Chapter 386 - 198: You’d Do That to Your Own Senior Brother?

Chapter 386: Chapter 198: You’d Do That to Your Own Senior Brother?

Besides, who knew when the issue about the Kong Sect would even be published? And it certainly wouldn’t have the prestige of a cover feature.

Having such a martial nephew and junior martial brother was a great source of pride.

The sect elders and brothers who had missed the last gathering and hadn’t met Zhou Yan were even more curious about him. ’A twenty-year-old who’s been cooking for less than three years is already on a magazine cover?’

The culinary trade was one of diligence, and it had never been one to believe in genius.

No matter how talented someone was, they still had to start with the fundamentals of Knife Skills and Sword Technique. Shredding and slicing were all a matter of practice, and mastering seasoning and Fire Control required long periods of trial and error.

But if a true genius were to appear, everyone hoped it would be from the Kong Sect. If that genius was their own disciple, that would be even better.

Today, Zhou Yan was wearing the corduroy jacket Mrs. Zhao had custom-made for him, a white cotton-linen shirt, and a pair of dress slacks. Since he’d be working, he wasn’t wearing leather shoes but a new pair of canvas ’liberation’ shoes. He looked sharp and handsome.

Even those who had never met Zhou Yan recognized him from his picture in the magazine.

Zhou Yan squeezed his brakes and stopped his bicycle in front of everyone. He smiled and greeted them, "Senior Uncles, Junior Uncles, and Brothers, you’re all here so early!"

Zhou Momo piped up in her sweet, childish voice, "Hello, Uncles and Big Brothers!"

Only then did everyone notice the little one sitting on the crossbar of Zhou Yan’s bike. She wore a small leather jacket, her hair was in two little pigtails, and she had tiger-head shoes on her feet. With her chubby cheeks and delicate features, she was as adorable as a porcelain doll, and her voice was just as soft.

Absolutely adorable!

"Aww!"

"Hello there, little one."

Everyone replied with a smile.

"This is my sister, and my parents are right behind me," Zhou Yan explained with a smile. "We were invited by Mr. Qian to the thank-you banquet today." He made sure to mention Qian Siyuan’s invitation so no one would think he was just dragging his family along to freeload. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

"Don’t just stand around chatting! Get over here and help me unload this braised meat, then get to chopping!" Xiao Lei walked over, smiling as he gave the order.

With a chorus of agreement, a group of fourth-generation disciples came forward to help unload the large baskets, carrying them aside to begin the prep work.

There were many chefs today, and Xiao Lei was in charge of all of them.

He’d been organizing outdoor banquets for a month, but he’d never fought a battle this well-staffed.

Zhou Yan had come prepared for him and Comrade Zhou to lend a hand, but now it seemed there was no room for them at all.

Mrs. Zhao took Zhou Momo aside to get some candy. After parking the bicycle, Zhou Yan and Comrade Zhou returned to the cooking area.

"Cut half and save half! We need this braised meat for the evening meal! The pork jowl and beef should be sliced to the thickness of a copper coin, and the ear slices must be thin..." Master Xiao’s orders to the crowd were strict and clear.

"Got it!" the young disciples all replied.

A slightly plump, middle-aged man with a head of thick, curly black hair and wearing a chef’s uniform approached him. His square face was all smiles. "You’re Zhou Yan, right? I’m Xu Yunliang."

"Senior-most Uncle, I’m Zhou Yan. It’s a pleasure to meet you," Zhou Yan said, quickly shaking his hand.

’This was his first time meeting Xu Yunliang, his senior-most uncle. He looked a bit like Zheng Qiang and seemed quite friendly.’

"Truly young and promising," Xu Yunliang said, looking at him with admiration. "Only twenty years old and you’ve already gotten a solo feature in *Sichuan Cuisine*, with your dish on the cover. That takes some serious skill."

"You’re too kind, Senior Uncle. I was just lucky," Zhou Yan said quickly.

"A chef’s dishes are a matter of true skill. If it’s delicious, it’s delicious. Luck has nothing to do with it," Xu Yunliang chuckled. "No need to be so modest. I’m thrilled you’re in the magazine—it’s an honor for our Kong Sect." He then glanced at the busy Xiao Lei, his tone taking on a playfully sour edge:

"It’s just that master of yours—he’s something else. Writing a letter would have been one thing, but he actually mailed me a copy of *Sichuan Cuisine*. As if he was afraid I’d miss it, he stuck a bookmark on your feature page. It was cut from a wine box and was half as thick as the magazine itself. He’s milked this for all it’s worth!"

The corners of Zhou Yan’s mouth twitched. He could just imagine his master’s smug expression as he shoved that piece of wine box into the magazine. ’He really is milking this for all it’s worth.’

’And he did that to his own senior sect brother?’

Xu Yunliang looked at him again and asked, "Your master said he’s busy with the banquet today and that you’d be making a dish in his place. What are you planning to prepare?"

"I’m preparing to make Snowflake Chicken Porridge," Zhou Yan replied.