The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

The apprentice worker washed all the seafood, and Zhang Jinyu delivered it to the kitchen counter.

”Chef Fu, how should we handle this? Let me do it!”

Zhang Jinyu usually assisted Fu Yu and was quite adept at these tasks.

Their frequent interactions led to increasingly better coordination.

Fu Yu nodded and casually instructed, ”Handle the crabs, remove the gills and unwanted head parts.”

Zhang Jinyu agreed and turned to deal with the crabs.

Fu Yu himself picked up the octopus, which had its entrails cleaned, and proceeded to cut it into pieces as Zhao Meng instructed.

He swiftly and efficiently handled the octopus, and seeing Zhang Jinyu wasn’t finished, he proceeded to clean the segmented shrimp.

Removing the limbs and whiskers of the segmented shrimp.

Slicing the fresh chicken wings for optimal flavor absorption during braising later.

The vegetables had been washed, and Fu Yu began slicing them one by one.

By this time, Zhang Jinyu had finished dealing with the crabs and initially intended to help, but watched in awe as Fu Yu’s knife skills transformed carrots, celery, onions, taro, and green and red peppers into small diamond-shaped pieces.

Amazing!

Having worked with Fu Yu for a long time, Zhang Jinyu discovered Fu Yu’s exceptional knife skills.

Whether slicing, dicing, or making intricate cuts, Fu Yu consistently used a cleaver, seldom using other tools.

What seemed a cumbersome tool, good only for slicing and dicing, held life in Fu Yu’s hands.

Even intricate carving was effortlessly mastered.

One couldn’t help but marvel at the sight.

Recognizing he couldn’t contribute, Zhang Jinyu stepped back, observing and learning the cooking process without disrupting Fu Yu.

After slicing the vegetables, Fu Yu placed all the ingredients into a basin, adding a small amount of cooking oil, chili powder, and goji berries for marination.

Melting butter in a hot pan, he sautéed the vegetables as a garnish before turning off the heat.

Then strategically layering shrimp, octopus, catfish chunks, chicken wings, and crab on top.

Simmering on medium-low heat.

Meanwhile, Sun Qingning had finished steaming the beef sauce.

Fu Yu added the beef sauce to the seasoning, mixing it evenly with some water.

Even before the simmering was completed, the aroma was already wafting.

Fu Yu scooped out a bit, tasting it and feeling enlightened immediately.

So fragrant!

This secret sauce could elevate even plain cabbage boiled in water!

Fu Yu ladled out half of the concocted sauce, lifted the pot lid, and evenly spread it over the seafood surface.

Returning to simmer.

Zhao Meng repeatedly emphasized over the phone the importance of timing when making seafood simmer pots.

Overcooked seafood results in a poor texture.

Fortunately, Fu Yu had a precise sense of timing; intuitively, at the perfect moment, he lifted the pot lid, sprinkled spring onions, and drizzled sesame oil.

When the lid lifted again, the rich and fresh aroma instantly permeated the air.

”Wow, this simmer pot smells quite nice!”

Zhang Jinyu took a deep breath, finding the fragrance rather unique—fresh, spicy, with an ineffable aroma suggesting the dish would surely be delectable!

Fu Yu also felt confident about the flavor and called Zhang Jinyu to prepare serving.

At this moment, Gu Yunwu unexpectedly returned and entered the kitchen, noticing Fu Yu busy at the counter and stealing a glance.

The aroma in the air caught his attention.

Gu Yunwu’s casual expression paused as he surprisingly eyed the casserole placed on the serving counter.

This fragrance and casserole meant it was a seafood simmer pot?

Hadn’t the seafood simmer pot been removed from the menu?

Why had it been prepared again?

Moreover, it seemed ready for delivery to the front hall.

The kitchen preparing a delisted dish usually meant orders from the boss or Yao Shi.

Had some distinguished guest arrived for dining?

Gu Yunwu instantly pieced it together, his expression changing as he hurried over.

Fu Yu was briefing the apprentices on preparing seafood and vegetables for hot pot dipping.

The restaurant previously offered a fixed selection of dipping items for the seafood simmer pot, like black fish slices, lotus root, lettuce, and potatoes.

Simple choices included but perfectly complemented the simmer pot’s flavors.

Upon turning around, Fu Yu saw Gu Yunwu approaching.

Irritated by Fu Yu’s indifferent attitude, Gu Yunwu paid no mind, offering, ”Xiaofu, are you making a seafood simmer pot? Let me handle it, why don’t you take a break?”

With the seafood simmer pot cooked and only finalizing the dipping items remaining, Fu Yu felt no need for assistance.

The tricky part was over; why break stride at the finish line?

Listening to Gu Yunwu, Fu Yu didn’t lift his head, skillfully filleting the fresh fish.

Merely responding, ”Oh, no need, Chef Gu, you continue to rest.”

Whether a change of heart or intended help, Fu Yu wouldn’t accept such gestures.

Since the work was his, naturally, the credit too belonged to him.

Anyone wishing to cut in halfway?

Dream on!

For hot pot dipping, the fish slices shouldn’t be too thin or too thick.

Too thin would disintegrate when boiled, too thick wouldn’t absorb flavors well.

Best to cut the slices along the fish’s grain.

Fu Yu swiftly sliced two plates of black fish.

Leaving only the fish head, bones, and tail.

Having streamed the beef sauce, Sun Qingning had no other tasks, so he watched Fu Yu cook.

Seeing Fu Yu elegantly deboning an entire black fish, Sun Qingning stood dumbfounded.

Since Fu Yu’s promotion, Sun Qingning followed Zhao Meng, assisting as much as taking the helm.

Busy handling orders daily, he hadn’t closely observed Fu Yu’s progress in some time.

Sun Qingning always knew Fu Yu was naturally gifted in culinary arts, advancing rapidly beyond his reach.

Yet witnessing this firsthand, it wasn’t merely rapid advancement—it was as if a culinary deity embodied him!

No matter apart from possessing masterful knife skills, the caliber akin to that of a seasoned chef with over twenty years of experience?

Observe the fish slices; not a speck of debris left behind.

Incredible!

Absolutely extraordinary!

Most astonishingly, the fish slices were impeccably clean, and the fish bones perfectly intact.

Elegantly laid, the fish entirely deboned.

Sun Qingning marveled silently, forgetting the game he was halfway through.

His heart and mind overwhelmed with admiration and envy for Fu Yu.