Chapter 144: A New Employee

“You want me to ask him to stay?”

Lu Yuxi tilted her head and said innocently, “Can’t you?”

Xu Le pondered for a moment before he scooped up a spoonful of chicken soup and tasted it. After realizing that it was a little bland, he added salt and white pepper to enhance the taste.

After the soup boiled, he placed the sliced tomatoes into the pot before replying, “He used to be the head chef of the Heavenly Restaurant. If I asked to hire him, it more or less would hurt his pride.”

“You actually think so?”

Lu Yuxi muttered, her expression slightly stunned. She was surprised that she was not as meticulous as Xu Le.

“Why don’t you stir-fry the tomatoes before putting them in? The soup won’t taste good if it’s added after being boiled.”

Lu Yuxi suddenly interrupted. “I often make the noodles with tomato soup base. Usually, I will cut the tomato into pieces and add sugar to release the juices. Then, I will pour cold water into the pot and cook it until it’s thickened. Then, I will add noodles so that it is sweet and sour.”

“I am making clear broth noodle soup.” Xu Le explained patiently, “It’s also delicious when you cook it like that, but it tastes more plain. I’ve eaten too many oily dishes, so I want to have a change with lighter flavors.”

“Mmm.” Lu Yuxi didn’t comment. After thinking for a while, she still encouraged him secretly, “As the saying goes, a man can’t be defeated by a single cent. After Chef Zhang participated in the show, his reputation and career fell to rock bottom. If you’re willing to offer a high salary now, he might agree.”

Xu Le looked up at Lu Yuxi and smiled. “Sure.”

The cooked noodles were covered with tomatoes and spinach. A few white prawns were placed on the top and a bowl of fragrant noodles was ready.

After serving the bowl on the table, Zhang Tong stared at the bowl awkwardly. He didn’t know how to start a conversation with Xu Le.

Fortunately, Lu Yuxi ran over with a plate and casually sat down. She mumbled, “It’s so hot! Why is this dish called lotus steak? Is it because there’s a lotus leaf underneath?”

“That’s what’s written on the recipe.”

Lu Yuxi did not retort. Instead, she lowered her head and blew on the noodles, wanting to taste them.

“Uncle Zhang, I made some supper for you in a haste. Try it.”

Xu Le spoke in a neither servile nor overbearing manner.

Zhang Tong nodded. He didn’t seem to be in good spirits. It was as if he didn’t have the strength to speak. He picked up his chopsticks and swallowed in one gulp. He choked and coughed twice before continuing to chew.

The Clear Broth Noodle Soup didn’t have any seasonings such as soya sauce added. There was only taste of salt and the fresh sweetness of the tomatoes. The side dishes were red and green, and the prawns were tender and smooth. The noodles weren’t too hard, but sweet and smooth.

As soon as he took a bite, the delicious chicken soup and steaming hot noodles slid into his stomach. It was extremely therapeutic.

Zhang Tong lowered his head and started eating. His hand that was holding the chopsticks trembled slightly.

Lu Yuxi remained silent and picked up a piece of steak with her fork. It was cooked in a very Chinese manner. The beef was juicy, and the braised sauce was slightly sweet. It was blood red inside, and the heat control was just right.

Not only was it fully cooked like the Chinese dishes, its tender texture was also retained.

The light noodles was complemented with the braised beef steak. Occasionally, they could even taste the delicate fragrance of the lotus leaves underneath. During the meal, they did not make any small talk and ate seriously.

Zhang Tong picked up the bowl and finished the soup. Then, he leaned back in satisfaction and relaxed.

“Thanks… Is the soup base you used chicken soup?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, it’s after the soup is ‘sweeped’!”

Zhang Tong came to his senses, and a hint of joy appeared on his face as he tasted the noodles. He was gratified by Xu Ke’s hospitality.

“You should know my current situation.”

Zhang Tong let out a long sigh. He wanted to say something but hesitated. After a long while, he continued, “That show caused my life to hit rock bottom.”

Ever since he started culinary, although he wasn’t as famous as Xu Le was when he was young, his life had been smooth-sailing. He became the head chef in his thirties and was respected.

Who would have thought that an ordinary competition would suddenly make him lose control of his life?

He even lost the confidence to cook in the kitchen.

Xu Le said calmly, “I’ve heard about that program.”

“No matter how indignant I am, that chef has yet to show his face. Furthermore, he defeated many of his peers overseas. It’s too mythical!”

Zhang Tong was indignant and helpless. He asked, “You’re the only person I can think of now. Xu Le, maybe you can have a showdown with him.”

Xu Le raised his eyebrows and asked, “A showdown?”

Perhaps it was because his eyes were too clear. It was as if he could see through Zhang Tong’s panicked expression. The two of them sat facing each other for a while. In the end, Zhang Tong was the first to lose.

“Sigh, it’s my selfishness. I’m not willing to see him continue to be so brazen.”

Xu Le could hear the hidden meaning in his words and asked, “What do you mean?”

“I suspect he cheated.”

Zhang Tong lowered his head dejectedly and added, “But I don’t have any evidence. No one will believe me even if I say it.”

“Thank you for the noodles today. It’s delicious and the steak is delicious.”

Chefs were the same as customers. However, after working for a long time, their sense of taste had become sharper and their mentality had changed. It was just like how Zhang Tong would subconsciously guess the cooking method and the ingredients. Thus, he, who had an exploratory heart towards food, found it very difficult to experience a therapeutic feeling from food.

However, it was different that day. Xu Le’s Clear Broth Noodle Soup was common and simple. The steak was also the kind that he could tell the cooking method at a glance. Zhang Tong, who had been tense ever since the competition ended, finally relaxed. He finished his meal in one gulp and only had the word “satisfied” in his mind.

After saying his thanks, Zhang Tong stood up and wanted to leave. Xu Le also stood up and said, “How did you come to suspect that the program team was faking it?”

“The chef didn’t show his face and kept cooking behind the scenes. Who knows how many people are in the room behind the scenes? Maybe it’s a team!”

Zhang Tong said his suspicions angrily.

Xu Le frowned slightly. The system had always been the one to push him to participate in competitions, but this time, the Master Chef Competition had such a great reputation. Yet the system was as quiet as a chicken and did not issue any missions at all.

Maybe Zhang Tong was telling the truth?

Xu Le was suspicious.

“I’m not sure.”

“Mmm.”

Zhang Tong knew that there was no point in saying anything more. He couldn’t force his own matters on someone else. He forced a smile and said, “I lost my job recently. I’m going to find a job. I have something on so I’ll leave first.”

Lu Yuxi elbowed Xu Le frantically, hinting for him to ask Zhang Tong to stay.

“Ahem, please wait a moment. Um, is Uncle Zhang interested in the eight-year-old cafeteria?”

Xu Le chased after him and said sincerely, “I can double your original annual salary.”