Chapter 396 - 395: The Appeal of Five-Spice Chili Oil

Chapter 396: Chapter 395: The Appeal of Five-Spice Chili Oil

"Du Qin, if someone like me were to pursue further training, how many years do you think it would take to reach Master Jiang’s current level?"

Xia Lianshan asked expectantly.

Although he clearly felt the gap between himself and Jiang Liu, a sense of excitement and a competitive spirit began to grow within him.

He, too, dreamed of becoming a top-tier master like Jiang Liu.

Du Qin shook his head with a scornful look. "Don’t even think about it. Forget you—even I could never make it. Boss Jiang’s current level is too far beyond us. We don’t have a renowned master to guide us; it’s simply impossible to surpass him."

"Sigh... all right." Xia Lianshan felt a pang of disappointment. "I thought I was already standing at the peak, but when I truly looked up, I realized there’s always a higher mountain."

He sighed, feeling adrift and dejected.

1:03 PM.

Everything Jiang Liu had made was completely sold out.

He went to get a glass of water, only to find that even the mountain spring water was gone. Not a single drop was left...

’No doubt about it,’ he thought, ’this definitely wasn’t the work of the locals!’

After the last group of customers finished eating, they helped Jiang Liu gather the plates on the table and wiped it clean.

"Brother Jiang, I helped tidy up a bit. Could I take a little bit of the chili oil home? My grandpa loves spicy food."

"Sure, no problem." Jiang Liu didn’t refuse. "Wait here, I’ll go to the kitchen and get you some more."

The morning batch had already been taken and finished by customers. Jiang Liu had made a single batch of twenty liters in the morning to be used for lunch and dinner.

"Hey! Thanks, Brother Jiang! I’m heading out, see you!"

"Boss Jiang, could I take some chili oil too?" Uncle Niu asked, embarrassedly fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

"You can, just don’t take too much at once."

"Haha, you got it! Boss Jiang, you have no idea, everyone around here respects you more and more. Not only is your food delicious, but you’re also so good to us neighbors. We’re all thinking about how we can repay you."

After chatting happily for a few more moments, Uncle Niu left.

Jiang Liu smiled and shook his head slightly, then picked up the plates and took them to the kitchen to wash.

He was used to it.

Every time he closed for the day, a group of customers would intentionally stay behind to ask if he needed help.

They all genuinely wanted to help lighten his workload; Jiang Liu could tell.

It warmed his heart.

’Since everyone is so good to me, of course, I have to give something back.’

’Chili oil isn’t particularly valuable anyway. If people like it and want to take some, it’s no big deal.’

After cleaning up the shop, Jiang Liu went next door to take a look around.

The renovation was progressing quite well. The walls and floor had been covered with dark brown panels, going for a retro, somber aesthetic.

Ancient houses were mostly wood-colored, white, or the gray of roof tiles.

Back in his shop, Jiang Liu took out a portion of Fuqi Feipian he had saved for himself, grabbed five steamed buns and a glass of mountain spring water, and started to eat.

Jiang Liu found the name of the dish amusing. Fuqi Feipian—"Husband and Wife Lung Slices"—didn’t actually contain any lung.

’The master who invented this dish must have just picked the name at random.’

He thought to himself.

He took out his phone and saw that many people had sent him messages.

His darling wife at home had sent him a whole bunch of messages.

’Wife’s messages first. She’s good to me.’

Jun Qingmeng: "Wow, did the cafeteria lady’s hand slip? Why is the food sooooo salty today? Did the price of salt drop or something? (little pitiful thing crying)"

Jun Qingmeng: "Tongtong just tried the food and it was so salty she had to drink three bowls of rice porridge. The little one has been pouting ever since; she’s definitely mad."

Jun Qingmeng: "Boo hoo, I have to work on lesson plans after eating, and I’ve only done a little bit. I’m so, so mad! You need to come help this queen finish them!!"

Jun Qingmeng: "Never mind, I’m not doing them now. In a bit, I have to lead the kids in physical training, play games, and tell them educational stories. Tongtong is talking about you with Jingjing right now."

Jun Qingmeng: "[Photo] x2."

Jun Qingmeng: "[Kissing ducky sticker] From your little wifey who loves you the mostest! I’m off to get busy now. You be good on your own, you hear me! No adding other girls on WeChat! Also, eat a proper meal, don’t just make do!"

Jiang Liu smiled as he finished reading, then tapped to open the photos.

The first was a silly selfie of Jun Qingmeng and Tongtong. The second showed Tongtong’s disgusted expression as she ate, her little face all scrunched up. It was adorable.

Jiang Liu secretly downloaded the photos and saved them to his phone’s gallery.

Perhaps when they were old, looking back at these photos would bring a wonderful sense of nostalgia.

He replied to her messages.

Only then did Jiang Liu see the messages from Jun Xinghe.

Jiang Liu: "Sorry, Uncle Jun, I just finished up and am only now seeing my phone. The private meal is fine. Can I make a Sichuan dish for him?"

Jun Xinghe replied immediately: "No need to be so polite, we’re family. Besides, your business is more important. My thing isn’t a big deal; it’s only right that I wait."

Jun Xinghe: "Sichuan food is great, no problem! That guy will eat anything. Just getting one of your off-menu private dishes is more than good enough for him. If he dares to get pushy, I’ll chew him out!"

Jiang Liu (sweating): "Okay, so ten-thirty tomorrow morning?"

Jun Xinghe couldn’t help but swallow. "Perfect, that time works. I’ll have Secretary Wang come pick it up."

Jun Xinghe: "Oh right, Xiao Jiang, one more thing. At three-thirty today, could you whip up something for me? Anything will do, buns or a stir-fry would be fine. Another client just specifically requested a meal made by you. He didn’t have any special requests."

After sending the message,

Jun Xinghe felt even more guilty.

Every time he thought about Jiang Liu having to marry his cold, aloof daughter who had... issues with her intelligence, he would sigh.

’It’s just too unfair to Jiang Liu.’

And now, here he was, constantly bothering the young man to cook for him, making all sorts of requests.

Originally, Jun Xinghe had planned to limit it to one meal a day, no more.

The problem was,

ever since word got out that cooperating with him came with the chance to eat Boss Jiang’s private dishes, more and more pharmaceutical suppliers who had previously refused to work with him were now actively seeking him out.

He would turn down the average ones, but the person he was meeting this afternoon was a major business partner—a very important one.

He could only grit his teeth and agree, doing his best not to offend them.

Now, his only hope was his son-in-law.

Anxiously,

Jiang Liu replied: "No problem, Uncle Jun! I have to be open for business anyway, so it’s no trouble at all. I’ll whip up two lavish meals for you!"

Jun Xinghe’s mouth instantly started watering: "Great! Perfect!"

The thought of waking up tomorrow, getting ready, and having a meal prepared by his son-in-law waiting for him—then having some leftovers from lunch to seamlessly continue eating in the afternoon—made him unbelievably excited.

’This is awesome!’

An unstoppable smile spread across Jun Xinghe’s face.

He put down his phone.

Jun Xinghe suddenly realized he was still in a meeting. He looked up, still smiling.

You could hear a pin drop in the conference room.

Around the long conference table, the various shareholders and department managers stared at him in astonishment.

’Are we dreaming?!’

’Did President Jun just flash such a warm smile??’

"AHEM."

Jun Xinghe quickly suppressed his smile and offered an explanation:

"I was just suddenly reminded of some happy childhood memories. Alright, let’s get back on track. Where were we? Let’s continue."

"We were just discussing the characteristics of medicinal herbs from the Yunnan-Guizhou region and their initial processing."

The meeting continued.

The executives were all sharp individuals.

They quickly composed themselves and pretended that nothing had just happened.

...