The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

The vacation days have finally arrived.

In the kitchen, except for a temporary emergency for one worker, everyone else takes turns to rest.

When Zhao Meng is off, Fu Yu takes on the main responsibilities here.

Even though the grill station is receiving orders as if it’s snowing, with order slips piling up, at least there’s no need to wield the wok.

During the off-season, there are fewer dine-in customers, with daily patrons being less than half of what they were during the peak season, but the delivery orders have noticeably increased.

Especially the seafood barbecue, which has seen consistent business after the recent delivery review promotions.

The grill station is not easy, as only Fu Yu and Yao Yihang are handling it, and even with helpers, they are busy all night with no breaks.

Meanwhile, Sun Qingning at the main kitchen is busier than ever since today, Gu Yunwu is in charge due to Yao Yihang’s vacation.

Gu Yunwu is notoriously lazy, always delegating tasks and never taking on any himself.

He used to order Yao Yihang around, and now that Zhang Jiaxin can handle the stove, he delegates whenever workload allows, minimizing his efforts.

He recently got two new intern helpers.

Lu Yao is quite steady in nature, but just out of school with no practical experience, he’s currently helping with odd jobs alongside the other workers.

However, Qi Shun is quite good, talented, with a solid culinary foundation, and very observant.

Gu Yunwu kept Qi Shun as an assistant for two days, found him reliable, and decided to focus on cultivating him.

In the kitchen, except for regular customer orders, Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu rotate on taking orders.

Although Gu Yunwu doesn’t do any actual work himself, he’s more eager than anyone to take orders.

No matter how many orders he has pending, he quickly picks up any that come his way.

Zhang Jiaxin has a reserved personality, speaks little, is meticulous, and gets along well with people.

He started his internship in the Qianlima kitchen with Fu Yu and the others but ended up under Gu Yunwu.

Because he’s not good at socializing or flattering his superiors, he’s never received much attention from Gu Yunwu.

Finally seeing a chance for a permanent position, he still lost out to Fu Yu and Yao Yihang.

Facing the prospect of being a helper forever, there was a time when he considered quitting.

Then suddenly, Gu Yunwu started supporting him.

Zhang Jiaxin cherishes the opportunity to cook on the stove and has been working diligently.

They say that more capable people work harder.

Hardworking and aspiring Zhang Jiaxin met Gu Yunwu.

It can be said that he’s quite unlucky.

With Yao Yihang absent, Gu Yunwu not helping, Qi Shun can only handle some simple tasks.

Zhang Jiaxin spent the whole day so busy he couldn’t even take a sip of water.

Fu Yu finally finished grilling all the delivery orders and returned to the main kitchen, only to see Zhang Jiaxin anxiously talking to Sun Qingning.

Seeing Fu Yu return, Zhang Jiaxin looked as if he’d seen his savior.

”Chef Fu, I can’t handle this order. Could you please help me out?”

Fu Yu glanced at the opposite kitchen counter; Gu Yunwu was not there.

He took the order slip, looked it over, and asked, ”Where’s Chef Gu?”

Zhang Jiaxin anxiously replied, ”He just got a call, saying a friend he knows is coming to dine here, so he went to the front to greet them.”

Fu Yu couldn’t help but chuckle.

Saying hello to a friend probably means having a meal together...

Fu Yu nodded, took a closer look at the dishes on the order slip.

It’s a small banquet order, six dishes, one soup, and a pound of mackerel dumplings.

Squirrel Ao Hua, Paddlefish Stew with Potatoes, Eight Garlic Fried Worms, Oil-drizzled Bird Shells, Three Fresh Sea Sausages, Fresh Shrimp with Celery Bunch, Special Fish Head Soup.

Zhang Jiaxin leaned over and said, ”The customer ordered some of the restaurant’s rare dishes. I haven’t even heard of two of them, and I can’t cook them at all!”

Fu Yu glanced at the three dishes Zhang Jiaxin pointed out; they’re all river fish dishes, rarely ordered at the restaurant.

Qianlima mainly focuses on seafood, with customers typically coming for seafood cuisine. These river fish dishes are more authentically found at small restaurants on Jiangbian Road.

Plus, this season isn’t ideal for river fish.

Cooking river fish is easy for Fu Yu, but this order was taken by Gu Yunwu...

Zhang Jiaxin continued, ”I called Chef Gu, but he didn’t answer. I asked Sister Gao for help, but she hadn’t seen him. I really can’t reach him, so I sent him a message explaining the situation. The order-taker specifically mentioned the customer wants the food quickly since they’re in a hurry. But Chef Xiao Yao is off today, and without Chef Gu around, I can’t cook these dishes. I really don’t know what to do!”

Fu Yu asked, ”Isn’t this order from a regular customer?”

These dishes are too obscure, but anyone knowing Qianlima has these dishes surely heard about them from a previous visit.

Zhang Jiaxin shook his head, ”No, there wasn’t any special mention.”

As long as it’s not a regular customer order, it’s fine.

Fu Yu readily agreed, ”Alright, I’ll handle this order then.”

It’s just a small banquet table, no bonus, but it’s good practice.

Zhang Jiaxin was immensely grateful.

While the two were talking, another order-taker arrived with an order slip.

This one was for Zhao Meng’s side.

Zhang Jiaxin hurriedly accepted it, glanced at the dishes listed, and said, ”Perfect, I’ll take care of this one. Thank you, Chef Fu.”

Fu Yu couldn’t help but give Zhang Jiaxin an extra glance.

Zhang Jiaxin gratefully smiled and went back to work.

Fu Yu got on the stove and started cooking.

At the same time, in the front hall, private room 303.

Li Yan casually took off his coat and tossed it over the chair back, pulling out the chair to sit down with a face full of impatience.

”What’s so great about staying in this crappy place? Just finish the business and leave! It’s only a four-hour drive from Bei’an to the provincial capital. Do we look like starved ghosts? Gotta eat here!”

The accompanying friend Lu Laining quickly whispered, ”Uncle Li said this place is an old brand with pretty good taste...”

Li Yan frowned, glanced at the private room, which, despite being clean, was clearly dated in both decor and setup, and interrupted Lu Laining with dissatisfaction, complaining, ”This crappy place? Can hygiene be assured? My dad’s brain must be sick! If he wants to reminisce, he can come by himself!”

Just then, a server came to deliver complimentary tea.

Li Yan looked at the teapot placed in front of him, frowning so much his eyebrows could knot into a bow.

He disdainfully lifted the lid, peering inside, it was clear white water with a thin layer of barley grains at the bottom.

Lu Laining took the teapot, filled his own cup, and turned to ask, ”Would you like some water?”

Li Yan raised an eyebrow, ”You think I can drink this? I use Evian even when I wash my hands at home!”