The Gourmet Customizer

When they met Shang Mingke, the employees were all stunned.

’They didn’t tell us about this!’

The few who had been causing a ruckus quieted down completely after getting into the car, looking a bit awkward.

Especially Liu Ahbao...

"Brother, is Master doing okay...?"

Shang Mingke tilted his head slightly. "Uncle Lu said you just need to follow Boss Su and learn from him."

"Oh." After that, Liu Ahbao said no more.

If you had to name the person he feared most, it would be Lu Yongliang.

The second person he feared was definitely this big brother, Shang Mingke!

Although Shang Mingke was not one of Lu Yongliang’s official disciples, every apprentice who learned cooking from Lu Yongliang held this ’big brother’ in high esteem.

"Boss Su, you mentioned you wanted to try Lu Cuisine. Cuihua Building is pretty good for that in the Capital City. I’m just not sure if it will be to your liking."

Shang Mingke had lost his composure several times when they dined in Jingzhou. It was different this time; his restrained and steady demeanor was particularly noticeable among the group in the car.

Su Chen seemed much more casual. "Thank you for your hospitality, President Shang~ Cuihua Building’s Lu Cuisine must be excellent, but I wonder if they’ll have what I want to eat?"

Shang Mingke’s smile faded as he thought for a moment before speaking. "I have a bit of pull over there. If there’s anything you want to eat, Boss Su, you can let me know."

The implication was clear.

’If there’s something you want that’s not on the menu, I can help arrange for someone to make it.’

Su Chen smiled. "I’ll have to trouble President Shang, then. Oh, right. After we leave the Capital City this time, I’ve decided to let Ah Bao stay at Delicious and help me for a while. As for how long, that will be up to Ah Bao himself."

Su Chen had said this intentionally.

’It’s the world of adults, after all... A big shot like President Shang wouldn’t drop his own business for no reason just to host me and my group.’

’He’s showing me so much respect, so I should show some consideration in return.’

Su Chen knew very well that he could chat and laugh with Shang Mingke because Lu Yongliang was the connection between them. Since the other party wanted Ah Bao to stay and learn, and he just so happened to need a great chef like him...

...it was best to do them this easy favor.

Shang Mingke understood the message. "Then thank you very much, Boss Su."

Then he turned his head again. "Ah Bao, learn well from Boss Su. When I left, Uncle Lu said that you can go back when you feel you’re ready to shoulder the mantle of Hubei Cuisine."

This, too, was said for Su Chen’s benefit.

’Uncle Lu sent Ah Bao over not to be some grunt...’

’He’s to be trained as a successor. As for how to teach him, that’s entirely up to you, Boss Su.’

Su Chen leaned back in his seat and smiled. ’Talking to these people is so tiring. It’s more fun to tease Zhang Li.’

The car drove through street after street, finally arriving at their destination around six o’clock.

The driver went to park the car while Su Chen’s group followed Shang Mingke inside.

Stepping through the main entrance, they found Cuihua Building’s decor to be simple and rustic, with old-fashioned wooden chandeliers, window lattices, tables, and chairs.

The antique color palette exuded a quiet, elegant grandeur, as if telling everyone who entered: This is a time-honored establishment.

At six o’clock, the place was already crowded with diners, and a line had even started to form outside.

"This restaurant is amazing! This meal must cost a fortune, right?"

That was Zhang Li for you.

She had been looking left and right ever since she walked in, just like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden.

Shang Mingke chuckled. "The most important thing is to eat your fill and enjoy the food."

Although it was also Xiaobai’s first time in such a place, he tried his best not to seem intimidated. "It’s alright, but it’s a little lacking compared to our company."

Shang Mingke paused, then chuckled in spite of himself. "Indeed. Compared to the delicious food at Boss Su’s place, there’s bound to be a bit of a gap."

The group walked into the private room Shang Mingke had reserved in advance and took their seats.

"Boss Su, would you like a drink?"

Su Chen shook his head. "No alcohol. Let’s just get to the food."

A waiter promptly handed a menu to each person and stood by, waiting to take their order.

Without even looking at the menu, Su Chen said, "Kung Pao Chicken."

’I’ve tried this dish once before, I have to order it.’

"Quick-fried Two Crisps."

Beside him, Shang Mingke nodded slightly. Su Chen was ordering all of Cuihua Building’s classic, old-school dishes. In fact, very few people ate these dishes anymore.

To be more precise, few people would specifically order them.

In his years in the Capital City, he’d had his fair share of business dinners at Cuihua Building. These days, most of the people who ate here were tourists.

He wasn’t sure if it was to cater to the market or for some other reason, but the current Cuihua Building served fewer traditional dishes and a lot more innovative ones.

Su Chen thought for a moment, then rattled off several more dishes in one breath.

"Quick-fried Pork Tripe, Braised Four Treasures, Stewed Turtle Eggs, Hibiscus Chicken Slices, Fish Slices in Wine Sauce, First-Rank Official’s Swiftlet Nest, and an order of Fried Banana Slices!"

This move—ordering a whole meal without looking at the menu—left the waiter a bit dumbfounded.

"Um, sir... several of the dishes you ordered aren’t on our menu."

Shang Mingke said, "Please inform Manager Wang. We can wait." As he spoke, he handed over a business card.

’Manager Wang...’

The waiter immediately nodded, took the card, and said, "Please wait a moment."

Cuihua Building, back kitchen.

Today, Wang Peixing had uncharacteristically put on his chef’s uniform and was supervising work in the kitchen.

After becoming the general manager, he rarely needed to come to the kitchen himself. But having been a head chef for so many years, if he stayed out of the kitchen for more than a few days, his hands would start to itch.

"The line of customers outside is all the way to Chang’an Street! Xiaoliu, what’s wrong with you? How did you fry the fish skin into oblivion?!"

"And you, how did you place that slice of cheese?"