Chapter 60: Buddy, You’ve Got Kidney Weakness

7:00 p.m.

Arriving at the entrance of Azure Hotel, Chen Yun found the place bustling with activity. Luxury cars pulled up one after another, each delivering a pair of distinguished gentlemen in tailored suits or elegant ladies and heiresses adorned in finery.

“Hello, who are you looking for?” The hotel had given special instructions to the greeters and security at the door: the restaurant was closed for the evening, and only those invited by the mayor were permitted entry. So, when the greeter saw a young man who looked distinctly like a student approaching, he stepped forward promptly and asked.

“I’m here to attend the mayor’s daughter’s banquet,” Chen Yun replied.

The greeter eyed him with suspicion. Chen Yun’s ordinary looks and bargain-basement attire made it hard to imagine he’d received an invitation. After all, access to such a high-profile mayoral dinner was reserved for the wealthy and powerful—this was a gathering for the upper echelons, well beyond the reach of ordinary folk.

“Do you have an invitation? Let me see it,” the greeter demanded.

Invitation? Chen Yun was bewildered. Was there such a thing?

Seeing Chen Yun’s confusion, the greeter was certain the young man had no invitation. His expression turned stern. “If you don’t have an invitation, you cannot enter.”

“I don’t have an invitation, but Chairman Jiang Shan sent me,” Chen Yun said quickly.

“You know Chairman Jiang?” The greeter had clearly heard of Jiang Shan’s reputation and asked, “How can you prove it?”

“He’s in the hall right now. If you don’t believe me, ask Chairman Jiang to come out. That should clear things up,” Chen Yun replied, exasperated by the greeter’s stubbornness.

“Pan Xuancheng, there’s a Chairman Jiang Shan in the hall, right? Tell him there’s a young man outside claiming to be his friend. Ask if it’s true,” the greeter spoke into his radio to a staff member inside.

“Wait here. If you really are Chairman Jiang’s friend, I’ll let you in.”

“Alright,” Chen Yun said, frustrated by the greeter’s persistence. Bored, he cast a probing skill and, after reading the information it returned, a smile crept to his lips.

A short while later, after receiving confirmation, the greeter addressed Ye Ming, “Apologies, the hotel is taking this event very seriously. Our management has decreed that only invited guests may enter. We’re simply following hotel policy, I hope you understand. Please, come inside.”

“I understand,” Chen Yun replied, stepping forward. As he passed the greeter’s shoulder, he whispered, “Hey man, your kidneys are weak. Eat a couple more skewers of lamb kidney to help.”

The greeter froze, watching Chen Yun disappear into the hall. Cold sweat broke out all over his body. Damn, no wonder he’s a friend of Jiang Shan, the famed national physician—he could diagnose me at a glance. Incredible!

Chen Yun scanned the hall and spotted Jiang Shan, who was conversing with several people. He walked over and called, “Chairman Jiang.”

“Ah, Xiao Chen, you’re here.” Jiang Shan greeted him enthusiastically, then turned to the elders beside him, “This is the master chef Chen Yun. Chen Yun, meet Elder Liu, Elder Yu, and Elder Huang.”

“Greetings, Elder Liu, Elder Yu, Elder Huang.” Chen Yun bowed respectfully, careful not to overstep in front of his elders.

“Good, you’re clearly a well-mannered young man—much better than my own children, who have no sense of etiquette!” said one elderly gentleman, his hair almost wholly white, with a smile.

“Haha, of course. Anyone I’ve taken a shine to must be better than yours,” Jiang Shan joked easily, clearly familiar with the group. He turned to Chen Yun, “I forgot to give you the invitation before you left. My apologies.”

“No need for formalities, Chairman Jiang,” Ye Ming replied with a smile. “It’s fine—I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Yes, that’s true. You’re in, that’s what matters. It’s nearly time—let’s head to the banquet hall on the sixth floor.”

Following Chairman Jiang into the elevator, they ascended until a soft chime announced their arrival at the sixth floor.

As the doors opened, a wave of sound washed over them. The banquet hall was splendidly adorned. Along both sides were two rows of long glass tables, laden with an array of exquisitely prepared dishes, desserts, fruit, and wines.

At either end of the tables stood wine racks shaped like lotus blossoms, each holding glasses of variously colored spirits for guests to help themselves.

In one corner, a young man in a white tailcoat, his hair braided, played a passionate piano piece with an almost manic energy.

For Chen Yun, it was the first time he’d attended a banquet of such scale. Watching the elegantly dressed guests mingling with glasses of wine, he was deeply impressed. This was truly a gathering of the elite—the spectacle, the grandeur, was something an ordinary person might never witness in a lifetime.

Surveying the guests’ attire, then glancing at his own street-market clothes, Chen Yun sighed inwardly. It wouldn’t matter if he’d come alone, but now he bore the status of a master chef. Wearing such shabby clothes was a disservice to Chairman Jiang.

Chairman Jiang’s standing in high society—whether in politics, business, or medicine—was exceptional. The guests, upon seeing him enter, stirred briefly, and soon a dozen or so people approached, glasses in hand.

“It’s a real surprise to see Chairman Jiang here,” said a middle-aged man in his fifties, smiling. “My wife’s illness was cured thanks to Chairman Jiang’s miraculous skill. Otherwise, she would have suffered so much longer.”

“My father, too. If not for Chairman Jiang’s intervention, he might not have survived… Thank you for saving his life.”

“Chairman Jiang…”

Surrounded by admirers, Jiang Shan was the center of attention. Chen Yun couldn’t help but feel drawn to the medical profession. He was almost at level ten—perhaps he should consider doctor as his second profession?

“Chen Yun, come here. Let me introduce you. This is Master Chef Chen Yun. Please take good care of him in the future,” Jiang Shan said, making sure to pave the way for Chen Yun at such an important gathering.

“I am Chen Yun. Greetings, elders,” Chen Yun said with a gentle bow.

“So you are the Master Chen who crafted the grandmaster-level dishes. I’ve long admired you.”

“My goodness, such a young master chef!”

“Chairman Jiang, you’ve really struck gold.”

Hearing the praise, Chairman Jiang glanced at Chen Yun. Seeing that he remained humble and unassuming, Jiang Shan was well pleased—modest, composed, neither arrogant nor proud. Definitely worth nurturing!

Just as the group was about to speak further, the entire banquet hall suddenly plunged into darkness.