The Gourmet Customizer

And that aroma came from the fat on the surface of the large intestine.

So after Su Chen repeatedly experimented with removing the surface fat before cooking, he gradually figured out the perfect amount to remove.

Removing a third of the fat toned down the strong aroma of the pork intestine, allowing the seasoning and the natural flavor of the intestine to become more prominent, rather than being overwhelmed by the singular taste of fat. This was a crucial detail, and the ultimate secret to elevating the dish to SS Level!

Even famous cookbooks didn’t mention this. In fact, they specifically instructed: "When cleaning the large intestine, be careful not to wash away the surface fat."

’Perhaps people back then had very little fat in their diets. Eating something with such a rich, fatty aroma would have been more appealing to the general public.’

It was the only reasonable explanation.

Liu Ahbao was in charge of cleaning the large intestine while Su Chen started processing some seafood. Before long, Bai Xiaobo walked into the kitchen.

"Boss, are we taking any orders today?"

Su Chen glanced up. "Definitely not. We don’t have time for any other orders today."

"But they’re offering a lot for this one."

"How much is a lot?" Su Chen paused what he was doing. If the price was right, he just might take it.

That’s just how Delicious operated!

"Lunch for two, 1,000 yuan." Xiaobai was looking at his phone. He had already confirmed the details with the customer several times. As long as Boss Su approved, they could accept the order.

"Any special requests?"

Looking at his phone, Xiaobai said, "The customer requested at least three dishes, and they have to be Huaiyang Cuisine."

Su Chen put down the sea cucumber in his hands. "It’s not Fang Chang’s father-in-law, is it? Did you contact Fang Chang?"

Fang Chang hadn’t been to the company for the past few days. His employees had been handling the meat supply deliveries every day. He was probably busy with his engagement.

"Ah, I’ll contact Brother Fang Chang right now and see if it’s his father-in-law."

Su Chen nodded. "Give me the phone. I’ll call him."

A moment later, Fang Chang answered Xiaobai’s WeChat call. "Hey there, Xiaobo-bo!"

’So gross...’ Su Chen glanced at Bai Xiaobo. ’Just because a woman hurt you doesn’t mean you have to be like this, does it?’

"Fang Chang? It’s Su Chen."

"Ah? Oh! Boss Su! Hehehe! What’s up, Boss Su?"

"I got an order today. They specifically requested Huaiyang Cuisine. I was wondering if..."

"Aiya!" Fang Chang suddenly exclaimed. "I’m so sorry, Boss Su! I forgot to tell you. My father-in-law arrived yesterday, and my uncle is here too! I was wondering why they wouldn’t come over to my place for dinner today. They just said they’d figure something out themselves. So they placed an order with you!"

Su Chen sighed helplessly. "How about this, Fang Chang? Please explain to your esteemed father-in-law for me. We’re really busy preparing for the engagement banquet tomorrow, so we can’t take today’s order."

He would have taken it on any other day. A thousand yuan for three dishes... It would only take Su Chen about an hour to whip up a few Huaiyang dishes.

But not right now. A thousand yuan was nothing compared to the orders they had for the 19th floor.

"Alright, I’m really sorry, Boss Su! I had no idea those two old-timers were at your place. I’ll call them right now."

After hanging up, Su Chen handed the phone back to Bai Xiaobo. "Reject the order. We’re not taking any new orders today or tomorrow, no matter the price."

With his boss’s clear instructions, Xiaobai nodded firmly. This made his job a lot easier.

Bai Xiaobo had just left, and as Su Chen was about to get back to work, someone else arrived.

"Well, well, let’s see what’s going on here!"

"Whoa!" Su Chen flicked his wet hands. "They’re all wet, so I won’t shake your hand."

It was none other than Lu Yongliang!

"Don’t worry about it!" The old master waved his hand dismissively. "Keeping busy? I came straight here after my car arrived."

Liu Ahbao excitedly shot to his feet, abandoning the intestine he was washing. "Master!"

"Don’t try to suck up to me!" Lu Yongliang shot him a glare. "Get back to work."

That exchange left Su Chen baffled. ’His own apprentice greeting him is considered sucking up?’

Liu Ahbao stood there, pork intestine in hand, dumbfounded. ’I’ve fallen out of favor!’

"This way, Elder." Su Chen washed his hands and led Lu Yongliang toward the break room. Prepping ingredients was urgent, but it could wait a few minutes.

"I thought you were arriving tomorrow, so I didn’t prepare any food or wine." Su Chen personally brewed some tea for Lu Yongliang. It was a gift from Shang Mingke from his last trip to the Capital City.

A perfect case of the wool coming from the sheep’s back.

"I was planning on coming tomorrow, but it’s just too hot in the Capital City! I really couldn’t stand it anymore. Anyway, how’s the prep for the banquet coming along?" Lu Yongliang’s voice still held a trace of fatigue.

After all, at his age, a long car ride was an exhausting affair.

"It’s almost ready. We’re processing a batch of ingredients today, and we’ll do the final prep tomorrow morning. That way, there won’t be any delays when the guests arrive for lunch." After speaking, Su Chen thought for a moment before voicing his doubts. "Elder, you know Cui Yufen?"

"Of course, I do! How could I not?"

Su Chen couldn’t wrap his head around it. "Logically, I have no history with Master Cui, no old grudges or new feuds. All I did was have a culinary exchange with her apprentice. Does that really warrant such a huge reaction? I’d say someone must be stirring the pot. Do you know anything about it?"

That had been Li Mingtao’s theory, and Su Chen had come to agree with it, but he could never figure out who would do something so malicious.

Lu Yongliang, who had just taken a sip of tea, nearly choked. "No, I don’t know anything about it!"

Su Chen clicked his tongue. "I have no idea who’s pulling strings behind the scenes. Elder, if you hear anything, you have to let me know. I absolutely won’t let that person off easy!"

Lu Yongliang set down his teacup and carefully studied Boss Xiaosu’s expression. Once he was sure the words weren’t aimed at him, he slammed the table in righteous indignation.

"You’re absolutely right! What kind of person does something so despicable! The moment I find out who it is, I’ll go and settle the score with you!"

But in his head: ’Retract! Retract!’

Seeing that the old master was on his side, Su Chen breathed a sigh of relief. "Right! Let’s just hope that person never lets the two of us find out who they are!"

After the two of them vented for a while longer, Su Chen finally got to the point.

"Elder, do you know what Master Cui’s intentions are? Is she coming to cause trouble, or is she just coming for a meal?"

Lu Yongliang didn’t answer directly. "Are you scared?"

"Hah! How could I be scared?" Su Chen waved his hand arrogantly. "I’m not afraid of anyone."

"Good. The situation is actually quite complicated. I’d guess one reason is to see your skills for herself. If you mess up, she’ll probably just taunt you a bit and leave it at that. But they’re also gathering to discuss something important."

"Oh?" Su Chen’s curiosity was piqued.

"In a few months, the National Chinese Culinary Competition will be held. If I’m not mistaken, they’re looking to select a few apprentices to send. Cui Yufen’s birthdays have never been this grand before."

’So that’s what this is about!’

Su Chen wasn’t particularly interested in any competition. To be more precise, he had little interest in anything that involved chasing fame and fortune.

His years as a streamer had taught him one thing: the more you’re in the spotlight, the more carefully you have to live. He hated that kind of life.

"I’ll tell you more about it later when you’re not so busy." Lu Yongliang glanced outside. "Do you need a hand in the kitchen?"

Huh?

Su Chen didn’t quite understand. "You mean...?"

"I can still help out with the prep work, no problem. I can’t help you with the actual cooking, though!"

Su Chen froze. ’A National Banquet Chef is going to be my prep cook?’

"What’s with that look?" Lu Yongliang saw Su Chen’s expression. "Don’t trust this old man? I may be old, but I can still handle a little prep work like this."

"No, no, that’s not it!" Su Chen waved his hands frantically. "If you say you can, then you can!"

If a National Banquet-level chef joined his kitchen staff, the prep work would be a breeze. Forget needing a whole day—an afternoon would be more than enough!

The two of them hit it off instantly and headed for the kitchen. As they passed the office area, they heard two men talking.

Su Chen followed the sound of the voices and saw a man standing by the elevator.

Wasn’t that Brother Fang Chang’s father-in-law, Jiang Wensheng?