The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

The next day, Zhao Meng was working the late shift.

Fu Yu timed it perfectly and went to the back kitchen.

As soon as he walked in, Zhao Meng called him into the storage room.

After closing the door, Zhao Meng got straight to the point and asked, ”I heard you had a conflict with Lao Gu yesterday?”

Fu Yu was stunned for a moment and instinctively glanced at Zhao Meng.

Zhao Meng’s expression was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Fu Yu replied honestly, ”Not really, after I finished cooking yesterday, he came over wanting to take over, but I didn’t let him.”

Zhao Meng nodded, having already understood the whole story when he came in the morning.

However, some things still needed to be said.

”I know what kind of person Lao Gu is.”

As he spoke, Zhao Meng felt the urge to smoke, took out a pack of cigarettes, drew one out, but didn’t light it, holding it in his mouth instead.

”But, next time you face him, you should still put on some semblance of respect.”

Fu Yu frowned, unwilling, ”Yesterday, I looked everywhere for him and couldn’t find him, so I ended up handling the stove myself. Once I had finished everything, he somehow appeared, trying to take over the order. Who does things like that?”

Zhao Meng shook his head, ”You’re underestimating Lao Gu. He definitely wasn’t trying to steal the order... He was trying to find out the secret sauce recipe.”

”Lao Gu is shrewd. He wouldn’t do something without a profit motive, right?”

”The secret recipes in our restaurant, even if just two of them are leaked, can support a small restaurant’s business if not sold.”

Zhao Meng spoke bluntly to Fu Yu.

He was stating facts.

Qianlima is a century-old restaurant, passed down through three generations.

Many of the recipes in the back kitchen are ancestral from the Dong Family.

Even though they’ve been adapted over time, the essence remains unchanged.

Some of the secret sauces and dressings have always been personally prepared by Yao Shi and then used by the kitchen staff.

But the recipes are closely guarded secrets.

This is the reason Yao Shi hasn’t left Qianlima to start his own business.

And even though Dong Jun Tian is full of complaints about Yao Shi, he tolerates it and doesn’t dare to outright confront him.

In the end, it’s because Dong Jun Tian himself doesn’t have the ability, he hasn’t inherited the culinary skills from the previous generation.

And his father, Elder Dong, trusts and admires Yao Shi greatly, having taught him all their family’s valuable skills.

Thinking carefully, the older generation indeed has more wisdom.

In terms of judging people, Dong Jun Tian can’t measure up at all.

If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t have strategized for Qianlima as genuinely as Yao Shi has.

If Yao Shi wasn’t the way he is, he wouldn’t be struggling so much, caught between decisions, for so long.

Fu Yu remained silent after listening.

”In any case... he’s not just once or twice evaded responsibility. Working in the kitchen, one should take on the corresponding responsibilities. If leaving during work hours, it should be communicated clearly to those around.”

Zhao Meng sighed, ”Indeed, he’s been a bit too lax over the years, even I can’t stand it, no doubt about it.”

”However... given the current situation in the back kitchen, as you see, Chef Yao rarely involves himself anymore. Everything falls upon me and him...”

”Sigh, forget it, that’s not what I wanted to say. I just wanted to tell you, from now on be more cautious, don’t wear your heart on your sleeve.”

”Especially in work-related matters, once it involves responsibility, make sure you’ve got your bases covered before dealing with it. Don’t comment on or meddle in others’ affairs. Just handle your own tasks well, and that’s it.”

At this point, Zhao Meng’s expression turned serious.

He brought Fu Yu here not to chastise him but to use this incident as an opportunity to remind him!

Ultimately, Fu Yu is still too young, viewing things too simplistically.

He’s inexperienced in dealing with people compared to an old fox like Gu Yunwu.

Zhao Meng was concerned that Fu Yu might get caught up in something and be taken advantage of, so he wanted to offer some advice.

In fact, if you think about it, yesterday’s event was nothing major.

After all, Fu Yu completed the order smoothly, and the customer was satisfied.

The matter could be considered resolved.

But!

Fu Yu’s recent performance is somewhat concerning.

Especially after hearing this morning that Fu Yu had a run-in with Gu Yunwu, although Fu Yu remained calm, Zhao Meng was still very worried upon hearing this.

”You’re currently juggling part-time at the music restaurant and learning cooking at Shangshi Private Kitchen, so you’re doing less work here than others. I can cover for you, but only if the leadership doesn’t notice, and no one’s interfering in the back.”

”But, if someone does target you, they’ll have plenty of reasons to trouble you.”

”Even with me and Chef Yao protecting you, keeping your position might not be a problem, but keeping your full attendance bonus and salary might be.”

”So, you need to pay more attention to this, keep a low profile for now!”

”Today, I’m not saying you were wrong about Lao Gu, nor telling you to go out of your way to accommodate him, but to say, as the saying goes, ’Do more, talk less, finish your own tasks.’ Don’t shy away from conflict, but don’t invite it either. No matter the issue, always think ahead and avoid giving anyone leverage over you!”

”It’s certainly difficult not to give anyone leverage, so find a way to avoid any violations of responsibility. After all, the matter is fixed, but people are flexible.”

”Don’t wear everything on your face, just understand it yourself. Don’t learn from me, my temper’s not great, you should learn from Chef Yao, always making sure no one can discern your true feelings or thoughts.”

Zhao Meng was somewhat anxious.

He knew Fu Yu too well, understanding that while he seemed agreeable on the surface, he was actually very stubborn and had his own ideas at heart.

This kind of personality is excellent for learning but often becomes problematic in dealing with people.

He sees things distinctly!

If he likes someone, he will sincerely befriend and trust them. If he dislikes someone, it’s clear from his eyes and heart that he opposes them.

This personality makes him prone to offending people and suffering losses at work.

Even though he knows Fu Yu is actually quite steady, Zhao Meng’s concern clouded his judgment.

The moment he heard Fu Yu had clashed with Gu Yunwu, his protective instinct flared up uncontrollably.

He was worried that Fu Yu might suffer under Gu Yunwu’s trickery, so he blurted out everything he thought of.

Fu Yu nodded, feeling a warm surge in his heart.

He knew Zhao Meng meant well, so even though he wasn’t entirely convinced, he obediently responded, ”I understand, Chef Zhao, don’t worry.”

Zhao Meng, seeing Fu Yu’s obedient attitude, nodded in satisfaction.

He sighed inwardly.

In the end, he’s still too young, with little experience... I’ll have to keep an eye on him in the future.