Lin Ruifeng's family waited until his business was finished. Only Lin Ruifeng's little nephew was taken home early by his brother-in-law to rest. His parents and sister stayed until the end.
Moreover, when his parents and sister met Shen Qingluo, they saw a beautiful girl who was willing to help Lin Ruifeng set up and close the stall, which made his parents and sister very happy.
When closing the stall, my sister helped and chatted with Shen Qingluo at the same time.
Shen Qingluo had never expected that she would meet Lin Ruifeng's parents and sister under such circumstances.
Faced with some of Lin Yanmei's questions, Shen Qingluo did not hide anything, but answered very straightforwardly, which won Lin Yanmei a very good impression.
When Lin Ruifeng was about to pack up his stall and prepare to push the cart away, Ma Xiaolong appeared in front of the stall.
"I came here to ask, these people should be your family members, right? They are also the judges of this competition between you and me? So do you think this competition between the two of us can be considered fair?"
Shen Qingluo said unceremoniously: "This was arranged by Chef Feng, why don't you call Chef Feng?"
These words left Ma Xiaolong speechless.
Should I call Feng Yifan to ask? Ma Xiaolong had really thought about it, but he didn't dare to ask, fearing that if he asked this question, he might get an answer that he could give up at any time.
Ma Xiaolong is indeed a person who is extremely confident and conceited. Whether he is in a big restaurant abroad or setting up a stall in this small market, he always exudes a sense of self-satisfaction. The kind of self-confidence that comes naturally to him is really very charming.
But even though Ma Xiaolong was very confident, even proud of his cooking skills, he still didn't dare to show it in front of Feng Yifan.
This is because Ma Xiaolong has suffered setbacks from Feng Yifan more than once.
From the knife skills at the beginning, to the use of fire in cooking, to the various seasonings later on, and even Feng Yifan's endless creativity, which seems very imaginative.
In particular, Ma Xiaolong witnessed with his own eyes that Feng Yifan's innovative dishes received unanimous praise from gourmets. They were able to receive impeccable evaluations in terms of shape, creativity, and taste. This alone was what Ma Xiaolong had been pursuing for a long time but could not achieve.
So when facing Feng Yifan, Ma Xiaolong had a natural weakness, and he naturally didn't dare to ask the reason.
Lin Yanmei looked at Ma Xiaolong and said, "Do you think our judgment will favor my brother?"
Ma Xiaolong suddenly came back to his senses and looked up at Lin Yanmei. When he learned that the other party was Lin Ruifeng's sister, he immediately showed an expression of disbelief.
Lin Yanmei said seriously: "You can rest assured that our judgment will definitely be fair, and we are not here to be the judges for you two. We are here to see my brother. After such a long separation, my brother has grown up, and my parents and I are relieved."
Father Lin also said: "Don't worry, young man. The key to the victory or defeat of your competition is definitely not with us."
Ma Xiaolong was stunned at first, then said, "Chef Feng."
Lin Yanmei nodded: "Yes, Chef Feng is the key. He is my brother's master. I heard that he is also your master, right? So in the end, the master will decide your victory or defeat. I think it should be very fair to you two."
After hearing what Lin Yanmei said, Ma Xiaolong naturally had nothing else to say.
Seeing that the whole family was there, Ma Xiaolong knew it was inappropriate for him to stay, so he said goodbye to them and left alone.
Looking at Ma Xiaolong's departing back, Lin Ruifeng's mother suddenly said, "Is he alone? This child doesn't look bad. He came to China alone. He must have ideals and aspirations."
Their mother's words made Lin Ruifeng and his sister feel that it was indeed not easy.
Lin Ruifeng then thought of Shen Qingluo, reached out and held the hands of Shen Qingluo, and whispered to her: "I will accompany you and will not let you face loneliness alone."
Shen Qingluo felt the weight of Lin Ruifeng's words, and his expression instantly revealed joy.
At this moment, Lin Yanmei suddenly exclaimed: "Oh my, I never thought that my dull brother could be so romantic. It's not easy. It seems that my silly brother has really grown up."
Shen Qingluo didn't feel shy at first, but after hearing what Lin Yanmei said, he suddenly felt embarrassed.
Lin Ruifeng also immediately said with a straight face: "Sister, what are you yelling about?"
Lin Yanmei smiled and said, "Sister, I am happy for you two. My brother is now learning cooking skills from a great chef and has such a beautiful girlfriend. Well, he is already a winner in life at such a young age."
Their mother suddenly said, "Oh, right? It seems that Yifan and Ruoxi met at the same age. When did Yifan and Ruoxi get married? Was it after Yifan won that cooking competition?"
Father Lin thought for a moment and nodded: "Yes, Yifan won first place in the provincial cooking competition. Not long after he came back, the two of them got married."
The mother continued, "Yifan was very good at that time. After getting married, he quickly won the national cooking competition championship. But later, Lao Su arranged for him to go abroad. Unexpectedly, he stayed away for five years. We all thought Yifan had changed his mind at that time."
Lin Yanmei followed up by saying, "Yes, I brought Chenchen back with me at that time and accompanied Ruoxi every day to comfort her. At that time, I was really afraid that she would be upset."
When Shen Qingluo heard this, she asked curiously, "Was Aunt Ruoxi very sad at that time?"
Lin Yanmei said seriously: "At that time, she had a little postpartum depression."
After hearing this, Shen Qingluo suddenly realized and could roughly imagine the situation at that time.
Not long after the child was born, the husband went abroad, and the father faced some problems running the restaurant alone. When various problems piled up, it was easy for them to accumulate in his heart.
Come to think of it, it was not easy for Su Ruoxi to survive in that condition.
Lin Yanmei recalled: "I think the only thing that supported Ruoxi at that time was her daughter and her father. I knew that something happened to Uncle Rong later, and I was afraid that Ruoxi would not be able to hold on. Fortunately, Yifan came back in time and did not let the last straw fall and completely crush Ruoxi's spirit."
Mother Lin said: "Ruoxi suffered a lot during those years."
Lin Yanmei nodded: "Yes, she felt bitter, but she didn't like to tell others. She seemed like a strong woman in those years, but I felt very distressed when I saw her. On the contrary, I like her more now. She is happier. I can tell from her face that she is very happy now."
Shen Qingluo immediately said, "Yes, Aunt Ruoxi is so happy now. She seems very happy every time we video or call each other."
Lin Yanmei smiled and said, "Of course, because Yifan is back now, he holds up the sky for her, so she doesn't have to work so hard. If there are any troubles, Yifan will help her block them out, so Ruoxi is really happy now."
Lin Ruifeng said at this time: "Mom, Dad, sister, let's go home first."
The family packed up their stall and went back to Lin’s breakfast shop.
Lin Ruifeng's brother-in-law had already coaxed his son to sleep. When he saw everyone come back, he took the initiative to come out and help his brother-in-law push the cart into the shop.
Seeing his brother-in-law offering to help, Lin Ruifeng quickly thanked him: "Thank you, brother-in-law."
Wang Dong smiled and responded: "We are a family, why should we be polite?"
Afterwards, the family chatted for a while in the shop, and then the parents and sister and brother-in-law went to bed, and Lin Ruifeng sent Shen Qingluo back home.
Walking on the ancient street that was almost completed, Lin Ruifeng held Shen Qingluo's hand tightly, and the two were discussing some things that happened today.
"Tell me, will your sister and brother-in-law give you high marks today?"
Lin Ruifeng shook his head and said, "I don't know either. I think I'd better not ask. The last time Master Uncle mentioned the score, it made me feel very uncomfortable, so I'll just not ask this time."
Shen Qingluo smiled and said, "Why do you have such a poor psychological endurance?"
Lin Ruifeng responded seriously: "It's not that I have a poor psychological endurance, I just feel that it will affect my performance."
Shen Qingluo smiled even more happily: "You still say that you don't have a poor psychological endurance? I said it myself that it would affect your performance, isn't this a poor psychological endurance?"
Lin Ruifeng was stunned for a moment, then sighed helplessly: "I just thought, if even my parents, sister and brother-in-law don't like the fried rice I made, then I really learned it for nothing. But if they like it, I'm not sure if it's because of family affection that they favor me."
Shen Qingluo stopped when he heard this and turned to look at Lin Ruifeng.
After a long while, she raised her hand and slapped Lin Ruifeng: "You, you think too much, always worry too much, and are too easily influenced by others. If you think it is right, then just do it. Why bother about what others say about you?"
Lin Ruifeng was hit hard and raised his hand to cover his forehead in pain.
“I’m not influenced by others.”
Shen Qingluo said seriously: "Look, you are still stubborn. Tell me yourself, are you worried that if you win in the end because of the favoritism of your parents, sister and brother-in-law, you will feel it is unfair? And then others will say that? Tell me yourself, right?"
Shen Qingluo pointed out the key to the problem, which made Lin Ruifeng understand immediately.
"Well, it seems that I am a little worried."
Shen Qingluo then "sneak-attacked" him and gave him a slap on the face: "You idiot, didn't you listen to what your sister said? The key to your competition with Ma Xiaolong lies in your master. Chef Feng is the one who decides the final victory or defeat. Don't you understand your master's intention?"
Lin Ruifeng looked at Shen Qingluo, and some thoughts slowly emerged in his mind. He seemed to understand his master's intention.
Seeing that Lin Ruifeng didn't say anything, Shen Qingluo simply said, "Your master wants everyone to see your progress. Otherwise, why would your master ask your uncle, aunt, sister, and brother-in-law to come? In fact, your master is also handing in an answer sheet to them, showing that he taught you very well."
I have to say that Shen Qingluo's words really cleared up Lin Ruifeng's doubts.
Because he had never thought that the master would arrange for his parents and sister's family to judge.
After hearing what Shen Qingluo said, Lin Ruifeng could understand his master's intentions. His master was telling his family that he had been taught well and that his family could rest assured.
Lin Ruifeng understood and said, "Yes, I understand. Master did all this for me."
Shen Qingluo added: "It's not just for you, your master is also for Su Ji. Think about why Master Jiahui didn't leave even though she had already made the judgment?"
Lin Ruifeng was also confused for a moment: "Yes, Master did not leave, why?"
Shen Qingluo smiled bitterly and said, "You are so stupid. It's obviously your master who wants Sister Jiahui to stay in Suji."
Lin Ruifeng was a little surprised: "Let Master Jiahui stay in Su Ji?"
Shen Qingluo nodded: "Yes, haven't you also seen the decoration of Su Ji now? From the inside to the outside, the decoration actually reveals a very exquisite taste. The decoration with Chinese humanistic atmosphere can be seen everywhere. This shows that your master wants to make Su Ji into an exquisite private kitchen restaurant."
Lin Ruifeng nodded and said, "I know this. Master has mentioned this before, but why should we let Senior Uncle Jiahui stay?"
Shen Qingluo sighed helplessly: "You are so stupid, of course you want Sister Jiahui to be your deputy."
Lin Ruifeng suddenly realized: "Oh, you mean, you want to let Uncle Jiahui be the sous chef?"
Shen Qingluo nodded: "Think about it, who can perfectly inherit the characteristics of Su Ji's dishes? Do you think Ma Xiaolong can do it? Or someone else? Or you?"
When Lin Ruifeng heard Shen Qingluo talking about him, he quickly waved his hands and said, "I can't do that. I'm still an apprentice."
Shen Qingluo said, "Yes, you are still an apprentice, and you can't be on your own. Although Ma Xiaolong is very talented, he grew up abroad, and he doesn't understand Chinese cuisine well enough. The best person who can take on the role of deputy chef, besides Grandpa Zhuang and Grandpa Shi, is only Aunt Jiahui."
After listening to Shen Qingluo's analysis, Lin Ruifeng finally understood everything.
If you think about it carefully, it is indeed only Shi Jiahui who can truly inherit the humanistic atmosphere in Su Ji’s dishes, so only she is suitable to be Su Ji’s sous chef.
Lin Ruifeng was very surprised again: "Isn't Master going to be the chef of a hotel?"
Shen Qingluo smiled and said, "Being the head chef of other hotels is not as good as being in Su Ji. What's more, with Chef Feng and Grandpa Su here, Su Ji's reputation will definitely surpass other big hotels in the future. Maybe in the future, Su Ji will also become a world-class restaurant."
Lin Ruifeng said confidently this time: "That's for sure. With Master here, I will definitely become the best in the world."
Shen Qingluo waved his hand: "No, we are not talking about the same concept."
Lin Ruifeng looked at Shen Qingluo curiously.
The latter smiled and said, "The current standards for world-class restaurants are set by foreigners, and your master's idea is that we should customize our own set of standards to overturn the standards of foreigners. Su Ji should become a world-class restaurant under such standards."
After hearing these words, Lin Ruifeng pondered for a moment and suddenly he was full of longing for such a scene.