After hanging up the phone, Shen Qiang fell silent. Xiu Ju from the Dark Department looked at him curiously and asked, "Have you really decided to compete just because of what your ex-girlfriend said?"

Shen Qiang frowned, glanced at the flowerbeds in the park, and said deeply, "She is not my ex-girlfriend because she is still my girlfriend now, and she is different from others. She chose me when I was at my lowest, and as long as she doesn't plan to leave, I will support her for a lifetime."

Xiu Ju furrowed her brow, "What about Su Xiaonuan and Miao Xiaoxia then?"

"The same," Shen Qiang replied. "As long as they don't choose to leave, I will always take care of them."

"Playboy," Xiu Ju said disdainfully.

Shen Qiang corrected her, "At least, I am a playboy with a conscience. When I bought Datong River, it wasn't to make money but to repay Lv Shuyao. My attitude is still the same now. I really didn't want to participate in this culinary competition before, but now there is a need to make a trip."

"Is it meaningful?" Xiu Ju questioned. "Are you planning to switch careers and become a chef?"

Shen Qiang laughed, "A cultivator who doesn't want to be a chef isn't a good Doctor. It sounds funny, but now I must do it because I understand the despair of someone who spends their life chasing a dream, only never to achieve it."

"Plus, I also have parents. I think if it were their dream, I would definitely help them achieve it if it's within my capabilities."

Xiu Ju furrowed her brows again. "But the Huaxia Culinary Grand Prix is not as simple as you imagine." Looking at her phone, Xiu Ju continued, "In Huaxia, the top three teams from each of the twenty-three provinces compete, and moreover, there is also a guest representative team invited by the Grand Prix committee. So winning isn't as easy as you think; it might just be a waste of time if you go."

Shen Qiang sighed deeply, raised his eyebrow, and said, "For Lv Shuyao, for Lv Shuyao's parents, I think wasting a few days might be worthwhile. Moreover, if this competition were that easy to win, they wouldn't have called to ask for my help."

"Besides, if Datong River could really become the globally renowned chain restaurant that Lv Shuyao's parents hope for, as a holder of fifty percent of the shares, I obviously will also make a handsome profit."

Xiu Ju furrowed her brows and said, "This will affect your cultivation. With less than three months left until your agreed time with Cheng Hai, if you fall behind in your cultivation, you will lose."

Seeing Xiu Ju's anxious expression, Shen Qiang laughed, "Don't worry too much. I will practice my cultivation diligently and won't fall behind."

Xiu Ju fell silent and said, "Whatever you decide is up to you; I am only responsible for your safety."

Hearing her somewhat irritated words, Shen Qiang chuckled.

Just then, Shen Qiang's phone rang again. He picked it up, surprised to see a completely unfamiliar number.

"Hello, may I speak to Mr. Shen Qiang?"

The soft, sultry voice on the other end seemed to have a natural allure.

"This is he, who is this?"

After hearing Shen Qiang's response, the captivating voice on the other end laughed, "I am Chu Qing. We met before at the culinary competition."

Shen Qiang was startled; his mind instantly conjured up the image of the beauty with red lips and three tails swaying behind her, and he couldn't help but laugh, "This is really unexpected, Miss Chu Qing. Do you need something from me?"

"It's like this, as a guest judge for the Huaxia Gourmet Competition, I took a look at the Dinghao team's roster and noticed your name wasn't on it."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiang laughed and, looking at a couple nesting nearby, said, "That's interesting. You managed to find my phone number, so I wonder, you must know that I am now the owner of Datong River."

The enchantingly sweet voice laughed delightfully, "All right, I'll just say it then. Actually, I really wanted to see you at the competition, because even after all this time, I still miss the dreamy food you make. And it's not just me, others are looking forward to it too."

Shen Qiang laughed, "Others too? It's not the Black Mountain Demon, is it?"

The enchanting woman paused for a full five seconds before speaking seriously, "How did you know he was there?"

Shen Qiang suddenly spat out his drink and exclaimed in astonishment, "I was just joking."

Upon hearing this, Miss Chu Qing on the phone chuckled slyly, "I was just joking with you too."

Shen Qiang was stunned; it seemed he had just been outmaneuvered, originally sure he had guessed something, but her playful remark seemed to dissolve everything.

As Shen Qiang was lost in thought, Miss Chu Qing giggled on the other end of the phone, "Okay, no more jokes. I actually called to confirm whether you'll be coming."

"I wasn't planning on going, but after Miss Chu Qing's call, to see your beautiful face, I definitely will," Shen Qiang said with a smile, "Not for the competition, but for you."

Miss Chu Qing on the phone giggled, "You say that in such a way that makes a girl feel touched. Well then, see you at the competition."

"See you at the competition." After hanging up the phone, Shen Qiang's brows were furrowed. Xiu Ju looked at Shen Qiang with disdain, "You're awful, saying things so fake and cheesy."

Shen Qiang frowned and looked seriously at Xiu Ju, "Do you know who called me?"

"Who?" Xiu Ju raised an eyebrow.

"A fox spirit with three tails," Shen Qiang got up and said, "In this world, everyone does things for a reason. I don't believe she called to just make conversation; and though I am handsome, I am not narcissistic enough to think my soup alone could make the Beautiful Demon Fox fall in love with me."

Dark Department Xiu Ju frowned and said, "The Dragon Group has always adhered to the principle that existence is reasonable, never deliberately targeting demons as long as they don't commit evil acts. But if they're planning against you, I must report this."

Shen Qiang laughed and began to jog, saying, "Don't be too nervous. She just has her own agenda. It doesn't necessarily mean she's out to harm me. Moreover, the venue of the Huaxia Gourmet Competition is in Shanghai, which is swarming with powerful figures from the Dragon Group. She wouldn't dare to act recklessly."

Xiu Ju frowned and jogged alongside Shen Qiang. Her pink sneakers and blue sports pants made her look quite tasteless, to the extent that even though she had a good figure, it still looked odd. Therefore, Shen Qiang couldn't help but say, "With those skillful hands of yours, why don't you make some pretty clothes for yourself?"

Xiu Ju was startled, snorted proudly, and then said, "Well, since you're going to compete, I'll be by your side to protect you."

Shen Qiang looked at her, "That's fine by me, but please don't dress so dowdily. Honestly, I don't have any mixed feelings about you."

Dark Department Xiu Ju was annoyed and rolled her eyes at Shen Qiang.

"Really, I'm not lying," Shen Qiang said earnestly. "With you by my side, I'm practically channeling Liu Xiahui."

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