The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Zhao Meng never wants to deal with these suppliers.

The main reason is that he knows he’s just someone who cooks in the kitchen and has never helped sell anything to customers; he’s always just followed the order sheet to cook.

No work, no reward.

And Zhao Meng is like this with Pang Bowen, with the store’s purchasers, and with others as well.

At work, he is very particular, but in private, he interacts however he feels like.

It’s precisely because of this that people gradually get the impression of him being like a coffin lid.

They think he’s straightforward and difficult to talk to.

But on the other hand, people generally think he’s reliable and trustworthy, someone worth knowing.

Zhao Meng handed the wine to Fu Yu and asked him to help return it to his room.

Then he slipped out the back door to make a call to Pang Bowen.

Pang Bowen quickly answered the call. After hearing Zhao Meng mention the gift, he couldn’t help but laugh: ”Oh, Chef Zhao, you’re being too polite! Don’t say we’re good friends; even if we were just regular friends, knowing someone’s birthday is coming, you’d definitely send a gift. Don’t think too much about it!”

There’s an age-old principle: you owe something if you eat or accept something from others.

Listening to Pang Bowen’s cheerful voice on the phone, Zhao Meng took a deep breath and said with a smile, ”Boss Pang has a big business, so I’m sure this small amount isn’t a big deal to you, but I’m grateful for your kindness. This wine really is a bit too precious.”

This time, Pang Bowen didn’t laugh, and his tone carried a hint of sincerity: ”Actually, I’ve always wanted to find an opportunity to invite you for a meal. Not to talk about work, just for us to hang out privately. We’ve known each other for so many years, and thinking carefully, it seems we’ve never actually eaten together.”

”This wine is just my little token; you shouldn’t feel any pressure. I didn’t spend much on it initially—it was a gift from a friend. My high blood pressure is quite serious, and the doctor advised against drinking it, so it’s just sitting here.”

”I truly think you’re a decent person. We’ve known each other for years. If not old friends, at least we have a pretty good relationship. Seriously, when you have time, we should find a place to have a meal and chat. How does that sound?”

Zhao Meng exhaled: ”Alright, I’ll see when I have time.”

...

During the afternoon meal, Fu Yu sliced up the Jinhua ham, the hotel sausages, and the pine nut small intestines he brought back yesterday.

Everyone had a lively meal.

After eating, Yao Shi called Fu Yu over for a private chat.

”Xiaofu, tomorrow I have two loyal customer orders here, so I’m not going anywhere. You head over to the music restaurant. The previous vegetarian set menu was nice, but it was a bit monotonous. Take a look to see if you can come up with a few more dishes. If you need anything, talk to Zhang Zhen and aim to finalize the menu before it reaches October first.”

Fu Yu responded, ”Alright, I’ll head over tomorrow.”

Fu Yu wasn’t worried about taking a leave, as Yao Shi had his back, so he wasn’t afraid of any checks.

Unexpectedly, he then received a message from Liu Yici.

Liu Yici had something for him and wanted to call him but was worried he might be busy, so she specifically asked first.

Fu Yu quickly informed Zhao Meng and went to a quiet place to make the call.

He had a very good impression of Liu Yici.

On one hand, because Liu Yici was wealthy, a rich woman.

On the other hand, because Liu Yici was genuinely nice. Despite knowing him for a short time, she had already introduced several clients to Fu Yu.

As soon as the call connected, Liu Yici cheerfully greeted, ”Xiaofu, how have you been? Hope I’m not disturbing you?”

Fu Yu replied with a smile, ”Not at all, Sister Liu, do you need anything?”

Liu Yici got straight to the point: ”I just wanted to ask if you know any reliable nutritionists?”

Fu Yu was taken aback: ”Nutritionists?”

Liu Yici said, ”Yes, nutritionists. I have a girlfriend who’s been afraid to eat anything to lose weight, and after over half a year, she’s now damaged her stomach. Her doctor suggested she recuperate through dietary therapy, but I really don’t know anyone in this field. After asking around, I thought of you. Do you have any friends who are nutritionists? As long as they’re professional and good at cooking, money isn’t an issue. My friend’s family is very wealthy, and she’ll definitely offer a higher salary than ordinary nutritionists.”

Hearing this, Fu Yu’s eyes lit up.

Having money is good!

A nutritionist just needs to make reasonable meal plans according to the client’s needs.

In essence, it’s dietary therapy.

And what dietary therapy is more professional or beneficial to the body than medicinal cuisine?

Especially since this client is a wealthy woman.

Fu Yu had a fixation on earning money and believed the more, the better!

Fu Yu eagerly proposed, ”Sister Liu, I can make medicinal cuisine, and for your friend’s situation, I should be able to do dietary therapy for her.”

Liu Yici was quite surprised: ”Really?”

Fu Yu boasted a bit, ”Really! In the past, among my customers, there were clients with anorexia. They usually couldn’t eat anything, but when they came to the restaurant, the dishes I made for them were particularly appetizing. He’s now one of my regulars, and his family often brings him to the restaurant.”

Liu Yici exclaimed in delight, ”You even know dietary therapy?”

Fu Yu explained, ”Actually, so-called dietary therapy is just medicinal cuisine. It ’merges medicine with diet,’ making medicine into food and giving food medicinal properties. Medicine relies on food’s strength, and food enhances medicine’s power; they complement and enhance each other.”

Liu Yici: ”!”

That sounds so professional!

Fu Yu continued, ”For your friend’s situation, we can first customize a specific dietary health plan to slowly adjust, as medicinal cuisine, though effective, works slowly and requires long-term commitment.”

Liu Yici decided, ”Alright then, Xiaofu, will you be at the restaurant tomorrow? If so, I’ll bring my girlfriend over. If she finds it suitable and you’re willing to take the job, then it’s settled.”

Fu Yu thought it was coincidental and responded with a smile, ”Yes, I’ll be at the music restaurant tomorrow, so you can bring her over directly.”

After hanging up, Fu Yu felt quite happy.

Returning to the kitchen in a cheerful mood, his phone vibrated again.

It was a message from Liu Yici: [Xiaofu, could you do me a favor and send me the sentence about medicinal cuisine you mentioned earlier?]

Fu Yu’s first reaction was that Liu Yici probably wanted to post it on her social media again.

He sent the exact sentence he said to Liu Yici.

Liu Yici quickly replied with a [fiery red lips] emoji.

Sure enough, ten minutes later, Fu Yu took the time to check his phone.

Liu Yici updated her social media with a new post.

Picture: a bowl of chicken soup.

Text: [”Merging medicine with diet,” making medicine into food and giving food medicinal properties. Medicine relies on food’s strength, and food enhances medicine’s power; they complement and enhance each other.

Casually eating some medicinal cuisine; a woman should treat herself well (heart).]