The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

The Shangshi Private Kitchen closes at 10:30 PM.

After the customers left, and having simply tidied up the back kitchen and front hall, it was already past eleven.

As they walked out of the store, Liu Yunong suddenly stopped Fu Yu and said, ”Xiaofu, where do you live? How about I give you a ride?”

Fu Yu was momentarily taken aback and quickly replied politely, ”Oh, no need, I live in the dorm, right at our shop.”

Qianlima is quite far from here, and taking a taxi would take more than forty minutes, so it’s unlikely to be on Liu Yunong’s way.

Liu Yunong waved and said, ”It’s right on my way, let’s go, I can take you to the side street.”

Fu Yu was surprised and asked, ”Teacher Liu, do you live near our shop?”

Liu Yunong glanced at Fu Yu and said, ”Oh, my sister lives there. During my time here in Bei’an, I’ve been staying at her place.”

Fu Yu nodded, quite pleased, ”That’s quite a coincidence.”

Liu Yunong remarked meaningfully, ”Yes, it’s quite a coincidence.”

Liu Yunong was driving a black Volkswagen, which blended into the traffic like a drop of water into the sea, attracting no attention from passersby.

Considering Liu Yunong’s status, driving such a car seemed a bit too low-key.

Noticing Fu Yu’s gaze, Liu Yunong asked casually, ”What’s up?”

Fu Yu honestly said, ”I thought you’d be driving a BMW at least.”

Liu Yunong smiled, ”This car of mine isn’t a regular Volkswagen, it’s a Huayteng.”

The implication was that it’s way pricier than a BMW.

Fu Yu: ”...”

Rich people pretending to be poor?

The world of the wealthy is beyond me...

Fastening his seatbelt, Fu Yu replied to Zhao Meng with a message to say he was safe, and chatted amiably with Liu Yunong.

The first half of the conversation largely revolved around Liu Family Cuisine and the Shangshi Private Kitchen’s operations.

However, just as the atmosphere was right, Liu Yunong subtly shifted the topic to Fu Yu himself.

With a clear conscience, Fu Yu answered whatever was asked.

Liu Yunong seemed intent on finding out various personal details about Fu Yu.

Liu Yunong asked, ”Xiaofu, how long have you been working at Qianlima?”

Fu Yu said, ”Over a year. I started my internship in the back kitchen right after graduating from school.”

”You mentioned your parents came to see you and your brother? Do you have two kids in your family?”

”No, no... Minghao is my aunt’s child. He came here to Bei’an to study this year.”

Liu Yunong nodded, ”No wonder, I remember you seemed to say before that you’re the only child in your family.”

Fu Yu nodded, ”Yes, just me.”

”Your parents are pretty blessed, having such an outstanding son like you.”

Fu Yu smiled.

He didn’t dare to say it before, but now he can indeed make his parents proud of him.

A very ordinary family of three.

His parents are open-minded, deeply affectionate, and their home atmosphere is warm.

As a child, Fu Yu didn’t like studying, dropped out of high school, and switched to culinary school. Due to his excellent performance, he was smoothly recommended by the school to intern in Qianlima’s back kitchen after graduation.

He then met Chef Zhao Meng and, within less than a year, secured a permanent position.

These were things Liu Yunong learned from Fu Yu.

Aside from that, regarding Fu Yu’s part-time job at a music restaurant, Liu Yunong also had her own channels and knew a bit about it.

The young man before her, handsome, with a gentle demeanor, and remarkable culinary talent, was indeed a promising talent.

The car stopped at the back door of Qianlima.

After Fu Yu got out of the car, he waved to Liu Yunong to say goodbye, ”Teacher Liu, thank you for giving me a ride back, take care, goodbye!”

Liu Yunong nodded and drove away.

As the car drove off, she looked with a complicated expression at the young figure reflected in the rearview mirror.

Fu Yu was courteously seeing her off.

Liu Yunong withdrew her gaze and sighed.

Oh well, there’s no use overthinking, the younger generation has their own fortune...

...

Fu Yu watched Liu Yunong’s car go far, then he turned back to the dormitory.

Zhao Meng didn’t come back for the night, so Fu Yu went directly to his own room.

Slept a bit late, almost didn’t wake up the next day.

After clocking in, he went to the back kitchen and encountered Zhao Meng, who was energetic and satisfied.

Fu Yu teased with a smile, ”Chef Zhao, looks like you slept well last night?”

Zhao Meng rolled his eyes, his smile widening, ”You’re sharp as always, kid!”

Then, coming closer, he asked with concern, ”So, how did things go last night?”

Fu Yu had gone to see Liu Yunong yesterday, and Zhao Meng, feeling uneasy, had texted him midway to inquire.

Since Fu Yu hadn’t met Liu Yunong at the time, he replied only saying that she likely wanted to discuss something, but he’d only know what after they talked.

Knowing Zhao Meng was concerned for him, Fu Yu recounted the events of the previous night in detail.

Zhao Meng asked, ”Did she say she wants to teach you Liu Family Cuisine? That you should go over whenever you have time after work?”

Fu Yu nodded, ”Yes, that’s what she said.”

Zhao Meng chuckled, ”You’re really lucky, kid! You stumbled upon such a rare opportunity.”

Fu Yu chuckled.

Liu Family Cuisine is quite renowned.

Liu Yunong, with her exquisite culinary skills and the family recipes passed down through generations, had, in just a few years, successfully expanded her family’s business, blooming all over.

It’s the kind of opportunity many people yearn for but can’t have, yet it came so easily for Fu Yu.

Zhao Meng decisively said for Fu Yu, ”In that case, head over there after work in the future. Anyway, business at the store has been slow recently, and there aren’t many orders in the evening.”

It was essentially giving him a green light to leave early.

Fu Yu hesitated, ”No need, I can just go over during the daytime whenever possible...”

Zhao Meng interrupted Fu Yu straight away, ”Liu Yunong is so busy, she probably won’t stay long in Bei’an this time, it’s a rare chance. While she has time now and is willing to teach you, make sure you seize it. Alright, do as I say on this matter.”

Understanding Zhao Meng’s reasoning, Fu Yu nodded, ”Alright, I’ll go over tonight.”

Zhao Meng reminded with concern, ”Since Liu Yunong is interested in training you, pay attention yourself. Liu Family Cuisine is quite famous, there must be a lot of information online, read more when you have time. Masters prefer diligent and proactive apprentices. Now, instead of just having your name associated, you’re officially learning culinary skills under her, it’s a formal master-apprentice relationship. Remember to get her something when you go in the evening, don’t go empty-handed.”

Zhao Meng rambled on.

Fu Yu listened, his heart warm, repeatedly promising, half-joking, half-seriously saying, ”Chef Zhao, rest assured, when I finish learning, I’ll earn well and take good care of you! In my heart, you’ll always be my master chef!”

Zhao Meng playfully lifted his foot to kick, ”Tsk! Is there a distinction among masters? Once you’ve learned the craft from her, she’s your master too!”

Fu Yu chuckled, deftly sidestepping, ”Got it, got it! I mean, you’re the most important in my heart. Besides my parents, you’re the one I love the most!”

Zhao Meng, both amused and exasperated, looked at Fu Yu with pride. His apprentice was doing well, and as a master, he genuinely felt proud and followed with a sense of honor!