The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 68: Chapter 67: Show Your Skills

An outstanding chef must have good arm strength.

Because of years of wok frying, chefs generally have strong arms.

Especially the arm used for frying.

After years of practice, it often becomes noticeably stronger than the other arm.

When Fu Yu was in school, he practiced frying with sand in a wok under his teacher’s guidance.

But no matter how much he practiced, if the frying went on for too long, he couldn’t withstand the physical strain.

Now, with the improvement in frying techniques, he no longer has to worry about exhausting his arm.

Besides being less strenuous, this skill has also perfected dealing with various situations encountered during frying.

The actions are more elegant, and the stir-frying is more even.

And every movement is selected to be the best angle and method.

If it were an ordinary person, even if told how to operate, they might still need to practice for a while.

But with Fu Yu’s speed and touch, he mastered it with a little thought.

Coincidentally, there’s an assessment tomorrow, a good opportunity to showcase his skills!

...

Fu Yu was busy at the music restaurant until five thirty in the afternoon.

When the last dish was taken away by the waiter, everyone in the back kitchen finally relaxed.

On his way back, Yao Shi stopped Fu Yu and transferred 300 yuan to him on WeChat.

”Chef Yao, you transferred too much.”

Previously agreed, helping in the kitchen for a day would earn 200 yuan.

Yao Shi smiled and said, ”The wage is 200, and the extra 100 is for reimbursement of your travel expenses today. I should have given you a ride back, but I took a day off and can’t appear. You’ll have to take a taxi on your own.”

It’s no wonder Yao Shi is capable, daring, and also perceptive.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Fu Yu quickly expressed his gratitude: ”Thank you, Chef Yao! Don’t worry, I’ll definitely come over during my days off.”

...

In the evening, back at the Qianlima Restaurant.

Seeing there was still time, Fu Yu went straight to Zhao Meng’s place.

In the future, when he’s off, he has to go help in the music restaurant’s kitchen, so he can only take time to clean his place.

While working, Fu Yu received a call from Zhao Meng.

Zhao Meng had the early shift today and, noticing Fu Yu hadn’t come back yet, called to check on him.

After the call, Fu Yu took out the trash he had collected and headed back to the dormitory.

When Fu Yu brought two cartons of cigarettes to Zhao Meng’s room, Zhao Meng was just taking clothes out of the washing machine.

Zhao Meng, being the chef, had much better living conditions in his dorm than those of workers like Fu Yu.

The room was larger, the windows faced the sun, and even the bathroom had an extra washing machine.

Fu Yu placed the shopping bag on the table and went over to help Zhao Meng hang clothes.

”Chef Zhao, let me do it, you take a break.”

Zhao Meng was washing bed sheets and stopped Fu Yu: ”No need, it’s just a sheet.”

Zhao Meng shook the sheet twice and then asked with concern: ”How’d it go today? What did you practice?”

Fu Yu quickly shared about his day at the music restaurant occupying the stovetop.

After Zhao Meng finished hanging the sheet and walked over, he asked in surprise: ”Dough balloons? You even know how to make those?”

Fu Yu nodded: ”Yeah, it’s actually not hard.”

Zhao Meng laughed: ”You thought of that, your brain is really lively!”

Then, as if thinking of something, Zhao Meng exclaimed: ”Why don’t you make a dough balloon for plating tomorrow? That’s so creative! It sounds great; regardless of how the dish turns out, at least the visual effect will impress them.”

Fu Yu quickly replied: ”I can’t. I have already sold that exclusive skill to Chef Yao.”

Fu Yu explained how Yao Shi hired him to teach the kitchen staff to make dough balloons.

Zhao Meng, outspoken, commented: ”He’s quick to react; if the creativity is well executed, it could certainly become a major feature of the restaurant.”

He then instructed Fu Yu: ”Don’t stand on ceremony with Chef Yao; he has plenty of money. As long as you work hard, you won’t be shortchanged in the future.”

Fu Yu nodded.

It was then that Zhao Meng noticed the shopping bag on the table. He picked it up, and his face suddenly turned solemn: ”Fu Yu, what’s this about?”

Fu Yu hastily explained: ”I earned some extra money and thought of showing you some respect. Chef Zhao, you really have to accept it. I know you’ve put a lot of thought into my matters, and I’m so touched! Really, I’m not from around here, I don’t see my parents often, and you’ve treated me well, so I see you as family. I just want to treat you well. You must accept it!”

As Fu Yu spoke, he slowly retreated towards the door.

As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly opened the door, dashed out while softly saying, ”I’ll definitely make you proud tomorrow, don’t worry!”

And without waiting for Zhao Meng’s response, he ran off.

Zhao Meng chased after him, standing at the door, watching as Fu Yu had already darted back to his room.

Zhao Meng shook his head, half amused, half exasperated, muttering: ”You brat!”

Yet his face spread into a satisfied smile.

All those efforts weren’t in vain!

...

After a full day, it was quite a rewarding experience.

Fu Yu thought he’d fall asleep early, but he tossed and turned restlessly until the early hours.

Upon waking up early, he vaguely remembered dreaming of his graduation exam scene.

As part of the daily routine, he clocked in at the front hall.

[Clocked in! Thank you!]

[Ding! Daily task: Become the top scorer in the upcoming assessment. Task completion reward: A knife that slices through iron like clay]

A knife that slices through iron like clay?

That sounds impressive!

Considering the past non-stick skimmer and non-burning wok.

This knife that slices through iron like clay must be a treasure.

Fu Yu decided to accept the task.

The next second, the electronic prompt sounded again in his ear:

[Ding! NPC Chef Yao Shi’s task: Pass the assessment and secure regular employment. Task completion reward: 500 yuan in cash, randomly acquire one professional skill from Chef Yao Shi. Task status: Not yet completed.]

Fu Yu slapped his forehead, remembering that when he first learned the boss approved two regular employment slots, the system indeed issued this task.

If he counted the task he took on yesterday, teaching the music restaurant’s kitchen staff how to make dough balloons, he could obtain two of Yao Shi’s personal skills in total!!

Things are about to take off!

With dozens of personal skills in Chinese cooking, Fu Yu felt that at this pace, it may not take more than two or three years for him to master them all.

The more Fu Yu thought about it, the more cheerful he became, feeling his prospects were indeed bright.

After a day full of activities.

Zhao Meng had intended to let Fu Yu polish his skills before going into battle.

But plans couldn’t keep up with changes.

The restaurant received two large banquet orders in succession that day.

Everyone in the kitchen was so busy their feet were barely on the ground.

Fu Yu helped Zhao Meng in the kitchen, hardly getting a chance to do much himself.

When the shift change time finally came.

Yao Shi came over and instructed, ”Everyone participating in the assessment, start preparing now. It’s 5 o’clock, and the assessment officially begins in half an hour.”

”Considering the time constraints, it’s been decided that participants only need to prepare one signature dish.”

Fu Yu was taken aback, instinctively looking at Zhao Meng.

Zhao Meng was also a bit surprised.

They had canceled the temporary assignment.

In other words, for this assessment, participants only needed to make one of their signature dishes!

Fu Yu was elated!

That’s great!!!