Chapter 238: This Is Worth It for Him!

After finishing their business discussion, the skewers were finally brought to the table.

An extremely enticing aroma hit them head-on.

When it came to taste, “Life on a Skewer” truly stood out as one-of-a-kind in the market—once people tried it, they always came back for more.

In terms of dining environment and service, “Life on a Skewer” was arguably even better than the renowned Haidilao Hotpot. However, its growth was limited due to a lack of funding and insufficient promotion. Once Shen Fei’s investment arrived, these issues would all be resolved.

The aspects that customers already praised would improve even further, and before long, “Life on a Skewer” would gain fame across the entire nation.

After leaving the restaurant, Shen Fei immediately called Han Lixin and shared Ji Lu’s contact information. Han Lixin acknowledged quickly, stating that he would reach out immediately. Faced with this new opportunity and challenge, Han Lixin was determined to seize it.

After hanging up, Shen Fei drove off, his mind returning to the matters at Shenzhen No. 1 High School. Deciding to deal with it through connections, he called the retired city leader, Jiang Anbang.

“Old man, what are you up to these days?”

“Still busy with flowers and plants, the usual. When you get old, you’ve got to find hobbies to pass the time. Otherwise, retirement life would get boring!”

Hearing from Shen Fei, Jiang Anbang was mildly surprised but soon broke into hearty laughter. Then, his tone shifted with curiosity:

“But tell me, did you call me to chat, or do you want to ask about that plot of land?”

“Old man, that’s a little harsh! Can’t I call just to chat with you?” Shen Fei replied with a chuckle, then added, “But to be honest, I do want to ask about that land. Right now, demand for goods is outstripping supply. We’re counting on this land to get approved soon so we can start building and ramp up production.”

However, Shen Fei didn’t bring up the school matter just yet.

“You sly kid! But you’ve called at just the right time. I was planning to call you anyway. Guotu (referring to Yu Guotu) mentioned wanting to eat your cooking again but was too embarrassed to call you himself. So he asked me to pass the message. Hahaha! So, Shen, are you free to come to the Jiang residence and whip up a meal for us?”

Clearly prepared, Jiang Anbang’s tone flowed smoothly.

Shen Fei paused briefly, catching the implied meaning. Did this mean the land was approved?

He had thought it would take another month at least! But this was better—getting approval earlier meant the factory could be built and operational sooner.

“Convenient or not, I have to make it convenient! If both you and Secretary Yu want to eat my cooking, that’s an honor I can’t refuse!” Shen Fei replied enthusiastically.

“You and your silver tongue! Alright, pick up some ingredients on your way, and be ready to impress us with your skills.”

Jiang Anbang felt slightly awkward. Despite decades in office, where he maintained his integrity and avoided corruption, today, he was asking Shen Fei to buy food and cook. But there was a deeper meaning—he genuinely wanted to treat Shen Fei like family but couldn’t bring himself to say it outright.

“Alright, old man, just sit back and wait for my food!” Shen Fei responded cheerfully.

After hanging up, Shen Fei called Han Xinyan to let her know he’d be eating at the Jiang residence. Then, he headed to the nearest market, buying a large variety of ingredients. Considering Jiang Anbang’s age, he also selected a few light and refreshing dishes.

When he arrived at the Jiang residence, Jiang Anbang was still tending to his plants. Seeing Shen Fei carrying bags of ingredients, he didn’t stop what he was doing, simply directing someone to lead Shen Fei to the kitchen.

Shen Fei spent the next two hours cooking, only finishing around 5:30 PM. Just as the last dish was served, Yu Guotu walked in briskly, briefcase in hand.

“I could smell the aroma from miles away!” Yu Guotu sniffed the air and didn’t hesitate to praise Shen Fei.

“Secretary Yu, you’re here! Go wash your hands and eat!” Shen Fei called out naturally.

“Guotu, do you know how long Xiao Shen has been busy in the kitchen just to satisfy your appetite? Two full hours!” Jiang Anbang chuckled.

“Two hours? That’s nothing! How many people would wait an entire afternoon just to get a piece of land approved? He’s earned this!” Yu Guotu teased without hesitation.

“So, Secretary Yu, does that mean the land has been approved?” Shen Fei asked, pretending not to know.

“Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare impose on you for a meal!” Yu Guotu said firmly.

“Now, Secretary Yu, that’s not fair! If you like my cooking, that’s recognition of my skills. Even if the land weren’t approved, I’d still cook for you!” Shen Fei replied quickly.

“You kid! You’ve got such a way with words. But a few years from now, you won’t say the same thing,” Yu Guotu said meaningfully.

Shen Fei’s heart skipped a beat. Indeed, a few years later, he would achieve tremendous success, but Yu Guotu’s political career would also soar. Within five years, Yu Guotu would rise from municipal secretary to provincial leadership, eventually becoming a key figure in the capital.

Shen Fei wasn’t someone who blindly chased connections, but for his business goals, building a good relationship with Yu Guotu was essential for smoother operations in the future.

“Alright, let’s eat before the food gets cold! We can talk business afterward,” Jiang Anbang interjected, ending the conversation.

The three of them sat down and began their meal. From start to finish, both Jiang Anbang and Yu Guotu showered Shen Fei with praise for his cooking skills, finishing every dish until the plates were spotless.

After the meal, they moved to the living room, where Shen Fei got straight to the point.

“Secretary Yu, about the land…”

“I knew you’d bring that up first!” Yu Guotu said with mock annoyance, taking a sip of tea. He then pulled a document from his bag.

“We’ve given you favorable consideration. After much discussion, we’ve allocated a 320-acre plot in Baiyun District. The area is part of the upcoming transportation plan, so there’s no need to worry about infrastructure. This is the best location we could find for you in Shenzhen. What do you think?”

The document highlighted an area in Baiyun District, marked with a red pen—exactly as Yu Guotu described.