In the 1970s, it started with contracting out communal dining.

The plate in front of me was filled with thinly sliced, glistening pork belly. After being steamed for a long time, the fat had softened and melted into oil, and the part connected to the skin had a perfect amber color.

The lean meat absorbed the oil and the savory aroma of the dried plum vegetables, making it tender and juicy.

In addition, the dark brown, glossy dried plum vegetables, soaked in meat juice, were laid at the bottom, making them look bright and tempting at first glance. They also had a unique aged aroma from sun-drying and fermentation, which whetted Yang Limin's appetite, who had not been home for a long time.

He reached out with his chopsticks, picked up a piece of meat with anticipation, and put it in his mouth—

The moment his teeth bit down, his movement abruptly stopped.

It was an indescribably soft and chewy texture; the skin was as bouncy as jelly, and it would break open with the slightest touch of your teeth, releasing a rich, gelatinous substance.

The fatty meat melts almost instantly in your mouth without feeling greasy at all. Instead, it has a warm and sweet aftertaste after being deeply moistened by the sauce, sliding down your throat like honey.

The lean meat is tender and delicate, with its fibers gently breaking between your teeth and releasing a rich meaty aroma.

The best part is the layer of dried plum vegetables at the bottom.

The savory and rich flavor, having absorbed the umami of the meat juices, is enhanced by long-term steaming over high heat, resulting in thick, soft, and tender leaves with a subtle chewiness.

Salty and savory, fatty and lean, soft and chewy, unfold layer by layer in the mouth, creating a complex and wonderfully combined taste.

With one bite, Yang Limin felt his esophagus instantly moisturized and soothed, as if he had returned to his distant hometown in that instant.

Instead of endless humiliation and unwarranted accusations from his elderly parents, he was greeted with a table full of hometown dishes and warm greetings from his neighbors.

Yang Limin involuntarily closed his eyes, recalling the years he had spent wandering in other places.

He injured his hand before becoming a chef and thought he would never be able to cook again, but God gave him this opportunity to organize this cooking competition.

Having spent half his life wandering, Yang Limin says he has no regrets, but his longing for his hometown has only grown stronger.

"The essence of Cantonese cuisine lies in preserving the original flavors, in the natural taste of the ingredients, and in not overshadowing or overstepping boundaries!"

This was a principle his master had taught him when he was diligently learning Cantonese cuisine, and it now resonated in his ears like a thunderclap.

Over the years, he had never truly understood the meaning of the original flavor of the ingredients. The dish in front of him perfectly embodied the concept of "original flavor".

There are no complicated seasonings; it simply avoids the shortcomings of each ingredient while bringing out its strengths to the fullest.

The chef was also adept at pairing ingredients, demonstrating that his knowledge of Cantonese cuisine was no less than his own.

"well……"

With a long sigh, Yang Limin slowly opened his eyes and looked at Chen Wei opposite him.

He remained silent for a while before slowly speaking.

"Young man, how old are you?"

"Nineteen," Chen Wei replied with a smile.

The next moment he saw Yang Limin look at him solemnly and ask in a slow voice.

"Have you become an apprentice?"

"Ah...this..."

Chen Wei was speechless for a moment. He couldn't say for sure whether he had become an apprentice or not, since he had already called Wang Defa his master last time.

And what does Yang Limin mean by this right now?

Should I inquire about who my master is?

No! This dish wasn't made with Wang Defa's instructions either. Could this old man have figured out his connection with Wang Defa?

"Forehead……"

While he was stammering, he heard Yang Limin on the other side suddenly beckon to his apprentice, who was in his thirties, behind him.

"Laixi, come here!"

The middle-aged man in white, whose name was called, quickly ran over: "Master, what's wrong?"

Then Yang Limin said, "Go to the back of our luggage and get the apprenticeship tea. Set it up. I want to take this young man as my apprentice."

Hey?

Was it decided unilaterally?

Isn't that a bit disrespectful to yourself?

Chen Wei hasn't agreed yet!

Upon hearing Yang Limin's words, the middle-aged man in white was also taken aback. He stared blankly at Chen Wei, then looked down at the dish in front of him.

He then looked up at Chen Wei with a look of sudden realization, and his expression showed more respect and admiration.

"Okay, I'll go get it right away, please wait a moment, sir!"

The middle-aged man named Lai Xi casually replied and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Chen Wei, sweating profusely, quickly stopped the master and apprentice's one-sided farce, realizing things were getting out of hand. "I haven't agreed to become their apprentice yet!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Limin and Lai happy, who had been beaming with pride, were immediately taken aback, their brows furrowing in unison.

"What? You think I'm not good enough?"

Before he could explain, Yang Limin blurted out a sarcastic remark.

Without even looking at the old man's expression, one could tell that what he had just said had definitely angered him.

Adhering to the principle of trying to cover up a lie even if it's impossible, Chen Wei quickly spoke up.

"No, that's not it. There's something I haven't told you yet. I was originally a Sichuan cuisine chef, specializing in spicy dishes. I only learned a Cantonese dish temporarily because of this competition assessment. Actually, I'm a complete novice when it comes to Cantonese cuisine."

Chen Wei deliberately introduced himself as a Sichuan cuisine chef, hoping that Yang Limin wouldn't force him to take on an apprentice now! Isn't Yang Limin most afraid of spicy food?

Little did Yang Limin know that these words would lead to a complete misunderstanding.

His brows were furrowed tightly as he stared intently at Chen Wei's face, seemingly trying to determine whether Chen Wei was telling the truth.

What does it mean to learn something on the spot? What does it mean to be a novice?

This dish is so exquisitely prepared, yet he still has the nerve to call himself a novice!

If he were truly an outsider, how could I possibly be interested in such a person and want to take him as a disciple!

It's probably just an excuse for not wanting to become my apprentice; he probably just thinks I'm a cripple.

Yang Limin subtly slipped his right hand behind his back, and at the same time, his expression instantly darkened.

Chen Wei could tell from his expression that he had misunderstood again, and he felt nervous and scratched his head, trying to prove himself.

So he quickly lifted the lid off another dish that was displayed in front of the stall.

"Chef Yang, the competition isn't over yet! Let's not talk about anything else right now. Please try my Sichuan dish—Mom's Pig Trotter Soup!"

"I never eat Sichuan food!" Yang Limin said with a gloomy face, refusing without even looking at the dish. "People from Guangdong can't handle spicy food, so I'm afraid I can't give this dish a score."

The meaning is quite clear: his Chenwei doesn't deserve any points for a second dish.

Without the score for a single dish, no matter how amazing his first dish was, he would never win.

Just as Yang Limin said those words, Chen Wei lifted the earthenware pot lid that had been covering the pig's trotter soup.

In that instant, a strong aroma wafted out of the earthenware pot, instantly filling Yang Limin's nostrils.