Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Chapter 45 — No, not this aroma!...

To escape, Chen Ran got up very early today, prepared the lion’s head meatballs and seasoned them, then invited Mr. Huang Renshou to help with the final step.

Huang Renshou was deeply moved. After all, lion’s head was an S-level recipe, and combined with Chen Ran’s current S-level seasoning skill, Old Huang even learned something from it.

“Little Chef Chen, don’t worry, I’ll definitely hold down this post well for you!”

At this moment, Chen Ran got on the car and could still see the photo Huang Renshou sent her.

“Little Chef Chen, look, how do you think this lion’s head turned out?”

Chen Ran looked at the color of the broth and lion’s head, gave detailed feedback, and finally couldn’t help but ask, “Those customers didn’t say anything about me, right?”

Huang Renshou burst out laughing.

In his eyes, apart from her top-notch cooking skills, Little Chef Chen was really just a little girl in other aspects.

However, perhaps precisely because she spent all her time honing her culinary skills, she achieved such outstanding craftsmanship.

“Don’t worry, at most they’re just wondering where you went. Xiao Gao’s mouth is pretty tight!”

Only then did Chen Ran feel relieved; she also wanted to relax for a few days!

Seeing her finally put down her phone, Shu Jianmin asked, “Sister Ran Ran, don’t worry, I won’t take a single cent of your money!”

Shu Jianmin had been working on big banquet setups for a while, but he himself wasn’t a chef. He had one chef and two assistants under him. He was the general manager, responsible for overall command and scheduling.

The previous standard was 600 yuan per table, sixteen dishes, and the chef’s salary was 10,000 yuan per month.

Before, everything was peaceful, but after he switched to the big vehicle that included tables, chairs, and bowls, business improved, prices rose from 600 to 800 yuan per table, and the previous chef demanded his salary be raised to 18,000 yuan per month.

Shu Jianmin complained to Chen Ran, “Chef Chen, can I just call you Ran Ran? It’s not that I’m stingy. Think about it—this vehicle of mine costs a lot. The price hike, is it really for the chef’s skills? Isn’t it all because our big vehicle comes fully equipped and convenient?”

Because of the big vehicle, he even had to hire extra staff.

“Indeed, banquet chefs can get 1,000 to 2,000 yuan a day for gigs, but can they work every day? How many celebrations does one village have? If they can get two or three days a month, that’s already good. Don’t you think so?”

Chen Ran didn’t know much about the local market, but what Shu Jianmin said made sense. Monthly salaried workers are definitely different from temporary hires.

“Ran Ran, don’t worry, my mom said your skills are unquestionable! Since you’re helping me temporarily, I’ll pay you like a top temp chef outside—2,000 yuan on work days, and 500 yuan on days without work. Is that okay?”

Chen Ran was a little surprised—didn’t expect Shu Jianmin to offer such a good price.

“Okay, that works, but I have to say—I can’t work long term.”

Shu Jianmin had already heard about Chen Ran’s situation from his mother. Although he didn’t quite understand, he could accept it.

“Understood! Don’t worry, this job is tough, running around everywhere—we won’t have you running with us all the time.”

After settling the wages, Shu Jianmin, fearing Chen Ran might feel uncomfortable riding in such a big vehicle for the first time, gave her chewing gum and told her to find a spot to lean against at the back.

“In about an hour or so, we’ll reach Qiantang Village,” he suddenly remembered something and turned to Chen Ran, “Oh, Ran Ran, there’s something you need to be prepared for.”

“What is it?”

“In our rural banquets, there aren’t just celebrations; sometimes there are funerals too. But don’t worry, you only need to cook! Aunt Wang will follow you all the way, okay?”

“Okay, no problem.”Chen Ran wasn’t so delicate. She stuffed two pieces of chewing gum that Shu Jianmin gave her into her mouth at once, comfortably leaned against a folded-down table, and soon saw Aunt Wang come over.

“Oh my, this girl is really well-proportioned, with delicate skin and tender flesh—can she really handle big banquets?” Aunt Wang stopped halfway and quickly covered her mouth, “I’m not saying you can’t cook, just that you still look like a student! So young!”

She leaned in and gossiped with Chen Ran, “You don’t know, the chef who ran away from our place was at least 1.9 meters tall! Big and burly… usually chefs doing big rural banquets have some real strength, that work’s tough!”

Chen Ran instinctively touched her small shoulder bag. This time at Swan KTV she didn’t see Mrs. Wang but had received two full jars of ointment from her.

She didn’t know what exactly was in the ointment, but she got used to applying it and hadn’t felt any discomfort.

Maybe because she interacted with more people, Chen Ran’s personality had become more outgoing.

She rolled up her sleeves and did something she had never done before—showed her muscles to Aunt Wang!

“The young girl’s strong!”

Aunt Wang laughed, “That’s right, young girls should be sturdy and strong—that’s how a celebration should look!”

Chen Ran asked her, “What kind of cuisine did the previous chef cook?”

“Ain’t about cuisine styles. Rural big banquets basically have a few must-have main dishes!”

Aunt Wang counted out the local popular dishes for Chen Ran: “One chicken, then one pork knuckle, a big prawn, one plate of four-happiness meatballs, and one fish. That’s five. Then a few cold dishes, a few hot stir-fries, two fried items—that’s basically it.”

“Rural banquets insist on all-meat dishes. Even the cold dishes have to include something like pig’s ear salad, no pure vegetarian dishes, doesn’t look right! Soup’s best if it’s some kind of meatball or similar…”

Chen Ran nodded.

She hadn’t eaten at a rural big banquet before and was a bit nervous at first, but after hearing Aunt Wang, she felt much more at ease.

Then the system’s prompt sound made Chen Ran feel even more reassured!

【Random task: Please personally modify a whole chicken dish to suit the rural big banquet taste】

【Task reward: Skill mission clue】

Chen Ran silently complained to the system in her heart.

“Before it was all ready-made recipes, why now does it want me to personally modify dishes? System, have you run out of ideas?”

The system was unmoved and quietly popped up a message.

【Top-level chefs must have the ability to think independently】

Still, complaints aside, Chen Ran trusted the system’s missions.

This cold system had never assigned her a task she couldn’t complete.

Before this, she had never cooked a roast chicken dish, but the system wouldn’t make such a big leap all at once. There had to be a way she could manage.

Could it be related to the old-fashioned fried chicken legs from before?

She thought about it and gradually calmed down.

With the same braising seasoning that could braise chicken legs, she should be able to braise a whole chicken! Just needed some slight adjustments.

But rural banquet dishes definitely couldn’t include fried chicken. Chen Ran closed her eyes and silently simulated the cooking techniques in her mind.

Aunt Wang had worked out for years and was experienced and savvy; seeing Chen Ran seemed to be resting her eyes, she said nothing more, thoughtfully placing a bottle of hawthorn juice beside Chen Ran.The atmosphere inside the car grew quieter and quieter. In the morning sunlight, the flashy big vehicle arrived at Qiantang Village.

Chen Ran didn’t get out of the car; she was still mentally simulating the preparation methods for several main dishes on the menu. However, she gradually heard Shu Jianmin’s voice outside the car getting louder and louder. At first, it was the two of them discussing, but later it turned into arguing.

“Wang Deshui, you’re really unfair! How can you just snatch someone else’s business like this?”

“How am I unfair? The banquet was originally booked with me!”

Shu Jianmin’s mouth twisted in anger.

These big rural banquet bookings were usually made more than half a month in advance. Especially for someone like him who handled ingredients and processing; the car not only carried various purchased ingredients but also specially bought alcohol.

But the chef who ran off earlier quietly took the business himself without informing him beforehand.

“Aren’t we supposed to have some brotherhood even if business fails? You said you wanted a raise before, I did the math—I really couldn’t afford it, and in the end, when you quit, I even gave you a red envelope, didn’t I?”

“Let’s put it another way: if you want to snatch the business, fine! But you should have told me, right? What am I supposed to do with this whole load of meat?”

Rural big banquets emphasize freshness; all the meat in the car was bought fresh this morning. Not to mention waiting a few days or even until tomorrow—the meat would be hard to sell.

“So what? I was once apprenticed under Master Huang Renshou! Asking you for eighteen thousand a month—is that too low?”

Shu Jianmin couldn’t continue and turned to the host, “You have to give an explanation, right? We agreed…”

The host was getting married today, and the banquet was about to start, so naturally, he didn’t have time to argue, “Ah, I booked Master Wang Deshui originally, and now he ran off. Where else am I supposed to find a similar chef? Besides, you’re already late…”

If it weren’t for the chef canceling the contract at the last minute and taking Chen Ran instead, could he be late?

Shu Jianmin felt like blood was choking in his chest, but rural business dealings didn’t have formal contracts; at this point, he knew he’d have to swallow this loss silently.

Wang Deshui was making sarcastic remarks nearby, “You talk tough, about meeting again like high mountains and flowing water. Do you think it’s that easy to find a chef who can handle a big banquet?”

Just as the two were about to argue, suddenly someone ran over.

This person had white hemp cloth wrapped around their waist. The host’s face changed, just as he was about to stop the person, the other side suddenly started crying.

“Finally found someone. Our old master passed away yesterday, and we couldn’t find a chef anywhere. Our family is small and can’t handle it! Brother Wang, don’t chase me away, I’ll leave as soon as I find a chef!”

The host family was also worried, fearing Shu Jianmin would really cause trouble at the banquet. Fortunately, the quarrel was at the village gate, quite far from the wedding tent.

“All right, all right, stop arguing. Isn’t this perfect? Little Shu even brought ingredients and meat, just right!”

Shu Jianmin finally relaxed. Although he hated Wang Deshui, at least he had found a buyer for the batch of ingredients—a good thing!

But he hadn’t forgotten his mother’s many repeated warnings.

“Son, that Chef Chen is really capable. Don’t just think she’s a little girl; treat her well and build a good relationship!”

He first bowed to the bereaved family, then approached to ask, “Our chef is skilled, don’t worry. But there’s one condition: she’s just a young girl who only cooks; she won’t perform any rituals for your old master. Is that okay?”

The bereaved family had been searching for a banquet chef for several days. Unfortunately, the local chefs had all been taken by Wang Deshui, who had gone solo as an assistant. They hadn’t found a single one.

At this point, who still cared whether the chef would perform rituals for the old master?

“Rest assured! Our old master passed peacefully in his sleep at ninety-eight. It’s definitely a joyous funeral, otherwise we wouldn’t have such short notice to prepare! I’ll give our little chef a big red envelope! Just get here quickly to start the banquet!”

Aunt Wang saw that Chen Ran didn’t understand and had already led her down from the car. Rural banquet etiquette still had to be observed—they needed to meet with the family and say a few words.

Once she got out, Wang Deshui looked at Aunt Wang being fawned over by everyone and realized this young girl must be the new chef Shu Jianmin hired.He couldn’t help but whistle: “Hey, where did this little girl come from? Doing big banquets? With those tiny arms and legs, can she even lift a pot? Bet she can’t even lift a pork knuckle, right?”

“Shu Jianmin, you’ll regret it! Hiring a little chef like this for ten thousand? I’m Huang Renshou’s apprentice!”

Chen Ran had already expressed condolences to the bereaved family. Hearing the key name “Huang Renshou,” she couldn’t help but turn her face.

“You’re Master Huang’s apprentice?”

Although Huang Renshou had treated her respectfully, Chen Ran didn’t dare to call him “master” directly—there was over a fifty-year age difference!

Wang Deshui became proud: “How about that? You’ve heard of my master’s famous name, right? My master’s private kitchen only serves three tables a day—ordinary people can’t even get a reservation!”

Chen Ran couldn’t hold back. She opened the chat window with Huang Renshou; the last message caught her eye:

“Whenever apprentice Chen wants to come try my cooking, I’ll close the shop for three days to welcome you properly!”

She tapped Wang Deshui and asked Huang Renshou, “Is this your apprentice, Master Huang?”

Chen Ran didn’t want to complain, but letting this guy claim to be Master Huang’s apprentice like that would damage Huang’s reputation, right?

On the other side of the chat, Huang Renshou was sweating as he packed lion’s head meatballs. Seeing the photo, he squinted and recalled for a moment.

“When I was working at the restaurant, this guy did work as a kitchen helper... but I never accepted him as an apprentice!”

Chen Ran showed her WeChat screen to the others: “But I asked Mr. Huang Renshou, and he said you’re not his apprentice?”

The whole place fell silent for a moment, everyone staring at Wang Deshui.

Wang Deshui’s face flushed but he stubbornly denied it: “What nonsense are you spouting? Master Huang Renshou isn’t someone a little girl like you would know! I’ll show you real skills soon!”

He strode back aggressively, refusing to admit it despite being exposed.

Huang Renshou really hadn’t accepted him as an apprentice, but when he was a kitchen helper at the restaurant, he had been watching closely! Let this little girl see—it’s not so easy to cook a big banquet!

Watching Wang Deshui turn and leave, most people started waiting for some excitement.

Although Chen Ran showed her chat screen, there was no helping it—this little girl really looked too young.

Even the bereaved family who had confirmed hiring her felt uneasy and asked Shu Jianmin again: “Xiao Shu, you’re experienced in this area, you’re not going to let me down, right?”

“Don’t worry!”

Shu Jianmin gave a strong guarantee, took Chen Ran into the car, and drove the big vehicle to the bereaved family’s doorstep.

Once the car stopped and opened on all sides, it quickly became a ready-made banquet site. Shu Jianmin led several others inside to pay respects. Worried Chen Ran might be uncomfortable, he stuffed all the chewing gum in his pockets into her.

“Ranran, shall we start now?”

“Okay! Let’s start!”

Taking a piece of paper, Chen Ran wrote swiftly and decisively, setting the menu.

One roasted chicken, one clear-braised pork knuckle; the red-braised four-happiness meatballs and lion’s head meatballs were basically the same. Also an oil-braised large prawn, a red-braised fish, and a crispy fried small crucian carp.

As for other stir-fried and cold dishes, they’d be based on the ingredients stocked on the vehicle.

After finishing the menu, Chen Ran couldn’t help but smile.

If those fan group people were here and saw this menu, they’d probably go crazy, right?Shu Jianmin came over to look at the menu and also expressed satisfaction: “Alright, start preparing the pork knuckle and chicken first, and get the fish ready. Let’s get started!”

While others were plucking the chicken, Chen Ran began preparing the marinade and caramel color for the chicken.

She had already decided to make roast chicken based on the flavor profile of old-style fried chicken drumsticks!

The fresh young chickens were gutted and cleaned, then shaped and set aside.

The person in charge on the bereaved family’s side was the old master’s youngest daughter, Jiao Yuqin, who spoke quite straightforwardly.

At first, she was a bit uneasy seeing Chen Ran, but after watching how Chen Ran shaped the chicken, she felt much more reassured.

“This little girl’s got skills!”

Chen Ran didn’t have time to talk with her. Although there were only twenty tables in total, it was still a fairly exhausting job.

According to Chen Ran’s plan, she first coated the chicken with a layer of pre-made caramel-colored syrup, then started frying!

For roast chicken, the chicken must be fried first—frying the skin until crispy, frying the body to set the shape—only then does the “roasting” step begin.

The whole chicken, brushed with the caramel syrup, quickly went into the oil pot. Meanwhile, a large pot of marinade started boiling, and a rich fragrance mixed with the crispy fried chicken skin smell quickly filled the air.

Family members inside hurried out, worriedly discussing with Jiao Yuqin: “Are twenty tables too many for today? Our family’s reputation in the village... if the seats aren’t full, it’ll be embarrassing.”

Jiao Yuqin clenched her teeth: “My father was a lifelong good man. He fought with that scoundrel just for our village. I don’t believe these people don’t know what’s good for them. If we can’t even fill twenty tables after the elder passed, how will we survive in this village?”

Relatives sighed, but before the breath was fully out, they caught the scent of the marinade.

“This smell... so good!”

They couldn’t describe it further, only feeling this marinade fragrance was unlike the usual—no strong medicinal smell, just an alluring mixed aroma.

Chen Ran efficiently fried all twenty chickens, sweating heavily as she placed the chickens into a big basin, then poured the freshly cooked marinade over them.

The fried chicken skin immediately met the marinade and released a strong aroma!

The next steps were unfamiliar to two of the family members. Chen Ran called two burly kitchen helpers, lifted the whole basin of chicken, and began steaming!

“Why roast chicken… not stew it?”

Chen Ran was already starting on the clear-braised pork knuckle, too busy to answer their questions.

Choosing to steam instead of stew was a well-thought-out decision.

Traditional roast chicken is first fried then stewed, which is tasty and flavorful but can become somewhat tough. Over-stewing softens the fried chicken skin too much, leaving the step mainly just for coloring, which wastes part of the process.

But steaming in marinade makes the whole chicken more tender, with the rich roast chicken flavor but a texture similar to saltwater chicken. The outer skin even retains some crispiness from frying...

“You’ll know once it’s done!”

Shu Jianmin, the head coordinator, was not only responsible for cooking coordination but also communicating with the family. He quickly came over to reassure them: “Don’t worry, with Chef Chen’s skills, it’ll definitely be delicious!”

Jiao Yuqin forced herself to feel reassured. Although the chicken method looked strange, the aroma was very fragrant—maybe it really would taste good?

The old master had lived to such an old age. She had prepared for this for a long time. Now there was little grief left—she just hoped the elder’s funeral would be handled beautifully.

But unfortunately, it happened to coincide with a wedding banquet nearby. If the seats weren’t full, even if they collected the gifts, it wouldn’t look good.

“Xiao Qin, if it really doesn’t work, we can call that… the opera?”In many rural families when holding funerals, to make the gathering lively and not lose face, they would invite some local operas.

Though called local opera, many of these actually included various violent or even risqué scenes. She had even seen acts like smashing bottles on heads or splashing water to soak clothes.

“No way, my dad said before that when his time comes, he absolutely won’t have those. It’s embarrassing!”

Relatives showed hesitation: “Alright, let’s wait and see. If it really doesn’t work out, we can call someone… Over there at the wedding banquet, it’s packed. I heard that chef is some Huang person’s disciple?”

When he walked over just now, he already smelled the fragrance, such a scent!

In rural areas, big banquets really care about the dishes. Whether the food is good or not, the villagers can talk about it for half a month. Not to mention the old ladies who bring plastic bags and start folding dishes right on the table.

“Hey, smell it, no wonder he’s Huang something’s disciple. This fragrance is drifting all the way here?”

The relative looked at Jiao Yuqin’s somewhat dazed face and nudged her: “Do you smell it?”

Jiao Yuqin slapped the relative’s hand away and told him to smell carefully: “Smell again, this fragrance is not coming from over there! It’s from the big pork knuckle this girl made!”

The double-S-level clear-braised pork knuckle had already been stewing for half an hour!

Unlike back then at the small restaurant in Yanglian Mountain, now the pork knuckles were fresh ones Shu Jianmin got this morning, stewed all at once in the rural clay stove, ten at a time.

The aroma of the pork!

Chen Ran’s seasoning had now reached S-level mastery, and her understanding of this double-S recipe was even more refined.

A few simple spices, combined with fresh vegetables just harvested that morning, brought out the aroma of the pork knuckles perfectly.

This kind of clear braise restored the pure and authentic fragrance of the pork itself. Regardless of taste preference, no one could deny this genuine rich meat aroma.

The fragrance floated over the entire Qiantang Village and even drifted all the way to the wedding banquet.

Everyone, smelling the pork aroma, grew more eager for the pork knuckles about to be served.

“Mom, the pork smells so good!”

Wang Deshui confidently directed the helpers, placing a braised pork knuckle right in the center of the table.

He was waiting for a compliment, but unexpectedly, he only got murmurs of doubt.

“That’s not right, why is it braised? It doesn’t smell like that...”