"You two...know each other?"
Zhong Huairen looked at Professor Xu, who was chatting enthusiastically about gourmet food with his son, feeling an inexplicable sense of disconnect.
He remembered that during his time at Beijing University, Professor Xu was always stern and unsmiling, as prim as an old scholar. The students’ biggest fear was being called on by him to answer questions.
But now, the professor, whom students had once rated as the most unapproachable, was talking and laughing animatedly with his son, a warm smile never leaving his face.
If I took a picture and posted this in the alumni group, it would absolutely blow their minds, wouldn’t it?
"We’re all customers at Lin Ji’s Food. Sometimes we even share a table when dining, so how could we not know each other? Yue Liyue is your son, Huairen? I really had no idea! Please come in; it’s hot outside. Come in and enjoy the air conditioning."
After retiring, Professor Xu had lost the authoritative aura he carried while teaching. Instead, he had become a kindly old man.
At that moment, Auntie Xue also came out of the kitchen. "The meal will be ready very soon," she said. "You all chat first. What would Yue Liyue like to drink? We have all sorts of beverages in the fridge; feel free to take whatever you want, don’t be shy."
He had originally intended to introduce his professor to his son. Who knew they were already much more familiar with each other.
They had become friends despite their age difference.
Amidst his reflections, Zhong Huairen felt an even greater fondness for Lin Ji’s Food.
It’s all thanks to this restaurant. Otherwise, my son would probably still be pulling all-nighters as a game power-leveler. While that earns money, it comes at the cost of his health. It’s not like now, where he live-streams, plays games, and occasionally takes on coaching gigs. He’s living a more carefree life than his old man. I’m so grateful to Boss Lin. If he ever decides to open a branch in Yangcheng, I’ll definitely go and support him, no matter what!
Before long, lunch at Professor Xu’s home began.
Due to the hot weather and Auntie Xue’s less-than-stellar cooking skills, most of the dishes were takeout from Lin Ji’s Food.
Professor Xu took a piece of black bean pork ribs and put it in his mouth, chewing while saying, "I didn’t used to dish much; I always found it a bit gamey. But Boss Lin’s version is so fresh and tender, it hardly tastes like pork. I wonder how he does it."
Yue Liyue said, "Boss Lin said the pork ribs must be chopped into small pieces and then soaked under running water for four hours, until they turn from red to completely white. That’s the way to do it."
Everyone enjoyed the meal, discussed the delights of Lin Ji’s Food, and agreed to eat there again that evening.
Indeed, Zhong Huairen was flying back to Yangcheng the next morning, so tonight was essentially his farewell dinner.
「In the rest room next to the training venue of the Audit Bureau.」
Tan Yajun said emotionally while savoring a delicious boxed meal, "I’ve eaten so many delicacies from all over, but who would’ve thought I’d be so captivated by a simple boxed meal? Yuan Fei, when the training’s over, ask around in the office. If no one objects, let’s just order our lunch from Lin Ji’s Food from now on. It’ll save everyone the daily hassle of deciding what to eat."
Yuan Fei’s eyes brightened.
If that’s the case, wouldn’t we get to eat such delicious food every day?
He hastened to agree, "Sure thing, Director Tan, I’ll make sure to get this sorted out as quickly as possible."
In the past, lunchtime always presented a dilemma: go downstairs to eat or order delivery? And if they went downstairs, which restaurant and what dishes to choose? Now, things were much simpler.
Thanks to Director Tan’s arrangement, not only were they spared these dilemmas, but they could also experience the joy Shen Jiayue felt having lunch delivered daily.
It was a double delight!
The lunchtime rush was still booming.
The newly introduced dry-fried green beans had become a favorite among the customers.
"These green beans are great, spicy and numbing!"
"I wasn’t planning to come for lunch, but I couldn’t resist after seeing Boss Lin’s post. I didn’t expect it to be so worth it; these green beans taste amazing."
"They’re a perfect match for an ice-cold beer!"
"Boss Lin’s cooking skills are truly impeccable!"
"What? Master Xie made this? No wonder it’s so delicious! I have to get a takeout order before I leave."
"Me too! Getting to taste the skills of Fishing Platform’s head chef for just over twenty yuan is an incredible deal!"
Although Fishing Platform had begun serving the public quite a while ago, its restaurants in various buildings even catered for weddings and other events. However, the per-person cost of over two thousand yuan still deterred many. For many, spending two thousand yuan on a single meal wasn’t necessary, especially since that was the per-person cost. A meal for a family of four or five would mean ten thousand yuan gone, just like that.
But now you could taste the skills of Fishing Platform’s head chef for just over twenty yuan. No one would resist such a temptation.
So, before noon, the large tray of dry-fried green beans made by Xie Baomin was completely bought out by customers. He had no choice but to prepare another large tray.
This time, when preparing it, he added some Sichuan peppercorn oil, making the numbing flavor more pronounced and the dish even more delicious.
As the two apprentice brothers were busy in the back kitchen, Old Gao walked in from outside.
Seeing his master again, Lin Xu felt as if he were seeing the Turtle Hermit from *Dragon Ball*. He had thought the man to be a highly respected elder, but in private, he turned out to be a flirtatious old sea king. The disparity was quite significant.
"Are we serving dry-fried green beans now? Not bad, not bad. This dish suits the restaurant... But since we’re serving dry-fried green beans, we might as well add dry-fried chicken cubes, dry-fried cauliflower, and other similar dishes too. The preparation is more or less the same. With a talent like Little Xu’s, he should be able to make them easily."
Thankfully, I acquired the Dry-frying Technique. If I had only learned to make dry-fried green beans, my image as a talented individual would have shattered instantly, wouldn’t it? That’s why one shouldn’t try to build up a certain persona. Otherwise, it’s bound to collapse sooner or later.
He continued working as he spoke, "It’s been a bit busy these past two days. I was planning to add them in another couple of days."
Old Gao nodded approvingly. "That’s right, there’s no need to rush with the new dishes. Take it slow, so that customers remain curious and regulars keep coming back... Give me a serving of Tomato Egg Rice. I still have to go to the community center to help out after I eat."
Lin Xu agreed and scooped the rice.
Worried that his master wouldn’t be full, he generously added more rice and ladled a big spoonful of Tomato Egg topping over it. After serving it, he got back to his busy work.
Old Gao sat at an empty seat near the kitchen entrance, leisurely eating while playing on his phone. Once finished, he pushed his bowl aside and strolled out of the restaurant.
「Half an hour later.」
Chen Yan, dressed in a white business suit, suddenly rushed into the shop with a look of urgency.
Lin Xu was curious. His sister-in-law usually came before mealtimes to freeload off the staff meals. Why was she here at this hour today?
"Brother-in-law, did a streamer come by to eat just now?"
Streamer? None that I saw!
Lin Xu replied, "If they’re just here to eat, how would I know if someone’s a streamer?"
After saying that, he poured a cup of Sour Plum Soup and handed it over.
Chen Yan accepted it and took a sip. "Our company has been following a new streamer these past two days. His popularity is growing fast, but he’s never shown his face. He just posted a status update showing him eating here at the restaurant and praising your cooking skills, so I rushed over in my car..."
Saying that, Chen Yan took out her phone and opened the streaming platform.
"He’s called Gao Xiaoshuai, probably not very old. Look, this is the status update he posted; it’s a bowl of Tomato Egg Rice."
Lin Xu took it and looked.
This... isn’t this the bowl of rice I served Master?