Chapter 255 - 213: Meng Shen’s Dietary Canon

Chapter 255: Chapter 213: Meng Shen’s Dietary Canon

Speaking of which," Gu Heng said with a shake of his head and a smile, "Who would have thought you’d actually get up this morning? But since all these refreshments and desserts are already made, we can’t just throw them away. Take them with you to the film set later, and your crew can have them as snacks during their breaks."

Because Tian Xiqwei was seated between two tables occupied by other members of the film crew, they had already been eavesdropping for a while. Now, after seeing Gu Heng’s actions and hearing his words, they couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Wow!"

"Chairman Gu is so thoughtful!"

A girl gasped, covering her mouth, her eyes clearly showing she was going crazy shipping them.

"This morning’s sweetness is off the charts!"

"But I have to try the refreshments and desserts from Chairman Gu!"

another girl chimed in.

"Shhh, shhh, shhh!"

"Keep it down!"

"Don’t disturb the other diners in the restaurant!"

Although Lu Ya was also grinning from ear to ear at the couple’s interaction, she still had to be mindful of their image. She reminded the young women at the tables in front and behind them.

At this moment, Tian Xiqwei’s beautiful face was completely flushed.

She blinked her moist eyes, her gaze toward Gu Heng a mix of shyness and sweetness. "Thank you, Chairman Gu. On behalf of the crew, thank you as well."

"Remember to give me some feedback, okay?~"

Gu Heng raised his hand and gently patted Tian Xiqwei’s head. "If the response is good, our hotel’s food and beverage department might add some of these refreshments and desserts to the restaurant’s breakfast and afternoon tea menus."

Feeling the warmth from Gu Heng’s large hand, her already flushed, beautiful face burned furiously as he gently stroked her head. Her entire being felt like it was overheating.

"Okay~"

"I’ll remember~"

Tian Xiqwei looked up. Even from her angle, Gu Heng’s jawline was still absolutely perfect, and the slight bob of his Adam’s apple was full of masculine charm.

She was clearly many years older than Gu Heng, but in front of him, she felt just like a little girl. The feeling of being protected and doted on by him was like a poppy, utterly intoxicating.

"Well, I need to get back to work."

"If it snows in Beichun in the next couple of days, I’ll contact you."

After the small incident with the paparazzo last night, the two of them had talked for a long time.

As a girl from the Sichuan-Chongqing region, Tian Xiqwei had never seen snow in her entire life. So, last night, Gu Heng had promised her that if it snowed again before she left Beichun, he would take her out to see it.

"Mhm!"

Tian Xiqwei nodded emphatically, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.

"I’m off."

Gu Heng waved to Tian Xiqwei and left with Dong Qiming and Yan Feng.

The moment Gu Heng was gone, Lu Ya’s face immediately appeared in front of Tian Xiqwei. The fire of gossip burning in her eyes was so intense it almost seemed to manifest physically.

"Spill. Was it really just a simple drink you and Chairman Gu had last night?"

Lu Ya lowered her voice, speaking rapidly. "Based on how you two were just acting, I’d believe you even if you told me you were already dating!"

"I..."

"I’m not full yet!"

Tian Xiqwei was a little shy, her gaze drifting away.

"Stop eating."

"Save some room."

Lu Ya teased, "Your Chairman Gu brought you so many refreshments and desserts. Aren’t you going to have to try them later? That’s a token of his affection!"

"Oh, right..."

Tian Xiqwei blinked, only just realizing it.

"Hurry up and tell me!"

Lu Ya urged.

"Not now!"

"I’ll tell you in the car!"

Tian Xiqwei shot Lu Ya a meaningful look.

"Fine!"

"But you better spill everything later!"

Lu Ya understood Tian Xiqwei’s meaning and realized this wasn’t a good place to discuss it. She had to drop the subject for now.

Meanwhile, Gu Heng continued his inspection with Dong Qiming and Yan Feng.

Over the next two days, he planned to visit all ten departments of the Beichun Junlan Hotel, just as he had visited every restaurant under the Zhen Cui Group when he first took over.

It was like a new official taking office; the first order of business was to conduct a thorough investigation at the grassroots level. He didn’t need to know everyone underneath him, but everyone underneath him absolutely had to know who he was.

"Chairman Gu..."

Just as Gu Heng walked out of the restaurant, Zhong Hua approached him.

"Go ahead."

Gu Heng gave Dong Qiming and Yan Feng a look, and they immediately stepped aside, giving the two enough space to talk.

"A call just came from Chu Zhengnan’s side. They’ve already warned that paparazzo. He took the earliest high-speed train out of Beichun today. There was no official involvement, and he didn’t cause any more trouble."

Zhong Hua reported in a low voice with his head bowed, "Also, we’ve carefully handled the hotel’s video surveillance footage to ensure no traces were left behind."

"Mm..."

"I understand."

Gu Heng nodded slightly, his expression unchanging throughout.

Using Chu Zhengnan for a mere paparazzo was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

If they couldn’t even handle something this minor, the music business lounge and large-scale luxury bathhouse under Xingchuan International would have long since changed owners.

"To the front office department."

As Gu Heng’s words fell, Dong Qiming quickly followed, while Yan Feng stood at the restaurant entrance, bowing slightly to see Gu Heng off, his lowered gaze filled with respect.

...

「Three days later.」

Late at night, at the Yunzun High-altitude Restaurant and Bar.

Gu Heng stood behind the central bar, a deep sense of joy sparkling in his eyes.

"Tell your President Huang that I have to leave early for something."

He said to the bartender next to him, then hurriedly walked out from behind the central bar and headed out of the Yunzun High-altitude Restaurant and Bar.

For the past few days, Gu Heng had been spending his days inspecting the Beichun Junlan Hotel and his nights at the Yunzun High-altitude Restaurant and Bar, continuing his in-depth research.

All in all, it had been over a full week.

Just a moment ago, the challenge mission he had been working on since August was finally completed.

[Challenge Mission: Tempering the Heart]

[Mission Status: Complete]

[Congratulations, Host, you have received a reward: Growth Pack ×1]

[Would you like to claim the reward now?]

Gu Heng went down to the underground parking lot as quickly as possible and got into the Brabus business van that was there to pick him up.

Facing the system’s light screen that unfurled before him, Gu Heng took a deep breath and silently chose to claim it.

He recalled the last time he had completed the challenge mission [Self-Satisfaction]. The Growth Pack that Father Tongzi had rewarded him with contained over two hundred million yuan worth of physical gold bars, as well as a Sports Talent Card of immeasurable value.

’This time...’

’What will I get?’

Gu Heng’s heart was full of anticipation.

As soon as the system sensed Gu Heng’s intent, the Growth Pack immediately opened.

[Congratulations, Host, you have received a reward: "Meng Shen’s Dietary Canon"]

["Meng Shen’s Dietary Canon": Created by Meng Shen, a famous pharmacologist of the Tang Dynasty and the originator of Chinese medicinal food therapy. It was derived from the world-renowned food therapy magnum opus, "Food Therapy Herbs," and represents the pinnacle of ancient Chinese medicinal cuisine, containing 81 long-lost secret recipes for medicated dishes.]

As the Growth Pack opened, the specific details of the reward appeared before Gu Heng’s eyes.

"Meng Shen’s Dietary Canon?"

"Eighty-one long-lost secret recipes for medicated dishes?"

A look of astonishment crossed Gu Heng’s face. He hadn’t expected the Growth Pack to yield such a reward.

At that moment, a spectral icon of a book appeared on the system’s light screen.

The moment Gu Heng mentally touched the spectral book icon, a massive torrent of knowledge flooded into his mind.

[A physician must first understand the source of an illness and know its cause. Treat it with food; if food therapy does not cure it, then prescribe medicine.]

...

[The five grains provide nourishment, the five fruits provide support, the five domestic animals provide benefits, and the five vegetables provide substance. Consume them with their energies and flavors combined to replenish essence and vital energy.]

...

[In spring, eat cool foods; in summer, eat cold; in autumn, eat warm; in winter, eat hot. This is the principle of eating according to the four seasons.]

...

Countless pieces of information about Chinese medicinal food therapy appeared in Gu Heng’s mind.

Because the torrent of knowledge was so immense, and he was completely unprepared for it,

for a moment, Gu Heng nearly passed out from the influx...