Chapter 919 - 774: Disturbing the Peace in the Dead of Night (2)

From the perspective of the previous transmission of medicinal cuisine, this is indeed a major flaw, and it’s also a pain point that has always plagued medicinal cuisine.

However, the theoretical basis of medicinal cuisine, although it hasn’t been researched at a microscopic level like bacteria, is indeed derived from thousands of years of repeated trial and experience.

Therefore, promoting and devising ways to advance the career of medicinal cuisine has become the association’s mission.

To fulfill this mission, suitable talent is needed for research and promotion.

So, when Lu Yan heard Liu Shaoxian’s enthusiastic praise about Fu Yu, he keenly captured this point!

He was surprised to discover that this chef named Fu Yu actually possessed exquisite culinary skills and was very knowledgeable about the properties and effects of Chinese herbal medicines.

The most crucial point is that his music restaurant managed to promote a medicinal cuisine menu smoothly in just a short period, earning unanimous praise from customers.

For others, this might not be significant, but for the task of this national congress, it holds extraordinary meaning.

The association currently most needs fresh blood and innovation.

A young talented chef like Fu Yu, who has both strength and background, plus certain management skills, is exactly the talent the association urgently needs.

If utilized well, it could even elevate the influence of the medicinal cuisine career to a new level.

Thinking of this, Lu Yan couldn’t help but get more excited; this should be the key opportunity to enhance his promotion prospects!

However, there’s still no response from Zhou Li’s side.

Lu Yan pondered for a moment, unknowingly sliding down slowly, his sitting posture leaning against the headboard turning into lying on the bed, eyelids getting heavier, and soon he fell into a deep sleep under the influence of alcohol.

As the saying goes, "Day thoughts manifest in night dreams."

Lu Yan had two dreams that night.

One was finally meeting Fu Yu. The young man was as outstanding as he had imagined, very perceptive and tactful, and most importantly, extremely respectful to him, showing some admiration in his words.

This put Lu Yan in a great mood; his first impression of Fu Yu in the dream was very favorable.

The second dream was Zhou Li finally replied, giving him high praise and promising to recommend him to the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine after this transfer task, striving for him to take on the position of president.

The dream was so beautiful that Lu Yan woke up in a particularly pleasant mood the next morning.

However, when he fully woke up and realized it was all just a dream and that in reality, Zhou Li hadn’t replied to his messages at all, he felt a bit frustrated and dejected.

After all, in the beginning, Zhou Li was pretty good to him, but... it seems he really didn’t seize the opportunities to prove himself better, leading to Zhou Li’s disappointment and gradually shifting attention to a few others.

But this time, it’s a rare opportunity for him!

Thinking about this, Lu Yan checked the time; it’s already seven in the morning.

Hopefully, Zhou Li has already woken up.

Lu Yan clenched his teeth and directly called Zhou Li.

The phone on the other side was quickly connected.

After all, with the New Year just around the corner, there are many people and things to manage at the association, and as the president, Zhou Li has lots of complex matters to handle.

"Hello, President, I’m not disturbing your rest, am I?"

Zhou Li sighed. If it wasn’t because he and Lu Yan’s aunt were classmates and they had worked together for many years, he wouldn’t have even picked up this call!

"No, Xiaolu, are you coming back today?"

In other words, whatever needs saying can be discussed face-to-face; it’s early morning, so let’s not waste time as we need to get ready for work.

Normally, with Lu Yan’s sharp mind, he’d immediately understand the other party’s implication.

But now, just waking from a hangover, and having gone through a night of wonderful dreams, enthusiasm and passion were overflowing and couldn’t be suppressed.

He just wanted to express all his thoughts and didn’t really listen to what Zhou Li said, let alone think deeply about it.

"Yes, we’re flying back today. President, did you see the message I sent you last night? The video shows Fu Yu’s entry in the cooking competition; his cooking skills are truly exquisite. I’ve already sent the application to invite him to join to your email."

"He’s incredibly talented, with a unique understanding and perspective on medicinal cuisine, and is very impressive... This is our chance to invite outstanding talent into the association!"

Zhou Li was woken up late last night and only heard the first two messages, nothing that followed.

In the morning he hadn’t checked his phone yet, but now with Lu Yan’s reminder, he remembered.

Helplessly, he replied, "Alright, it was too late yesterday, and I haven’t seen your messages yet. I’ll take a look first and call you back shortly."

After hanging up, Zhou Li massaged his forehead, determinedly started listening to the barrage of voice messages Lu Yan sent overnight.

As he listened!

Zhou Li’s expression gradually changed, the initial impatience instantly turned serious!

After listening to all the voice content, and recalling the video mentioned in the email, he specially watched it once more.

After watching, Zhou Li almost couldn’t wait to call Lu Yan.

Lu Yan, eagerly waiting by his phone, picked up as soon as it rang.

"Hello, Xiaolu, the matter of inviting him to join the association is approved on my side. Once I get to the unit shortly, I’ll have them stamp the invitation and mail it. You said Chef Fu could meet with you today, right? Get the address for sending the invitation then."

Lu Yan instantly breathed a sigh of relief and replied joyfully, "No problem!"

Zhou Li, pleased, said, "You’ve done very well! Next time you discover excellent talent, make sure to find a way to bring them into our association. We urgently need young, outstanding newcomers!"

Lu Yan, praised, felt his bones go light, thinking that last night’s dream was quite prophetic!

He responded eagerly, wanting to chat more, but Zhou Li hung up right after giving instructions.

Putting down the phone, Zhou Li rushed to the bathroom to freshen up. He was in no mood for idle talk now; he needed to head to the unit quickly to get the invitation sent posthaste.

Moreover, he planned to have a good discussion about this matter with his more trusted subordinates.

If there wasn’t a meeting this morning, perhaps there’d be time to observe and discuss the culinary video’s operational details together.

Zhou Li’s position as president of the National Herbal Cuisine Research Association was due to his impressive qualifications.

He graduated from the top-ranked University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is now a renowned national herbal cuisine master, a national senior culinary technician, a national-level culinary industry judge, and a National Herbal Cuisine Grade One Judge, known in the dining industry as "Mr. Bai Cao," specializing in herbal cuisine, and tea beverage design and development.

His culinary expertise allowed him to immediately spot the intricacies in Fu Yu’s competition video.

The way the dish was tied was a tell; he recognized it almost instantly from Fu Yu’s initial steps—it was an exclusive method of the Liu Family Cuisine.

He once had the opportunity to taste this gourd chicken dish at the Shangshi Private Kitchen and had meticulously dismantled the binding hemp threads of the whole chicken, studying the specific technique.

However, since the threads were tightly wound and went through boiling, steaming, and frying processes, they broke during dismantling, and he couldn’t manage to learn this binding technique.

Unexpectedly, he now had the chance to see the detailed process.

Zhou Li was naturally thrilled!

He now eagerly wanted to review this culinary video to glean the steps of this new binding method.

This Chef Fu appears to have some connection with Liu Family Cuisine.

Thinking of Liu Family Cuisine, Zhou Li’s pace quickened.

He must quickly get this person to join the association.