1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 165 This is a god-like figure! (5.4k long chapter)

All the chefs from the Kong school shared the same sentiment at this moment.

I was shocked beyond belief.

While they were still excited and conflicted about how to arrange seating for a group photo and whether their names would appear in an interview.

Zhou Yan is already on a magazine cover?!
And he was even featured in this issue's exclusive interview? A one-man interview!
even……

Editor-in-Chief He is still scheduling another interview with him?
Everyone's minds were buzzing; they were filled with shock and bewilderment.

No, why?

They acknowledged Zhou Yan's exceptional talent and how he cooked the stir-fried pig liver to perfection.

But he only studied cooking for two and a half years, right?
These seasoned veterans who have been working in the kitchen for two or three decades all feel that they are not qualified enough and need to continue working.

Zheng Qiang's eyebrows were all furrowed together. They were clearly dreaming of getting a group photo when they arrived, but Zhou Yan secretly went and got on the cover by herself?
We're all supposed to be his grand-disciples, so why did you fly away?!
Zhou Yan was a little embarrassed and carefully explained, "Editor-in-Chief He ate at my restaurant last time and was quite interested in the Qiaojiao Beef that has been passed down in Zhoucun, so he did an interview. It was my first time, so I didn't know much about it. Of course, it can't compare to a big topic like the inheritance of the Confucian school."

Everyone nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this. Zhou Yan's explanation made them feel much better.

It seems that Zhou Yan was indeed chosen just in time.

Otherwise it would seem like they've wasted their lives.

"Comrade Zhou Yan, you're being too modest!" He Zhiyuan shook his head repeatedly and raised his voice a few decibels, saying, "You've successfully replicated and passed down the recipe for Qiaojiao Beef. The soup is delicious and flavorful, and it even has medicinal properties!"

Beyond its delicious taste, this dish is imbued with a sense of historical weight and mission. I believe it has the potential to become a renowned dish of Jiaozhou, and even exert a far-reaching influence.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked surprised.

Even Kong Qingfeng stood up from his armchair.

The fact that a dish can be replicated from a recipe and received high praise from a gourmet like He Zhiyuan speaks volumes about its quality!
What does this mean?
Zhou Yan's appearance on the magazine cover and in an exclusive interview are considered well-deserved by the editorial department of Sichuan Cuisine magazine, who also believe it will have a profound impact.

Amidst the shock, everyone was mostly overjoyed!

The fact that the Confucius School has produced such a talented young man is a blessing for the school; everyone can understand this principle once they think about it.

Li Liangcai and Qin Kun stood aside watching the spectacle, their expressions slightly complicated, their eyes filled with envy.

Who wouldn't envy such a disciple? He brings such honor to the school!

Thinking of his own rebellious son, who had never brought him any honor but was certainly adept at embarrassing him, he grew angrier and angrier, wishing he could go home right now and give him a beating.

"Truly a genius disciple of our Kong School!" Kong Qingfeng said with a gratified smile, "Come, Zhou Yan, you sit in the middle!"

Zhou Yan glanced at the armchair and was dumbfounded.

No! Grandmaster Uncle, don't flatter me to death!
"No, no, Uncle-Master, how can Zhou Yan sit in this seat?" Xiao Lei quickly said.

“I can sit here, and so can Zhou Yan!” Kong Qingfeng waved his hand and said seriously, “In our Kong school, we speak with ability. Zhou Yan is on the cover of Sichuan Cuisine magazine, which is an honor for our Kong school. He should sit here, and I will stand to the side.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lei looked at Zhou Yan with a hint of helplessness: "Teacher Zhou, what do you mean?"

"Grandmaster Uncle, please spare him. How about this, I'll stand next to you." Zhou Yan quickly came over and helped Kong Qingfeng sit back down.

"Okay." Kong Qingfeng nodded and said to Xiao Lei, who was standing next to him, "Shitou, you stand next to Zhou Yan."

Xiao Lei glanced at Zhou Yan, a slight smile playing on his lips, and nodded, saying, "Okay."

The positions were arranged immediately. Kong Guoqing stood on the other side of Kong Qingfeng, and the other fellow disciples were arranged according to their order of entry into the sect.

Three long benches were placed in the second row, and a group of disciples and grand-disciples stood in the second row.

Kong Liwei kept the fish in the fish tank and even found a towel to wipe his face. When he came out, he saw Zhou Yan and a group of senior uncles standing in the first row, next to the master, with his master, Uncle Xiao Lei, standing next to him. His eyes widened immediately.

Is this some new location?
Kong Liwei scratched his head, looked at Kong Guodong standing on the other side of the advisor, and asked hesitantly, "Master, should I also stand between the advisor and you?"

"Get the hell out of here. You can stand in the back row, there's a spot reserved for you." Kong Guodong rolled his eyes at him.

A lowly errand boy from a sect wants to be treated like a genius?
Now that Zhou Yan is standing here, it makes them seem more valuable.

Kong Liwei, looking hurt, ran to the back corner and whispered to Zheng Qiang beside him, "Senior Brother Zheng, does being handsome give you the right to stand in the front row?"

“That’s right, that’s how it is.” Zheng Qiang nodded with a smile, slightly raising his chin to show off his round face, feeling very proud.

This is their Huaifeng's genius junior brother!

"Come on, look at me, with a smile on my face, one, two, three!"

"Crack!"

As the shutter clicked, the smiles on everyone's faces were captured.

“Okay, I’ll wash them and send them to the training base later. You can pick them up from Master Kong’s place later.” He Zhiyuan said, putting away his camera.

"Xiao He, thank you for your hard work." Kong Qingfeng came over and shook hands with He Zhiyuan.

"Master Kong, we've known each other for over twenty years, why be so polite?" He Zhiyuan said with a smile.

On the other side, a group of second-generation disciples of the Kong school had surrounded Zhou Yantuan, exclaiming in amazement.

"Wow! This cover photo looks amazing! Zhou Yan, is this the beef soup you made?"

"What beef soup? Editor-in-Chief He said it's 'Qiaojiao Beef'!"

"The interview also included solo photos, and he looks incredibly handsome in them!"

"Two pages all to myself! That's incredibly prestigious!"

"It won't be on sale until tomorrow, I'll definitely go to the newspaper office and buy a few copies. You can sign them for me then, I'll brag about it when I get back to the store."

Zhou Yan first put the photos in the envelope away separately. Faced with the enthusiastic senior brothers and sisters, he was really overwhelmed and could only smile and nod in agreement.

"What cover? What interview? What did I miss?" Kong Liwei looked bewildered at Zhou Yan, who was surrounded by people and had become the group's darling, and had no idea what was going on.

“Junior Brother Zhou Yan was featured in the latest issue of Sichuan Cuisine magazine, and the cover of this issue features a dish he made,” Zheng Qiang explained to him. “Our Kong School has gained a genius.”

Kong Liwei's eyes nearly popped out of his head. It took him a while to process this explosive information. He exclaimed in shock, "Wow! Two and a half years of culinary training, and he's on the cover of 'Sichuan Cuisine' magazine!"

"This isn't just a genius, this is a deity!"

He Zhiyuan put the camera away and waited patiently to the side.

Look at the enthusiasm of these disciples of the Kong school; the Sichuan Cuisine magazine in Jiaozhou will probably be sold out tomorrow.

This all contributes to their magazine sales.

After everyone finished chatting, He Zhiyuan and Zhou Yan went into the courtyard and found a quiet corner to discuss the interview they would be doing tomorrow.

“I’m sorry, Editor-in-Chief He, I really can’t disclose the recipe for this braising liquid, because it’s a recipe passed down from my grandmother.” Zhou Yan shook his head firmly.

"I see..." Although He Zhiyuan had expected it, he was still somewhat disappointed.

I thought that Zhou Yan would be encouraged after hearing the story of his master's generous sharing of his skills, and would also reveal his secret recipe for braised food.

If that's the case, then the interview with the braised pork isn't very in-depth.

Zhou Yan hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Moreover, I don't think I'm qualified to be interviewed about braised food. In comparison, my grandmother, Zhang Shufen, is the true inheritor of Zhang's braised food."

She started selling braised meat during the Republic of China era, and Zhang's Braised Food became a taste memory of Suji and even Jiaozhou. She single-handedly raised five sons with just one braised meat stall.

That my grandfather could fight against the Japanese and Americans on the front lines and ultimately sacrifice his life for the country.

Her braised dishes bear witness to China's journey through turmoil and to that era; her story is far more profound than mine.

Why don't you give it a try? I've even come up with a title for you: Shocking! This woman actually made a living with a pot of braised pork!

Upon hearing this, He Zhiyuan's eyes gradually lit up, and he clapped his hands, saying, "The inheritance of braised food! Women hold up half the sky! The spirit of sacrifice of the Sichuan Army! Great! It has all the essential elements!"

As an associate editor, he has a very keen sense for content.

After Zhou Yan said that, he already had a general idea of ​​the article's outline in his mind.

"Comrade Zhou Yan, you are truly a genius!" He Zhiyuan looked at Zhou Yan with eyes full of admiration. "If it weren't for your truly delicious cooking and your overflowing talent, I would definitely invite you to work in the editorial department of a magazine! Your articles must also be excellent, and brilliantly written!"

"Editor-in-Chief He, you flatter me. I can't write articles," Zhou Yan said with a smile, waving her hand.

Seriously speaking, he wrote all the video scripts himself. The Shocking News scripts are outdated, but they are catchy and simple.

He Zhiyuan said, "Then I'll trouble you to go back and talk to the old lady first, and see if she's willing to accept an exclusive interview with our magazine. I can't guarantee that it will be published right now, because this is a rather last-minute addition, and the editorial department needs to discuss it before making a decision."

“I understand, anyway, the old lady won’t care.” Zhou Yan nodded.

The old lady didn't care, but he did. He wanted everyone to know about Zhang's Braised Food and Comrade Zhang Shufen!
Let's just say it was his personal motive.

Perhaps many years later, someone will flip to an old magazine, read the story of old lady Zhang Shufen, and still remember her name.

That would be great.

Dinner was even more lavish than lunch.

Zhou Yan, the newly crowned Confucian saint, was forced to cook a dish of crucian carp with minced pork and minced beef with double peppers, which received unanimous praise.

After the other senior brothers finished eating, their gazes towards him became clear.

"Senior Brother Zheng, did Junior Brother Zhou really only study for two and a half years? Didn't he start learning when he was two and a half years old?" Kong Liwei mixed a bowl of rice with minced beef and asked Zheng Qiang.

Aside from envy, all that's left is admiration.

Zhou Yan was engrossed in slurping braised yellow catfish.

A very good braised yellow catfish dish.

Kong Qingfeng personally cooked the yellow catfish, and it tasted absolutely amazing!

Zhou Yan believes that although the evaluation is extremely good, it should be infinitely close to perfection.

The numbing spiciness is complemented by the tangy aroma of pickled peppers and sauerkraut, creating a complex flavor that perfectly permeates the tender yellow catfish.

Wild yellow catfish, choose those about one and a half fingers in size, with almost only one main bone. The fish meat is tender and melts in your mouth, incredibly delicious.

Zhou Yan glanced at He Zhiyuan, who was also diligently slurping up yellow spicy catfish, and couldn't help but give him a thumbs up in her mind.

Editor-in-Chief He is a connoisseur of food and knows exactly what to order.

After dinner, before it got dark, Zhou Yan, Xiao Lei, and Zheng Qiang said goodbye and rode their bicycles back to Suji.

"Professor Zhou, you're having another interview tomorrow?" Xiao Lei asked Zhou Yan, who was walking beside him, on the way back.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qiang stomped his feet a few times and followed from the side. Together with Xiao Lei, they flanked Zhou Yan on either side. Zheng Qiang said with some worry, "Teacher Zhou, we have a banquet to prepare for tomorrow. Could we postpone it for two days?"

Zhou Yan saw the determination to be featured in the magazine on their faces and said with a hint of helplessness, "Editor-in-Chief He just discussed it with me and felt that I couldn't handle a second interview, so it was canceled."

"cancelled?"

"Pity!"

Xiao Lei and Zheng Qiang both looked regretful upon hearing this.

Being featured in Sichuan Cuisine magazine is such a prestigious thing; if you can be featured twice in a row, you'll become famous in the culinary world.

Zhou Yan explained, "Editor-in-Chief He wanted to do an interview on the inheritance of braised food, so I recommended my grandmother to him. He might interview her, but it might not be published in the end."

Xiao Lei nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this, saying, "If it's a special interview about braised food, Zhang's braised food would indeed be more representative. It's a true memory of Jiaozhou flavors, and Grandma Zhang is definitely worth writing about."

At this point, Xiao Lei and Zheng Qiang stopped mentioning the magazine.

The inheritance of Zhang's braised food may ultimately be inseparable from Zhou Yan, but that is a family tradition, and their interference makes them seem ignorant.

"Master, will you teach me how to make braised yellow catfish later? How well did you master the braised yellow catfish that my grandmaster made today?" Zhou Yan changed the subject, looking at Xiao Lei with expectant eyes.

"It's about 80 or 90% good, but compared to your grandmaster, there's bound to be a slight gap. To be honest, your grandmaster's braised yellow catfish tastes even better." Xiao Lei said confidently, "If you want to learn, I'll teach you later. If you learn this dish, your restaurant will have a real signature dish."

“Learn! Learn how to make braised yellow catfish!” Zhou Yan nodded immediately.

Master is wonderful, Master is amazing! Having the support of our sect is truly top-notch!

Upon reaching Suji Bridge, the three parted ways and went home.

When Zhou Yan rode his old bicycle back to the hotel, it was already getting dark.

A light was on at the entrance of the restaurant. Aunt Zhao was reclining in a chair telling a story, and Zhou Momo was sitting on her lap, listening with great interest.

Comrade Zhou moved a small stool and sat down next to him, watching with a smile on his face.

Hearing the noise, the little guy turned around, saw that it was Zhou Yan returning, and his eyes lit up immediately. He grabbed Aunt Zhao's leg and slid down, then hopped and skipped towards Zhou Yan, calling out in his childish voice, "Brother! Brother! You're back! I'm starving!"

Zhou Yan squeezed the brakes to stop the car, looked down at Zhou Momo who was pouting and looking aggrieved, and smiled, "Mommy would never let you go hungry?"

"Don't you dare tell anyone, I've made sure you're well-fed for all three meals," Zhao Tieying said with a smile, sitting up.

Zhou Momo bit her lip, then moved closer to Zhou Yan and whispered, "Mom's cooking isn't very good. I only ate one bowl of rice. I'm starving."

Zhou Yan smiled upon hearing this, got off the bike, and pushed it inside. "How about I make you an egg pancake?"

"Okay!" Zhou Momo followed him in excitedly. "My boyfriend is the best!"

"Just keep indulging her," Zhao Tieying said, shaking her head with a hint of helplessness.

"Mom, do you want some?" Zhou Yan asked.

"I'm not eating, I'm full," Aunt Zhao shook her head.

"Old man, what about you?" Zhou Yan looked at Old Zhou sitting to the side.

Comrade Zhou hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Give me one too."

"What? You're going to go hungry three times a day if you follow me?" Aunt Zhao glanced at him sideways.

"How could that be! Today is the most comfortable and satisfying meal I've had in a long time!" Comrade Zhou quickly sat up straight, practically wearing the words 'loyalty! sincerity!' on his face.

"I just wanted to criticize Zhou Yan's egg pancakes. After all, he's never made them before, so I think there must be some flaws in his technique."

Aunt Zhao couldn't help but laugh: "Eat if you want, I won't stop you."

"Okay, I'll fry one for you too." Zhou Yan replied with a smile. After parking the car, he changed his leather shoes, went into the kitchen to wash his hands, and then mixed a spoonful of flour, three spoonfuls of water, and three eggs in one direction to make a batter.

I looked at the shelf and found only two scallions left. I chopped the white part of the scallions into small pieces, added them to the batter, added a little salt, stirred well, and set them aside.

Aunt Zhao had already followed them into the kitchen, watching from the side with her hands behind her back. She couldn't help but ask, "You're adding three eggs to your pancakes? And how much water did you add?"

"Add one level spoonful of flour to three level spoonfuls of water, then crack in three eggs. If you have scallions, add some, and a little salt. That'll give the pancakes flavor," Zhou Yan said with a smile. Instead of using the main stove, he lit a small stove next to him and took a long-unused iron pot from the pot rack.

"Why not use a big pot to fry it?" Aunt Zhao asked again.

"A smaller pan is more flexible and controllable, allowing you to spread the pancakes evenly and flip them more easily," Zhou Yan explained with a smile, first using lard to re-season the iron pan that hadn't been used for a long time.

There was only one piece of firewood under the stove, and the fire gradually became stable.

No need to add extra oil to the pan, as there will be a layer of oil on the surface after the pan has been heated. Scoop a spoonful of batter into the pan, and use a towel wrapped around the pan handle in your left hand to move it up and down slowly. The batter will immediately spread evenly and begin to solidify quickly.

Once the batter had solidified, Zhou Yan gently shook the iron pan, causing the pancakes to sway slightly inside, and the aroma of eggs and wheat began to waft out.

"Huh? Why isn't it sticky at all!" Aunt Zhao subconsciously took a step forward and exclaimed in surprise.

"If the pan is heated properly, it won't stick," Zhou Yan explained with a smile. He gently shook the pan handle, and the egg pancake in the pan flipped in an arc before falling back into the pan, but it had already been successfully flipped over.

The bottom side was fried to a golden brown, sizzling with oil, and dotted with scallion whites, making it look delicious.

"Wow! You're so amazing!" Zhou Momo exclaimed, clapping her hands as she watched the egg pancake fly up and fall back into the pan. "The pancake flew up!"

The ultimate cheerleader, providing plenty of emotional value.

"Wait a minute, here's your first egg pancake." Zhou Yan said with a smile, gently shaking the iron pan in his hand. After a while, the pan was flipped, the egg pancake flew up, and a plate was handed in just in time to catch it steadily.

A golden-brown egg pancake is ready!

"Gulu."

The three people in the kitchen swallowed hard at the same time.

"Thank you, bro!" Zhou Momo accepted the plate with both hands and said sincerely, "I will always love you!"

Add some oil to the pot, and Zhou Yan made three more in the same way, serving them on two plates.

He handed two of the contents to Comrade Zhou and one to Aunt Zhao, saying with a smile, "Mom, you should also offer your critique, so that my criticism won't be unfair."

“Alright, then I’ll give my critique too.” Zhao Tieying smiled as she took the plate, then pulled out two pairs of chopsticks from the side and looked at him, asking, “Have you had dinner yet? You should have one too, your old man doesn’t need to eat two.”

"I'm very full. My grandmaster personally cooked the yellow catfish, and it tasted absolutely delicious." Zhou Yan shook his head with a smile.

"The egg pancakes are so delicious!" Zhou Momo, who was engrossed in eating her pancakes, looked up at her father with shining eyes: "Dad, I can have two!!"

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(End of this chapter)