Chapter 855: Chapter 855: Stubborn Again
However, Changping can forego the initial profits and focus solely on nurturing talent.
Such confidence only comes from a conglomerate like Changping.
Not just any company would dare to act this way.
Only with Changping’s immense strength can such confidence exist.
"I watched the clips of your competition before, and I couldn’t help but drool," Zhao Dingli laughed. "At that time, I thought it would be wonderful if I could taste it myself someday."
"I didn’t expect that you’re actually one of the Zhao Family, such a coincidence," Zhao Dingli said cheerfully, "Today I must have a good taste."
"Let me first check what ingredients we have at home and think about what dish to make for Grand Uncle and Fourth Uncle," Ye Fei said with a smile.
"Alright, alright," the third old master nodded quickly, and asked the housekeeper to accompany Ye Fei to the kitchen for a look.
When Ye Fei entered with the housekeeper, the chef who was preparing dinner in the kitchen was quite displeased.
Although he was only responsible for the third old master’s meals here, he was a serious professional chef.
He had once worked at a five-star hotel.
After all, someone looking after the third old master’s diet couldn’t be just anyone; naturally, they must possess their own exceptional qualities.
But Ye Fei, with just a few words, wanted to make a couple of dishes.
It seemed like what he made couldn’t compare to Ye Fei’s.
Unable to hold back, the chef said, "Young Madam, the kitchen is smoky, you’re a guest here today, it’s not appropriate for you to come in and cook."
"It’s nothing, I’m just making a couple of dishes for Grand Uncle and Fourth Uncle to taste," Ye Fei said.
"Young Madam, do you think my cooking isn’t good enough?" the chef frowned.
Ye Fei had just arrived and already seemed to be undermining him, showing too little respect.
"After all, I am a professional chef; I think it should be enough for me to prepare dinner," the chef said.
The chef worried that if the third old master tried it and thought his presence made no difference, he might not be needed anymore.
Furthermore, Ye Fei, an amateur, was interfering in a professional chef’s kitchen.
It was outrageous.
Ye Fei paused for a moment, then laughed, "I am a professional chef, too."
"Don’t worry, I’m not here to ruin your career. I just want to prepare a little treat for the elders as a gesture, not affecting anything," Ye Fei spoke plainly, observing the chef’s thoughts.
The housekeeper saw this and immediately said, "Xiao Wang, what are you doing?"
"The Young Madam is just here to show some skills, it won’t impact you at all," the housekeeper said.
Initially, she couldn’t quite grasp Xiao Wang’s thoughts; she mainly felt puzzled that he dared to show displeasure to the master’s family.
But after hearing Ye Fei pinpoint Xiao Wang’s thoughts, she understood.
The housekeeper shook her head silently; Xiao Wang was being foolish.
"Besides, the Young Madam is quite renowned in culinary competitions. Surely, she can handle a few dishes," the housekeeper reminded.
Xiao Wang’s face showed apparent disdain.
He thought, who participates in those culinary competitions?
Just some unknown chefs.
Among them, not a single head chef from a renowned hotel restaurant like him.
Those in the top ten now, besides Ye Fei, are all students!
How amateurish is that?
Ye Fei stands out among a bunch of students; what’s so impressive about that?
If there was a competition open to the whole field, Ye Fei wouldn’t have much to show.
The housekeeper frowned and quickly pulled Xiao Wang aside, whispering, "Xiao Wang, don’t forget who you work for! You are actually offending the master’s family now!"
"The Young Madam won’t come and cook for the old master every day, it’s just showing off skills today. She won’t take anything from you. You’ll carry on as usual!" the housekeeper said.
"Do you really want to anger the Young Madam and have the old master fire you? Do you think the old master and sir would side with the Young Madam or you?"
The housekeeper shook her head and said, "I don’t understand what you’re upset about!"
What’s there to be unhappy about!
Xiao Wang is generally stubborn.
But because his cooking is good, and he works diligently.
It’s because of his stubbornness that he works with extra care.
Although he may be a bit obstinate, no one takes him seriously; they don’t get angry with him.
Unexpectedly, this time, he’s being stubborn again.
He should consider whom he’s dealing with!
After the housekeeper’s reminder, Xiao Wang finally realized the seriousness, nodding at last, "I wasn’t thinking clearly."
The housekeeper breathed a sigh of relief and quickly explained to Ye Fei, "Young Madam, Xiao Wang is just stubborn, easily gets stuck in his ways, so don’t take him seriously."
Ye Fei smiled and shook her head, not planning to do anything.
This is the third old master’s household.
She wouldn’t ask the third old master to do anything to the chef over such a small matter.
Since the chef has been working here all along, evidently, the third old master is quite satisfied with him.
Because of her, to have the chef fired would inconvenience the third old master to find another.
"Auntie, can you show me how things are organized here? Where are the seasonings kept, and what ingredients are there?" Ye Fei asked.
"Ah, sure," the housekeeper quickly replied.
She usually assists Xiao Wang, so she knows all this.
Ingredients were also listed by Xiao Wang, then brought by someone.
With it all sorted out, the housekeeper is clear about what ingredients are available.
Xiao Wang remained sulky, and Ye Fei ignored him.
The housekeeper didn’t mind him as long as he stayed quiet.
The housekeeper accompanied Ye Fei, giving introductions.
Ye Fei glanced at the ingredients at home and asked the chef what dishes he planned to prepare tonight.
Avoiding overlap with the chef’s cooking.
It’s not about identical dishes.
For example, if the chef planned a chicken dish, she wouldn’t do the same.
If the chef planned a tofu dish, she wouldn’t do the same.
Though flavors might differ, having the same ingredients appear too often on the table isn’t good.
After asking, Ye Fei planned to make sour plum ribs, golden prawns, and a vegetarian dish called Qinglong cabbage.
It was a very authentic traditional Beijing-flavored cuisine.
Unfortunately, there was no purple perilla at home.
Otherwise, adding a bit of purple perilla to the sour plum ribs would enhance the flavor.
The house had fresh Western plums, and among the snacks the third old master prepared for Xiao Mo, there were candied plums.
Ye Fei tasted them; the candied plums were sour and sweet, but more sour.
Just perfect to balance with the overly sweet Western plums.
Ye Fei simmered the Western plums into a sauce and added finely chopped candied plums to the Western plum sauce.
First, she fried the ribs until the surface turned a golden crisp.
The ribs occasionally had bits of fat, which Ye Fei didn’t remove; the fatty part became even more delightful after frying.
