Other surprises? Bro, just how much do you crave meat!
Lin Xu said, "Our staff meal this afternoon is the Stew. We just made it. The aroma you’re smelling is probably from the Stew, right?"
Shen Guofu’s eyes lit up instantly. "Brother, how about you serve me some as well? I really kind of dish, but the nanny at home makes it too refined, and restaurants don’t quite capture this flavor. You guys have amazing staff meals."
Lin Xu hadn’t expected this Bentley bro to have a taste for it and didn’t refuse. "You’re a regular customer, Bro. Wait a moment, and I’ll serve you some, on the house."
"No need, no need. You guys work so hard; I can’t just eat for free."
After saying that, Shen Guofu paid two hundred yuan using the payment QR code at the cash register.
I’m Old Shen, a man of some standing. How could I sponge off meals and drinks? If word of this got out, wouldn’t Old Tan and the others laugh their heads off?
Lin Xu didn’t refuse the payment.
He put on thermal gloves and opened the steamer.
As soon as he opened it, a rich fragrance mixed with the unique savory, salty aroma of Dried Vegetable wafted out.
"Mmm, that’s the scent!"
At lunchtime, Shen Guofu had a sudden whim and asked his secretary to prepare a low-fat meal. He didn’t think much of it while eating; it tasted fine. But afterward, with nothing to do, he idly browsed some food-related short videos on his phone.
He was instantly captivated by all sorts of meat dishes. The more he watched, the more he craved; the more he craved, the more he wanted to watch.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he called Lin Xu and ordered a serving of Pickled Pork.
Actually, the pork was still a bit under-steamed. It would have been more flavorful and tender after steaming for another half hour. However, since the Bentley bro was in a hurry to leave, Lin Xu took the Pickled Pork out.
After taking it out, he didn’t immediately pour it into a takeaway container. Instead, he carried the bowl to the stove and carefully poured the rendered broth and fat from the bowl into a pot. Then, he took a takeaway container and inverted it over the steaming bowl.
After quickly flipping it over, he lifted the bowl.
Only then did the Perfect Level Pickled Pork reveal its true form.
The ruddy, tender pork skin quivered, neatly stacked layer upon layer, a sight utterly satisfying to anyone with obsessive-compulsive tendencies. The rich aroma emanating from the meat continually teased the taste buds.
"Damn, that smells incredible!"
The garage crew, being nearby, found their craving for the Pickled Pork intensifying.
If Ou Hua and Boss Hu hadn’t shown up, everyone could have had a taste. But those two bosses each ordered two servings, completely buying out the Pickled Pork. Alas! We’ll have to wait until tomorrow!
Lin Xu turned on the stove and brought the reserved broth to a boil. He then drizzled in a bit of Water Starch. When the broth thickened into a sauce, he added a little Seasoning Oil.
Then he lifted the pot. Using a spoon, he carefully ladled the rich, glossy red sauce over the Pickled Pork in the takeaway container.
Drizzled with this sauce, the Pickled Pork’s appearance became even more tempting. Under the light, the rendered fat on top glistened.
"Beautiful! Brother, your skills are truly impeccable!"
Shen Guofu watched eagerly. If not for the crowd, he would have grabbed chopsticks and snatched a couple of slices to satisfy his craving on the spot.
Lin Xu closed the lid of the takeaway container and placed it inside a thermal bag. Pickled Pork is a dish best enjoyed hot, so keeping it warm was essential.
After packing the Pickled Pork, Lin Xu filled another takeaway container with the Stew. He also added a few slices of freshly braised dried tofu and four bowls of rice for the Bentley bro.
"Ah, little bro, you really get me! Both the Stew and the Pickled Pork are perfect with rice. Two bowls really wouldn’t have been enough. Thanks so much, brother!"
Shen Guofu hastily departed with the takeaway bag. He still had to put on an act at home to trick his daughter into eating whole grains and couldn’t afford to be late.
After Shen Guofu left, dinner service at the restaurant began.
Lin Xu dished up more than half a bowl of Stew and started eating it with rice.
The Stew was exceptionally well-made. The glass noodles were coated in fat, giving them a smooth texture. The meat slices had been fried to render their fat, making them aromatic without being greasy. The dried tofu had absorbed the broth, becoming juicy, tender, and flavorful. As for the Cabbage, Celery, Carrots, and other ingredients, each contributed its own delicious quality.
It could be said that this was a Perfect Level Stew; even a master chef specializing in banquet cooking could do no better.
Lin Xu thought he should add the Stew to the menu for future group meal orders. That way, the restaurant’s costs would be lower, and customers would have more dishes to choose from—a win-win situation.
After tasting the Stew, he tried the braised dried tofu. The outer layer, fried to a golden brown, was still pleasantly firm to the bite, while the tofu inside had become soft and juicy. The spicy and savory braising sauce was incredibly delicious.
After finishing a piece, Lin Xu said to Song Tiantian, "Add Braised Dried Tofu to the menu, three yuan a piece. If it sells well, we’ll increase production starting tomorrow."
After their meal, customers began to trickle into the restaurant.
Yue Liyue and Professor Xu, who were a couple, ordered a dish of spicy boiled meat slices together. Meanwhile, Elder Zhou and Madam Liang ordered Steamed Sea Bass and dry-fried chicken pieces.
Everyone sat together, eating and drinking. Professor Xu even chatted with Yue Liyue, sharing some amusing anecdotes about Zhong Huairen’s time at Beijing University.
While everyone was enjoying their meal, Boss Hu and Ou Hua arrived at the restaurant, one after the other.
"Boss Lin, is the Pickled Pork ready?"
"Ready, ready! I’ll bring it out for you right now."
The moment the Pickled Pork was brought out, every customer in the restaurant couldn’t help but turn to look.
"Boss Lin, do you have any more of this Pickled Pork?"
"Could we have two servings?"
"My table wants three servings!"
"Boss Lin, you added this new item so suddenly! It wasn’t even on the sign outside."
"Exactly! Are you playing favorites?"
Upon seeing the Pickled Pork, the customers were immediately overcome with craving.
Lin Xu explained, "Originally, this was just for us to eat. But Boss Ou and Boss Hu came and insisted on buying it, so I sold it to them. We don’t even have any for ourselves... Pickled Pork will officially be on the menu tomorrow. If you want some, please come back then."
Understanding that the dish was labor-intensive, the customers didn’t press further. However, they repeatedly urged Lin Xu to make extra so it wouldn’t be snatched up by early arrivals again.
「At the same time, at the West Fourth Ring Villa.」
After sneaking the takeout into his room, Shen Guofu changed into his loungewear, carried a teacup, and leisurely settled into the living room on the first floor to wait for his daughter to get off work.
The whole grains for dinner were already prepared in the kitchen. He and his wife had also rehearsed their excuses and the plan for retreating to their room later.
Now, all he had to do was wait for his daughter to come home.
After a few sips of tea, he glanced at his watch, his brow furrowing slightly. His daughter usually got off work at 4:30 PM, but today it was nearly 5:30 PM, and she still hadn’t returned.
If she didn’t arrive soon, the Pickled Pork upstairs would get cold!
He thought for a moment and then called his daughter. "Yueyue, why aren’t you home yet? Your mom and I are here waiting for you to have dinner."
Shen Jiayue’s sweet voice came through the phone, "Dad, I’m at Grandma’s house. I had some really delicious sugar triangles today, so I brought some for Grandma. You and Mom go ahead and eat. Grandma is making me Crystal Sugar Pork Elbow right now..."
Shen Guofu was utterly flabbergasted.