novellhall Chapter 73: Will the prescription be sold?
Chapter 73: Will the prescription be sold?
Sun Yongxian had great confidence in Zhuang Qingxiang, and Zhuang Qingxiang couldn't embarrass her, so she mustered up her courage and agreed.
Lu Congyue still hadn't returned that evening, and Zhuang Qingxiang didn't have time to care. She was anxiously thinking about the competition the next day and didn't sleep well all night.
The next morning around nine o'clock, Sun Yongxian came to help her take the child to the canteen kitchen.
Chef Jiang is a nearly 60-year-old veteran chef who has reportedly worked in the kitchen for 20 or 30 years. No one has ever said that his cooking is bad, but unexpectedly, Sun Yongxian disliked him.
When Master Jiang saw Sun Yongxian arrive, he was still unhappy. When he saw that the person she brought to compete was also a young woman, his resentment became even more obvious.
"It's her? She's comparing herself to me? Who are you trying to insult?" Master Jiang said arrogantly.
"Master Jiang, you were the one who said you wanted to compete, but now that I've brought you here, you're scared to compete?" Sun Yongxian wasn't angry at all, and said with a smile, "Master Jiang, are you admitting defeat?"
The others in the kitchen naturally sided with Chef Jiang, and Sun Yongxian was not intimidated either, holding her own against the cacophony of several people talking at once.
Zhuang Qingxiang, on the other hand, had her face flushed red. Apart from her half-brother and her former mother-in-law, she had never argued with anyone or quarreled with anyone.
"Sister Zhuang, say something!" Sun Yongxian nudged Zhuang Qingxiang with her elbow.
Zhuang Qingxiang blushed and hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Master Jiang, please don't be angry, I'm just here to learn..."
Sun Yongxian: "..."
Seeing Zhuang Qingxiang like this, Master Jiang decided it was best not to push her too hard.
How can someone so old not be able to get over a young woman?
"Fine, let's have a competition then," Master Jiang said impatiently. "What are we going to compete in? Tell me."
Sun Yongxian quickly suggested, "I see today's menu is braised pork, so let's make braised pork instead."
If she makes it well, she'll have a delicious meal; Sun Yongxian's mouth waters just thinking about it.
Chef Jiang retorted angrily, "Dream on! Do you know how hard it is to buy this meat? What will everyone eat for lunch if you cook it badly?"
"It won't be bad. Sister Zhuang's braised pork is delicious. If you don't believe me, each of you make half and let everyone judge."
Zhuang Qingxiang hurriedly waved her hand: "I'll just do a little bit, don't delay Master Jiang's important business."
This attitude...
Master Jiang's anger subsided slightly, and he coughed lightly: "Alright, I'll give you some. You cook it and see. Don't say I'm unfair. This meat is factory property, and we can't just waste it. Once you've cooked it, we'll all taste it and see."
"I'll try it too!" Sun Yongxian responded enthusiastically.
Just kidding, she'll eat even more since Sister Zhuang cooks less.
Chef Jiang is actually a fair person. He didn't have any of the ingredients and seasonings that Kazhuang Qingxiang had, and he even let her use the stove.
Zhuang Qingxiang also carefully made a small pot of braised pork.
When the aroma wafted out, everyone in the cafeteria kitchen sniffed it.
Chef Jiang's braised pork has a rich aroma, but Zhuang Qingxiang's is simply domineering. Its aroma is distinct from Chef Jiang's and makes people's mouths water uncontrollably.
Master Jiang had a sharper nose than the others and could smell the difference in aroma. Zhuang Qingxiang's was clearly better. His expression changed, but he didn't say anything. He just urged everyone to hurry up and get to work, because the canteen still had to serve the factory workers lunch on time.
After a long wait, the braised pork was finally finished, and everyone crowded around, eager to try Zhuang Qingxiang's.
Zhuang Qingxiang gently asked everyone to wait, then took out bowls and chopsticks and divided a piece of food for each person.
The trembling braised pork melted in her mouth, fragrant but not greasy, with a hint of sweetness. Sun Yongxian's eyes narrowed with enjoyment after just one bite.
After everyone finished eating, some squinted while others stared wide-eyed. They all thought it was delicious, but they didn't show it on their faces. They just secretly glanced at Chef Jiang's expression.
Master Jiang knew he had lost after taking just one bite.
Although my own braised pork was also rich and flavorful, it tasted far inferior to what this woman made.
He was quite certain that this braised pork wasn't made the local way. His braised pork was made the local way, and no one ever said it was bad; everyone ate this kind of braised pork.
"You..." Master Jiang's expression shifted, "Who did you learn your skills from?"
"I learned it from my mother," Zhuang Qingxiang said softly. "Master Jiang, what do you think?"
It's not just okay, it's absolutely amazing! Master Jiang originally thought that Zhuang Qingxiang had learned her skills from a master, but he didn't expect it to be a family tradition.
"What else can you do?" Master Jiang asked.
"Just some home-style dishes. My mother used to work in the kitchen," Zhuang Qingxiang replied softly, her expression gentle.
Sun Yongxian leaned closer and said enthusiastically, "Sister Zhuang's other dishes are also delicious. Chef Jiang, could you keep Sister Zhuang here to help you out?"
Master Jiang frowned and remained silent.
Even temporary workers in the factory are only appointed by the factory leaders; he doesn't have that authority. But he's envious of this woman's cooking skills.
Master Jiang sized up Zhuang Qingxiang and asked, "Are you... the nanny for Factory Director Lu's family?"
"Yes."
"Then... let's go ask Director Lu if you can stay." Master Jiang planned to push the matter to the director.
Zhuang Qingxiang's expression changed slightly. She bit her lip and said, "If it doesn't work, then forget it. Don't bother Director Lu."
Sure enough! Master Jiang breathed a sigh of relief and coughed lightly: "It's not up to me to say whether it's troublesome for Factory Director Lu. How about I think of another way?"
"Master Jiang, you're going back on your word."
Sun Yongxian was displeased and wanted to retort, but Zhuang Qingxiang pulled her back.
Why make things difficult for Master Jiang, who is so old?
Although she was a little disappointed, it was alright, since Zhuang Qingxiang hadn't had high hopes to begin with.
Just then, the child woke up and became a little fussy, so Zhuang Qingxiang said goodbye to Master Jiang: "Master Jiang, then we won't trouble you any further. We'll head back now, please continue with your work."
Sun Yongxian grumbled unhappily as she came out with Zhuang Qingxiang.
Zhuang Qingxiang had just said a few words of advice to her when Master Jiang came out after her.
"Hey, Comrade Zhuang, please wait a moment."
"Is there anything else, Master Jiang?"
Chef Jiang coughed twice, a smile plastered on his face: "So, Comrade Zhuang, would you like to sell your braised pork recipe?"
Zhuang Qingxiang frowned slightly, then smiled gently: "I'm sorry, I don't have a recipe. I just learned it from my mother when I was a child, and I do it all by feeling."
Master Jiang's smile froze.
Based on intuition...
This is a matter of talent; how can you learn it?
Sun Yongxian tugged at Zhuang Qingxiang and winked at her: What good is Master Jiang thinking? He actually wants to buy your family's exclusive secret recipe?
This is a unique secret recipe, my livelihood, who would sell it?
Sun Yongxian secretly rolled her eyes at Master Jiang.
Zhuang Qingxiang saw it, her eyes crinkling slightly as she chuckled to herself.
"Master Jiang, we'll be leaving now if there's nothing else." Zhuang Qingxiang said goodbye again. Just then, the child she was carrying became a little fussy, so she bounced him a little as she walked, gently soothing him.
After walking a few more steps, Master Jiang caught up with him again.
"Hey, Comrade Zhuang, how about we make a deal?"