Chapter 18: Steamed Chicken

“But if you don’t step in now, we’re really out of options!”

An older woman made a decision. “Xiao Ya, just give it a try. It’s up to fate now. If you manage to pull it off, maybe you’ll even earn the appreciation of the top leader!”

Upon hearing this, Luo Ya was indeed a bit tempted. However, she knew her own skills well. To put it bluntly, her cooking wasn’t terrible, but it could only be described as edible at best.

Perhaps she didn’t have much talent for cooking to begin with, and her learning time had been short. She hadn’t had to cook at home before, so the level she had reached now was already quite good.

She could handle cooking for ordinary people without much trouble, but the problem was, today’s guest was no ordinary person.

“Sister Zhang… I…”

“Are you looking for a chef? Why don’t I give it a try?”

Shen Jintao had parked her bicycle and walked a few steps into the state-owned restaurant. “Don’t worry, I don’t have any other intentions. I just overheard that a top leader is coming to dine here, and I thought if I could help out, it would be great. How about I try making a dish? If you think it works, then I’ll take care of tonight’s meal!”

Shen Jintao spoke nicely and even quoted some “workers, farmers, and soldiers are one family, helping each other” type of sayings, making her seem like a selfless person.

But she didn’t do this without any motive. After all, she had overheard their conversation. The state-owned restaurant only had one chef, and if she could solve the problem and impress everyone with her cooking skills, she might even get a chance to work at the state-owned restaurant.

Of course, she planned to follow the army in the future. Although she didn’t know exactly when, there was still some time. She could train a capable successor before she left. After all, her current job could be transferred. As long as the person she trained could handle it, the job could be passed on to her family.

“You?” Luo Ya sized up the woman in front of her. Although she was beautiful, she was so young and didn’t seem to have the skills. “Do you think you can do it? Our time is precious.”

When Luo Ya first saw Shen Jintao, she felt uncomfortable. The woman was simply too beautiful, which made her feel a bit inferior.

But she wasn’t willing to admit defeat. Her family had good conditions, both parents were working professionals, and even in town, it would be hard to find many girls in better circumstances than hers. Now she worked at the state-owned restaurant, learning under Master Zhuang because of her parents’ connections. She was bound to take the vacant position sooner or later, so she didn’t think much of Shen Jintao.

“We’re hosting a top leader, not just anyone. Do you think it’s as simple as throwing together some home-cooked dishes?”

Sister Zhang also looked at Shen Jintao but didn’t seem to harbor as much hostility. “Can you cook well?”

She needed a definite answer.

“I think it should be fine. Sister Zhang, right? Here’s the deal, why don’t you pick a dish, and I’ll make it? If you’re not satisfied with what I make, I’ll pay for the meal myself.”

“Alright, give it a try!”

Sister Zhang was the director of the state-owned restaurant, a position comparable to the general manager of a large hotel in later years. She had the authority to make decisions, and she had already started to form some suspicions. This young woman might actually be capable, after all, not many young people dared to speak so directly.

“Then you should make a pot of steamed chicken. It’s the leader’s favorite dish. If you can make it delicious, I might give you a chance.”

Having reached the position of director, Sister Zhang was no fool. She didn’t believe Shen Jintao had no ulterior motives. She could tell this was a smart young woman. Of course, if her skills matched her intelligence, she would be truly unstoppable.

Shen Jintao smiled. She was already very familiar with how to make steamed chicken. Not only had she been taught by Xu Xuemei, but it also felt like something ingrained in her, almost like a memory from a past life.

Shen Jintao tied her hair up and put on an apron. She washed her hands several times before starting to ensure everything was clean.

Sister Zhang nodded in satisfaction, but Luo Ya wasn’t pleased. “Sister Zhang, do you really think she can make something good? It looks like just a show to me. She’s spent so much time on preparations, but hasn’t even gotten to the main dish.”

Sister Zhang didn’t look at Luo Ya and simply replied, “When it comes to food, hygiene is very important. I think she looks like she knows what she’s doing.”

Luo Ya was a bit displeased but didn’t say anything more. She was confident that Shen Jintao wouldn’t be able to make anything good, so she just waited to see Shen Jintao fail and hoped Sister Zhang would get upset.

Luo Ya thought she could probably manage to make steamed chicken herself, though not as well as Master Zhuang. However, if Shen Jintao messed it up, she could step in and save the day, making her look much better. Even if her version didn’t taste as good, Sister Zhang would definitely praise her. With this in mind, Luo Ya thought Shen Jintao’s presence might actually be a good thing.

But soon after, she couldn’t laugh anymore.

Shen Jintao took out the chicken she had already prepared. After a quick rinse, she began chopping it into pieces. Her movements were very skilled, and even though she used a cleaver, the pieces of chicken were evenly cut, something not just anyone could do.

Next, she prepared the ingredients. They were simple—scallions, ginger, salt, pepper, and shiitake mushrooms.

Yes, these were the simple ingredients. The key to steamed chicken was the rich broth, but the broth didn’t need a single drop of water.

“She’s completely crazy! How can you make chicken soup without any water?” Luo Ya said indignantly.

The others also thought the same. What they didn’t know was that the true way to make steamed chicken is without adding any water, relying entirely on steam.

However, not all of the chefs at the state-owned restaurant were trained professionals, so their cooking skills varied.

Shen Jintao ignored their remarks and continued with her work.

Once the chicken pieces and ingredients were neatly arranged in the pot, she focused her attention on controlling the heat.

As time passed, the rich aroma of the steamed chicken began to spread. Not only could the few people watching not help but swallow their saliva, but it also attracted several people into the restaurant.

Sister Zhang had no choice but to explain to the customers that it wasn’t mealtime yet, but everyone insisted they could wait. They were all eager to try the steamed chicken.

Sister Zhang helplessly explained that the portion of steamed chicken wasn’t large enough to satisfy everyone. However, the customers began to speak up, saying the portion could be smaller, but they absolutely had to try it.