Chapter 480 - 228: The Master’s Obsession: Accomplished

Chapter 480: Chapter 228: The Master’s Obsession: Accomplished

"Just hearing you talk about it makes my mouth water." Zhang the Third smacked his lips and looked at Zhou Yan. "Zhou Yan, save me a portion of those braised intestines. I’ll close up my stall at noon and bring my wife over to eat."

"You got it. I’ll save it for you," Zhou Yan said with a smile and a nod. He was a major customer at Zhang the Third’s meat stall, and Zhang the Third, in turn, would bring his wife to the restaurant for a meal every week to show his support.

Zhou Yan was now using over a hundred pounds of meat every day. From pig heads and ribs to hind leg cuts and pork liver—his standards were high, but so was the volume he ordered.

Zhang the Third said to Zhou Yan, "The pig’s blood is also really fresh. If you ever want to make blood curd, just let me know. I’ll save some for you. The price is dirt cheap."

"Sounds good. I’ll let you know when I need some," Zhou Yan nodded. ’Pork blood curd is a great ingredient, but unfortunately, he didn’t know how to prepare it yet.’

’If you could prepare it well, the profit margin was incredible.’

’The cost was extremely low—a pound of pig’s blood sold for less than ten cents. But turn it into blood curd and serve it in his restaurant, and a single bowl would go for at least fifty or sixty cents, wouldn’t it?’

’And if you added some tripe or pork intestines to make Maoxuewang or an intestine and blood curd dish, the price would climb even higher.’

’I’ll have to ask Master for some pointers later and see how he does it.’

The morning passed in a flurry of activity.

Just as the braised dishes were being taken out of the pot, Xiao Lei and Zheng Qiang arrived, right on cue.

"Whoa, Master Zhou, these braised intestines look incredible! Another new dish? You’re a true master of your craft," Xiao Lei said, his eyes filled with admiration as he gazed at the intestines fresh from the pot.

Zheng Qiang nodded in agreement. "The color looks perfect. I can only imagine how it tastes. Just looking at it is making my mouth water."

"Come on, let me cut you a piece to try. I’d be honored to receive some pointers from our second and third-grade Grandmasters," Zhou Yan joked. He sliced off a section, cut it on a bias, arranged it on a plate, and passed them two pairs of chopsticks.

"I wouldn’t dare give Master Zhou pointers on braised dishes. When it comes to this, we’re the ones here to learn," Xiao Lei said, taking the chopsticks. He picked up a piece of intestine, placed it in his mouth, and savored it. He nodded. "Tender and springy, and it just bursts with juice. The flavor is absolutely perfect. The intestines are cleaned meticulously, but you didn’t strip all the fat from the inner lining. You left a perfect, even layer, which gives it a richer, smoother mouthfeel."

"A truly professional analysis." Zhou Yan gave him a thumbs-up. ’That’s Master Xiao for you,’ he thought. ’He can tell how good it is with a single bite.’

"Master Xiao is right," Zheng Qiang said, nodding after trying a piece himself.

Xiao Lei rolled his eyes at him. "What do you mean, ’I’m right’? Give me your own opinion. A young man needs to have his own perspective."

Zheng Qiang was stumped for a moment, then looked at Xiao Lei with a helpless expression. "Master Xiao, how about I go first next time? You’ve said it all. What’s left for me to say?"

"Fine, you can go first next time," Xiao Lei agreed, popping another piece into his mouth. He continued, "The Fire Control for the intestines is spot-on. They’re fall-apart tender, but not mushy. There’s still a bit of a springy chew to them, yet your teeth can bite through effortlessly.

It’s perfect eaten hot right out of the pot with a drizzle of the braising liquid. When it’s cold, it’ll probably be even chewier—even better as a snack with some drinks. That feeling of the fat melting as you chew... it just gets more and more fragrant."

Zheng Qiang listened, completely dumbfounded. He was silent for a moment before saying meekly, "Master Xiao, maybe next time you should just say everything at once. This is making me look like an idiot..."

"Master Zheng, look at you, getting all flustered again," Xiao Lei chuckled.

Zhou Yan couldn’t help but laugh as well.

When it came to the art of eating, few could compare to a professional Chef.

"Master, when are you finally going to nail that stir-fried pork liver? How many times has it been? You still haven’t gotten the feel for it?" Zhou Yan asked Xiao Lei.

"That’s why I’ve come to learn from Master Zhou again today. I’m just missing that little something. It’s so elusive, so mysterious... I just can’t grasp it." Xiao Lei looked at Zhou Yan, his expression earnest. "Tell me, what’s the difference between my cooking and yours? How do I capture that ’feeling’?"

Zheng Qiang also looked toward Zhou Yan, his face full of curiosity.

Xiao Lei had come to Zhou Yan’s place many times, driven by the desire to improve his stir-fried pork liver. He was trying again and again, to the point of obsession.

’Zheng Qiang thought Master Xiao’s stir-fried pork liver was already more than good enough—it was even better than what his own master could make.’

’Although Zhou Yan’s version was a bit more perfect, the difference was so subtle that the vast majority of regular customers would never be able to tell.’

’Was a dish of stir-fried pork liver that sold for eighty cents really worth this obsessive, meticulous pursuit of perfection?’

’He didn’t quite understand, but he didn’t dare ask.’

Zhou Yan fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Master, perhaps what you’re lacking isn’t technique, but an attitude of absolute confidence. Absolute confidence in the spatula in your hand and in the liver in your wok."

"An attitude of absolute confidence?" Xiao Lei repeated softly.

Zhou Yan nodded. "That’s right. If you have even a sliver of doubt the moment the ingredients hit the wok, the result will inevitably fall short. Your own expectations are working against you."

"So we’re not talking about technique, but psychology?" Xiao Lei scratched his head.

"When science can’t provide an answer, perhaps we should consider the power of psychological suggestion," Zhou Yan said with a completely straight face. "For example, believing in the power of belief itself."

"The power of belief?" Xiao Lei mused. "My Master once told me: ’Believe in yourself without reservation. Whatever you want to become, whatever you want to achieve, don’t hesitate. Focus, and you will give yourself the greatest chance of success.’"

Zhou Yan nodded. "You see? The wisdom of Grandmasters is universal."

Zheng Qiang: ...

Xiao Lei was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Master Zhou has a point."

"Master, you’re the one who taught me my craft. Your own culinary arts were passed down from the renowned Grandmaster Chef from Jiazhou, Kong Huafeng. Your technique is already flawless. You have to believe that the stir-fried pork liver you make is the absolute best," Zhou Yan said, looking at him intently. "If you cook every single portion with that conviction, there’s no way the liver you make will be anything but excellent."