Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 28

Wen Zhiyi assumed it was Wen Jin throwing another tantrum and was about to hang up, but then he saw it was his precious eldest daughter, Wen Yulan. He quickly wiped his hands and picked up.

“Dad, what are you eating? Making my brother so angry,” Wen Yulan leaned close to the screen, examining the snacks in Wen Zhiyi’s hands.

“He’s just being fussy, ignore him! Lan, it’s good you called; I wanted to tell you something!” Wen Zhiyi perked up at the sight of his daughter, a stark contrast to his disdain for his son.

“What is it? To brag about your delicious fried skewers or how you made my brother cry?” Wen Yulan chuckled, watching her father live like a child despite his age.

“The person you found for work in Yang City didn’t fit, right? I’ve found someone for you!” As he said this, Wen Zhiyi took another bite of fried tenderloin, savoring the flavor.

“Dad, eat slowly. Finish first; I’m not in a hurry.”

Wen Yulan couldn’t help but laugh seeing the old man with oil all over his mouth. Unlike Wen Jin, who worried about everything, she was relaxed and didn’t interfere much with her parents’ lives. At their age, happiness was all that mattered.

“Look at this duck leg, perfectly crispy. It’s the old-style frying method but even tastier. I don’t know what she puts in her sauce, but it’s amazing! The tenderloin is also spot on, crispy outside and tender inside. I haven’t tasted such skill in years.”

Wen Zhiyi brought the fried skewer close to the screen for Wen Yulan to see. She played along, widening her eyes to examine it, then gulped silently.

“Dad, where did you buy this? Why haven’t you bought it for me?”

“From the fried skewer stall at the school gate. I didn’t expect it! A few days ago, I met a girl while fishing. She’s about the same age as Yun Yun. She told me she… and when I visited her stall…”

After eating half a duck leg, a chicken frame, and a tenderloin skewer, Wen Zhiyi was full. He put down the skewer and vividly recounted the story to Wen Yulan.

“I remembered you mentioned the new girl in Yang City wasn’t suitable, and she wanted to leave anyway. I think this young lady is great!”

“She sounds nice, but she might not be willing. After all, she has a successful stall, and I only need someone for two months,” Wen Yulan was intrigued but uncertain.

Wen Yulan worked in Jiang City as a branch manager for a construction company, overseeing a project nearing completion in Yang City. The construction site had a canteen staffed with a head chef, an assistant cook for side dishes, and some helpers.

Last month, the assistant cook had to leave because of family issues. The local subordinate hired a temporary replacement, but the new lady struggled with the canteen’s cooking style, leading to dissatisfaction among workers despite being just side dishes.

The temporary cook felt embarrassed and resigned a few days ago. The subordinate sought help from Wen Yulan, who was both a local and their boss. Wen Yulan casually mentioned this to Wen Zhiyi during a chat, not expecting him to take it seriously and find someone so soon.

“It’s just two months, during summer. She wouldn’t have to stand outside under the sun all day. After your project finishes, the weather will cool down, and she can continue her stall. Isn’t that perfect? Besides, she’s faced so many issues already with her stall; she might not want to keep doing it,” Wen Zhiyi marketed his idea vigorously, dismissing Wen Yulan’s concerns.

“That makes sense. What’s her name? Give me her contact details, and I’ll ask her.”

“Uh…” Wen Zhiyi was stumped.

“Pfft, Dad! You don’t even know her name or have her contact, yet you’re promoting her?” Wen Yulan laughed heartily.

“…I’ll go talk to her tomorrow!” Wen Zhiyi’s face turned red.

After ending the video call, Wen Zhiyi sent Wen Yulan the “City Management Enforcement” video he recorded today.

“So daring? Yang City is still too small if even the police station hires people like them as interns!”

Initially thinking her father was exaggerating, Wen Yulan was shocked upon seeing the video.

“Huang Laowu is reliable; I’ll let the second brother know so he can be aware,” Wen Yulan quickly messaged back.

Wen Zhiyi replied with a cute cat nodding emoji.

“You old troublemaker, what are you up to now!”

Feeling smug, a strong voice called from outside the door, and Aunt Niu hurried to open it.

“Oh, so early today? Did the dance troupe fire you?” Wen Zhiyi turned his head, teasingly looking at his wife Fan Guiying still in her dance clothes. The elderly lady was radiant, full of energy from dancing.

“I didn’t even finish recording my video! Your son was nagging me to come check on you, just when we were having fun dancing! What did you eat now, confess!” Fan Guiying huffed as she sat next to Wen Zhiyi.

“What? Why does it smell so good?” Fan Guiying rummaged through the food bag on the table.

“Your son calls it junk food! Don’t touch mine!” Wen Zhiyi feigned anger, trying to take away the food bag.

“Oh, you father and son, always bickering. What’s there to argue about? He’s childish, and so are you?

At your age?! Shouldn’t you be more mindful of your health knowing our son works hard outside?” Fan Guiying was about to mediate but caught sight of the camera above moving toward her and quickly shifted her tone to scold.

Wen Zhiyi noticed too and deliberately opened the fried skewer, waving one in front of Fan Guiying.

“Smell it, isn’t it fragrant! Look at this tenderloin, crispy outside and tender inside, leaving a lasting taste!”

In front of the camera, Fan Guiying initially wanted to refuse, but the aroma wafted straight into her nose as soon as Wen Zhiyi opened the box and took out the skewer. She couldn’t resist following the skewer with her eyes.

Wen Zhiyi secretly relished his victory. Having been married for most of their lives, he knew precisely what Fan Guiying liked. She genuinely loved food, unlike him. His previous stomach issue wasn’t from eating; it was due to being picky! Wen Jin knew nothing yet insisted on meddling.

Triumphantly grinning, Wen Zhiyi took out the half-eaten duck leg and waved it before Fan Guiying.

“I’m telling you, this duck leg is their signature dish. Students line up for an hour and still might not get it. It’s sweet, just the way you like it. The skin remains crispy, and the duck fat adds an incredible flavor combined with the sauce!”

As Wen Zhiyi passionately described it, Fan Guiying’s eyes were glued to the food.