From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

With Yang Peng and his group's arrival, Feng Zhengming and his third senior brother simply handed over the remaining setup of the new store to Sun Hai and Yang Peng, who led the young people to do it.

The two fellow disciples began searching around Zhengzhou.

Through Hao Zongcheng's introduction, the two brothers traveled from Zhengcheng to Luocheng.

Before finding Luocheng, they contacted Hao Zongcheng about the beef and mutton slaughterhouse that supplied Zhengcheng's new store.

The beef and mutton here are all freshly slaughtered.

The daily shipments are also very large.

Most of it is supplied to mutton soup restaurants in Zhengcheng and Luocheng.

Some of the produce will also be sent to local markets in both cities.

Feng Zhengming and his third senior brother came here together because they wanted to purchase some rather special items from the other party.

These are the internal organs of cattle and sheep, including the tongue.

When the other party heard that they were introduced by Hao Zongcheng, they received Feng Zhengming and Yang Bin very warmly.

And he even took them inside the factory for a look.

Then Feng Zhengming directly explained his purpose to the other party.

The other party didn't hesitate much.

"No problem, we can have all the things you want. We can process them separately, including sheep testicles, cow testicles, and penises. We can pack them separately for you."

Feng Zhengming thought for a moment and asked, "Do you sell lamb pancreas here?"

Hearing Feng Zhengming ask this question left the other party somewhat bewildered.

After thinking for a long time, the other party finally understood.

"Oh, those are all sold together with the lamb offal. Do you want them separated out?"

Feng Zhengming: "Are they all included together? Then there's no need to separate them for us. Just pack them all together and send them to us. We can separate them ourselves."

The boss readily agreed: "No problem, we'll separate everything from the whole sheep and send it to you."

Feng Zhengming: "Actually, it's fine if they send us the whole sheep; we don't need it cut up. We just need all the offal."

The boss nodded: "Okay, I'll tell them to prepare it specially for you. We'll give you whatever you want."

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "Okay, thank you."

After discussing it with the boss, when signing the procurement contract, the boss saw Feng Zhengming's signature and suddenly realized something.

"Oh, you, you're that top scorer in the national exam, right? You're Scholar Feng?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Yes, but you don't need to call me Scholar Feng. I'm just a cook. You can call me Chef Feng."

The shop owner said embarrassedly, "Oh my, I didn't even recognize you. Scholar Feng, I really didn't expect you to come here to buy cattle and sheep, and even give us such a big order."

Feng Zhengming: "I opened a branch in Zhengzhou and found that you eat a lot of beef and mutton here, so I need to purchase some beef and mutton."

The owner smiled and nodded: "We do eat a lot of beef and mutton here, and Luocheng mutton soup is famous throughout the country."

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, yes, Luocheng's mutton soup is famous throughout the country, which is why I came here to buy it."

The boss said, "I was wondering why they would come to the factory to see what was going on after we had already agreed on the supply. Turns out they wanted to buy offal from cattle and sheep."

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, those things are quite difficult to do, but if done well, they are actually very good."

The owner said, "That's right. Many young people don't like to eat this now. It's because those shops don't make it well. When I go to eat, I always order these offal dishes."

Feng Zhengming: "That would be great! When you have time, boss, come to our shop in Zhengzhou and try our food. See how it tastes!"

The boss agreed: "Sure, I'll definitely bring my wife and kids with me when you open."

After discussing it with the boss, I said goodbye and left the factory.

Yang Bin asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why did you specifically choose to buy sheep pancreas?"

Feng Zhengming: "When it comes to cooking, Third Brother, do you remember the dish I competed with that foreign chef, Koffman?"

Yang Bin nodded: "I remember, that dish is a bit like our stuffed pig's trotters?"

Feng Zhengming: "That dish is actually the same as our stuffed pig's trotters, except that the stuffing is different. The stuffing in Kaufman's dish contains lamb pancreas."

Yang Bin suddenly realized: "Oh, I see. That explains why you suddenly wanted to buy that."

Feng Zhengming: "Third Brother, you can also use beef and mutton offal to make some of the stir-fries and braised dishes in your shop later."

Yang Bin laughed: "Sure, they're all the same."

Feng Zhengming: "And the mutton soup, I'll leave that to Zhou Feng. His three-delicacy soup is really excellent."

Yang Bin: "Yes, that kid has some talent. The soup he made for the Three Delicacies Noodles was really quite good."

Feng Zhengming: "Congratulations, Third Brother, you've gained a good apprentice."

Yang Bin was a little embarrassed: "Actually, I originally wanted to keep that kid as your apprentice."

Feng Zhengming: "I am quite strict in accepting apprentices, and I am still so young. I want to cook for a few more years. If I take on too many apprentices now, I will be distracted and I may not be able to teach them well."

"Hey kid, do you have to be so humble between us fellow disciples?" Yang Bin couldn't help but laugh.

“I heard it from Sun Hai. He said that Xia Hui’s cooking skills are now better than his, especially when Xia Hui makes some of the dishes you designed. She can make them look 70 or 80 percent like you.”

Feng Zhengming: "That was Xia Hui's own hard work."

After a slight pause, Feng Zhengming said earnestly, "Third Brother, we are all chefs. You should understand that women like Xia Hui are naturally at a disadvantage in the kitchen. Xia Hui has come this far because she has truly put in more effort than others."

These words made Yang Bin become serious.

He was well aware of the vulnerability of women in the kitchen.

Especially in the kitchens of Chinese restaurants.

Putting aside knife skills, the sheer force required to toss and flip the wok is enough to prevent most women from entering the kitchen.

The chefs' uniforms at Feng Zhengming's restaurant are now full-body uniforms, completely concealing all parts of their bodies.

Xia Hui almost always wears long sleeves when she goes shopping.

The reason is simple: Xia Hui's arms were simply too thick.

I'm afraid that if someone saw Xia Hui's appearance on the street and wanted to strike up a conversation, they would be too scared to approach her once they saw her arm.

There's nothing we can do about it; without those strong arms, it's impossible to work in the kitchen.

Although now in the kitchen of Feng Zhengming's old villa restaurant, many dishes no longer need to be stir-fried in an iron wok.

However, Xia Hui still needs to take the various knife skills and the control of heat very seriously.

So when Sun Hai spoke to Yang Bin, his tone was almost entirely one of admiration.

After hearing that it was easy to talk to, Yang Bin also admired Xia Hui's efforts.

Feng Zhengming: "Third Brother, our line of work is just tough."

Yang Bin laughed when he heard Feng Zhengming say that.

"Haha, what job isn't hard these days? At least with our skills, we won't starve in the future. Besides, if we work for you, we can earn more in a year than in those big restaurants, so no one will feel like they're losing out."

Feng Zhengming: "Since I know how hard everyone works, I definitely want to make sure everyone earns money. I can't let their hard work go to waste."

Yang Bin: "That's why we're willing to follow you. As long as you say the word, look at those young people, all of them yelling and rushing forward. Believe it or not, when we go back, they'll have the shop all set up."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "I believe that. Sun Hai and Yang Peng are already capable of handling things on their own."

While they were chatting, Feng Zhengming's phone rang.

Upon hearing Feng Zhengming's phone ring, Yang Bin couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hahaha, answer the phone quickly, your daughter is looking for you."

Feng Zhengming answered the phone, and sure enough, it was his daughter's voice on the other end.

"Dad, when are you coming back?"

"Dad, I miss you so much. Can you come back soon?"

"Dad, you promised to take Youyou with you next time you go out. Youyou misses you so much if you don't take her."

Hearing his daughter's voice, Feng Zhengming felt somewhat helpless.

Perhaps the only thing that can stop Feng Zhengming right now is his daughter.

And of course, there's his wife.

However, it's really inconvenient to bring my daughter along this time when I came to the cattle and sheep slaughterhouse with my third senior brother.

Feng Zhengming could only comfort his daughter over the phone: "Daddy has already taken care of things with Third Uncle, and we're on our way back now. Be a good girl and listen to your great-uncle and great-aunt, and play with your little uncle and brother over there, okay?"

Feng Nuanyou: "Then Dad, come back quickly."

Feng Zhengming agreed: "Okay, Dad will head back now."

Feng Nuanyou: "Dad, what time will you be back?"

Feng Zhengming: "Dad will definitely rush back tonight. Be good, okay? Eat well tonight, don't be naughty, and don't make trouble with your great-aunt."

Feng Nuanyou agreed: "Okay, Dad, you must come back tonight."

“Okay,” Feng Zhengming promised his daughter. “Give your dad a kiss, then hang up the phone and give it back to your great-aunt.”

I heard my daughter kissing me on the other end of the phone, and then she hung up.

Feng Zhengming looked at his third senior brother: "Alright, laugh if you want."

Yang Bin looked helpless: "Why would I want to laugh? I want to cry right now."

Feng Zhengming laughed instead: "Brother, why are you crying?"

Yang Bin: "You've only been out for half a day and your daughter is already calling. Well, I've been out for so many days and my son hasn't even called me once. It's true that sons are not as good as daughters."

Hearing his third senior brother say that, Feng Zhengming laughed: "Third brother, do you call your old man every day?"

Yang Bin was stunned for a moment, and almost blurted out: "Me calling my old man every day? My old man would definitely scold me, saying I have too much money to burn."

Feng Zhengming: "Look, how would you feel if your son called you every day instead?"

Yang Bin thought for a moment and said, "It really does feel a bit awkward. I can accept my daughter calling me every day, but it just feels so awkward to think about my son calling me once a day."

Feng Zhengming: "Hahaha, look, isn't it settled?"

Yang Bin: "Never mind, I'll talk to you about it later. If it doesn't work out, we can have another daughter."

Feng Zhengming: "Sure, Third Brother, why don't you go back first? I'll go to the rest of Hebei Province myself."

"Get lost, you little brat, are you trying to make fun of your third brother?" Yang Bin couldn't help but laugh and scold.

Feng Zhengming chuckled, "Alright, alright, after this is over, Third Brother, you and your wife should prepare properly for next year."

Yang Bin looked puzzled: "Prepare what?"

“Third brother nowadays emphasizes scientific preparation for pregnancy and childbirth. You and your sister-in-law are also getting older, so you should also make some preparations.”

Hearing this, Yang Bin felt that it did make sense.

"Okay, then have your wife talk to your sister-in-law about it, and we'll make some preparations too."

Feng Zhengming: "You two should go to the hospital together for a check-up to see how your health is. If your health allows, then you can start trying to conceive."

Yang Bin was taken aback again: "We have to go to the hospital? Giving birth isn't that complicated!"

Feng Zhengming: "Eugenics and good parenting."

Yang Bin: "No, if you're talking about eugenics, does that mean we can't have children?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "It's alright. If you need to pay, I'll cover it for you."

Yang Bin: "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's discuss it with your sister-in-law when we get back."

The two brothers quickly drove back to Zhengzhou.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late, and we could still make it to dinner.

Feng Zhengming and Yang Bin returned to the hotel together first.

Feng Nuanyou was overjoyed to see her father return.

Auntie looked helpless: "Your daughter, I think either you or her mother need to be around, otherwise she'll make a fuss with you."

Feng Nuanyou immediately shouted, "No, Youyou didn't cause any trouble with her great-aunt."

My great-aunt laughed: "Good, good, you didn't make a fuss."

Feng Zhengming: "Thank you for your hard work, Auntie. Let's go eat. Let's go to our new restaurant tonight and let those young people show us their skills."

Yang Bin agreed: "Great, anyway, we're opening soon, and the kitchen is fully equipped."

My uncle laughed: "Wouldn't you call this a surprise inspection?"

Feng Zhengming: "We can't call this a surprise inspection; this is a temporary test."

Yang Bin: "Yes, a pop quiz."

The two brothers' words amused their uncle and aunt.

Feng Nuanyou and her uncle didn't quite understand, but they found it very interesting and laughed along.

Next, Feng Zhengming and the others went to call He Xiaona together.

The group arrived at the new store in Zhengcheng.

Sun Hai and Yang Peng were busy working with their team in the shop.

They are making final preparations for the opening the day after tomorrow.

Upon seeing Feng Zhengming and Yang Bin return, the group quickly opened the door to welcome them inside.

Meanwhile, many locals have already learned about the upcoming opening of this new store in the past few days.

It was dinnertime, so the presence of people inside attracted many passersby to gather around and watch.

Soon someone in the crowd spotted Feng Zhengming.

"Look, that looks like Scholar Feng."

"Yes, yes, it really is Scholar Feng. I've seen him on TV."

"It seems this shop wasn't lying; it really is a branch of Feng Zhuangyuan's rice shop."

"Doesn't their sign say it? It's Zheng Lu Xing Feng Family Rice Shop."

"Haha, we must go in and try it. Feng Zhuangyuan's cooking must be amazing."

More and more people gathered outside the door, and some even started knocking.

Seeing this, Feng Zhengming had no choice but to come out and explain to everyone.

"Thank you all for your enthusiasm. I am Feng Zhengming, the owner of this shop. I believe many of you know me and have seen me on TV. My team and I will run this shop with our hearts and offer delicious food to everyone."

However, we are not open for business today. We will officially open in two days. Everyone is welcome to visit our store then. (End of Chapter)