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♪

♪And give me the happiness♪

♪That I expect♪

[Chef Son-in-law]

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

[Episode 15]

Everyone,

[Huaixiang Group]

from now on,

it's not just Qiao Zhi.

We encourage all our chefs

to innovate with dishes.

More capable, more work.

More work, more reward.

Huaixiang needs innovation,

and even more, it needs excellent chefs like Qiao Zhi

to maintain its youthful vitality

in a rapidly changing market.

Does anyone have any objections?

Qiao Zhi has done

a really great job.

We can

give this method a try.

Okay.

Mr. Song will explain

the detailed rules later.

Got it.

Also, for the second round of the internal competition,

the day after tomorrow,

send all preparation matters to me for confirmation.

[Canteen] Hard work, everyone!

Not at all!

Qiao Zhi's incredible.

Every dish he makes goes viral!

This old street is back on the map!

Many customers pay extra for us.

They enjoy their meals

and we earn happily.

This job feels effortless!

This is what we call harmony in action and a virtuous cycle.

Look at you,

all bookish now!

Absolutely!

Got new orders?

Check it out.

Hold on.

Got to run, Chong!

Go ahead.

Hard work!

Wait up!

Hard work.

Thank you!

Please, have a seat!

Wow.

The moment I sit down,

the dishes arrive.

Since you helped me,

I can't keep you waiting.

First, allow me to introduce.

This is Mei Ling,

my good friend

and a renowned food editor.

Ms. Mei, nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Welcome to our Canteen.

Thank you, Mr. Qiao.

Please call me Qiao.

Mu Xiao,

thank you for helping me.

Please accept my gift.

You're too kind!

It's nothing.

I heard from Qiao Zhi.

I absolutely cannot stand

arrogant rich heirs.

Rest assured.

In Shengtang,

no one dares to mess with you.

Thank you.

Taste my home-style dishes.

Let's chat while we eat.

Go ahead!

Mixed Vegetable Preserve,

Stir-fried Kidney,

Sizzling Fish Slices,

and Spicy Hot Pot.

Let me try this first.

Pair it with the Mixed Vegetable Preserve.

These two flavors blend

yet maintain distinct layers.

Remarkable!

My expectations were sky-high for you,

but these fish slices

are more refreshing than expected.

Qiao,

I thought you specialized in Huaiyang cuisine?

Why are your Sichuan cuisine so tasty?

I dabble in all styles.

Here.

Have some.

Don't!

You're being too kind!

Nonsense.

Eat more to boost energy

for the competition in two days!

Absolutely.

I won't let you down!

Afterward,

we'll have Ms. Mei write

an exclusive feature about you.

That'd be embarrassingly extravagant!

It's nothing!

He is such a lady killer,

and even A-list stars flock to him!

Wait.

For Ruxue's sake,

I'm settling this score.

To boost energy,

nothing beats this dish.

Eat more!

Thanks, Rushuang!

Shuang is very caring.

Shuang?

I heard from the company

that your debut variety show was decent.

If any quality scripts come along later,

I'll bring you along for the ride.

Great!

Let Qiao Zhi join the crew

to cook for us every day!

Wait.

Don't drag me in easily.

Real friends indeed!

Now I'm curious.

What exactly

is between you two?

She's your girlfriend?

No,

she's my...

She's my shareholder.

Shareholder?

About what I just mentioned,

let's just drop it.

Brilliant feint tactic!

She really knows how to scheme!

Let me leverage this against them.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Hurry up.

Be my sacrifice!

This violates moral principles!

I have my standards!

Opportunity knocks but once!

Keep the goodies within the family.

Endure this moment!

I'm not your goodies!

Death before dishonor!

Qiao Zhi,

I opened a bistro downtown.

Join me for dinner tonight.

We'll drink some wine.

Taste it.

From my chateau.

What do you say?

The body is excellent.

Rich aftertaste.

Lingering finish.

Bitterness precedes sweetness.

Just like the wine you made.

Rusuang,

what's your take?

I share his opinion.

Bitterness precedes sweetness.

This story begins

four years ago.

That was the darkest period

in my life.

[Four Years Ago. Singapore]

Four is four.

Ten is ten.

Fourteen is fourteen.

Forty is forty.

Fourteen isn't forty.

Mu, you're an exceptional talent.

Thank you.

Hello, I'm Mu Xiao,

graduated from the Film Academy's Acting Program.

After this drink,

you're officially cast

in this production.

I apologize,

but I don't drink alcohol.

You can't act at all!

Switch careers. This has no future!

Mu Xiao,

you're ungrateful!

We'll terminate your contract.

You're not cut out to be an actress.

Find another path before it's too late.

You don't have what it takes!

Your performance was abysmal!

Don't come home until you can earn money.

All those years raising you

are for nothing!

Even want to be a big star?

Wake up!

You can't act at all.

No future.

Loser.

Wake up.

I'm very disappointed.

Your acting is so poor.

Hello!

Are you Chinese?

Welcome!

Go in!

Here.

Please have some food and water

to warm up a bit.

I prepared all this myself.

You must've rushed out

without an umbrella.

No umbrella.

Never mind.

The rain won't last long.

Please enjoy.

Never mind.

The rain won't last long.

♪It once cured my insomnia♪

♪And healed the pain of a goodbye♪

♪The back view as you turned away♪

♪Still so vivid in my mind♪

This is a legendary dish lost for over a century.

It's called Roasted Gosling in a Whole Lamb.

Sounds

rather fancy.

Now witness true culinary magic!

♪The feeling of loss would be so hard to breathe through♪

Hurry!

♪I want to become you♪

♪Your favorite sweater♪

The alarm has been triggered. What are you doing here?

I'm so sorry!

Forgive me!

If you don't know how to cook, just don't do it again!

I won't do it again.

I'm sorry.

Be careful.

♪I want to become you♪

I'm preparing

to return to China.

Seems you've pulled yourself together.

Thank you for your meals.

The meals are nothing special.

What matters is who enjoys it.

Someday many might depend

on you for sustenance,

big star!

Why not

come back with me?

I'll pass.

You're ready,

but I haven't reached perfection yet.

Seems

you also have something you want to do.

Yes.

I must return

and open a canteen.

That canteen will surely

be extraordinary.

Indeed.

How about this?

If I ever become famous,

you'll cook for me

and I'll support you!

♪I had also imagined losing it♪

This sounds so familiar?

♪But I still overlooked it♪

I get it now.

So here's what happens next.

Look.

♪The feeling of loss would be so hard to breathe through♪

♪I want to become you♪

First focus on getting better.

Silly.

♪Your favorite sweater♪

Is this it?

Is this how to act?

Your acting is terrible!

Isn't it good enough?

Way too stiff.

Where exactly?

The eye contact is all wrong!

My eye contact?

♪A thought that won't fade or disappear♪

This works.

Not bad at all.

It's so moving.

What's moving?

Why are you getting so emotional?

Qiao Zhi,

I've fulfilled the promise

I made four years ago.

[Luxury Under Heaven]

I can finally support you now.

From now on, what's mine is yours.

♪Someday♪

♪When you stand before me♪

♪Gazing upon my face♪

♪The words of our promises♪

♪I'll speak theme♪

♪And then you will see

♪Oh, my heart♪

♪Has always been true♪

Congratulations!

Oh, congratulations!

Let's applaud Ms. Mu Xiao

for securing the global endorser with a top jewelry brand!

Congratulations!

Well done!

That was quite a bold move you made!

Blame yourself for picking

such an unprofessional shield.

There is a reason.

Show some mercy.

Not so easily.

Let's keep cheering for Ms. Mu Xiao!

We all adore her, don't we?

Absolutely!

That's scary! Luckily, I escaped.

I truly admire you!

Just now, you preserved her dignity

while indirectly rejecting her

without crossing any lines.

What lines?

I'd never do that!

I'm a man of principles with boundaries!

Moreover,

since I'm married,

I'm a tested warrior of pure love!

Keep this between us!

Warrior of pure love?

With so many romantic entanglements,

I'm telling you,

you'll be involved in a scandal.

Nonsense!

How dare you curse me!

I refuse to talk to you.

[Good BBQ Restaurant] Cheers!

You barely ate all day. You must be starving.

Tell me about it!

Let me tell you.

After all these years as a chef,

I feel most fulfilled right here.

Look.

I help Zhi with training

and manage the Canteen operations.

Most importantly,

I'm earning more than ever before!

I know!

I never expected

Canteen to grow this fast.

Right.

When I first met Zhi,

I thought

he was going places.

Honestly, you've got real talent too.

In less than two months,

your cooking skills have improved incredibly.

Yes.

You know what?

Zhi's incredibly nice to me.

He willingly teaches me

everything he knows unconditionally.

You know what?

In this industry,

everyone guards their trade secrets.

No one reveals their true skills.

No one will share

everything freely

like Zhi does.

Honestly.

He even gave me a bonus!

Made me feel embarrassed!

That's why I said

he is built for greatness.

He is visionary,

right?

Go ahead.

I mean

Zhi is visionary.

But I must add this.

Well.

You need

to strive harder

to elevate the small bites

and desserts

to greater taste perfection.

I feel I'll never reach

your level or Mr. Qiao's.

I just don't have cooking talent.

Look at yourself.

Don't underestimate yourself.

Do you know?

Let's be real.

Take this restaurant for example.

Look,

you've got culinary skills

and resources.

And you

are pretty!

Right?

If you keep learning and working hard,

you'll soar high eventually.

Really?

Absolutely!

See?

Can I have a sip?

You want to drink alcohol?

Have them bring a bottle.

There's none left.

Now, only you're willing to help me.

Yan,

if you don't mind,

let's be bound together for life.

I know you've wanted to settle here.

We'll buy a big villa someday,

living the good life together.

Deal.

Wait, don't laugh. I mean every word!

I,

I can swear an oath!

Heaven above bears witness!

I, Bao Tong, solemnly declare

that every word I spoke to Yan

came straight from my heart.

If I break this promise, may I never cook again,

and never see Yan again.

Will you accept?

Yes.

Yes.

Cheers.

Cheers.

This is the one!

Careful now.

Here. Hand it to me.

You buried these jars five years ago.

Precisely.

What is in it?

In here

is something delicious.

You're busy.

What brings you all the way for me?

Open it and you'll see.

Did you make this?

Premium Aged Mustard Greens.

Our family has always made this.

Can't let the tradition die with me.

Premium Aged Mustard Greens

require three rounds of purification and washing,

followed by three cycles of salting and pressing.

I knew you must've tasted it!

My grandpa loved making this.

Yes!

Back then,

when I lost my appetite,

eating this with rice porridge

could instantly reignite

my hunger!

It's prepared by hand in ancient ways.

Though labor-intensive,

its flavors

are worlds apart from store-bought!

I want this gift

so badly,

yet I dare not accept.

Don't worry.

Enjoy it.

I guarantee this won't run out again.

I see.

Exactly as I remember.

I missed it so much.

Good.

As long as you like it.

By the way,

I noticed you've

made quite a few waves lately.

Your co-branded zone

with Huaixiang Group

has earned you handsome profits.

Even I got a cut of the dividends!

Is what I've done

a bit excessive?

This has cost me several alliances.

I'm considering whether to tone down

for the next competition.

But youth should be excessive.

Go all out!

Never forget

you have me in your corner.

Understood.

I won't bring you shame

nor cause you trouble.

Your restaurant seems saturated now.

Any expansion plans

or franchising?

Indeed.

Daily revenue hits around 300,000.

We've reached capacity.

My strategy focuses on

having Canteen refine its dishes,

distributing through the Eight Great Restaurants and pre-made food channels.

Impressive!

Lifting half an industry toward prosperity!

Wealth shared is wealth multiplied.

Actually,

I want to focus more

on cooking.

You know

business

just isn't my forte.

Boy,

you take after your grandpa.

Yeah,

I even got framed like him.

What do you mean?

During the competition,

someone replaced my meat

with spoiled cuts.

Can you believe the coincidence?

Back in his day,

my grandpa was ruined by subpar ingredients too.

But it doesn't matter.

Learning from history,

I opened

the Canteen's doors wide.

Even if sabotage comes again,

I've got behind me

the Huaixiang Group,

the Huasheng Group,

the Eight Great Restaurants,

Kuaiyin,

and most vitally,

your support.

There's more to this than words.

Very well.

I'll speak with the Zhan family.

I didn't intend

that meaning!

If I

can't face

such small storms,

I wouldn't deserve you

as my sworn grandfather.

Well said.

When you stand on your own,

I'll reveal

what you seek to know.

Agreed.

It's settled then.

The men are prepared.

His knife skills are perfect,

so cripple his right hand.

Yes.

Bloggers?

All arranged.

Rest assured.

This time, he won't escape ruin.

Not vertical, angle the knife!

The vegetable. Not your posture!

How can you be so clumsy?

I've taught you this countless times!

[Canteen]

Don't let him escape!

Bao,

I need the restroom. My stomach aches.

All talk and no action!

Is it so difficult?

Almost just…

Zhi!

Master!

Have I offended you?

You seduced Mu Xiao.

Nonsense.

Your boss

is probably in the catering business.

Let's put that aside.

I'll cripple your hand today.

If I see you with Mu Xiao again,

I'll smash your restaurant.

Smash it!

You dare? Try?

Bro, move in!

Who dares touch Qiao?

Causing trouble at Mr. Qiao's turf?

You must have a death wish!

Stay out of this!

Otherwise, you'll get stomped too!

Get lost.

Bros, go.

Almost missed the show.

Hao!

Mr. Zhan.

What's happening? They're running away.

You didn't hear?

He called the whole neighborhood

to back him now!

Hello?

Get down here!

Get down here!

Get down here!

Get down here!

Get down here!

Hang up. Things got messy.

Get down here!

Mr. Zhan,

eating or fighting?

I cater to both here.

Eating.

Certainly.

Join me at my restaurant then.

Apologies,

just got

an urgent company call.

Another time.

I'll be ready whenever you are.

Don't move.

Mr. Qiao,

let them make way.

You brought your men here at night

and disturbed the neighbors.

So be sensible.

Neighbors and fellow residents,

Sorry to have caused you trouble.

Some other day,

I'll come to the Canteen

and apologize in person.

I hope you can make way.

Get lost!

Just wait and see!

I can't believe he's so shameless.

Tonight,

thanks, everyone!

Get home safe now.

No problem, Mr. Qiao.

Any time you need us.

That's right, just holler!

Alright, move out.

Let's wrap it up.

Great.

Zhi, how is your hand?

Master.

You're back.

Still up this late?

Preparing for tomorrow's competition.

I see.

What happened to you?

How did you get injured?

Just sit there.

Listen.

I wrapped up work late.

When I headed home,

a crew jumped me.

But they underestimated

my blade skills!

Back then,

three moves and all down!

Too bad

you missed it.

Or you'd have

been obsessed with me!

Does it hurt?

Yeah, it hurts!

Wait.

Your hand too?

Don't touch it!

It's broken.

Broken!

We need a hospital now!

Alright.

Just kidding.

Been to the ER already.

The doctor said it's fine.

Just bruising.

Rest days and I'll be fine.

You swear?

Promise.

What about tomorrow's competition?

Don't worry.

Sorted it out on my way back.

Won't hold me up.

Who did this?

Tell me.

The police took them all away.

Alright.

Stop stressing.

Tomorrow,

I'll bring home

that trophy for you.

If you doubt me,

let's seal it with a stamp.

Forget the trophy!

This won't end here!

Being your husband pays off.

You always protect me.

Don't talk nonsense.

Calm down now.

I should head back.

Ouch.

It really hurts.

[Fracture at the junction between the first and second metacarpal bones.]

[Canteen]

Qiao Zhi's hand is injured, so he can't chop.

What about this afternoon's competition?

Those brats played dirty.

Aimed to cripple his hand.

Now that

Master and Ms. Tao Junior are tight,

could they

postpone the competition?

Unlikely.

It is held every four years.

Miss today? The next chance will be four years later.

If I'd arrived earlier last night,

this wouldn't have happened.

Why didn't you call me sooner?

What more can we do for him?

Why the long faces?

Got reported?

Ratings tanked?

How can you be so forgiving?

We're this close to disaster,

and you're acting like nothing's wrong!

What's wrong?

Asking me?

Your hand!

It's okay. I have a way.

We'll participate as planned.

Really?

Yes!

Get back to work!

Don't waste time.

Master,

you're on the hot search list again.

Because of what?

[Confirmed! Canteen's owner is a male escort]

Taken by a paparazzi gossip account.

This repair is just too fake.

Really going to do anything to get me?

[From female celebrities to kitchen staff, working hard]

[Qiao Zhi's sponsors exposed]

[Canteen's owner keeps a female employee]

[Private video of Canteen's owner and a celebrity]

[Canteen's owner had an affair with several girls]

[Qiao Zhi has a close relationship with Internet celebrities]

[Canteen's owner turned out to be a famous male escort]

Mr. Song.

Qiao Zhi,

this time,

I might not be able to help you.

The company's budget

can't be used for personal matters.

I get it.

[Mom]

Mom.

Get over here right now!

[Qiao Zhi]

Something came up.

I have to go out.

Where are you going?

Who'll handle the work?

Ding Chan.

[Canteen]

Ding Chan!

What's wrong?

Leave me alone. I can handle it.

No.

This is related to our master.

I told you I can handle it!

What are you hiding from me?

I'm worried you'll act recklessly.

I promise I won't be reckless.

Besides, haven't you noticed

how much my attitude

has changed since I joined

the Canteen family,

right?

Right?

Who's messing with us?

Du Lan.

I told you,

I can handle my own best friend.

Wait.

How

do you know it was her?

Only she could take the photos from that angle.

And I suspect she was behind the password leak.

Why?

Because once,

I brought the wrong graduation thesis,

and let her log into my computer to send me the right one.

I use the same password for everything.

She likes you.

You know that.

She wants me out of the Canteen.

Alright.

We'll handle this ourselves,

okay?

I'm so furious!

I promise I won't be reckless.

Now I think

this is about the three of us.

Let's go and talk with her.

Okay?

Don't get Master involved in this.

Okay?

I promise I won't lose my temper.

You promise?

I promise.

Let's go.

Go.

Don't be angry.

Haven't you got anything to say?

Rumors die with the wise.

Set aside the male escort nonsense.

I had Ding Chan checked out.

With mediocre grades at college,

she started bartending after graduation.

You hired her as your accountant?

What were you thinking?

And how did you

get mixed up with Mu Xiao?

Do you realize her status?

Why would someone like her

promote Canteen?

How do you explain?

Mom,

when I was in Singapore, she…

Don't call me Mom!

I don't have a son-in-law ungrateful like you!

When you came back from abroad,

with no one to rely on,

I invested in you,

gave you Ruxue's hand in marriage.

I thought

you were different from her father.

I must have been blind!

No cat doesn't steal fish.

Get out!

Stay away from my daughters!

Get out of the Tao family!

Go lost!

Mom,

please calm down

I'll leave right now.

Aren't you at work?

Spit it out.

What's wrong?

What happened?

I never hurt you in all these years.

Why are you trying to hurt me?

I don't understand? Am I hurting you?

Cut the act!

You leaked my photos with Qiao Zhi.

And that password I always use.

What are you talking about?

What photos?

What password?

Act all you want.

Keep acting!

I'm not acting!

I don't know anything!

Haven't seen the photos on the blog?

No.

What blog?

Only you could have taken a photo from that angle.

You've wronged me.

I'm your best friend!

How could you think that about me?

Fine.

I'll show you my phone

to see if I secretly took any photos.

Never mind.

This is my last warning.

Tell us the truth right now,

or wait for the police to contact you.

We've officially opened

an investigation into this matter.

Do you realize

the consequences

of stealing a company's financial password?

I'll say it one more time.

I did not steal your password.

Right.

A best friend would never do that.

I think we're wasting our time

with a person like her.

Don't stay in the dorm tonight.

I'm worried someone might sneak a photo of you in bed,

edit it, and frame Master.

What do you think?

What?

What kind of person?

Zhou Chong,

is this who I am in your eyes?

Not before,

but now you are.

Go.

As we were friends,

I'll give you one last piece of advice.

Don't do anything illegal.

[Confirmed! Canteen's owner is a male escort]

[You wretch! Stay away from Mu Xiao!]

Let's see how you'll get out of this.

[Ms. Tao]

Ms. Tao.

Yes, it's me.

Have you seen the trending hashtag?

I told you Qiao Zhi

is some ordinary internet celebrity.

How can a wretch like him represent

the Huaixiang Group

at the King of Chefs Championship?

Are you completely unconcerned

about the group's reputation?

Hao,

you also signed the petition, right?

I heard dozens of people are boycotting Qiao Zhi.

I knew it!

With your cooking skills,

you wouldn't have lost to him.

Turns out

he's been pulling dirty tricks behind.

Who knows what the group executives

are thinking in the end?

Sharing the stage with him

is the greatest insult to us!

He should be kicked out of Huaixiang.

He's finished this time.

The group would never send him

to represent them

at the King of Chefs Championship.

Zhi's in trouble!

I already know.

Why are you still sitting here?

Figure this out now!

He would never do such a thing.

Someone's framing him.

Do you believe him?

Of course, I do!

Even if everyone else doesn't,

I will believe him.

You don't believe him?

He is my husband.

Of course, I do!

Clearly, someone tried to stop him from competing.

I think

Han Bin was behind this.

The photo he took of me matches the earlier one.

Han Bin?

But wasn't he locked up?

Someone must be behind him.

Hello, Mr. Song.

The executives are heading to the hospital for Ms. Tao.

They want Qiao Zhi fired.

Got it.

Oh, no.

If Mom finds out, we're finished!

Think they can destroy him

that easily?

[Inpatient Building]

[Letter of Protest]

Ms. Tao,

this is a letter of protest

from all the chefs under the Huaixiang Group.

We unanimously agree that Qiao Zhi's conduct

has damaged the company's image.

He does not deserve to compete.

Xue is too young.

Qiao Zhi must have fed her

some kind of love potion,

and now she's lost in a daze,

neglecting her duties!

If this keeps up,

our group

will be ruined.

One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.

Now, I won't tell others

I'm from the Huaixiang Group.

Yes.

Qiao Zhi

is involved with Xue,

and with his employees.

Rumor has it he's even seeing actresses.

He's become

one of the most notorious

male escorts in the circle.

A male escort?

Can you believe this thing?

This is utterly outrageous!

♪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 of the world♪

♪To go wild freely♪

♪Don't worry about the journey ahead♪

♪Just keep going♪

♪You'll find the tears I left behind♪

♪You'll also see me writing my own poems♪

♪And I'll always hold you tight♪

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

♪To go wild freely♪

♪Don't worry about the journey ahead♪

♪Just keep going♪

♪You'll find the tears I left behind♪

♪You'll also see me writing my own poems♪

♪And I'll always hold you tight♪