The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

The kitchen gathering usually offers a choice of the usual trio.

There’s Lao Liu’s Barbecue on the side street, Changjingxin Sheep Slaughter Hot Pot Restaurant, and Old Shanghai Fried Skewers.

On such a hot day, barbecue is definitely the more comfortable choice.

Four people sat around the table, clinking glasses and taking a sip of cold beer.

Zhang Jinyu looked at Zhang Jiaxin with envy and said, ”Jiaxin, it won’t be long before you can officially take charge of cooking, right? Wow! That’s impressive!”

Zhang Jiaxin, glowing with enthusiasm, replied with a smile, ”Actually, I’m not great at taking charge right now. I haven’t practiced much before, so jumping into it suddenly, I find myself falling behind. Chef Gu is guiding me, telling me lots of important things to note in cooking. Even how much seasoning to use is prepared by Chef Gu.”

”But I know this opportunity is particularly rare, so I cherish it greatly.”

Fu Yu nodded: ”You have a good foundation, keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to handle it independently.”

Zhang Jiaxin nodded: ”I think so too...”

Everyone at the table had similar experiences and had plenty to talk about.

Originally, due to the tense relationship between Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu, people on both sides rarely interacted.

However, Fu Yu and others had a good impression of Zhang Jiaxin, finding him good-natured and friendly, and they would interact privately.

After finishing the barbecue, on the way back, the four laughed and joked, walking with their arms around each other’s shoulders, their relationship clearly taking a step forward.

Zhang Jinyu, satisfied, burped and said, ”It’s really great! We’re all seeing hope. Chef Fu, no need to mention, has a bright future. Qingning is also coming out ahead now.”

Saying this, he placed a hand on Zhang Jiaxin’s shoulder: ”Let’s work harder and catch up to them soon. Among our kitchen staff, I envy Chef Fu the most, really awesome! He even gets to do door-to-door service, making as much in one trip as I do in several exhausting days in the kitchen!”

Sun Qingning and Zhang Jiaxin deeply agreed with him.

Fu Yu really is incredible!

In this regard, they could only look up to him.

But relatively speaking, having someone so capable by their side meant that as long as they kept up with his pace and worked hard on their own, success was not far off.

The three of them unanimously looked at Fu Yu, their gaze revealing unhidden admiration and envy.

The next morning, Fu Yu filled out the application form and handed it to Yao Shi.

Yao Shi said, ”There’s nothing much this morning, go to the city’s publicity department and submit the form. It’s good to get familiar with the staff, and remember to get their contact information for future communication.”

Following instructions, Fu Yu greeted Zhao Meng in the kitchen and took a car to the city government office building.

The last time he was here was two years ago when the school organized the issuance of ID cards.

He went to Building No. 8 near the government office building.

After a few years, it hadn’t changed much from what he remembered.

Registering at the entrance,

he inquired along the way to find the publicity department office.

Fu Yu glanced at the half-open door and knocked.

A clear voice quickly answered: ”Come in!”

Fu Yu walked in and saw a young figure sitting at the desk near the window.

The person looked up at him.

Both were stunned when they locked eyes!

”Hey! Zhang Qun!!??” Fu Yu exclaimed in disbelief!

Zhang Qun recognized Fu Yu too, was equally surprised, and then exclaimed joyfully: ”Ah! Fu Yu, you’re in Bei’an too!”

Fu Yu walked in quickly, and they both sized each other up, then reached out for a hug.

Zhang Qun laughed heartily: ”What a pleasant surprise this is!”

Fu Yu looked at Zhang Qun’s neatly groomed suit and curiously asked, ”Are you working at the government building now?”

Zhang Qun waved a hand: ”No way! I’m just here for an internship!”

Fu Yu laughed immediately: ”That’s impressive too; being able to intern here is not something just anyone can do.”

Zhang Qun nodded and invited Fu Yu to sit on the guest sofa: ”My family helped me get this, so why are you here? Business?”

The two were high school classmates, sitting front and back, and had a particularly good relationship.

Later, when Fu Yu dropped out, they exchanged letters a few times.

Until Fu Yu came to Bei’an to learn cooking and Zhang Qun got busier with studies, their contact faded.

Fu Yu handed Zhang Qun the application form: ”I’m here to submit the registration form.”

Zhang Qun took a look and was stunned: ”You’re learning to cook?”

Back when Fu Yu dropped out, he just said he didn’t want to study anymore without specifying what he wanted to do.

Mainly because, during that time, he was in a rebellious phase and, besides not wanting to study, didn’t know what he wanted to do.

Fu Yu smiled and said, ”Yes, I later went to culinary school, and after graduating, I found a job locally.”

Zhang Qun nodded, not looking down on Fu Yu for learning cooking.

Instead, looking at the application form, he was surprised: ”Wow! Impressive! You can participate in a cooking competition! But I didn’t know you worked at Qianlima? I’ve eaten there before!”

They were both delighted to meet again after so long.

Even though they chose different paths and now lead entirely different lives, meeting again, they still felt a deep connection.

It was as if their days of sitting in front and back desks, studying, and playing after class were just yesterday.

The two warmly caught up on each other’s situations.

Zhang Qun learned that Fu Yu had just been regularly employed last month, officially becoming the head chef at Qianlima.

Fu Yu found out that Zhang Qun started interning at the city’s publicity department in late June, thanks to family connections.

Whether he could later get a permanent position depended on when he passed the civil service exam after university, and whether his family’s connections were strong enough to secure him the position.

Zhang Qun spoke candidly with Fu Yu.

This was mainly because they had been classmates for nearly two years and knew each other well.

In Zhang Qun’s impression, Fu Yu was very straightforward and trustworthy, loyal, even though he didn’t like studying, classmates and teachers liked him a lot.

He wasn’t one to pursue unrealistic goals or quick success.

Someone like Fu Yu, with such a character, would be popular anywhere and easily make genuine friends.

Back when Fu Yu dropped out, their homeroom teacher publicly said that although Fu Yu wasn’t good at studying, with his character, he wouldn’t be poor and struggling his whole life. As long as he worked hard, he would eventually make something of himself.

Zhang Qun and Fu Yu chatted for a while and then got down to business.

”The city takes this competition very seriously; they say those selected are well-known local restaurants and individuals.”

Zhang Qun, holding the application form, led Fu Yu to the adjacent leader’s office: ”The person mentoring me, Sister Su, is on leave today, but Vice Minister Wang is here and he’s in charge of this competition...”

Zhang Qun explained in a low voice to Fu Yu as they walked.