The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Feng Xiaoxiao was busy scalding the utensils, while Liu Yunpeng turned to chat with Fu Yu:

”I originally planned to invite you over to Hejiahuan for a meal, to try the specialties at our restaurant. But Xiaoxiao insisted that you usually eat seafood stir-fry at the restaurant and are probably tired of it, so she chose this place specially.”

Fu Yu chuckled and joked, ”Sister Feng knows how to care for people. But next time, I still want to try the specialties at your place. However, I’ll have to sneak over.”

Liu Yunpeng was taken aback and looked at Fu Yu, ”Why is that?”

Fu Yu smiled awkwardly, ”I’m afraid others might think Chef Liu is my brother and give me a free meal.”

Liu Yunpeng burst into hearty laughter.

He was nearing forty, and already looked older than his peers. With his work in the kitchen, he was greasy and grimy every day, making it impossible to stay clean and tidy.

Now he was also running Hejiahuan, busier than ever, often not getting a day off for a month.

He and Feng Xiaoxiao had known each other and dated for almost seven years.

As he noticed himself getting older, Feng Xiaoxiao still seemed like the young woman she used to be, increasingly refined in her dress and taste.

When walking together, they could easily be mistaken for father and daughter by those who weren’t paying attention.

Hearing Fu Yu call Feng Xiaoxiao ”sister” first and then ”brother” to him, his heart felt sweet, as if being recognized by his girlfriend’s family.

”Ah, the way you called me brother, it feels great!” Liu Yunpeng said with a cheerful smile, ”Alright, from now on, you can call me brother! That’s settled!”

Feng Xiaoxiao paused her action of scalding the cups and turned her head in surprise to look at Liu Yunpeng.

She saw him with a silly grin, clearly looking delighted.

She thought for a bit and then understood why he was so happy, shaking her head helplessly but feeling warm inside.

The dishes at this restaurant were served quickly.

The three sat around the table, chatting while eating hotpot.

The pot was filled with the fresh aroma of beef soup, which smelled very authentic.

As soon as the beef was served, Fu Yu could tell that this restaurant used very generous portions.

It was indeed fresh beef, clearly not in the rigor mortis stage, and the meat was very tender.

With the first bite of beef, Feng Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but praise, ”The beef here is absolutely amazing! When I first came to check out the place, the owner mentioned that this beef is served to customers within six hours of slaughter whenever possible...”

Liu Yunpeng couldn’t help but interrupt, ”Nonsense! This beef is at most brought directly from the slaughterhouse. The slaughterhouse has working hours; how can they guarantee fresh beef supply at any time? Freshly slaughtered?”

Feng Xiaoxiao widened her eyes, ”Why would I lie to you? The manager of Bei’an Slaughterhouse is the brother of the restaurant’s owner! There are three trucks delivering beef from the slaughterhouse every day, and it’s always brought in through the front door. Customers often see fresh beef being delivered when they come to eat!”

Liu Yunpeng was a bit surprised, ”Really?”

He tasted a piece of beef and savored it carefully, ”This beef is indeed tender, and it doesn’t taste like they used tenderizer.”

Feng Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes, ”What did I tell you? Every time I say something, whether you understand or not, you always have to argue for a bit!”

Realizing his mistake, Liu Yunpeng quickly picked up a piece of beef and placed it on Feng Xiaoxiao’s plate, ”I was wrong. I’ll change, here, have some beef to calm down.”

Feng Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but smile, ”Stop sweet-talking me!”

She scolded lightly, but still smiled as she ate the beef.

Feeling like he was watching PDA, Fu Yu silently put two pieces of beef into the pot for himself.

Seeing Feng Xiaoxiao, usually so fashionably dressed, now looking so girlish and charming, and Liu Yunpeng so warm and friendly, neither treating him as an outsider.

This made Fu Yu feel both comfortable and fond of them.

Liu Yunpeng opened a bottle of Xifeng liquor from the table, smiling, ”I usually don’t drink, but this is some authentic vintage Xifeng liquor Xiaoxiao brought back from out of town. They say it’s a collector’s item! Let’s try it and see if it’s strong enough!”

This vintage Xifeng, Fu Yu had tried a sip before at Zhao Meng’s place.

It was said that with its years in storage, its current value far exceeded the original market price.

The older it gets, the more valuable it becomes!

Fu Yu raised his cup and clinked glasses with Liu Yunpeng and Feng Xiaoxiao, taking a small sip.

What a fine wine!

The taste was very unique!

It had a very expensive flavor...

They said they would talk while eating, but all three had just finished a long day of hard work, and with this delicious beef hotpot.

So they focused on eating rather than talking, and it was only after half full that they slowed down and started to chat casually.

Feng Xiaoxiao placed the ingredients she wanted to eat into the pot, then turned and said, ”Xiaofu, your membership application has been approved. You should be receiving your membership notification these days.”

Fu Yu quickly expressed his gratitude, ”That’s great, thank you, Sister Feng!”

Feng Xiaoxiao smiled, ”You’re truly lucky. You just got confirmed, and soon you’ll be participating in the annual meeting. Half a month later, the association will hold the annual meeting in the provincial city, and I’ll send you an invitation in advance. The address for this membership application is mine.”

Fu Yu nodded, ”Okay!”

Feng Xiaoxiao, remembering something else, quickly reminded, ”By the way, Xiaofu, try to record some videos of you cooking over this time. It’s best to show off a special skill. Then find someone to edit it into a video, and I’ll help you submit it to the association, aiming for some recognition in their event.”

Fearing Fu Yu wouldn’t take it seriously, she added, ”Don’t underestimate this event. Every year the association holds a cooking competition around the time of the annual meeting. But due to limitations, there’s no live competition; participants submit videos for the leaders in the association to judge.”

Fu Yu was taken aback, ”Can someone like me win a prize?”

Liu Yunpeng scooped a piece of cooked beef and placed it on Feng Xiaoxiao’s plate, ”Just go for it! I participate every year, and I’m telling you, the award is quite recognized in the circle. If you win, it’s a status symbol, much like getting certified in our cooking field.”

Speaking of which, Liu Yunpeng casually asked, ”By the way, Xiaofu, have you gotten certified?”

Fu Yu replied honestly, ”I registered for the beginner level and am currently attending a training class three times a week.”

Liu Yunpeng nodded, ”That’s right, you need the certification. The beginner level is not difficult, with your skills you’ll pass it easily.”

Fu Yu laughed, ”Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Watching the two chat happily, Feng Xiaoxiao’s impression of Fu Yu improved.

She sincerely said, ”Certification is a must. Even if you want to advance in the association, these are mandatory requirements.”