Chapter 862: Chapter 861: Liu Ying (Part 1)
“…That Liu Lan?”
“Him? He’s five or six years older than me, and his culinary skills among his peers in the entire Chinese Realm are just middle tier, to put it bluntly, he’s mediocre. But Yu, did you know? This seemingly mediocre individual is actually top-tier in culinary skills among the worthless bunch in the Shu Liu Clan. Otherwise, how did he manage to win the top prize in last year’s selection and obtain the operating rights to Juxia Building?”
Juxia Building.
In the hall with only one table of guests, Zhu Qing didn’t bother to lower her voice as she responded to Xia Yu’s question.
Xia Yu’s eyes flickered.
Mediocre.
This term perfectly encapsulates Zhu Qing’s description of Liu Lan.
But surprisingly, this mediocre chef is the owner and head chef of Juxia Building—his success is a testament to the decline of the Shu Liu Clan. In days gone by, Shell Fairy, Liu Maoxing, and other renowned chefs, their descendants seem to have fallen on hard times.
While waiting idly, Xia Yu asked Zhu Qing for more information.
About Juxia Building, a hundred years ago, it was originally a state-owned restaurant, with Shell Fairy only having operating rights, not ownership.
Later, Liu Maoxing rose to prominence, making Juxia Building his private property. Though Liu Maoxing was certainly a brilliant figure, he loved traveling the world and wasn’t a competent manager. It was his sister Liu Jinling who single-handedly supported the enormous Juxia Building while Liu Maoxing roamed the seas.
Then came the story where ‘Flying Saint’ Zhu Qi, one of the Five Tiger Stars of the Dark Cooking World, met Liu Jinling, and this couple went on to jointly manage Juxia Building, solidifying its reputation in the Chinese Realm.
The current Shu Liu Clan is actually the descendants of Zhu Qi and Liu Jinling, not Liu Maoxing. Liu Maoxing and Zhao Meili lived like a celestial couple and left no descendants.
Talking about the Liu and Zhu families, Zhu Qing had a complex expression.
“…They had two sons and two daughters; the daughters all took the Zhu surname, while for the sons, one took Zhu and the other took Liu. Thus, the Zhu and Liu surnames branched out in Shu. The Zhu lineage inherited more of Zhu Qi’s ancestral resources and culinary skills, while the Liu lineage inherited Juxia Building among other things!”
Xia Yu listened with bewilderment.
Liu Maoxing and Zhao Meili having no descendants was one thing, but the current Shu Liu Clan being the offspring of Zhu Qi and Liu Jinling shocked Xia Yu.
“And Aunt Qing, you…” He opened his mouth.
Zhu Qing chuckled, “What did you think? I am a member of the Zhu Clan, and when we were in Japan, I repeatedly mentioned to you that your mother is one of Zhu Qi and Liu Jinling’s descendants, with outstanding talent. That’s why when she paired with your father, they had you, Demon King Xia.”
“Right, how could mere mortals give birth to a Demon King?” she said in an earnest tone.
Xia Yu sweatdropped.
“Get lost!” He rolled his eyes wildly, glaring at Zhu Qing’s teasing look, “Could you be serious for once? This is a very serious topic!”
“Alright, serious!”
Suddenly, Zhu Qing’s expression changed, her gaze fixed intensely on him.
“So…”
She said softly, “You’ve never shown interest in the Zhu Liu lineage or your own ancestry before, why bring it up now? Could it be that seeing Juxia Building’s decline touched your sympathy?”
Snap!
The sound of fingers snapping, Xia Yu’s smile turned meaningful:
“It seems this year’s Lantern Festival coincides with the Liu Clan’s selection for new operating rights…”
Zhu Qing’s pupils contracted slightly.
“You know about this?”
She found it hard to believe, “Where did you hear it? I didn’t tell you!”
Xia Yu merely grinned mysteriously.
“Because I have a system,” he added inwardly, then raised his eyes towards the back kitchen of Juxia Building, looking over with a sparkle in his eyes, clearly having made a decision.
…
Back kitchen.
The head chef of Juxia Building, Liu Lan, was sweating heavily, cooking a pot of Mapo Tofu.
“Dad, slow down! Don’t rush!”
His son Liu Jing was assisting him, noticing his father’s lack of calmness, reminding him softly.
“First taste, spicy!”
“Give me the prepared sauce!”
Liu Lan said in a deep voice.
“Dad, here—”
Swoosh.
The kitchen was engulfed by the aroma of chili peppers.
Just then, Xia Yu and Zhu Qing walked in, witnessing Liu Lan’s cooking scene.
One must say, even if Liu Lan’s talent is mediocre, but as they say, diligence makes up for lack of skill, his cooking techniques can be described as refined to perfection. The process of the ‘Magical Mapo Tofu’ with its six flavors was tight and precise, with no delay, until the whole plate of tofu came out and was plated that Liu Lan slightly slowed the pace, “Give me the green garlic!”
His son Liu Jing quickly presented the dish.
Thus, a plate of red chili oil Mapo Tofu had the green of garlic, making the color layers deeper and richer.
“He’s truly a head chef…”
Xia Yu nodded slightly.
Even without tasting, the demeanor during cooking could distinctly separate a kitchen novice from a head chef.
In Liu Lan, Xia Yu saw, was the seasoned steadiness—once he began, he was like an arrow set loose, aiming unwaveringly at the target.
On the other side, Xia Yu turned his head and paused.
Young girl Liu Ying had to stand on a stool to wield the heavy spatula and work at the stove normally.
Unlike Western kitchens, Juxia Building’s back kitchen was all Chinese-style, the stove was square, the wok big and heavy, and kitchen tools like spatulas and ladles were black and crude, making it difficult for even adults to wield easily. Yet there stood someone only as tall as Xia Yu’s chest, swinging these tools with surprising ease.
“Clang—”
At this moment, with a toss of the spatula, Liu Ying sniffed the steam from the big pot, happily on her rosy cheeks, jumping onto the stove and squatting down, she lifted the lid with one hand, releasing a fragrant aroma.
Xia Yu caught a whiff, his eyebrows twitched.
Elegant and refined, resembling the aroma of wine, a hint could settle in one’s throat, making cells intoxicated.
Vaguely, Xia Yu seemed to see the ‘treasure’ shining.
“This little brat isn’t just noisy after all!” He was shocked, from culinary basics to skills with ladle and wok, as well as ingredient usage, Liu Ying’s excellence was nothing short of hunting rare talents despite her age.
“It’s done—”
Liu Ying seemed to have ladled a bowl of soup, but as the steam cleared, it was actually a full bowl of noodles on the cooking station.
She huffed towards Liu Lan, “Are you done yet?”
An impish behavior that was right for an unruly young girl.
Liu Lan had already plated waiting for her, and upon her question, merely shook his head with a smile, always seeming honest and straightforward, but Xia Yu noticed a trace of admiration and doting in his gaze towards the young girl.
“You’re done too? Then no more nonsense, let’s stick to the usual rules, taste each other’s dishes!”
Liu Ying placed the noodles she just made on the table.
A bowl of noodles, a plate of Mapo Tofu, both filled with a strong Chinese flavor.
Liu Lan noticed Xia Yu and Zhu Qing entering the kitchen and was about to greet them when Xia Yu suddenly spoke:
“Actually, the winner is obvious.”
His eyes rested on the cross-armed Liu Ying standing at the dining table, “You lost.”