"Old Fang, you can cook?" Wang Cong had known Fang Jueyu for almost half a year, but he had never seen him cook. If what he made wasn't some dark culinary disaster, one would already be thanking their lucky stars, let alone compare it with a chef like Zhou Bin.
"I know a lot of things!" Fang Jueyu said, "Massage therapy, blood circulation, bone setting, unlocking, fortune-telling, watch repair, screen protection, you name it, I'm an expert at it all, you know nothing!"
"Alright, then let me see your skills," Wang Cong was amused by Fang Jueyu's words. "Boss Zhou, you don't mind if we use your kitchen, do you?"
"Of course I don't mind. I was just wondering if Mr. Fang's culinary skills are really as impressive as he claims," Zhou Bin glanced at Fang Jueyu's hands. They were free of calluses, clearly not the hands of someone who frequently wielded a knife and pan. Even if he could cook, his skills were presumably not high.
Besides, as a billionaire, Fang Jueyu must have his own private chef. People like him personally cooking sounded like a fairy tale. He simply didn't believe Fang Jueyu could make dishes more delicious than his own.
The kitchen at Linxian Inn was extremely well-organized and clean. It was currently the busiest time for the restaurant, and all the chefs were occupied.
From their vegetable-cutting techniques, Fang Jueyu observed something unusual. Their knife skills weren't as chaotic and random as ordinary chefs; instead, they followed a certain method.
Zhou Bin's cooking area wasn't with the other chefs; he had his own private kitchen, as the knives, pots, and spatulas he used for cooking were custom-made.
"Mr. Fang, you don't mind if I watch from the sidelines, do you?" Zhou Bin asked.
"Of course, Boss Zhou, if you're interested, you're welcome to watch," Fang Jueyu scanned the kitchen. All the tools were complete; Zhou Bin was indeed a consummate professional chef.
"How about this, I'll also make a dish of braised bass?" Fang Jueyu looked at Zhou Bin.
"Be my guest," Zhou Bin gestured invitingly. He was curious to see how Fang Jueyu would indeed cook with heart.
In fact, Fang Jueyu didn't intend to cause trouble for Zhou Bin, nor did he want to be a contrarian. Rather, he saw something extraordinary in this young man and had thoughts of recruiting him into the Super God Academy. Therefore, he naturally needed to show off some skills to win him over.
"Watch closely!" Fang Jueyu extended his hand toward the fish in the tank.
"Absorption Palm!" A strong Biological Current surged from Fang Jueyu's palm, and the bass swimming in the tank seemed to be bound by an invisible force, getting sucked right into his hand.
"He's not an ordinary person either!" Zhou Bin's expression changed. Although he could perform that trick himself, it would never be as effortless as Fang Jueyu's. Forbes' number one was actually a top-tier martial artist.
He repeated the trick on a knife across the kitchen without moving, effortlessly pulling it into his hand.
He gently tossed the bass into the air, "Lonely Nine Swords!"
An ordinary kitchen knife in Fang Jueyu's hand transformed into an indomitable Divine Weapon. One by one, the bass's scales were flawlessly stripped without damaging the fish meat.
"What the hell? Is he really using the Lonely Nine Swords to scale a fish?" Wang Cong, although a regular person, realized Fang Jueyu wasn't randomly slashing.
Zhou Bin was the most shocked. Fang Jueyu's swordsmanship was astoundingly precise. Not to mention, his sharp insight wasn't something an average martial artist could rival.
The bass landed on the cutting board, scales completely peeled, all in a matter of seconds. The bass was still lively and vibrant.
Onions, ginger, garlic, and various seasonings turned into even fragments under Fang Jueyu's knife work. An observer might think he was performing some sort of juggling trick.
Though Fang Jueyu's knife skills were flashy, his approach was the usual method for making braised fish. When the reddish-brown sauce boiled in the pot, a rich aroma filled the entire kitchen.
Fang Jueyu picked up the bass and, moments before placing it in the pot, sent a burst of Biological Current into the fish meat. The firm, springy meat instantly became tender without losing its texture.
Then came the process of flavoring the braise. With the help of Inner Strength, the sauce fully fused with the succulent fish, the tempting color making Wang Cong swallow involuntarily.
At last, under the eager eyes of the two, the bass was ready. Wang Cong couldn't wait to pick up his chopsticks and stuffed the fish into his mouth with lightning speed.
"Why the rush? You glutton!" Fang Jueyu teasingly scolded.
The moment the fish entered his mouth, Wang Cong's expression changed instantly, as if a fresh ocean breeze washed over him. This essence bore no fishiness, only a refreshing and elegant aroma.
The sensation was indescribable. His hands involuntarily clenched to his chest, like a teenager in the throes of adolescent fantasy.
"Is it really that miraculous?" Seeing Wang Cong's reaction, Zhou Bin became curious and tasted the fish himself.
At that moment, he displayed almost the same expression as Wang Cong, as if this dish contained some magical power affecting his vision, taste, and hearing.
Zhou Bin's mentor had told him that conquering human taste buds was just the beginning for a culinary master. To alter one's vision or other senses was a chef's dream come true.
Now, it seemed he'd found someone who could lead him to the pinnacle of culinary art.
"How is it? Did you feel the charm?" Fang Jueyu asked Zhou Bin with a smile.
What he referred to as cooking with heart was merely a broad term. A true chef could infuse their intention into the dish. Simply put, it was a formidable spiritual power capable of impacting others.
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Of course, reaching such a culinary level required wholehearted dedication to each step and profound cultivation. Thus, the world had but a few true culinary masters.
Zhou Bin's eyes were filled with admiration and fervor when he looked at Fang Jueyu.
"Want to learn?" Fang Jueyu chuckled.
"Yes!" Zhou Bin nodded without hesitation. Even though Fang Jueyu was younger, in this world, the skilled were always the teachers.
"I'll teach you then!" Fang Jueyu recognized the look in Zhou Bin's eyes; there would be another new student at the Super God Academy!