The Gourmet Customizer

On the 13th, Jiang Wensheng and his entire family arrived in Jingzhou from Yangzhou.

However, the groom’s side, Brother Fang Chang’s family, had prepared a home-cooked banquet to welcome them that day, and the two brothers couldn’t very well refuse.

The next morning, Brother Fang Chang had actually prepared another meal at his home, but Jiang Wensheng decisively turned it down.

He even said he wanted to take his brother to look around Jingzhou.

In reality, the two of them had headed straight for the Development Zone as soon as they left the hotel. They sat downstairs for over an hour, right until Bai Xiaobo, the product manager for Delicious, rejected their order.

Jiang Wusheng was baffled. "Why would a company turn away customers? Are they even trying to make money?"

Jiang Wensheng had confidently sworn that this lunch would be his brother’s first taste of Boss Su’s Huaiyang Cuisine, so he was also taken aback.

"They said they couldn’t open today because of something important. I guess they’re probably preparing for Yuanyuan’s engagement party tomorrow."

Jiang Wusheng understood, yet he didn’t. "Are they short-staffed? Does the boss really have to prepare it himself?"

Wensheng shook his head, also not quite understanding. "How about this? Let’s go up and take a look. It doesn’t cost anything to just look, anyway!"

The two instantly agreed.

Having been here once before, Jiang Wensheng was fairly familiar with the place. He took the elevator straight to the 19th floor.

"This is it. Look, there’s even a photo of Boss Su with Master Lu!"

Jiang Wusheng stood by the elevator, looking at the photo on the wall and another framed magazine. "Not bad. This boss’s Steamed Wuchang Fish made it into a Hubei Cuisine cookbook? That cookbook is an official publication from E Province, right?"

Jiang Wusheng knew a little about this cookbook. If it had been any other dish, it would have been one thing, but Steamed Wuchang Fish was Lu Yongliang’s signature dish. This Boss Xiaosu actually managed to push Elder Lu’s recipe out and get his own in?

Incredible!

"That’s right." The cookbook wasn’t there the last time Jiang Wensheng visited, and he was a bit stunned to see it now. "Youths are the heroes of our time! Big brother, if you also think Boss Su’s Huaiyang Cuisine is good, he might even earn a spot in the museum."

"Hah." Jiang Wusheng waved his hand dismissively.

’That museum is for the old masters. What would it make him, being featured in a museum at such a young age?’

’He could be featured in the biographical records, though. But that’s only if this Boss Xiaosu truly has the skill. In our Huaiyang Cuisine, it doesn’t matter where you’re from. Technique is everything!’

’Even if you were the emperor himself, if you wanted to be in the records without the technique, it would be out of the question!’

’This was his original intention when he founded the museum. He just wanted to preserve a final sanctuary for the heritage of Huaiyang Cuisine, keeping it pure and forever untainted by commercialism!’

The two of them stood at the entrance examining things for a long while. When they stepped inside, they happened to see two people standing over there.

"Mr. Lu?" Jiang Wusheng said instinctively.

"The one next to him is Boss Su," Jiang Wensheng said, looking at the young man from a distance.

’What the hell kind of day is this? Why is Elder Lu here too?’

Technically, Lu Yongliang and Jiang Wusheng were of the same generation, but Jiang Wensheng was younger and usually considered himself a junior in Lu Yongliang’s presence.

’His older brother and Lu Yongliang’s generation were the type to hobnob in the kitchens of the National Guest House. He, on the other hand, was only somewhat famous around the Huaiyang region. Seeing two living legends, two master chefs, right in front of him was inevitably a bit stunning.’

The young man at the door seemed to have noticed the two brothers and waved from a distance. "Mr. Jiang!"

Jiang Wensheng pulled his brother’s arm. "Let’s go."

As the four met, Lu Yongliang let out a hearty laugh. "Old Jiang, what wind blew you here? Don’t tell me you’re also here to celebrate Master Cui’s birthday?"

Jiang Wusheng knew a bit about the matter with Cui Yufen.

"Yes and no. My niece is getting engaged tomorrow, right here at Boss Su’s restaurant. I just came to check the place out in advance."

Lu Yongliang gave him a thumbs-up. "Then you’ve come to the right place. Boss Su’s skills will definitely leave you satisfied!"

Jiang Wusheng greeted Su Chen, then immediately grasped Lu Yongliang’s hand. "Come on, let’s us two catch up! It’s been about ten years since we last saw each other in Yangzhou, hasn’t it?"

Lu Yongliang’s expression also grew solemn. At their age, with one foot in the grave, each time they saw an old friend was one meeting fewer. He said with emotion, "It has been ten years. The last time we gathered in Yangzhou, Qiusheng was still with us. Sigh..."

Jiang Wusheng also lowered his head and sighed.

’When people from your own generation start to pass away, you can’t help but feel that your own time is running out.’

Lu Yongliang patted Jiang Wusheng’s hand. "I’m not leaving Jingzhou just yet, so we’ll have plenty of time to catch up. Right now, I have to go help Boss Xiaosu in the kitchen. You rest first, Old Jiang."

"What the hell?" Jiang Wusheng’s eyes widened as he glanced at Su Chen. "Help him? No, you mean he’s helping *you*, right?"

He was pretty sure he had misheard.

’Lu Yongliang and Boss Su must have a pretty good relationship,’ he mused. ’To think he would personally step in for Cui Yufen’s birthday and my niece’s engagement!’

’In that case, the ten thousand yuan for the custom Delicious menu was more than worth it. After all, the dishes would be coming from the hands of a National Banquet Master—that’s something money can’t buy.’

Lu Yongliang laughed. "You heard me right. It’s me, I’m going to help Boss Su. When he’s cooking, he doesn’t need me to take over. I’m lucky just to be able to assist."

HSSS!!! Jiang Wusheng gasped, still finding it hard to believe this was real.

"Alright, alright, you two brothers take a rest. I’m heading over now! Don’t want to hold up Boss Su from his work."