The Reviled God of Cooking Tries to Slack Off - Chapter 23

He was sure of this.

So the current situation must have been just a small accident. How could a person suddenly change completely?

Lu Baiyu’s mood improved significantly. For once, he was in the right frame of mind to make a call, and while on the phone, he glanced around the place where Jiang Tingzhou lived. The house was simply too small. Though it was cleaned thoroughly, it was still far too shabby.

In his opinion, Jiang Tingzhou shouldn’t live in such a place for long. Sooner or later, he would move back to his own home—how could anyone live like this?

The only bright spot here was the spoon medal Jiang Tingzhou brought back, hanging on the wall next to the sofa in the living room.

Lu Baiyu remembered the medal and how happy Jiang Tingzhou was when he won it. Naturally, he also remembered clearly what happened that night after Jiang Tingzhou showed him the award.

When he suddenly resigned from the Jiang family restaurant, he didn’t take much else—but he made sure to bring this with him.

In fact, it wasn’t even his only award, nor the most prestigious in the industry. He had several certificates and other accolades he didn’t bother to pack, which just showed how meaningful this one was to him.

As if it proved something.

On the phone, Lu Baiyu told Qin Rushuang what had just happened. Jiang You came with people, looking aggressive—completely unlike his usual well-behaved self.

Qin Rushuang was surprised to hear this and quickly explained with a slightly angry tone, “The Jiang family really can’t do things properly. They’re more trouble than help. I just ask them to bring people back safely and to give Tingzhou more compensation. Jiang You used to be sensible, so why is he so foolish this time?”

Lu Baiyu said, “I will handle Tingzhou’s affairs. He has just recovered from his illness and needs time to rest. The Jiang family shouldn’t come again. It’s not their place to take care of him anymore.”

Thinking about it, he even felt this whole incident might not be such a bad thing.

The Jiang family’s restaurant took up too much of Jiang Tingzhou’s energy before, and Jiang Tingzhou was stubborn. Besides living at Brilliant Star, he refused other help, saying he had to prove himself with his own ability and couldn’t always rely on others.

Lu Baiyu thought there was nothing wrong with relying on him, but he couldn’t do anything about this stubbornness.

Now, suddenly, Jiang Tingzhou resigned so decisively, cut all ties with the Jiang family. Once he calmed down, it was only natural that he would move in with him and settle down there peacefully.

Lu Baiyu thought this way before. But since Jiang Tingzhou was the biological son of the Jiang family, he couldn’t openly snatch him away. But now, this opportunity fell into his lap.

Before the last board meeting, Qin Rushuang didn’t think much of Jiang Tingzhou. But now she saw it differently. Upon hearing this, she understood the implications and replied, “Yes, if he only fiddles with food, it would be a waste of talent. It would be good for him to help the Lu family in the future.”

At this moment, Jiang Tingzhou was busy in the kitchen and had no time to care about what was happening outside. He didn’t even know that in just a few words, the people in the living room already planned out his future.

An Xiaoping helped him cut vegetables, looking at the grouper Jiang Tingzhou was holding. The fatty meat from the fish’s belly was sliced thick, ready to be steamed, while the bones, head, and a small part of the body were used for a rich soup.

He was meticulous, and just cooking this fish alone took a long time.

An Xiaoping asked, “Why don’t we just steam the whole fish? We’re eating ourselves; why bother with so much trouble? And there’s chicken soup too, right? No need to make fish soup separately.”

Not only that, but there were several other dishes Jiang Tingzhou cooked by himself, fearing he might be too busy.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jiang Tingzhou said. “Okay, don’t block me. Go wash some fruit outside and ask Tian Hui and the others when they’ll come over after work.”

He was still used to cooking alone.

After An Xiaoping left, he almost bumped into Lu Baiyu, who had just finished a phone call.

“Well, don’t come in,” An Xiaoping said boldly. “My brother doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s cooking, especially with that fish—it’s very tricky.”

Lu Baiyu replied, “I know.”

His current attitude was completely different from before.

Because he overheard the conversation earlier, he knew exactly what Jiang Tingzhou was cooking.

Oriental grouper was delicious simply steamed, but now he was going to make one fish two ways. An Xiaoping didn’t understand why, but Lu Baiyu understood immediately.

Compared to steamed fish, Jiang Tingzhou preferred thick fish soup. Once when Lu Baiyu came back, he drank an extra bowl, and Jiang Tingzhou remembered this and often made it at home afterward.

Lu Baiyu’s preferences were always Jiang Tingzhou’s top priority.

Even though he already had chicken soup stewing, he still took the trouble to make fish soup. That said a lot.

Jiang Tingzhou was still the same Jiang Tingzhou. No matter how much he said he didn’t welcome Lu Baiyu, his heart was still soft.

Lu Baiyu looked at him and knew he hadn’t changed.

This time, Jiang Tingzhou left because he was still angry—partly because of how outrageous the Jiang family’s behavior was, and partly because Lu Baiyu wasn’t there.

He wouldn’t go back to the Jiang family anymore. With a little effort and patience, he would naturally come back to Lu Baiyu’s side.

An Xiaoping went outside to wash fruit and thought the grapes he bought were very sweet. Trying to be helpful, he passed Lu Baiyu with a plate of fruit and went into the kitchen to let Jiang Tingzhou try some.

Then he lowered his voice and said, “Tian Hui and her family will arrive in about an hour. Is President Lu really staying? We’re not that close with him—won’t it be awkward eating together?” He glanced secretly at Lu Baiyu and added, “I feel like his expression when he looks at you is different than before. It’s a bit strange.”

Jiang Tingzhou didn’t even turn his head. He just glanced at the clock on the wall and said, “Who cares what he does? He’ll definitely be gone in about half an hour. I’ve never been his top priority.”

He spoke calmly, obviously very sure of this.

An Xiaoping remained skeptical, but then Lu Baiyu’s phone rang several more times. Secretary Song repeatedly reminded him about his scheduled event.

“This banquet is very important. Several leaders are there, and they’re already waiting. You really can’t miss it,” she said, lowering her voice slightly. “Don’t worry, nothing will happen to Young Master Jiang. I’ll find someone to watch over him. No one from the Jiang family will bother him. When you have time later, you can come pick him up.”

Lu Baiyu said, “Got it.”

It was almost dinner time. Jiang Tingzhou prepared the dishes just right and put them in the pot so everyone could eat while the food was steaming hot.

He was focused entirely on the kitchen. When Lu Baiyu spoke behind him, he was startled.

Lu Baiyu wanted to hug him from behind like before, but Jiang Tingzhou dodged.

“Don’t touch me,” he said, still holding the kitchen knife raised. “President Lu, we’re broken up. I’ve said this many times.”

He said it again, and Lu Baiyu felt a little helpless but stepped back.

“Tingzhou, if you like a quiet place with mountains and rivers now and don’t want to go back to the Brilliant Star, I’ll buy you a piece of land where you want and have someone find a suitable plot for you to choose.” He sighed. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll give it to you as long as it makes you happy.”

“No, I have my own land. The land you’re standing on now is mine. What’s wrong with this kind of place? Don’t come to me again in the future. I’m really happy here.” Jiang Tingzhou looked at him and continued, “Lu Baiyu, don’t think you know me so well.”

When he said this, there was something in his eyes that no one could understand.

Lu Baiyu wanted to say more, but something flashed through his mind—and slipped away. Secretary Song’s phone rang, and she urged him again.

That day’s social event was very important to the Lu Corporation. They would have time to talk more later.

“You were discharged from the hospital not long ago. You should rest for a while,” Lu Baiyu said. “Tingzhou, once you’ve gone back to being your old self again we’ll have a proper talk.”

Jiang Tingzhou said, “Get lost.”

To him, Lu Baiyu’s visit was just an annoying little interlude. As soon as he turned his head, he forgot about him and focused all his attention on preparing the food.

Soon after, Tian Hui and her family arrived. As soon as they stepped inside, they apologized for being late. Their lively entrance quickly dispelled the previous atmosphere.

“Sorry, we get delayed right before heading out—sorry we’re late,” she said. “Brother Jiang, what are you making? It smells amazing!”

Aunt Tian and Uncle Tian followed, carrying housewarming gifts, especially cold dishes for that night’s meal. “This cold beef is especially delicious. Come on, get a plate from the kitchen and put it out.”

After the cold dishes were served, Jiang Tingzhou brought out his first hot dish—a crispy and flavorful eggplant.

“Xiaoping, the soup is ready. Bring it out from the kitchen,” he said. “There are a few more dishes coming. Everyone, eat this first; it won’t taste good if it gets cold.”

Tian Hui was surprised to see the eggplant. “Brother Jiang, how do you know I’ve been wanting to eat flavored eggplant recently?”

Jiang Tingzhou smiled. “I ask you before what dishes you want to order, but you are polite and say the host will decide. So I check your social circle to see what you like.”

More than half a month earlier, Tian Hui posted about having an oral ulcer. She had dinner with a friend where there was delicious flavored eggplant, but to avoid making the ulcer worse, she could only eat a few bites carefully.

Jiang Tingzhou didn’t know what she liked to eat, so he looked through her posts and saw this. To make up for it, he specially picked fresh eggplants that morning.

“Brother Jiang, you’re so thoughtful!”

After serving the cold dishes and appetizers, Tian Hui noticed the chicken soup and fish soup and felt curious. Like An Xiaoping, she asked why there were two soups.

“I make the fish soup for Aunt Tian and Uncle Tian. Last time I visited your house, I saw they both take Chinese medicine. I add some herbs to the old turkey soup; it’s very nourishing. It’s suitable for young people like you to drink. The herbs in the chicken soup might conflict with Aunt and Uncle’s medicine, but this fish soup won’t,” Jiang Tingzhou explained. “Try it.”

Even though they were familiar, he still treated them with the precision and care due to honored guests.

After some soup, more dishes arrived: steamed East Star grouper, then stir-fried crab and shrimp à la Typhoon Shelter style—Xiaoping’s favorite, served in a big heaping plate.

“This dish has a special name; it’s called Jinyumantang (Abundant Wealth),” Jiang Tingzhou said. “Next is vegetables in oyster sauce—‘Prosperity and Fortune.’”

He was quite intentional with the names. The chicken soup and fish were already auspicious.

Tian Hui praised him: “Since this is a housewarming banquet—good omens are a must.”

Then came the dessert: sweet osmanthus rice balls in fermented glutinous rice soup—symbolizing completeness. The final dish was a bowl of noodles that looked more like a dish than a staple. The noodles had a faint pink hue and carried a hint of shrimp aroma—a seafood noodle soup.

An Xiaoping asked, “What is this? What does it mean?”

“This is called ‘Red Silk Tuotuo,’ a glutinous rice noodle, which is actually a type of ancient-style noodle I recreate,” Jiang Tingzhou said. “I knead shrimp meat into the dough. The color is very special and looks good.”

Tuotuo noodles dated back to the Tang and Song dynasties. That bowl was the real deal—a traditional “longevity noodles.”

He developed this recipe in his previous life. It was a staple dish in the “ancient food” banquet at the Gongyan restaurant, very popular and sold incredibly well. He made a lot for the guests.

Now, he made this bowl for himself.

If there was any hidden meaning, it was simply that he hoped he could live a little longer in this life—not die so early.

“This looks delicious,” An Xiaoping said loudly, raising his fresh-pressed juice. “Alright, let’s eat!”

That night, there were only five people, but Jiang Tingzhou made quite a lot of food—and somehow, in the end, they almost finished everything.

The housewarming banquet was lively. The Tian family was always talkative, but once they started eating, everyone focused on their food.

Jiang Tingzhou looked up and saw heads bowed, the only sound being the news broadcast on the TV in the living room.

Tian Hui, a reporter, prepared words of praise before coming, but once the food arrived, she forgot everything, her mind filled with this is so delicious, so good. Eat more. I’ll eat it all.

The flavored eggplant she posted about on her Moments was already delicious. Everyone at the table praised it. She ate a few pieces despite the ulcer pain, feeling happy. She kept thinking about it for a long time. It was a pity she ate it while on a business trip. Who knew she’d get to eat it again that day?

Not only was it delicious, it was better than what she had before. She couldn’t stop eating, as if poisoned by it. The shell was crispy, the inside juicy, and the ingredients special—not greasy at all.

Besides the eggplant, every dish on the table was delicious. Even the old-fashioned black chicken soup was different from what she had before.

This chicken soup wasn’t oily at all. The meat was tender from stewing. The steamed fish meat was especially soft. She liked the fish soup very much.

The chicken soup was clear and light, while the fish soup was mellow and rich. Two completely different soups, so it didn’t feel repetitive. Some tofu and bamboo shoots in the fish soup absorbed the flavor perfectly. The fried shrimp and crab were fragrant but would get greasy if eaten alone. A bite of tender fish soup bamboo shoots relieved the greasiness, then flavored eggplant, then fresh shrimp noodles—it balanced perfectly.

This was simply a perpetual motion machine for eating!

No wonder when Jiang Tingzhou was in the hospital, the store manager was so angry that he told Jiang Tingzhou to go back to cooking. Gongyan was outrageously expensive, yet packed with customers.

That flavor—Who wouldn’t miss that taste after eating it once?