After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 34

34:

This episode’s ratings hit a new high, not only thanks to the guest appearances, but also because everyone’s performances were a bit different from the previous two episodes. Even the host, always prone to jokes, praised Jiang Yan’s cooking with exceptionally heartfelt compliments, even later thanking her profusely.

[That licking was a bit exaggerated. It’s just a scallion pancake, just a few slaps of dough on it, and yet he actually expressed such heartfelt gratitude. I’m so drunk.]

[I have to say, that surprise guest appearance is truly impressive. Not only did she monopolize the center position, but she also took home two first places. It was impossible for the others to not admit defeat.]

[As I said before, the power of capital, haha.]

[Waaah, watching in the dorm and getting hungry. I want stir-fried noodles tomorrow too.]

[Why so many conspiracy theories up there? Can’t you just let her cooking be genuinely delicious? Is it that hard to accept someone else’s excellence?]

Online discussions about the episode never stopped. The production team seemed intent on keeping the buzz alive, periodically releasing little behind-the-scenes clips. For example, Jiang Yan grabbing Xia Yining’s hand and insisting she apply medicine, or Xia Yining sitting in the audience watching Jiang Yan cook, her gaze focused with faint traces of tension on her face, and so on.

But among these clips, the one with the highest views was surprisingly the segment where Jiang Yan and Xia Yining ate from the same pancake. Li Xiaoyuan and Qu Lan contributed plenty of repeat views, each time picking up on different sweet details.

Qu Lan, envy in her eyes: “Sharing a pancake with Manager Xia sounds amazing. At first, I envied Director Jiang, but watching later, I ended up envying Manager Xia too.”

Li Xiaoyuan laughed at her: “I’m different. From start to finish, I’ve been envying that pancake.”

The two of them chattered nonstop in front of Jiang Yan, making it impossible for her to focus on browsing the posts.

“You two have been hanging out in my office for so long, what exactly do you want to hear?”

Li Xiaoyuan grinned and admitted outright: “We just want to know why you two ate from the same one. Did the production team arrange it on purpose?”

This kind of manufactured sweetness is the most off-putting afterward, but Li Xiaoyuan’s curiosity was piqued, she wished Jiang Yan would recreate the scene right then.

“Because all the pancakes got divided up, and in the end, I had none left. So Manager Xia reluctantly shared a bit of hers with me.”

Li Xiaoyuan patted Qu Lan’s shoulder triumphantly: “See? I told you. No need for deliberate acting, that’s genuine affection. Even if it’s the last bite of rice, I’d share it with you.”

Probably from watching too many idol dramas, Li Xiaoyuan said it so naturally that it gave Jiang Yan and Qu Lan a wave of goosebumps.

Compared to Jiang Yan, people in Xia Yining’s department didn’t dare joke with her like that. Though they would occasionally mention watching the show, it was mostly vague praise like “it was great,” followed by chiming in to compliment Jiang Yan a few times.

Qin Yishan usually wasn’t into variety shows, but because of Xia Yining, she made an exception and binge-watched it, not missing even the behind-the-scenes clips, and even turned on the bullet comments.

That day, after discussing the next phase of work plan in Xia Yining’s office, she casually asked: “Does Director Jiang usually cook at home?”

Xia Yining paused her pen and shook her head: “We have a chef at home.”

“Her movements on the show were so practiced, I thought she did it often at home.”

Xia Yining didn’t know exactly when Jiang Yan learned these things. Maybe she knew before but never showed it. But the taste was so close to the wedding banquet’s, which puzzled her.

Remembering how Jiang Yan had been going frequently at Boss Qian’s shop lately, maybe she really learned from him. She didn’t know much about kitchen industry etiquette, or how Jiang Yan convinced Boss Qian.

“She’s probably talented and picks it up quickly.”

Seeing Xia Yining wasn’t keen to dive deeper, Qin Yishan changed the subject: “How’s the honeymoon trip preparation going? When do you plan to start your vacation?”

The honeymoon, originally set for this month, had been postponed due to the variety show recording. If Xia Yining took a leave, Qin Yishan would have to shoulder some of her workload.

“It’s not decided yet.”

Qin Yishan was genuinely surprised: “Not decided? You’re not thinking of skipping it, are you?”

Xia Yining actually was. She and Jiang Yan didn’t need a honeymoon to heat up their marriage. She’d seen those recent clips too, and online comments were full of “sugary words”, saying they were way more affectionate than at the press conference. It meant she could temporarily stop worrying about faking more interactions.

Seeing Xia Yining’s lack of enthusiasm, Qin Yishan’s guess hit closer to home.

“I heard there’s a new project that’s going to enter the preparatory stages at the end of this month and will be the focus until the first half of next year.”

The implication was that this project was definitely something truly important.

Sure enough, this topic hooked Xia Yining more than honeymoon talk. Her eyes lit up as she asked: “The one we signed with AG before?”

AG was Europe’s largest media conglomerate, with multiple business branches. They’d signed a major contract with Xia Corporation at the end of last year.

“Yeah, I heard they’re taking it seriously too, they sent a specialist from headquarters to follow through.”

Xia Yining remembered the timeline was supposed to start late November this year. Why the sudden advance?

“It was the AG’s request. It’s not a big deal, so the company agreed.”

This must have been handled by Xia Chenyong and Xia Chenxu.

Seeing her thoughtful expression, Qin Yishan couldn’t resist pressing: “Why not consider postponing the honeymoon and join this project first?”

Xia Yining was already inclined that way. Missing the start would make integrating later tough and passive.

She nearly agreed on the spot, but suddenly remembered something and changed her tune: “I’ll discuss it with Jiang Yan tonight and decide.”

Disappointment flickered across Qin Yishan’s expectant face, clearly not expecting Xia Yining to consult Jiang Yan.

Though the honeymoon was for the two, everyone at the company knew Jiang Yan had no real say in front of Xia Yining.

Online discussions kept going, growing more diverse with more participants, and focus points started branching out. But Jiang Yan’s favorite was still browsing the #HasTraditionalFoodReallyDisappeared# topic. It drew mostly foodie enthusiasts, with lively yet amicable debates.

Probably because food lovers tend to cherish life, always harboring beautiful hopes. Starting from scallion pancakes, everyone listed their unforgettable foods one by one.

Many are still common today, but everyone agreed: they just don’t taste like before.

When Jiang Yan visited the old shop, she saw Qian Ming scrolling the topic too. She ordered a bowl of wonton, blew on a sip of hot soup, and ate slowly.

“Boss Qian, why aren’t you at the shop today?”

Qian Ming had been coming to the shop more lately. Whenever she wasn’t live-streaming, she’d drop by to see if help was needed.

“Dad’s at Uncle Ding’s shop, the renovation’s wrapping up today.”

This meant the old shop’s refurb was officially done. Next up: promotion.

Jiang Yan asked Qian Ming her thoughts, to see if the bosses had a plan after all this time.

“I overheard them decide to stick with the old way: post notices on the storefront and hand out flyers around.”

“What do you think?”

“I definitely think online promo’s easiest, the whole of Haicheng could see it.”

Jiang Yan agreed the internet was ideal, especially since the old shop targeted young customers this time.

“But online marketing costs aren’t cheap now. Lots of platforms require buying traffic. Like us game streamers, new skins mean shelling out to gacha. If you don’t have enough skin, viewers won’t watch. It’s so cutthroat!”

For small streamers like Qian Ming, maintaining popularity sometimes meant subsidizing out of pocket.

“And Dad’s naturally anti-marketing. Last time they discussed it here, I chimed in, and Dad just waved it off.”

“Why?”

Qian Ming sighed and shrugged: “They think it’s like false advertising. Online ads exaggerate so much, customers feel cheated when they come and it’s not great, it ruins the mood.”

It hadn’t happened at the old shop, but nearby ones had plenty of cases. So when the Li family’s representative negotiated, emphasizing unified marketing later, it sparked resistance among the bosses.

Jiang Yan had another idea in mind, also leveraging the internet’s convenience, but avoiding the usual hype route.

After finishing her wonton, even drinking most of the soup, Boss Qian finally returned.

“Xiao Jiang’s here? Why did you not give me a heads-up?”

“I had business nearby this morning, so I swung by for lunch since I had time.” She’d been busy with the show lately and hadn’t come in days.

But she joined group chats at night, so there was no awkwardness. The bosses didn’t treat her as an outsider now. Everyone knew her family was wealthy, Xia family even more so, and she wouldn’t eye the old shop’s assets.

Plus, Boss Qian praised her nonstop. After a few interactions, they found the young woman steady and genuine, naturally pulling her into the circle.

Boss Qian brewed a pot of tea before sitting: hearing Jiang Yan ask about promo, he shared his thoughts.

“What, you too like Xiao Lai, you think flyers won’t cut it?”

“It’s not that it’s not, it’s just that the reach is too limited, and it won’t maximize the promotional effect. But this method can be retained and used elsewhere.”

Boss Qian, upon hearing her say this, knew she had an idea: “Just tell us what you have to say. Whether it works or not, we can all learn from it.”

Jiang Yan didn’t mince words: “Young people spend tons of time online now, and trust on it is heavier than you think. Online promo’s essential, just nail the focus. Don’t hype the shop’s history or craft some boss persona. Just put the real products out there plainly and spread the word.”

Boss Qian half-got it, online promotion was new to him. He’d resisted before, but net-red visits had brought new customers and revived the shop.

“You mean, we can just take pictures of everything we sell and put them online? What’s the difference between that and a menu or a nine-square grid on WeChat?”

“No need for everything, showcase each shop’s signature dish.”