trying

to start a brand-new e-commerce model,

but we haven't made any breakthroughs.

Zhan Jun's pre-made foods

sell well in off-line supermarkets,

so he's wanted to talk with me.

However, I'm still considering it.

Mr. Xu,

what do you think of Zhan Jun?

All style and no substance,

like food tasted like cardboard

and swallowing needles.

The assessments are vastly different!

Qiao Zhi's grandpa

Qiao Sihai, the former King of Chefs.

He's reopening the Canteen.

It isn't just about food.

It's said Zhan Jun stole half a cookbook,

and was expelled by Qiao Sihai.

Qiao Zhi returned with great ambition

and honed skills.

He'll restore his family's honor and cleanse its traitor.

A storm is brewing in the culinary world!

My advice to you:

Wait

and enjoy the show.

So you mean

this time,

Baiwei Group

intends to acquire the Eight Great Restaurants?

Let's hold onto our shares in Huaixiang for now.

Look.

Baiwei,

Huaixiang,

and Qiao Zhi, who suddenly appeared on the scene.

This whole game is getting interesting.

Mr. Xu,

you

really have a wild imagination!

Have you ever considered

coming on my show as a guest?

If there's no food,

I'm not going.

See?

There he goes again!

You mean that creep used ads as an excuse

to get your boss

to set up a dinner with you?

Is that completely out of line?

What a terrible businessman!

But never offend your boss.

What if he sidelines you?

That's why I'm so worried now!

I can't even remember

when I last had coconut chicken by the sea.

I miss those times so much.

Oh, it's alright.

At the end of the year,

we can go on a vacation to the beach.

We?

Except you,

no one treats me like family.

Right,

why did you never tell your mom

what happened to you?

I have never seen her as my mom.

She only sees

Tao Ruxue who can be manipulated.

Well,

I'm out of ideas.

Take your time and eat.

Pay me back.

What? Again?

No.

Wait.

I've got injured.

I don't have any money,

but you can take my life.

Again,

putting on a show again?

I know you're good at acting.

Don't pull that with me!

I agree I can't afford to offend my boss,

so I have to meet that creep.

But neither my mom nor Ruxue

will help me.

Can you please help me?

Why are you meeting him?

Offering yourself up to him?

You said you wouldn't let anyone bully me.

Now I'm being threatened.

Are you going to help or not?

I want to help,

but I'm injured right now

and can't get into a fight.

Don't worry.

It'll be a friendly negotiation.

Things won't come to blows.

Not for any other reason,

I just want to beat him up.

I got stabbed for no reason,

yet he was fine.

Right?

How about this?

I'll attract his attention before him,

and you'll attack him from behind.

Oh, come on!

I was just kidding.

Just talk if you can.

Anyway,

you must go with me this time.

Any more?

You can really put it away!

Yes.

How I wish you hadn't married Ruxue.

The style of this room suits me.

It meant for my dad.

Oh.

You never mentioned him before.

Are they divorced?

He cheated on my mom while she was pregnant

with Rushuang.

So I don't even know his name

or what he looks like.

Yet still keep this room for him.

Your mom must be thinking of him.

This brat

is late.

What a surprise!

You'd actually ask me out.

So what do you think?

Thought I was some greasy middle-aged man?

But to your surprise,

I'm this handsome, huh?

With your attitude,

I prefer the greasy middle-aged man.

Must it be like this?

I admit I startled you before,

so I'm sorry.

Can we just let it go?

Sorry?

You threw sulfuric acid at me

and stabbed my friend.

You think an apology is enough.

I can't understand

what you are talking about.

I'd never stoop to that!

The police have opened an investigation.

Just wait.

Feel free to investigate.

It has nothing to do with me.

All I want

is to pursue you purely.

Is that not allowed?

You have the company suppress me.

Come on.

I'm trying to help you make money!

A project worth hundreds of thousands.

All I asked was to dine with me.

Wasn't that reasonable?

Fine.

Alright.

I'll tell you right now.

The touch of a man makes me feel sick.

Please, in the future,

stop harassing me.

Tao Rushuang,

I was harassing you?

I knew

there can't be any rational discussion.

Did I say you could go?

What are you doing? Let go of me!

Don't go before finishing talking.

Did I say you could go?

Easy on the hands.

Let me tell you.

I'm her brother.

If you dare lay a finger on her again,

you are dead.

Let's go.

Why did you say

you were my brother?

What was I supposed to say?

I'm her sister-in-law who stands up for her?

That sounds a bit strange.

My own family won't help me,

yet you step in

and help me.

It's such an irony.

I do know a little

about your mom and Ruxue.

Though they may seem cold or distant,

when it comes to matters of principle,

they will never just stand by.

Give them time to process everything.

They will never do anything to harm you.

I've lost all faith in them.

You've endured their coldness,

yet still so naive.

Never surrender

to your fate so easily.

I'm leaving.

Darn it!

He's ruined my plans again and again.

Bro, I found out about him.

Who is he?

He's planning to lease a spot

on the food street recently,

getting ready to open a restaurant.

Alright.

He can forget about that.

What else have you got?

He is Qiao Zhi

and is living with the Taos now.

He lives with them?

Is he actually their relative?

If he wasn't,

he must have some kind

of background to live with them.

Seems nothing special about him.

He has no family and no connections.

Used to be a trainee cook

in the kitchen of Huaixiang.

A trainee cook?

I got pushed around by some nobody.

Utterly shameful.

Just as expected,

all of our earliest investors

have been approached by Baiwei Group.

Right,

and by your uncle.

[Huaixiang Group Holdings Management]

My family holds the absolute controlling stake,

but the resources behind these investors

fundamentally support the company's operations.

If Baiwei Group

is to buy out all of their shares,

my mother's position as president

will exist in name only.

We'll have to yield to the Zhan family.

How's the dinner arrangement going?

Everything has been finalized.

The chef will be Mr. Zheng Ze,

known as the National Chef of Banquets.

His team is highly professional.

There won't be any issues.

Good.

At tomorrow's meal,

failure is not an option.

[Huaixiang Restaurant]

Not bad!

The flavor is excellent.

Today in the kitchen

is Mr. Zheng Ze, a national chef of Shandong Cuisine.

This menu features all his signature dishes.

I didn't even eat breakfast,

saving myself

to truly indulge today.

Let's have a drink.

You are all my mother's old friends.

As the younger generation,

if I say anything out of line today,

I ask for your forgiveness.

I assume Baiwei Group has approached you

about buying out your original shares.

May I know your plan?

Young people are so direct.

I like that.

Xue,

we are all investors

chasing profit.

Your mother's cancer

came on so suddenly.

Originally,

we were quite confident

in Huaixiang Group's IPO plan,

but now...

That's right, Xue.

You've only just graduated.

To take the company public,

it's impossible.

After all,

Baiwei Group is hindering the process.

I may be young,

but I won the cooking contest against Baiwei.

Our dishes also received

recognition from Mr. Xu Hexiang.

More importantly,

we've secured a supply chain from Huasheng Group

at a deeply discounted rate.

So, what more can I do

to convince you that I can

lead Huaixiang Group to its IPO?

Indeed,

these recent developments

have been quite shocking to us.

Especially the fact that

Huasheng Group,

a Fortune Global 500 company,

was willing to partner with us.

Would you

tell us how you managed to to that?

That is something I can't disclose.

But I want to tell you,

we have more surprises in store.

For instance, at the quadrennial King of Chefs Championship,

we are certain to achieve great results.

We can't afford to offend Zhan family

based on your word alone.

After all, our two companies have

a lot of business collaborations.

With all due respect,

several of Huaixiang Restaurant's chefs

are loyal to Tao Rende.

I'm afraid you won't have an easy time

in this King of Chefs Championship.

But we have our own talent pool.

Like the chef who has impressed

Mr. Xu this time.

His culinary skills were endorsed by Mr. Xu.

Excuse me.

Sorry to interrupt.

Regarding the talent pool

you just mentioned,

how can you guarantee

they won't be bought off by Tao Rende?

In the name of Huaixiang Group,

we invested in his personal brand.

I assume all of you have heard of it.

Its name is

Canteen.

You mean Qiao Sihai's Canteen?

But it closed years ago.

Xue,

who is the chef you mentioned?

Qiao Zhi.

I see.

Alright.

First, I want to state my group's position

that we'll not sell our original shares to Baiwei.

Like Mr. Huang,

I'll stand with Huaixiang Group until the very end.

Why did you

suddenly...

Let me explain.

A few days ago,

I met Qiao Zhi with Mr. Zhong.

That young man impressed me.

He is indeed young.

If he has done anything wrong,

please tell me, and I'll speak to him later.

Here is the case.

A few days ago, Mr. Xu Hexiang

took us to Qiao Zhi's restaurant

for a tasting.

That flavor...

How should I put it?

For example,

the meal we're having today...

Both its ingredients

and the chef's skill

are undoubtedly top-tier.

But that meal prepared by Qiao Zhi

left a deeper impression on me.

At the time,

we even wanted to invest in him.

But as it turns out now,

that's already our restaurant.

His skills are indeed impressive.

But compared to Mr. Zheng,

he just isn't quite there yet.

Let me put it this way:

Today's meal is certainly delicious,

but Qiao Zhi's meal

gave me more surprises.

So, Xue,

I support your plan

not just because

of what looks good on paper,

but also Huaixiang Group's

future development and potential.

That's what matters most.

The Wang family holds its own.

As for these original shares,

I've decided not to sell.

I won't drop the ball when it matters most.

Thank you all for your trust.

We will not let you down.

Cheers!

[Canteen]

Braised Eggplant!

Does it smell good?

Yes.

Then eat more,

so you can grow as tall as me.

I made all of your favorites.

Your cooking is the best!

Here.

Finish everything on your plate.

Mom, Dad, please stop.

I can't eat it all!

Right now,

are you feeling very sentimental?

I've dreamed of it for so long.

Never thought

Canteen could be reopened.

Boss,

is the discount Qiao Sihai offered

to the old neighbors still available?

Of course.

It's the same restaurant

under the hood.

And every Sunday will be a Community Care Day,

offering free boxed meals and drinking water

to the elderly living alone,

sanitation workers, laborers,

delivery drivers,

and taxi drivers

in our neighborhood.

This is so great!

You are so kind!

Guo Yan.

Who invited you here?

Are you the owner?

Congratulations!

Thanks!

You're

Guo Yan from the barbecue place across the street?

That's right.

From now on, we're neighbors.

Please look out for each other.

By the way,

what's your name?

Qiao Zhi.

Congratulations on your grand opening!

Thanks.

Well.

Hello.

My surname is Bao.

My full name is

Bao Tong.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Hello.

Hello.

Still watching?

Let me tell you,

she's not a good thing.

All the shops on this street

has been targeted by her.

She complains about them frequently.

And her dishes

are outrageously expensive.

She uses her beauty to win over the guests.

So what?

I also want to be won over.

You...

Take it.

Congratulations, Mr. Qiao!

Ellie,

welcome.

But you even come with a gift?

What...

is this?

Top-grade Wagyu from the Huasheng Group!

There's an old saying in China,

A small gift as the token of my sincere respect.

Please kindly accept it.

You're too generous.

This is no small gift!

It's far too extravagant!

Extravagant?

Well, I'll have them slice it for you.

No.

That's not what I meant.

I mean

it's embarrassing

for me to just take all this for free.

Don't tell me

you actually get embarrassed!

Why

isn't Ruxue here yet?

I don't know.

Forget her. Let's take a photo.

Yeah, let's take one!

Alright.

Great!

Let's take one first.

Okay.

Scoot in closer.

Why is Ellie here?

She's one of the shareholders now.

Exchanged an equity stake for a discount on supplies.

Qiao Zhi

handled that brilliantly.

Why is Rushuang here too?

She invested as well.

Rushuang?

She never told me.

Who's that girl?

She's the first employee of Canteen

and also a partner.

Seems anyone can get shares these days.

Maybe he has his own reasons.

Let's go over there.

I'm not going. Go by yourself.

Alright.

Chat for a bit.

Hello.

What's taking you so long?

Waiting for you to start the meal!

I have things to do.

Don't wait for me, just eat.

Who ticked her off?

Over here is our main dining hall.

How do you like it?

The decor style,

including the design touches,

was done by Bao and his team.

During peak hours,

we can arrange for shared tables,

which allow us to seat

up to 57 guests at once.

Based on the data from back then,

a similar number of customers

may choose to take their food home.

So when preparing ingredients,

we'll take that into account.

What's wrong?

You feel

this is too down-to-earth?

With your skills,

you could aim for something better.

Food is the necessity of the people, and it caters to the people first.

I believe a restaurant

shouldn't turn away

any type of customers.

A place where ordinary people,

celebrities and millionaires can dine

is the Canteen I desire.

Go and see more in the courtyard.

Amazing!

What a surprise!

Yeah, okay.

Okay.

A whole world is hidden inside!

It's good, huh?

This is the place

where I grew up.

I turned it into a private dining room.

Guests who want to try our signature dishes

can book it in advance.

How about that?

Now

are you confident?

Alright,

let's get ready to eat.

Here's to a booming business tomorrow!

Ding Chan,

serve the dishes.

Okay.

[Canteen]

Grand opening!

[Menu Special]

This is way too cheap!

[15 yuan for Any 3 dishes] Boss, can you profit like this?

Fifteen yuan for three dishes.

Just five yuan per dish.

The Three Friends of Winter is 288.

The Golden Coin Tofu Pie is 288.

The Crab Meatballs is 588.

Nine-Five Supreme.

I've never heard of these national banquet dishes before!

A reservation three days in advance.

Their prices fluctuate with the market.

Do you think the boss has lost his mind?

The prices

are worlds apart!

He said last night

our canteen

is for all types of customers.

That's just wishful thinking!

Qiao Zhi,

[588 yuan/serving] are you kidding me with the prices?

I'm serious.

Others may question me,

but why are you joining them?

You've had my food before.

I know you're an excellent chef,

and your food is worth that price.

But our food street

has fallen on hard times.

Will any high-end clients come?

As the old saying goes,

good wine needs no bush.

Alright then.

Once we close for the night,

you'll see what the problem is.

Fine. Get back to work.

288! 588?

Your boss must be desperate for money.

If you can't afford it,

order the fifteen-yuan set meal.

The price is very reasonable.

I can't afford it?

I'm treating my friend, yet you make me buy a set meal?

I'm not eating. Go.

Let's go.

Miss,

think twice before eating here.

This is a scammy, crooked shop.

A scam?

Is it expensive?

Let me see.

Is it a real rip-off?

I think it's fine.

I'll have this Golden Coin Tofu Pie,

and this.

And this.

This one too.

And one more of those.

What a sucker.

Let me take a look.

Alright, thanks.

Okay, please wait a moment.

What a bad luck!

Seriously.

Oh my god.

Did we hit him?

No.

That was a close one.

How do you even drive?

Are you blind?

You were making a turn,

and you didn't check for oncoming traffic.

Do you know the traffic rules?

Did you even take the theory test?

How did you even get your license?

Want to talk about rules?

Fine.

I'll teach you the rules.

Hold on, I'll get this.

What are you doing?

Mr. Huang,

that's Zhou Yuan's son.

Call Zhou Yuan.

Miss,

do you think our food isn't expensive?

Trouble. Chan.

The customer just now is smashing a car!

Zhou Chong.

Something's wrong!

Zhou Chong is smashing a car.

Let's go and see.

Right over there!

What's going on?

Call the police!

Someone, call the police!

No need to call the police.

I smashed

your car, I'll pay for it.

Feeling bad now?

My car is over there.

Come on.

No?

You can't compete with me.

Must work every day to make money?

As for us,

even if we skip school for a day,

my dad will still have his secretary

wire money into my account.

Zhou, you're a legend!

That was so satisfying!

Like slapping them in the face!

I keep going.

Stop it!

If you don't want this to escalate, listen to me.

Who are you?

Get lost.

I won't bother talking with you.

It hurts.

You lack real-world experience.

You just can't afford to offend someone.

This is a cheap thing.

The car might not be a big deal,

but his relatives are untouchable.

See that Mercedes over there?

Your father can't afford to offend them either.

Get up.

Getting yourself into trouble is bad enough,

but don't drag your dad down with you.

Anyone can talk big.

He is my guest,

so I know who he is.

In the entire Huainan region,

maybe only one or two truly outrank him.

Mr. Huang,

he's young and doesn't know any better.

Please don't hold it against him.

They'll get a brand new car.

You're Zhou Yuan's son?

Well. It has nothing to do with my dad.

Listen more to your dad.

[Dad Calling]

Are you okay?

Nothing, Cheng.

Mr. Huang,

I'm so sorry about this.

The meal is ready. Enjoy it first.

Right.

Let's have the meal first.

Handle things here.

Let's go.

After you.

Stop giving me so much trouble.

Must you

provoke Mr. Huang?

Stop going to school.

Get back home right now!

From now on,

you're staying at home.

You're not learning in school,

just causing trouble.

That's final.

Come.

Sit down.

Nothing good happens when you show up.

It's fine. Everything is taken care of.

Let the police handle the rest.

By the way,

a car for you to get around

for now.

I don't need it.

Dong,

I truly didn't know about

Mom's critical illness.

Besides, it has been a long time.

Let's just let it go.

Some things aren't meant to be forgotten.

Mom held on to her last breath in bed,

waiting for you for three days.

Dong had to pretend to be you

before Mom passed away.

Fang,

she was my mother.

Do you think I feel good about it?

You still remember she was your mother?

I admit,

over the years, because of my business,

I did neglect my family

and show them less care.

But I've been trying very hard

to find what I lost in the past.

Feelings aren't a physical thing

that you can find because you want to.

Dong, why are you still sitting here?

We agree

to get everything out in the open today.

Do you intend to forgive him?

I...

Fang.

Be careful!

Are you okay?

Alright.

Excuse me.

Wait a second.

What is it?

Do I need your permission to go?

You misunderstand.

Mr. Huang

specially ordered this dish for you.

It took me three days and three nights.

And this dish

is the very reason of this gathering.

I hope

you could at least taste it.

Yes, Fang.

Sit down and chat for a while.

Right.

Take a seat.

Smells so good.

Let's get a bowl for Fang first.

I'm not hungry.

Go ahead and eat.

This tastes so good.

It's the flavor of Mom's cooking.

No wonder Cheng chose this unremarkable restaurant.

What happened earlier

just dampened my spirit.

But now, it all feels worth it.

Is it really that amazing?

You have to try it!

Yes.

Try it!

Ding Chan.

Here, Dong.

Drink up.

Here

Have a taste.

This soup is excellent.

It has the taste of home.

Fang,

you have to try it!

Fang.

Last time

I had another dish here.

But after I tasted

that soup back then,

it instantly brought back

our childhood memories.

So Qiao suggested

inviting my family

over for a reunion.

I know you have been haunted

by what happened in the past.

But

family ties and blood relations

can never be severed.

I believe

if we could

reunite together,

that would

be what our parents want to see most.

When Mom was gravely ill,

I just finished my own surgery.

Afraid that my wound

could get infected,

my wife decided not to tell me about it.

So I truly didn't know

Mom's illness.

Cheng.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

I failed to be a dutiful son.

I have no face to offer any excuses.

But later,

Qiao Zhi made the rice with soup

and I understand a truth.

Our family was poor When we were little,

but Mom would save the best

for me first.

She didn't favor me personally,

but because I was the eldest son!

When they are no longer here,

I must support the family.

So for all these years,

I've been trying very hard.

I hope you can forgive me.

I hope our family

can be together often.

That's all.

Let's drink the soup.

[Canteen]

Qiao Zhi,

you're very thoughtful.

You've helped me a lot.

Whoever started the trouble should end it.

I was only providing support.

In the past,

I felt they would never forgive me.

The more I thought about it,

the more terrified I became.

Later, I finally understood

I was too afraid to face it.

Your soup

is the masterstroke,

bringing back

all our childhood memories.

I'm in awe.

Dong and Fang agreed

to have a family dinner

once a month

right here

at your place.

I was afraid

if you visited

our restaurant more,

you'd find it not classy enough.

Precisely this warm and cozy feeling

in your restaurant

makes it perfect for a family gathering.

I was planning

to invest in your restaurant,

but then I found out

you're in business with Huaixiang Group.

Ms. Tao has a unique vision.

Alright.

As long as you like it,

you are

always welcome here.

Okay.

There is one more thing.

Please go ahead.

I heard

from Mr. Xu

that you are good at diet therapy.

It's not my speciality,

but I know a bit.

May I ask

what's wrong?

Well...

it's the man stuff.

♪One day♪

♪In front of me♪

♪You'll look at my face♪

♪I'll tell you♪

♪My oaths♪

♪One by one♪

♪You'll find♪

♪Oh, my heart♪

♪Has never changed♪

♪Just like the sea♪

♪That always reflects♪

♪The scene of the sky♪

♪I'll take you out of the hustle-bustle world♪

♪To go wild freely♪

♪Don't worry about the journey ahead♪

♪Going on this way♪

♪You'll find the tears I left behind♪

♪You'll also see me writing a poem♪

♪And I'll always hold you tight♪

♪I'll take you out of the hustle-bustle world♪

♪To go wild freely♪

♪Don't worry about the journey ahead♪

♪Going on this way♪

♪You'll find the tears I left behind♪

♪You'll also see me writing a poem♪

♪And I'll always hold you tight♪