Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 43

After breakfast was prepared, it was already seven o’clock, time for the construction workers’ breakfast. Zhao Xiaojing wanted to continue helping, but Sisters Geng and Hou insisted she go eat, while they stayed at the counter serving meals.

Unable to refuse, Zhao Xiaojing took a breakfast plate to the dining hall.

Today, she picked a youtiao (fried dough stick), a bun, and a tea egg. The corn porridge was golden and thick, but her small appetite and curiosity for the youtiao and bun made her skip it.

While serving herself, she finally got a good look at the buns Hou Guihua had made, holding back laughter all the way.

No wonder Hou Guihua laughed about her own buns earlier—each one was a different shape, and none followed the usual round form. They were all uniquely flat, with folds almost indistinguishable.

The color wasn’t entirely smooth white either; there were mottled red oil spots, yet they looked appetizing.

Afraid of burning herself, Zhao Xiaojing broke open a bun to cool before tasting. One bite and she was deeply impressed by the contrast.

The bun was incredibly delicious! Despite its ugliness, everything else was perfect.

Stuffed with vermicelli and meat filling, breaking it open revealed a savory sauce-soaked interior. The translucent vermicelli soaked up the meat juices, intertwining deliciously with the minced meat for a bite full of flavor and chewy texture.

Though the greasy, misshapen bun skin appeared ugly, once steamed, it absorbed the juices to a nearly transparent state. Surprisingly, such a thin skin didn’t feel limp, instead offering a chewy texture that grew more flavorful with each bite.

Finishing one left her wanting more, but the bun was large, plus there was the youtiao and tea egg, leaving no room for another.

Having enjoyed Geng Mingyan’s fried rice cake yesterday, today’s youtiao tasted ordinary—satisfying, but not stunning. Zhao Xiaojing peeled a tea egg next; after soaking overnight, it tasted rich and aromatic, though something seemed missing inside, leaving her pondering.

After eating, she tidied up her tray and went to relieve Sisters Geng and Hou at the counter. They initially resisted until she took the serving spoon and started dishing out food, leaving them no choice but to accept.

By eight o’clock, the counter quieted down, and only a few workers remained in the canteen. Zhao Xiaojing and Hou Guihua, who had returned to help, organized the utensils.

Fan Secretary leisurely came for breakfast, surprised to find Zhao Xiaojing helping out.

“Chef Zhao? What are you doing here?”

“Good morning, Engineer Fan. I woke up early and came to lend a hand,” Zhao Xiaojing answered vaguely.

Fan Secretary was puzzled—how did waking early relate to helping?

“Ah! Xiao Zhao is diligent. Yesterday, Old Geng praised her fried oyster mushrooms. She complimented Old Geng’s rice cakes and said she’d come early today to learn them. Afterward, she taught us fried oyster mushrooms. She arrived at five! Helped make breakfast and then assisted us at the counter!”

Hou Guihua’s straightforwardness led to a stream of praise for Zhao Xiaojing, leaving Zhao somewhat embarrassed.

“Oh, I see…” Fan Secretary expressed surprise, giving Zhao Xiaojing a thoughtful look before leaving with his tray.

Another busy morning passed. This time, Zhao Xiaojing tried marinating ingredients from the start for two servings, frying everything once before rush hour. She served half in the beginning, then restocked after workers ate half, maintaining ample portions in the steel basins.

Finally, satisfaction levels stabilized at 87%, no longer fluctuating wildly.

Zhao Xiaojing breathed a sigh of relief, smiling throughout the day.

“Chef Zhao!” As she changed clothes to leave, Fan Secretary called her outside.

“Hello, Engineer Fan. Is there something you need?” Zhao Xiaojing asked.

“Yes, Manager Li wants to see you in his office.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

Zhao Xiaojing was perplexed but followed Fan Secretary to the project team office. Only Manager Li was there, tending to some plants by his desk.

“Ah, Xiao Zhao, have a seat. Xiao Fan…” Manager Li greeted Zhao Xiaojing while calling Fan Secretary, who brought tea to Zhao Xiaojing.

“Thank you, Manager Li and Engineer Fan.” With tea served, Zhao Xiaojing thanked them, sitting upright to face Manager Li.

“I heard you were in the canteen at five this morning, helping and teaching the ladies to fry oyster mushrooms?”

“Yes.”

“You shared your culinary skills so freely? Not a secret recipe?” Manager Li asked intriguingly.

“You’re joking, Manager. We learn from each other. Sisters Geng and Hou teach me too—I learned rice cakes today, and tomorrow Sister Hou will teach me buns.”

“Tomorrow too? At five again?”

“Yes… if possible, I want to come daily. I also want to learn youtiao and tea eggs…” Zhao Xiaojing felt unsure; coming to work like this should be fine, right?

“And you’ll teach them fried foods every day too?” Manager Li was genuinely surprised.

“I planned to, but I haven’t told Sisters Geng and Hou yet.”

Although she practiced daily in virtual space, finding places to practice frying rice cakes was challenging. Learning in the canteen presented a rare opportunity.

She had asked the system if teaching others from its recipes was allowed. The answer was indifferent—same recipes yield different results per person. Besides, teaching others could lead to new insights, fostering progress through exchange.

“Oh, I see. We’ve all tasted your cooking these days—we’re impressed. The whole site praises it. We wondered if you’d consider staying with us long-term?”

Manager Li asked nonchalantly, though he was eager inside. For Zhao Xiaojing’s fried foods, he, once indifferent to meals, now dragged Fan Secretary along to line up first every day.

“Of course, our site locations change frequently—mainly within the province for the next three years, but possibly beyond later. For a young woman like you, it might be inconvenient,” Manager Li added as Zhao Xiaojing appeared lost in thought.

“Thank you for your appreciation, Manager. This is unexpected; may I consider it?” Zhao Xiaojing hadn’t anticipated this and felt unsure how to decide suddenly.