Chapter 819 - 585: Are You Trying to Starve Me So You Can Inherit My Ant Credit?
"What are you all standing around for? Anyone good at deboning fish, hurry up and lend a hand, we need to get busy quickly..."
Seeing the assistant chefs just standing by, merely watching his deboning skills without any intention to help, Huang Jun couldn’t help but urge them.
"Chef Huang, with your astounding skills on display, how dare we show off and make fools of ourselves in front of you? Perhaps you should handle this task, and we’ll continue preparing the other dishes, which will also relieve some pressure off you..."
Zhao Weiguang rubbed his hands, showing a slightly embarrassed yet polite smile, trying to find himself an excuse.
The other four assistant chefs, including Qian Guoxiang, all echoed with laughter: "Indeed, Chef Huang, we shouldn’t make fools of ourselves in front of a master like you. Better you handle it."
"I could certainly manage it alone, but..."
Huang Jun paused slightly, deliberately dragging his tone to pique everyone’s interest, then continued, "Lunchtime might have to be delayed a bit..."
𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
At these words, everyone immediately became unsettled!
They came here as assistant chefs to observe and learn Huang Jun’s exquisite cooking skills up close, and most importantly, to taste his craft themselves.
Therefore...
Delaying lunch is simply not an option, not in this lifetime...
Zhao Weiguang rubbed his hands again, urgently saying, "Chef Huang, I’m not an expert at deboning fish, but I can handle it. I’ll swallow my pride, let’s tackle this task together!"
With that, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to get started.
Seeing this, Yu Daqing quickly added: "Chef Huang, don’t mind if I’m a bit slow. If you’re willing, I’m ready to lend a hand. The sooner we get lunch ready, the sooner everyone gets to eat."
Zheng Yaohua followed up, somewhat nervously, saying: "Chef Huang, I know my skills aren’t on par with yours, but I’d like to give it a try. If I make any mistakes, please forgive me and guide me through."
Meng Hongze smiled and said, "Chef Huang, though my cooking might not compare to yours, I can at least lend a hand or pass tools. Please, don’t dismiss me."
Qian Guoxiang, smiling with a slight air of drama, said, "Chef Huang, you know me, I have stomach issues and can’t afford to be hungry. So, please don’t make me wait too long for lunch... Of course, to keep mealtime on schedule, I must reluctantly show some skills in front of a master like you."
After he spoke, he shot Huang Jun a glance that seemed to accuse him of wanting to starve him just to inherit his Ant Credit Pay.
Huang Jun shook his head speechlessly.
Assistant Chef Qian, oh Assistant Chef Qian...
We’ve worked together so long, yet I had no idea about your "stomach issues"?
People do become more like children as they age, even using stomach problems as an excuse to eat on time.
How absurd!
Huang Jun didn’t pay attention to Qian Guoxiang’s gaze; instead, he smiled and said to the other four assistant chefs: "No need for talks of guidance or being dismissed, let’s work together and aim to get lunch ready sooner!"
After speaking, he specifically advised Meng Hongze: "Assistant Meng, don’t just pass tools around, try handling the ingredients more yourself, so you can take the lead in the future..."
"Okay, I’ll try it myself shortly."
Meng Hongze found Huang Jun’s suggestion reasonable and agreed without hesitation, knowing that Huang Jun was intentionally trying to develop his skills.
Fantastic!
With such an opportunity, what is there to wait for?
Just go all out!
After all, every instance of practice is a step up the ladder of growth, and Huang Jun is the one laying the rungs at crucial moments.
After respectfully handing the tools to Huang Jun, Meng Hongze carefully picked up a lively carp, placing it on the cutting board, officially embarking on his "fish deboning" journey.
He was fully focused, ensuring that every subtle movement was precise and accurate, not daring to slack even slightly.
While busy with his own deboning work, Huang Jun didn’t forget to keep an eye on Meng Hongze’s progress, occasionally sending him encouraging glances.
"Pay attention to the natural curvature of the fish’s body!"
Huang Jun keenly sensed Meng Hongze’s hesitation, kindly guiding him: "Assistant Meng, try gently using the point of the boning knife to trace along the fishbone, do you feel it? Remember, be steady, but absolutely not too forceful."
"Yes, I feel it, thank you very much for your meticulous guidance, Chef Huang. I will carefully control the force."
Meng Hongze nodded affirmatively and, as per Huang Jun’s instructions, let the knife edge gently glide along the fishbone with more finesse.
"Very good, keep maintaining that state."
Huang Jun nodded in satisfaction, further guiding, "Next, gently tilt the fish’s body, use your fingertips to seek out the fish bones’ position, then skillfully use the blade tip..."
Under Huang Jun’s patient and careful guidance, Meng Hongze’s technique became increasingly adept.
When handling over a pound of carp in the past, he inevitably faced some minor obstacles, but this time, miraculously, he didn’t make a single mistake, every step flowed seamlessly, cleanly, and neatly.
Indeed!
As the ancients said — a capable master can indeed foster capable disciples!
At this moment, Meng Hongze deeply understood this saying’s profound meaning.