Chapter 197: New Dish In Store

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Xu Le was about to explain when Old Mister Zhang interrupted him.

“You’re narrow midned!”

Old Mister Zhang said resentfully, “If it’s really that easy to make it, won’t everyone become a chef after watching a video tutorial? Why don’t they just change their profession directly?”

Zhang Heng was speechless.

The rest of the process was very smooth. They decided on the flavor that suited the public’s taste more, then signed the contract. Xu Le was very reassured when he handed over the full recipe. After all, Zhang Heng attached great importance to the relationship formed after this initial collaboration. He personally monitored the process and also assigned a lot of dividends to Xu Le.

The moment he stepped out of the company, the voice in Xu Le’s mind sounded.

“If the sales of the new product can exceed a million yuan within a month, the system will give you all the high quality ingredients for free. If you can’t reach it, it will withdraw the function to exchange gold coins for ingredients.”

“Does the host choose to make the deal?”

It was the first time the cold and mechanical voice had mentioned additional conditions. Xu Le was slightly stunned, then his lips curled up and he smiled confidently. “Sure, I agree to it.”

After the video of the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was released last time, Xu Le’s videos had exceeded 8 million likes for the first time, causing the entire internet to follow suit in the cooking trend. Many verified bloggers followed the tutorial to cook, and even seniors in the industry came out to comment on his cooking.

They carefully dissected the method again and again and added in their own modifications based on their lifestyles, creating a huge wave of popularity for the video. However, at the end of the day, Xu Le’s methods were the most meticulous and authentic. Now, there were thousands of private messages urging him to update every day. He had become a blogger with tens of millions of fans.

After arriving home, he pulled Lu Yuxi along and started recording the tutorial video.

“Didn’t you prepare two cooking methods? Are you teaching both of them?”

Lu Yuxi asked him as she set up the equipment. Xu Le raised his eyebrows and said, “CEO Zhang wants me to sell Dong’an Chicken made using the oily method as it is more traditional and affordable. I plan to demonstrate the dry fragrance method and end the video introducing another cooking method to arouse everyone’s desire to taste it.”

Lu Yuxi nodded in agreement. “You have so many tricks up your sleeve.”

Xu Le had already cooked it many times in the system, so he could explain it while cooking skilfully.

“After blanching it, the chicken can be placed in ice water for 20 minutes. The Dong’an chicken made this way will be more firm.”

“Then you can add dried chilli or chilli powder. Remember, chilli powder has to be poured at low temperatures or it’s likely to become burnt.”

“The key to this dish is simmering. Once it is served, it should have a dry fragrance in the mouth, not the soft and chewy texture.”

After the tutorial, Xu Le had no time to rest. He changed his clothes and was about to leave.

Lu Yuxi sat in the living room and edited the video. Seeing how anxious he was, she asked curiously, “Do you have an appointment with anyone today?”

“In the afternoon, I asked Li Qing and Zhang Tong to close the store two hours in advance to prepare new dishes. I plan to serve these dishes at the shop. We’ll go choose a location for the new store and walk around. Oh, right, go to bed early after picking up Tiantian from school. Don’t wait for me to come back.”

Xu Le tied his shoelaces and looked at his young and cute figure in the mirror. Who would have thought that this body contained a soul in his twenties?

“I should be able to take a day off from work the day after tomorrow. I’ll accompany you to your hometown then.”

“Alright!”

Lu Yuxi’s voice was filled with undisguised joy.

When he arrived at the shop, Auntie Liu, the cleaner was still working. When she saw Xu Le, she smiled so widely that her wrinkles could be seen.

“Little storeowner, I haven’t seen you in a long time! Your previous competition was really awesome! I even got my son to vote for you online!”

“Thank you, Auntie Liu.” Xu Le invited her. “We are researching on new dishes tonight. Have you had dinner? You can stay and have a taste.”

Auntie Liu was a little embarrassed. She knew the capability of the chefs in her heart and was also craving a bite, so she nodded reservedly.

“Haha, I’m in for a treat tonight.”

“There’s no need to be so polite. Have a seat. You’ll be in charge of tasting it later.”

As he spoke, Xu Le followed the other two to the kitchen.

The kitchen was spotless. After using it for so long, there was not even oil and smoke accumulated. After being slightly surprised, Xu Le took out a small jar of chili sauce.

“I specially cooked the Xinjiang vermicelli with Lu Yuxi two days ago. This sauce is especially delicious. I’ll tell you the secret recipe later and demonstrate it again. In the future, you can serve a portion of spicy fried vermicelli in the store.”

Li Qing said casually, “Eh, why didn’t you call us when you were cooking at home?”

Zhang Tong changed from his usual seriousness. He shook his head and sighed. “As expected, Boss doesn’t care about me.”

Xu Le didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He glared at Li Qing. “You’re being a bad influence to others every day. Alright, I’ll cook for you guys next time.”

After comforting the two of them, Xu Le taught them how to cook the minced meat noodle and Dong’an Chicken. At first, Zhang Tong had objections and felt that his method had too much modifications and was not authentic enough.

Xu Le did not refute him. Instead, he followed Zhang Tong’s thoughts and let him cook the traditional way.

After realizing that the taste of the finished product was not as good as Xu Le’s, Zhang Tong silently shut up and could only sigh in his heart.

“Technology is improving food we eat. If some small tricks can be used to practice cooking quickly and simply, and the taste can be better, then it’s not wrong to modify it a little.”

Xu Le comforted him. Seeing that it was almost time, he was about to remind them to leave when Li Qing said, “I’ve prepared a very simple dish these two days, but for some reason, the taste is not right. Can you help me look at it?”

“Yo.” Zhang Tong teased, “Even you are improving yourself every day. We’re all colleagues, so why do you have to be so competitive?”

Li Qing nudged him. “It’s mainly because Master Xu doesn’t come often now. Besides, he’s still choosing the location of the new branch. If I can get him to guide me, wouldn’t I be benefiting from the Master Chef?”

As he spoke, he poked Xu Le with his elbow.

“I’ve already called you master, so give me some guidance!”

Xu Le glanced at the time. If it was a side dish, there was still time.

“What dish?”

“Ants climbing a tree.”

Zhang Tong frowned and said in confusion, “What’s wrong with the taste of such a simple and basic dish?”

“Won’t you know once I make it?”

As Li Qing spoke, he took out the dragon’s vermicelli that were soaked in warm water.

“So you were prepared for this.”

Zhang Tong hit the nail on the head. Xu Le smiled and said, “The timing is really accurate. If it was a little earlier, the vermicelli would have expanded too much.”

Li Qing smiled and neatly placed the pork belly filling in the oil and stir-fried. He waited for the oil inside to seep out and the meat to be crispy before pouring in bean paste. After stir-frying, he placed the onion and ginger powder.

Then, he put in the “ant” that was used to serve as the “ant” on the tree, the sprouts. Then, it was stir-fried to produce a fragrance.

Just as Li Qing was about to pour the yellow wine, Xu Le stopped him.

“Later, when the temperature in the pot is highest, pour the wine. Otherwise, it won’t evaporate and the ingredients will carry a little bitter spice of wine.”