Chef Hua
Chapter 255: Episode 152 Busy Running in Circles

Chapter 255: Episode 152 Busy Running in Circles

Many in this world have a passion for delicious food. Without mentioning the distant, within those whom Hua Xiaomai knew, such as Qiao Xiong of Qiao’s Paper Shop and Ke Zhenwu of Lianshun Escort Agency, could definitely be called true food lovers.

And now, this man in the shop, not only loved to eat and knew how to eat, but could also articulate the subtleties, which was truly rare. People in the kitchen always welcomed such customers, and naturally, Hua Xiaomai was no exception, feeling a touch of kinship in her heart.

"My surname is Su, Su Yuchang. Looking at your age, it shouldn’t be too hard on you to call me Uncle," the man said with an easy laugh, "I’m from Tong’an Prefecture myself, my home is right next to your Fuzhe County in Yanhui County. Fuzhe County is well-known for its rich produce and many good chefs. Whenever I have the time, I would come over to indulge my palate, but it was only today that I’ve discovered such a fine restaurant run by a skilled young lady outside your little Fire Knife Village!"

"Yanhui County?" Chun Xi, upon hearing this, reacted with surprise, "Oh, that’s a prosperous place! As my husband tells me, people there excel in doing business. They deal in all sorts of trades, constantly traveling everywhere and making lots of money! You two must be in business too, right? Ah... no no, you’re so knowledgeable about food, you must be a chef, aren’t you?"

"Me?" Su Yuchang then laughed, waving his hand, "Business requires diligence to make money, but I was born lazy. How could I ever handle that? Even if I don’t go bankrupt, I’d still drive the boss mad! As for being a chef, let’s not even talk about it. I only know how to eat, not cook. Just ask my wife, even to this day, I can’t even steam a simple egg, haha!"

Pointing at Hua Xiaomai, he said, "Look at this girl, so young yet already knowing how to use her culinary skills to make money by running a restaurant. Compared to her, I’m far behind!"

Hua Xiaomai felt compelled to humbly underplay her abilities, then with a sigh said, "To tell you the truth, without any fear of being laughed at for my thick skin, I’m aware that my cooking skills are quite good. Yet, since the restaurant opened, business has always been slack. Look at this time of the day, people come and go along the main road, but very few stop by. I really feel..."

"Don’t you worry!" Su Yuchang’s wife, who had been silently listening from the start, suddenly smiled gently and softly said, "There is an old saying, all beginnings are hard. Your restaurant hasn’t been open long, it’s understandable that people don’t know about it. Reputation and word of mouth spread slowly. With your cooking skills being so good, once you weather this period, the business will surely pick up gradually."

Having said this, she glanced at Su Yuchang as if casually.

"That’s true," Su Yuchang tapped his finger on the table, nodding, "Instead of sighing here, you’d be better off taking advantage of the free time to refine your cooking skills."

He picked up half a crab shell from his plate and waved it in front of Hua Xiaomai: "Now, let me ask you, apart from the methods of pickling, marinating with wine dregs, or braising with sauce, what other ways can this hairy crab be prepared?"

Hua Xiaomai slightly smiled and said, "Prepare crab meat?"

"Exactly!" Su Yuchang exclaimed with great enthusiasm, jubilantly saying, "These past couple of years, my wife and I have been traveling and tasting a lot of delicious things. The dishes made with crab meat are simply exceptional. There’s the expensive Crab Meat and Shark’s Fin, and even the cheaper Crab Meat Tofu. Hey, guess what’s my favorite? It’s that dish, Crab Meat Chicken Waist, absolutely rich and flavorful. Once tasted, you truly can’t forget it!"

Hua Xiaomai, talking about food, was also like an encyclopedia and immediately engaged in conversation with him, taking turns exchanging words. Delighted, she then made some spinach with minced garlic and fish cakes to offer them to eat.

Chun Xi, La Mei, and Luo Yuejiao couldn’t get a word in and simply turned their backs, muttering in low voices and giggling with laughter.

"Look at that Xiaomai girl, our business is doing so poorly right now, yet she still pretends to be wealthy! This deal hardly makes any money, and here she is, giving away two dishes! Later, I really have to talk properly with brother Yuhuai. His unwed wife sure is loose-handed, can’t save anything!"

That day, Su Yuchang and his wife left after their meal toward the end of the afternoon, promising Hua Xiaomai that they would return some day soon to taste her cooking again. Strangely enough, ever since their departure, more and more customers began coming to the small restaurant, most of them coming from the main road. Although it still couldn’t be called bustling with guests, the uptick in business was an undeniable fact.