Chapter 13: Ready to Graduate

Chapter 13: Ready to Graduate

“Zhuzi, your boiled fish is quite good. It seems you’ve really put in the effort these past days. Just based on this dish alone, you’re ready to graduate,” Fan Dakang said to He Yuzhu after tasting the boiled fish.

“Master, please don’t flatter me. I know my limits; I still have a long way to go,” He Yuzhu replied modestly.

“Zhuzi, I’m not flattering you. Your skills have truly reached this level. Everyone, dig in and have a taste,” Fan Dakang insisted.

After everyone sampled the dish, they all agreed it was delicious.

“Zhuzi, I’ve taught you all I can. As the saying goes, the master leads you to the door, but cultivation is up to the individual. Now, the rest depends on you: practice more, experiment more,” the master advised.

“All right, Master, I’ll work hard,” He Yuzhu promised.

During the meal, He Yuzhu shared a few drinks with his master but stopped after a few, as both were chefs who needed to preserve their taste buds. The master always kept his drinking within limits.

By the end of the meal, the boiled fish had received unanimous praise, and Yushui and Xiaohu ate until their bellies were full. Everyone was very satisfied.

That afternoon, He Yuzhu and the senior apprentice sister, Fan Ting, took Fan Yao, Yushui, and Xiaohu to the zoo. They played until the sun set before returning home.

After dinner that evening, He Yuzhu took Yushui back to their home.

“Zhuzi, where did you go today? It’s so late now,” Third Uncle asked as soon as He Yuzhu arrived at the courtyard.

“I went to my master’s place,” He Yuzhu replied. “Third Uncle, Yushui is sleepy, so we’re heading back now.”

After putting Yushui to bed following a bath, He Yuzhu took out the notes left by He Daqing and continued studying. He Daqing was skilled not only in Tan family cuisine but also Sichuan and Shandong dishes, all of which were included in the notes.

He Yuzhu now had a solid theoretical foundation; what remained was hands-on practice.

After reviewing the notes, he went to bed.

The next morning, He Yuzhu woke early. After a bowl of egg noodles each with Yushui, they set off straight for his master’s house.

Together with his master, they went to Fengzeyuan to begin another day’s work.

As noon approached, Fengzeyuan opened its doors to guests.

“Zhuzi, you’re on the stove today. You’ll be in charge of the main hall, cooking three dishes: sliced pork in spicy sauce, mapo tofu, and kung pao chicken,” Fan Dakang instructed.

“Understood, Master.” Now that he was allowed to work the stove, He Yuzhu felt a surge of excitement.

As time passed, more and more guests arrived, and the kitchen grew busier. At first, He Yuzhu was relatively free, but soon the workload intensified. He grew increasingly adept at controlling the heat for these three dishes.

They were busy nonstop until after one in the afternoon before the orders finally stopped.

If not for the miraculous improvement to He Yuzhu’s body from the Spirit Spring transformation, his arms would surely have been ruined by noon.

“How are you holding up?” the second apprentice brother walked over and massaged He Yuzhu’s shoulders.

“I’m okay. No major problems. I just wasn’t prepared for such a sudden rush,” He Yuzhu replied.

“All right, hurry and eat, then rest. There’s still work to do tonight.”

After lunch, He Yuzhu hurried to rest and recharge for the evening’s challenge.

At four in the afternoon, the evening rush began. Around five, Manager Luan came to the kitchen looking for Master Fan Dakang.

“Master Fan, there are two VIP tables tonight. You’ll need to handle them personally,” Manager Luan said.

“No problem. I’ve got this covered,” Fan Dakang replied confidently.

“Good. That puts my mind at ease,” Manager Luan said, turning to leave, then noticed He Yuzhu busy at the stove. He asked, “Master Fan, is your apprentice ready to graduate?”

“He’s ready. Manager Luan, why don’t you let him cook a dish for you to judge?” Fan Dakang suggested.

“Sure, I haven’t eaten yet,” Manager Luan agreed.

“Zhuzi, stir-fry a dish for Manager Luan to taste,” Fan Dakang called to He Yuzhu.

“All right.” Soon, a plate of kung pao chicken came out of the kitchen. He Yuzhu presented it to Manager Luan. “Manager Luan, please judge for me and tell me where I can improve.”

Manager Luan and Fan Dakang each took a spoonful and tasted it.

“Sweet and sour, crispy and fragrant, with just the right amount of mild spice. Not bad at all. You’re ready to graduate, young man,” Manager Luan declared.

Fan Dakang was also very pleased with He Yuzhu’s kung pao chicken. He turned to the other apprentices and said, “You all try it.”

The second apprentice brother gathered the others, and they each took a small spoonful to sample.

“Indeed, it’s excellent. My skills aren’t any better than Zhuzi’s. I wouldn’t be able to make this dish any better,” the second apprentice brother admitted.

“Zhuzi, starting next month, you’ll earn forty yuan. Fengzeyuan only recently became a joint public-private enterprise, so I can’t give you more just yet. When the day comes for a rank exam, I’ll recommend you, and your salary will increase then,” Manager Luan said.

“Thank you, Manager Luan,” He Yuzhu replied gratefully.

The other apprentices looked on with envy.

“All right, everyone get back to work,” Fan Dakang said.

“Zhuzi, bring me a bowl of rice,” Manager Luan requested.

“Right away,” He Yuzhu said, fetching a bowl of rice for Manager Luan.

After delivering the rice, He Yuzhu returned to his busy work.

At seven in the evening, He Yuzhu packed up the leftovers, mounted his bicycle, and headed home with his master.

Along the way, Fan Dakang gave He Yuzhu a word of advice.

“Zhuzi, you made your master proud today. I’m happy, but don’t get arrogant. A chef’s skill comes from hard practice. You still need to work harder. Only then will your craft grow ever better.”

“Master, I will remember that,” He Yuzhu promised.

The master and apprentice returned home in high spirits.