Chapter 252 - 157: Kong Sect and Legacy
"Master, is this where you learned to be a Chef back in the day?" Zhou Yan asked.
"That's right. I came here when I was fifteen. Later, I followed your Master to the textile factory cafeteria and stayed there for over twenty years.
Back then, your Master was transferred back to Le Ming Restaurant after three years. I had to run back and forth, cooking in bulk at the factory cafeteria and then using my free time to come find your Master and continue learning the craft.
I couldn't afford a bicycle back then, and the pay was low. I relied entirely on my own two feet to get back and forth, and each trip was a walk of more than two hours.
What I looked forward to most was Saturday. As soon as I finished making dinner, I'd head for Jiazhou. I could make it to the Le Ming Restaurant dorms before it got dark. Your master's wife knew I was coming and would save me a meal.
After eating, I'd start practicing my wok tossing and Knife Skills. My master would be leaning back in the recliner in the corner of the courtyard, giving me pointers every now and then. If he explained something three times and I still couldn't get it right, he'd grab the feather duster he kept nearby and give me a few whacks.
Of course, I wasn't stupid. When he chased me, I'd run. I'd wait until he was tired of chasing me before sidling back over. By then, his anger would have mostly faded, and the taps from the feather duster wouldn't hurt a bit.
I'd even play along and cry out a little. Then my master's wife wouldn't be able to stand it anymore and would come out to protect me, saying I was still just a kid. She'd end up scolding my master instead..."
As he spoke of this experience, Xiao Lei's tone was calm, and a gentle smile played on his lips.
Suddenly, he stopped walking. He looked at the corner of the courtyard and sighed softly. "The recliner is gone, and I'm not a kid anymore."
Zhou Yan and Zheng Qiang both fell silent.
Zhou Yan stared at the corner of the wall as the autumn wind sent a few leaves fluttering down.
He could almost see an old chef sitting in a recliner in that corner, smiling kindly at them.
"Xiao Lei, you're here!" A voice broke the silence.
A middle-aged man with a square face, dressed in a Chef's uniform, walked quickly toward them. The chest of the uniform was embroidered with the three words "Le Ming Restaurant," and he wore a smile on his face.
"Guodong," Xiao Lei said, quickening his pace to meet him and shaking his hand with a smile. "Long time no see. How has Master Kong been lately?"
Kong Guodong smiled and said, "He's doing well. The old man is in high spirits. He spends every morning fishing by the river for a few hours and then comes over to the base without any rush. All his classes are scheduled in the afternoon, once every other day."
His gaze fell on Zhou Yan and Zheng Qiang, and he asked with a smile, "And these two are your apprentices?"
"This is Master Kong Guodong, the star disciple of my master's junior brother," Xiao Lei said, introducing Kong Guodong first.
Zhou Yan and Zheng Qiang quickly and respectfully greeted him, "Master Kong."
Xiao Lei then introduced the other two:
"This is Zheng Qiang, Yunliang's apprentice. He's back from Rongcheng Restaurant and has been working with me as a country chef recently."
"And this is Zhou Yan, my apprentice. He opened his own restaurant in Suji, and business is doing quite well."
Kong Guodong smiled and shook hands with both of them. "A pleasure to meet you both. You are both star disciples of our Kong Sect."
"Yunliang couldn't make it because he's too busy with work. My master was just talking about it this morning. He'll definitely be thrilled that you, as Yunliang's apprentice, were able to come," Kong Guodong said, looking at Zheng Qiang.
"My master also speaks of the Great Master often," Zheng Qiang said, quickly straightening his posture a bit, afraid he would embarrass his master.
"This nephew is quite a talent. He looks so young, too. He must be the first official apprentice Junior Brother Xiao Lei has taken on, right? To be able to open his own restaurant already, his talent must be exceptional." Kong Guodong looked at Zhou Yan with an appreciative expression.
"You flatter me, Master Kong," Zhou Yan replied with a small smile.
'Master said the descendants of the Kong Family haven't amounted to much, but this Master Kong's way with words is on another level.'
'He's no simple man.'