Chapter 49: Chapter 049: Headache
Translator: 549690339
That drunken customer, wouldn’t he get angry, slam the table, throw the chopsticks, and smash the cups?
Since this has happened before, Ma Tong didn’t dare to neglect, he rubbed his hands together and looked pleadingly at Zhang Yongchang after checking the kitchen, “Uncle Zhang, don’t we still have tofu?”
“Can you eat that tofu? For humans to eat?” Zhang Yongchang gave the waiter a stern look: “Sending out tofu will probably ruin my reputation!”
“Just tell the people outside that the brown sauce tofu is not available today. If they come early tomorrow, it will be.”
Zhang Yongchang said and went on to cook other dishes without giving any heed to the waiter.
The fire on the stove was blazing, and Zhang Yongchang flipped the spoon forcefully. The flames that erupted seemingly consumed the entire pot, lighting up the entire kitchen with a fiery glow.
Seeing that Zhang Yongchang wasn’t willing to cook any more dishes and fearing potential hassles with the customers, Ma Tong had no choice but to inform Feng Yongkang of the situation.
“Really?” Feng Yongkang furrowed his brow.
“I too find it extremely strange,” Ma Tong’s brow was furrowed even more than Feng Yongkang’s, saying, “I don’t know why Uncle Zhang suddenly dislikes Changji’s tofu. Didn’t he always say that Changji’s tofu was the best, and no tofu could match it? How come that within a few days, he says that Changji’s tofu is inedible?”
Moreover, Changji’s tofu is delicious.
“Okay, I got it.” Feng Yongkang dismissively raised his hand.
“Well, shop manager, how should I reply to the customers…”
“Just tell them that we didn’t prepare enough tofu today, serve them a dish of peanuts as compensation.” Feng Yongkang ordered.
So, no dishes will be served after all.
Upon hearing this, Ma Tong felt instantly dispirited.
Even if they encounter customers with good tempers who don’t flip tables or smash plates, they will definitely complain about the absence of this signature dish, and he’ll have to plaster on a grin to service them well.
But who made him a waiter? Waiters have to do this dirty work.
Ma Tong sighed to himself, headed to the front hall, thinking about what to say to the customers.
Feng Yongkang went to the kitchen.
At this point, the kitchen wasn’t too busy. Zhang Yongchang was finishing up the additional orders, and the assistants were tidying up under his orders.
Zhang Yongchang was a stern and perfectionist man. His kitchen was always expected to be immaculate with no room for chaos. Right now, the assistants were working diligently, while Zhang Yongchang was heating the knives over the fire to remove the water vapor from the blades, preventing them from rusting.
“Brother Yongchang,” Feng Yongkang approached him, “Take a break and have some tea with me. I just got some excellent Maojian tea today, why don’t you have a taste?”
Zhang Yongchang was a tea drinker. Despite being unable to discern the minute differences in flavors, he loved the delicate aroma of tea. Hearing Feng Yongkang’s invitation, he put down his work, told the assistants to finish tidying up, and then went into the courtyard with Feng Yongkang.
Lighting a lantern, brewing a pot of tea, and preparing two bowls of peanuts and sunflower seeds, they chatted while enjoying the tea.
“Just now when I came back, Brother Yuanda came to me and said that you stopped using Changji’s tofu. What happened?”
Feng Yongkang continued, “We have been using Changji’s tofu and it’s very good, isn’t it? Why did you suddenly stop using it? Did Brother Yuanda offend you?”
“What business is it of mine if he behaves himself or not? Moreover, even if he did offend me, as long as his tofu is delicious, I would still use it.”
Zhang Yongchang retorted, “In fact, 1 can no longer use Changji’s tofu. I’ve found a new type of tofu which is even more delicious. Do you remember Qin Hongbao saying that he tasted a different kind of brown sauce tofu at our restaurant? I think it was made with that tofu.”
“I’ve been out inquiring and found that the business at Ruyi Pavilion has been better than before lately, and their brown sauce tofu is selling well because they have been using this new tofu. So today, I bought some and also arranged for future deliveries. The delivery girl will bring the tofu tomorrow morning, at which point you can arrange for the bill to be settled.”
“Really, there is tofu better than Changji’s tofu?” Feng Yongkang was doubtful, his eyebrows knitted together.
“Gosh, would I lie to you? I personally tasted it. Can 1 be wrong? I’ll tell you, after I bought the tofu, 1 had Qin Hongbao taste it. He personally said it was the same as what he had eaten before. Today’s brown sauce tofu sold really well. Some tables even ordered two plates. Believe me, using this tofu, I promise the business at Fushun Tower will be much better.” Zhang Yongchang started laughing as he spoke.
Seeing his firm belief and confidence, Feng Yongkang began to believe his words.
After all, Zhang Yongchang is extremely demanding when it comes to the taste of dishes. He is also very stubborn. As long as a product can produce good dishes, he insists on buying it no matter where it comes from.
If he commends this tofu, then it must be good.
“If the shop manager doesn’t believe me, you can try it tomorrow. I originally planned for you to taste it when you came back tonight, but I forgot to save any in the heat of the moment.”
Zhang Yongchang said, “But you can rest assured, this tofu isn’t expensive, the price is similar to Changji’s. In the future, if we need more you can see if we can get a cheaper price. But honestly, for such delicious tofu, we shouldn’t start haggling.”
“Even if the price of this tofu is a little higher than that of Changji’s, it won’t matter.”
“If Brother says it’s delicious, then it must be good. As long as Brother thinks this tofu is good, just let them deliver on time, we can talk about the money later.”
Feng Yongkang laughed, though his brows remained furrowed. He sighed, “I guess Brother Yuanda is going to keep nagging at my ear.”
Perhaps it’s not nagging, rather, whining.
When Chang Yuanda came to see him, his face was already wrinkled like a bun, pouring out his sorrows about how Changji was doing poorly and even his brother in law didn’t care and stopped using Changji’s tofu. If this continues, Changji Tofu House would have to close…
A grown man speaking like that was truly unbearable. If he couldn’t persuade Zhang Yongchang, Chang Yuanda would probably cry in front of him.
Thinking about this, Feng Yongkang was exasperated..
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