Chapter 871 - You Secretly Applied Oil On It (1/2)

Cao Zhishu was a baldy, slightly fat, and had a tall height. His large-build made him look more like the people from the northeast instead of people from Sichuan.

He was wearing a simple yet elegant set of Tang outfit. However, because the outfit was too tight, he did not emit a scholarly feeling. Rather, he looked like a martial artist pretending to be a scholar.

One could say that Cao Zhishu looked more like a butcher than a chef.

Although his restaurant was one of the top restaurants in Sichuan, Cao Zhishu rarely attended cooking competitions as a guest, and rarely showed himself in front of the masses. Therefore, even when he was walking on Taoxi Road, a road filled with foodies, nobody recognized him.

After all, he was a chef that spent most of his time only in his kitchen.

Although his restaurant, Shu Restaurant, was also located in Chengdu, but his restaurant was located in a different area than Yuan Zhou’s restaurant. They were quite far from each other.

As the head chef of Shu Restaurant, Cao Zhishu normally spent his time chronicling the history of Sichuan Cuisine. Today, he had specifically came here, most likely for official business. But before he had even shown himself to Yuan Zhou, he turned and return to Shu Restaurant. That was because of the signboard Yuan Zhou had placed before his restaurant.

“Teacher, why are you back so early? I thought you were going to try the most expensive Sichuan Cuisine in Sichuan?” Little Zhao, one of Cao Zhishu’s students, asked.

In truth, although Yuan Zhou’s restaurant was expensive, there were other restaurants in Sichuan that were more expensive, such as the Shu Restaurant that wasn’t inferior to Yuan Zhou’s restaurant in terms of price. For these restaurants, apart from the food, what they offered were the environment and the service.

In terms of environment, Yuan Zhou’s restaurant was merely acceptable, and the same went for the service there. Therefore, in the Sichuan Cuisine field, Yuan Zhou’s restaurant was known as the most expensive Sichuan Cuisine.

“I saw Chef Yuan offering free knife sharpening service, so I thought of trying to see if he can sharpen my knife as well,” Cao Zhishu said while rubbing his bald head with a smile.

“Sharpening?” Little Zhao continued, “Teacher, your knife is forged by Old Master Qian. How will Yuan Zhou be able to sharpen a knife like that?”

Little Zhao summarized, “In my opinion, Yuan Zhou is not focusing on what he should do.”

When Cao Zhishu heard that, his expression turned gloomy.

“When a chef sharpens his knives, he will have better control over his knives. How is that not focusing on what he should do?” Cao Zhishu reprimanded. “Moreover, Chef Yuan’s restaurant is the same as our Shu Restaurant, having received a nomination to be this year’s exemplary restaurant. In other words, Chef Yuan is now of the same status as me. As a mere apprentice, how can you call him by his name?”

“Sorry, teacher. Sorry,” Little Zhao apologized repeatedly.

“As a chef, apart from knowing your craft, you have to know your manners as well. Chef Yuan is not someone an apprentice like you can judge as you wish. Do not repeat this,” Cao Zhishu spoke strictly. “Don’t let others think that the people of Shu Restaurant lack manners.”

Little Zhao no longer dared to say anything. He lowered his head, admitting to his mistake.

As Cao Zhishu was occupied, he did not continue lecturing. After taking his case, he headed towards Yuan Zhou’s restaurant again.

Little Zhao gazed at Cao Zhishu’s departing back, and when Cao Zhishu was gone, an expression of dissatisfaction appeared on his face again.

If Yuan Zhou saw Little Zhao, he would probably call him sous-chef in astonishment. That’s right. Little Zhao used to be the sous-chef at the hotel Yuan Zhou used to work at.

Although Cao Zhishu called him Little Zhao, in truth, he was already in his thirties. From a sous-chef to an apprentice, it might seem like this was a demotion. But then again, one had to take into consideration where he was currently.

The Shu Restaurant was a long-established restaurant, also known as the number one Sichuan Cuisine. Those finishing their apprenticeship here would have an entirely different status, even if they had not managed to learn anything substantial. In truth, if it wasn’t for someone Little Zhao knew, he might not even be accepted in here.

When Little Zhao used to be a sous-chef, Yuan Zhou was still an odd-job worker. Although he did not look down upon Yuan Zhou, he still felt himself superior. With great difficulty, he had managed to become an apprentice at Shu Restaurant. He was of the opinion that he would reach the peak of his life soon.

But he discovered that Yuan Zhou had already reached the peak, becoming an individual with the same status as Cao Zhishu.

How could Little Zhao accept this?

“I will know when the time comes,” Little Zhao muttered.