I Have a Countryside Gourmet Restaurant

Chapter 244: Chapter 240: Boss Li You Can Make His Opponent Admit Defeat Without Making a Move

Still puzzled, He Xianfei sent another message asking about what was on his mind.

Soon, Chen Wen replied, ”Hahaha! If you want to know, Old He, you’ll just have to come try it for yourself.”

’That Old Chen...’

He Xianfei felt a little helpless.

However, since Chen Wen had put it that way, it meant there was a very real chance the wine there was truly exceptional.

An exceptional wine was undoubtedly something many people would covet and yearn for.

He Xianfei was one of them.

So, in He Xianfei’s opinion, another trip to Li You’s restaurant was necessary.

...

「Jiulong Gorge.」

After finishing his chat with He Xianfei, Chen Wen was in high spirits.

He went back to his food and wine.

Just then, a steady stream of new customers began to arrive.

Chen Wen was no longer surprised by this.

It was only natural for a place like this to be busy.

’Right, since I’m drinking, I might as well order a couple more dishes.’

’Two meat dishes. I’ll go with the Chopped Pepper Fish Head and the Huoxiang Crucian Carp.’

The menu here was almost entirely Chuansheng cuisine, with the exception of the Chopped Pepper Fish Head.

’Chopped Pepper Fish Head is a famous dish from Xiang Province. I wonder how Boss Li You handles dishes from other regional cuisines?’

Chen Wen was eager to find out.

He called Da Bai over again and ordered the Huoxiang Crucian Carp and Chopped Pepper Fish Head. Shortly after, his Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth arrived.

The moment he laid eyes on the Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth, Chen Wen was stunned all over again.

Chen Wen himself could prepare a very authentic and delicious version of the dish.

But now, from the very first glance, Chen Wen knew his own Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth couldn’t hold a candle to the one before him.

The clarity of the broth alone surpassed his own efforts.

This was what ”clear broth” was truly meant to be.

He took a sip of the soup to try it.

Chen Wen scooped up some soup with his spoon and brought it to his lips.

It was undeniably more delicious than the broth of his own Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth.

Chen Wen felt a pang of dejection, but it wasn’t jealousy. Instead, he felt a growing sense of excitement and thrill.

’Boss Li You’s culinary skills are truly unfathomable. He’s definitely on par with a Special Chef, if not even better.’

’Having a chef like him in Chuansheng Province is a point of pride for our entire culinary community.’

’In the future, if chefs from other provinces like Yu Hong come to challenge our Chuansheng cuisine, we won’t have to be afraid.’

Chen Wen instantly felt a surge of confidence.

’I absolutely must introduce myself to Boss Li You later.’

Chen Wen returned to his meal and his wine.

Before long, the Huoxiang Crucian Carp and the Chopped Pepper Fish Head were served one after the other.

First, he tried the Huoxiang Crucian Carp.

Unsurprisingly, it tasted superb. Chen Wen’s own version of Huoxiang Crucian Carp was also excellent.

But compared to the one before him now, there was a noticeable difference in quality.

Finally, there was the Chopped Pepper Fish Head.

This was the dish Chen Wen was most eager to try.

After a single bite, Chen Wen felt that Li You could march right into Xiang Province and challenge the very best Chopped Pepper Fish Head chefs there.

Since chefs from other provinces could come to Chuansheng to issue challenges, there was no reason why Chuansheng chefs couldn’t go to other provinces and do the same.

And the outcome of that challenge? Li You would most likely win.

Chen Wen was very confident about this.

This Chopped Pepper Fish Head was just that delicious. It wasn’t just better than his own; it was likely better than anything even the most skilled Chopped Pepper Fish Head specialists in Xiang Province could make.

’The best Chopped Pepper Fish Head in the country is right here in Chuansheng Province. If that became a reality, it would be incredibly satisfying. I could show it off in front of all the chefs from Xiang Province.’

Chen Wen was already picturing the scene in his mind.

The more he thought about it, the more thrilled he became.

Chen Wen’s mood grew even brighter.

Just then, a young man walked out of the kitchen.

It was clearly Boss Li You.

’He really is young, and handsome too.’

’His age and his looks are both enviable.’

”Boss Li You, could I trouble you to come sit for a moment? I’d like to get acquainted,” Chen Wen called out to Li You.

Li You followed the voice and saw a man of about forty. He didn’t recognize him; this must be his first time at the restaurant.

’But since he knows my name, he probably came here because of my reputation.’

Of course, it didn’t really matter why he was here.

When a customer wanted to get acquainted, Li You would certainly not refuse.

It was a good thing.

So, Li You walked over with a small smile. ”It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”

Chen Wen laughed heartily and said, ”Boss Li You, please, have a seat. I’d like to offer you a bowl of wine, if I may have the honor?”

Li You sat down and smiled. ”The honor should be all mine. Thank you, sir!”

Seeing Li You accept, Chen Wen was even more delighted. He quickly called for Xiaohai to bring another bowl of wine.

He then introduced himself. ”Boss Li You, my name is Chen Wen. I’m also a chef. I’m currently the head chef at the Jincheng Hotel in the provincial capital...”

After the introduction, Li You was a little surprised. The head chef of a five-star hotel, no less.

Li You had heard of the Jincheng Hotel. It was one of the most famous hotels in the entire provincial capital.

He never expected the head chef of the Jincheng Hotel to show up here.

’He must have found this place through a recommendation, right?’

Sure enough, Chen Wen quickly explained how he had ended up here.

He told the whole story in detail, starting from Yu Hong challenging him to a Mapo Tofu cook-off at the Jincheng Hotel, all the way to He Xianfei recommending this place.

’So that’s how it is.’

Li You nodded in understanding as he pieced the whole story together.

As for He Xianfei, Li You certainly remembered him. He was also the head chef of a five-star hotel.

The He Ting Hotel in Heyang City.

Qu Feng worked at that hotel as well. Back then, He Xianfei had come with Qu Feng and Zhao Yanglin.

Then there was Yu Hong.

Li You wasn’t very familiar with the professional culinary world. So, even though Yu Hong was a senior chef, Li You had never heard of him.

But that wasn’t important. What was important, and rather interesting, was that Yu Hong had gone to the Jincheng Hotel to challenge Chen Wen with Mapo Tofu.

As for the outcome, Li You was a bit surprised.

As the head chef of the Jincheng Hotel and a senior chef, Chen Wen’s culinary skills were clearly top-notch.

What’s more, from what Chen Wen said, Mapo Tofu was one of the dishes he was best at.

And yet he’d still lost.

It was quite surprising that Yu Hong, a chef from Zhejiang Province, was so proficient at Mapo Tofu, a classic Chuansheng dish.

However, Li You was confident that he was better than this Yu Hong. So he asked, ”Master Chen, are you hoping I’ll step in and compete against him?”

Chen Wen smiled. ”At first, I did hope you might step in, Boss Li You. But on second thought, you don’t need to do anything at all. All I have to do is bring Yu Hong here and have him taste your Mapo Tofu. I’m certain that once he tries it, he’ll concede defeat willingly. And I’m quite sure he’ll agree to come.”

Li You nodded slowly. ”That works too.”

Li You was willing to step in if necessary.

But it was better if he didn’t have to.

”Boss Li You, come, let’s drink. Getting to know you is truly my greatest honor,” Chen Wen said, raising his wine bowl.

Li You also raised his bowl. ”You’re too kind, Master Chen, far too kind. The honor is all mine, getting to meet you.”

With that, the two men clinked their bowls together and each took a drink.

Chen Wen was overjoyed. He felt that this was the best day he’d had in a long time.

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