The Gourmet Customizer

Chapter 91: Chapter 73: Liu Ahbao Clears His Name and Takes Fans Out to Eat

After picking up Brother Fang Chang, Zhan Yang asked with great interest in the taxi, "So, man, is ’Old Uncle’ just faking this restaurant review, or are you an actual shill?"

Liu Ahbao sneered, "If I were a shill, would I be treating you guys to a meal?"

"True," Zhan Yang said, leaning back with his hands behind his head and looking at the road ahead. "There’s really nothing good to eat in Jingzhou these days. A lot of places can’t even run a decent noodle shop."

Brother Fang Chang deeply agreed. "Man, I get a headache just looking at all the barbecue and hot pot places now. Not only is the food bad, but it’s also fucking expensive! Oh, right, Xiaoyangzi, how’s that thing I asked you to look into for me coming along?"

Zhan Yang replied, "I’m on it. Your mother-in-law is really something else. I’ve seen mothers who are afraid their daughters will be poor or overworked, but I’ve never seen one who’s afraid her daughter won’t eat well! For fuck’s sake!"

Brother Fang Chang took a deep breath. "I’ve never seen it either. But when you marry a woman, you’ve got to do what her family wants."

"You can’t always give in to them. Insisting on finding a Huaiyang Cuisine restaurant in the north—isn’t that just bullshit? Haven’t you heard ’When in Rome’? If you come to our neck of the woods, you eat noodles!"

"But there has to be a good noodle shop for that, right?" Brother Fang Chang said helplessly.

The two chatted idly until the taxi quickly pulled up in front of a large building in the Development Zone.

"Alright, you two, I’m turning on the camera now. Just say whatever you think. Don’t feel like you have to back me up. We’re just looking for fairness and honesty!"

"You got it!"

Zhan Yang and Brother Fang Chang got out of the car together and followed Liu Ahbao into the building.

The moment the clock hand pointed to four, Su Chen was pouring the broth he had ladled out earlier back into the basin.

"Get ready to serve."

Ling Shuyu had swapped out her "little chef-girl" skin and was back in her tracksuit version. "Boss, did you try the pot of noodles I just made?"

Su Chen was speechless just thinking about it!

He thought he’d hit the jackpot hiring a director for three thousand yuan, but here it was, a whole afternoon later, and Ling Shuyu still couldn’t grasp the essence of wok-seared noodles.

She did every step perfectly, but she just couldn’t get the heat control right for searing the aromatics. Either she failed to fully release the flavor of the scallions, or the finished noodles would have a burnt scallion taste.

’What a headache.’

"Don’t rush to practice for the next few days. Give me some time."

Su Chen was already planning to assign Ling Shuyu a new job. Since she wasn’t suited for cooking, there was no need to waste time on it.

"Okay!"

Ling Shuyu thought Su Chen had some new idea and trotted off happily to her workstation to research new development plans.

The elevator at the entrance stopped, and three people walked in.

Zhan Yang and Brother Fang Chang started looking around the moment they entered, just as surprised as everyone else by the interior layout of Delicious.

"I saw it on Old Uncle’s livestream, but seeing it in person is still a huge shock! Does anyone really do this?"

"I’m impressed. So this is a corporate-style restaurant? Is this even a restaurant or what?"

The two voiced their curiosity but still quickly followed Liu Ahbao into the cafeteria, choosing to sit at the small square table.

"Everyone, take a look! These are fans I randomly invited who I don’t know. If you don’t believe me, you have to believe the fans, right? You two, have a taste and tell everyone what you think of this place’s food!"

The two rubbed their hands together, looking at the stir-fried chicken on the table. Zhan Yang picked up his chopsticks but didn’t eat immediately. "Let me be clear, I’ve got a picky palate."

"Who isn’t!" Brother Fang Chang’s chopsticks moved with precision, picking up a piece of meat from a chicken thigh and tentatively putting it in his mouth.

After just a few seconds, "Hmm? Huh? Tsk tsk..."

The look on Brother Fang Chang’s face was like that of an old alcoholic who’d just gotten a bottle after years of sobriety. He shook his head and savored the taste, then grabbed another piece of meat and shoveled it into his mouth.

Zhan Yang, on the other hand, seemed to be savoring it more carefully.

After swallowing a piece of chicken, he ate a piece of potato.

"This chef has some real skill. Brother Fang Chang, take a guess where this chef is from."

Fang Chang smacked his lips a couple of times. "Speaking of technique, it has hints of a Lu Cuisine chef. But the seasoning isn’t quite right. Remember the Mirror Box Tofu we had at Boshan Restaurant? That’s proper Lu Cuisine seasoning. Compared to that, this is less salty and more elegant. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Let me try some more!"

Hearing this, Liu Ahbao couldn’t hide the delight on his face.

’I really found the right guys this time. This buddy’s commentary is spot-on, and judging by his wording, he’s definitely a serious foodie.’

Zhan Yang agreed, "The seasoning is a bit of a hodgepodge, but every flavor is just right. It feels like it’s deliberately catering to a specific taste. Anyway, it hit the spot for me. I’m digging in!"

After that, neither of them said another word.

The only sound in the cafeteria was the smacking of lips as they ate.

After he finished cooking, Su Chen washed his hands and prepared to head back to his office.

It was still a while until the stir-fried chicken orders for 6 o’clock, and that dish only needed half an hour of prep time.

As he passed the cafeteria, he saw the camera mounted on Liu Ahbao’s head. "What’s this?"

"Filming a video," Liu Ahbao answered casually.

Su Chen didn’t say anything and continued walking, mulling over how he should manage Ling Shuyu and Zhang Li.

’It’s obvious these two aren’t suited for kitchen work. They’re fine for simple food prep, but when it comes to actually cooking on the stove, they’re missing that certain something.’

’There must be a role where Ling Shuyu can shine. Otherwise, how could she have earned nearly a million yuan a year at Xinghui?’

Just as he reached the doorway, the voice of the chubby guy from earlier called out to him.

"Are you the boss?"

Su Chen turned around. "Yes."

"Did you make this dish?"

"Yes."

"Oh, wow, I finally get to meet you!" Liu Ahbao, no longer bothering to film, exclaimed. "Boss Su, I’m Liu Ahbao!"