The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Their mentor-student relationship is not superficial but genuinely caring.

Fu Yu smiles, sweats a bit after bustling around, and casually opens the collar of his down jacket.

While climbing the stairs earlier, his down jacket accidentally got some chalk stains in the hallway.

Liu Yuqing reaches out to dust it off for him, unconsciously, without much thought.

The two are very close, and Liu Yuqing doesn’t smell any unpleasant smoke or sweat on Fu Yu, just a faint scent of laundry detergent mixed with the clear smell of sweat.

Liu Yunong drives Fu Yu and Liu Yuqing through a few streets and into the restaurant.

Although Fu Yu has been living and working in Bei’an for over a year, he’s not really familiar with the city.

His work routine is very limited to a few locations.

Even the few restaurants he’s been to were all introduced by Zhao Meng.

If you ask him to list a few distinctive restaurants in Bei’an, he would only know about the few that are somewhat famous.

Liu Yunong, despite only being in Bei’an for a few months, is apparently very familiar with the city.

The restaurant she chose is a medium-sized small eatery, with a first floor and a second one. Though small, it has two simple partitions, and at the entrance, there’s half a curtain that, if not lifted, you can’t see inside from outside.

The owner is a middle-aged woman who, seeing their group enter, shouted from behind the counter: ”Yunong, why did you come early? The private room upstairs has been reserved for you for a while, but we haven’t started cooking yet. We agreed on five-thirty, and you’re half an hour early. I thought we’d start cooking at six!”

The owner actually met Liu Yunong at a culinary training event. Her family used to run an entertainment business but later switched to operating a small restaurant.

Because the restaurant does well, her elderly father has retired, leaving two apprentices he trained in the kitchen, and entrusting the business to his only daughter.

After taking over the family business, a few years ago, the owner still considered partnering with Liu Yunong before she went abroad to study.

However, she later learned that Liu Yunong’s family business is so extensive that they could not possibly open a small restaurant together.

Though they didn’t become business partners, it didn’t affect their friendship at all.

Because friendship between women is a wonderfully miraculous thing.

After spending several days together, chatting just a few times, and shopping a few times, they can become as close as sisters.

The owner immediately changes her tone when she notices Liu Yuqing following behind, swiftly hopping out to greet: ”Oh, Xiaoqing? You’re here for dinner today too? Come in quickly; it’s cold outside!”

Fu Yu blinks in surprise; why does this attitude feel a bit odd?

Clearly, she should be Liu Yunong’s friend, but she seems to be clearly more enthusiastic towards Liu Yuqing.

The owner warmly takes Liu Yuqing’s hand, gives Liu Yunong a sidelong glance, and hints: Yunong, how come you didn’t tell me beforehand that you were bringing your sister? Had you let me know, I could’ve called my brother over too!

Liu Yunong quickly steps forward, blocking her friend’s gaze, pulling her aside to advise: ”Don’t fool around here! How old is your brother anyway? I’m here for a family dinner today!”

The owner, with wide eyes, innocently replies: ”My brother is in his senior year; he’ll be going to university next year! There’s an old saying that a woman three years older is a stepping stone to success; I’m happy for him to have two stepping stones... But, who’s this handsome fellow? You’ve been mentioning you took on an apprentice, quite dapper, is this him?”

Liu Yunong nods: ”That’s right, he’s my apprentice, but now he’s also Xiaoqing’s boyfriend!”

The owner listens and immediately seems a bit regretful: ”Ah? Xiaoqing is taken? That’s too bad...”

Liu Yunong pretends to pinch the owner’s mouth, threatening: ”Alright, no silly jokes later!”

The owner genuinely likes Liu Yuqing, thinking she’s pretty, and from a good family background. If she could match her with her brother, that’d be wonderful!

Unfortunately, her brother is really too young; if only he’d been born a couple of years earlier.

The owner feels a bit regretful inside but still laughs heartily outwards.

She glances back at Fu Yu.

Fu Yu enters the restaurant and casually unzips his down jacket, revealing the branded outfit underneath. He truly has the physique and looks; the young man is handsome indeed!

Actually, Liu Yunong visited Bei’an half a year ago to check on her university-enrolled sister, at which time she planned to open a branch here.

She specifically took her friend to check the shop locations, eventually deciding that the current location was the best feng shui spot.

The restaurant, located in a mid-range community, has a good customer base, and the environment is suitable for the unique private dining experience of Liu Family Cuisine.

Liu Yunong, known for her decisiveness, quickly arranged to rent, renovate, and open the place.

She successfully settled down in this city.

The owner has been independently managing this restaurant for several years now. Though it had a rocky start, the reputation stayed intact, the chefs reliable, and business remained thriving.

During the time the branch couldn’t open, Liu Yunong often came here for dinner with her friend, to catch up.

Setting the dinner spot here today, Liu Yunong intended to introduce Fu Yu to her friend.

Initially, she planned to bring him as an apprentice, but in just half a month, he became her future brother-in-law.

Knowing Fu Yu’s identity, the owner also wants to curry favor with this young, handsome guy.

She can tell Fu Yu isn’t just any ordinary chef; he can study under Liu Yunong and win over Liu Yuqing—this young man definitely isn’t simple!

Definitely worth treating well.

With her friend and her friend’s family involved, the owner quickly calls her cousin and little uncle from behind the counter. Their attitudes are enthusiastic and eager, helping serve dishes, pouring drinks, and chatting warmly.

Liu Yunong initially greeted everyone politely, but seeing a whole table full of people, she felt irritated enough to want to scold someone.

Still, just her friend. What a poor judge! This is my first official dinner as the sister-in-law!

I merely chose this place for its convenience and good food, so why are you interfering?

The drinks poured, and the dishes served, after rounds of encouragement, the alcohol slowly took effect, and soon the table conversations increased.

Liu Yunong later realized the benefits of having more people at the table—no shortage of topics.

Men have their topics, women theirs, and those between men and women are endless subjects, creating a light and enjoyable atmosphere.

The owner’s cousin and little uncle are both spirited, constantly encouraging Fu Yu with dishes and drinks, and chatting with Fu Yu and Liu Yuqing.

Liu Yuqing sat beside Fu Yu all evening, glancing around, attentively listening to her sister talk with Fu Yu.

Fu Yu appears to sit upright seriously, picking up dishes, drinking wine.

While eating, his left hand remains on his knee, hidden by the tablecloth, secretly intertwining fingers with Liu Yuqing.

Above the table, they each sit in their own space, seemingly distant.

Below the table, fingers tightly entwined, secretly squeezing each other’s fingers or gently scratching the palm.

These childish, affectionate gestures between young couples make their hearts race and cheeks flush, yet they happily indulge in it.

As soon as Liu Yunong turns to talk to the owner, Fu Yu quickly glances at Liu Yuqing, secretly signaling: How’s my performance?

Liu Yuqing smiles and returns the glance.

Fu Yu playfully changes his expression, eyes crinkling, grinning mischievously: Any real reward?

Liu Yuqing pouts: I’ll give you a flying kiss, catch it carefully, don’t let it drop...

Liu Yunong turns back: ”Xiaofu...”

Fu Yu swiftly turns back, smiling innocently: ”Hmm?”

Liu Yunong says: ”What do you think of the food?”

Fu Yu earnestly comments: ”The food is great; I noticed Xiaoqing enjoying it...”

Liu Yuqing half-clenches her fist near her mouth, coughing heavily.

Her hand gently pinches Fu Yu’s fingers beneath the table, and Fu Yu wisely changes the topic, feeling the joy of a shared little secret...