The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 423: Chapter 417: Kindred Spirits Are Hard to Find

Of course, Zhao Meng just thought of this, so he mentioned it to Fu Yu.

As for what to do in the future, the choice is still up to Fu Yu.

If Fu Yu is pursuing both fame and fortune, Zhao Meng certainly wouldn’t stop him.

Moreover, he would help Fu Yu as much as he could.

He had said all that needed to be said; the rest was up to Fu Yu.

After listening to Zhao Meng, Fu Yu felt warmth in his heart.

He knew Zhao Meng truly had his best interests at heart, but in reality, he hadn’t taken this matter to heart and didn’t see capturing this opportunity as particularly important to him.

Fu Yu gratefully looked at Zhao Meng and sincerely said, ”Chef Zhao, I’ve heard everything you said. I understand your meaning. My basic cooking skills are still quite weak, and everything I know I’ve learned from you and Chef Yao—I’m not there yet.”

”I’m quite happy with how things are now: I get to practice my cooking diligently every day, try various dishes, and improve quickly. But if I really draw outside attention, all sorts of critiques will inevitably follow. Outsiders don’t understand the hard work I put in the kitchen daily; they would all desperately hope that I could advance by leaps and bounds to match their praise and recognition. However, cooking is entirely a technical skill, and there are absolutely no shortcuts to it.”

”I don’t yet have enough ability, and even if I do become famous, I won’t live up to the reputation. Chef Zhao, you’re right; the only thing I can do now is to remain patient and hone my culinary skills.”

Zhao Meng listened and smiled with satisfaction: ”It’s great that you think this way. With fame comes controversy. If you do become famous, more people will be watching you, and everything you do can be taken out of context or criticized. The psychological pressure from the outside world is really hard to handle.”

”You’re still young, and your future is limitless, so there’s no need to fixate on the present; accumulating strength before making a move is the most sensible approach.”

Fu Yu nodded obediently: ”Got it, don’t worry.”

Zhao Meng nodded, satisfied while looking at Fu Yu.

This kid is truly pleasing to anyone who sees him.

At such a young age, he wants to let go of the greed for fame and fortune, which is really not easy.

Not everyone can be content with their current situation, and not everyone can have a heart to live a peaceful life.

After all, people are different.

Zhao Meng asked himself.

Back then, he couldn’t always stick to his true self.

Now, with age, having experienced more, he can have such insight.

When he was truly young, if he encountered something like today, he’d probably rush in headlong.

He simply couldn’t resist temptation.

But Fu Yu is sticking to his true self.

This stable mindset and firm determination are much stronger than he was back then.

Thinking of this, Zhao Meng smiled and patted Fu Yu’s shoulder: ”Don’t worry; you definitely won’t stop at what you have now. As long as you keep working hard, you’ll surely surpass everyone around you...”

At this moment, Zhao Meng’s phone suddenly rang.

”It’s Chef Yao, hold on, let me take this call.”

After he spoke, Zhao Meng answered the phone.

”Hello...”

As soon as Zhao Meng spoke, Yao Shi’s voice came through the receiver: ”Old Zhao, where are you?”

Zhao Meng quickly replied: ”In the dorm.”

Yao Shi asked: ”Have you seen Fu Yu? He’s not in the kitchen—he’s with you, right?”

Zhao Meng responded: ”Yes, he’s with me. What’s up?”

Yao Shi hurriedly said: ”That’s perfect; I’ll come find you both now.”

Yao Shi soon arrived, closed the door casually, and said to Fu Yu: ”Xiaofu, I have something to discuss with you.”

Fu Yu was a bit surprised: ”Chef Yao, what’s the matter?”

Yao Shi said: ”Feng Xiaoxiao, you know her right? The live-streamer who reviews restaurants.”

Fu Yu nodded: ”Yes, I know.”

In the previous evaluation event, Feng Xiaoxiao was one of the judges.

Yao Shi said: ”She came to our restaurant, accompanied by a friend of mine, and wants to meet you.”

”Meet me?” Fu Yu instinctively looked at Zhao Meng.

Zhao Meng asked: ”Who brought her over?”

Yao Shi said: ”Old Zhang.”

Zhang Shiniang and Yao Shi have been old friends; they have a relatively close relationship. This time, Zhang Shiniang facilitated an introduction with Feng Xiaoxiao.

Feng Xiaoxiao came because she wanted to meet the chef from last night’s BBQ evaluation.

With Zhang Shiniang’s connection, Yao Shi had to help with this favor.

With Yao Shi accompanying, Zhao Meng was quite at ease.

That’s how interpersonal relationships are; even the best of friends will have some entanglement over interests.

Mutual support keeps friendships enduring.

Old friends at the restaurant ordered the popular signature dishes.

Zhang Shiniang didn’t seem very passionate about food, just sipping on the complimentary jujube tea from the restaurant, cup after cup.

Yet, he looked much younger than his actual age and spoke very warmly.

Yao Shi called Zhang Shiniang ”Second Brother,” while Fu Yu politely addressed him as Mr. Zhang.

While waiting for the dishes, they sat in the private room for a bit.

Yao Shi and Zhang Shiniang were old friends reunited with plenty of topics to chat about.

Fu Yu met Zhang Shiniang for the first time, and being unfamiliar with each other, they didn’t have much to talk about.

However, Feng Xiaoxiao, upon meeting Fu Yu, was very enthusiastic and, after introducing herself, kept the conversation focused on last night’s BBQ dishes.

Feng Xiaoxiao was clearly very interested in last night’s improved classic sauce. Being a live-streamer, she was quite eloquent and quick-witted.

”For the people, food is everything, and taste comes first. Our traditional cooking focuses on taste as the core; flavor is the soul of a dish and the essence of the culinary arts.”

”I always felt that in the past, everyone pursued getting the best taste, enhancing and balancing flavors, striving for harmony in deliciousness.”

”But nowadays, people chase after visual novelty and unique tastes. The dishes made are intensely flavored, losing sight of the original taste of the ingredients.”

As soon as Feng Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, Fu Yu was dumbfounded.

Is this woman speaking human language?

Feng Xiaoxiao continued eloquently: ”I feel cooking should seek the original taste, as the true flavor of the ingredients is the most beautiful.”

Hearing this, Fu Yu let out a genuine sigh of relief.

When it comes to other topics, Fu Yu admits his education level isn’t high and his insights are not deep, but when it comes to cooking ingredients and flavor pursuit, he has plenty to chat about.

”I think so too!”

With one sentence, Fu Yu made Feng Xiaoxiao’s eyes light up.

Fu Yu quoted: ”In the culinary world, flavors have historically been divided into sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty. But in reality, we now distinguish between basic tastes and complex flavors. Any complex taste is composed of various basic tastes. The art of cooking and seasoning is to mix and match single flavors in both type and quantity to create various complex flavors...”

Feng Xiaoxiao: ”!”

Seeking hidden paths in refined notes, finding a kindred spirit in lofty melodies.