Chapter 256: Not a Thing

Translator: 549690339 |

However, such an arrangement only made Yuansheng look at Zhuang Qingning with more sympathy, even shaking his head and sighing twice.

The herbal medicine he took last time probably wasn’t very useful, so he came to buy some new ones this time. But instead of buying everything needed, he only bought these three things, presumably to save money.

Oh, Manager Zhuang, it’s not easy.

Thinking so, Yuansheng gave Zhuang Qingning a discount and rounded off the total when settling the account.

That was all he could do.

That was what Yuansheng thought.

Zhuang Qingning, however, did not notice Yuansheng’s thoughts. After thanking him for the concession, she went to stay a while at the tofu shop before looking for Zhang Yongchang.

Firstly, she wanted to discuss the recipe for stewed chicken claws with Zhang Yongchang and suggest that he try it out if he had nothing else to do. This would help him pass the time and satisfy Zhuang Qingning’s craving when finished.

Secondly, she wanted to pass on the exact words Chai Zhengzhen had said last time to Zhang Yongchang.

As for the stewed chicken claws, Zhang Yongchang wholeheartedly agreed. “Stewed chicken claws are sold in many places, but few are actually tasty, especially how to make the claws flavorful, tender but not crumbly, odorless, inelty and off the bone, it’s a tough job.”

“Since this recipe is left by your mother, it must be her proud work. The taste must be excellent. I will try it out in the next few days. We have plenty of chicken claws. We can just get some from the restaurants in the county town. Lian Rong doesn’t have anything to do these days either. He can make the trip and bring you some to taste if it turns out to be good.”

“However, this Manager Chai…”

As soon as he mentioned this matter, the smile on Zhang Yongchang’s face, which was previously due to the stewed chicken claws recipe, faded a bit. He took a sip from the tea cup in front of him and continued, “I’ll have to think about this.”

“I won’t lie to you, Ning. I’ve been the chef at Fushun Tower for so long that I hardly get any rest throughout the year. I just got a break recently and I want to enjoy it for a while more.”

“Let’s talk about this later.”

Zhuang Qingning blinked.

Zhang Yongchang is a man of character, who values friendship and loyalty. He has been working with Feng Yongkang for so many years and has always cherished their past relationship. He probably wouldn’t be able to accept the job offer from Ruyi Pavilion, the rival restaurant of Fushun Tower, anytime soon.

“Manager Chai was just asking. If Uncle Zhang doesn’t want to, I’ll let him know,” Zhuang Qingning said. “Manager Chai didn’t mean anything else. He just mentioned that the chef at Ruyi Pavilion is planning to retire to the county town with his son and wanted to see if Uncle Zhang might be interested.”

“He didn’t imply anything else. He specifically asked me to mention it to Uncle Zhang and not to overthink it.”

“I know Manager Chai. He won’t overthink it, so Ning, don’t worry…”

Zhang Yongchang hadn’t finished his sentence when Lian Rong came into the courtyard, shaking the chicken he had just bought in his hand. “Master, look, it’s the kind you mentioned, right? A six-month-old rooster.”

“That’s right.” Zhang Yongchang took a close look at the chicken’s neck. “Go and kill it. I will make fairy chicken for lunch.”

“Ning, stay for lunch.”

“Great, my mouth is watering. Isn’t that why I came here, to have a feast?” Zhuang Qingning said with a grin.

Lian Rong went off to kill the chicken happily, Zhang Yongchang started to work in the kitchen after chatting with Zhuang Qingning for a while. By noon, the fragrant fairy chicken, along with sauce-braised tofu and stir-fried mung bean sprouts, were served on the table.

The ingredients obviously came from Zhuang’s Tofu Shop.

The fairy chicken was fragrant and juicy, with a fine taste. The sauce-braised tofu and stir-fried mung bean sprouts were also as delicious as always.

At noon, Zhuang Qingning ate half a bowl more than usual.

Zhang Yongchang noticed Zhuang Qingning put down her bowl and immediately told Lian Rong to add another bowl of rice.

But Zhuang Qingning refused and washed her bowl and chopsticks in the kitchen.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Yongchang furrowed his eyebrows, “You should eat more. You’re naturally thin. If you don’t eat well, won’t you become as thin as a bamboo pole?”

“I’m full already.” As Zhuang Qingning finished, she let out a contented burp and started laughing. “See, I am full!”

“Hmm…”

Uncle Zhang lowered his head a bit, scooped another spoonful of rice into his mouth from his bowl, “You might also be hungry.”

Zhuang Qingning: “…”

Well, there’s a kind of hunger that Uncle Zhang thinks you have.

Zhuang Qingning stayed a little while longer and then left for the tofu shop.

On the way back, when she passed the back door of Fushun Tower, she heard some whispered conversation.

“Master, do you think we can do this?”

“Why not? We’re already at this point, we shouldn’t care about preserving any face with him. He never did the same for us. Look at how he behaves every day, I wish he would just step on our dignity. Fushun Tower is not doing good business, but he never thinks about his own problems, and just criticizes our cooking. When I let him taste the dishes before, he praised each one of them, but now, he can’t manage the restaurant and attract customers, so he’s blaming us. What’s this all about?”

“Yes, this Feng Yongkang is really something. He said everything was fine before, but after working with him, I see that he has problems everywhere and always nitpicks. I don’t know how he became a manager or how he manages this restaurant. And Feng Yongkang is also very suspicious. Didn’t I just get my head broken by that girl from Zhuang’s a few days ago? He questioned me thoroughly and even went to the town to find out if I was gambling or something. What’s his problem? I’m just a worker, not sold to Fushun Tower!”

“Right, no wonder he couldn’t get along with the previous chef. Now I understand, it might happen to anyone…”

“Ah, master, master…”

Tong Fei nudged Qi Changfu.

Qi Changfu looked sideways and saw Zhuang Qingning walking briskly past them.

At such a close distance, Zhuang Qingning must have heard their conversation clearly.

Since Zhuang Qingning had previously hit him on the head, causing him to bleed, Tong Fei, who still had a bandage on his head, shrank back subconsciously when he saw Zhuang Qingning, especially when she glanced at him.