dognovel Chapter 64 My Master Came to Visit
Chapter 64 My Master Came to Visit
After the success of the rice bowl channel, Xiao Liangzi Restaurant's business finally gained a firm foothold in the town.
With a constant flow of customers and steadily increasing revenue, the small restaurant is thriving.
Xu Liang still maintains his habit of getting up early and returning home late. Even with four capable assistants now, he never dares to slack off.
Every day before dawn, he goes to the market to select the freshest ingredients. Back at the restaurant, he oversees the flavors of the dishes, and you can always see him busy in the kitchen.
They strive for excellence in every dish, never becoming complacent just because business is booming.
Sun Zhonglei, Chen Yang, and Aunt Lu and Aunt Bai all manage the shop very well.
As everyone watched the restaurant improve day by day, they were filled with enthusiasm, and they were happy despite the fatigue.
That afternoon, after finishing the lunch rush, the customers gradually dispersed, and Xu Liang was squatting at the kitchen door.
As he washed his oil-stained apron, sunlight filtered through the plane tree leaves along the street, dappling his body. He had a rare moment of peace.
Aunt Lu and Aunt Bai were tidying up the tables and chairs in the shop.
Chen Yang was resting on the counter after checking the accounts from noon.
Sun Zhonglei then reorganized and categorized the ingredients in the kitchen, and everything was as usual, calm and peaceful.
Just then, a middle-aged man in his forties slowly walked into the restaurant.
The man was dressed in a clean and tidy gray Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, his face was rugged, and his eyes were calm.
He exudes an air of maturity and experience, and his every move reveals the unique demeanor of a chef.
His gaze swept over the restaurant's signboard, and as he looked at the five characters "Xiao Liangzi Restaurant," a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on his lips. He then calmly walked into the restaurant.
"Excuse me, is Liangwazi here?"
The man's deep, calm voice instantly broke the silence in the shop.
Aunt Lu was wiping the table when she heard this, so she quickly put down the rag and went to greet her with a smile.
"Yes, yes, the boss is in the back. I'll call him for you right away."
After saying that, Aunt Lu turned and called out towards the kitchen, "Xiao Liang, someone's looking for you!"
Xu Liang was slightly taken aback when he heard the shout.
At this time, most of the customers should be regulars who have made reservations in advance. He casually wiped the water off his hands and got up to walk towards the front of the restaurant.
But when he looked up and saw the middle-aged man standing at the door, he froze on the spot, his eyes filled with unbelievable surprise, and his eyes became slightly hot.
The person in front of him was none other than Qian Rui, his mentor on his culinary journey.
In this life, Xu Liang worked his way up in the factory, growing from a clueless novice into a well-known chef apprentice, all thanks to the careful guidance of his master, Qian Rui.
Qian Rui not only taught him cooking skills, but also how to control the heat, study dishes, and uphold culinary ethics.
Moreover, in the factory, they gave him countless guidance and warmth, and were like family to him, both teacher and father.
Reborn back to the 1990s, I opened this small restaurant. It was just starting out, and I was busy with many things, so I never had time to visit them.
I ran into my master by chance while looking for a wholesaler at the vegetable market, and we haven't had any contact since.
To my utter surprise, my master actually came to visit me in person.
"Master, Master!"
Xu Liang strode forward, his voice trembling slightly, his face filled with excitement and joy.
"Why did you come? Why didn't you tell me beforehand so I could have picked you up!"
Qian Rui looked at his tall, bright-eyed apprentice, his smile deepening, and gently patted Xu Liang's shoulder.
The force was gentle, and he looked very pleased.
"I happened to be here on business and stopped by to see you. I've heard you opened a restaurant."
"Nothing else, I just came to check on you and see if you've been slacking off or if your cooking skills have gotten worse since you left me."
The master's tone remained the same as before, with a hint of teasing yet full of concern, instantly bridging the gap between the master and apprentice.
Xu Liang felt a warm glow in his heart. He quickly led his master into the shop, invited him to sit down, and then hurriedly asked Aunt Bai to pour his master a cup of hot tea. He was busy serving him, unable to hide his excitement.
Sun Zhonglei and Chen Yang also stopped what they were doing and looked at the middle-aged man in front of them with curiosity.
Upon hearing Xu Liang call him "Master," the two immediately understood that this was Xu Liang's mentor in culinary arts, and they quickly and respectfully returned the greeting.
"Hello, Uncle Qian!"
Qian Rui's gaze swept across the store, first looking at the clean and tidy storefront, the neatly arranged tables and chairs, and then at the clearly divided rice bowl dining area.
He nodded slightly, then his gaze fell on Xu Liang, and he asked.
"This shop has been open for a while, hasn't it? It looks well-managed. How's business?"
"Thanks to my master, business is doing quite well."
Xu Liang sat opposite his master, his tone sincere.
"At first, we just cooked home-style dishes, which helped retain many of the locals. A few days ago, we opened a rice bowl service, specializing in fast food for the town's workers and office workers. The food is quick to prepare and the prices are affordable, so business has improved a lot since then."
When it comes to running the restaurant, Xu Liang speaks clearly and logically, explaining his plans and current situation to his chef in detail without holding anything back.
Qian Rui listened attentively, nodding slightly from time to time.
He then stood up and gestured for Xu Liang to take him to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, the ingredients were neatly arranged by category, the cutting boards were clean, the knives were shiny, the stove was free of any grease, and all kinds of seasonings were in good order.
There were still a few dishes left in the insulated food container for the afternoon's rice bowl. The entire kitchen was clean, tidy, and well-organized, showing that it was carefully managed.
Qian Rui walked to the stove, reached out and touched the edge of the stove, and then checked the freshness of the ingredients.
"Great, much better than I expected."
Qian Rui looked at Xu Liang, his tone full of approval.
"I was worried that you were young and might encounter difficulties running a shop alone. You've done a great job in everything from shop management to food storage. Remember, in the food service industry, cleanliness and hygiene are always the most important things, and fresh ingredients are the foundation of good dishes. If you keep these two points in mind, you've kept the foundation of your restaurant."
"I have always kept my master's teachings in mind."
Xu Liang quickly responded. He never dared to forget his master's words, not only in his previous life but also after his rebirth.
"Talk is cheap. Let me taste your cooking and see if your skills have improved over the years."
Qian Rui said with a smile, his eyes showing a hint of testing.
Xu Liang naturally dared not delay, and quickly rolled up his sleeves and went to the stove.
"Master, please sit down and wait a moment while I cook you a few of my signature dishes."
After saying that, Xu Liang skillfully began preparing the ingredients, starting a fire, heating the pot, and pouring oil.
The series of movements were fluid, crisp, and efficient.
He first stir-fried a dish that his chef loved: shredded pork with garlic sauce. He stir-fried it over high heat with precise timing and the seasoning was just right. The sweet, sour, salty and savory flavors were perfectly balanced, and the shredded pork was tender and flavorful while the bamboo shoots were crisp and refreshing.
Next, Xu Liang stir-fried a Mapo Tofu dish, which was spicy and fragrant, with tender tofu that didn't break apart – a truly authentic Sichuan flavor. Finally, he made a light tomato and egg stir-fry to balance the flavors, making it a dish that was visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious.
In just over ten minutes, all three dishes were served, their aroma filling the entire front hall.
Qian Rui picked up his chopsticks and began to savor the food. With each bite, he closed his eyes slightly to savor the taste, and his expression gradually turned into one of delight.
The shredded pork with garlic sauce has an authentic flavor and is full of wok hei (wok aroma).
The Mapo Tofu is perfectly spicy and numbing, with an excellent taste.
The scrambled eggs with tomatoes are tender and delicious, a home-style dish that is still quite good.
Every dish showed solid culinary skills; whether it was knife work, heat control, or seasoning, they far exceeded his expectations.
After putting down his chopsticks, Qian Rui looked at Xu Liang with satisfaction in his eyes and nodded repeatedly.
"This progress is tremendous, far exceeding my expectations! I never thought that you would not only not neglect your culinary skills after opening your own shop, but would actually reach a higher level. Whether it's the taste of the dishes or your mindset when cooking, you've become much more composed. You haven't let me down after all the guidance I gave you."
Xu Liang was overjoyed to receive his master's approval, and a shy smile appeared on his face.
"It's all thanks to my master's excellent teaching. I just made sure to remember what you taught me and put my heart into making every dish well."
"You're being modest."
Qian Rui waved his hand, then changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.
"However, you have no problem with cooking skills, but running a restaurant requires more than just cooking skills. I just saw the rice bowl you made, and the idea is great. You've seized the business opportunity in fast food, but there are a few things you still need to pay attention to."
Xu Liang immediately sat up straight, adopting a humble attitude: "Master, please speak, I'm listening attentively."
"First, the key to our rice bowls is quick service, so the ingredients are stir-fried in advance and kept warm. We must carefully control the taste and temperature of the ingredients, and the keeping time should not be too long, otherwise the ingredients will spoil and the taste will deteriorate, ruining our reputation. We must stir-fry frequently but in small batches to ensure that every bite our customers eat is fresh and hot."
"Secondly, the flavors of the dishes can be gradually enriched, but don't be greedy. First, refine and stabilize the existing few dishes. Once the customer base is completely stable, then add more dishes according to the customers' tastes. It is more important to stick to the classics than to blindly innovate."
"Third, in the catering business, reputation is of paramount importance. Now that you have helpers, you must work together with your staff, treat customers with enthusiasm and sincerity, give generous portions, and offer fair prices to retain repeat customers. Only then can the business last. You must never cut corners just because business is good."
Qian Rui spoke each word with deep meaning.
Every piece of advice hits the nail on the head, drawing on his years of experience in the catering industry.
Xu Liang listened intently, taking his master's words to heart and nodding frequently.
"Master, I've got it. I'll definitely make the improvements as you suggested and I won't be careless at all."
Seeing his apprentice's humble and receptive manner, Qian Rui felt extremely gratified. He recalled that when Xu Lianggang first became his apprentice, he was still an ignorant and inexperienced young man who was impulsive in his actions.
Now, however, he is able to stand on his own two feet, run his own small shop, and manage the business with great success. His culinary skills and character have become increasingly mature, and I feel an indescribable pride.
The master and apprentice sat in the shop, drinking tea and chatting.
Qian Rui inquired about every detail of Xu Liang's business since opening, including the difficulties he encountered and his experiences.
Xu Liangdu recounted how he struggled alone at the beginning, found reliable helpers, and achieved success with the rice bowl delivery service. His words were filled with感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep feelings) about the difference between the past and the present.
Qian Rui also told Xu Liang about his situation in recent years. He was still working as the head chef in that factory and had taken on several apprentices.
He occasionally keeps an eye on the trends in the catering industry. Upon learning about the development potential of rural catering today, he specifically instructed Xu Liang to seize the current opportunity and proceed steadily.
While catching up, Qian Rui looked at his sensible apprentice and secretly made plans in his mind.
He knew that Xu Liang was an ambitious and capable young man who was unwilling to just run a small restaurant.
However, we are just starting out and still lack connections and resources.
Having worked in the catering industry for many years, he knows many food suppliers, fellow catering professionals, and even some connections in the town and county.
Xu Liang was just starting out and needed help, so as his mentor, he naturally had to lend a hand in secret and pave the way for his apprentice.
After chatting for a long time, Qian Rui prepared to get up and leave. Xu Liang repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay for dinner, but Qian Rui waved his hand and said with a smile.
"I have other things to do, so I won't stay any longer. You should run the restaurant well, stay true to your culinary skills, and make the business stable. I'll come to see you again when I have time."
As Xu Liang saw his master off at the restaurant entrance, he was filled with reluctance. Qian Rui patted him on the shoulder again, his tone solemn.
"Xiao Liang, you're a promising talent. When it comes to cooking, you must first be a good person. Only when you're a good person can you cook well. Keep at it, and your path will become wider and wider."
After saying that, Qian Rui turned and left. When he reached the street corner, he took out his notebook.
He noted down the address of Xu Liang's restaurant and the ingredients he needed. Then he took out a pen and paper and wrote down several contact methods, planning to contact his trusted ingredient suppliers when he got back.
They connected Xu Liang with lower purchase prices and higher-quality ingredient channels, eliminating his worries about sourcing goods.
In addition, Qian Rui also plans to contact his friends in the town and county, and if they need gatherings or work meals, he will give priority to recommending Xu Liang's Xiaoliangzi Restaurant and help him expand his customer base.
He planned to do these things quietly, without telling Xu Liang, not wanting to add to his apprentice's psychological burden. He only hoped that Xu Liang could focus on making good dishes without worrying about other trivial matters.
Xu Liang stood at the restaurant entrance, watching his chef's departing figure, his heart filled with warmth and gratitude.
The chef's unexpected visit, along with his affirmation and suggestions, gave him a clearer understanding of how to run the restaurant and saved him from many detours.
He knew that his master was always tough on the outside but soft on the inside. This time, he came not only to visit him on the way, but also to show his concern and give him guidance.
Back at the shop, Sun Zhonglei, Chen Yang, and the others surrounded him, all expressing their admiration for Qian Rui.
"Ryoko, your master is amazing! He's clearly a master chef with superb culinary skills, and he speaks with such wisdom."
Sun Zhonglei said with a face full of admiration.
"Yes, the chef's suggestions were very useful. We will follow his advice to make our dishes and services even better in the future."
Chen Yang quickly echoed.
Aunt Lu and Aunt Bai nodded with smiles, both happy that Xu Liang had such a good teacher.
Looking at his companions and recalling his master's instructions, Xu Liang's resolve grew stronger.
He not only wants to uphold his original passion for cooking, but also to create more delicious dishes.
He must lead these partners who trust him to make Xiaoliangzi Restaurant bigger and bigger, so as not to disappoint his master's expectations and not to waste the opportunity of his rebirth.
He knew that his master's visit brought not only guidance on cooking and business, but also silent support and confidence.
With such a mentor who is both a teacher and a father to me, and with this group of partners who work together to fight side by side, I am fortunate to have such a supportive mentor.
This is equivalent to the small restaurant constantly moving forward, like a rocket propelling itself forward while jetting air backward.