Chapter 88

As soon as Ye Jiayao arrived at work in the morning, she told Shopkeeper Li that she had accepted the invitation to cook for the Helian Mansion’s banquet . She was the head chef of Heavenly Residence after all, and such matter still required the support of Shopkeeper Li .

Shopkeeper Li was delighted . “This is great! If you do an excellent job with this, you will become famous . ”

“I signed up as the head chef of Heavenly Residence,” Ye Jiayao replied modestly .

Shopkeeper Li paced his office, excitedly rubbing his hands together . “Do not hesitate to tell me what you need and feel free to deploy the kitchen staff as you please . This is a rare chance and you must perform perfectly . ”

Although Heavenly Residence was quite renowned in Jin Ling, most private banquets of such caliber were only catered by Fu Ji . This would be the first time that Heavenly Residence accepted such task, and success in this would elevate them to a new level . It would give them the right to challenge Fu Ji .

“I have already chosen my assistants — Zhong Xiang, Deng Haichuan, Wang Mingde, and Cui Dongpeng . The restaurant’s business will not be affected, don’t worry . I just need to use the kitchen when it’s available in order to study recipes, and I might waste some ingredients,” Ye Jiayao told him .

“No worries . Just fill a form with the specifics and hand it to the accountant,” Shopkeeper Li replied . Compared to the benefits he could receive in the future, these were all small gestures .

For restaurant owners, lifting chefs to fame was a conflicting task . There was always a huge chance that if their chefs gain fame, they’d jump ship to a bigger restaurant . That would just ultimately benefit their competitors . On the other hand, a chef that nobody knows would affect the business badly . It was all a big gamble .

However, Shopkeeper Li was not troubled this time because the contract had a clause that would benefit the restaurant . The clause basically stated that Li Yao would groom a head chef for the restaurant that would be as good as him in his three-year stint . Li Yao does not hold on to secrets and even taught his kitchen hands how to make cold drinks . That kind of generosity was rare in the industry .

Li Yao was truly a lucky charm sent to him by the heavens!

“How are we going to split the earnings from the private banquet, Shopkeeper Li?” Ye Jiayao asked . According to her knowledge, chefs who attend private banquets usually had to pay the restaurant management fees . Cases such as Fu Ji, where Zheng Fugui was the shopkeeper himself, were a different matter .

Shopkeeper Li thought about it for a short moment . “Usually, the fee is forty percent . How about you just pay ten percent as a token gesture?”

Shopkeeper Li sure was willing to provide a gesture of goodwill, Ye Jiayao thought to herself . That ten percent would not even cover his expenses .

“How about I pay twenty percent? I can’t let the restaurant lose money, after all, can I?” Ye Jiayao offered .

Shopkeeper Li smiled and nodded . “Fine, twenty percent it is . In the future, we will go by this rate too . ”

Li Yao was definitely special and not someone who could be restricted . Shopkeeper Li knew that he couldn’t keep Li Yao tied to him so he might as well help him along his way .

After receiving Shopkeeper Li’s support, Ye Jiayao went to the kitchen to announce the decision .

“This time, I chose the assistants according to their individual strengths as well as recent performances . As long as everyone works hard, there will be many more chances in the future . ”

This announcement was to reassure and motivate everyone . She wanted them to know that everyone has a chance and they simply have to fight for it .

Ye Jiayao intended to build a top-notch team to accept private tasks like this banquet, and a team of just four or five people was insufficient .

The air of excitement in the kitchen was almost palpable . Those who were chosen were practically bouncing with eagerness, while those who were left out were filled with envy . Their envy was a good thing, though, because it was fueling them to do better in order to gain Ye Jiayao’s attention and good graces .

The only one who was low in spirits was Liu Qisheng .

He had helped Brother Xiang oppose Li Yao, only to end up with Brother Xiang joining Li Yao eventually . Now, everyone was ignoring him and he was stuck in a no man’s land . Amongst the second-class kitchen hands, he was the only one left out, and in favor of a third-class kitchen hand no less! He didn’t believe Li Yao’s claim that everyone had a chance . He had severely offended him and he was sure that Li Yao would give anyone but him a chance .

Liu Qisheng immersed himself in chopping vegetables, the hit of the knife against the chopping board echoing in the room as he vented out his frustration . The others simply thought he was making a determined effort .

After lunch, Ye Jiayao called the four that she chose to assign their respective tasks .

“Brother Xiang, focus on working on the four desserts . Based on the requirements we previously came up with, determine the optimal recipe so we don’t make mistakes later . ”

Zhong Xiang nodded . “No problem . I’ll go and prepare the ingredients in a while . ”

“Wang Mingde, I want you to make me a very tasty vegetarian noodle broth . I want you to go all out . ”

“I’ll try my best,” Wang Mingde replied .

“Deng Haichuan, I will prepare a list of the ingredients tomorrow . Go and find the manager of Helian Mansion and go over the quality of the ingredients together . Remember, the ingredients must be carefully chosen . ”

“No worries, I will make sure of that,” Deng Haichuan guaranteed .

“There’s not much time left so let’s get a move on,” Ye Jiayao said, gesturing with her hands for them to get cracking .

“Brother Yao, what about me?” Cui Dongpeng asked .

Ye Jiayao slightly winced at her forgetfulness . “Go to the Forging Iron Alley and have the best blacksmith make me a set of knives . While you’re there, go to the store that manufactures bronze products and check if the ice holder is done yet . ”

“Sure! I know which store Chef Niu and Chef Zheng had their knives made . I’ll have the blacksmith make you the exact same set,” Cui Dongpeng said with a grin .

“I don’t want the exact same set . I want something that is more nimble . Oh, and I also want a set of carving knives,” Ye Jiayao said . Her arms were not as strong as the male chefs . The knives in this kitchen were already too heavy for her as it is .

“You want them fine and nimble . Got it . ”

Ye Jiayao gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder . “Smart . ”

They were still in a meeting when Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng arrived .

“Isn’t it too early to eat now?” Xia Chunfeng exclaimed . “How about we go to the teahouse to chat for a while first?”

“No, it’s not too early . I’ll introduce you to someone first . ”

“Such mysteriousness . Who is it? Who’s this mysterious friend that you’ve made these few months I’ve been away?” Xia Chunfeng asked curiously .

Helian Jing pulled him inside . “You’ll know when you see him . ”

Ah Xing saw Helian Jing arriving and hurriedly went up to greet him . “Young Royal Highness, Lotus Suite has already been prepared for you . Please head upstairs . ”

“Go and call Li Yao over,” Helian Jing ordered .

Little Lu hurriedly ran to call Li Yao .

“Brother Yao, Young Royal Highness Jing has arrived . He’s now in the Lotus Pavilion and has asked for you to head over there . ”

Ye Jiayao paused for a second . This early? Was he really here for dinner? This was more like a time for refreshments!

“How many people came?”

“Just two . ”

“Brother Xiang, would you mind making two cups of iced double milk? Little Lu, go and make a pot of first-class Lushan Mist Tea and also bring down some Cha Kwo . The rest of you can leave!”

Xia Chunfeng entered the private room and looked around . The breeze blew gently through the open windows that overlooked the sparkling river and the willows lining the embankment .

“The view is not bad at all,” Xia Chunfeng mused .

“The scenery is only secondary, it’s the food here that reaches the pinnacle of delicacies . Oh, and there are also cold drinks . ” Helian Jing always felt a surge of pride whenever he tells others of Heavenly Residence . It was almost as if Heavenly Residence was his own home .

Xia Chunfeng sat down in a chair . “What cold drinks? Chilled Hawthorn Juice?”

“That stuff is old-fashioned . You might not know as you just came back, but right now, iced double milk, iced pink lady, and iced peach milk are all the rage in Jin Ling . This is the only place that has them, and if you don’t pre-order them, you won’t get any . ”

Xia Chunfeng became very curious . “That’s . . . ridiculous . Is that really so?”

“It isn’t ridiculous at all . They only make two hundred bowls of cold drinks every day – exactly two hundred . It’s in short supply every day and if you come late, you definitely won’t be able to get one,” Helian Jing replied .

Xia Chunfeng raised a brow, impressed . “The shopkeeper here sure knows how to run a business . He clearly knows that rare commodities are worth hoarding . Very well, I must give it a try . ”

“Eat all you want . After you try the cold drinks, there are still other delicacies,” Helian Jing boasted with a laugh .

Xia Chunfeng snorted . “It’s not like I haven’t tasted Chef Niu’s dishes, you know? They are just all mediocre at best . ”

“Well, as I said, you’re behind the times . Chef Niu has already gone to Fragrant House, there is a new head chef here now . ”

“You just like to try new things, just like Zhao Qixuan . ” Xia Chunfeng chuckled .

“What do you mean try new things? I’m just looking for the flavor that suits me best and I’ve found it now . I won’t swap places anymore . If I want to eat, I’ll come to the Heavenly Residence,” Helian Jing said in a huff .

“Oh! The cook here must be really amazing if can make Young Royal Highness Jing stay in one place,” Xia Chunfeng teased . He felt that Helian Jing was exaggerating way too much .

“Believe me, in a while, the food you’ll taste will be so delicious, your tongue will fall off,” Helian Jing huffed .

“Little Jing, can you stop boasting? You’re going to exaggerate my skills,” Ye Jiayao joked as she walked in .

As soon as Helian Jing saw Ye Jiayao, his expression relaxed . “Yaoyao, this is Xia Chunfeng, the blood brother of Brother Chunyu . He is also a good brother of mine . ”

Ye Jiayao clasped her hands and bowed . “I am Li Yao . Pleased to meet you, Young Master Xia . ”

Ye Jiayao discreetly looked Chunyu’s brother up and down . Unlike Chunyu, who only resembled their mother by his eyes, Xia Chunfeng looked very much like their mother .

Xia Chunfeng nodded in acknowledgment and turned to face Helian Jing . “This is …”

“Li Yao, he’s my brother and also the head chef here,” Helian Jing replied .

Xia Chunfeng’s expression became cold . Little Jing referred to him as a brother first rather than as a chef . That implied that Little Jing held this person in high regards . Chunfeng and Little Jing grew up together and he had always thought that he was the only one Little Jing regarded as a brother . Hearing him refer to this Li Yao as his brother was very unexpected . It was now apparent that he really did miss a lot during his absence .

Little Lu brought the food in .

“Your Royal Highnesses, these are the iced double milk you ordered . ”

“Yaoyao, have a seat . It’s still early anyway . ” Helian Jing pulled out a chair for Yaoyao .

This act once again surprised Xia Chunfeng . Holy crap! Was Little Jing really pulling out a chair for a chef now?

Ye Jiayao sat down without objection

Curiosity clawed at Xia Chunfeng . This Li Yao just a little cook, how come he’s able to refer to Little Jing as a brother? It can’t be that Little Jing has all of a sudden became a foodie, right?

“Hey, how did you guys meet?” Xia Chufeng asked as he drank his iced double milk .