From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

When Feng Zhengming returned to his room, Feng Nuanyou, who had already been given a bath by her mother, immediately ran out to greet her father.

"Hehehe, Daddy, look, I'm wearing the new pajamas Mommy bought for me."

Feng Zhengming smiled and stepped forward to pick up his daughter.

"So beautiful, our Youyou is so beautiful."

Feng Nuanyou happily kissed her father.

"Dad, were you helping them down there?"

Feng Zhengming: No.

Feng Nuanyou asked curiously, "Why isn't Daddy helping? The boss seems to really need Daddy's help."

Feng Zhengming: "Actually, he doesn't need his father's help. He just needs to give the chefs in the kitchen a raise, and they will cook the dishes for him."

Feng Nuanyou: "Oh, I know, I know. Mom said that we should encourage everyone to work harder and give them more money because everyone is working hard. If we don't give them money, they won't be able to keep going."

Feng Zhengming smiled at his daughter's words.

“Our Youyou is so smart. Everyone needs money to live, and everyone works hard to earn money. So if you want others to cheer you on, you have to give them money, right?”

Feng Nuanyou: "Yes, yes, now we need money to buy things, like pretty clothes for Youyou, and to live here with Mom and Dad."

Luo Qing also came out after taking a shower.

"Look at you, I just gave you a bath, and you're just lying in your dad's arms like this. Was the bath for nothing?"

Feng Zhengming put his daughter down: "Okay, Daddy's going to take a shower too."

Feng Nuanyou: "Dad, go quickly."

Feng Zhengming went in, took a shower, and came out.

I saw my wife watching TV with our daughter.

The TV was still showing cartoons.

Feng Zhengming smiled and walked over to sit down.

When Feng Nuanyou saw her father sit down, she smiled and stretched out her little hand, letting her father hold her little hand with his palm facing up.

Feng Zhengming did as his daughter asked and watched the cartoon with her.

After her daughter finished watching the cartoon, Luo Qing immediately said, "Okay, isn't it time for bed?"

Although Feng Nuanyou was reluctant, she didn't struggle and obediently went to bed with her mother.

Feng Zhengming sat alone outside, turned off the TV, walked to the desk in the outer room of the suite, took out his notebook, and began to write and draw in it.

The main purpose is to sort out some things that have happened recently, and also to make some plans for the two stores in Beijing.

This notebook contains many things about Feng Zhengming, including some of his impromptu creative dishes.

Over the years, Feng Zhengming has accumulated several boxes of the same notebooks.

Often, we can only think about things repeatedly in our minds, but we can't really understand them.

However, if you write down your fleeting thoughts first, you might gain a lot of inspiration when you look back on them later, and some problems might be easily solved.

Feng Zhengming was writing intently, not noticing that his wife had come to his side after putting their daughter to sleep.

Luo Qing didn't disturb her husband, because she enjoyed watching him write at his desk.

At this moment, her husband was neither the chef flipping woks in the kitchen nor the boss who dominated the catering industry.

He was more like an artsy young man, hunched over his desk writing sentimental words.

Feng Zhengming wrote for a long time, putting down a lot of plans, including some operational details of the two stores in Beijing.

However, he later decided against actually implementing these plans for the time being.

Putting down his pen, Feng Zhengming looked up and saw his wife sitting opposite him.

"what happened?"

Luo Qing smiled: "Are you finished writing?"

Feng Zhengming: "It's finished, but the plan may not be needed for the time being."

Luo Qing asked in surprise, "Why wouldn't it be needed?"

Feng Zhengming: "Because it was a bit ahead of its time."

He then handed the notebook to his wife to take a look.

Luo Qing took it and looked at the plan outlined on it, but there were many things she couldn't understand.

However, Luo Qing did manage to understand the essence of the plan overall.

"Your plan seems too complicated, and it doesn't give the two stores in Beijing a clear positioning. If it's just fast food, then your plan seems unnecessary."

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, as you can see, this plan wasn't prepared for the two stores we have now."

Luo Qing was taken aback, but then she realized what it meant.

"Are you planning to upgrade your two branches, like the one on Shanghai's Western restaurant street?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, but then I thought about it and realized that the shop on the Western restaurant street was a lucky accident. Trying to replicate it seems like I was just being presumptuous."

Luo Qing: "Actually, you could just open a similar store."

Feng Zhengming: "It is indeed possible, but not now."

Luo Qing also agreed with her husband's point of view.

"It's definitely not possible now. We need to focus on running the two rice shops well first. We can't rush into opening a new shop, otherwise there will definitely be conflicts between them."

Feng Zhengming: "So the plan is temporarily put on hold. We'll let the two dry rice shops open first and let Fifth Brother and the others get started."

Luo Qing saw through her husband's thoughts: "You're worried about Fifth Brother, aren't you?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "I'm worried about putting too much pressure on Fifth Brother."

Luo Qing: "When Fifth Brother returned from the capital in defeat, you asked him and Senior Brother to take charge of Huiquan Tower. In fact, you had long thought about helping Fifth Brother return to the capital."

Now that you're actually letting Fifth Brother return to the capital, you're worried about putting too much pressure on him.

I'm worried that Fifth Brother might be too eager to make both stores successful, which could actually cause some problems.

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, I don't care how the two stores in Beijing turn out. Even if Fifth Brother really makes both stores lose money again, I won't blame him. I'll still make him start over."

But I'm worried that Fifth Brother is putting too much pressure on himself.

Luo Qing: "When you guys were playing football tonight, I also talked to Fifth Sister-in-law. I asked Fifth Sister-in-law to help persuade Fifth Brother not to put too much pressure on himself."

Feng Zhengming: "Haha, playing football tonight also helped Fifth Brother relax, and it seems to have some effect."

Luo Qing laughed along, "It will definitely work. You see, Fifth Brother is most worried about his relationship with his son, and now the father and son have a very good relationship, right?"

Looking at his wife, Feng Zhengming stood up, walked to her, and extended his hand to her.

Luo Qing also reached out and placed her hand on her husband's palm.

Then Feng Zhengming helped his wife slowly stand up, and then picked her up in his arms.

"Thank you, my wife. You understand me the most. There are many times when I can't figure things out, and you're always there to comfort me. I'm really grateful to you."

Luo Qing: "We're an old married couple, why are you thanking me?"

Feng Zhengming kissed his wife's lips.

Then his wife responded enthusiastically. The couple then engaged in some playful interaction on the sofa in the outer room of the suite.

On the other hand, Cao Zhiguo, who had returned to his parents-in-law's house with his wife and son, did feel relaxed.

The father and son talked a lot along the way, and Cao Zhiguo learned for the first time what his son truly liked.
I also found out who my son's favorite soccer player is.
The father and son also discussed their favorite sports stars.

However, when he returned to his parents-in-law's house, Cao Zhiguo still felt a little bit of pressure.

Previously, in order for her son to attend school in Beijing, she had no choice but to send her and her son back to the capital first.

In recent years, Cao Zhiguo had also thought about buying a house in Beijing and moving there to reunite with his wife and son.

However, since he has been working in the kitchen of Huiquanlou Restaurant, Cao Zhiguo feels that he will not leave Huiquanlou Restaurant for the time being.

So he didn't think much about buying a house in Beijing.

Now that he's actually in Beijing, he still has to stay at his in-laws' house.

The feeling of living under someone else's roof made Cao Zhiguo increasingly uncomfortable.

Fortunately, his wife spoke up for him tonight, preventing his parents from using the opportunity to criticize Cao Zhiguo again.

This also improved Cao Zhiguo's mood a little.

After taking a shower and returning to the small bedroom, Cao Zhiguo and his wife lay on the bed, and he whispered in his wife's ear.

“We really should buy a house first. Zhengming told me he would help us. If all else fails, we can take out a loan. At least we'll have our own house, which will make things more convenient.”

The wife nodded: "We need to buy a house. My brother and sister have been complaining about us living with my parents for so long."

Cao Zhiguo hugged his wife and said, "Let's buy it. Once the two stores open, we'll go and choose a house. We'll buy one that's close to where our son goes to school. Maybe after I'm done with my work every day, I can play football with our son."

His wife laughed: "You're just talking. With two stores opening at the same time, how will you have time to play football with your son?"

Cao Zhiguo: "I will definitely try my best to make time."

Wife: "You don't need to pretend to be relaxed. I know you're very nervous right now. You're worried that you won't be able to run your junior brother's two stores in Beijing well, and you're worried that problems will arise that will affect his reputation."

Cao Zhiguo: "Do you really have to spell it out like that?"

His wife nudged Cao Zhiguo with her elbow: "What's wrong? Can't I say anything?"

Cao Zhiguo quickly hugged his wife to comfort her.

"Yes, yes, you can criticize me anytime. You're right, I am indeed nervous right now."

Wife: "You're being too nervous. When you were playing football tonight, Luo Qing told me that your junior brother trusts you, his fifth senior brother. He believes you will definitely not have any problems and that you will definitely be able to establish both stores in Beijing."

That evening, Luo Qing originally wanted to ask her fifth sister-in-law to persuade her fifth brother not to be nervous.

But as she opened her mouth, Luo Qing suddenly remembered what her husband had said: every chef has their own pride.

Like his senior brothers, they all needed to hold on with their last breath.

So Luo Qing changed her tune and directly encouraged Fifth Brother to Fifth Sister-in-law, expressing that they all had great faith in Fifth Brother's abilities.

Sure enough, Cao Zhiguo's mood improved immediately when he heard his wife say that.

"Zhengming, you still trust us, otherwise you wouldn't have sent me to the capital."

Seeing Cao Zhiguo's expression, his wife knew he had relaxed considerably.

"Of course we trust you. Don't forget, you're his senior apprentice, and you're also one of the best chefs specializing in Shandong cuisine. What do you have to worry about? If we hand over Zhengming's two rice shops to you, you can easily run them well, right?"

His wife's words inspired Cao Zhiguo once again, reigniting his fighting spirit and confidence.

There's really nothing to be afraid of.

Anyway, when the enemy comes, we will fight him; when the water comes, we will block it with earth.

Cao Zhiguo wanted to demonstrate to certain chefs in Beijing the abilities of a Shandong cuisine chef.

Even for fast food like dry rice shops, Cao Zhiguo would make it fancy.

We need to show those chefs in Beijing what the amazing quality of Shandong cuisine is.

With even greater confidence, Cao Zhiguo embraced his wife and began to dream about the future.

Feng Zhengming's two branches in Beijing are well prepared, with all aspects of the decoration in place.

He and his fifth senior brother each kept an eye on the procurement of goods for the two stores.

We ensured that the supply of goods would be very secure after the opening of both branches.

Fifth Senior Brother certainly doesn't have the ability to be in two places at once, so he was in charge of one shop, while Feng Zhengming had Lü Chongshan take charge of the kitchen of the other shop.

Lü Chongshan really didn't expect to get such an opportunity.

Even the store he was in charge of had its opening personally guided by Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming personally taught Lü Chongshan some things, including advising him on how to manage the kitchen.

"Old Lu, I know you must have some thoughts about not being able to become an apprentice. This time I'm giving you a chance. My fifth brother is in charge of the two stores in Beijing. You will be in charge of this store, and the two stores should also differentiate themselves."

You need to leverage your unique skills to make your noodles even better, thus differentiating your shop from others.

If you can run the shop well, I will give you the opportunity to become an apprentice, and you can formally become an apprentice.

Lu Chongshan was also very excited when he heard this: "Really? Can I formally become your disciple?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Old Lü, tell me, why are you so eager to become my disciple? Actually, we're about the same age."

Lü Chongshan: "Others will definitely think that I want to become your apprentice because I want a title and want to use your name, but that's really not my idea. I want to become your apprentice so that I can learn the craft better from you."

I know my strengths and weaknesses. I know I'm good at making noodles, but I'm always a little lacking in cooking skills.

So I want to become your apprentice so I can learn cooking skills from you more effectively.

Feng Zhengming: "In that case, you can learn from me without becoming my apprentice."

Lü Chongshan: "But after becoming your apprentice, wouldn't I be considered your head chef too?"

Feng Zhengming: "Do you really want to become my apprentice?"

Lü Chongshan: "Really, I really think you have great skills, and it's worth it to become your apprentice and learn from you."

Seeing Lü Chongshan's persistence, Feng Zhengming understood why Lü Chongshan had specifically come to his shop.

He came to me from the very beginning with the intention of becoming my apprentice.

Over the years, although he hasn't spoken up, Lü Chongshan has always been actively trying to make his mark.

Whether it's his noodle-making skills or his cooking skills, they have truly been constantly improving.

In particular, Lü Chongshan diligently studied and practiced the knife skills that Feng Zhengming emphasized.

At the end of last year's internal competition, Lü Chongshan showed off his knife skills, which surprised Feng Zhengming and his fellow apprentices.

No one expected that Lü Chongshan had been working hard quietly all these years.

Of course, Lü Chongshan's cooking skills are indeed somewhat lacking.

But it's definitely no problem for him to be in charge of a branch.

Feng Zhengming felt that this was also a kind of experience for Lü Chongshan, allowing him to grow further.

Finally, the opening day arrived. Feng Zhengming and his fifth senior brother cut the ribbon at their respective stores almost simultaneously and opened the doors to welcome the first batch of customers.

Because no information was released in advance about which store Feng Zhengming would be at, the two stores saw roughly the same number of customers.

This is also the first official test of the team strength of the two branches in Beijing. (End of Chapter)