Chapter 236: You Are Outstanding, but You Are Too Young
Translator: E.3.3. Editor: Vermillion
Early morning next day, the sun shone beautifully.
Bu Fang got up, washed up, and stepped into the kitchen to begin his daily carving and cutting training. Both his cutting and carving techniques have reached second level capability and he had got quite proficient at this point.
He was able to twirl the knife in hands, and with a dazzling swirl of the blade, chop up ingredients at the speed of light. However, Bu Fang wasn’t on top of his game today, his tightly knitted brows indicated that his mind was preoccupied with something else.
After practicing his cutting and carving techniques, Bu Fang began cooking Blacky’s favorite dish, Sweet ‘n’ Sour Ribs.
Not after long, an intoxicating aroma of the sweet ‘n’ sour sauce drifted alongside the meaty fragrance, and dissipated from the kitchen into the entire store.
Bu Fang carried the Sweet ‘n’ Sour Ribs, opened the shutters to the store, and placed the blue and white ceramic bowl before a snoring Blacky. The doggy nose of this fat dog suddenly twitched. It opened its eyes, stared excitedly at the Sweet ‘n’ Sour Ribs, and couldn’t help but stick out its tongue.
Sweet ‘n’ Sour Ribs, the Lord Dog’s favorite.
Watching the tail-wagging Blacky wolf down the contents of the blue and white ceramic bowl, Bu Fang curled his lips. It was hard to imagine how this gluttonous fat dog was a horrific Supreme Beast that scared the wits out of an entire crowd yesterday.
After rubbing Blacky’s smooth and immaculate fur, Bu Fang returned to the store. He pulled out a chair, placed it by the entrance, and lay down comfortably. With squinting eyes, he peered toward the sky out of the window.
The small alleyway was already filled with workers Ji Chengxue had sent down to repair the broken walls. The pavement of the alleyway was shattered into pieces, and the walls were also badly tattered.
There weren’t too many of these workers, but they speedily fixed up the alleyway.
Fatty Jin and his heavyset troops flooded in with great vigor. They stayed away for the past few days, since Bu Fang’s store was too unsafe given the encirclement of strong warriors. It forced Fatty Jin to hold his breath and walk with heavy steps whenever he passed by.
Having heard that the entire affair was officially over, he immediately gathered his friends to head for the store. They were prepared to satisfy their great longing for fine food.
“Morning Owner Bu, long time no see.” Fatty Jin greeted Bu Fang warmly. With his eyes squinted, only a thin slit was left.
Bu Fang’s body, still resting on the chair, suddenly stirred. He blinked his eyes as he stared at Fatty Jin. He studied him from top to bottom. Such a scrutinizing glance threw Fatty Jin off.
What was up with Owner Bu? Was there something irritating in his eyes? Fatty Jin’s face presented an utter bewilderment. Why was Owner Bu behaving in such an odd way.
Bu Fang gaped at Fatty Jin and couldn’t help thinking about the system’s temporary task.
As for recruiting apprentices, he wondered whether this Fatty Jin might be qualified.
Given Fatty Jin’s heavyset physique, he may certainly have great potentials. As a foodie, he might also be interested in cooking? Bu Fang thought to himself, and suddenly an obscure look flashed across his face.
The muscles on Fatty Jin’s face trembled. Damn… Owner Bu’s expression was terrifying. What the hell did he want? Why was he staring at this young master with such flirtatious eyes?
“What would you like to eat?” Bu Fang dropped his probing glance, stood up from the chair, and asked calmly.
Fatty Jin finally exhaled with relief. Now this was the Owner Bu he was accustomed to. Whatever happened before must be his hallucination.
Bu Fang took down Fatty Jin and his crew’s orders, then turned around to head into the kitchen. As he started cooking, rich aroma quickly drifted out of the kitchen and lingered around the noses of his customers. It was absolutely intoxicating.
Bu Fang carried the dishes out of the kitchen and placed the Red Braised Meat that Fatty Jin had ordered in front of him. Then, he pulled over a chair and sat directly across from Fatty Jin.
Fatty Jin was just about to dig in but suddenly froze as he peered at Bu Fang, utterly confused.
“Owner… Owner Bu, do you want something from me?” Fatty Jin asked with a soft voice.
Bu Fang curled his lips and retained his composure as he gazed at Fatty Jin and asked, “Old Jin, how is the taste of this Red Braised Meat?”
“Excellent! Anything made by Owner Bu’s hands is beyond delicious!” Fatty Jin smacked his lips and extended a thumbs up as he praised profusely.
Bu Fang’s eyes instantly sparkled: “Say, would you like to eat this Red Braised Meat every day?”
Fatty Jin’s eyes widened as they stared at Owner Bu excitedly, “What exactly does that mean?”
“Learn cooking from me, then you get to eat this Red Braised Meat every day,” Bu Fang replied seriously.
After hearing Bu Fang’s words, the thrill on Fatty’s Jin face instantly froze, gradually faded, and was then replaced by a helpless look.
“Owner Bu, this can’t do. I am a rough fellow. Cooking requires delicate work and attention to details, not something I can accomplish. It’ll suffice for me to come in every day and enjoy the dish at ease.”
Bu Fang was taken back. He didn’t expect Fatty Jin to turn him down so quickly.
Didn’t he like eating the Red Braised Meat? Then why not become a chef?
Just as Bu Fang was caught off guard, Ouyang Xiaoyi merrily skipped into the store. She put away the things in her hands and began preparing for today’s work. It was all a familiar routine to her now.
Since Fatty Jin wasn’t interested in learning how to cook… Bu Fang began diverting his attention elsewhere. His gaze landed on Ouyang Xiaoyi, who had just arrived at the store.
This lassie also had great potential, since she has basically been exposed to the wonderful atmosphere of the store on a daily basis…
“Xiaoyi, come here.”
Bu Fang waved his hand at Ouyang Xiaoyi, who lifted up her head, glanced at Bu Fang with confusion, and walked toward him.
“Smelly boss, what do you want from me?” Ouyang Xiaoyi asked.
“Young lassie, would you like to drink Fish Head Tofu Soup every day?” Bu Fang asked with a solemn voice and a grave face.
Hearing Fish Head Tofu Soup, Ouyang Xiaoyi’s eyes twinkled. She couldn’t help but smack her lips. The delicious fish soup… was her absolute favorite.
“Of course!”
“Then, learn cooking from me, afterwards, you can drink Fish Head Tofu Soup every day,” Bu Fang responded seriously.
“Learn cooking?” Ouyang Xiaoyi’s eyes lit up even more. Owner Bu wanted to teach her cooking? This… was simply unbelievable.
“Yes, are you in or not?” Bu Fang asked coolly.
“Yes of course, why not?” Ouyang Xiaoyi squinted her eyes and stuck out her tongue. As a little foodie, she considered it a huge satisfaction to make gourmet delicacies with her own hand.
“Friendly notification: The system has evaluated Ouyang Xiaoyi’s talent. For the host to teach Ouyang Xiaoyi Egg-Fried Rice, it will require a month’s time.”
The system’s solemn voice rang in Bu Fang’s head and offered him the alert.
Swoosh… if felt like an invisible arrow shot through Bu Fang’s heart. A month… learning Egg-Fried Rice would require an entire month, and under the conditions that he was teaching her himself. How bad exactly was the cooking talent of this young lady?
Looks like this lassie was not fit to becoming a chef’s apprentice… If he really selected her, he would end up exhausted.
“Um… lassie, I gave it a second thought. You are still too young right now and not yet suitable to become a chef. Why don’t you continue along the path of a pretty little foodie.” Bu Fang coughed lightly and blinked his eyes as he told Ouyang Xiaoyi.
“Smelly boss! Are you messing with me?!” Ouyang Xiaoyi was furious. What was the meaning of this smelly boss? Did he look down on this young lady?
Bu Fang stood up, his lips slightly curled, and patted Ouyang Xiaoyi’s head, before explaining: “No, you are outstanding, but you are too young.”
“I don’t care, you said you would teach me…” Ouyang Xiaoyi pouted her lips angrily. She had high hopes for her cooking down the road and planned on making the Fish Head Tofu Soup herself. For all she cares, she could make two bowls, drink one, and throw the other one away. Since she made it herself, she had all the rights in the world to be unrestrained.
“Um… how about this, why don’t you make a portion of Egg-Fried Rice when you go home, then bring it back tomorrow for my examination. If you pass my inspection, I’ll take you in as a chef’s apprentice, and teach you how to cook.”
Ouyang Xiaoyi pinched Ouyang Xiaoyi’s nose, causing the latter to humph with discontent.
“Remember what you just said! Don’t go back on your promises!” Ouyang Xiaoyi remarked with exhilaration.
“Yes, I’ll live up to my words,” Bu Fang replied calmly.
He remained unperturbed. Given the system’s evaluation of Ouyang Xiaoyi’s talent, it would simply be preposterous… for her to present an edible Egg-Fried Rice. With that, his heart was at ease.
A great number of customers began filling the store, so Bu Fang had to return to his kitchen.
The excited Ouyang Xiaoyi could barely contain herself. How she wished badly to go home right now and whip up an Egg-Fried Rice that would shut this smelly boss’ mouth and conquer his taste buds.
Bu Fang, on the other end, continued to beat his brains out… Who should he choose as an apprentice?
