The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

The waiter announced, ”The fragmented dumplings are ready!”

No one else reacted much, except for Ji Maomao and Wu Fan, who were both taken aback.

How many years had it been since they last heard the name of this dish?

Ji Maomao leaned forward to look at the large bowl of fragmented dumplings and the accompanying side dishes around it, instinctively turning his head to the old gentleman sitting beside him.

Wu Fan was also staring blankly at the fragmented dumplings.

The swirling steam blurred their vision, and before them appeared the scene of two people, one big and one small, squeezed together in that somewhat narrow kitchen from years ago.

Ji Maomao’s parents were busy with work and didn’t have time to take care of their child.

Back then, many academically strong students would board at their teachers’ homes for convenience in tutoring and supervision.

From Ji Maomao’s cohort, Wu Fan only took him under his wing.

The workload at the high school was always heavy, and by the time they returned home after evening study, it was usually around ten-thirty.

On the night of Ji Maomao’s birthday, Wu Fan stayed up half the night, making a pot of fragmented dumplings to celebrate Ji Maomao’s birthday.

Wu Fan wore only a pair of checkered pajama pants, topless.

On the muggy summer night, under the twinkling stars outside the window, his large hands skillfully pinched the small dumplings.

The chopped meat and vegetables were stir-fried into a sauce and poured steaming hot over the cooked dumplings.

Finally, he made a large bowl of fragrant spicy oil with hot oil.

The two of them sat across the table, heads down, scooping the fragmented dumplings, devouring them greedily, their mouths dripping with spicy oil.

That seemingly forgotten memory from years ago came flooding back, becoming clear again with this serving of fragmented dumplings.

Ji Maomao said in surprise and nostalgia, ”Teacher, isn’t this the fragmented dumplings you made for my birthday back then?”

Hearing their conversation, others turned their heads, listening intently.

Wu Fan smiled, ”You still remember?”

Ji Maomao nodded, ”I remember! You said that in your hometown, it’s traditional to eat a bowl of fragmented dumplings for birthdays.”

Someone beside them remarked, ”Teacher, that tradition from your hometown is really unique!”

Wu Fan laughed and waved his hand, ”Ah! What tradition? Actually, I lied to him back then!”

The person who asked was momentarily stunned, and Ji Maomao looked equally surprised.

Wu Fan said, ”At that time, you all were about to enter the third year of high school and were very busy with studies. He was living at my house then, going to and from school with me every day. On his birthday, I was too busy to find time to buy him a cake. Then I thought, a child only has one birthday a year, and he must be very much looking forward to it. So I made the fragmented dumplings late at night and tricked him into thinking it was a tradition from my hometown.”

”What I made back then was far from authentic, not as neatly pinched, the sauce wasn’t as rich, and the side dishes...really...”

As Wu Fan spoke, he laughed, ”This silly child actually believed me...”

Laughing, the old man’s eyes gradually turned red, ”Time flies so fast! In a blink of an eye, you’ve all grown up.”

Ji Maomao’s nose tingled, holding back tears, ”Yes, teacher. You celebrated my birthday back then, and now it’s my turn to celebrate yours.”

Ji Maomao stood up, personally serving a bowl of fragmented dumplings, adding a bit of spicy oil, and handing it to Wu Fan.

”Teacher, please try and see how well they make it!”

Wu Fan took it with a smile, taking a bite.

The rich sauce, slightly spicy meat soup mixed with the small dumplings, in one bite, combined the essence of the meal, hitting all senses.

”Good, it’s delicious!”

Ji Maomao sincerely said, ”Teacher, happy birthday!”

The others quickly echoed, ”Teacher, happy birthday!!”

Wu Fan smiled, looking joyfully and gratefully at the students in front of him, eyes brimming with tears of emotion, ”Great, wonderful! Thank you all!!”

”Teacher, thank you for your dedicated guidance back then, thank you!”

Listening to these heartfelt words, Wu Fan couldn’t help but shed tears.

As a teacher, having spent a lifetime educating and nurturing students, at this moment, life truly felt complete.

At the same time.

Fu Yu heard the electronic notification in his ear:

[Ding! NPC Chef Yao Shi’s task: Assist Yao Shi in creating a birthday feast that moved the old teacher Wu Fan to tears, successfully completed. Reward: 100 RMB, task experience +50]

The old teacher was finally moved to tears!

Fu Yu let out a sigh of relief.

It took a full hour and fifty minutes!

All the dishes for the three-turn feast were finally served.

At this moment, everyone let out a genuine sigh of relief.

Yao Shi looked at Fu Yu with appreciation and approval!

Fu Yu wiped the sweat from his chin on his chef’s uniform collar, smiling slightly at Yao Shi, ”Chef Yao, it’s done.”

Right then, Zhao Meng walked into the back kitchen, seeing they had the stovetop turned off, asked with concern, ”How did it go? Everything smooth?”

Fu Yu, upon seeing Zhao Meng return, exclaimed in surprise, ”Chef Zhao! Have you finished eating so quickly?”

Zhao Meng waved his hand, ”Eating? No, I postponed the meal time, everyone’s waiting!”

”If you’re done here, hurry up! That pack of hungry wolves’ eyes are practically reflecting green!”

That one remark left Fu Yu and the others momentarily stunned, then they all became joyful.

”That’s great!”

”Thank you, Chef Zhao!”

Yao Shi, unaware of the roast lamb plan, looked baffled at the joyful antics of the three.

Zhao Meng laughed and explained the dinner invitation to Yao Shi, who was also pleased upon hearing it, ”Alright, count me in. I won’t go for free, tonight’s drinks are on me, order anything you like!”

After a simple cleanup, they turned to head out.

Before reaching the door of the back kitchen, they encountered Dong Jun Tian approaching briskly.

Dong Jun Tian, full of joy, upon seeing Yao Shi, said happily, ”Customer 401 was very satisfied with the three-turn feast!”

Saying this, Dong Jun Tian patted Yao Shi on the shoulder, ”Xiao Yao! You really are amazing! Absolutely incredible!”

Yao Shi was delighted to hear that customer 401 was satisfied with the feast.

However, he promptly explained, ”This feast was made together by Fu Yu and me. To be honest, he’s even more skilled! I only prepared a few dishes, he did the rest!”

Dong Jun Tian, upon hearing this, was suddenly surprised, looking at Fu Yu, ”Xiao Fu, you can also prepare a three-turn feast?”

Fu Yu quickly replied modestly, ”No, I can’t. I just followed Chef Yao’s lead.”

But Yao Shi said, ”To cook directly from recipes, Xiao Fu truly is a talent!”

Dong Jun Tian also nodded, turning to Zhao Meng, ”Old Zhao, you’ve trained a real talent! Xiao Fu is truly excellent!”

Having fretted over the day’s matters, Dong Jun Tian finally resolved them smoothly, and felt great.

The compliment he gave came straight from the heart.

Zhao Meng beamed with pride.