25 The Last Consolation (1/2)

When Ji Yue found the plastic container that Wang Xiulian had shoved into the storage room, Professor Li had already left with Li Ming.

”W… what should we do with the Buddha's Temptation?” Ji Yue asked while holding the container.

The customer had left the food untouched.

Wang Hao drooled as he stared at the dish. ”Why don't we have a taste?”

Even though the Buddha's Temptation was covered, the aroma still lingered throughout the restaurant.

”No!” Ji Yue scolded as she blocked Wang Hao.

”Hao'zi, I remember you noted down Professor Li's phone number yesterday, right? Do you still have it in your bag?” Jiang Feng recalled.

”Oh, right! I do have it in my bag!” Wang Hao exclaimed and ran to the counter to grab his bag.

Wang Hao then pulled out his textbook for Information and Systems. On the first page were Professor Li's full name, Li Mingjun, and his phone number.

Since most students would jot down their professor's name and number on the textbook, from time to time, professors of A University would get calls from restaurants telling them that they left their books in the shop.

Jiang Feng took out his phone and called Li Mingjun.

The call was picked up 20 seconds later.

”Professor Li? It's Jiang Feng,” Jiang Feng greeted. ”You left the Buddha's Temptation at the restaurant.”

”Oh, right, I'm so sorry,” Professor Li apologized as coughs from an old man could be heard from the other side of the phone. ”I'll go back to the restaurant with my wife later.”

After hanging up the call, Jiang Feng took the jar with the dish inside back to the kitchen. Wang Hao helped Ji Yue take out the trash. Disappointment could be evidently seen on Wang Hao's face. The others who helped out at the restaurant went back to the campus as they had classes after lunch. They would have to stay in the ocean of knowledge until six before they could return to the shore.

Even though Jiang Jiankang wasn't showing it on his face, Jiang Feng, as his son, could tell that Jiang Jiankang was also disappointed. Every roll of fat and every meaty bone in Jiang Jiankang's body was in a bad mood.

”Dad? Is everything okay?” Jiang Feng asked as he followed Jiang Jiankang into the kitchen.

Jiang Jiankang took his knife and started to cut the peppers in front of him into slices. Every cut was filled with power as if the peppers had wronged him.

”I could not believe I've ruined such great ingredients…” Jiang Jiankang sighed.

”Really? But I think the dish came out quite good,” Jiang Feng lied.

Jiang Feng knew that the Buddha's Temptation wasn't anywhere near good. He was even lazy to look at the remarks from the system on the dish. Overcooked, too much shark's fin, the abalone was cut too big, the shark's lip wasn't softened enough. These were only a few of the problems.

But Jiang Jiankang shouldn't blame himself as it was a difficult dish to make.

”My precious ham…” Jiang Jiankang sobbed. ”And I didn't have the time to braise my pork hock today…”

”…” Jiang Feng looked at his father, speechlessly.

Sorry for interrupting.

Jiang Jiankang was once again in charge of the kitchen. The aroma from the Buddha's Temptation had attracted a lot of customers. Most of them were enchanted by the smell and hadn't ordered anything yet. The first floor was already fully seated. Jiang Jiankang started his usual busy work again.

Jiang Feng went back to helping out with cutting and plating again, a position where he couldn't gain experience.

Not long after that, four students from the Chinese chess club who were supposed to help out rushed into the kitchen without even putting down their bags first. They opened the fridge and took out either a cup of Sour Prune Juice or a bowl of Mung Bean Soup for themselves. After treating themselves like hungry wolves, they finally put their bags down and helped with the front desk.

As Jiang Feng looked at the four members, he started to worry about the member recruitment starting next week.

Most other clubs would have students who exceled in a certain aspect or members who have good looks. But for the Chinese chess club, they didn't have anything, not even fees to operate.

While other clubs could perform to attract freshmen, there was nothing the Chinese chess club could do.

All they did in the previous year was have a mock game between members just for show. Jiang Feng had no idea what they should do.

No way I'm going to give out free Sour Prune Juice, right?

Jiang Feng couldn't help but worry about the club's future as he julienned the carrots in front of him.

What's with all the carrots mom has been buying everyday? Are they on sale?

After the carrots were cut into strips, Jiang Feng went out of the kitchen as Li Mingjun and his wife came back to the restaurant.

Even though taking the whole jar back was the best way to keep the original flavor, it was too much to ask of the restaurant. Ji Yue carefully transferred the food, which possibly cost a year's worth of her pay, into the plastic container.