Chapter 119: The Chef's Approval

Wen Yao was short, and the stoves here were all made to adult height. Qiu Rongrong watched the little girl standing on a footstool, her expression focused, her hands skilled and powerful. The fragrance of Sichuan pepper came rushing over, making Qiu Rongrong unable to hold back and sneeze twice in succession. She had restrained herself; the maids around her were already sneezing without shame, but they tried to block her, not letting her lose composure. Soon, the pungent smell of Sichuan pepper was replaced by an aroma that had magical qualities, making Qiu Rongrong suddenly develop a huge appetite. She brightened, lifted her skirt, and entered the kitchen.

“Madam,” the maid beside her could not stop her; Qiu Rongrong had reached the stove. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, asking with a hint of excitement, “Yao Yao, what is this dish called?”

Wen Yao was heating the oil, this being the final step in the water-cooked meat slices. Hearing her question, she replied, “This dish is called water-cooked meat slices. It is prepared by blooming the Sichuan pepper, green onion, and ginger in hot oil, then stir-frying in the seasonings. The most important part is the treatment of the meat slices—the meat must be tender enough to be delicious.”

Qiu Rongrong had been indulged with fine clothes and good food since childhood and had never entered a kitchen. She did not understand what was being said but found it impressive nonetheless. “Qiu sister, make way,” Wen Yao kindly reminded her, urging her to step aside. After all, this sister’s clothes looked extremely expensive; if splashed with oil, they would be ruined.

Qiu Rongrong had no idea why and simply made way, only to watch Wen Yao lift the small pot in her hand and pour a pot of boiling oil into the bowl. A sizzling sound rang out, and the fragrance became even more intense. Qiu Rongrong unconsciously swallowed hard. “So fragrant,” she thought. *I want to eat it so much.*

“Yao Yao, can I have a taste?” Qiu Rongrong asked.

Wen Yao set the ingredients aside, looking at the somewhat childish Qiu Rongrong. She asked two servants who were still in a daze and drooling to bring bowls and chopsticks, then served a piece of the dish to Qiu Rongrong.

“Qiu sister, please taste it.”

Qiu Rongrong sniffed it. It was stimulating, yet so fragrant, and she truly wanted to eat it. She took a small bite. At first she froze, then frowned tightly, and finally her eyes lit up. “Delicious!” This stimulating flavor awakened her appetite completely—very spicy, very intense, and she truly wanted another bite. Qiu Rongrong suddenly realized that all the food she had eaten before was bland and tasteless.

Wen Yao smiled as she watched her. “Sister, do you think this dish will sell well?”

Qiu Rongrong nodded vigorously without hesitation. “Of course it will!” Even as she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on the bowl, her chopsticks itching to reach for more. Fortunately, twenty years of upbringing kept her from it, but she did not forget the matter at hand. “Call the steward, Lu. Oh, and bring Chef Chen as well.” She instructed the maid standing outside.

Soon, steward Lu and the ever-busy Chef Chen were summoned. When Chef Chen arrived, his expression was still somewhat displeased. Today was a busy time, and he was nearly overwhelmed in the back kitchen. Why was the young miss causing trouble now? Especially since Chef Chen had heard that the young miss was accompanied by a little girl to cook, his face grew even darker.

“Young miss, the back kitchen is in full swing. There are so many guests waiting out front,” Chef Chen said, speaking with no excessive restraint since he was quite familiar with Qiu Rongrong.

Qiu Rongrong waved at him. “Chef Chen, come taste it.”

Chef Chen and steward Lu were bewildered. They frowned and stepped forward, staring at the vivid red bowl in front of them. Both were stunned. “Did you add Sichuan pepper?” Chef Chen, who was no ordinary cook, recognized it immediately. Then he said, “This is utter nonsense. A thing as stimulating as this—adding even a little is already unbearable. How are we supposed to eat it if you add so much?”

Qiu Rongrong offered no explanation, only saying, “Taste it first.”

Her tone left no room for refusal.

Chef Chen frowned deeply but could not defy his mistress. He could only pick up chopsticks, hesitate for a moment, then take a piece and put it in his mouth.

Qiu Rongrong watched with a smile as his expression changed. “Well? If Drunken Immortal Pavilion launches this dish, Chef Chen, what do you think—will the business be prosperous?” she asked.

Chef Chen did not answer. He took another piece and placed it in his mouth this time, chewing slowly and savoring it carefully. Steward Lu thought he might explode, but he received the second chopstick instead. He himself took a bite and nearly made himself cry from the heat.

“Water, water!” Steward Lu shouted, calling for water.

The servants quickly brought it, and he drank it down in great gulps. Strangely, after the spiciness faded, he inexplicably still wanted more.

Wen Yao and Qiu Rongrong watched their reactions. They exchanged a glance and both burst into laughter.

“Sister, it is sister who underestimated you before. Sister here apologizes on your behalf. If this dish is launched, it will definitely be a hit,” Qiu Rongrong said happily, already imagining the bustling scene of Drunken Immortal Pavilion being hard to secure.

Wen Yao smiled lightly. “This is only the first dish. If sister trusts me, you may consider my suggestions.”

“Consider what? Speak up. How shall we cooperate? Everything can be discussed. I have only one request: your dishes can only be supplied to my Drunken Immortal Pavilion,” Qiu Rongrong said.

Wen Yao raised an eyebrow. “Then shall we discuss it later?”

“Agreed.”

The two of them continued to smile as they spoke. After Chef Chen had eaten several more mouthfuls and could not help but drink a considerable amount of water, he finally remembered the matter at hand.

“Young miss, who made this dish?” Chef Chen asked, though his gaze was fixed on Wen Yao. He still sounded somewhat uncertain, after all, how old was this girl?

Qiu Rongrong took Wen Yao’s hand. “Chef Chen, this dish was made by Miss Wen. Chef Chen, you are also an old servant of our Qiu family. What do you think—would this dish be popular if served at Drunken Immortal Pavilion?”

Although Chef Chen had already guessed, he was still somewhat surprised to receive confirmation. He did not answer Qiu Rongrong immediately but instead looked at Wen Yao. “Miss has fine cooking skills.”

Wen Yao smiled. “Showing off in front of Chef Chen.”

Chef Chen shook his head with a wry smile. It was a pity he had previously looked down on Wen Yao, thinking she was following the young miss to cause trouble. He had not expected her to truly be capable.

“Miss is too kind,” he said, nodding to Wen Yao. Then he turned to Qiu Rongrong. “Young miss may try it.”

Qiu Rongrong immediately took Wen Yao’s hand. “Sister, then this dish will be our first cooperative dish. What do you say? How shall we cooperate?”

Wen Yao patted her hand. “Sister, there is no need to rush. I will first teach Chef Chen the method of this dish. Oh, this water-cooked meat slice also has a key point: the treatment of the meat slice. To make the meat slices fresh and tender, controlling the fire is not enough—you must process it well.

I will not hide it from you, sister. This meat was marinated with my secret tender meat powder, which is why it is so tender. This tender meat powder is indispensable. Of course, the tender meat powder can also be used in other dishes. However, making this tender meat powder is relatively troublesome…”