Chapter 41: Old Bastard Pang, Refund My Tuition!

"Do you even deserve to be a Food Recommender?"

As Zhou Qing's angry question echoed throughout the conference room, Pang Long's expression suddenly turned gloomy.

He had anticipated that his proposal might face opposition from other Food Recommenders, but he had never expected to be met with such a severe rebuke.

"Zhou Qing, I respect you as the most senior First-Class Food Recommender in Dongxia City, but that doesn't give you the right to rely on your seniority to lecture others," Pang Long said in a deep voice. "I put forward this proposal entirely out of a sense of public duty."

"As for your claim that I am 'suppressing talented young chefs,' I haven't the foggiest idea what you are talking about," Pang Long sneered. "You shouldn't just run your mouth."

"Run my mouth?" Zhou Qing pointed to Qin Lang, whose name sat at the very top of the list. "I happen to know the person in first place on this list."

"Despite his youth, Qin Lang possesses unique insights into the culinary arts, with profound learning and a broad range of knowledge," Zhou Qing said solemnly. "The fish dish he prepared is the most astonishing I have tasted in recent years."

"An outstanding chef destined to shine brightly in the future is now featured on your so-called 'poor moral character' blacklist!"

"While I may not know the others on this list, from this one instance we can judge the rest; I suspect they are all young people much like Qin Lang."

"Bang!"

The more Zhou Qing spoke, the angrier he grew, until he couldn't help slamming his hand down on the table once more.

"If this old man were to let your proposal pass today, wouldn't these chefs be barred from ever becoming Spirit Chefs in this lifetime!"

"It is utterly preposterous!"

Hearing Zhou Qing's angry outburst, the expressions of everyone in the conference room shifted, and Pang Long's face turned distinctly green.

What on earth...

Every single person on this list had been carefully selected.

The chefs named had no background, their culinary skills were temporarily unable to meet the standards for Food Recommender evaluation, and even regarding their "poor moral character," Pang Long had not fabricated it entirely without reason.

Take Qin Lang, for instance. Not only did he lack culinary talent, but he had also caused a disturbance at his training center—a clear manifestation of disrespect toward his teachers and elders.

His original plan was to find a way to get the proposal passed first, and then use the resulting rules to target specific individuals.

He never expected that merely tabling the proposal would encounter such fierce obstruction.

Qin Lang...

Pang Long narrowed his eyes slightly, a stubborn yet plain figure flashing through his mind.

The other party had been driven out of his training center only a few days ago, so naturally, the impression remained quite fresh.

Precisely because the impression was so vivid, he found Zhou Qing's words all the more absurd.

Unique insights?

Profound learning?

A broad range of knowledge?

Stunning culinary skill?

Which of those words could possibly apply to Qin Lang?

With that thought, Pang Long cast a deep, searching look at Zhou Qing.

He had not expected that Zhou Qing, reputed to be the strictest Food Recommender, was capable of talking utter nonsense with his eyes wide open.

"I think you must be mistaken about something," Pang Long sneered. "Qin Lang was still a student in my culinary training center just a few days ago."

"Because of his poor culinary talent and lazy nature, he failed to pass my evaluations even after studying for two years, which is why he caused trouble at the training center."

"I am the one best qualified to speak on what his culinary skills and moral character are like."

"As for you, Zhou Qing, painting such an extravagant and peerless picture of a kid like that—are you truly not acting out of some hidden personal agenda?"

Upon hearing this, the other attendees could not help turning their gazes toward Zhou Qing.

The truth or falsehood of the claims made by the two men was impossible for outsiders to discern.

Yet Zhou Qing's praise for Qin Lang was such a complete departure from his usual rigorous demeanor that it sowed considerable confusion and doubt in the minds of many present.

"You..." Hearing this, Zhou Qing was so furious that his mustache and beard quivered.

At that exact moment, a voice sounded, unhurried and steady.

"In my opinion, Mr. Zhou Qing's words are entirely correct."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned their gaze in unison toward Song Hui.

"Ms. Song, could it be that you also know Qin Lang?"

Pang Long narrowed his eyes and asked half-jokingly, only for Song Hui to nod directly. "Indeed."

"Just yesterday, Qin Lang passed my evaluation."

"The lotus blossom pastry he made was exquisite in form and rich in layered flavors; even I was deeply moved."

"Mr. Zhou Qing's description of him as possessing profound learning and a broad range of knowledge has my full endorsement." Song Hui paused slightly before adding, "Furthermore..."

"Yesterday's theft of rare flowers at the Floral Exposition was also solved with the help of Qin Lang and two of his friends, who tracked down the thief."

"Based on that alone, Qin Lang clearly has no issues with his moral character."

As soon as she said this, all eyes snapped toward Pang Long.

Two Food Recommenders had spoken up simultaneously, and furthermore, they had provided the compelling piece of evidence that Qin Lang had helped catch a thief.

In an instant, Pang Long's words lost all credibility.

Sensing the gazes converging on him from all directions, Pang Long's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.

To this moment, he still could not fathom why Zhou Qing and Song Hui had chosen to speak on Qin Lang's behalf.

Could that fellow named Qin Lang possess some background that he had failed to uncover?

Taking a deep breath, Pang Long decided to take a step back for the time being.

"Since both Food Recommenders say so, perhaps I was mistaken," he forced a meager smile. "Let us remove Qin Lang from the list for now, and we can discuss the feasibility of this proposal..."

"There is no need!"

Li Yuantu tapped the table, interrupting Pang Long in a deep voice, and looked at him with a stern expression. "First of all, our most urgent priority right now is to stop the actions of the Treasure Hunting Team; the reform of the Spirit Chef evaluation mechanism can wait."

"Secondly, this proposal of yours is somewhat ill-considered. Raising the threshold for activating the astral veins with a blanket approach will only make the people on the blacklist more likely to gravitate toward criminal organizations, which is definitely not what we want to see."

"Finally..." He paused briefly. "I have also heard whispers about the situation at your culinary training center."

"Before long, it will be time for the re-election and rotation of the Food Recommenders."

"You would do well to reflect on your own actions."

"Meeting adjourned!"

With that, Li Yuantu stood up and walked out of the conference room.

The other attendees followed closely behind, leaving behind only Pang Long, whose expression flickered between shades of anger and dark realization while cold sweat broke out across his back.

"Qin Lang..." he muttered in a low voice, rage surging within his eyes.

Had it not been for this variable, his proposal today might not have ended in such a humiliating defeat.

Therefore, just what on earth had the fellow accomplished in these past few short days?

Taking a deep breath, Pang Long strode quickly out of the conference room, left the Spirit Chef Association, and headed straight back to his culinary training center.

He needed to investigate and figure out what was going on as quickly as possible.

Before long, Pang Long arrived back at his training center.

Inside the spacious training room, various young men and women who had been practicing industriously at their chopping boards paused their work and respectfully greeted him.

"Good day, Teacher Pang."

"You're here, Teacher Pang."

Pang Long walked past them with a blank expression, and just as he was about to enter his private office, a reedy, nasal voice drifted in from outside the classroom.

"Old man Pang Long, refund my tuition!"