Chapter 232: Chapter 142: Warm-hearted (2)
He could only be at ease with his own people.
Qi Sheng immediately dropped 25 million to turn Chef Yu into one of his own loyal employees.
And just like that, the way Yu Huachuan looked at Qi Sheng was instantly filled with immense respect.
"You’ll continue to manage the restaurant. Go get the sous-chef."
Qi Sheng considered that as the head chef, Yu Huachuan’s role was more symbolic, primarily serving important guests.
The daily menu was almost always prepared by the sous-chef.
The sous-chef’s skill level would directly impact the restaurant’s reputation.
Soon, Yu Huachuan brought in a tall and sturdy chef.
"Boss, this is my apprentice, Zhou Yang. He’s been learning from me for five years. His skills are... passable."
Though Yu Huachuan said that, he was actually very pleased with Zhou Yang.
"Hello, Boss!"
Brought by his master to meet the new boss, Zhou Yang was so nervous his back was soaked with sweat.
"Don’t be so nervous. I’m not going to eat you. Your master says you’re a good cook, so how about you make us one of your specialty dishes to try?"
Qi Sheng smiled, calming the nervous Zhou Yang as he turned him into an Expert Level talent.
Now, his culinary skills were no less than his master’s.
"Yes, Boss!"
Zhou Yang didn’t know what was happening.
Just looking at the young, handsome boss in front of him made him feel an involuntary, deep-seated respect.
As Yu Huachuan’s prized apprentice, Zhou Yang had learned seventy to eighty percent of his master’s craft.
Closing the remaining gap would require years of patient, steady effort, like water dripping through stone.
Yu Huachuan himself had studied under several famous chefs for eight years and then worked at Zifei for over a decade.
Only then had he acquired his own exquisite culinary skills.
But there was still a significant gap between him and the Master Level.
Yu Huachuan’s biggest dream was to break through that barrier and become a true master in the world of Sichuan cuisine.
After a while, Zhou Yang finished making his specialty dish.
"Boss, please have a taste. This is my best dish, Hand-Peeled Sancha Lake Shrimp with Qingxi Tribute Pepper. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied."
Zhou Yang walked in carrying a plate, looking full of confidence.
"You brat, since when did you get so cocky?"
Yu Huachuan knew Zhou Yang’s personality well. The young man was rarely as conceited as he was today.
’Yes, conceited.’
As far as Yu Huachuan was concerned, Zhou Yang’s cooking was bound to be riddled with flaws in the eyes of an expert like Qi Sheng.
Anticipating that the boss might get angry, Yu Huachuan prepared to swallow his pride and plead on his apprentice’s behalf.
"You all have a taste, too."
Smiling, Qi Sheng beckoned to his three little ones and Yu Huachuan, then took the first bite.
The ingredients for this dish also used lake shrimp from Sancha Lake.
Paired with Qingxi Tribute Pepper from Hanyuan, it was intensely fragrant, with a smooth, tingling spice that was utterly refreshing.
Served with a pomegranate sorbet, the mouthfeel was even more complex.
"Wow, this is delicious!"
Du Xinxin, ever the foodie, couldn’t resist giving Zhou Yang a thumbs-up in approval.
"Thank you, Boss’s wife."
Zhou Yang quickly bowed to show his respect.
"Oh!"
Du Xinxin blushed. It was the first time anyone had addressed her like that, and she shyly buried her face in Qi Sheng’s embrace.
"Chef Yu, what do you think?"
Of course, Qi Sheng had anticipated Zhou Yang’s leap in culinary skill.
He was more interested in seeing how Yu Huachuan would react.
"Uh..."
Yu Huachuan was completely stunned. He couldn’t believe Zhou Yang had made this dish.
But in the kitchen, besides himself...
Who else could make a dish of this caliber?
"You brat, since when did your cooking get this good?"
Yu Huachuan couldn’t figure it out for the life of him, and he slapped Zhou Yang’s shoulder hard, both shocked and delighted.
"Hehe, Master, I’m not sure what happened either. It’s like I suddenly had a breakthrough. All those little details you taught me... it’s like everything suddenly clicked into place."
Zhou Yang scratched his head, unable to explain it clearly himself.
"A breakthrough is good, a breakthrough is good."
Yu Huachuan looked at his beloved apprentice with a complicated expression.
"You’ve officially graduated, kid. Your skills are on par with mine now."
"Hehe, so are you going to give me the Head Chef position?"
Zhou Yang had meant it as a joke, but seeing his master start to pull off his belt, he quickly scrammed.
"Boss, I’ve got to get back to the kitchen. I’ll take my leave!"
"That brat! Daring to eye my position... what a rebellious apprentice!"
Yu Huachuan chided playfully as he watched Zhou Yang beat a hasty retreat.
But the pride on his face was impossible to suppress.
’Being able to train an apprentice whose skills are on par with his own... doesn’t that just prove how skilled he is as a master?’
"From now on, the two of you will be in charge of the restaurant. When the Luhu Lake branch opens, Zhou Yang will go over there to take charge."
By preparing the talent in advance, Qi Sheng hoped to make Zifei even more of a sensation.
That way, when the Luhu Lake branch opened, it would already have a built-in following.
"Understood."
Yu Huachuan naturally had no objections and calmly accepted the arrangement for his apprentice to be transferred.
’What chef doesn’t dream of becoming a head chef and managing their own team?’
Yu Huachuan had been in his shoes; he certainly wouldn’t hold his apprentice back.
...
Leaving Zifei Restaurant, Qi Sheng saw that the three little ones had eaten their fill.
He suggested they take a walk around the nearby Kuanzhai Alley, an idea the three little ones unanimously approved.
Thinking that tomorrow they would have to part with Qi Sheng,
the three little ones wished they could glue themselves to their boyfriend and never be apart for a single moment.
Kuanzhai Alley was bustling with tourists.
Qi Sheng and the three little ones were the center of attention.
The combination of a supremely handsome man and three gorgeous women was the most eye-catching sight in the area.
Once the three little ones were tired of walking, Qi Sheng waved over to Gu Feng.
Gu Feng, who had been waiting by the roadside to be summoned, immediately drove the Cullinan over.
Seeing the three little ones get into the Cullinan with the tall, rich, and handsome guy,
many men in the crowd watched, their eyes green with envy.
But since they were broke, all they could do was watch as the rich young master made off with all three of them.
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