Chapter 55: Chapter 49: A Little Sister Would Be Fine Too
The farce at the factory cafeteria today made the workers who liked stir-fried dishes see Wang Defa and Huang Fusheng for who they really were.
And Zhou Yan Restaurant, which had recently been gaining fame, became everyone’s second choice.
The food at the state-run restaurants wasn’t bad, but they were inconvenient to get to, the service was slow, and you wouldn’t dare rush them.
Because the waiters at the state-run restaurants had terrible tempers. They’d cuss you out, and sometimes, if you pushed them, they’d even hit you.
In comparison, Mrs. Zhao at Zhou Yan Restaurant was truly kind and amiable. If the food was slow to come out, she would proactively serve a plate of pickled radishes and offer a few nice words.
Those who could afford to eat stir-fried dishes often were usually the management and technical backbone of the factory, with monthly salaries of seventy or eighty yuan and up. They would meet up with friends for a meal every so often.
Of course, many were here for the first time. When they saw the prices were even higher than the stir-fried dishes at the factory cafeteria, they were still a bit hesitant.
Case in point, the families of the director and deputy director were having a meal together and had ordered one of each dish on the menu. Everyone was waiting for the director to finish eating and give his opinion.
So far, the dual-pepper minced beef, beef with braised bamboo shoots, braised pork ribs, and Kneeling Beef had all received unanimous praise. Only the most expensive dish, the Huo Xiang Carp, was left awaiting judgment.
"Director, everyone is waiting for your review," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile, having long since noticed what the other customers were thinking.
Although he had never tried Zhou Yan’s Huo Xiang Carp, he had faith in Zhou Yan. ’If it’s served as the grand finale, it definitely won’t be bad.’
"Don’t be anxious, everyone. I’ll taste it first. I will definitely give a fair judgment, good or bad," Wang Hongliang said with a hearty laugh, picking up a piece of belly meat with his chopsticks.
The sauce was thickened just right. It coated the fish as it was lifted, glistening faintly with oil without being overly sticky.
When the fish entered his mouth, numbing, spicy, savory, fragrant, and sour notes all made their grand entrance. But amidst them all, the unique aroma of the *huoxiang* stood out, elevating the overall flavor to a new level.
The recipe for Huo Xiang Carp is not standardized; every Chef makes it differently. This variation begins with the pickled cowpeas and pickled peppers.
Sourness enhances savoriness and pairs well with fish, which is why Sichuan and Chongqing people love to add pickled greens when cooking fish. Adding cowpeas follows the same principle—it adds flavor, enhances savoriness, and removes any fishiness.
Wang Hongliang had several pickling jars at home: for pickled greens, pickled cowpeas, pickled peppers, pickled ginger... Every season, he would pickle the seasonal vegetables and lock them in the cellar where only he could access them. Whether served with congee or used in stir-fries and braised fish, they were all treasures.
The pickled peppers and cowpeas in this Huo Xiang Carp were indeed well-pickled—tart, fragrant, and refreshing, distinct without overpowering the other flavors.
The blend of so many flavors was surprisingly harmonious, a testament to Zhou Yan’s high degree of talent.
He bit into the fish. The slightly crisped skin was exceptionally fragrant, while the meat itself was remarkably fresh and tender.
Savory, fragrant, and delicious. So good!
There are two ways to make Huo Xiang Carp. One is to pan-fry it first, then simmer it, and finally reduce the sauce to pour over it.
The other way skips the pan-frying step, simmering the fish directly in a rich broth before reducing the sauce to pour over it, pursuing the ultimate in tenderness.
Clearly, Zhou Yan had used the first method, which Wang Hongliang also preferred.
In his opinion, fish that wasn’t pan-fried lacked fragrance. No matter how tender, something felt missing. But if over-fried, the fish would become tough and lose its smooth texture. Therefore, Fire Control was crucial.
The Fire Control for this Huo Xiang Carp was masterfully executed.
Fire Control, seasoning—a perfect fusion. In his heart, this Huo Xiang Carp had already taken first place, even better than the one he’d had at Rongcheng Restaurant.
Wang Hongliang pressed his lips together, spat out a fine fish bone, stood up, and looked at Zhou Yan. "Master Zhou, this Huo Xiang Carp you’ve made is simply too good. Numbing, spicy, savory, and fragrant, full of flavor, and no less impressive than what Rongcheng Restaurant serves. I love to cook. When we have some free time one day, we should have a good exchange."
"OOOH..."
The customers in the restaurant let out sounds of surprise. They hadn’t expected the director to give such a high evaluation after eating the Huo Xiang Carp.
Lin Zhiqiang and Meng Anhe were also a little astonished.
The director’s way of addressing Zhou Yan had changed from Comrade Zhou, to Zhou, and now to Master Zhou, showing the evolution of Zhou Yan’s image in his mind.
Before the food was served, he had talked about giving Zhou some pointers.
Now, it had become wanting to have a good exchange with Master Zhou.
’Hah, the old director has two different faces, doesn’t he?’
Meng Anhe pursed her lips, lowering her head slightly to hide the smile at the corners of her mouth. She picked up a piece of fish to taste, and her eyes quickly lit up, thoroughly impressed.
The reception standards at the design institute were quite high, and she had eaten at many of Rongcheng’s famous restaurants. If Zhou Yan’s Huo Xiang Carp were placed on the menu at Rongyuan Garden, it could easily become a signature dish.
Actually, it wasn’t just the Huo Xiang Carp. The beef with braised bamboo shoots, the dual-pepper minced beef, and the braised pork ribs were all top-notch, on par with any of Rongcheng’s well-known restaurants.
For the first time, Meng Anhe seriously sized up this young man.
’This small-town restaurant can’t contain his talent. Give him some more time, and he might just make a name for himself in the culinary industry.’
The three little ones at the table stared at Zhou Yan, their eyes filled with a newfound admiration. Today’s food was just too delicious!
Especially the ribs—they wanted to eat the bones too!
"You’re too kind. I’m the one who hopes to learn more from you," Zhou Yan said with a humble smile.
"No, no, no, I’m telling the truth. When it comes to cooking, I’m never vague," Wang Hongliang said, waving his hand with a smile. "Your master is more comprehensive, but you have more flair. Even among the First-level Chefs in Rongcheng’s big restaurants, few could make these dishes better than you."
As soon as these words were spoken, the way all the customers looked at Zhou Yan changed.
If it had been anyone else, people might have thought they were a shill hired by Zhou Yan.
But the old director was different. He was well-traveled and knowledgeable, and exceptionally particular about food. For him to say such a thing meant that Zhou Yan’s dishes today were indeed truly well-made.
’His skill is even better than a First-level Chef from Rongcheng Restaurant!’
’If this news gets out, there will definitely be a lot of people coming tomorrow just to try it.’
Mrs. Zhao smiled as she looked at Zhou Yan, but her eyes welled up with tears. ’This child must have suffered so much.’
"Ma’am, we’ll have a Huo Xiang Carp too!"
"Over here, we’d like a dual-pepper minced beef and a Huo Xiang Carp..."
The customers couldn’t sit still any longer and started ordering one after another. The Huo Xiang Carp and the dual-pepper minced beef became hot commodities.
Zhou Yan exchanged a few pleasantries and then returned to the kitchen to get busy.
’Director Wang is a pretty interesting guy. Not pretentious at all, and he knows how to talk.’
"Come on, Director, have some more to drink," Lin Zhiqiang said, pouring wine for Wang Hongliang.
"Two *liang* is enough. I want a bowl of rice," Wang Hongliang said, waving his hand with a smile. "These are dishes that go perfectly with rice. Eating is more satisfying than drinking right now."
"Alright, then I’ll eat too," Lin Zhiqiang said with a laugh, putting the wine away.
In a short while, the beef with braised bamboo shoots and dual-pepper minced beef were marked as sold out.
"Sorry everyone, we’re out of those two dishes. We have three orders of braised pork ribs left, six orders of Huo Xiang Carp, and about ten orders of Kneeling Beef. Once those are ordered, we’ll be sold out for the day," Mrs. Zhao announced apologetically.
The braised pork ribs and Huo Xiang Carp were slightly more expensive, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm at all. On the contrary, fearing that others would order first and they’d be left with nothing, they all rushed forward to place their orders.
The remaining dishes were ordered in an instant, and even all the Kneeling Beef was gone.
"Mrs. Zhao, you should prepare more food tomorrow! From the looks of it, you’ll be swamped with business."
"Yeah, I’m coming back tomorrow at noon!"
A customer who hadn’t managed to order anything said gloomily.
"You got it. We’ll definitely prepare more tomorrow so everyone can get a taste," Mrs. Zhao said with a beaming smile.
The three little ones, full from their meal, left the table first and coaxed Zhou Momo out of the kitchen to play.
"Momo, do you get to eat your Brother’s cooking every day?" Lin Bingwen asked Zhou Momo. "Is it this delicious every day?"
"Uh-huh," Zhou Momo nodded. "Every day."
Hearing this, the three little ones were overcome with envy.
Lin Bingwen turned his head to look at Lin Jingxing. "Brother, when are you going to cook for me?"
"Huh?" Lin Jingxing threw up his hands.
Everyone ate and drank their fill, paid their bills with satisfaction, and left.
"Zhiqiang, you really know how to find a good spot. Otherwise, who knows when I would’ve discovered this hidden gem of a restaurant right under my nose," Wang Hongliang said with a laugh, grabbing Lin Zhiqiang’s arm as they walked out the restaurant door.
"I just came for the lively atmosphere. You’re the one who can really taste the skill, Director. Zhou’s cooking is excellent, and he’s a good person too," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile.
"He is indeed. I’ll have to come back another day to ask for his guidance. It’s much more convenient than going to Rongcheng," Wang Hongliang nodded.
The two families parted ways at the entrance. Wang Hongliang rode his 28-inch roadster, carrying his grandson and Li Meilin home.
Lin Zhiqiang’s family, on the other hand, strolled unhurriedly along the river embankment toward the family courtyard.
"Dad, Mom, when are you going to send Brother to learn how to cook?" Lin Bingwen asked coaxingly, shaking Lin Zhiqiang’s hand. "Other people’s big brothers know how to make delicious food!"
"Oh, give me a break!" Lin Jingxing shot him a look, then turned to Meng Anhe’s side, linking her arm and saying coaxingly, "Mom, when are you going to have a little sister for us? Momo is so cute!"
"A little sister would be great too!" Lin Bingwen’s eyes lit up.
"You two really know how to dream."
Meng Anhe and Lin Zhiqiang couldn’t help but chuckle.
The family’s laughter echoed along the river embankment as the setting sun stretched their shadows long.
...
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PS: Third update! You guys are awesome.
We’ve reached one thousand monthly tickets, so I’ll post another bonus Chapter tomorrow!
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