After making my girlfriend’s restaurant go viral online, the boss’s girlfriend finally decided to reveal my identity at the celebration banquet. But my former apprentice beat her to it, walking up to her parents and arrogantly saying: “Hello, father-in-law and mother-in-law. I’m Emma’s boyfriend.” My girlfriend not only didn’t refute this, but even took out the shares that originally belonged to me and gave them to my apprentice in front of everyone. The restaurant staff was in an uproar, starting to make a fuss. My apprentice kicked me while I was down, and my girlfriend didn’t stop him. She even mocked: “Your cooking skills are indeed okay, but without Ryan’s marketing, no one would know about the stuff you make. You should thank him.” I smiled calmly and nodded: “You’re right. I think just giving him shares isn’t enough. I’ll give him my position too.” I took off my jacket and walked out of the restaurant. I want to see how they’ll keep this restaurant running without me as the head chef and behind-the-scenes promoter. Emma announced to all the employees that Ryan had become one of the behind-the-scenes owners of Magic Bistro. The whole room erupted in cheers. I stared at her in disbelief, my pristine white suit suddenly seeming out of place. “Haha, Jack the cook wearing a suit, how ridiculous!” “What good is cooking skill? This is the internet age. Without Ryan’s online marketing, we wouldn’t have any customers!” “Jack always acted high and mighty as head chef and Ryan’s former mentor, but looks like Emma knows who’s really important to our restaurant.” The employees whispered mockingly. I knew they were taking sides, trying to curry favor with Ryan by mocking me. After all, I was just a cook Emma didn’t value, while Ryan was the new golden boy of this grand restaurant. Ryan put his arm around Emma’s waist and looked at me provocatively, his words dripping with fake courtesy: “Master, you dressed up so nicely today. You must be happy for me too, right?” “But why do you look so upset?” I stared coldly at Emma, wanting her to give me an explanation. Emma’s eyes were filled with disdain. Probably afraid I would cause a scene and ruin her carefully planned celebration, she spoke coldly: “Jack, stop with the attitude. I did promise to give you those shares, but who told you to be so useless? You nearly bankrupted the restaurant before. Not making you pay for it was already merciful of me.” “Is that so?” I looked at the woman before me, my heart sinking to rock bottom. The previous mess was clearly caused by Ryan. He secretly used pre-prepared ingredients at an official banquet without telling me. It was discovered, and I helped clean up his mess because he was my apprentice. Emma knew the truth about this incident. But now they were pinning all the blame on me. I was used to it by now though. Ever since Ryan joined the company, Emma had broken her own principles for him many times. Although Ryan was incompetent, he was young and smooth-talking. He knew how to make her happy. Emma’s heart had long since strayed. “Whatever makes you happy.” I no longer wanted to argue further with them. However, Ryan probably thought I was admitting defeat. A flash of smugness crossed his eyes, but his expression became even more pitiful. “Emma, is Master angry at me? If so, I don’t want these shares. You should give them back to Master. After all, he’s been at the restaurant longer than me.” Hearing this, the mockery on Emma’s face became even more obvious. “Don’t worry about him. Our restaurant rewards contribution, not seniority. He has no skills but still has the nerve to take it out on others.” The other employees around also kept mocking me. Hearing this, I truly felt like all my past sincerity had been fed to the dogs. Emma said she was saving face for me, but when had she ever done that? Magic Bistro was built by Emma and me together. But she didn’t understand management at all. From the very beginning, I was the one in charge. Not only did I build the operations team, I also got hands-on myself, using my family’s culinary skills. I even used my family connections to invite celebrities from various circles to dine at the restaurant, creating this wave of popularity for the bistro. I poured my heart and soul into it for so many years. I never expected that now that Magic Bistro had achieved fame and success, Emma would attribute all the credit to Ryan. Since that’s how it is, there’s no point in staying here anymore. I took a long, hard look at Emma and Ryan. Ryan immediately hid behind Emma. “Emma, I’m scared.” Emma immediately glared at me angrily, “Jack, what are you trying to do?! Don’t tell me you want to get violent? I’m warning you, I can make you leave right now!” I loosened my fists, finding the situation strangely amusing. For Ryan’s sake, Emma had threatened me with this excuse more than once before. But in the past, I liked her too much. I was fooled by her repeated promises. I thought as long as I made the restaurant successful, she would really marry me. But now, I finally saw clearly. I calmly took off my suit jacket. “No need for you to kick me out. I’ll leave on my own!” Probably because I had never defied her like this before, Emma was stunned for a moment. I turned and strode towards the exit. “Jack, stop right there!” Emma’s furious threat came from behind, “If you dare leave today, don’t ever come back!” I didn’t look back. I took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called in a long time. “Grandpa, I agree to come back and inherit the family business.” My grandfather was the behind-the-scenes controller of the country’s leading restaurant group. But when I first met Emma, she said she hated those good-for-nothing rich kids, so I hid my identity. For her sake, I rejected my predetermined fate, abandoned everything, and eloped with her in a grand escape. I even went from being a rich young master to becoming a cook, all for her. But it wasn’t until now that I realized how laughable my love was. I hung up the phone and returned to the house Emma and I shared to pack my things. On our bed still lay rose petals, candles, a pure white wedding dress, the property deed I had given her, and a dazzling diamond ring. I had countless times imagined how delighted and excited Emma would be when she saw these things. But now, I packed everything into my suitcase, preparing to leave. I opened my social media and saw that Ryan had posted a photo. In the picture, Emma’s cheeks were flushed red as she curled up like a kitten in Ryan’s arms. Although I had already decided to leave, my heart still trembled for a moment. Ryan had even commented below the post: Thanks to all our friends and family for the blessings. If it were the past me, seeing this message would have made me furiously jealous and confronting Emma. But not anymore. I blocked and deleted Emma and Ryan’s accounts. I no longer wanted to see this pair of scumbags. However, just after blocking and deleting them, Emma called. She angrily said, “Jack, what do you mean by this? How dare you block my account? Just because I gave the shares to Ryan? You have no skills yourself but have the nerve to be jealous of others?” My hand gripping the phone tightened. “Do you really not know whether I have skills or not, Emma?” There was a pause on the other end, then Emma’s voice came even louder. “You dare talk back! Jack, you’ve grown too bold! Don’t think you’re all that just because you can cook a bit. What right do you have to compare yourself to Ryan!” “I’ve never compared myself to him,” I said word by word, “Because he’s not worthy!” I hung up after saying that. Emma kept calling back, but I didn’t answer a single call. She switched from calling to texting. “How dare you hang up on me! Who do you think you are! You really think Magic Bistro can’t do without you? If it weren’t for Ryan, I’d be embarrassed to even show off your pathetic cooking skills.” “Let me tell you, hurry up and come apologize to Ryan! I can give you a chance to take me back, otherwise you can forget about marrying me in this lifetime.” I laughed coldly to myself, really not wanting to waste any more time on her. I turned off my phone and went to sleep. In the past, whenever Emma stayed out late and didn’t come home, I would always worry about her safety. I would lie awake all night, silently waiting by the phone. But now, I couldn’t mistreat myself like that anymore. I lay in bed and slept soundly for the first time, not having to worry about the restaurant or work. However, half an hour later, Emma kicked open my bedroom door. A sudden loud bang jolted me awake. Emma’s furious face came into view. “Jack, are you tired of living?! How dare you hang up on me and not come pick me up!” I was irritated from being woken up. I threw off the covers and sat up. “Didn’t you already announce you’re with Ryan? You can have your boyfriend pick you up!” I was just stating facts, but Emma unexpectedly sneered when she heard this. “What are you getting jealous about again! Jack, I’ve never seen such a petty man as you! But…” She paused, “Since you care about me so much, I’ll tell you – there’s nothing between Ryan and me. We only announced it to create buzz for the restaurant.” She leaned in closer. The unpleasant smell of cigarettes on her irritated my nose. Emma didn’t smoke. The smell was very similar to Ryan’s favorite brand. She continued rambling, “Just go apologize to Ryan tomorrow. As long as he forgives you, I can let you come back as the chef.” I looked at Emma’s mocking expression. She seemed certain I would agree. But this time, I just frowned and pushed her away. “Sorry, not going!” I got up and walked towards another room. Emma’s furious voice came from behind. “Jack! You’re really asking for it! Just you wait!” I didn’t look back, just locked the door and went back to sleep. The next morning, I came out of the room stretching lazily. But I saw Emma sitting unusually docilely in the kitchen, like a newlywed wife. In front of her were two bowls of wonton soup. However, the wontons seemed to have been opened before. Emma saw me come out and smiled at someone behind me: “Ryan, come quick! The wontons will get cold soon!” I turned to look behind me. Ryan was shirtless with just a white towel around his waist. He greeted me: “Morning, Master! I worked out with Emma last night and got all sweaty, so I borrowed your shower. Hope you don’t mind.” “Oh? Emma, why did you only buy two bowls? Didn’t you get any for Master?” Emma snorted coldly, “Is he worthy? Come Ryan, let me feed you.” She fed Ryan a wonton with a spoon, then looked at me provocatively. Seeing the smugness in her eyes, I instantly understood. She was trying to provoke me, wanting me to go crazy in front of her. And she would sit like a queen on her throne, enjoying my possessiveness over her. It may have worked in the past, but not anymore. Right in front of Emma, I calmly left. Although I no longer planned to work at the restaurant, I still had to go back one last time. To help boost the restaurant’s reputation for going public, I had begged my grandfather, the Culinary God, to agree to come promote it. No matter what, I had to take care of this. When I arrived at the restaurant, a large crowd had already gathered outside. They must have heard that the Culinary God was coming and were waiting here on purpose. The restaurant had been promoting this for a while, but they didn’t know the Culinary God was coming because of me. Everyone attributed it to Ryan. Ryan had even arrived before me. As soon as I got there, I heard people praising him. “Ryan is really something, boosting the restaurant’s reputation so much that even the Culinary God was attracted!” Others immediately chimed in: “Exactly, that Jack wanted to compete with Ryan. He really has no self-awareness.” Hearing the flattery, Ryan looked very smug. “Don’t say that. If Jack hadn’t looked down on me before and not let me be a chef, I wouldn’t have done such a good job with marketing.” As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately agreed. “Hmph, I think he’s just jealous. Who does Jack think he is to compare himself to Ryan?” Just as they were enthusiastically kissing up, I walked right in. “Well, if it isn’t Jack? Didn’t you leave? Why are you back?” “Probably saw the Culinary God was coming and came back to mooch off Ryan’s success!” They all looked at me with disdain. I just stared at them coldly. “Who’s mooching off who? Ryan knows best, doesn’t he?” “Such big talk!” Someone immediately stood up to defend Ryan. “Are you saying our Ryan is mooching off you? Look at yourself! What are you?” “That’s right! Our Ryan made the restaurant famous and invited the Culinary God. Can you do that?” Everyone’s eyes were full of mockery. “Don’t tell me you want to say you invited the Culinary God!” “What if I say I did?” “Jack, what trouble are you causing here again!” Emma’s voice came from behind. “Who told you to stand here?” “Emma, you’re finally here!” Ryan immediately stood behind Emma. “Please talk some sense into Master. He’s insisting he invited the Culinary God. The Culinary God is about to arrive. If he hears this…” Emma angrily slapped me across the face. “Who told you to spout nonsense here! The Culinary God clearly came because of Ryan’s reputation. How shameless can you be!” I looked at Emma. “I’m shameless? Emma, you probably still don’t understand who this restaurant really relied on to get where it is today!” “Relied on who?” Emma sneered, “Don’t tell me you want to say it relied on you? Jack, you’re just a cook. Stop trying to take credit.” “That’s right, Master!” Ryan also stepped forward. “You stealing my credit before was one thing, but the Culinary God’s visit concerns the restaurant’s future. I really can’t let you spread nonsense.” Emma came over and slapped me again. “Petty and selfish. Hurry up and apologize to Ryan!” I clenched my fists, seeing the smug smile on Ryan’s face. “What if I don’t?” “Then get out! Get out of Magic Bistro, and I’ll blacklist you in the whole industry. You’ll never work as a chef again in this lifetime!” I raised an eyebrow, finding it amusing. “Blacklist?” Emma probably thought I was giving in. A look of triumph appeared on her face. “That’s right! Jack, you’re just a useless cook, while Ryan has connections with the Culinary God! You’d better understand – if it weren’t for me, you’d never amount to anything in your life!” “Is that so?” I sneered, “Emma, are you sure he has connections with the Culinary God? Are you sure you want to blacklist me for his sake?” “Yes! If you apologize to Ryan now, there’s still time. But this time, you have to kneel.” Emma was confident. Ryan also walked up to me. “Sorry Master, but this is Emma’s decision. I can’t go against it.” The smugness on his face was evident. Just then, a booming voice suddenly came from behind him. “Who dares make him kneel! Who dares!” The crowd immediately parted to make way. Someone exclaimed: “The Culinary God! It’s the Culinary God!”
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