The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Braised fish, Wu’an stew, braised pork knuckle, stewed ribs...

The Liu family was enjoying their meal very much.

When the mixed meat dish was served, the rich aroma of meat filled the air, making everyone’s mouth water.

Liu Yu’s wife’s dissatisfaction disappeared completely.

This mixed meat dish was truly beautifully made.

It looked like a piece of artwork, the color very enticing.

With just a light touch of the chopsticks, it fell apart. Taking a piece to taste, it was rich, authentic, delicious, and appetizing, fatty but not greasy.

By the end of the meal, Liu Yu was utterly silent.

He looked at the abundant dishes filled on the table before him.

No matter how unwilling he was, he had to admit, the three-course dinner was indeed authentic!

Cold dishes were about presentation, hot dishes were about taste.

This dinner was just so traditionally made!

Even he couldn’t find any fault, and even suspected these dishes were originally made by Yao Shi, because otherwise how could they be made so well?

Liu Yu found it unbelievable!

Elder Liu buried his head in his meal, usually eating a bowl’s worth, but today he ate half a bowl more.

This sweet and sour rice was really delicious, not only helping with the greasiness but also refreshing and uniquely appetizing.

”Dad, how’s the food?”

Elder Liu took a sip of the sweet and sour soup at the end and smacked his lips with a lingering taste: ”Delicious... this restaurant really did a great job!”

Liu Yu’s wife nodded in praise, ”I was worried these three courses wouldn’t be that tasty. Dad, you rarely want to eat Qianlima’s specialty dishes, if this meal was messed up tonight, I’d definitely get upset!”

”Didn’t expect these three courses to be really tasty!”

Liu Yu’s wife sincerely praised a few words, looking at the leftover food on the table, she felt a bit regretful: ”Should we pack it up?”

As they finished and prepared to call the waiter,

Yao Shi finally had his hands free in the back kitchen, and he specially came to the second floor to greet Liu Yu’s family.

If he didn’t know Elder Liu came along, Yao Shi wouldn’t have made the trip.

But since the elder was here, both emotionally and logically, he should definitely show his face.

Yao Shi didn’t come empty-handed.

Today being Mid-Autumn Festival, he specially brought two boxes of mooncakes prepared by the restaurant earlier.

Different from those distributed to the staff, those given to the customers were better quality.

Liu Yu being an insider, he could be less reserved.

Yao Shi first went to Room 209 across the hall.

The three-course dinner at Tang Jian’s table was also served completely, and the family was enjoying their meal happily.

As Yao Shi approached the door, he heard Tang Jian reciting a poem: ”With one soup to start, one to end, eight bowls, seven plates all unique. Serving meals while toasting guests afar, savoring flavors that intoxicate heroes with a mere tip of the tongue.”

Listening carefully, it was apparently a poem about this three-course dinner.

Yao Shi had heard the old master in the shop chanting it before, so he was quite familiar with it.

However, he didn’t expect Tang Jian to also be knowledgeable; this person truly knew how to enjoy food!

Yao Shi stood at the compartment door, waiting for them to finish talking and laughing, then stepped forward to knock and enter.

Yao Shi’s arrival was a pleasant surprise for Tang Jian and made him feel quite honored.

When he received the gift box, he was smiling from ear to ear.

His family was wealthy, they certainly wouldn’t mind this small holiday gift.

What he valued was this gesture, having Qianlima’s head chef come to visit, that was quite an honor.

Yao Shi exchanged polite words with Tang Jian’s family, and when leaving, had the waiter close the door to the compartment.

Otherwise, if Tang Jian saw him duck into the opposite Room 210, it wouldn’t be ideal.

As the door to Room 209 closed, Yao Shi took the other gift box from the waiter and entered Room 210.

Upon entering, Yao Shi was taken aback.

Liu Yu’s entire family was sitting around the table, apparently done eating and ready to go.

And the table was filled with various dishes and bowls.

Yao Shi instantly recognized this was a three-course dinner.

This...

When Liu Yu saw Yao Shi arrive, he quickly stood up to greet him, pulling him to sit beside him.

The two families had always maintained a good relationship.

Exchanging warm greetings, Yao Shi handed the Mid-Autumn gift box to Liu Yu.

Liu Yu accepted without hesitation, and directly asked, ”Old Yao, did you cook this three-course dinner?”

Yao Shi was momentarily dumbfounded upon seeing the three-course dinner.

He did indeed prepare this spread, but the dishes were all set in the opposite Room 209.

The meal Liu Yu’s family ate wasn’t actually prepared by him.

But besides him...

Zhao Meng injured his hand.

Gu Yunwu’s cooking station was closest to his position, he had a passing glance earlier, and didn’t see who made this table of dishes!

Aside from them, the only other possibility was Fu Yu.

Thinking of Fu Yu, Yao Shi felt a mix of emotions.

He was convinced it was him, while also finding it astonishing.

That Fu Yu kid!

He really could do anything!

When Liu Yu heard Yao Shi’s explanation, he was shocked: ”Fu Yu? You mean he made this whole spread?”

Yao Shi nodded: ”Indeed.”

Regarding Fu Yu’s past part-time work at the music restaurant, Yao Shi had informed Liu Yu.

Even the latter presentation with balloon platters and eight bowls-eight plates feast, Yao Shi truthfully told Liu Yu.

Liu Yu had always thought highly of Fu Yu, seeing him as a young talent in the kitchen, worth nurturing.

Until today, tasting Fu Yu’s food himself, Liu Yu couldn’t help but repeatedly exclaim: ”This Chef Fu is truly remarkable! Impressive!”

Yao Shi, smiling, sincerely said: ”Fu Yu is a disciple personally mentored by Zhao Meng. If he wasn’t outstanding, I wouldn’t have offered him the part-time opportunity.”

”Fu Yu is only in his early twenties, he has a promising future. If Zhao Meng hadn’t been persuaded by me, we wouldn’t have had the chance to bring him over to our side!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu nodded involuntarily.

Indeed, this Fu Yu is very impressive!

He hadn’t met Zhao Meng but had heard enough about him from Yao Shi to have a preliminary impression, that he was a seasoned culinary expert, and a straightforward, reliable person.

For him to attentively mentor someone, Fu Yu must surely be a person of excellent character and talent.

Liu Yu, having long been immersed in the business world, greatly valued talent.

So, after hearing Yao Shi out, he immediately decided, ”The kitchen was definitely too busy today, but in the coming days, see if you can arrange a dinner gathering? I would like to meet Fu Yu.”

Yao Shi knew exactly what Liu Yu intended.

Clearly, he was interested in recruiting.

But since Liu Yu had spoken, naturally he would assist in making arrangements.

Yao Shi nodded: ”Alright, I will take care of this, and inform you once everything is settled.”

Liu Yu smiled, looking towards Yao Shi: ”When it comes to selecting talent, I trust no one but you!”

In this regard, Yao Shi indeed excelled.

Just look at the back kitchen management at the music restaurant, Liu Yu, as the second boss, was practically hands-off, yet at the end, he could still count the profits with tremendous joy.

Yao Shi simply had the ability to achieve that, you couldn’t deny it!