Chapter Sixty-Four: Mouthwatering Chicken

Page 1

Bao Mingzhi hummed a tune as he walked up to the entrance of the restaurant.

He had expected to witness a grand scene of customers scrambling to buy potato chips, but to his surprise, only five or six people were making purchases.

“What’s going on here?” he asked Qian San, his face darkening.

“It’s the place across the street, Boss,” Qian San replied, looking miserable. “They’ve launched another new dish, something called Sweet and Sour Pork!”

Bao Mingzhi’s heart sank. Just at that moment, Yang Shi, following Lu Chengren’s instructions, shouted, “Everyone dining at our restaurant today gets a complimentary serving of potato chips and fries!”

The crowd, accustomed to Fulfillment Restaurant’s potato chips, immediately flocked there upon hearing about the free giveaway. Those who had been waiting outside Wanhua Restaurant for chips abandoned their queue and hurried to Fulfillment instead.

Free chips and fries, plus a chance to try the new affordable dishes—why not?

“Damn it! Lu Chengren, that bastard, always out to oppose me!” Bao Mingzhi spat viciously on the ground, glaring enviously at Fulfillment across the street.

This new dish must be another creation from that wretched Lin Sangqian!

“Boss, if you ask me, we can’t afford to delay any longer!” Qian San whispered urgently at his ear. “We need to grab that little girl Lin Sangqian and force her to hand over all her recipes! Otherwise, we’ll just have to watch Fulfillment snatch away all our business!”

Lu Chengren remained silent, his expression grim as he stared at the rival restaurant, a venomous glint in his eyes.

Meanwhile, in Fulfillment’s kitchen, Lin Sangqian was already preparing Mouthwatering Chicken.

She washed the chicken and cut it into pieces. Boiling water, she added scallions, ginger, and cooking wine, then poached the chicken briefly, careful not to overcook it, before plunging it into cold water.

She heated oil in a pan, sautéed scallions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, removed them, and poured the oil over chili powder, making a vivid red oil. Next, she retrieved the chicken, chopped it into smaller pieces.

Into the red oil she added soy sauce, sugar, salt, and vinegar, mixing it thoroughly and drizzling it over the chicken. According to taste, she sprinkled cilantro, scallions, and sesame seeds.

The finished Mouthwatering Chicken was spicy and aromatic, tender and juicy, enough to make one’s mouth water at first glance.

Lu Chengren and the chefs couldn’t wait and dug in eagerly.

“Delicious!” Lu Chengren exclaimed sincerely. “Soon, summer will arrive. This dish is bound to be a hit.”

“Boss, two more tables just arrived!” Outside, Yang Shi called.

The chefs cast longing glances at the Mouthwatering Chicken, then hastened back to their work.

Page 2

“Sangqian, how do you come up with so many recipes?” Lu Chengren looked at her with newfound admiration.

Lin Sangqian scratched her head, a little embarrassed. “Actually, I didn’t invent them. They’re from my hometown.”

Her skill was one thing, but without these modern recipes, she wouldn’t have enjoyed such smooth success.

Lu Chengren didn’t press the matter, instead asking, “Are you sure we’re not charging for this dish today?”

“No need,” Lin Sangqian replied with a cheerful smile. “When asking for help, it’s only right to give something in return. Mutual benefit is the path to lasting partnership.”

Lu Chengren chuckled, his appreciation for her growing.

After finishing her tasks at Fulfillment, Lin Sangqian prepared to head home.

She had barely stepped outside when she ran into Lin Shuimei.

Lin Shuimei clearly hadn’t expected to see her here and her expression stiffened.

“What are you doing here?” Lin Sangqian asked instinctively.

Lin Shuimei shot back, “What’s it to you?”

“Alright, forget it,” Lin Sangqian said, uninterested, and started to walk away.

Lin Shuimei, unwilling to let her go so easily, blurted out, “Lin Sangqian, what’s there to be smug about? So you’ve latched onto wealthy men, that’s all!”

Lin Sangqian turned back, regarding her as if she were insane. “What are you babbling about?”

“Isn’t it true?” Lin Shuimei sneered. “That man who came to the village looking for you—you seduced him, didn’t you? And the owner of Fulfillment, too! You’re only ten years old, how can you do something so shameless!”

Lin Sangqian understood her implication and laughed coldly. “Lin Shuimei, in your eyes, is climbing up in the world only possible by seducing rich men?”

Lin Shuimei was momentarily speechless, since that was exactly what she believed.

“With your sordid mind, everything you see is sordid. I won’t bother arguing with you. Let me just say this: don’t judge others by your own narrow perspective.”

“You!” Lin Shuimei was furious, just as Yang Shi hurried over.

“Sangqian! Good thing you haven’t left yet,” Yang Shi said, smiling as he handed her a package. “Our boss just got some new tea leaves and asked me to give them to you and your family to try.”

“Please thank Boss Lu for me,” Lin Sangqian said, taking the package with a smile.

Page 3

Lin Shuimei watched from the side, her eyes nearly red with envy.

She raised her hand to snatch the package, but Lin Sangqian moved faster and dodged her easily.

“Miss, what are you doing?” Yang Shi frowned in confusion.

“What’s wrong with me? I’m her sister! Lin Sangqian, when you get something good, you only think of yourself? Don’t you know to share with your family?”

Yang Shi glanced her over, then asked Lin Sangqian, “Sangqian, is she your sister?”

“Strictly speaking, not really,” Lin Sangqian replied coldly. “I don’t consider her a sister, and she’s not family.”

“Then what are you complaining about?” Yang Shi’s attitude turned sharp. “Sangqian is a valued guest of our restaurant. If you cause trouble here, don’t blame me for being harsh!”

“You!” Lin Shuimei was nearly mad with jealousy. “Lin Sangqian, what tricks are you playing? You shameless little—”

“You dare say more?” Yang Shi’s face darkened, clearly angry.

“Brother Yang, don’t bother with her,” Lin Sangqian said. “Let her rage on her own. Go back to the guests, I’m leaving now.”

“Alright, take care on your way.”

Yang Shi shot Lin Shuimei one last glare before returning to the restaurant.

Lin Sangqian ignored Lin Shuimei, walking away without another word.

Lin Shuimei was left standing alone, trembling with anger and envy, her face ashen.

She had come today hoping to win over Lu Chengren.

But instead, she ran into Lin Sangqian—and the boss of Fulfillment sent her tea, and even the staff treated her with such respect!

Lin Sangqian, how dare you! You used to live like a rat…

Just then, someone tapped her shoulder from behind.