https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-30-Can-t-Accomplish-Anything-in-Less-Than-a-Month-/12810543/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-32-Definitely-a-Top-Chef-Zhang-Lin-Has-Made-It/12810545/
Chapter 31: Just Some Country Dishes?
Chapter 31: Just Some Country Dishes?
Zhang Lin was taken aback for a moment as he watched his parents walk hand in hand toward the service center, their affection obvious.
Who could understand the feeling of being fed dog food by his parents every day until he was full? He could only sigh and follow them.
When they reached the service center, Zhang Ergen and the Zhang Dong family also arrived. They had come on a motorcycle and a scooter, so they didn’t need to park in the designated area.
As Zhang Ergen got off his vehicle, he turned to Zhang He and said, "This is Xiaolin’s service center? It’s about two acres, right? He’s done a great job!"
"Yes, it’s quite unique," Zhang He nodded. The architectural style was pleasant to look at and perfectly suited the farm setting.
At that moment, a group of people walked over from the sea of rapeseed flowers. The one leading the group greeted Zhang He and Zhang Ergen, "Zhang He, Zhang Ergen, you’re here too."
Zhang He smiled and returned the greeting, "Dalin, when is your grocery store opening?"
"It’s still under renovation, but I’ll invite you all over when it’s ready," Zhang Dalin replied with a grin.
As they chatted, others also joined in with greetings.
Zhang Dalin then added, "You should all check out the sea of rapeseed flowers Xiaolin has created. It’s truly beautiful."
Another person chimed in, "Yes, I think the flower fields in other places don’t compare to Xiaolin’s."
Zhang Lin emerged and greeted Zhang He and Zhang Ergen, "Uncle, Uncle Ergen, you’re here too. Everyone, come inside and sit down!"
He was deeply grateful to these relatives and friends who had lent money to his father. It wasn’t just for the loans, but for their understanding and silence after his father’s passing. His mother’s health had already been in decline, and if they had come to demand repayment, the stress might have worsened her condition.
Honestly, he envied his father for having such loyal friends. Not everyone could claim such deep bonds.
If it had been someone else, they might have shown up with the IOUs before the funeral was even over.
No, if it had been someone else, they might not have been able to borrow even 10,000 yuan.
But such deep friendships were something only the older generation seemed to have. The younger generation was too pressured by modern society to maintain such connections.
He himself, after entering the workforce, had felt the strain of a demanding and superficial society, leaving him with no spare energy to nurture such relationships. He didn’t even know who lived next door.
Under Zhang Lin’s invitation, Zhang He and Zhang Ergen followed him into the service center. As they walked in, they felt a strange sense of uplift, as if their moods had improved. They didn’t think much of it, attributing it to the joy of a rare gathering, unaware that it was the game’s properties at work.
Once inside, Zhang Lin welcomed everyone to the restaurant. Mu Chen, the head server, was already busy setting out clean plates and utensils. The servers were all dressed in the farm’s uniform, which featured the Liyuan Farm logo.
Over the past week, Zhang Lin had not only set up the kitchen and purchased tools but also addressed various details, such as the uniform, which he had custom-ordered from a specialized online store.
Lin Nan, who was in charge of the kitchen, approached Zhang Lin, "Boss, everything is ready."
Zhang Lin nodded and followed Lin Nan into the kitchen. In a new kitchen, the owner must prepare the first dish to inaugurate the space. While many no longer understood the significance, it was still treated as a ritual.
Zhang Lin wasn’t much of a cook. In the past, he mostly relied on takeout or simple dishes like noodles and stir-fried vegetables.
However, for the sake of the ritual, he had to at least stir-fry some vegetables.
After lighting the stove, he began to cook, but as expected, he burned the vegetables. The heat in a restaurant kitchen was much different from what he was used to at home, making it difficult to control the temperature.
The key wasn't that the vegetables were burned; the key was that despite being burned, he could smell a delightful aroma that made his mouth water.
This was ridiculous.
He immediately realized that this must be due to the +1 Delicious Dish attribute.
After a moment, the stir-fried vegetables came out of the pan, clearly a bit burnt. Normally, this would be inedible.
However, Zhang Lin quickly picked up a pair of chopsticks and took a bite. The moment he tasted it, his surprise grew even more. The flavor was surprisingly good. He had eaten at various restaurants and found that even some of the dishes made by professional chefs didn't compare to this burnt stir-fry.
This must be the effect of the +1 Delicious Dish attribute. He wasn't even very skilled at cooking; if he had hired a professional chef like Lin Nan through the game, the dishes would surely be even better.
He was suddenly grateful for the ability to recruit employees through the game.
Otherwise, if he had recruited employees from outside, this attribute would have raised immediate suspicions.
Every chef would have a good understanding of their own skills. If the food tasted significantly better here than it did elsewhere, they would surely notice and start investigating.
"Go ahead and start cooking. First, prepare the dishes for the guests," Zhang Lin instructed Lin Nan.
Today, he planned to have the employees participate in the grand opening, but the guests had to be served first.
"Let's get started!" Lin Nan acknowledged and clapped his hands to signal the other chefs.
Immediately, the kitchen bustled with activity, and the temperature quickly rose with the heat from the stoves.
In the restaurant, Lin Yan entered and greeted Zhang He and the others: "Big Brother, Er Gen, Da Lin, this restaurant will be for welcoming tourists in the future. It's the first time we're serving a meal, so please give us lots of feedback. If the food isn't good, we need to know so we can improve!"
At this, Zhang Er Gen immediately responded, "Lin Yan, you should talk to your Uncle. Zhang He got a chef's certification to avoid having his wife cook."
Zhang Da Lin added, "That's right. He's a good man, and his cooking is excellent. He can definitely give some pointers."
The others chimed in, though with a bit of sarcasm. Zhang He was too competitive, and his love for his wife was a bit excessive, making them uncomfortable. When their wives got angry, they would say, "Why did I marry you? Look at Zhang He; he cooks the meals, washes the dishes, and even mops the floor!"
Zhang He clearly sensed the hostility and gave a sheepish smile to Er Gen and the others.
Loving his wife was instinctive. After all, he had promised to pamper her for life when they got married. He hadn't meant to make others uncomfortable.
However, when it came to cooking, he was confident. He reassured Lin Yan, "Don't worry, Sister-in-law. I'm your Uncle, and I won't let Little Lin down. The farm restaurant is just a simple rustic menu. I can personally guide him in the kitchen."
As he spoke, the waitstaff began bringing out the first dishes, which were mostly simple stir-fried vegetables.
There was no need to make the farm restaurant's menu as elaborate as those in fancy restaurants. The point was to offer a natural, rustic experience with a unique twist.
Of course, the food had to be good. If the food was bad, negative reviews would pile up, and no amount of touting the natural, rustic experience would help.
Some people didn't understand this. They would try to pass off subpar food as "authentic" and "pure," treating others like fools. In the end, they would only make themselves look like clowns.
Zhang He understood this as soon as he saw the dishes. They were exactly as he had expected—simple, rustic fare.
He cooked these dishes at home regularly, so giving advice wouldn't be a problem. After all, he wanted Zhang Lin to succeed in his business.
When the dishes were served, he picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. The moment he tasted it, he was stunned. He tried another dish, and his face gradually turned awkward.
...
(End of Chapter)
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