CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: I’LL TEACH YOU ALL MY SKILLS

"Two people have arrived outside, an old man and a middle-aged man. They look like Xiaolu’s family."

After Lu Shuwu was called outside, Hu Zhihai leaned over the counter and secretly peered outside, while explaining to Jiang Yu,

"That old man should be Xiaolu’s grandpa, right? Well, no wonder he’s called the ’Hunan Cuisine Leader,’ he looks really impressive.

I’d love to taste the dishes he makes!"

"Zhihai, focus on your work. You’re peeking around; it’d be awkward if they caught you."

Jiang Yu was still eating and gestured to the food on the table, continuing,

"Are you going to eat this mouthwatering chicken or not? If not, I’ll toss it!"

"Eat, eat, eat! I haven’t even had much yet; how could you toss it?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Zhihai hurriedly sat back down. He picked up a piece of chicken and took a bite, speaking as he chewed,

"I saw that old man coming towards our shop, wonder why he’s here?"

Coming to the shop?

Jiang Yu paused, briefly lost in thought, when suddenly a knocking sound echoed from outside, followed by the door being pushed open.

Lu Shuwu walked in with a dejected look on his face, glanced at Jiang Yu and the others, and mumbled,

"Uh, my grandpa is here."

"Grandpa or not, I’m not a plague, no need to be downcast when I’m here."

Lu Jinseng glared at Lu Shuwu before turning to inspect the shop environment, finally directing a smiling gaze at everyone, saying,

"Good afternoon, I’m Lu Shuwu’s grandpa.

Thank you all for looking after Xiaowu these days.

If you ever visit Tanzhou, please come by our home, we’d love to play host."

"Grandpa Lu, you’re too polite. We’re friends with Brother Xiao Wu, so there’s no need to mention looking after him. Besides, Brother Xiao Wu has helped us a lot here."

Seeing Lu Shuwu’s grandpa, Jiang Yu quickly stood up from his seat and politely said,

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself earlier, my name is Jiang Yu and I own this little shop."

He gestured towards Hu Zhihai and the others, "This is my classmate Hu Zhihai, and the others are students working part-time here."

"Very good, very good, all young and energetic people, no wonder Xiaowu enjoys being around you."

Lu Jinseng nodded approvingly and stepped forward a few paces.

He noticed some remaining food on the table before Jiang Yu and the others, and couldn’t help but smile, saying,

"Are you all just having lunch? It looks quite appetizing!

Boss Xiao Jiang, I wonder if there’s any extra for me to try?"

"Yes, Grandpa Lu, just a moment."

Saying this, Jiang Yu gestured to Hu Zhihai to join him in preparations.

Before long, the two returned each carrying a dish. After setting them on the table, Jiang Yu smiled and said,

"Grandpa Lu, the food is here, please take your time to enjoy."

"Great, thank you, Boss Xiao Jiang."

Lu Jinseng nodded with a smile, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

He didn’t immediately start eating but carefully examined the dish before him, continuously speaking,

"These soup dumplings are well made, the skin is thin as paper and translucent, you can faintly see the soup and filling inside.

The pleats on the dough are delicately crafted, each one the same size with perfect symmetry.

Even without commenting on the taste, the appearance alone is commendable.

From what I recall, the best soup dumplings were made by that old fellow Qian Guishun at ’Fuxiang Residence’ in Chang’an. These dumplings here are just a few notches below them."

Seeing Jiang Yu’s puzzlement, he chuckled and explained,

"That old fellow Qian Guishun, his family has been in the soup dumpling business for eight generations, and he’s the eleventh. It’s a genuinely inherited craft.

He’s now one of the top Chinese pastry chefs in the country, very renowned."

Finishing his explanation, he refrained from saying more, picked up a dumpling with chopsticks, and placed it in his bowl.

He gently poked the skin with his chopsticks, causing the hot, rich broth, bringing intense freshness with it, to slowly seep out, filling the small shop with a delightful aroma instantly.

"This taste..."

Lu Jinseng raised an eyebrow, his face showing a hint of surprise as he lifted the small bowl and poured the broth into his mouth.

Apparently unsatisfied, he quickly added the remaining skin and filling into his mouth and started chewing voraciously.

Closing his eyes, he savored for a while before coming to his senses, exhaling deeply as he muttered,

"This, this is impossible?"

Having said this, his actions suddenly sped up, and the dumplings in the steamer were visibly diminishing until they all went into Lu Jinseng’s stomach.

Jiang Yu and Hu Zhihai were accustomed to this sight and didn’t find it unusual, but Lu Chunming, who came along, was dumbstruck, his mouth agape and unable to close for a long time.

He knew all too well what his father was like; with his extraordinary culinary skills, he usually despised other people’s cooking. If he would even taste a bite, it was considered remarkable, unlike now, where he downed an entire steamer of dumplings in one go!

Could these dumplings really be that delicious?

Aromas continued to drift in the air, prompting Lu Chunming to unconsciously swallow.

"These dumplings are indeed delicious, it’s no wonder Xiaowu is reluctant to go home."

Having finished an entire steamer of dumplings, even Lu Jinseng had to admit they were distinctly well-crafted, no wonder Xiaowu was attracted.

However, he was still somewhat puzzled, glanced at Jiang Yu standing nearby, and Lu Jinseng began,

"The crux of these dumplings is definitely in the meat filling; this flavor is different from anything I’ve had before. Even I can’t discern what seasonings were used but it’s exceptionally savory, making one crave a second serving after the first."

Jiang Yu chuckled, repeating what he told Lu Shuwu previously,

"Grandpa Lu is correct, it’s a family secret recipe handed down."

"Yes, our Huaxia is vast with abundant talents throughout the land."

Lu Jinseng didn’t delve further; he nodded with a smile, saying,

"Don’t believe Xiaowu when he calls me a Hunan cuisine master. Truth is, hidden somewhere in a small unmarked shop could be a skilled chef whose dishes surpass mine by unknown degrees."

"Grandpa Lu, you’re too modest. Your reputation is built on praises from countless diners."

"Hahaha, I love hearing that!"

Lu Jinseng laughed heartily, pointed earnestly at Lu Shuwu, saying,

"I know Xiaowu’s mind; he doesn’t want to return to learn cooking from me, preferring to stay here enjoying food with you.

I’ve tasted your dumplings and they’re indeed delicious. You have a great talent for cooking, but when it comes to Hunan cuisine, not boasting, there aren’t more than three people who can beat me!

How about you join Xiaowu and accompany me back to Tanzhou? I’ll teach you all my culinary skills!"