From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Tonight, Feng Zhengming prepared some unique dishes for his long-time customers who came to congratulate him on the reopening of his old-style restaurant after the Lunar New Year.

Feng Zhengming also made some unique designs for the way the dishes were served.

First, Feng Zhengming invited all the customers from the rooms on the second and third floors to the lobby on the first floor.

Then suddenly, the entire first floor of the restaurant went dark.

Next came the waiters, the first few carrying candlesticks, the next carrying kerosene lamps with an antique design, and then a series of old-fashioned table lamps.

From candlesticks to lamps, each of these items has a distinctive design reflecting different eras in China.

It instantly transported everyone back to a historical era.

The old man couldn't help but mutter, "It seems our top scholar has come up with something special tonight."

Finally, Feng Zhengming, dressed in a chef's uniform, led his team of chefs out of the kitchen.

In their hands, they held the first dish for the guests that evening.

"Thank you all for your support of my restaurant. This is the third year that my restaurant has been open."

Last year, my restaurant was named one of the world's top ten restaurants of the year, so today I want to give all of you—my loyal customers, friends, and family—a very unique opening.

After Feng Zhengming finished speaking, he and the chefs lifted the trays off their hands.

The first thing everyone smelled when the tray was lifted was its unique aroma.

It smelled of meat fat, and also had a unique milky aroma.

Everyone craned their necks in surprise, wanting to get a closer look.

Someone who saw it clearly exclaimed in surprise: "Yes, it's a whole roasted lamb!"

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, this whole roasted lamb is something I prepared especially for everyone, but this whole roasted lamb is more than just a whole roasted lamb."

Then Feng Zhengming used a knife to cut open the sheep's abdomen in front of everyone.

Then everyone saw that inside the sheep's belly, there was a whole fish that had been specially prepared.

This design surprised everyone present.

No one expected that there was something inside Feng Zhengming's whole roasted lamb.

Feng Zhengming then began to divide the food on-site, giving a plate to each customer present.

When it was time to distribute the food to the sisters-in-law and the children.

Feng Nuanyou smiled and said, "Daddy, we want a big leg of lamb!"

Feng Zhengming: "I can't give you a leg of lamb now. I'll give you some meat first, and then Dad will bring you a leg of lamb later, okay?"

Feng Nuanyou: "Hehehe, okay."

The customers present couldn't help but smile when they heard the father and daughter's conversation.

Customers who had already received their roasted lamb quickly discovered its unique characteristics.

"Wow, this mutton has absolutely no gamey smell, and it even has a milky aroma!"

"This lamb is so fragrant, it's delicious even without any special dipping sauce."

"This is the first time I've ever had such good mutton."

"This...this mutton must be something special, right?"

Feng Zhengming: "This lamb is a Tan sheep that I had prepared in advance, so it has a more unique flavor."

The old man was somewhat surprised: "You actually prepared lamb specially? Chef, could you make us a serving of hand-grabbed rice tonight?"

Feng Zhengming: "Okay, Uncle, please wait a moment, you and your two aunts. I'll bring it to you in a bit."

Hearing this, Bao Guofeng smiled and asked, "It seems our top scholar Feng has made some preparations for tonight? Are you going to treat us to a whole roasted lamb feast?"

Feng Zhengming: "Mr. Bao, you're right. Today is the first day of business for my restaurant after the New Year. So I hope my restaurant will have good fortune. The fish inside represents our abundance year after year."

Wishing everyone a prosperous and fulfilling new year, both in your career and family life.

Feng Zhengming's words brought smiles to everyone's faces.

Everyone really liked Feng Zhengming's blessing.

As the new year begins and winter fades into spring, everyone hopes for a wonderful start.

Enjoying such a delicious meal at Feng Zhengming's restaurant tonight is a wonderful start to the new year.

Feng Zhengming then instructed the waiters to guide the guests back to their respective tables and private rooms.

The waiters placed candlesticks, oil lamps, and electric lights on the table as unique embellishments for the evening.

The customers present were all quite satisfied with Feng Zhengming's arrangements.

Feng Nuanyou didn't go upstairs with everyone. Instead, she followed her father, becoming his little shadow, wanting to see if he could give them a leg of lamb.

Feng Zhengming knew his daughter was following behind him, but he didn't chase her away; he let her stay with him.

Following along, Feng Nuanyou began to deliberately imitate her father's walking style.

As a result, the father and daughter walking around the restaurant instantly became an interesting sight.

The guests all watched the father and daughter with smiles on their faces.

Feng Nuanyou also helps her father greet guests.

Tell the guests to be careful not to burn their mouths while eating.

Feng Nuanyou's small acts of care pleased many guests.

The main reason is that the little girl is just too cute.

I followed my father on his inspection tour, and walked with him all the way to the front of the kitchen.

Feng Nuanyou did not go directly into the kitchen with her father.

The little girl was very clear that she couldn't just go into the kitchen.

Feng Zhengming turned around and saw that his daughter hadn't followed, so he smiled and waved to her.

The little girl saw her father waving and ran a few steps to catch up.

Following her father into the kitchen, Feng Nuanyou immediately began searching around, trying to find the large leg of lamb that her father had promised to give them.

Feng Zhengming naturally understood what his daughter wanted and called out to Fu Jun.

"Fu Jun, take a leg of lamb and follow Youyou upstairs. Your teacher's wife is upstairs too."

Upon hearing this, Fu Jun quickly took out the roasted lamb and promptly cut off a leg of lamb.

Holding a leg of lamb, Fu Jun walked up to Feng Nuanyou.

"Hehehe, little boss Youyou, let's go upstairs."

Feng Nuanyou looked at the sizzling lamb leg, her little face full of smiles.

"Dad, I'm going up now."

Feng Zhengming: "Go ahead, but go slowly upstairs. Don't rush and bump into the aunties and sisters."

Feng Nuanyou agreed, "Dad, I know. Dad, you have to do your best."

Feng Zhengming swung his fist at his daughter, and his daughter swung her fist back.

Then Feng Nuanyou led Fu Jun, who was carrying a leg of lamb, out of the kitchen and led him upstairs.

Tonight they are in the largest room on the third floor.

When Feng Zhengming led Fu Jun inside and saw the large leg of lamb in Fu Jun's hand, Luo Qing was both amused and exasperated: "This girl, you actually went to ask Dad for a large leg of lamb? Do you think we can even finish it?"

Feng Nuanyou ran inside with a grin and jumped into her mother's arms: "You can eat! There are great-aunts, third great-aunts, and lots of other people who can eat too."

Fu Jun carried the lamb leg into the room and placed it on the table. Naturally, he first greeted his teacher's wife.

When Fu Jun greeted her, the second sister-in-law responded with a smile.

"Oh, it's Fu Jun. How's Little Fu doing working for your martial uncle?"

Fu Jun stood respectfully beside the table and replied, "Master's wife, I'm doing quite well here. I've learned a lot from my junior uncle."

Second sister-in-law: "Your master asked you to come here in the first place, but you weren't happy about it."

Fu Jun was a little embarrassed by what he said: "Mainly at the time, I didn't want to leave my master. I hadn't learned many of my master's skills yet, so I wanted to continue following him."

The eldest sister-in-law spoke up: "Xiao Fu is a filial son, and he knows to help his master more."

Second sister-in-law: "Xiao Fu is such a good child. Your master still talks about you often. Your master's biggest worry is that you won't be able to stay with your junior uncle."

Fu Jun: "Yes, Master's wife, I was also worried at first that I wouldn't be able to stay."

Second sister-in-law: "If you are not kept here, it will be a disgrace to your master. Although your master and your junior uncle and other fellow disciples have a very good relationship, they are still somewhat competitive."

The other sisters-in-law also laughed.

Fu Jun: "I didn't let my master down, and in the end I stayed."

Second sister-in-law: "So your master is thinking about you. When you went to visit your family during the New Year, your master told you about it, right?"

Fu Jun nodded: "Master told me to learn the craft diligently from Junior Uncle and to listen to him more."

These words resonated with the sisters-in-law, who all agreed that young people like Fu Jun should listen to Feng Zhengming, their junior uncle, as they gained valuable experience under his tutelage.

Although they were actually only a few years younger than Feng Zhengming.

But in terms of skills, they have a lot to learn from their junior master.

Therefore, Feng Zhengming's senior brothers all hoped that their disciple would have the opportunity to come to Shanghai and learn more from Feng Zhengming.

The senior disciples' idea was actually very simple: they wanted their disciples to be able to help their junior disciples in the future.

After all, the senior students are getting older, and many of them don't want to leave their hometowns.

But the senior brothers know that the junior brother is in dire need of manpower right now.

So in the past few years, the senior brothers have taken in many apprentices, basically training people for their junior brother Feng Zhengming.

Fu Jun spoke a few more words to his teacher's wife, then left the room and went downstairs.

As he went downstairs, Fu Jun couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Facing his master's wife, and especially the other women in the sect, Fu Jun felt even more nervous than when facing his master and junior uncle.

After Fu Jun went downstairs, his second sister-in-law asked Luo Qing again.

"Is Xiao Fu really capable here with you?"

Luo Qing: "Second sister-in-law, Fu Jun is really good, and Fifth Brother's apprentice Cai Tao is also doing very well here. The two of them are now Zhengming's right and left hands."

The sister-in-law asked, "Where's Xia Hui? Isn't she in this restaurant?"

Luo Qing: "Xia Hui is now in charge of another store, which is also a clear indication that Zhengming is intentionally cultivating her management skills."

Sister-in-law: "I was wondering why Xia Hui wasn't seen in this restaurant."

Luo Qing: "She is currently in charge of the restaurant on the Western restaurant street, and she is already a very good head chef. Zhengming's idea is that if there is an opportunity this year, let her participate in some competitions again."

The sisters-in-law agreed with Feng Zhengming's arrangement.

Sister-in-law: "It's good to participate in some competitions. It can increase Xia Hui's fame and give her more opportunities to showcase herself."

Second sister-in-law: "That's right, isn't Zhengming famous overnight by participating in the National Culinary Competition?"

Third Sister-in-law: "I'm afraid it's not easy to replicate Zhengming's style, is it?"

Fifth Sister-in-law: "Of course! My husband, Lao Cao, said that Zhengming's skills are absolutely unique. No one else can do it like him."

Sixth Sister-in-law: "My husband, Lao Zhang, said the same thing. He also said that Zhengming knows too much and is too versatile. Others really can't learn from him."

Luo Qing: "Sisters-in-law, stop praising him. You're making him sound like a god."

Hearing her mother's words, Feng Nuanyou couldn't help but laugh.

"Hehehe, Daddy's going to heaven."

Feng Nuanyou's words amused the other children as well.

Luo Qing looked at her daughter, somewhat helplessly: "You silly girl, are you acting a bit too much today?"

Feng Nuanyou smiled and snuggled up to her mother, trying to get into her mother's arms.

"Hehehe, Mom, I'm being a good girl, don't be angry."

Luo Qing was indeed driven to despair by her daughter's antics.

It was mainly her daughter's adorable appearance that made Luo Qing unable to get angry.

Second Aunt: "Alright, Youyou is happy today, so just let her be happy. We won't think anything bad about Youyou."

Luo Qing pinched her daughter's cheek: "Go back and sit down by yourself. We're about to start eating. Be a good girl, okay?"

Feng Nuanyou smiled and nodded; "I understand."

After Feng Nuanyou returned to her seat, Luo Qing invited everyone to eat first.

After eating for a while, Feng Shengnan quietly whispered a few words in Feng Nuanyou's ear.

Upon hearing this, Feng Nuanyou immediately stood up and ran out of the private room on her own.

Moreover, a group of children covered for Feng Nuanyou as she went out.

In fact, everyone in the private room had already seen how well the children cooperated.

After Feng Nuanyou left, her third aunt immediately started talking to Feng Shengnan.

"I knew it. You were trying to get your Youyou to go downstairs so she could go find your brother to make the hamburgers we had for lunch, weren't you?"

Feng Shengnan: "Mom, we just want to try my brother's cooking."

Third Aunt: "You silly girl, you always order Youyou around. Youyou is still a child."

Feng Shengnan: "Then when I come to Shanghai for university, I'll spend more time with her, buy her fun things, and take her out to play. Isn't that enough?"

Third Aunt: "Alright, you said it yourself, so don't go back on your word later."

Luo Qing smiled and said, "Sheng Nan, work hard. I believe that with your grades, you will definitely be able to get into a university in Shanghai. If you don't want to live at school anymore, you can come and stay at my house."

Feng Shengnan smiled and agreed, "Okay, sister-in-law."

At this moment, the sister-in-law couldn't help but look at her son, Li Xiaogang.

"Look at other people, they all want to get into university in Shanghai. Don't you have that kind of ambition?"

As a result, Li Xiaogang finished eating the roasted mutton in his mouth and said with a grin.

“I can come to Shanghai too. I’ll come here and become my uncle’s apprentice, and learn to cook from him.”

Upon hearing this, the sister-in-law rolled her eyes, speechless.

Following closely behind, Yang Zhiyu, the son of the third senior brother, also said, "Brother, let's come together and learn cooking from Uncle. We can also become top chefs like Uncle."

For a moment, the eldest sister-in-law and the third sister-in-law exchanged a glance, feeling a mixture of joy and frustration. (End of Chapter)