The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Liu Yici rushed over to the music restaurant just in time for lunch.

She was accompanied by two friends.

Fu Yu, having received the news, first followed Yao Shi’s instructions and went to the changing room to put on a new set of work clothes.

After ensuring that he looked presentable and neat, he then proceeded to the VIP lounge.

He entered the room.

Upon seeing Fu Yu, Liu Yici smiled and introduced him to her two friends, ”This is Fu Yu, my brother.”

The two friends looked at Fu Yu, surprised.

This young chef was quite good-looking!

With a handsome face, a slender body, those shoulders, that waist, those hips... looking good!

Fu Yu smiled politely, ”Hello, I’m Fu Yu.”

Fu Yu indeed looked very handsome, especially with his brand-new chef’s uniform, which made his face appear even more jade-like and his posture remarkably upright.

Liu Yici, pleased with what she saw, couldn’t help but whisper to her two friends, ”How is he? Handsome, right? He’s the store’s brand ambassador!”

Both friends nodded together, believing seventy percent of what Liu Yici said.

After all, how could someone this handsome not be a good cook?

After Fu Yu sat down, Liu Yici smiled and said, ”Xiaofu, these two are the good friends I told you about. They want to book a table, so you have to help organize this well.”

The two friends, seeing Liu Yici and Fu Yu were indeed familiar, quickly added, ”That’s right, we’re Liu Jie’s closest friends, so we’re counting on you to put in a little extra effort.”

Wang Nuannuan eagerly said, ”Exactly, Xiaofu, I want to book a table with eight dishes and eight bowls. I heard from Liu Jie that your cooking is particularly authentic! I don’t mind a higher service fee, as long as the food’s good! My father-in-law is quite picky, but if he enjoys the meal, I’ll place an order with you every holiday after this!”

Actually, Wang Nuannuan’s household has a dedicated chef, and they’re quite skilled.

But the family is used to their cooking and finds it somewhat ordinary.

For special occasions, they prefer dining out at a restaurant.

Yao Shi called over a waiter to serve tea and then guided Liu Yici and her friends to the sofa to chat, leaving space for Fu Yu and Wang Nuannuan to discuss the order.

Wang Nuannuan had no idea what the eight-dishes-and-eight-bowls banquet entailed.

She only wanted to follow the lead after hearing the Guan Family praise its authenticity, thinking of offering something fresh and new for the elders to try at home.

Fu Yu then carefully explained this banquet.

Actually, the eight-dishes-and-eight-bowls banquet didn’t have fixed dishes; it was adjusted according to current popular vegetables.

However, in front of Wang Nuannuan, it couldn’t be described so casually, or the banquet wouldn’t seem grand enough.

The music restaurant had already prepared the menu in advance for the eight-dishes-and-eight-bowls banquet, complete with relevant dish photos, pricing, and detailed notes on the ingredients.

Being a custom order, the menu was made very exquisitely.

As Wang Nuannuan went through the dishes one by one, she paused at the bowl of pork stew with blood sausage.

”What is this dark thing?”

Fu Yu answered truthfully, ”Blood sausage.”

Wang Nuannuan frowned, ”How do you even eat this?”

Fu Yu understandingly said, ”This dish can be substituted with pork knuckle, which is also delicious.”

Wang Nuannuan sighed in relief, knowing pork knuckle was nutritious and tasty.

She nodded, ”Alright, let’s replace it.”

Then she saw the platter of sautéed frog legs.

”What’s this?”

Fu Yu helpfully explained, ”These are frog legs, but they can be replaced with fried meatballs, as frog meat isn’t great this season.”

Wang Nuannuan asked, ”Did the Guan Family order these dishes?”

Fu Yu answered honestly, ”They only replaced the sautéed frog legs; the rest were done as is.”

After hesitating a bit, Wang Nuannuan decided to stick to the Guan Family’s banquet.

What if changing the dishes made it less authentic?

With no objections to the menu, Wang Nuannuan discussed with Fu Yu about hosting the banquet at home on the Mid-Autumn Festival.

However, Fu Yu firmly refused, ”Our restaurant is very busy during the Mid-Autumn Festival, I can’t leave. If you want to place an order, it can only be after the festival.”

Wang Nuannuan didn’t know Fu Yu was referring to Qianlima and thought he meant the music restaurant.

But she understood that restaurants indeed got busier during holidays.

Moreover, Liu Yici had mentioned before that this young chef was popular for his excellent cooking, with many people requesting his service.

The plan this time was to choose dishes and place the order; the specific date for the banquet would depend on Fu Yu’s schedule.

Liu Yici raised this point to enhance Fu Yu’s service value.

Unknowingly, she prepared for contingencies.

Qianlima always had a policy that during holidays, no staff could take leave, and home-service gigs weren’t accepted.

With Liu Yici having forewarned her, Wang Nuannuan didn’t insist.

With the dishes chosen and methods and tastes clarified, the order was finalized.

The timing was coordinated with Fu Yu’s availability.

Yao Shi came over to register the order, and since Liu Yici vouched for it, no deposit was required.

However, Wang Nuannuan voluntarily said, ”I’ll pay a two-thousand service fee upfront as a deposit, and after the banquet, if I’m satisfied, I’ll settle the remaining amount.”

Before Fu Yu could respond, Yao Shi handed out a payment code, ”Alright, I’ll fill it onto the order form immediately.”

Wang Nuannuan’s order was settled and signed.

The remaining friend was much quicker to deal with.

Fu Yu also gave a detailed explanation of the menu, and she listened intently.

She had no objections to the eight-dishes-and-eight-bowls banquet.

She accompanied mainly out of curiosity about the Imperial Palace’s dishes and flavors.

As long as the food was tasty and distinctive, nothing else mattered.

With the customer’s cooperation, Fu Yu finished his introduction, and Yao Shi also made a registration.

Following Wang Nuannuan’s example, she also paid a two-thousand yuan service deposit upfront.

In less than half an hour, two home-service orders were secured.

The remaining tasks were left to Yao Shi to organize.

After all, Fu Yu worked under him, and Yao Shi had the final say on any leave arrangements.

Before leaving, a waiter delivered a delicate gift box.

Fu Yu, following Yao Shi’s prior instructions, received it and handed it to Liu Yici.

”Sister Liu, this is a staff benefit from our store, containing our signature desserts. I set aside a portion for you. I originally planned to deliver it, but since you’re here, I’ll give it to you now.”

Liu Yici was overjoyed, and as she took the gift box, feeling its weight, she beamed, ”Great, then I’ll accept it.”

Seeing the envious expressions of her friends, her vanity was once again satisfied.

Is this gift that valuable?

Of course not!

What made people envious was the person giving the gift and the thought behind it.

Looking at Fu Yu, Liu Yici thought to herself: This guy is quite perceptive!