Chapter 358 - 191: Linjiang Shanshi?

Chapter 358: Chapter 191: Linjiang Shanshi?

"President Qian?"

"Mr. Qian?"

Lin Zhiqiang and the secretary beside him stared at the scene, completely stunned.

’How could a single bite of fish-fragrant shredded pork reduce him to tears? Was it really that good?’

Lin Zhiqiang hadn’t yet tasted Zhou Yan’s fish-fragrant shredded pork.

’But this was Qian Siyuan, a major business owner. This reaction seemed a bit much, didn’t it?’

After a long silence, Qian Siyuan put down his chopsticks, wiped the tears from his face, and said with a self-deprecating smile, "This fish-fragrant shredded pork tastes exactly like my mother used to make it. She passed away more than twenty years ago. I was just overwhelmed by a sudden rush of memories. Please excuse me, Director Lin."

"It just shows you’re a man of deep feeling, Mr. Qian," Lin Zhiqiang said with a serious expression, a hint of surprise in his voice. "But... was your mother from Sichuan?"

Back at the factory, they had held meetings about this partnership. It was a high priority, so they had done some research on Qian Siyuan. They knew his father was from Hangzhou, which was why they’d specifically chosen Lin Zhiqiang, a "Hangzhou son-in-law," to host him. They had even carefully discussed Hangzhou’s local flavors.

’After all that planning, it turns out his mother was from Sichuan?’

’For the head of a multinational corporation to be moved to tears by a bite of fish-fragrant shredded pork... his mother must have held a very special place in his heart.’

"Yes, her hometown was somewhere in Southern Sichuan, I believe." Qian Siyuan nodded, his expression filled with excitement. "Memories fade, but the palate doesn’t lie. I’ve eaten at every kind of Sichuan Cuisine restaurant in the United States, big and small, but not a single one tasted like this.

I knew it the moment I tasted it. There’s no mistaking it. The way the owner of this restaurant makes fish-fragrant shredded pork is identical to my mother’s. He might know where her hometown is."

Lin Zhiqiang said thoughtfully, "Mr. Qian, did you come back this time hoping to find your mother’s hometown?"

Qian Siyuan nodded. "Yes. I want to see the homeland where she was born and raised. If she still has any brothers or sisters, I’d like to meet them, too. Unfortunately, I was always so busy with work when I was young, I barely spent more than a few days a year at home. Then she fell ill so suddenly... I never even found out exactly where her hometown was. I only have a few scattered pieces of information."

"As long as there are clues, you can definitely find it," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile. "Look, you searched all over the United States for this fish-fragrant shredded pork to no avail, and yet you found it right here, didn’t you?"

Qian Siyuan smiled at that and looked at Lin Zhiqiang. "Speaking of which, I have to thank you, Director Lin, for bringing me to this restaurant. Otherwise, I would have missed it again.

You mentioned you’re on good terms with the owner. After they close for the day, would it be possible for me to talk with him? He might be able to point me in the right direction."

"Of course, no problem. Once they’re closed, I can ask him to chat with you and see if he can offer any help," Lin Zhiqiang agreed with a smiling nod.

’Qian Siyuan was a major client. If he’d left abruptly, the deal would have almost certainly fallen through.’

’But now, this plate of fish-fragrant shredded pork had created a bond between them—a bond connected to his mother’s homeland. This could be the breakthrough he needed for the partnership.’

Lin Zhiqiang had eaten plenty of Sichuan Cuisine, but his knowledge was limited to just eating it. Asking him to explain its origins would be putting him in a tough spot.

’His only hope now was that Zhou was better informed, that his expertise wasn’t limited to just cooking. Hopefully, he could share some history and provide Qian Siyuan with some useful information.’

"Thank you," Qian Siyuan said gratefully.

The three of them continued their meal. As Qian Siyuan ate the fish-fragrant shredded pork, the deep furrow in his brow gradually smoothed out, perhaps as he recalled some pleasant memories.

Lin Zhiqiang picked up a piece of the fish-fragrant shredded pork with his chopsticks and brought it to his mouth. The salty, spicy, sour, and fragrant flavors created a truly authentic "fish-fragrance," no worse than what he’d had at Rongyuan Garden.

The meat was tender and smooth. It was made with a slightly fatty cut of pork, which gave it a richer mouthfeel than versions made with tenderloin.

The masterstroke, without a doubt, was the winter bamboo shoots!

The winter bamboo shoots were cut into thick julienne strips. They were crisp and refreshing, with a wonderfully fresh flavor that cut through the richness of the dish.

’Fresh winter bamboo shoots are already out?!’

He was pleasantly surprised. Tasting winter bamboo shoots at the dinner table was like a reminder that winter had arrived.

Ingredients have their seasons. Three meals a day, four seasons a year—food is no small matter.

The fish-fragrant shredded pork he’d eaten at Rongyuan Garden used celtuce and wood ear mushrooms; this was the first time he’d had it with winter bamboo shoots.

Each had its own merits.

But the winter bamboo shoots were indeed fresher and crisper than the celtuce.

The fish-fragrance seasoning was perfectly balanced, up to Zhou Yan’s usual high standards. The saltiness and umami hit first, followed by a sourness with a hint of spice and a sweet aftertaste. The flavors of ginger, scallion, and garlic were particularly prominent.

’What was the main characteristic of fish-fragrant shredded pork?’

’It’s perfect with rice!’

He shoveled a large mouthful of rice, then reached his chopsticks out toward the plate of Stir-fried Pork Liver.

’Oh well,’ he thought. ’I’ll leave this fish-fragrant shredded pork for Mr. Qian to reminisce with today. I can bring my wife and kids to try it in a couple of days.’

He glanced at the secretary, Wang, who was being so perceptive. Wang was helping himself to spoonful after spoonful of Mapo Tofu, but pointedly hadn’t touched the fish-fragrant shredded pork even once.

’Now that’s what you call professional.’

After lunch, Qian Siyuan stopped Lin Zhiqiang and had his secretary go settle the bill.

"Director Lin, this meal must be on me. If it weren’t for you, I never would have tasted this fish-fragrant shredded pork I’ve been dreaming about for years," Qian Siyuan said with a very serious expression.

"Mr. Qian, I couldn’t possibly. I haven’t even fulfilled my duties as a host yet," Lin Zhiqiang said with a laugh.

"This was the most satisfying meal I’ve had since arriving in China. That is the best hospitality you could offer," Qian Siyuan also laughed. "Let’s head out for now and wait by the entrance. The kitchen is still busy."

"Alright. Let’s go get some air by the river," Lin Zhiqiang nodded. He and Qian Siyuan left the restaurant and went for a stroll along the riverbank, chatting leisurely.

An hour later, as it was nearing time for the factory’s afternoon shift to start, the restaurant’s customers began to leave one by one. Only then did Lin Zhiqiang and Qian Siyuan turn and head back.