The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

"Chef Zhao! I just realized you're quite the gossip... what's the rush, eager to give me wedding gifts? Don't worry, I'll have to be behind you no matter what..."

Zhao Meng gently tapped Fu Yu's head with a slap: "You brat, I'm asking you something here, and you're making stories about me. Let me tell you..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Meng's phone rang. He took a look at it and, unable to continue the banter with Fu Yu, quickly said, "We'll talk tonight!"

Saying that, he strode quickly toward the corridor corner while answering the phone.

Zhao Meng has been quite busy lately. Ever since he established a relationship with Dai Li, he moved in directly.

He usually helps take care of Bao'Er and also Dai Li's mother at home.

The elderly lady gets along well with Zhao Meng. For anything, she'd prefer to talk to him first.

When a call came at this time, Zhao Meng couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

Fortunately, when he answered, it was just to inform him that there were property management issues. Zhao Meng quickly exchanged a few words with the elderly lady before hanging up.

Unintentionally looking up, he noticed his reflection in the corridor window, the smile on his lips making him pause for a moment.

Zhao Meng suddenly chuckled; the feeling of having a home and family is really nice.

Feeling good, he couldn't help but think about Fu Yu's situation.

The business in the store has been booming, which has its pros and cons.

More orders mean more commissions.

But with such good business, thinking about changing jobs will have to wait a bit.

Luckily, Dai Li also works at Qianlima, and they commute together most of the time; the store is also closer to home.

Since Bao'Er is still young, once she enters elementary school, they should get a house near the music restaurant and settle down.

As for his own retirement, Zhao Meng still relies on working under Yao Shi.

Zhao Meng has a very clear future plan for himself.

As for Fu Yu...

Previously, he thought of taking Fu Yu to the music restaurant so he could at least land a chef's position in the future, but now...

Zhao Meng has watched Fu Yu work his way up, and he's genuinely happy.

This kid is lucky; just meeting him was like meeting a benefactor.

He never expected Fu Yu to connect with Liu Yunong, a real big shot.

Zhao Meng is truly happy for Fu Yu.

After all, it's like seeing his own child succeed, and that's the best.

When he entered the kitchen, Fu Yu greeted with a smile, "Chef Zhao, shall we restock some side dishes now? You take a break, I'll handle it!"

Saying that, Fu Yu got up and led the assistant to prepare the ingredients.

Seeing this, Zhao Meng felt warm inside and replied with a smile, "Sure."

Actually, in the kitchen, it's common for chefs to train two reliable apprentices, and usually, this doesn't take more than three years.

Generally, when a newcomer arrives in the kitchen, the chef will train a diligent one for two or three years, and once the apprentice can manage cooking independently, they're considered graduated.

At that point, they're no longer in a superior-subordinate relationship but colleagues, sometimes even competing for orders.

So, many chefs won't teach everything hand-in-hand like a real mentor, sharing all their knowledge and experience.

They mostly teach the general flow, and few would go to the lengths Zhao Meng did for Fu Yu.

Fu Yu understood this well.

Since joining, Zhao Meng has been genuinely good to him, supporting him when he earned little, or else he couldn't have saved money then.

Though it was less than twenty thousand, for a fresh graduate not yet confirmed in his job, it was quite a challenge.

Living alone, every aspect required spending money.

Moreover, money wasn't everything; just teaching him how to conduct himself and things you couldn't learn from school or books.

Even this alone was enough for Fu Yu to always remember Zhao Meng's kindness.

Once the assistant finished prepping the ingredients, Fu Yu started marinating.

After blending all the seasonings and cooking the ingredients, he soaked them in a glass jar.

Once everything was arranged, Fu Yu straightened up, ready to return when Zhao Meng suddenly entered the storage room.

At this time, there were no customers yet, so the kitchen was relatively relaxed.

Zhao Meng had just taken a quick nap and now exuded a post-rest laziness, his tone softened.

There were no outsiders in the storage room. Zhao Meng suddenly smiled and asked, "About earlier, it wasn't finished. What's going on between you and Liu Yuqing now?"

Fu Yu chuckled, not hiding from Zhao Meng: "It's starting, but it's a bit far from being ready for your gift money."

Zhao Meng laughed heartily, "You're something else! How far along are you? I have some sea horse tonic left, if you need it, I can get you some to boost you up."

Usually taking jokes well with his thick skin, today, with this tease, Fu Yu couldn't help but think of Liu Yuqing, and an unexplainable shyness crept in.

Fu Yu blushed a bit, grinning foolishly, "No need! Keep it for yourself! We're very pure together."

Zhao Meng clicked his tongue, "You rascal! But you've got an eye for good ones. Liu Yuqing is a great girl, good in all aspects. With your personality, finding someone lively like her is quite fitting, complementary!"

Fu Yu felt quite pleased, but couldn't help retorting, "You've said that before!"

"Really? I have? Okay, let me tell you something fresh then!"

Zhao Meng said mysteriously, leaning closer to Fu Yu.

Fu Yu asked curiously, "What is it? About Xiaoqing?"

Zhao Meng whispered, "Do you know what background your girlfriend has?"

Fu Yu was taken aback, "What background?"

Zhao Meng didn't hold back, directly saying, "Her name is Liu Yuqing, and your mentor's name is Liu Yunong. Haven't you thought about what connection there might be between the two?"

Fu Yu felt a loud "boom" in his head!

Many vague thoughts and ideas suddenly emerged and connected in a sequence.

Similar names.

Similar looks.

...

"Wow! Could they be sisters?"

Not even minding the names, just by their looks, they must be related!

Fu Yu slapped his own head!

Hey!

Isn't this crazy!

Even though he spent so much time with these sisters, he never thought to connect them together.

He prided himself on being exceptionally smart.

Fu Yu subconsciously touched his head, thinking he should buy some hair care products.

Just by his silly looks, calling him smart was out of the question, likely just left with baldness.

Fu Yu asked, "Are they really sisters?"

Zhao Meng nodded, "Mm, asked Chef Yao, they're indeed sisters. Liu Yuqing came to work here because her sister connected with Chef Yao back then."

"You really are quite lucky. Since you're already dating, make sure to talk seriously with her. If it gets to marriage, you'll become your mentor's brother-in-law, and I'll have to rely on you then!"

Fu Yu thought to himself: Goodness! This girl's mouth is quite tight!

He had mentioned to Liu Yuqing about going to Shangshi Private Kitchen every night to apprentice, and also said his mentor was Liu Yunong.

The girl acted so naturally that he never thought about this aspect because of her demeanor.

Since Liu Yuqing knows about his relationship with Liu Yunong.

Wouldn't Liu Yunong also know about his relationship with Liu Yuqing?

This...

Shouldn't be, right?

He heard from Liu Zhangpeng before that Liu Yunong had a sister whom she pampered like a treasure, and if she knew he was dating Liu Yuqing, she'd definitely talk to him.

Otherwise, there'd be some action.

But...

Thinking back, Liu Yunong always behaved normally.

Never mentioning anything about this matter.

She definitely doesn't know.

Yeah!