Chapter 150
Starry Sky Kindergarten launched a recruitment campaign for chefs, dubbed the "Chef Hero Challenge." It was to be live-streamed in its entirety.
They announced that after the event, it would be edited into a slow-paced reality show.
The successful candidates would be offered contracts to work at Starry Sky Kindergarten.
When the news broke, it caused quite a stir in the culinary world.
Many people started calling to ask for Liu Chef and Chef Chen's contact information.
These two had been quite famous in the chef community before.
To be honest, many people didn't understand why they had joined Starry Sky Kindergarten earlier.
Given their status and reputation, they could have earned more by opening their own private restaurants.
But then, when Starry Sky Kindergarten started pop-up stores, they found themselves overwhelmed.
So they invited some of their close friends to help out.
And what do you know, everyone suddenly understood why they loved working there.
It was mainly because it was so comfortable.
What do chefs cook for? People like them do it for the praise they receive for their delicious food.
At Starry Sky Kindergarten, many people praised them in person, behind their backs, and online.
It directly maximized their emotional value.
Plus, the ingredients were exceptionally good.
The children were all adorable, sweetly calling them "uncle" and "auntie," and there was even a vegetable garden that the two chefs treated like their own child.
Playing with the kids, growing vegetables, and cooking – it was the life everyone dreamed of.
If those big-name chefs didn't have their own businesses to run, they would have loved to work at this kindergarten for a while.
After they finished helping out, they were feeling regretful, but then unexpectedly, Starry Sky Kindergarten announced this live "Chef Hero Challenge."
Some of the top chefs couldn't resist calling Liu Chef to inquire about what was going on.
They also took the opportunity to congratulate him: "Your boss is really something!"
Before, they didn't know much about Starry Sky Kindergarten, but later they found out that Shen Wei, an outsider to the industry, had managed to dominate the kindergarten sector.
Indeed, one should never underestimate young people.
She was savvy with online strategies.
Now, this chef recruitment event...
It did catch the industry by surprise.
Liu Chef said, "Well, we can't keep asking you guys to come help out. We need more full-time chefs."
When he met his old friends, he couldn't help but gush: "You know, I've worked many jobs in my life, but working at Starry Sky Kindergarten is the most comfortable and satisfying one yet."
"We've known that for a while now. Even someone with your senior apprentice brother's temperament has been able to work there for so long. It's really beyond everyone's expectations. Some people even lost bets on this."
Chef Chen wasn't as easy-going as Liu Chef. He was known for his great cooking but also for his strong personality.
Mentioning his senior apprentice brother, Liu Chef couldn't help but smile. His brother had been so carefree for years, but ended up finding a job and working diligently.
"Want to get involved?" Liu Chef couldn't help but ask his old pal.
"Of course. Don't worry, I'll send one of my talented apprentices to compete. Alright then, you go ahead with your work. We'll catch up another time."
Liu Chef said, "No, no, no. Why don't you come and be a judge?"
The other chef was tempted: "But if I send my apprentice to compete and also judge myself, wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
Liu Chef replied, "What's wrong with that? You won't be the only judge. I've sent messages to Old Xu and Old Zhang too."
"Alright then!" The other chef pretended to reluctantly agree, but his tone was clearly excited.
Some of the big names in the culinary world had agreed to come as judges.
This news sent another shock through the chef community.
Now, when chefs met, they'd ask each other, "Are you going to participate in that competition?"
"Of course! It'd be a shame to miss out on this publicity."
In the past, there used to be cooking competitions and TV shows for chefs.
But in recent years, these had been overshadowed by talent shows and studio-based reality programs.
The niche world of chefs hadn't received much attention for a long time.
Now, even though Starry Sky Kindergarten was only doing an online show, it was still a chance to get exposure.
These days, fame is important too – even the best wine needs a bush.
Moreover, upon closer inspection, all these culinary bigwigs were going to be judges.
Getting their guidance would be invaluable.
Some people simply wanted to go to promote themselves.
If they missed this wave, who knew when the next culinary show would come along.
The live stream fans were also very excited.
"I knew it, our kindergarten is stirring things up again."
"This time, I'm begging you, can we please have a Starry Sky Kindergarten-style restaurant? My kid has been craving it for over a year, but we never managed to get a spot at the pop-up store."
"I second that."
"I'm a longtime fan of the live stream. Can I be selected for a taste test?"
"Wow, is there such a segment? I want to sign up too."
"Me too, me too."
"I've heard before that the food at Starry Sky Kindergarten is delicious. Every time I see the kids eating, I can't help but salivate. The color, aroma, and taste – it makes me crave it just by looking!"
Many parents wanted to send their children to Starry Sky Kindergarten.
It was because these little ones ate so heartily.
Their own children had to be chased around to be fed.
But at Starry Sky Kindergarten, they never had any trouble with mealtimes.
Now they're making such a big fuss about recruiting chefs. That's so like Starry Sky Kindergarten.
Since it was an online show, and he had put together the team himself,
it required a lot of money.
Gu Qingyan directly brought in Gu Corporation as a sponsor.
Gu Corporation had many industries, from jewelry to real estate, stocks, finance, and manufacturing.
But this time, they splurged two hundred million on the naming rights.
Netizens all knew that Gu Qingyan liked Shen Wei and was constantly trying to impress her.
Every time Gu Qingyan was too enthusiastic,
Everyone would dig up the old live stream segment where "Shen Wei clarifies her relationship with Gu Qingyan" and circulate it.
Then they would receive private messages from Gu Qingyan, asking them to delete it.
The masses would be overjoyed, finding this young master from a wealthy family quite interesting.
"Wasn't he too loud before?"
"Now he's eating his words, isn't he?"
Whenever someone posted these clips, Gu Qingyan would catch them without fail.
And spending two hundred million on such a show – now that's earth-shattering true love.
Many people left comments on Gu Qingyan's account: "Little brother Gu, why are you sponsoring this slow-paced reality show?" They asked, knowing full well the answer.
"Is this the power of money that rich people have?"
"How's the progress now?"
Gu Qingyan couldn't resist commenting on that sponsorship post: "Just a little money."
Netizens burst out laughing when they saw it.
"Your 'little' and my 'little' probably aren't the same concept."
"You're still being too modest."
"I've always said, when the old man arranged your childhood betrothal back then, he wasn't choosing just anyone!"
"But come on, you're a diamond bachelor after all. Can't you show a bit more confidence? You're being too humble."
Gu Qingyan replied, "I'm not being humble at all. She accepted my sponsorship!" His tone revealed a hint of excitement.
This quickly went viral, pushed to the top of trending topics by amused netizens. Everyone saw this exchange.
To think there was such an adorably contradictory rich heir among the upper class.
He really was quite lovable.
Netizens: Nice.
Gu Corporation employees: Nice.
Even Gu Qingyan's parents couldn't help but comment: Nice.