If outsiders come to Huaicheng and ask locals where to go to eat authentic local dishes
If you are not of a certain age, you will not think of recommending Su Ji, which is located on the old street facing reconstruction. But most people will mention a more famous restaurant in Huaicheng, Fujinglou.
If we say that Su Ji is a small restaurant hidden deep in the alleys of the city, silently adhering to the traditions of the older generation, silently making local dishes, more Su Ji's original dishes, and more personalized dishes.
Fujing Tower is like a big peony blooming in Huaicheng, blooming in front of everyone with its graceful and elegant posture.
Regardless of how many times the owner of Fujinglou has changed hands, and whether the dishes of Fujinglou are still the best representatives of local cuisine as they were in the past, at least the name of Fujinglou must be known to everyone in Huaicheng.
Just like everyone in Su Ji, most people in Huaicheng only found out during after-dinner chats that Fujinglou had a new owner and all the original kitchen staff had been replaced.
Just as Feng Yifan guessed, the person responsible for taking over the kitchen of Fujinglou was Tan Xueli.
However, Tan Xueli did not rush to Fujing Building to take over the work early in the morning. Instead, she stayed in the hotel until Su Lanxin's morning video meeting was over. She wanted to see the teacher and say a few words before leaving.
It was not until one o'clock in the afternoon that Su Lanxin's video conference finally ended.
Tan Xueli quickly brought the meal that was specially prepared for her teacher in the hotel kitchen to Su Lanxin's room together with Su Lanxin's secretary.
Su Lanxin combed her hair a little, walked out of the suite, and saw that Tan Xueli was there too. She frowned slightly and asked, "Xueli, shouldn't you go to Fujing Building to handle the handover?"
While Tan Xueli was arranging the meals, she said respectfully, "Teacher, I heard from Sister Mei that you didn't eat in the morning. I was worried that the hotel meals would not suit your taste, so I made some chicken porridge for you."
Su Lanxin's brows did not relax, but she still sat down at the dining table.
Seeing the various light side dishes on the table, as well as the chicken porridge that Tan Xueli had already served and placed. Then seeing Tan Xueli and the secretary standing by, Su Lanxin said, "You haven't eaten either, right? Sit down and eat together."
Tan Xueli and the secretary sat down naturally, and the three of them ate in silence.
If you compare this atmosphere with Su Ji Bistro, it really feels like a world of difference and it makes people feel very depressed.
But neither Tan Xueli nor the secretary dared to talk casually while eating, and even tried their best to avoid making any noise.
Su Lanxin ate a few mouthfuls of chicken porridge and tasted every side dish prepared by Tan Xueli. Putting down her chopsticks, Su Lanxin looked at her apprentice who had followed her for many years and said, "It seems that Feng Yifan has dealt a heavy blow to you."
There was nothing wrong with this question originally, but in such a somewhat depressing atmosphere, Tan Xueli's hand holding the spoon trembled subconsciously.
bite.
The sound of the spoon hitting the bowl was extremely harsh in the quiet room.
Tan Xueli raised her head in panic, glanced at her teacher, and then quickly lowered her head.
Su Lanxin, who was always strict, showed a hint of tenderness in her eyes, but it was fleeting. Her eyes became strict again: "You should not feel sorry for yourself in front of me after being hit so hard. You should work harder."
Tan Xueli lowered her head and replied timidly, "I know, teacher."
Su Lanxin was obviously unhappy with Tan Xueli's timid look, but she still said calmly: "Know what? If you really knew, you should be in the kitchen of Fujing Building now, instead of staying in the hotel waiting for me all morning."
Every time Tan Xueli faced her teacher, she was not afraid of the teacher scolding her in person. What she feared most was the teacher speaking in such a bland tone.
Because in this situation, it means that Su Lanxin is not angry, but she is very disappointed.
Tan Xueli hesitated and said, "I'm sorry, teacher. I disappoint you."
Su Lanxin shook her head and said, "You forgot again. I hate hearing people say 'I'm sorry' the most. If you really feel sorry, then you should do it with your actions instead of just sitting here and saying sorry."
Without letting Tan Xueli speak, Su Lanxin continued, "I took you there yesterday, originally intending not to let you show yourself, but you first showed yourself in front of the two people from the Catering Association, and then flaunted yourself in front of Feng Yifan.
I didn't say it yesterday, but it doesn't mean that I approve of your arrogant behavior.
If you don't have enough strength and you still mock others like that, then you are destined to be a loser from the beginning, so you are not qualified to challenge Feng Yifan again."
After listening to the teacher's words, Tan Xueli could only exhale a breath and respond: "Teacher, Xueli understands."
It was obvious that Su Lanxin knew from the beginning that the reason why Tan Xueli did not go to Fujing Building as agreed was that she wanted to get another chance to compete with Feng Yifan.
Su Lanxin was also very blunt and directly denied Tan Xueli's qualifications to challenge.
Tan Xueli ate the chicken porridge in her bowl, stood up and said goodbye to Su Lanxin respectfully: "Teacher, take your time eating, I'm going to Fujing Building to take over."
Secretary Mei also quickly ate the chicken porridge in her bowl, then stood up and said, "Boss Su, can I take Shirley home?"
Seeing that Su Lanxin didn't say anything, the secretary understood that this was tacit consent, so he turned around and left with Tan Xueli.
When they walked out of the room and took the elevator downstairs, the secretary whispered to Tan Xueli, "Xueli, President Su is not completely disappointed in you. According to President Su, you have only been learning cooking for a short time, and you are indeed not as good as Feng Yifan for the time being."
Tan Xueli no longer had the arrogance she had shown Su Jishi yesterday, and asked humbly, "Sister Mei, it is said that the restaurant where Feng Yifan originally went abroad for exchange was a restaurant under the company, but he was later fired because he failed the assessment. Where did he go after that?"
Secretary Mei hesitated for a moment, but still told Tan Xueli the truth she was responsible for finding out.
“Simply put, he was fired from the company’s restaurant chain, which meant he had cut off his path to study and exchange abroad. However, he did not choose to return home in disgrace, but instead went to apply for jobs at restaurants one by one.
He spent five years abroad, working in many restaurants, big and small, and even worked as a chef on a cruise ship for a year. He did all the jobs that could be done in a kitchen abroad."
After hearing the secretary's introduction, Tan Xueli was a little surprised. At the same time, she also felt a little respect for Feng Yifan in her heart.
Being able to not fear hardship, put aside one's original status, and be willing to start from scratch in the kitchen, this is really not something that everyone can do. Just for this reason, Tan Xueli couldn't help but admire Feng Yifan's persistence.
Seeing Tan Xueli's expression of astonishment and admiration, the secretary paused before continuing, "Before returning to China, he helped a restaurant obtain three-star certification with an idea."
Tan Xueli was even more shocked after hearing this. She looked at her secretary Sister Mei and asked, "Really? Then why hasn't anyone in the culinary world heard of his reputation?"
Sister Mei said simply, "Because he just asked for a large sum of money."
When Tan Xueli heard this answer, a look of disbelief appeared on her face: "Why?"
Sister Mei looked at Tan Xueli and said, "My dear Miss Tan, you don't think that he, a little-known chef abroad, has the qualifications and capital to become the head chef of a three-star certified restaurant?"
After hearing this, Tan Xueli was stunned for a moment and then immediately understood.
The reason why Feng Yifan just wanted a large sum of money and gave up the opportunity to become famous was that some of the transactions behind it revealed the helplessness of people in a foreign land.
The elevator reached the first floor. Tan Xueli asked one last question before walking out of the elevator: "Sister Mei, who does the master plan to let deal with Feng Yifan?"
Mei answered directly: "The head chef is ready to return home."
After listening to this, Tan Xueli said goodbye to her teacher's secretary Sister Mei and walked out of the hotel without looking back.