Chapter 111: The Petty Schemer

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. We were careless. We sincerely apologize.”

“What are you standing there for? Where’s the towel?”

“You idiot, how do you even do your job? If I’d known, I never would have hired a clumsy country bumpkin like you!”

The floor manager hurriedly apologized, then shifted all the blame onto the young waitress beside her.

At that, the girl’s face went white in an instant, and her body began to tremble slightly.

“I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. W-wah, I—”

She was barely in her twenties, with braided hair and freckles across her face. Clearly shaken, she looked on the verge of tears.

It was obvious she had not expected the manager to dump the blame on her. In truth, she had only been urged by the manager and had taken the basin of washing water along the way at the last minute.

There had not even been a towel on the tray. She was being made the scapegoat without any say in the matter.

“All right, no one’s blaming you. Why are you crying?”

“Though it’s called washing water, it can actually be drunk.”

“It’s just warm water with a couple of lemon slices in it. Lemons are rich in vitamin C, so soaking and drinking it is actually pretty good for you. It helps clear the lungs and soothe the throat.”

Chen Huajiang could see at a glance that the girl was the scapegoat. He comforted her a few words, then smiled and explained to Zhang Bao and the others.

After that, he picked up the washing water from the table and took another sip.

Only then did Zhang Bao and the others finally relax, nodding and laughing in relief.

“So that’s what it was. You scared me. I thought it was raw water.”

“Luckily it’s boiled tap water that’s been cooled down. Boiled tap water is drinkable anyway.”

“Just a small matter. Don’t cry, miss. It’s nothing serious.”

Zhang Bao and the others also comforted the waitress a bit. Zhang Bao, Ma Dashu, and An Hongbing each lifted the bowl and took another sip with a smile.

And just like that, the incident passed. Afterward, the private room grew even livelier.

No one was stupid, and by then everyone understood.

Chen Huajiang had clearly known it was washing water. When he had reached out earlier, he must have been trying to stop everyone, but it had already been too late.

Afterward, not only had he said nothing, he had even picked up the bowl and taken a big swallow himself, clearly to save everyone’s pride.

If not for that manager’s arrogance, the matter would probably have ended there.

Zhang Bao and Ma Dashu exchanged a look and gave slight nods.

The two of them were the decision-makers among the four; Zhang Bao was the class monitor, and both of them felt Chen Huajiang was worth befriending.

Very soon the dishes were brought in. As they chatted, ate, and drank, the atmosphere grew warm and harmonious, and both host and guests were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

At last, the final dish was served: the Lu Family Restaurant’s signature specialty, Peacock Soup, ordered especially by Chen Huajiang.

As soon as it arrived, Zhang Bao and the others widened their eyes, because Peacock Soup did not use peacock at all. It was made with a pheasant.

But the plating was exquisitely beautiful, arranged in the shape of a peacock displaying its feathers. Mushrooms and cucumber were set around the edge of the plate, with a few red chili strips on top.

At first glance, it really did look like a peacock fanning its tail—quite magnificent.

“What amazing knife work.”

“No wonder this place has such a high-end feel. The chef’s skill is obviously impressive.”

“I almost feel bad eating it. I’m afraid I’ll ruin the appearance of the dish.”

Zhang Bao and the others praised it repeatedly, nodding over and over. They all felt the Peacock Soup had been made exceptionally well.

Their admiration only made the earlier manager even more pleased with herself. Secretly, she was delighted, thinking these people were just unsophisticated country rubes who had never seen the world.

Some people were like that: they stood near power and thought they had power; they stood near the rich and thought they were rich too.

But Chen Huajiang frowned, looking somewhat displeased.

“Brother Chen, what’s wrong? Is there something wrong with this dish?”

Liang Long was the first to notice Chen Huajiang’s frown and asked curiously.

At that, everyone else turned to Chen Huajiang as well, all looking puzzled.

To them, the dish looked perfect, enough to make one’s appetite surge at a glance. Why was Chen Huajiang still frowning?

“As a cook, as a chef, if you don’t aim to do everything as well as it can possibly be done and instead just cut corners and go through the motions, that’s truly contemptible.”

“All right, I won’t say more. Anyway, I won’t be coming here again.”

Chen Huajiang said indifferently, waving a hand to signal the manager to leave.

He could tell at once that the carving had been rushed, the arrangement was sloppy, and the sauce had not even been properly reduced. It was obvious this was a perfunctory piece of work.

Zhang Bao and the others looked at one another; An Hongbing even rolled his eyes outright.

Clearly they thought Chen Huajiang was being too demanding, perhaps even deliberately showing off.

This dish was already as good as it could be. How could it possibly be called cutting corners? If this was cutting corners, could it really be done better?

Of course, no one said anything. After all, this meal was being treated by Chen Huajiang.

Still, in their hearts, they had all formed some opinion of him. He was probably a decent person, but he liked to be mysterious and show off.

The manager walked out, and her expression changed at once, turning disdainful.

She thought so too, and her eyes darted about as she decided she ought to make trouble for them.

Especially after what had happened earlier, forcing her to apologize and lose face, she was naturally unhappy.

Soon she went to the kitchen and, with added exaggeration, relayed the whole matter.

“What nonsense! How dare they bad-mouth Chef Lu?”

“What kind of people are these? They’re driving me crazy.”

“Boss Lu, those guests must have had too much cheap liquor, otherwise how could they say something like that?”

When the chefs in the kitchen heard this, they were instantly furious, and all looked toward Chef Lu.

Chef Lu’s face was also dark. These days he had been in a foul mood, already carrying a bellyful of anger.

Now, hearing this, how could he possibly endure it? He waved a hand and said to his men, “Come on, I want to see what kind of attitude they have. If they’ve had too much cheap booze, they dare act arrogant in my restaurant?”

With that, Lu Daguang strode out, his face full of rage.

“Let’s go!”

“Follow him, follow him!”

“Come on, we need an explanation.”

Seeing their boss leading the way, the chefs naturally did not dare lag behind. They shut off their stoves and hurried out in a swarm.

The manager slipped in among the crowd, a flash of triumphant satisfaction crossing her face.

Bang.

The private-room door was shoved open violently, slamming into the wall with a dull thud.

Even the wall covering was dented by the impact, showing just how much force had been used.

Everyone jumped in surprise and looked toward the people who had rushed in.

“Who was it? Who was the one spouting nonsense earlier, saying the dishes I, Lu Daguang, make are worse than dog crap and good for nothing?”

“If no one gives me an explanation today, then I’ll give them one myself.”

Lu Daguang swept an angry gaze around the private room, his eyes passing over each face in turn.

The words left everyone baffled, because no one had said Lu Daguang’s cooking was worse than dog crap.

Still, everyone’s eyes fell on Chen Huajiang. He had been the only one earlier to say Peacock Soup had been made carelessly and had offered his critique.

“You?”

“What, you’ve got the nerve to talk but not to own up to it?”

“Scared now? Weren’t you mighty bold earlier? Why didn’t you know fear then?”

Lu Daguang also turned to Chen Huajiang. Seeing him frown as he looked back, he assumed the man was afraid and said with clear disdain, “And now?”

At that moment, the chefs from the kitchen also hurried over one after another to back up Lu Daguang.