Chapter 891 - Conquering the Tri-Color Beans (1/2)

Zhou Shijie cherished Yuan Zhou like his own disciple and was hoping Yuan Zhou could suffer some hardships in his path of cooking so as to temper his mental state, making his future progress easier.

But on the other hand, Zhou Shijie also wished that Yuan Zhou could continue his smooth sailing. He was extremely conflicted inwardly.

And thus, when Zhou Shijie heard that the carpenter was testing Yuan Zhou with a dish that had been extinct for several centuries, worry welled within his heart.

When Zhou Shijie called, Yuan Zhou had just arrived at the entrance of Jinfa Wholesale Market, preparing to call a taxi and leave.

Since he had already agreed to the carpenter’s request, he would naturally not waste his time strolling around. He planned to immediately start researching the Tri-Color Beans. First, he would buy some peas, red beans, and soybeans, while making sure that the beans were similar in size.

While Yuan Zhou was completely lost and was about to ask the system, Zhou Shijie called.

“Chairman?” Yuan Zhou answered.

“Little Yuan, how have you been doing?” Zhou Shijie asked amicably.

“I’m doing well. Nothing changed,” Yuan Zhou said.

“Good to hear. How about your work recently?” Zhou Shijie asked.

“I train daily,” Yuan Zhou said.

“Good. Knife skills are the foundation of a chef.” Zhou Shijie shifted the topic, “My youngest son has just finished studying abroad and is about to return. I am thinking of bringing him to have a meal at your restaurant, to show him the beauty of Chinese Cuisine.”

Yuan Zhou agreed. In truth, Zhou Shijie had his own plans for this. His youngest son was about 20 years old. Most families would spoil their youngest child, and likewise, Zhou Shijie loved this youngest son of his very much. From childhood, this child had been allowed to follow his aunt to study abroad.

Although Zhou Shijie had never forced his youngest son to inherit his cooking skills, he still wished his youngest son could maintain a healthy respect towards Chinese Cuisine. He felt that since Yuan Zhou was of similar age as his youngest son, Yuan Zhou would be able to teach his son some of that respect.

Zhou Shijie changed the topic again, “Are you looking for a carpenter?”

“Yes. I’m planning to have a cabinet made to store some things,” Yuan Zhou was not surprised to Zhou Shijie finding out about this. Nowadays, everything was a phone call or a text message away.

“The Tri-Color Beans requested by that old man are originally known as Three Fragrance to the Ocean, discovered from an ancient text written by Song Zazu from late Ming Dynasty,” Zhou Shijie did not ask anything and started talking about the origin of Tri-Color Beans.

“To research his woodworking skills, that carpenter often comb through ancient texts, and discovered the existence of this dish. In the ancient text, only a simple description was given for this dish.” Zhou Shijie continued, “Something like ‘Goodness, three beans rich in fragrance, akin to the ocean’. I don’t really know much.”

“Thank you, chairman,” Yuan Zhou said as he started contemplating on the meaning of ‘akin to ocean’.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not finished. I tried making this dish before, but failed. I can’t say for sure if this dish existed for real, but the difficulty in restoring it is definitely high,” Zhou Shijie said.

“I will try my best,” Yuan Zhou said seriously.

“I know you will. But it doesn’t matter if you end up failing. It’s not hard to get a cabinet. If it comes to it, I can make for you,” Zhou Shijie said with a smile.

“I thought you are a chef? You know how to make furniture as well?” Yuan Zhou asked in astonishment.

“You got it wrong. What I meant was I will visit the old man with my knife, requesting him to make a cabinet,” Zhou Shijie said.

“Oh, oh. Don’t worry about it. Thank you, chairman,” Yuan Zhou said as he helplessly rejected the offer.

“Ok. If you do manage to make this dish, remember to give me a call,” Zhou Shijie reminded.

“Will do,” Yuan Zhou agreed.

“Alright. I will get Lili to deliver some books of Song Zazu to over to you,” Zhou Shijie said.

“Many thanks, chairman,” Yuan Zhou thanked seriously.

Yuan Zhou was naturally touched for Zhou Shijie’s willingness to lend him a late Ming Dynasty ancient text without hesitation.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t mention it. If you do manage to restore the dish, it will be a great milestone for us in the cooking field. What’s an ancient text compared to that?” Zhou Shijie said heroically.

“I will definitely be successful,” Yuan Zhou promised.

“Ok. I’ll be waiting to see that old man’s shocked face,” Zhou Shijie said with a wide smile.

“Um,” Yuan Zhou nodded.

“Ok, I won’t say more. Continue your research,” Zhou Shijie said.

“Ok. Bye, chairman,” Yuan Zhou prepared to end the call.

“By the way, take it easy when flipping through the ancient text,” Zhou Shijie said.

“Got it. Don’t worry,” Yuan Zhou felt like laughing, but he held himself back and promised.

He originally thought that Zhou Shijie was so heroic he cared little for even a late Ming Dynasty ancient text. But now, it would seem like he still loved those ancient texts dearly.

But because of that realization, Yuan Zhou was even more touched.

After ending the call, Yuan Zhou left on a taxi.