Gourmet: Midnight Vending-Chapter 325 - 302: A New Goal, Huaiyang

Of course, Zhou Yu would never believe such nonsense.

You can’t just master culinary skills in the kitchen overnight. If you could really make such delicious soup dumplings just by watching Douyin, then no one would become an apprentice anymore; they’d just swipe Douyin all day, right?

Disbelief aside.

Zhou Yu assumed Chen Mo said it simply to avoid revealing his master’s name, as his own teacher had said something similar when he completed his apprenticeship.

"When you’re out there making a name for yourself, causing trouble or doing embarrassing things, don’t say you’re my apprentice."

There’s that Bodhi Ancestor vibe.

But no matter what, this clear-braised soup dumpling indeed left Zhou Yu in awe. Holding the half dumpling in his bowl, he twisted around and went back to the canteen, taking several photos and sending them to his master, who he was chatting with earlier.

"Is this for real? Master, he didn’t firm up the meat stuffing while making this dish."

"It’s delicious, so incredibly delicious! It’s beyond anything I ever imagined!"

"Master, what does it mean to keep the water nearly boiling but not fully?"

Zhou Yu seemed frantic as he kept messaging his master, utterly confused as to why anyone would choose this method to make the dish, completely overturning his understanding of soup dumplings!

Outside.

The trio of Fang Zhizhong finished off an average of two soup dumplings each, but still felt unsatiated. Old Fang stretched out his bowl, "No more dumplings, huh? Then give me a bowl of soup."

Hou Yao exhaled deeply, feeling a fragrant taste lingering in his mouth and a sense of relaxation throughout his body, "Boss Xiao Chen, it’s truly a pity that with your skills, you haven’t gained some renown in a big restaurant."

Mu Xin remained silent, saying nothing.

Master Hou was right. With Chen Mo’s skills, if he worked in some big restaurants, he would soon make a name for himself in the industry. With the current internet connectivity, it wouldn’t take long for him to become famous worldwide.

After all, Mu Xin had never tasted such delicious soup dumplings. This kind of technique and craftsmanship, producing soup dumplings that completely subverted his taste buds’ understanding.

But thinking of how willing he was to let Chen Mo manage his three-district business in Guangzhou at a slow pace, with the only requirement being that he must settle in Guangzhou in the future, this kid still refused him outright.

Mu Xin was fuming.

With the dumplings finished and the soup consumed, it was time to discuss business.

"Xiao Chen, come with me." Fang Zhizhong reverted to his award-winning acting skills.

They returned to the canteen and sat down.

"Master Zhou, Xiao Chen, we’ve tasted your skillful dishes."

Zhou Yu quickly put away his phone, his expression no longer as calm as before, "Boss Fang, this job means a lot to me. I was just thinking, the salary I requested is indeed quite a bit higher than the local standard in Jingzhou. Actually, salary isn’t something that can’t be negotiated."

Fang Zhizhong was a bit surprised; he thought he’d have to keep up the act, but Master Zhou was the one who brought it up?

Hou Yao also found it exhausting to keep pretending, plus Master Zhou’s culinary skills were indeed impressive. He just happened to fall into Jingzhou, but if he went to some southern city, with such skills, asking for that salary in a private restaurant wouldn’t be out of question.

"How about this, I’ll be fair," Hou Yao said, "Master Zhou, I and this Boss Mu also have a restaurant here in Jingzhou, but we serve Cantonese cuisine."

"Our chefs mostly came from our hometown, though we’ve hired some external staff. I think here in Jingzhou, a top chef like you asking for 18,000 is quite reasonable."

Zhou Yu showed a troubled expression.

This salary was a full 10,000 less than his expectation.

That’s not a small amount.

Mu Xin then turned to Chen Mo, "Xiao Chen, with your level of skill, isn’t asking for 15,000 too little? I feel opening at 20,000 should be about right. How about it, interested in joining?"

Chen Mo opened his eyes wide, not daring to speak.

His gaze seemed to ask Fang Zhizhong, should I be interested or not?

The main issue was, having never been a boss before, he didn’t really know what they had in mind. He wished he had coordinated the script with Old Fang in advance.

"I agree!"

Before Chen Mo could speak, Zhou Yu immediately slapped the table, "I agree to your salary offer of 18,000!"

What’s there to wait for?

If he really waited for Chen Mo to speak, Zhou Yu feared he wouldn’t even be able to keep this job. His reputation in southern cities wasn’t great right now, and if he went back, he wouldn’t even find a job for 8,000.

But that’s not the main reason.

The real reason Zhou Yu decided immediately was that he happened to glance at his phone and saw the message his master sent him.

"If it’s truly as you said, by following this person, you could learn half of his skills, and when you return to Huaiyang, there will be a place for you!"

It was this sentence that made Zhou Yu resolute. So what if it’s 10,000 less?

He would eventually go back, and if losing 10,000 a month meant secretly learning culinary skills from this young master, indirectly paying tuition for learning new techniques, it was worth it.

Fang Zhizhong didn’t expect Zhou Yu to agree so quickly, a trace of surprise flashed on his face, but he soon returned to normal, "Of course, Master Zhou, it’s not static. If our resort does well in the future and the Huaiyang restaurant does well too, the salary can be discussed."

For the ordinary person, such words might just be empty promises.

But for someone truly skilled, even if the boss doesn’t say it, the worker absolutely has the capital to negotiate.

"Since that’s settled, I’ll be going."

Zhou Yu looked confusedly at Chen Mo standing up, "Wait, Xiao Chen... Master, where are you going?"

Though he hadn’t clearly mentioned how much Master Xiao Chen was being offered, wasn’t it obvious? With skills like his, if I got 18,000, wouldn’t he at least get 20,000?

He even fantasized earlier about having Chen Mo as head chef and himself as assistant, helping each other out in the kitchen to grow stronger together!

Why the sudden departure?

Seeing Chen Mo at a loss for words, Fang Zhizhong quickly stepped in, "Our resort is just starting, having one head chef is enough. Personally, I prefer Master Zhou because..."

He looked at Chen Mo, "With skills like Master Chen’s, I’m afraid our small resort wouldn’t be able to keep him."

Chen Mo frantically nodded, and boasted confidently, "That’s right, if something better comes along, I’d definitely move on."

Zhou Yu clenched his fists.

Hold on...

Bro, were you here looking for a job?

No wait, Zhou Yu was a bit dazed. He just assumed Master Chen would work at the resort too, so that’s why he accepted the salary.

It’s a bit chaotic.

But before Zhou Yu could think more, he saw Chen Mo dash away as if fleeing for his life.

He sped off on that little yellow car, swiftly disappearing from sight.

Leaving the resort, Chen Mo reported to Jiang Fei about Jiang Wenqing’s situation at the summer camp, agreeing to have a meal together once Boss Jiang returned from abroad.

Then, leisurely, he activated the autopilot, cruising down the Wanglong Mountain Road.

Previously, he wasn’t sure what to do next, but now Chen Mo knew.

Yangzhou!