Chapter 32: Definitely a Top-Tier Chef! Zhang Lin Has Made It

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Definitely a Top-Tier Chef! Zhang Lin Has Made It

It was no wonder Zhang He was embarrassed. Just a moment ago, he had confidently declared he’d have no problem coaching the chefs at Zhang Lin’s restaurant on their farmhouse-style dishes.

But now, with a single bite, he realized the food was countless times better than his own cooking.

He did have a chef’s certificate and usually did all the cooking at home, but his skills were only on par with an average chef from a regular restaurant or tavern.

Yet, the simple vegetable dish from Zhang Lin’s restaurant was even more delicious than those made by highly skilled master chefs. At the very least, the master chef he’d apprenticed under could never have made vegetables taste this good.

Dish after dish arrived, followed by seafood and meat. The more Zhang He ate, the more astounded he became. Zhang Lin must have hired a top-tier master chef.

The key thing was, how could a top-tier master chef possibly agree to work at a farm like this? It was simply unbelievable.

Zhang Zhao, of course, knew these dishes were far tastier than anything his father could make.

Recalling how his parents had ganged up on him earlier, twisting the truth and flaunting their affection, he shot his father a mischievous grin and teased, "Dad, weren’t you just saying you were going to coach the restaurant’s chefs? How about giving them some feedback now?"

At his words, all the men, including Zhang Ergen, turned to look at Zhang He, wicked grins spreading across their faces.

"That’s right, Zhang He! Weren’t you just saying you were going to coach the chefs?"

"I agree. You should show them a thing or two, Zhang He."

"..."

It was a rare chance to poke fun at Zhang He, the resident overachiever, and no one wanted to let it slide.

"..." Zhang He felt like cursing.

’Was he that arrogant?’

’He had a very clear understanding of his own cooking skills, thank you very much. What right did he have to coach them?’

So, all he could do was shoot a vicious glare at his son, the instigator of this whole affair.

Seeing her husband’s predicament, Zhang Yan immediately smiled, linked her arm through his, and said, "The food from Lin’s restaurant is delicious, but my husband’s cooking suits my tastes better. I like his food more."

Hearing this, Zhang He instantly perked up. "My cooking skills might not compare to the master chef Lin hired, but my wife loves what I make!"

Zhang Ergen was speechless.

Zhang Da Lin was speechless.

Look at how smug that guy was.

The teasing session fell flat. In fact, it felt like they’d just been force-fed an unwanted public display of affection.

’At their age, was that really necessary?’

But the group had all known each other since childhood, so no one would hold a grudge over a little joke. Soon, they were all chatting happily again.

"I’ve got to say, the chef Lin hired is amazing!"

"Yeah, these dishes are better than anything I’ve ever eaten before!"

"I once had a meal cooked by a master chef, and even that couldn’t compare to this."

"..."

Everyone was in high spirits throughout the meal. After all, it was a rare get-together, and the food was exceptionally delicious.

As the meal was winding down, Lin Yan picked up a glass of juice and addressed the table. "Everyone here today is a benefactor to our family. I’m so grateful that you all lent money to my husband back then, and I’m even more grateful for your understanding and support after he passed away. My health isn’t good enough for alcohol, so I’ll toast you all with this juice instead."

"There’s one more thing. Recently, a classmate of Lin’s invested in his business, so he’s been doing fruit wholesaling and running the farm. He’s earned some money and wants to pay back the debts we owe all of you."

Hearing this, Zhang He immediately said, "Lin Yan, Lin’s farm is doing great. It’s just starting out and needs capital. There’s really no rush to pay me back."

Zhang Lin smiled and replied, "Uncle, I have enough money. If I have a surplus and don’t pay everyone back first, my conscience wouldn’t be clear. I’d feel like I was letting down your kindness!"

At this, Zhang He said no more.

In truth, he and the others had already heard from Lin Yan over the phone that Zhang Lin planned to repay them. Now that Zhang Lin had said it again himself, if he kept insisting, it would put everyone else in an awkward position.

Just then, Zhang Ergen took out an IOU and handed it to Lin Yan. "The last time Lin was repaying people, I was in the hospital and didn’t have the IOU with me. I brought it this time."

Zhang Da Lin also took out his IOU. "Here’s mine."

Settling debts cleanly is a time-honored principle. Since Zhang Lin’s family was repaying the money, the IOUs naturally had to be brought along to be settled in person.

The others did the same, taking out the IOUs they had brought and handing them to Lin Yan. None of them doubted Zhang Lin’s ability to pay, so they all acted decisively.

"I tore up my IOU a long time ago," Zhang He said plainly.

Even though they say clear accounting keeps friendships long, when his younger brother passed away, leaving behind a widow and orphan saddled with so much debt, he truly never expected them to repay the money.

Decades of brotherhood were worth more than those 150,000 yuan.

Zhang Lin naturally understood his uncle’s sentiment. He turned to the group and said, "Uncle, Uncle Da Lin, you all brought your phones, right? I’ll transfer the money to you!"

Zhang Da Lin and the others nodded, and everyone took out their phones.

Without hesitation, Zhang Lin took the IOUs from his mother’s hand, checked them one by one, and then used his mobile banking app to transfer the money, paying off the debts transaction by transaction.

He didn’t include any interest, however. When friends and family lend money, they aren’t looking to profit from it.

In their community, adding interest in a situation like this would sour the gesture of kindness, implying a desire to sever ties quickly.

Not giving interest meant the relationship wasn’t over; the human connection and gratitude were still remembered.

In one go, Zhang Lin transferred out a total of 550,000 yuan. The 568,034 yuan balance in his account dwindled to just over 10,000.

But with all his debts to friends and family paid off, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief in both body and mind. This must be what they call the lightness of being debt-free.

Now, all that remained was the 600,000 yuan bank loan.

After receiving the transfer notifications, smiles appeared on the faces of Zhang Da Lin and the others.

Although they knew Zhang Lin’s family was struggling and had never pressed for repayment, they were still overjoyed that he had paid them back in one fell swoop.

After all, every family has its own hardships and will inevitably face emergencies. Just look at Ergen, who ended up in the hospital. Having this extra money provided a welcome financial cushion, which was a good thing.

Naturally, Zhang Ergen and the others couldn’t help but look at Lin Yan with a hint of envy. Though her family had suffered a tragedy, she truly had a good son.

"Lin is truly amazing!" Zhang Da Lin couldn’t help but praise.

Zhang Ergen sincerely agreed, "Yeah. Not only did he not rely on his parents for help, but he also helped his family pay back all the money they owed us."

"Yeah, if my kid were half as capable as him, I’d be happy."

"Sigh, my son found a girlfriend, and now I have to prepare the betrothal gift and he’s even asking me for a down payment!"

The others all nodded in agreement.

Really, which of their peers had this kind of ability?

What parent wouldn’t wish for their son to be so capable?

Hearing them praise her son, Lin Yan felt a mix of emotions and quickly said, "Lin was just lucky to meet a benefactor. Someone invested in him."

Hearing this, Zhang He disagreed. "Lin Yan, that’s not the right way to put it. If Lin wasn’t capable and trustworthy, who would invest their money in him?"

Zhang Ergen deeply agreed. "Exactly! Try putting someone else in his shoes; who would invest so much money in them? Take my Zhang Dong, for example. He can’t even find a job without people looking down on him!"

"Dad, why are you bringing me into this?" Zhang Dong complained.

"Am I not telling the truth?" Zhang Ergen asked.

Zhang Dong was speechless.

Zhang Lin just smiled at their words. ’What investor? It was all the game system.’

The thing was, he couldn’t possibly explain it. It was a secret.

Besides, there was no need to explain. Didn’t he see the proud smile on his mom’s face as his uncles praised him? It was harder to suppress than the recoil of an AK-47.

After the meal ended, Zhang He and the others, all having their own things to attend to, said their goodbyes and left. Lin Yan hitched a ride back to the county with Zhang He.

Her son had paid off the debts, so she naturally had to go home and tell her husband. She would burn the IOUs in front of his memorial portrait. ’Leaving your son with a mountain of debt... don’t think you can escape responsibility just because you’ve passed on.’

Zhang Lin had no idea what was on his mother’s mind, or he wouldn’t have known whether to laugh or cry. After seeing everyone off, he headed to the 500-acre rapeseed Flower Sea.

By now, all the rapeseed flowers had bloomed, except for the roughly 60 acres planted on the last day.

And those final 60-odd acres would be in full bloom by tomorrow.

Therefore, it was time to start promoting the grand opening of the rapeseed Flower Sea.

...