From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Everyone in the kitchen was somewhat surprised by Feng Zhengming's bow of gratitude.

Then, led by the head chef in the kitchen, everyone bowed to Feng Zhengming in return.

"Thank you for your guidance, Scholar Feng."

"Thank you for your guidance, Scholar Feng." The kitchen staff expressed their gratitude in unison.

At this moment, in everyone's eyes, Feng Zhengming was the top scorer they recognized.

They all learned a lot from tonight's National Day banquet.

In particular, Feng Zhengming is still able to present the best food despite the limitations.

Tonight, we aim to provide every guest with a truly unique culinary experience.

Many of his bold moves are things that many chefs who have been in charge of hospitality for years would never have dared to think of.

But Feng Zhengming, relying on his experience, was able to present those things that required intricate design in a context like the National Day banquet.

Although the people in the kitchen didn't have a chance to go to the banquet hall, the feedback from the food service staff showed that the guests were amazed by every dish tonight.

Perhaps after Feng Zhengming left, the other chefs in the kitchen still wouldn't dare to try many of the dishes that night.

At least Feng Zhengming showed them what true culinary art is.

For many of the master chefs who have always been in charge of reception work.

From the moment they entered the kitchen, the master chef taught them to strictly follow the rules.

If it weren't for Feng Zhengming's bold presentation tonight, they probably wouldn't have had such imaginative ideas.

They were genuinely grateful to Feng Zhengming for giving them this opportunity to participate.

Soon after, several people from Shanghai and the invited foreign guests arrived at the kitchen.

Several foreign guests wanted to meet the chef for tonight's dinner.

It was because the dishes served tonight were truly amazing, even unbelievable, to the foreign guests.

Feng Zhengming and the kitchen staff welcomed the arrival of everyone.

The staff in Shanghai who were in charge of receiving the guests introduced Feng Zhengming to them.

This made the foreign guests invited tonight realize something.

"So he's the national culinary champion. No wonder the dishes tonight were so delicious."

"Your top scholar's skills are truly amazing."

"Tonight's meal is the best I've ever had."

"I was truly amazed. I never imagined that food could be made so beautifully and taste so delicious."

"Thank you for your hospitality, top scholar."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Please don't be so polite, everyone. Today is our National Day, and as the head chef tonight, it is my honor to make dishes that you all enjoy."

I hope everyone can see the prosperity and strength of our country, and that every one of us across the nation is working hard to make our lives better.

Just like the dishes tonight, I used techniques from different Chinese cuisines, and also incorporated Western techniques.

I want everyone to know that we are open and inclusive, and that we welcome friends from all over the world.

After listening to Feng Zhengming's words, all the foreign guests present applauded him.

Several people in Shanghai were also very satisfied with Feng Zhengming's words.

Their gazes toward Feng Zhengming became even more affectionate.

These people suddenly understood why Feng Zhengming was so highly regarded in the capital.

It's not just because his cooking skills are truly exceptional, but also because of his fervent love for his motherland.

In Feng Zhengming's eyes, everything about his motherland is worthy of praise.

He also promoted and popularized the culture of his motherland in his own way.

Just like the dishes tonight, each one showcases various Chinese elements.

This will allow foreign guests to see that China has a wide variety of delicious foods.

It's not just Peking duck from Beijing.

Many ingredients that are considered high-end by Westerners can also be prepared in Chinese cuisine in their own way.

Several people in Shanghai also praised Feng Zhengming.

The foreign guests also toured the kitchen and asked about the inspiration behind Feng Zhengming's culinary designs.

Feng Zhengming gave a very detailed explanation.

He even used foreign languages ​​to communicate directly with foreign guests about some technical terms.

This made the foreign guests feel even more amazed.

After the visit ended and the foreign guests left, Feng Zhengming and his team were finally able to begin the final cleanup.

After Feng Zhengming and his team had almost finished cleaning up the kitchen.

Several people from Shanghai returned once again.

They came to see Feng Zhengming.

In front of everyone in the kitchen, the city officials praised Feng Zhengming and announced that everyone who participated in the banquet that evening would receive a reward.

Chef Feng Zhengming will be awarded the title of Shanghai's Top Chef and will also receive a plaque for his old-style restaurant.

It's considered a Shanghai city certification; Feng Zhengming Old House Restaurant is one of the top recommended restaurants in Shanghai.

There was naturally no objection to these commendations given to Feng Zhengming.

Tonight's National Day banquet made everyone feel that Feng Zhengming deserved all the rewards.

Feng Zhengming also expressed his gratitude, and he requested that the bonus be distributed to everyone present that evening.

"Tonight's success is not solely due to my efforts. I couldn't possibly have made so many dishes by myself. Everyone in the kitchen and the service team deserves a great deal of credit, so I think everyone should be recognized."

Feng Zhengming's words were approved by the city, and he and the kitchen staff were given a final word of encouragement.

After the people from Shanghai left, Feng Zhengming, his two senior brothers, his apprentices, Jiang Chengzhe, and the rest of the kitchen staff said goodbye and left.

Jiang Chengzhe breathed a long sigh of relief as he emerged from the kitchen.

"I'm so nervous! Tonight is even more nerve-wracking than when I'm at my busiest in the restaurant kitchen."

Feng Zhengming: "After all, the guests we're hosting tonight are different. How are your restaurant preparations going?"

Jiang Chengzhe: "It's almost done. I've already found a place and am currently looking for people to do the renovations."

Feng Zhengming: "Tell me if you need anything. Do you need me to find you a renovation team?"

Jiang Chengzhe: "No need, I've already found a renovation team. They've already started construction. It's National Day, so they need to take a break. They'll get back to work after National Day."

I estimate it should be completed by the end of the year. I'll invite Scholar Feng to come and take a look then.

Feng Zhengming: "I'm really looking forward to seeing how Chef Jiang's restaurant is doing."

"Haha, okay, I'll make sure you, Feng Zhuangyuan, are amazed too." Jiang Chengzhe was clearly very confident in his restaurant.

Seeing Jiang Chengzhe's confident demeanor, Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded.

"That kind of confidence is exactly how you should be."

Jiang Chengzhe: "I didn't have much confidence at first, but after participating in the National Day banquet with you today, I'm more confident now. I still believe in my skills and I think I can do a good job at the restaurant."

Feng Zhengming: "Of course, if you can run my restaurant on the street so well, you should be confident that you can run your own restaurant well."

Despite his confidence, Jiang Chengzhe still took the initiative to invite Feng Zhengming to his restaurant for some pointers. "Scholar Feng, I would appreciate it if you could come to my restaurant and give me some pointers then."

Feng Zhengming nodded in agreement: "No problem. After the National Day banquet, we'll be more free. Let's all get together sometime. My senior brothers are still here, so we can go together and give you some advice."

Jiang Chengzhe looked at Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai, extending an invitation to them as well.

"If Chef Li and Chef Zhang have time, please come and offer your guidance as well."

Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai exchanged a glance, and both smiled and agreed.

“Okay, we didn’t leave, we can all go and help.”

"Yes, I wouldn't dare to offer advice, but let's go take a look and see what this new-style restaurant is like."

After chatting for a while, the car that was supposed to pick them up arrived.

Everyone got into the car, and as it slowly drove away, their work for the night was officially completed.

On the way back, Feng Zhengming talked a lot with his two senior brothers, Jiang Chengzhe, his apprentices and students.

Everyone has been busy these past few days and has gained something, and has also come up with some new ideas for cooking.

Share your new ideas with Feng Zhengming, and he will offer suggestions for improvement.

Although they didn't formally engage in it, Xia Hui and her group still gained a lot from this kind of language exchange, thanks to the presence of Feng Zhengming, Li Huidong, Zhang Minghai, and Jiang Chengzhe.

The car took them all back to their respective residences, and finally took Feng Zhengming home as well.

Feng Zhengming thanked the driver again, picked up his knife, got out of the car, and headed home.

In front of his house, Feng Zhengming saw that the outside of the house was decorated with many National Day decorations.

There was even a national flag hanging on the door as a celebration for the day.

Before even entering the house, Feng Zhengming could hear the happy laughter of his family members inside.

Listening to the laughter and joy of his family, Feng Zhengming felt the charm of life.

In recent years, Feng Zhengming has become increasingly famous and opened more and more stores. However, he prefers the atmosphere of family, perhaps because he is too busy and has too little time to go home.

So standing in front of his house and hearing the laughter of his family made Feng Zhengming feel even more real.

Looking back on the era I came to live in.

At first, I thought I had been reborn, but later I realized that it was not a rebirth, but rather that I had come to a similar time and space.

The historical context here is no different from Feng Zhengming's world in the past.

However, there are still significant discrepancies in many small matters.

But none of that matters, because Feng Zhengming has a wife, children, a house full of family, and like-minded fellow students and partners here.

Everything here is real, it's my own genuine experience.

The people and things here may be different from those in another time and space, but that doesn't diminish Feng Zhengming's sense of belonging to this place.

In a daze, Feng Zhengming suddenly turned around.

He seemed to see himself in another time and space.

Living a somewhat tiring life, doing jobs that I don't really like.

In my spare time, I can only rely on the internet to numb myself and find a moment of peace.

That version of myself was truly even more exhausted.

So compared to that past self, what is there for me to be dissatisfied with now?
In this time and space, I gained fame and respect through my skills, built my own catering business empire, and also have such a wonderful family.

Even if all of this is just a dream.

What does it matter if it's a dream?
If one can remain in such a beautiful dream without waking up, then the dream must be real.

Feng Zhengming smiled slightly and said "goodbye" to his past, hardworking self.

"We don't need to dwell on the past anymore. We just need to move forward without hesitation. Even if it's all just a fleeting dream, let's have a good dream."

After muttering to himself, Feng Zhengming turned around and walked towards his home.

When I got to my front door, I reached out and turned the doorknob.

Feng Zhengming opened the door to the bustling house and stepped inside.

As the door closed, he severed all ties with the past.

As soon as I entered the door, while I was still changing my shoes, my daughter, Feng Nuanyou, ran over happily.

"Daddy's home! Daddy's home!"

The little girl ran over and even squatted down to help her father put his slippers away.

Feng Zhengming: "Thank you, Youyou."

Feng Nuanyou raised her little head: "Daddy, you've worked hard."

Feng Zhengming changed into slippers and picked up his daughter.

"It is a bit tiring, but when Youyou brought slippers for Dad, Dad was very happy, and when he was happy, Dad wasn't tired anymore."

Feng Nuanyou happily hugged her father's neck.

"Dad, you're the best."

Feng Zhengming: "Really? Thank you for the compliment, Youyou. Having Youyou say that Daddy is great is better than any other reward."

He carried his daughter into the living room, where his two grandfathers, mother-in-law, second aunt, and aunt-in-law were all present. His wife also stood up to welcome him home.

Feng Zhengming: "Everyone, don't be so polite, please sit down. I'm not an outsider."

Immediately afterwards, the eldest uncle, the third uncle, and the maternal uncle led the children out.

When Feng Shengnan saw her brother return, she ran up to him with a smile: "Brother, you're back! Did you make lots of delicious food today?"

Seeing that his younger sister had grown quite a bit taller and was clearly a young woman made Feng Zhengming very happy.

"When have I not been cooking delicious food every day? Tonight was just your brother performing normally, it's nothing serious."

Feng Shengnan laughed: "Hahaha, brother, you are really amazing. You can be the head chef of state banquets in Beijing and also in Shanghai."

Feng Zhengming: "State banquets also involve cooking. In terms of technique, it's not as difficult as your brother's own restaurant. It's just that state banquets require a large quantity of food, and the food must be prepared to a high standard. It's not enough for your brother to do it alone; everyone has to work together."

Feng Yucheng also ran over and asked curiously, "Big brother, do you direct a lot of people to cook?"

Feng Zhengming nodded with a smile: "That's right, the commander probably has over a hundred people cooking."

These words made the children gasp in surprise.

Feng Zhengming led the children over and sat down. He was then surrounded by the children, who bombarded him with all sorts of questions.

Although exhausted upon his return, Feng Zhengming patiently talked to the children and explained things to them.

This scene made the elders in the family feel especially happy and warm.

After explaining things to the children, Feng Zhengming went to check on his own two little ones.

The little ones are sleeping upstairs, and they seem to be sleeping quite peacefully.

He lowered his head and gently kissed the two little ones before quietly leaving the room.

After closing the door, I went downstairs again and returned to my family.

Then Feng Nuanyou performed a classical poem for her father, which she had learned in kindergarten. She had prepared it especially for tonight, waiting for her father to come home so she could perform it.

Seeing his daughter earnestly reciting ancient poems, Feng Zhengming's face was filled with a happy smile.

After working hard for several days, isn't it all so that we can happily spend time with our families like this?
At this moment, Feng Zhengming felt very happy. (End of Chapter)