Volume One, Chapter 18: Jealousy and Rivalry

“Journalist Su, I don’t think it’s appropriate to say that. Su Corporation is the largest food enterprise in Jiangzhou. They have already made considerable concessions to provide meals specifically for athletes, demonstrating their integrity as a responsible company and their commitment to social responsibility.”

Lin Tingyuan’s voice was as calm as ever, yet it carried no warmth. It was clear he was displeased.

Hearing this, Susan frowned slightly, clearly not expecting Lin Tingyuan to defend Su Corporation.

“Captain Lin, I have no grounds to argue with you at the moment. Without an investigation, I have no right to speak on whether Su Corporation has indeed made concessions.”

“In that case, your careless remarks just now could be considered defamatory.”

“It was just casual talk over a meal, not that serious.”

“Right now it’s just a complaint, but who knows if Journalist Su will turn it into a written exposé?”

“I’m too busy for that. I haven’t even finished organizing the interview drafts.”

“The pen wielded by a reporter is powerful. A single sentence can define many matters — it’s terrifying.”

“Captain Lin, do you perhaps misunderstand us journalists? You shouldn’t. You’ve always had a good relationship with the media.”

“It’s not the open threats I fear, but the hidden ones.”

Back and forth they went, volleying remarks for several rounds. Lin Tingyuan’s relentless persistence successfully provoked Susan. She had been holding back her resentment to maintain the peace, but now that Lin had escalated the matter so far, she no longer wanted to tolerate his bad habit.

Jiang Ming observed silently, his brow furrowed slightly. He could clearly sense that the woman beside him had reached her limit and was preparing to strike back.

---

Sure enough, the next moment Susan put down her chopsticks, brightened, and a resolute sharpness flickered in her smiling eyes.

“Captain Lin, first, I apologize for my untimely complaint. I forgot you are the spokesperson for Su Corporation, a company with a strong sense of responsibility. But it was just a joke; please don’t take it to heart. Second, I bear no ill will toward Su Corporation, nor do I have any intention of reporting negatively on them. Lastly, since the joke started with the meat, let’s talk about that meat. I simply feel that such strict purchase limits on this meat are unwarranted.”

Jiang Ming, previously disinterested in the verbal sparring, had been focused on his meal and genuinely believed Susan wouldn’t lose in a war of words. But seeing her suddenly shift gears with such seriousness, he slowed his chopsticks, chewing thoughtfully while casting a sidelong glance at her.

“Oh? It seems Journalist Su is quite knowledgeable about beef?” Lin Tingyuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of disdain in his voice.

“Just a foodie,” she replied.

“Do you know why this specially supplied beef is so precious? It’s not only delicious but also beneficial to athletes.”

“That’s right,” Gao Lu chimed in sweetly, though her tone carried a subtle edge. She was displeased that Susan was sitting beside Jiang Ming and seized the opportunity to retort. “Beef contains iron, vitamin B12, and creatine, which greatly enhance oxygen transport and endurance. It’s excellent for swimmers. Not to mention, Su Corporation’s specially supplied meat is aged to reduce acidity, making it absolutely worth the price.”

Tian Yang also joined in, nodding arrogantly and shooting Susan a condescending glance, as if looking down on a country bumpkin.

Susan nodded slightly, letting out a soft chuckle.

“I agree entirely with those points. I’m certainly no expert in sports nutrition, but as a foodie, I know well that meat comes in many grades and there are great differences between them.”

Susan remained composed, smiling gently. Even in a three-against-one debate, she did not lose an ounce of composure. Her steady tone and underlying meaning piqued everyone’s curiosity about what fresh insights she might offer next.

Wang Yining and Wang Guli exchanged looks, put down their chopsticks, and eagerly focused on Susan, eager to hear what surprising remarks she would make.

Even Jiang Ming, who had spoken little until now, stopped eating, idly twirling a piece of beef on his chopsticks with his eyes fixed entirely on Susan.

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After a brief pause, Susan quickly scanned the group. In a two-second exchange of glances with Jiang Ming, she read a note of affirmation that warmed her heart and deepened the smile at her lips. She picked up a piece of meat, examined it carefully, chewed slowly, then set down her chopsticks and spoke calmly.

“The chef mentioned these are Su Corporation’s specially supplied aged beef for the sports teams, and I believe that. After all, Su Corporation’s core business is high-end catering, and that’s how they made their fortune. They have excellent qualifications and skilled operations, having been strategic partners of the Jiangzhou Sports Bureau for many years, and in recent years cooperating with the national swimming team. If I’m not mistaken, during last year’s Olympics, all the meat consumed by the national swimming team abroad was supplied by Su Corporation. So I have no doubt about the quality of Su Corporation’s meat. But the chef also said the reason this particular meat is limited in purchase is that it’s the S-grade flank of Bohai Black Cattle, priced at over a thousand yuan per jin, which I find exaggerated. Because this is neither Bohai Black Cattle nor S-grade flank.”

Everyone present was somewhat dumbfounded to hear a sports reporter speak so knowledgeably about beef.

Lin Tingyuan’s expression tightened. He hadn’t expected Susan to spot that detail. He thought no one present besides himself could know this key information. He wasn’t too concerned about the canteen’s meat, as he already had access to genuine Bohai Black Cattle S-grade flank.

“How do you know it’s not?” Lin narrowed his eyes and pressed.

“Bohai Black Cattle are entirely black, with marbled meat and a tender texture. This meat is tender and juicy, but the grain is wrong. If I’m correct, this should be Angus beef. Of course, I’m not saying Su Corporation is substituting inferior meat. Both are premium beef, rich in protein and amino acids, with high nutritional value. Ordinary Bohai Black Cattle sells for about 300 to 500 yuan per jin, and good Angus beef is roughly the same price.”

Striking the right chord with an expert, Lin Tingyuan drew a sharp breath. Realizing there was no point in continuing the argument, he gave a thumbs-up and smiled sheepishly:

“Journalist Su, you really are well-informed. Coming to our canteen and already spotting a big flaw. Su Corporation is a conscientious company and definitely compliant. I guess the chef is just skilled at cooking, not so much at identifying meat. He must have been told this was premium and expensive, so he embellished it to impress you.”

Lin Tingyuan offered her a graceful exit, and Susan accepted it readily.

She was, after all, surnamed Su herself and had just shown an unusual familiarity with Su Corporation. To avoid suspicion, she wisely chose to stop.

“Captain Lin, you flatter me. I’m just a foodie with some knowledge about eating, and I studied journalism, having done social reporting in college. Su Corporation is a well-known local enterprise, so I know a bit. That was just me talking big—please forgive me. Let’s eat quickly!”