Chef Hua
Chapter 481: Episode 262 Monster_2

Chapter 481: Episode 262 Monster_2

The man suddenly looked up, his gaze sweeping straight over the two of them and landed on Hua Xiaomai and Old Lady Meng.

Hua Xiaomai smiled at him and nodded her head.

"Is this your boss?" the man abruptly stood up, seemingly in disbelief. However, his face remained expressionless. He took another look at Hua Xiaomai, shook his head, and said, "Don’t try to fool me."

Perhaps because Old Lady Meng was beside them, Chun Xi and La Mei seemed much more confident. They rolled their eyes and said impatiently, "Who has the patience to fool you? If it weren’t for you, we would have already gone home, and might even have our rice bowls in hand by now! Do you think we have nothing better to do like you?"

"Hmm." The man responded and then stopped asking. He glanced around and seeing an empty table in the open hall, he took the initiative to move it out, his head down as he placed his extremely heavy-looking large bundle on it.

"My name is Wang Zhanrui." His voice was very low and his tone flat, sounding somewhat strange. After saying this, he closed his mouth tightly again and did not speak.

Hua Xiaomai had never dealt with such a person in her life and, not knowing his purpose, she could only purse her lips and once again smiled: "Big brother, what precisely are you here for?"

"I’ve come to be a cook," Wang Zhanrui said, opening his bundle as he spoke and taking out several tightly packed bottles and jars, laying them all out on the table.

It was for this reason! Hua Xiaomai suddenly realized and then felt a bit amused.

Previously, the alarmed look on Chun Xi and La Mei’s faces had made her nervous as well; she had even thought someone was seeking revenge and had wondered if she had offended someone. Yet, it turned out that this Mr. Wang was here to apply for the job!

Lately, she had asked Meng Yuhuai to spread the word in Fuzhe County that her small restaurant was hiring a cook. Although there were very few applicants, she knew that many people in the city were aware of it; it wasn’t strange that this man named Wang Zhanrui had heard about it from someone else.

But, really... since he was here to apply, shouldn’t his attitude be a bit better? This demeanor, as if he were here to collect a debt, what was all that about?

"I heard people in the city discussing it and came," Wang Zhanrui’s reply was still brief, "If I want to be a cook, I must first show my skills, I understand the rules. Lend me the kitchen for a use, let me prepare a few dishes, and see if they are satisfactory."

Before the sound of his words had faded, he had already turned and seemed genuinely about to head for the kitchen.

"Wait a moment." Hua Xiaomai quickly stopped him, speaking kindly, "The shop is currently being renovated; the kitchen isn’t available. I have another place in the village, perhaps..."

"No need for such trouble." Wang Zhanrui shook his head, interrupting her, "It doesn’t matter if the kitchen is unavailable, a pot will do, I can build my own clay stove just as well."

Saying this, he truly bent down and began looking around for large stones.

Weirdo, weirdo!

Hua Xiaomai could hardly laugh or cry, rubbing her temples: "Don’t bother, there’s a stove you can use." She then turned and asked Chun Xi to bring out the large charcoal stove they usually used for the food stall.

Wang Zhanrui walked over to the stove and circled it back and forth, seemingly disdaining it, his mouth corners slightly turned down: "Charcoal stoves are convenient, but the fire is not strong enough—never mind, I’ll make do today."

"You don’t have to look down on it like that," Hua Xiaomai reined in her smile and spoke earnestly, "Compared to a wood-fired stove, cooking on a charcoal stove is indeed not that easy, but in the end, there isn’t a fire that can’t be used well, only a timing that isn’t controlled well."

"...You make a fair point," Wang Zhanrui glanced at her and began to open the various bottles and jars on the table one by one.

Liu’an Guapian, Yunwu Maojian, Pu’er, Songluo...

That heavy bundle of his was actually filled with all sorts of different teas!

"Are you... going to cook with tea leaves?!" La Mei blurted out quickly.

"What’s so surprising about that?" Wang Zhanrui quietly looked at her, "Throughout history, countless meals have been prepared with tea. I started learning how to incorporate tea into dishes when I was just fourteen years old. After more than a decade, I merely understand the basics."

Hua Xiaomai’s eyes lit up, immediately piqued by interest.

He was right, tea, such an elegant ingredient, is indispensable in cuisine. Not to mention anything else, a dish like "Biluo Shrimp" is very common in large and small restaurants, and not even ordinary folks are unaware of it when it’s discussed.

Today, she was eager to see what kinds of dishes this peculiar man could create using tea leaves!

"Sister-in-law Chun Xi, I’ll need to trouble you once more," she said, turning to smile at Chun Xi, "Every day at Zhenwei Garden we prepare meals, and all sorts of ingredients are always in stock. Please run an errand for me. Once in the kitchen, regardless of the type of vegetables or fruits, just have Xiao Haozi help you carry over whatever looks good to you."

"Okay then!" Chun Xi readily agreed and quickly turned to leave.

On this side, Wang Zhanrui’s eyes narrowed instantly.

"What’s the matter, any problem?" Hua Xiaomai smiled slightly, "You came here to apply for the chef position, so naturally I should set the challenge. You have studied the art of cooking with tea for so many years, ordinary ingredients shouldn’t pose a difficulty for you. In a while when the ingredients arrive, use whatever you get."

A smile appeared on Mr. Wang’s lips for the first time since they had met.

"Interesting," he lightly raised an eyebrow, "You are the host, what you say goes; I’ll follow your lead."

The sky gradually darkened.

The craftsmen in the garden finished their tasks and left one after another. Located at the remote eastern entrance of the village by the official road, the area usually saw scant traffic. Once the bustle faded, the surroundings became quiet immediately.

About half an incense stick of time later, Chun Xi along with Xiao Haozi hurried over with a pushcart. Accompanying them was Meng Yuhuai, who had just returned from the Escort Agency.

"Sister-in-law Chun Xi told me this person came to apply for the chef position?" he scanned Wang Zhanrui with a sharp gaze and turned to look at Hua Xiaomai.

"Yes," Hua Xiaomai looked up at him with a smile, "You’ve returned just in time. We’ll have dinner here tonight." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)