Since then, Cao Ji stopped selling rice noodles and stir-fried dishes and only sold pancakes.
Jiang Da, who used to work in the back kitchen, was promoted to head chef with a monthly salary of three thousand yuan, including meals, accommodation, and additional commissions.
In just a week, business at the restaurant picked up, and a month later, it was packed with guests.
In half a year, they recovered their rent along with the previous losses.
Cao Dayong was exuberant, but he knew better than anyone how this turnaround happened—Jiang Da’s pancake skills had revived the business.
He tried replicating Jiang Da’s steps exactly, but the pancakes he made lacked something.
He knew he had to keep this apprentice!
So, he and his wife treated Jiang Da even better, often sending money to the Jiang family.
The Jiang family was indeed satisfied, and they never mentioned Jiang Da completing his apprenticeship. Jiang Da himself didn’t understand; he thought that three thousand a month was a lot—enough to feed and clothe himself, support his younger siblings in school, and help with household expenses.
The following year, Cao Ji opened its first branch, which also sold pancakes.
That same year, the second branch opened in a neighboring city.
As Cao Ji’s “first apprentice,” Jiang Da often traveled between the branches, training new chefs and teaching pancake techniques. Though the junior apprentices couldn’t quite match his flavor, only true connoisseurs could tell the difference.
Cao Dayong saw the potential for mass production.
He had a vague plan but lacked the courage to put it into action.
At this time, he met a businessman who had advised him before.
The businessman came from the renowned Huizhou merchant line, known for growing small businesses with integrity, unlike the pioneering Zhejiang merchants or the brotherhood-like camaraderie of Shanxi merchants.
Inspired, Cao Dayong decided to take another risk.
Two years later, Cao Ji sprouted across F City like bamboo shoots after rain, gradually taking shape as a chain brand.
By then, Jiang Da was 19, and Cao Dayong was nearly 40.
He hadn’t given up on having a child to carry on the family legacy, but his wife couldn’t conceive.
After medical tests, they found the problem lay with Cao Dayong.
In middle age, with a booming business and increasing wealth, fate had denied him an heir—even a daughter would have been enough!
Cao Dayong became despondent for a while.
That was when Jiang Da caught his eye.
First, the boy was honest and grateful, kind-hearted.
Second, others didn’t know, but Cao Dayong knew that the pancake recipe was Jiang Da’s original creation.
And most importantly, Jiang Da was filial. Over the years, he and his wife had come to see Jiang Da as half a son, forming a bond.
So why couldn’t he officially make Jiang Da his child?
After discussing with his wife, they shared the idea with Jiang Da.
A 19-year-old boy didn’t grasp the implications, but Old Madam Jiang sure did!
Back then, not yet known as “Old Madam Jiang,” 40-year-old Qiu Shufen had been living well, thanks to her eldest son’s monthly remittances. She had managed to support her other children’s education and had money to spare, looking radiant and robust.
She had long eyed Cao’s wealth, often instructing Jiang Da to ask for a raise, though he never did. Unexpectedly, she now found herself with the possibility of Jiang Da being adopted!
If her eldest son became a Cao, wouldn’t Cao’s wealth belong to the Jiang family?
Ecstatic, Qiu Shufen didn’t sleep all night, and the next morning, she eagerly agreed to the adoption.
From then on, Jiang Da would be their son.
Cao Dayong and his wife were delighted and promptly transferred 200,000 yuan to Qiu Shufen, who used it to buy property in the city. To save money, she bought two second-hand units instead of a new one.
She had it all planned: one unit for her second son, the other for her third—problem solved!
Luck or foresight, those dilapidated apartments were soon part of a redevelopment project, and she received a hefty compensation.
With this windfall and her sons doing well, the Jiang family prospered.
Old Madam Jiang still holds onto that compensation, hence the devotion of Jiang Hua and Jiang Teng’s families.
As for Jiang Da, the adopted son, his mother’s property purchase didn’t include him, and he still had to send his salary home monthly. After years of apprenticeship, he had no savings and was suddenly kicked out, becoming the son of his master and mistress.
Fortunately, Jiang Da was close to the Cao couple. Knowing his master couldn’t have children, he was willing to take care of them and accepted his new identity quickly.
However, he never changed the way he addressed them.
Until the age of 22, Cao Dayong treated Jiang Da like his own, teaching him store management and Cao Family Cuisine.
Jiang Da didn’t disappoint, excelling in cooking. He eventually outdid his master, not only improving the dishes but creating thirty-two new ones for the family’s menu.
Little Brother Jiang listened intently, asking, “What happened next?”
Han Yunru, too, looked at her husband with curiosity.
When she married Jiang Da, he was no longer with the Cao family, and he hadn’t mentioned any of this, so she was just finding out as well.
Jiang Fuyue teased, “If Dad had stayed with the Cao family, would we and Chenxing be surnamed Cao? Instant third-generation wealth!”
Jiang Da looked at his daughter with a helpless expression, as if saying, “You’re dreaming! I didn’t even become a second-generation rich kid, and you want to be a third-generation?”
Jiang Fuyue shrugged. “It’s just a thought. Nothing illegal about that.”
Jiang Da’s eyes became distant as he continued reminiscing, “I was 23, right after my birthday, when my master’s wife was diagnosed with cancer…”
Cao Dayong spent a lot on her treatment, but in the end, he couldn’t save her.
On her deathbed, she held both of their hands and told her husband, “Dayong, Ah Da is our son, our real son! Take care of him so he can inherit everything.”
Tears streamed down Cao Dayong’s face as he nodded repeatedly.
She then advised Jiang Da, “You’re a good child. Though you call me ‘Master’s Wife,’ I know you see me as a mother.”
Indeed, in Jiang Da’s heart, she was like a second mother.
“Your master has a bad temper; keep an eye on him. Stop him from smoking and drinking, so he stays healthy. When he’s old and comes to join me, stay by his side. Don’t let him die alone.”
Jiang Da nodded solemnly.
After her passing, Cao Dayong put more effort into running Cao Ji, and soon the chain blossomed, raking in money.
He then began recruiting apprentices, building a loyal team for Jiang Da to lead.
San Panger, Fulman, Da Zhuang, Ah Biao, Xiangqing, and Xiao Douzi were taken in during that time.
All six were orphans, and Cao Dayong gave them the surname Cao.
Over the next few years, Jiang Da trained and bonded with them.
Everything seemed on track until a sudden twist.
Yu Shangmei was that twist.
When she met Cao Dayong, she was under thirty, newly divorced with a son, beautiful and curvy—a “peach,” as they say.
With her attractive appearance and silver tongue, she landed a job as floor manager at one of Cao Ji’s branches.
During a business meeting, she and Cao Dayong locked eyes.
Three months later, Cao Dayong announced their marriage.
Yu Shangmei officially moved in with the Cao family.
Jiang Da hadn’t known a thing before this.
Remembering how his late mistress never enjoyed much comfort, he felt uneasy, but it wasn’t his place to interfere.
After all, he wasn’t blood-related; some things were beyond his reach.
Jiang Da comforted himself, thinking it was good his master had found someone new.
But he didn’t expect that a “new mistress” would bring a “new master.”
Under his new wife’s influence, Cao Dayong grew distant from Jiang Da, eventually distrusting him, believing he coveted his wealth, and took back his authority.
Gradually, all control passed to Yu Shangmei’s son.
Over the next two years, Jiang Da, heartbroken, kept to the kitchen, content with his small salary.
But that peace didn’t last long, broken by an unexpected turn…