Chapter 398 - 397: A Culinary Titan Visits the Shop

Chapter 398: Chapter 397: A Culinary Titan Visits the Shop

A six-pound fish. A pound per person, served with rice, would be more than satisfying, and that’s not even counting the side dishes.

He planned to prepare three pounds for Jun Xinghe.

The remaining three pounds he’d save for his wife and child.

3:30 PM.

A long line had formed at the door.

The sun was slanting west, no longer as fierce as it was at noon. The afternoon sun was much gentler.

This afternoon, Jiang Liu planned to sell Geda Soup.

When the Geda Soup was sold a few days ago, it received unanimous praise from customers.

Du Qin and Xia Lianshan were queued up obediently in the line.

They’d never had to suffer such an indignity. It was always others queuing up for them.

Besides the two of them,

There were two other old-timers as well:

One was Yu Guoguang, and the other was Hou Canjun. Both were retired master chefs from Jing City who had once been guests of honor for the city’s wealthiest tycoons.

Originally, the two of them hadn’t planned on coming.

But recently, the upper crust of the Jing Circle had been discussing this little shop in South City, so the two couldn’t resist coming to critique it themselves.

"Hm? How did that person get in? They’re not open yet, are they?"

The one who spoke was Yu Guoguang.

He was a hale and hearty old man. Except for his eyebrows, which were still somewhat black, his hair and beard had turned snow-white.

But his complexion was rosy, a clear sign that he took good care of himself.

Du Qin glanced over and explained with a bitter smile, "You know of President Jun, right? The man who just went in is his secretary."

"His secretary gets to go in just like that? By what right?! We’re still standing in line! How can he let someone cut?! This junior, Jiang, has no respect for the rules, not like in our day..."

Hou Canjun ranted irritably.

Both men were somewhat disdainful.

After all, they were influential figures who had started making their name back in the 1970s.

Plenty of powerful people had invited them to cook in their homes back in the day.

They’d forgotten more about cooking than this kid had ever learned!

"Ahem, Elder Hou."

Xia Lianshan interrupted the rant and explained:

"It’s like this, President Jun is Boss Jiang’s father-in-law. President Jun’s secretary is here to pick up a private meal that Boss Jiang made for his father-in-law."

Hou Canjun: ???

Yu Guoguang: ???

Unbelievable!

That Jun Xinghe is utterly shameless!

There were so many restaurants in Jing City, and he chose to come here and freeload off his son-in-law every day?

Secretary Wang pushed the door open and entered the shop.

He said with a chuckle, "Boss Jiang, thanks for your hard work. Is it ready?"

"Just finished."

Jiang Liu took two bags out of an insulated container.

Inside were seven or eight round take-out containers.

"The usual. The big one is for President Jun, the small one is for you."

"In yours, I put a small container of Shuizhu Yu, a bowl of Geda Soup, ten steamed buns, and a bowl of rice porridge."

"Wow! Boss Jiang! You’re a true brother!!"

Secretary Wang was so moved he nearly cried.

"We have to hug, come on!"

"Uh, I don’t think that’s necessary."

Jiang Liu quickly dodged back. "Don’t, please don’t. If my wife finds out, she might get the wrong idea."

’How ridiculous.’

’Who wants to hug a grown man?’

’I barely have time to hug my own stunningly beautiful wife at home.’

’Right, and there’s an adorable little moppet who wants hugs every day.’

Secretary Wang smacked his lips regretfully. "What a pity. Then next time, we’ll hug next time!"

To be honest, he was actually quite afraid of President Xiao Jun.

The boss’s daughter was easygoing around Jiang Liu, but that wasn’t necessarily the case with others.

After a bit more small talk,

Secretary Wang left like a happy puppy wagging its tail.

Many old acquaintances from Jing City immediately turned their faces away to hide.

They were afraid he’d run over and annoy them.

「 •••• 」

5:30 PM.

Jiang Tongtong came skipping into the shop, pulling Jun Qingmeng along with her.

"Daddy? I’m hoome!!"

"Honey, your wifey is hoome!"

"You’re back? Are you hot?" Hearing their voices, Jiang Liu walked out of the kitchen with a smile.

Tongtong scrambled into Jiang Liu’s arms on her little stubby legs.

The moment she was in his embrace, she started to complain pitifully.

"Daddy, wahhh, your little cutie almost fainted from the sun! Feel my forehead, it’s so hot!"

Jiang Liu touched his forehead to hers. It was indeed a little warm.

His little girl’s face was all flushed.

"Hold on."

Jiang Liu brought them two bottles of iced watermelon juice.

"Drink some juice to cool down."

"Okay!~"

"Honey," Jun Qingmeng’s face was also a little flushed. "You haven’t done that with me yet."

"Everyone gets one. Come here."

Jiang Liu lowered his head, held Jun Qingmeng’s head, and the two touched foreheads.

Her sweet, alluring fragrance washed over his face with her breath.

In turn,

Jun Qingmeng felt his breath on her skin, and her face grew even redder.

"Alright! How long are you going to stay like that!" Her heart fluttered as she shyly pulled away.

’It’s not like we’re tucked away in bed.’

Jiang Liu smiled, then suddenly stepped forward, leaned down, and kissed Jun Qingmeng on the cheek.

Her flawless, fair skin was soft and fragrant to the kiss.

Jun Qingmeng didn’t pull away. She smiled with her lips pressed together, her ears turning even redder.

Jiang Liu shook his head and laughed to himself.

’She tries to flirt with me, but she’s this timid. I have to say, my wife is just too cute.’

Jun Qingmeng held her drink and sat to one side, her clear, beautiful eyes stealing a glance at her husband.

Their eyes met.

Jun Qingmeng quickly looked away.

’Even though I’m already sleeping with him...’

’I don’t know why, but seeing him again after just one day apart still gives me this fresh, new feeling.’

’I get embarrassed so easily.’

6:20 PM.

Jiang Liu announced they were opening early and that fifty servings of Geda Soup would be for sale that night.

The customers rushed in, howling like a pack of bandits.

"Holy shit, Geda Soup! Thank god I came today."

"Yes, yes, yes! Boss Jiang is getting more and more diligent!"

"I love you, Xiao Jiang!"

Jiang Liu: ...

Yu Qingzheng’s face was flushed with a rare excitement. "Boss Jiang, one Geda Soup, a portion of ham, and a takeout container for me."

"Brother Jiang, I’ll have five shrimp buns, ten pork and scallion buns, and a bottle of juice."

"Geda Soup, Geda Soup!"

"Brother Jiang, I want fifteen buns, a mix of everything, and a bottle of watermelon juice! Please hurry, I’m so hungry I’m about to faint!"

Jiang Liu, wearing a mask, quickly ladled Geda Soup and packed buns.

"One moment, don’t rush, coming right up."

"I only got to eat five buns at noon today. My boss snatched the other ten! I’m so mad! From now on, I’m eating in!"

The young female clerk from the fruit shop stomped her foot, huffing as her eyes remained glued to Jiang Liu’s handsome face.

Du Qin and his group soon reached the front of the line.

Unfortunately, the Geda Soup was sold out.

"Boss Jiang, there are four of us. We’ll have one portion of yak meat, one of tuna, two of ham, sixty buns, four bottles of juice, and four beers to go."

"Alright, take a number. Find a seat and I’ll call you when it’s ready."

Du Qin looked left and right.

The shop was completely full. Outside, elderly customers had even brought their own stools and tables and were eating by the doorway.

"Elder Yu, Elder Hou, let’s just find a piece of cardboard to sit on and wait in front of the fruit shop."

"Hmph!"

Hou Canjun took a deep breath, his patience at its limit. He spoke rudely, right in Jiang Liu’s face:

"What kind of dump is this?! There’s not even a place to sit down and eat! A place like this should just shut down! Getting a meal shouldn’t be an ordeal!"

「 ••••• 」