Chapter 454 - 353: Taking Jiang Liu as a Closed-Door Disciple?

Chapter 454: Chapter 353: Taking Jiang Liu as a Closed-Door Disciple?

He glanced at Jiang Liu with amusement. "It seems my Lu cuisine has blossomed everywhere. To think the owner of this little shop can also cook the Lu cuisine of my Dong Province, haha.

"Going by that logic, I suppose that makes me half his grandmaster!"

Yu Guoguang’s expression was odd. He had thought the same thing before...

But he was quickly humbled by two of Jiang Liu’s Sichuan dishes.

Of course, he didn’t think Jiang Liu knew as many Sichuan dishes as he did. At most, Jiang Liu had probably just perfected those few. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have the face to come here and eat.

"I didn’t expect Master Jiang to know how to cook Lu cuisine, too. He probably learned it online," Yu Guoguang said.

"Online? Haha."

Lei Yuming laughed out loud. "If he learned it online, he wouldn’t be qualified to be my grand-disciple."

He stroked his beard and let out a long laugh.

In his eyes, online recipes were all nonsense—a complete insult to Lu cuisine.

Jiang Tongtong proudly carried a plate of Mu Shu Pork and sat down inside to eat.

She loved the envious gazes of others.

This little cutie had a vain streak too!

The big shots sitting in the room stared at the Mu Shu Pork in Jiang Tongtong’s hands, unable to stop themselves from swallowing hard.

That was one of Boss Jiang’s secret dishes!!

"Damn it, I’d give up a month of my life for a bite of that!"

"Seriously, Master Jiang... He keeps all the good stuff to himself. It would be so much better if he just sold it."

"Yeah, if he keeps tempting me like this, I’m going to hire someone to kidnap him, lock him in a dark room, and make him cook us something new every single day!"

Jiang Liu: ??? ’Could you maybe not say that where I can hear you?’

...

Lei Yuming stared at the Mu Shu Pork in Jiang Tongtong’s hands, his expression growing more and more astonished.

Suddenly.

As if possessed, he walked over.

"Little one, could you let this old man have a taste of your Mu Shu Pork?"

The moment he finished speaking.

Dozens of vicious glares stabbed into him.

Anyone else being stared down by a group of big shots like that would have their legs trembling.

But Lei Yuming was exceptionally calm.

Jiang Tongtong was startled by the tall stranger, but the thought that her dad was right there to back her up made her brave again.

Tongtong glanced at her dad, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Okay then, you can have a little!"

’This is one of Daddy’s customers, and they have to give Daddy money. Giving Daddy money is the same as giving Baby Jiang money.’

Jiang Tongtong was a very sensible child.

"Alright, thank you, little one."

Lei Yuming picked up a small, disposable saucer used for chili oil.

"Just a tiny bit, okay? Tongtong still has to eat."

Jiang Tongtong served a small portion onto Lei Yuming’s saucer, but seeing she’d given him too much, she stingily plucked a little bit back.

Lei Yuming didn’t mind in the slightest. ’What an adorable child,’ he thought. He chuckled and asked, "Your name is Tongtong?"

"Mhm! Daddy gave Tongtong her name. I love it a lot," Jiang Tongtong said sweetly.

She adored her father.

Lei Yuming felt a pang of envy.

The child was just so endearing.

He carried the Mu Shu Pork back to his seat.

Countless eyes glared at him, practically wanting to kill him out of pure regret and jealousy.

If they had known it would work, they would have shamelessly gone up and asked for some too!

"Brother, you’re incredible!"

Yu Guoguang gave him a thumbs-up in admiration. His old friend was unbelievable.

To actually dare to mooch food off Master Jiang’s daughter.

Seriously, that way of thinking, that thick skin... he was on another level!

"What’s the big deal?"

Lei Yuming chuckled. With his status, people were usually falling all over themselves just to get his attention.

It was just a bite of food. If he so much as mentioned wanting a villa worth hundreds of millions, people would be lining up to give it to him.

"I’ll test it for poison for you, brother!"

"Haha, you..." Lei Yuming stroked his beard, not minding at all.

’For him to be eating Jiang Liu’s Lu cuisine, now that was Jiang Liu’s honor.’

’Countless Lu cuisine masters would get on their knees and beg him for a single critique.’

Afraid the man would change his mind, Yu Guoguang quickly scooped up half of it.

He was tempted to take more but hesitated, afraid that if it was too delicious, his old friend would regret it and fly into a rage.

Amidst a sea of jealous glares, Yu Guoguang took a bite.

The moment the food entered his mouth, a fresh, fragrant, and complex flavor made his eyes light up.

Delicious!

There was no doubt about it. For a texture to still be able to astonish him like this...

...it had to be another top-tier delicacy!

His heart trembling, he couldn’t help but look over at the still-busy Jiang Liu.

’Master Jiang is truly a god!’

’To think Mu Shu Pork could be made to taste this fresh and delicious!’

"Ahem. Since I got this for free, I suppose I’ll critique it for him."

Lei Yuming, smelling the aroma and feeling a little tempted, casually picked up a glistening strip of pork.

And put it in his mouth.

"Hm?"

At first, he paid it no mind.

The instant the flavor exploded on his tongue, Lei Yuming was utterly dumbfounded.

You can tell if a dish is good or bad with just one bite.

...The strip of pork was incredibly tender. The savory sauce clinging to the surface and the fragrant fusion of all the ingredients ensured the single strip was anything but monotonous. The mouthfeel was a vibrant kaleidoscope of flavors!

Moreover, the control of the saltiness was even better than his own!

He ate a slice of cucumber next.

From the cucumber, which should have been the most refreshing and simple component of Mu Shu Pork, he could actually taste an incredible aroma!

Yes, the aroma of the egg and pork!

How is that possible???

This Boss Jiang’s Mu Shu Pork was actually better than his own!

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

’I must be dreaming!’

He had dedicated his entire life to studying Lu cuisine!

Lei Yuming pinched his thigh, and the sharp pain that shot through his leg confirmed this was no dream.

He subconsciously looked toward Jiang Liu.

A tempest was already raging in his heart.

No one understood better than him just what level the other man’s Mu Shu Pork had reached.

The man had practically brought this dish to life!

He had only ever tasted something like this from his own father.

But his father had devoted a lifetime to perfecting just Mu Shu Pork!

Lei Yuming looked at the single remaining bite of Mu Shu Pork on his saucer, then glanced at Yu Guoguang, who had already finished his portion.

A feeling of regret began to bubble up inside him.

’Damn it! That was *his* Mu Shu Pork!!’

"Brother, what are you looking at me for?"

Yu Guoguang stuffed a large mouthful of sliced ham into his mouth and took a swig of unfiltered beer.

He had an innocent look on his face.

"It’s nothing. I just wanted to look at you."

Lei Yuming’s composure shattered.

His defenses were utterly broken.

"So, brother, how was Master Jiang’s Mu Shu Pork? Care to give us your critique?"

Yu Guoguang asked teasingly.

He was secretly astonished that Master Jiang had achieved such a profound level of skill with Mu Shu Pork, a Lu dish. Still, that was fine. The more varied Jiang Liu’s repertoire, the more secure Yu Guoguang felt about his own standing in the world of Sichuan cuisine.

Lei Yuming shook his head. "This Mu Shu Pork... I’m not qualified to critique it. It’s better than mine."

He had originally planned to just say it was "decent."

But then he remembered he was sitting across from a veteran chef.

So, not wanting to play the fool, he admitted it gracefully.

"Better than yours?"

Yu Guoguang was taken aback. He just knew it was delicious; he never expected Jiang Liu’s Lu cuisine to make this dedicated Lu cuisine specialist admit his own inferiority.

"Yes. This dish is a notch better than my own Mu Shu Pork. I never imagined... a true master hidden among the people. This Boss Jiang is truly a remarkable man."

Lei Yuming stroked his beard vigorously, his heart still in turmoil.

He paused for a moment before saying:

"If he’s willing, I would consider taking him on as my final disciple. He’s very talented."

After he spoke.

Lei Yuming gave a faint smile.

....