Chef Hua
Chapter 548: Episode 294: Can’t Suppress the Fire

Chapter 548: Episode 294: Can’t Suppress the Fire

Methods cannot be conceived just by willing it, and everyone in the hall fell silent for a moment.

Madam Meng sat on the staircase leading to the second floor and, after waiting a while and seeing no one speak, she uttered a displeased "tsk" from her mouth.

Hua Xiaomai knew she was impatient, glanced at her with a smile, was about to coax her with a few words but saw Wang Zhanrui suddenly stand up, head straight into the kitchen, and after a moment, he came out holding a tea mill and a small can of tea leaves, then he took a small stove and sat down by the window.

The water in the teapot on the stove boiled, a small cluster of tea leaves was placed in the mill, and as it was continuously pressed, it gradually turned into a fine powder, the creaking noise echoing in the room.

Hua Xiaomai furrowed her brows and watched him for a while, then turned to everyone with a smile, "I just came up with an idea. Since none of us have a clue for the moment, let me share my thoughts—it might not be suitable—let’s discuss together—I’m currently not well-suited to be busy at the stove all day, but there are customers who obviously want to taste my cooking. Therefore, I was thinking, maybe we could introduce a ’Chef’s Special.’

The noise from the tea mill suddenly paused, but then it resumed.

"What... is a ’Chef’s Special’?" Chun Xi and La Mei, curious about this novel term, simultaneously scratched their temples.

"Actually, it’s quite simple." Hua Xiaomai then quirked her lips at the two of them, "I think, lately, I don’t need to be in the kitchen all the time. If the customers don’t have specific requests, everything will be managed by Master Wang and Master Tan. Additionally, we could create a separate menu listing my specialties, which would be the so-called ’Special’. If there are any customers who specifically want to taste my cooking, they would need to book in advance, and then I will prepare it—I suppose just the booking would deter many traveling merchants, so I shouldn’t be too busy."

Wang Zhanrui, who was intently grinding the tea by the window, let out a low chuckle.

The others in the hall paid attention to Hua Xiaomai’s words and did not notice his reaction.

Chun Xi bowed her head, contemplated her words intently, and then clapped her hands and nodded, "This idea is good! In my opinion, why don’t we limit it to a few tables each day. Those customers who don’t make it today can just follow the order and wait. If they really want to eat, isn’t it worth a little time? This way, you won’t be too tired within a day, and our business is also secured. Most importantly, Grandma and Brother Yuhuai would also feel relieved!"

Madam Meng looked up at the sky and uttered a "tsk" through her teeth.

"But..."

La Mei pondered for a moment, choosing her words carefully, "If we do this, and the customers feel that we are being pretentious, causing them to be unhappy, what then?"

"That’s why I said, my idea might not be suitable!"

Upon hearing this, Hua Xiaomai laughed, "It’s just that we don’t have a better solution right now. Let’s give it a try. If the patrons do not like it, we can change it early. It also shows our sincerity, right?"

"Alright," La Mei nodded, "Besides, our business has been growing recently. It wouldn’t hurt to try."

The water on the stove boiled, emitting a subtle whistle. Wang Zhanrui found a coaster, carefully took down the teapot, and then poured the finely ground tea leaves into the tea bowl, added a bit of boiling water, and using a tea whisk, he mixed it into a paste.

A light, refreshing fragrance gradually filled the room.

"Yun’er." He awkwardly twisted his body to look at Zhou Yunyun, "Didn’t you say a few days ago that you wanted to learn how to make tea with me? Would you like to come and see now?"

Zhou Yunyun hesitated for a moment, lowered her head to look at Hua Xiaomai, "Master, may I..."

"Go ahead." Hua Xiaomai did not wait for her to finish, instantly agreeing, a smile forming at the corner of her lips, "As I’ve told you before, if you manage to learn a trick or two from Master Wang and Master Tan, that’s your skill. Although I am your master, I am not an expert in everything—I have my ignorance too."

Zhou Yunyun instantly beamed, ran over to Wang Zhanrui in a few steps, her face slightly flushed with excitement, "Master Wang, would you teach me?"

"You have a proper master, why would it be my turn to teach you?" Wang Zhanrui spoke indifferently, "If you’re interested, I’ll just talk to you about it when I’m free, nothing more."

Hua Xiaomai tried her best to ignore his oddly-toned voice, first smiled at Master Tan, "Is this arrangement suitable, Master Tan?"