Chapter 795 - 713: Truly Somewhat Behind the Times

Speaking of it, couldn’t help but feel impressed: "Xiaofu, you’ve really made a name for yourself, even Liu Shaoxian speaks highly of you. Your future is limitless, kid!"

"But to be honest, I did misjudge Liu Shaoxian, haha!"

...

Leaving the music restaurant, Liu Shaoxian chuckled as he placed his hand on Yang Wenqiang’s shoulder, genuinely saying: "Old Yang, I really need to thank you for this!"

Yang Wenqiang breathed a sigh of relief at those words.

When he initially mentioned the music restaurant herbal cuisine banquet to Liu Shaoxian, he had a bit of a personal agenda, wanting to ride on Liu Shaoxian’s reputation and learn from the experience.

Yang Wenqiang’s impression of Fu Yu wasn’t deep, just thinking the young man looked quite spirited. But back when he first met Fu Yu, the kid hadn’t even become official yet, just a regular apprentice in Qianlima’s kitchen.

Unexpectedly, in just half a year, his culinary skills had advanced so much.

Even though he didn’t know much about herbal cuisine, Yang Wenqiang could tell Fu Yu was very proficient in this area.

This trip definitely felt worthwhile to him.

"You’re too kind! I’m the one who should really thank you!"

Feeling secretly delighted, Yang Wenqiang couldn’t help but ask: "Hey, do you think I have a chance to ask Fu Yu to design a recipe for herbal hot pot?"

Li’s Private Kitchen Hot Pot has always been known for fresh lamb and genuine ingredients as its business feature.

Although business has been pretty good, there’s been a rise of various new hot pots in the market like Chongqing spicy hot pot, snail noodle hot pot, even Chaoshan beef hot pot, and coconut chicken hot pot.

The local market is only so big, and with limited customer flow being divided among many, the restaurant’s revenue just keeps gradually declining.

Yang Wenqiang is very concerned about this, always striving to create new hot pot types to reclaim market share.

After thorough investigation and analysis, he finally decided to attempt to develop herbal hot pot.

He believes modern people are increasingly prioritizing health maintenance, making it a promising market.

Liu Shaoxian didn’t hesitate to say: "Oh, why, isn’t it enough having me design for you? If I’m not enough, there’s Old Xiao! I can have Old Xiao make you a life-extending herbal formula, and you can simmer it with your hot pot."

Xiao Jiping laughed: "I’m a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, specializing in diagnosing patients, not concocting immortality pills!"

Yang Wenqiang also laughed: "True!"

The three shared a laugh, Liu Shaoxian couldn’t help but add: "But seriously, I’ve really struck gold this time. I’ll contact the team later, and we’ll definitely secure Fu Yu’s membership first."

Though not a professional chef, as a hot pot restaurant owner, Yang Wenqiang has some understanding in this field.

He couldn’t help but ask: "Is Fu Yu’s herbal cuisine truly that strong? I just see his cooking techniques seem very authentic, not like a chef of his age should have."

Liu Shaoxian chuckled: "You’re not even sure of his level in herbal cuisine, yet you want him to help design herbal hot pot?"

Yang Wenqiang responded cheerfully: "Didn’t you and Old Xiao say he does it well? Since you both can’t stop praising him, it shows the kid definitely has skills."

Liu Shaoxian laughed twice, feeling emotional: "He’s more than skilled, I think Fu Yu’s herbal cuisine level is better than mine. But don’t get any sneaky ideas; herbal recipes are different. In our research association, they come with exclusive rights."

"And, Fu Yu is talent I intend to induct into the association. I need him to participate in new project research, so don’t bother him!"

"Plus, with me and Old Xiao here, surely we can whip up some herbal hot pot base recipes for you!"

"Relax, the benefits won’t go to outsiders, when there’s a chance later, I’ll help connect you, see if Fu Yu can advise on the herbal hot pot design."

"Right now, seeing how Yao Shi and Liu Yunong protect Fu Yu like that, proposing this now seems pointless."

Thinking of Yao Shi’s sharp face, Yang Wenqiang couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

He knew, even though Liu Shaoxian spoke plainly, his intent was good, and what he said made a lot of sense.

He simplified things himself and got a bit ahead of himself.

However, Liu Shaoxian’s last comment really enlightened Yang Wenqiang.

Indeed!

If Fu Yu joins the National Herbal Cuisine Research Association, even if just out of gratitude for Liu Shaoxian, he might lend a helping hand in the future.

Thinking like this, Yang Wenqiang felt immediately better.

But Xiao Jiping turned to ask: "Shaoxian, do you really plan to invite Fu Yu as a consultant for your research association?"

Xiao Jiping knows a bit about herbal cuisine, but is completely an outsider in culinary arts.

To him, Fu Yu is a promising young man.

He can see that Fu Yu has some understanding of traditional Chinese medicine theory, and his designed herbal menus are very reasonable.

Putting aside culinary skills, just in herbal cuisine, his foundation is indeed solid.

But just this, can he really serve as a consultant for the National Herbal Cuisine Research Association?

Isn’t Liu Shaoxian being a bit too hasty?

While it’s understandable Liu Shaoxian cherishes talents, he still holds some doubts about this matter.

He feels it’s a bit exaggerated.

To be blunt, what is Fu Yu, this young man, truly capable of?

Especially since Liu Shaoxian’s upcoming research project is crucial for herbal cuisine promotion.

Is Fu Yu really qualified?

Out of concern for his friend, Xiao Jiping couldn’t help but ask.

Liu Shaoxian, hearing this, seriously nodded: "Yes, I really have high hopes for Fu Yu. If he can join the research association, I have confidence we could smoothly complete this project."

Though Xiao Jiping is still somewhat worried, he didn’t object to his friend’s thoughts further.

For he knows, despite his high level in Chinese medicine theory, in herbal cuisine, he isn’t particularly adept.

Perhaps, with Liu Shaoxian’s perspective, Fu Yu is indeed exceptionally strong!

Besides, Xiao Jiping genuinely appreciates Fu Yu, seeing him as a down-to-earth young man, so young yet not professionally trained, but with some research into Chinese medicine theory, it’s already quite impressive.

...

Fu Yu stayed at the music restaurant until off-hour.

Originally, he planned to take a cab directly back to Qianlima, but was called by Yao Shi.

"I’m heading back to Qianlima as well, come ride with me."

Fu Yu was a bit surprised, it’s so late, why is Yao Shi suddenly going back to Qianlima?

However, seeing Yao Shi didn’t intend to explain, he didn’t ask further.

As Fu Yu went to change his clothes, Yao Shi said he’d wait for him in the car.

In the car, Yao Shi took out the phone and called Zhao Meng.

Zhao Meng picked up quickly, chuckling: "All finished? How did it go, smooth?"

Zhao Meng knows Fu Yu went to the music restaurant today for customized herbal cuisine, seeing Yao Shi call at this hour, figured there’s something to talk about.

Yao Shi happily said: "Went smoothly, hey! Old Zhao, is that new place of yours still unoccupied?"

Zhao Meng was taken aback: "Yeah, why?"

Yao Shi said: "Old Zhao, lend me the place for a few days."

"You serious? Really planning to leave?"

"Don’t be silly! I’m not a fool to enjoy playing cuckold."

Bringing up this matter, Yao Shi couldn’t maintain his composure, curtly replied, and added: "Are you still at the store? I’m heading there now, give me the keys."

Zhao Meng quickly agreed: "Alright! Just come over."