State Banquet chef?

Old Gao is actually a State Banquet chef?

Looking at the old man in the kitchen untying his apron and floral T-shirt.

Lin Xu felt like he was dreaming.

But since there's such an expert right by his side,

From now on, whenever he has questions, he can just ask him directly.

"Mr. Gao, do you have any kitchen tricks left to share?"

"Yeah, teach us a bit more, will you?"

"Mr. Gao definitely still has a lot up his sleeve."

The customers crowded around Mr. Gao,

Hoping to pick up more tips.

Old Gao chuckled and said:

"You guys are overestimating me. I'm just an errand guy, where would I have so many tips? Go home after your soup, don't hold up Boss Lin's rest."

With that, he wiped his hands and walked toward the door.

The diners found the soup in their bowls tasted even more delicious as they sipped it.

Then they looked to Lin Xu and asked:

"Boss Lin, are you putting this soup on the menu tomorrow?"

Lin Xu actually wanted to try out something new,

Because there was an upgrade reward mission waiting for a soup update.

But there was also a task for Nori Egg Drop Soup.

He shook his head and said,

"Not yet. I need to practice more. I'll put it on once I can match Mr. Gao's standard. No rush."

Old Gao, who had reached the door, heard that and nodded slightly.

He'd gotten the recipe but wasn't rushing to launch it, preferring to master it himself first. Young people who are this calm and unflustered—really rare.

This kid's got real potential!

After finishing the Nori Egg Drop Soup,

Everyone left in small groups.

Lin Xu and Little Che cleaned up the kitchen and clocked off for the day.

"Yueyue, do you still want some buns? If you do, Auntie can make some more for you tomorrow morning."

At the shop entrance,

Chen Meijuan smiled kindly at Shen Jiayue and asked.

"I probably won't have time to come, since I have to go to work tomorrow."

Shen the Rich Lady looked a bit aggrieved—if the flashy Ferrari F8 wasn't parked nearby, Lin Xu would honestly think she was some working stiff hustling for a living.

"Then add me as a friend! When the buns are steamed tomorrow, I'll find a delivery guy to drop them off for you."

Shen Jiayue added her future mother-in-law as a friend, then drove off.

Watching the red sports car fade into the distance,

Chen Meijuan suddenly said:

"I looked it up when I was bored before, that car's out-the-door price is about four million."

Lin Xu: ?????

Why are you looking up her car for no reason?!

Were you planning to trick it off of her and flip it for a profit?

"Son, at your current pace, you're making ninety grand a month. Six times nine is fifty-four, so that's five hundred forty grand in half a year. Not only can you easily buy this car, the spare change is enough for a Range Rover… Don't think her family's money means you're marrying up. Be more confident, son, you're second to none!"

Hearing his mom's words,

Lin Xu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I'm not feeling inferior.

And I don't think Shen the Rich Lady is out of my league.

I'm just kind of slow in the romance department, that's all.

But earning five hundred forty thousand in half a year—am I really that explosive at making money?

When Shen Jiayue got home,

All those relatives had already left.

She took the elevator upstairs, and just as she was about to sneak back into her room, she realized her parents were sitting in the little lounge outside her door.

Obviously,

They were waiting for her.

"Where did you go?"

Her mother, Han Shuzhen, even at home, still maintained her chief physician's authority.

"Went to hang out with some classmates."

Shen Jiayue sat cross-legged on the cashmere carpet in front of the coffee table. She was just about to grab a lychee from the fruit plate when her mom stopped her:

"Don't eat without washing your hands. Do you know how many germs are on your hands… So, how did it feel meeting those boys today?"

Shen Jiayue pouted:

"Didn't feel anything. Stop letting those relatives set me up! They're dragging home all sorts of weirdos like it's a recycling center."

Her dad, Shen Guofu, nodded in agreement:

"Absolutely right. A few of those young guys had earrings and dyed yellow hair. Just looking at them gave me a headache."

Han Shuzhen glared at her husband, and this big boss who owns several listed companies instantly shut up and raised his head to study the chandelier.

As if he were admiring some rare treasure.

"You've graduated college, so blind dates and relationships are normal. Why don't you set the standards, and I'll tell those relatives?"

Shen Jiayue actually listed a few:

"First, he has to be at least ten centimeters taller than me, or I'll look too tall and big. Second, earns at least a million a month—and must earn it himself, not rely on family. Third, must be my age, otherwise it's a generation gap. Fourth, must be a good cook. Fifth, must…"

Before she finished,

Han Shuzhen waved her hand:

"Alright, alright, if you keep going, we'll have to look for your match on Mars."

No need to go to outer space—there's one right on Yingchun Street.

Thinking of Lin Xu, Shen Jiayue couldn't help but smile sweetly.

Xu-bao, I miss you again.

Won't you miss me a little bit too?

"Go to your room. Tomorrow you start work at your Uncle Tan's audit firm. Don't make any trouble, alright?"

When she heard she could go,

Shen Jiayue instantly sprang up from the carpet.

She saluted her mom, Han Shuzhen:

"Yes, Madam!"

After their daughter returned to her room,

Han Shuzhen sighed softly:

"Looks like Yueyue might be seeing someone."

Shen Guofu nodded:

"Seems so. But the conditions she mentioned, can her boyfriend really meet them? A million a month—I couldn't even do that in my twenties."

4:20 a.m.

Lin Xu got up right on time.

After washing up, he headed downstairs to the market to buy groceries.

"Morning, Boss Lin! I've got the red onion, dried shiitakes, and quail eggs for the braised pork rice all ready for you. Top quality, as always!"

Uncle Shen was his usual enthusiastic self.

Lin Xu finished picking the veggies he needed for the day, then went off to buy the meat and other ingredients.

Back at the shop,

He first soaked the dried mushrooms.

Then washed the quail eggs he'd bought and put them in a pot to boil.

Next, he started prepping the pork belly.

In the past, only Braised Eggplant and Pork Sauce used meat.

He'd only go through fifty to sixty pounds a day.

But today with braised pork rice on the menu, Lin Xu bought over a hundred pounds of pork belly in one shot.

The butcher, Mr. Hu, was grinning from ear to ear.

The pork belly was laid skin side up on the workbench. He used a blowtorch to singe the pork skin, getting rid of stray hairs and gunk in the pores. Once that was done, he soaked it in water.

Then he moved on to the chicken feet.

7:30 a.m.

Lin Xu had just finished the breakfast his mom brought him.

The steamer cabinet he ordered the day before arrived.

The workers set it up, demonstrated how to use it, and then left.

"Boss, with such a big steamer, are we switching from noodles to rice now?"

Little Che was curious.

If they were selling rice, a couple of oversized rice cookers would do—no need to buy a steamer that takes up more space and uses even more electricity.

Lin Xu grinned and said,

"Besides rice, I'm planning to add more steamed dishes soon—to make our menu richer."

After yesterday's livestream,

Lin Ji's Food was still trending hot.

That side quest [Gaining Some Fame] and the Perfect Level steamed-cuisine lottery were basically in the bag by now, so buying a steamer cabinet was totally called for.

While Little Che was chopping meat with his cleaver,

Lin Xu brought the freshly sliced red onion strips over to the stove.

And started making braised pork rice's soul seasoning—crispy red onions.

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