Chapter 197 Seeing the Light Again
After all, her visit was charged with the daunting task of promoting her family’s valuable recipes, those ancestral cooking techniques that were to be kept closely guarded, preserving the uniqueness of this craft.
As time passed, sweat slid down Su Yu’s forehead, simultaneously bearing witness to the fruits of her laborious work.
In a flash, ten dishes, each uniquely characteristic, were displayed on the long table like pieces of art, each emitting an enticing sheen and aroma: the red oil of the Boiled Meat Slices shined invitingly, the Sour Fish Soup wafted a refreshing scent, the spicy aroma of diced chicken with red chili was lively, and the rare crispy Fish Scales challenged everyone’s imagination. The white-cut chicken was smooth and tender, appealing in color, the Mapo Tofu spicy and fragrant, the minced meat steamed eggs were smooth as jade, the soft and glutinous white meat was rich but not greasy, the garlic pork ribs golden and crisp, and the stir-fried vegetables retained the purest taste of nature.
The attendees sat around, facing this dual feast of vision and smell, and even before they had started to eat, their mouths watered in anticipation.
The excitement and expectation shone in He Hongmao’s eyes, but in his view, the real test was in the judgment of the taste buds.
At his command, everyone began to lift their chopsticks, ready to embark on this gustatory adventure, but he promptly stopped them, reminding everyone to savor slowly, enjoy the unique flavor of each dish, and not to miss the joy of tasting due to greed.
His words immediately moderates the previously impatient crowd, making them act more politely; they gently picked up food, chewed slowly, savoring every subtle taste change. Their expressions shifted accordingly, both focused and amusing, creating a scene that made Su Yu cover her mouth with a light laugh, making the atmosphere suddenly warm and relaxed.
Yet, He Hongmao himself had not yet moved his chopsticks, sparking Su Yu’s curiosity.
He pretended to be experienced, explaining that he planned to listen to everyone’s opinions first, and then make a conclusive critique at the end.
This feigned composure, combined with his barely concealable swallowing motion, almost made Su Yu laugh out loud, forcing her to pinch herself secretly as a reminder to maintain her professional demeanor.
After everyone at the table had taken turns tasting all the dishes, He Hongmao finally began to inquire about their impressions.