From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Upon returning to Jinan, the family of three went directly to the grandfather's house.

Upon entering, Feng Nuanyou immediately rushed in with a smile to find her two great-grandfathers.

Then she began to tell her two great-grandfathers about what she had seen and heard on this trip.

Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing went inside to check on the family's two little ones.

Because they didn't have much time, Feng Zhengming and his wife didn't bring Xiaobao with them on this trip.

Back at Grandpa's house, the two little ones were being looked after by their aunt and third aunt.

Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing appeared in front of Xiao Bao.

Interestingly, the two little ones even recognized them.

The little girl reached out her hand to her father, babbling as if hoping he would hug her.

Feng Zhengming smiled and stepped forward to take his youngest daughter from his aunt's arms.

The son, sitting in his grandmother's lap, hadn't quite reacted yet; he was just gazing at his parents, who had returned home covered in dust.

When he saw his younger sister being taken away and held by his father, the son finally realized what was happening and smiled as he stretched out his chubby little hand to his mother.

Luo Qing quickly took her son from her aunt's arms and held him in her arms.

Holding her son, Luo Qing quickly thanked her aunt and third aunt.

"Thank you for your hard work, Aunt and Auntie."

Third Aunt: "It's alright, not tiring at all. Your two little ones are quite well-behaved. They just eat and sleep all day and don't make much noise. They're not shy at all when I come to take care of them."

My second aunt laughed: "Of course they're not shy. Their children are always taken care of by many people. In Shanghai, they are often taken out to play, or when people come to visit, they are always held by others, so naturally they are not shy."

Third Aunt: "That's good too, just like Youyou, with such a cheerful and lively personality, how wonderful."

Luo Qing: "I'm afraid these two little ones will be as eloquent as their older sister, then our family will be very lively."

These words made the second aunt and third aunt think for a moment, and they couldn't help but laugh.

One can imagine that if all three children in Feng Zhengming's family were talking at the same time, the scene would indeed be a bit too lively.

Third Aunt glanced around Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing, somewhat puzzled: "Why haven't I seen Youyou?"

Feng Zhengming: "She went to see her great-grandfathers to tell them stories."

Second Aunt laughed: "Oh my, our little Youyou has already started telling stories to Great-Grandpa."

Luo Qing: "This time I took her to many places, and she went a bit crazy. No matter how much older the older brothers and sisters were than her, she wanted to play with them and lead them in playing too."

Third Aunt: "Our Youyou is a very opinionated little girl who has been independent since she was a child."

Second Aunt: "This might really be like me. When I was little, I always thought, why should I follow others when I'm doing such trendy things? Why can't others follow me?"

Feng Zhengming: "Haha, that's probably because her great-aunt took care of her a lot and taught her how to do things."

Second Aunt: "It's good for a girl to be lively and mischievous, at least she won't be bullied during her school years."

Luo Qing said helplessly, "I'm afraid she'll bully other people."

Third Aunt: "That's still better than her being bullied. Even if a girl bullies someone, she won't hit them hard. Besides, Youyou isn't the kind of child who bullies others for no reason."

Feng Zhengming's little daughter suddenly raised her little hand and gently patted her father's face.

The little girl was also making "ee-ee-ya-ya" sounds, as if she wanted to compete with her older sister.

Feng Zhengming smiled and gently bit his daughter's little hand: "Aww."

The younger daughter was taken aback at first, then found her father's behavior quite amusing.

She first pulled her little hand back, then put it to her father's mouth herself.

Let Dad give another "woof" and gently bite it.

These few times, the little girl found it fun, and she laughed especially happily in her father's arms.

The son, nestled in his mother's arms, saw his father and sister playing so happily and felt a pang of envy. He couldn't help but reach out his little hand towards his father.

When Luo Qing saw that her son also wanted to go into her husband's arms, she smiled and handed her son directly to her husband.

Feng Zhengming was willing to accept it all, since he was strong enough to carry two children.

The son was being held by his father, and seeing how his younger sister looked, he imitated her.

Feng Zhengming also gently bit his son's little hand with a "woof".

The son was taken aback at first, then he grinned and smiled.

The two children then took turns playing with their father, having a great time.

I saw Feng Zhengming playing with two children.

My second aunt laughed: "It seems they all enjoy playing with their dad."

Third Aunt: "If the father is willing to play with the children, then the children will definitely have a happy childhood."

These words made my second aunt think about it carefully: "It seems to be true. When Hongwei was a child, his father would play with him every time he came back. The father and son often left me aside."

Luo Qing: "That's right, that's right. Second Aunt, you know how it is when you're at home. They all play together, but they just leave me out."

Auntie laughed: "Next time, Dad must bring Mom along, otherwise Dad won't be allowed to go to bed at night."

These words made Luo Qing and her second aunt burst into laughter.

I heard my mother and two grandmothers laughing.

The two little ones turned their heads to look at them.

Then Feng Nuanyou, who was telling stories to her two great-grandfathers outside, also quickly ran into the house.

"Mom, what are you laughing at?"

Luo Qing: "Look, she has such sharp ears. She can hear people laughing right away, and she'll come over and ask them about it."

Auntie really liked Feng Nuanyou.

"Oh dear, our little Youyou is back too! Come over here and let your great-aunt take a look."

Feng Nuanyou entered the room with a smile and walked up to her great-aunt.

"Hehehe, Grandma, let me tell you, my mom, dad, and I went to many places. We played at the beach, and my older brother and sister played with us. We collected seashells and caught little crabs together."

Grandma hugged Feng Nuanyou: "Really? Youyou had a lot of fun."

Feng Nuanyou: "I'm happy, but Dad isn't happy. A lot of people are being mean."

The great-aunt asked in surprise, "How come so many of them are bad?"

Feng Nuanyou: "It's those people, they want to take away Dad's shop."

Children speak without thinking, and Feng Nuanyou has a good memory, so she remembered some things that happened in the island city.

Upon hearing this, the second aunt and the third aunt looked up at Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "It's not as exaggerated as Youyou said. Gu Zhicheng felt that he should go it alone in Qingdao, so even though we parted ways, I took back my two stores in Qingdao."

At this moment, Grandpa and Grandpa Situ also came over.

Grandpa Situ: "Zhengming, some people may not be as simple as you think. They may be willing to follow you when they have not yet obtained status and position, but once they have obtained a certain status and position, they will want to get rid of you."

After listening to Grandpa Situ's words, Feng Zhengming chuckled.

"Then I can only make them regret it."

Feng Zhengming's words initially surprised his family. However, they quickly came to their senses.

Everyone understood what Feng Zhengming meant.

He wanted those who didn't want to be subordinate to him to regret their decisions later.

Feng Zhengming is indeed capable of doing this.

Just like Gu Zhicheng, Feng Zhengming wouldn't use any tricks on him.

Because Gu Zhicheng is not worth Feng Zhengming using any means to deal with.

As long as Feng Zhengming reopens Yanxi Restaurant in Beijing, he can bring it enough attention and fame, and Gu Zhicheng will naturally regret his decision today.

Over the years, too many people have left his side.

Most people regret it afterward.

Because once they leave Feng Zhengming's side, they will find that they cannot do a better job.

Without Feng Zhengming's supervision and guidance, their competitiveness in the culinary industry will significantly decline.

Not everyone can be like Feng Zhengming's senior brothers and Jiang Chengzhe, who all have their own set of skills and can run a shop on their own even after leaving Feng Zhengming's shop.

Grandpa then spoke up: "Alright, we should respect individual choices. Everyone has their own pursuits."

Feng Zhengming: "You're right, sir. We can't force everyone to follow my design plans. I think it's good that Gu Zhicheng chose to leave my shop."

Shandong cuisine needs chefs who dare to innovate and forge their own path, instead of simply following tradition and imitating us.

Grandpa Situ: "Zhengming is becoming more and more like a grandmaster. I heard from Youyou that you didn't try to suppress Gu Zhicheng."

Feng Zhengming: "He is not my apprentice. He followed me back then, and we were partners. Now let him go and walk his own path."

Hearing Feng Zhengming say this, his whole family was very supportive of him.

Back home, Feng Zhengming didn't go out that evening; he stayed home to cook for his family.

In the evening, my third uncle and sister also came to my grandfather's house for dinner.

My second aunt's cousin, Zhang Hongwei, also returned home after finishing his summer job, and he came to our house for dinner that evening.

The whole family was very happy and harmonious.

I stayed at my grandfather's house for a few more days, and summer vacation was almost over.

Accompanied by his second aunt and mother-in-law, Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing took their child back to Shanghai.

Feng Zhengming originally wanted to persuade his two grandfathers to go together.

But the two grandfathers did not want to go to Shanghai again.

Feng Zhengming also respected the wishes of his two grandfathers and planned to invite them to Beijing for a period of time after Yanxilou Restaurant in the capital reopened.

Back in Shanghai, Feng Zhengming had been away from the city for more than half a month.

The stores in Shanghai are maintaining a stable situation.

Xia Hui's restaurant in the old-style house has also won the recognition of many gourmets.

Through their collaboration with Xia Hui, Fu Jun and Cai Tao realized that they did indeed have many shortcomings.

They can execute the menus designed by Feng Zhengming very well, but when faced with customers who need something creative, they often can't come up with anything better.

Xia Hui is different; she can still come up with some good new dishes.

While it can't quite compare to its master yet, it certainly surprises guests with its originality.

Therefore, during Feng Zhengming's absence from Shanghai, Xia Hui not only did not cause the reputation of the Old House Restaurant to decline, but also attracted many young people to the Old House Restaurant.

Upon learning this, Feng Zhengming smiled and affirmed Xia Hui's assessment.

"Very good, you have not disappointed your master. I know you can do even better."

Xia Hui smiled as she received her master's approval.

"Thank you, Master, for giving me this opportunity. I've found that sometimes pressure is necessary. Pressure helps me perform better and helps me understand things that I couldn't figure out before."

Feng Zhengming laughed upon hearing this: "It seems like I'm not putting enough pressure on you."

Xia Hui: "Master, could you try putting some more pressure on me?"

Feng Zhengming: "There's no rush. Maybe next year or the year after. You'll need to help me stay in Shanghai for a year while I go to Beijing to run the reopened Yanxilou restaurant well."

Xia Hui said earnestly, "Don't worry, Master, I will definitely do my best."

Feng Zhengming: "I'll transfer Sun Hai over here to help you, and then you two can work together to build a great career in Shanghai."

Xia Hui blushed slightly upon hearing this: "Is he not quite there anymore?"

Feng Zhengming: "Hahaha, why don't you like him anymore?"

Xia Hui: "It's not that I look down on him, it's that he told me himself that he found it quite difficult to manage a restaurant at Huiquanlou, so I told him that he had to uphold the reputation of the establishment."

Feng Zhengming laughed again: "Hahaha, that's right, he has to keep up appearances."

Xia Hui thought for a moment and then asked, "Master, what about my younger brother?"

Feng Zhengming: "I also went to see your brother. We're preparing to have him set up a restaurant."

Xia Hui: "Can he... can he do it?"

Feng Zhengming: "It should be possible. People always need to grow. If he wants to go back and take over your family's Shili Restaurant, he will definitely need to learn how to manage the kitchen first. Let him try opening a restaurant first."

Xia Hui nodded: "Thank you, Master."

Feng Zhengming: "No need to thank me. You've already followed me. Your younger brother will definitely have to go back home and uphold the reputation of your Xia family."

Xia Hui smiled: "I hope he can do it."

After affirming Xia Hui's abilities, Feng Zhengming offered some words of comfort to Fu Jun and Cai Tao.

"Don't think that you are inferior to Xia Hui, a woman. After all, she is my apprentice and has been with me for many years, so what she has learned is more advanced than what you have learned."

You two need to learn, observe, think, and practice more in the future. There are many things that require careful attention.

Fu Jun and Cai Tao nodded earnestly: "Junior Uncle, we've got it."

The two then remarked that Xia Hui had indeed taught them a lesson in Shanghai after Feng Zhengming's departure.

"Senior Sister Xia is really amazing. We used to have it too easy working under Junior Uncle."

"That's right, we've always followed your instructions, Junior Uncle, but when we encountered some issues that caused problems with the design, we didn't know what to do."

Feng Zhengming: "It's good to have experienced it. You'll grow by experiencing all sorts of situations."

Previously, Fu Jun and Cai Tao had been thinking that once Yanxilou reopened in the capital, they would go there to follow their master.

After this experience, they realized their shortcomings and abandoned their idea of ​​going to Yanxilou in the capital.

Both of them decided to stay in Shanghai and learn more from their junior apprentice, Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming returned to Shanghai, just as the summer vacation was coming to an end.

With his daughter starting preschool, Feng Zhengming also began to make some personnel adjustments to his stores in Shanghai.

He needs to select some people who are experienced and skilled enough.

Since we're going to reopen Yanxi Tower in the capital, we must use the best people available. (End of Chapter)