The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

”As a result, Xiaozhao, being quite stubborn by nature, took over and saw that the fried carp was overdone and told me he wanted to redo the dish.”

”At that time, I was in a hurry to go to the front of the restaurant, so I got a bit annoyed when he blocked my way. I thought Xiaozhao was too rigid and didn’t know how to be flexible. Special situations need special treatment, and he didn’t understand that. I was pressed for time and hadn’t started cooking many of the orders yet. I was anxious, and Xiaozhao kept nagging me. In a fit of anger, I gave him a harsh scolding.”

”Later, when I returned from handling things at the front, I found out that the customer who ordered the braised fish was a gourmet and said the fish was overcooked. Moreover, that person happened to know the boss.”

”As a result, Xiaozhao unfairly took the blame. Actually...I had cut corners. Sigh...and I even scolded Xiaozhao without realizing he took the fall for the whole thing and never mentioned a word about my mistake.”

Hearing this, Hao Liang felt quite embarrassed as he had firmly rejected Zhao Meng’s suggestion at the time and received critiques on cooking from the boss’s friend, which left a negative impression.

”It was from that moment, I thought maybe I should mentor Xiaozhao, and I ended up truly taking him under my wing.”

”Primarily because Xiaozhao is genuinely a person with a sense of righteousness and gratitude!”

Hao Liang sighed and continued, ”Later, when my wife fell ill, and I was indeed at the age, I simply resigned and left.”

”At that time, my wife was constantly hospitalized at the Central Hospital, and I didn’t tell friends around us. It was just managed by our family.”

”One time, I happened to run into Xiaozhao at the hospital when he was visiting a friend. We chatted for a bit, and I didn’t expect that on that same afternoon, he specifically came to the ward to visit my wife.”

”At that time, my son was working out of town and was about to get promoted, so I didn’t dare tell him. My daughter was about to take final exams, so she couldn’t possibly come back. At home, since both of my parents passed away early, it was just me and her sister taking care of it.”

”Her sister also had her own family to take care of. That time was really tough, it wasn’t about money, but about lacking people.”

”It felt like there was no one to rely on, the pressure was immense.”

”Since knowing about my situation, Xiaozhao would come to the hospital to help every week during his days off. Sometimes, he would bring me a couple of packed dishes, and other times, he would stay with my wife for a bit.”

”Later, it was Xiaozhao who took the time to help introduce a very reliable caregiver. You wouldn’t know, but reliable caregivers are so hard to find. With family around, it’s fine, but the two I hired before had two-faced behaviors. When I got angry, I decided not to employ outsiders and just teamed up with her sister to take care of it.”

”Xiaozhao really helped me out a lot during that time.”

Upon hearing this, Gao Wenjing felt quite moved, not expecting such a backstory between Hao Liang and Zhao Meng.

Thinking about it this way, it’s no wonder that whenever Hao Liang comes back to Bei’an to visit the graves, he specifically comes to Qianlima for a meal.

Initially, I thought it was just to remember his old working place, but it turns out it’s to visit Zhao Meng.

And Zhao Meng cherishes Hao Liang’s kindness from back then, too. Over the years, as long as Hao Liang comes to the restaurant, Zhao Meng always cooks personally.

After a while, Hao Liang said, ”Sigh...I couldn’t make it back last year, so I finally did this year. Not sure how it will be next year.”

Gao Wenjing, always with a sweet tongue and articulate, quickly comforted, ”Oh, with your health so robust, you’ll surely be able to come back as long as you have time. Besides, communicating is so convenient now, if you miss us, you can call anytime.”

Hao Liang nodded with a smile, ”You’re right, Xiaogao, how about joining me for a bit?”

Gao Wenjing quickly said, ”No need, Chef Hao, I still have customers to attend to. You go ahead and eat, I’ll come over and chat with you later.”

Hao Liang understandingly said, ”Alright, you go ahead then, no need to look after me.”

It was mealtime, after all, and Hao Liang totally understood.

Gao Wenjing didn’t insist anymore, she got up to get busy with work.

Halfway through his meal, Zhao Meng rushed over from the kitchen, with a bottle of wine in hand.

It wasn’t the usual kind sold in the restaurant but a medicinal wine acquired through connections, very good for health and nourishing.

Zhao Meng, busy with kitchen work, didn’t plan to stay for a meal but felt it was right to have a drink with Chef Hao.

With a smile, Chef Hao filled the wine cups, ”Every time I come back, I have a meal at the store, and it’s always you cooking, is that appropriate?”

Chef Hao spoke with implicit meaning, and Zhao Meng, being straightforward, said, ”Is it appropriate for you to come back and not have a meal here? We don’t need to be awkwardly courteous. I know you’ve always treated me like an apprentice. In my heart, you are my master. They say a master and disciple are like father and son, and that’s us.”

Upon hearing this, Chef Hao couldn’t help but smile broadly, his mouth couldn’t seem to close.

Zhao Meng, having work duties, couldn’t drink much, so he lifted his cup, clinked with Chef Hao, and drank it all in one go.

Chef Hao also downed the remaining wine in his cup, feeling utterly refreshed and satisfied.

He laughed and said, ”Refreshing! It’s great to be back. Over there, they’re so strict, they don’t let me drink a drop normally. It’s been driving my cravings!”

Zhao Meng consoled, ”That’s for your own good, but this wine is fine, it’s low in alcohol, a little won’t hurt. Besides, those who love drinking have an addiction, it’s not something easy to quit at once, especially for those like us who have drunk all our lives. If we really quit drinking, what joy is there in life?”

Chef Hao nodded, ”That’s why you get me.”

Zhao Meng filled their cups again.

Chef Hao looked at him—Zhao Meng’s features were rugged, with a well-defined outline, and even when he was young, there was already a faint frown line between his brows. Now that he’s older, his brow would unconsciously crease when talking or laughing, making the lines heavier, giving an impression of age.

Looking at Zhao Meng, the guilt in Chef Hao’s heart that was difficult to express was fanned by the alcohol, making it hard to suppress.

He took a deep breath, and slowly said, ”Earlier, when you weren’t here, Xiaogao chatted with me for a bit, and we mentioned you.”

Zhao Meng, curious, looked at Chef Hao, ”What did you say about me?”

Chef Hao blushed, awkwardly said, ”Sigh, reminiscing about the past...back then, when you and Xiaogu were learning Sichuan cuisine from me, I didn’t really teach you well at the start...”

”One year, Boss Feng, the one who sold fur coats at the Department Store, came to the restaurant for a meal and ordered sweet and sour fish. During the frying, I didn’t keep an eye, and it was overcooked. You suggested re-cooking, I got a bit upset, and commanded you to continue with the sauce...I was impatient then, and indeed a bit irresponsible, so...I’ve always owed you an apology!”

Hearing this, Zhao Meng immediately remembered.

At that time, Hao Liang had just arrived at Qianlima as the head chef. Boss Dong Jun Tian had Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu follow Hao Liang to learn Sichuan cooking.

Zhao Meng had never done anything like this before, lacking experience and practical skills.

As a result, due to that customer feedback, Boss Dong Jun Tian had a very bad impression of him, significantly impacting him.

Additionally, it played a crucial role in him becoming increasingly cautious and having strict cooking standards later on.

Listening to this, Zhao Meng quickly shook his head, saying, ”You can’t be blamed for that incident, the situation was special at the time. I remember there was a troublesome customer, and you were hurrying to solve the problem too.”

What Zhao Meng said was true.

He might not have felt too good at the time, but growth comes from experiences. Over the years, his cautious nature has indeed saved him from many pitfalls!

Hao Liang, upon hearing this, reached out and patted Zhao Meng on the shoulder, ”Xiaozhao, you’re a genuinely good person. With your character, whether in work or handling affairs and people, you won’t go wrong!”

...

Sometimes, life is like this, filled with twists and coincidences in its subtleties, and everything impacts our growth.

But justice resides in people’s hearts and is never delayed.