Gourmet: From a Stall in Northern Europe

"I’m not exaggerating, but this chili oil recipe is something Michelin chefs come to learn. It’ll definitely be used in their restaurants later on."

"That ’God’s Kiss’ restaurant in Paris and even the head chef of that sushi food truck isn’t also Michelin? They all came to learn."

"Who knows, you might see the same chili oil in their dishes in the next couple of days."

Old Lunard didn’t brag much, just a few simple sentences to introduce the general situation, instantly piquing the curiosity of the regulars.

"Old Lunard, you’ve been gone for so many days, you didn’t just learn one recipe, did you?"

"This chili oil looks really spicy. I’m not great with spicy food, will I be able to eat it?"

"It smells pretty fragrant though. You can smell it from so far away."

"It’s not spicy," Old Lunard chuckled and waved his hand, "It just looks red. In reality, it’s more about the fragrance when you eat it. It’s just a kind of sauce to add to wraps, versatile."

"Of course, I’ve learned more than just one recipe, but you can’t bring out all the good stuff at once. You guys are picky eaters, what if you get fed up if I bring everything out at once?"

"Try this first, I’ll see how you all like it, and if the acceptance is high, I’ll gradually introduce new things."

"Alright, then give me a roast duck. The sauces of Great Xia must go with wraps that suit Great Xia tastes."

"I’ll have the roast duck too."

"I think drizzling this on shredded pork would taste great. Give me some sour cream with it too."

The news that Old Lunard had learned a chili oil recipe even Michelin chefs want to learn quickly spread to the other stall owners, who were all extremely curious. They wanted to see just how magical this chili oil was, capable of impressing Michelin chefs.

Old Lunard wasn’t known for boasting, so what he said was generally very credible.

Hanama Ai and Nakamura Arita were even more convinced when they heard this news.

The reason was simple: because the night before last, they saw the head chef personally attending to two guests from Great Xia when they packed up.

Even though it was off hours, the whole store only had those two guests, indicating their importance.

Later, they found out that those two were actually the general manager and his wife from the Radison Hotel, the organizer of the kite festival.

Apparently, they were invited by the head chef, but no one knew what was discussed. Only some employees saw the head chef looking apologetic, constantly apologizing to the couple.

Even though two days passed, there was no follow-up gossip, and the smaller employees had given up hoping for more information.

They just didn’t expect that Old Lunard would have gone to learn quite a few new recipes and started selling them, while the head chef had yet to take any action. It’s still unclear whether it will be added to the menu eventually.

"Chili oil? Could it be the kind used in mapo tofu?"

"Possibly. I’ll buy some later when I’m not busy to give it a try."

Besides the news of Old Lunard learning new recipes, Meng Qi’s move to work at the Radisson, where he can eat Lin Chen’s cooking every day, quickly spread.

Not many knew Meng Qi personally, but certainly not a few.

Just mentioning his name didn’t give anyone much impression. Still, once you said he’s the security guard at the mall next door, most regulars immediately understood.

"Oh, it’s him!"

"Is it that easy for a mall security guard to get a job at a big hotel?"

"That guy usually doesn’t stand out much. I didn’t expect him to just up and leave, turns out he’s quite clever."

"I really envy him being able to eat meals cooked by Lin every day. Watching those food videos Lucas uploaded the other day made me drool so much I couldn’t sleep at night."

"You watched them too? Hey, I haven’t skipped many either!"

"Is anyone grouping up to go to Dieppe this weekend? Let’s go together~"

"Good idea!"

"Count me in."

Old Lunard cheerfully made wraps while pouring cold water on the group in high spirits.

"I advise you all not to go; you won’t be able to eat even if you do."

"Huh? Why?"

"Lin’s current restaurant is under the hotel and is still in its trial phase, not open to the public. To eat there, you need to provide proof of stay."

"Think about it. The Olympics are coming up, it’s peak tourist season. When I came back, the hotel’s already fully booked, and prices have gone up twofold."

"With every passing day, the number of tourists will skyrocket. Forget about finding any vacant rooms."

"Without a place to stay, you can’t eat. Just seeing the food you can’t have, isn’t that painful?"

This harsh reality was unexpected for everyone, and the light in their eyes gradually faded, leaving them listless.

"Sigh~"

"So unlucky!"

...

"It’s approved, it’s approved so quickly. Didn’t they say it would take two weeks? My luck is just too good!"

In a rural courtyard, Chen Dongliang excitedly handed his phone to his wife.

The woman was dressed in typical rural clothing, her rain boots caked in mud, indicating she had just returned from working in the fields.

Upon hearing this good news, she broke into a broad smile, showing a mouth full of yellow teeth.

"That’s great, truly a blessing from heaven for our family. So when are you leaving? Didn’t they say the employer will cover plane tickets and accommodations?"

"Yes, I didn’t expect the visa to be approved in just a day or two. I haven’t decided when to leave, but they do need people over there, and our family needs money, so the sooner the better, but..."

As they talked, a hint of hesitation and doubt appeared on the man’s face.

The woman stepped forward and gently hugged him.

"You’re leaving, at least for a year without coming back, right?"

"...Maybe? After all, the ticket is so expensive. Just a couple of days ago, I saw it costing tens of thousands."

"Ah?? So expensive! Then if there’s nothing urgent, don’t come back. I can take care of things at home. You can work there in peace; our family is counting on you."

Upon hearing the expensive ticket price, the woman was stunned, instantly dispelling the bit of reluctance in her heart.

"We borrowed money for our kids’ tuition this semester. The sooner we pay it back, the sooner we’ll have peace of mind. If something happens, we’ll still be able to borrow again. Otherwise, people might say we’re perpetual debtors."

The couple embraced quietly in the yard for a few minutes. Chen Dongliang began booking train and plane tickets, while the woman changed into clean clothes and went inside to pack his luggage.

They didn’t say anything extra, yet it was as if they had said everything.

"Tickets are booked. The last train tonight is at 10 o’clock, and the flight just has a spot for tomorrow morning. I might have to leave right away to avoid missing the train and delaying everything."

"Mm, go ahead."

Chen Dongliang’s eyes were red as he received the lightweight suitcase, glancing deeply at his wife before picking up the phone to dial a number.

"Hello, Old Li? Are you free now? Can you take me to the bus station? I’m rushing abroad to earn money and pay you back!"

Just after stepping out of the courtyard, hurried footsteps echoed from behind.

"Wait a minute, almost forgot! I made some stuffed steamed buns for you, take them along the way to stave off hunger so you don’t look sick and make the big boss think something’s wrong with you."

Stuffing the steaming buns into his jacket, Chen Dongliang nodded fiercely, eyes filled with tears.

"Mm!"

"Tutu-tutu—"

Outside the door came the roar of an old tractor’s engine, a middle-aged rugged man wearing a straw hat, cigarette dangling from his mouth.

"Got everything ready? If you ask me, this money isn’t urgent, not like you must go abroad immediately..."

"You earn more abroad! Eight times exchange rate! Earning two thousand means sixteen thousand a month! If you work well, they’ll give a raise!"

"Uh, that’s true~"

Upon hearing sixteen thousand a month, the man shut up immediately, saying nothing more.

Chen Dongliang looked deeply at his wife again, turned away.

"I’m off then!"

"Be very careful on the road. We’re all waiting for you at home!"

Meanwhile.

In a small hotel room in Su City, the phone by the bed of a sleeping young man suddenly lit up.

"Ding"

Zhao Shun was awakened by this notification tone, opened his eyes groggily, and picked up the phone.

Upon seeing the opening line, his eyes widened instantly, all sleep disappeared, and he sprang up from his bed.

"Damn?"

"Hold on, this how many days, and the visa’s already approved?"

"Online says it usually takes two weeks, the fastest is five or six days, what’s going on, accelerated? Jumped the queue?"

Having lived in a big city, he instantly sensed something off.

"This Radisson Hotel’s owner has some skills, even able to expedite visas? Well then, it doesn’t seem like a scam, here we go!"

"Heh heh, once I go overseas and make big money, let’s see who dares to say I’m useless and incompetent!"

While they just set out, they sent a message to Lin Chen.

But he’s busy preparing dishes now, even hearing the phone ring, he couldn’t spare time to respond, just glanced at it hurriedly.

"Damn? Both of them got their visas approved? Alright, President Wang!"

It’s no surprise he planned to change the business model, turns out he had considered this level in advance, worthy of a businessman.

This brain is really useful.

Someone like him, without much brain, is only suited to make a living with his hands, earn some hard money.

He just briefly understood their situations, knowing they had culinary experience and work history, their specialties, without delving into specific details.

He recruits based not on how impressive someone is, but on their character and values.

As long as the character and values fit, they’re normal people, with a bit of cooking skill, it’s enough.

Luckily, these two turned out to be like him, with a strong desire to make money, such people are easiest to manage, no worry they’ll run away after a few days.

"When these two arrive, first got to gauge their capabilities, if Old Chen can cook alone, it’d be best, not sure about Zhao’s pastry skills, but certainly better than mine, maybe they can organize some pastry or dessert sessions."

Just thinking about it made him a bit excited.

Cooking needs adjustments according to foreigners’ tastes, but desserts, pastries, sweets certainly don’t.

Moreover, Great Xia’s dessert presentations are exquisite, flavors unique, unmatched anywhere worldwide.

Once served, it’d absolutely be a hit.