Font Size:
Su Yi gave Chef Ma a grateful glance, knowing he was trying to give her a chance.
Before she could respond, however, Qin Yunfeng spoke up on her behalf.
“I also think she’s not suitable. The work in the military kitchen is critical, and she’s only twenty. How can she handle such an important job?”
Su Yi, about to respond, thought, “Why is he everywhere?”
She looked at him with exasperation and said, “Deputy Qin, I didn’t realize you were also a judge for this interview.”
Qin Yunfeng pressed his lips together and said, “Not exactly.”
“Then what was the basis for your comments? Surely, it wasn’t for my benefit?”
Qin Yunfeng had intended to say just that, but didn’t expect Su Yi to catch on so quickly.
Bai Ruolin shot an annoyed glance at Qin Yunfeng, signaling him to stop entangling himself with Su Yi.
Su Yi gave the two of them a cold stare and said, “Mind your own business and stop causing a scene in the cafeteria. You’re just making a fool of yourself.”
Bai Ruolin, fuming, shot a last angry glance at Su Yi, worried that today’s events might reach Commander Zhou’s ears. She quickly pulled Qin Yunfeng away, pushing through the crowd.
After they left, Su Yi felt the atmosphere lighten up.
Although she had enjoyed the moment, she was aware that it might have left a negative impression on the two chefs. But she didn’t regret it; she couldn’t stand that pair and wasn’t about to let them take advantage.
Taking a moment to calm herself, Su Yi turned back to the chefs. “I am young, but I’ve been working since I can remember. I’ve also worked in the cafeteria at our youth point for several years. Hard work is nothing new to me. Please rest assured.”
The chefs, especially Chef Ma, were somewhat swayed by her words. Chef Ma, in particular, didn’t want to miss out on such a promising candidate.
Just as the two chefs were at an impasse, Xie Xiaojun suddenly ran in from outside.
“Chef Ma, Chef Wang, Commander Zhou asked me to let you know that we have an important guest coming for lunch today.”
“An important guest? Is it the overseas Chinese expert who just returned?”
“Yes, that’s right. Commander Zhou said to ask who among you can cook authentic Sichuan cuisine. The expert grew up in Sichuan and is eager for some hometown flavors.”
Chef Wang immediately grew anxious. “We’re all local cooks here; who knows how to make authentic Sichuan cuisine? Besides, didn’t Commander Zhou say last time that we wouldn’t need to be involved in hosting, and that he would arrange it separately?”
Xie Xiaojun glanced at him helplessly and said, “How would I know? Hurry up and get ready; the guests will be here any minute.”
After speaking, Xie Xiaojun turned and left.
Chef Wang, now anxious, quickly ran to the back kitchen to ask everyone for help. Even Master Ma, who was usually calm and composed, started to panic a bit. “Quick, get the cookbook from my office! Let’s see what we can prepare.”
Meanwhile, Su Yi stood silently to the side, thinking to herself: [What? Just the other night, Zhou Jinchuan asked me to make Sichuan cuisine, and now he’s bringing overseas guests who want to eat Sichuan food?]
[Could it be that Zhou Jinchuan was giving me a heads-up in advance, like an open-book exam?]
[But didn’t he say he never plays favorites…]
No matter what the reason was, Su Yi knew that she had to seize this opportunity to secure her job.
Su Yi quickly stepped forward and said, “Master Ma, I know how to cook Sichuan cuisine! Can I give it a try?”
As soon as Su Yi spoke, everyone in the kitchen, including Chef Wang, turned to look at her.
“You know how to cook Sichuan cuisine? Are you from Sichuan?” Chef Wang asked skeptically.
“No, but I learned from some Sichuan youth during my time with the educated youth,” Su Yi explained.
Master Ma nodded immediately upon hearing this. “Alright, go ahead and prepare it. Do your best!”
Su Yi nodded enthusiastically and turned to Xu Xiaoqin. “Xiaoqin, can you help me out?”
Xu Xiaoqin, excited, quickly ran over. “Sure!”
Seeing this, Chef Wang quickly walked over and voiced his concern. “Master Ma, can this girl really handle it? We’re entertaining important guests this time. If something goes wrong, we can’t afford to take the blame!”
Master Ma gave Chef Wang an exasperated look, puzzled by his behavior today. He kept picking on this young girl, Su Yi, all because she mentioned that her skills might surpass his. His pettiness was showing.
“Chef Wang, if you think she’s unreliable, why don’t you cook a few dishes yourself? That way, if hers don’t turn out well, at least we have a backup, and it won’t be a total disaster.”
“With your seasoned cooking skills, a few Sichuan dishes shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?” Master Ma added.
Chef Wang pressed his lips together, wanting to admit that he had never cooked Sichuan cuisine before. But with so many people watching, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Reluctantly, he nodded. “It’s just about adding more chili, right? I can handle it.”
Master Ma nodded in agreement and quickly dispersed the crowd. “Everyone, let’s not stand around. Those who need to get their meals, go ahead. It’s not a good look to have so many people hanging around when the guests arrive!”
Everyone respected Master Ma’s character, and after hearing his instructions, they quickly sprang into action.
Su Yi, along with Xu Xiaoqin, entered the kitchen. After checking that all the necessary ingredients and tools were available, she felt relieved.
Time was tight, and since she had just made those dishes a couple of days ago, she was already familiar with the process. So, she decided to prepare the same dishes again.
However, this time she planned to use less chili. After all, the overseas Chinese guests had been living abroad for decades and might not be accustomed to such spicy food anymore.
Additionally, when Zhou Jinchuan left last time, he specifically reminded her to use less chili, which she now realized might have been a subtle hint.
Su Yi picked out the vegetables she needed and handed them to Xu Xiaoqin. “Xiaoqin, could you help me wash these? We’ll work together to prepare the dishes.”
Xu Xiaoqin understood that Su Yi was giving her a chance to prove herself, and she felt very grateful. She quickly washed the vegetables and cut them as instructed.
Since Su Yi had just made these dishes recently, she remembered all the steps clearly. She quickly prepared four dishes.
“Master Ma, I’ve finished cooking. Would you like to taste them first?” she asked.
Master Ma had been observing her the whole time. Watching her fluid and practiced movements, it was clear that she was well-versed in this type of cooking. Just by looking at the dishes, he could tell they were visually appealing and aromatic—there was no need to taste them.
“No need. Commander Zhou has just arrived with the guests. Hurry and take the dishes over!” he replied.
Su Yi placed the dishes on a tray and was about to ask Xu Xiaoqin to help her carry them when Chef Wang hurried over.
“Master Ma, are you sure these dishes are good enough? Should we wait for mine instead—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Chef Wang stopped short, stunned by what he saw.
So this is what Sichuan cuisine looks like?
Thinking about the dish he was cooking, Chef Wang couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless.
Master Ma gave him an exasperated look. “Wait for yours? By the time it’s ready, the guests will be starving!”
Chef Wang let out a couple of awkward laughs, quickly picking up one of the trays. “I’ll take these over with Comrade Su. We don’t want her being too hasty and accidentally offending the guests.”
Without waiting for anyone to respond, he hurriedly grabbed a tray and headed out.
Su Yi smirked coldly, then picked up the remaining two dishes and followed him.