Maverick Chef - Chapter 15：An Easy Victory

Bai Lu shook his head. “Your heart is not calm.”

He took the needle away from Da Tian. Then he retrieved a strand of carrot and a strand of peanut and combined them together. It went through the eye of the needle easily.

“What the hell.” Gao Yuan lit up his eyes, and he asked He San Qing softly. “Did you get the footage?”

He San Qing answered with a soft voice. “Not sure. Just now I was so surprised, that I only remembered to watch.”

“Useless.” Gao Yuan cursed.

In this challenge, Da Tian was utterly defeated. Seeing how Bai Lu could thread the needle with two strands of vegetables together, even if he were not resigned to the outcome, he had no choice but to hold it in. Along with his three disciples, they kept looking at the vegetable strands and Bai Lu in disbelief. In the end, he turned around and left without a word.

His disciples hurriedly kept away his knife and chased after him.

After Da Tian left, the customers burst out into a round of applause. “It’s too amazing. That was awesome.”

Bai Lu laughed as he combined their two piles of vegetable strands. “The show is over. It’s time to leave; we are closing.”

“What’s the rush. Let us stay here for a little longer.” The customers did not want to leave. The younger people in the crowd went up to snatch the strands of vegetables and took out their phones for a selfie.

Huang Feng spoke to his other four classmates with a very arrogant tone. “You guys saw it? Let me tell you. Bai Lu does not just have good knife skills, his cooking skills are even more impressive. It’s your misfortune that you are not able to sample his dishes.”

All four of the classmates were shocked. The one that broke the silence was the handsome guy. “With such great cooking skills, why did he open such a small restaurant?” He was no longer arrogant and proud like before.

Huang Feng laughed. “Haha, that’s the demeanor of a competent person.”

With that impressive demonstration of knife skills previously, no matter how he exaggerated, who would dare to refute his claims?

He San Qing was a little depressed, “There’s only footage of Da Tian. I did not record any from Bai Lu.”

Gao Yuan sneered. “Pig.”

Bai Lu shoved the customers out of the restaurant. “Go home, go home. I still haven’t had dinner yet.”

After another 10 minutes of rowdiness went by, the restaurant finally regained its peace and quiet. When everyone was sent away, only Zhang Sha Sha remained in the restaurant. Bai Lu went into the kitchen to make some food for himself.

After a while, Gao Yuan made Zhang Sha Sha open the door for him. When he confirmed that Bai Lu was preparing a meal, he yelled, “Count me in.”

“Make it two.” He San Qing went to his car to keep his video camera. Then he made his way back into the restaurant.

Following which were Si Ma Zhi and gang; every single of them shouted chaotically. “Make it three.” “Make it four.”…

Huang Feng’s classmate also joined the crowd, he asked him, “Are you that close with the Boss? Count me in.” The other 3 classmates also said the same thing.

Bai Lu came out of the kitchen to take a look. “Why are you guys all back here?”

“We haven’t had dinner yet. I am hungry.” Gao Yuan looked at him with an expression of provocation.

“Fine. You win.” After he troubled Gao Yuan for the entire afternoon, treating him to a meal was mandatory. As for the others… He thought, “Alright, since they are already present,” and he went into the kitchen to continue his cooking.

Half an hour later, everyone gathered around the tables. Huang Feng’s classmates were big eaters. They kept complimenting how delicious the meal was while they ate. Bai Lu witnessed the scene; he hurriedly shoved the chicken wings and beef in front of Zhang Sha Sha. “You guys can have more vegetables. It’s healthier.”

He San Qing said, “Is there really a need for such preferential treatment? However, this young girl is really pretty indeed. She became even more beautiful after wearing her new clothes. Working as a server for your lousy restaurant, it’s simply too unfair for her. Why not come over to my place and work for me? $5k for each month; you don’t even have to do much of anything.”

Even though he laid out that promise, Sha Sha did not even bother to reply. She just kept her head down and ate.

Si Ma Zhi chimed in. “During the KTV session yesterday, Sha Sha sang pretty well. Whenever you are free, I could bring you to a recording studio to try it out. Sha Sha, will you go or not?”

She remained silent to both their suggestions and finished her meal quickly. Then she got up and said to Bai Lu, “I am full.” And she walked quickly back into the house.

As soon as she left, He San Qing and Si Ma Zhi transformed into frenzied dogs. Both of them pounced towards a different dish each. They just took the entire plate with them to another table to eat.

Gao Yuan despised them. “You guys are still Young Masters; is there really a need to behave like this? How embarrassing.” As he finished his sentence, he stood up tall, displaying a Tai Chi stance White Goose Spreading its Wings, followed by a Golden Peasant Standing on One Leg, then he employed the tactic of Threatening the East but Striking from the West. With claws like the eagle, he launched into a continuous barrage of assault. In an instant, he sat back down to continue his meal.

“What the hell. How could you steal the food with your hands directly.” He San Qing and Si Ma Zhi covered up their plates and scolded loudly.

Bai Lu could easily have not cooked any meat dishes. This was the special treatment that Zhang Sha Sha received.

After the meal, He San Qing spoked with Gao Yuan. “There’s a gathering tonight. Are you coming?”

“Who’s in charge?’

“I think it is 7th Brother Chai. He invited a bunch of people.”

“Not going.” Gao Yuan rejected straight away.

“Young Master, you can’t possibly detach yourself from society. Come on, that Huan girl seems to be going as well.”

Si Ma Zhi interjected. “He Xiao Huan?”

He Xiao Huan was a celebrity, with involvements in adverts, TV dramas, movies, and even albums. Anyways, celebrities nowadays were like this. Just as the saying goes: “Harvesting the grass while hunting rabbits.” As long as they could earn a little bit more, they would try it.

Gao Yuan thought about it. “Then I will go and take a look. Where is it?”

“Not far from here; it’s near the Blue Islet.”

Gao Yuan invited Bai Lu. “Lu Zi, tonight I shall help you to broaden your horizons. Don’t keep hiding in this lousy restaurant. What’s the point? Even if you work your ass off for the entire year, you will still only make a measly sum.”

Bai Lu slapped his forehead. “Speaking of money, that reminds me of something. Huang Feng, how’s the search for the apartment coming along?”

Huang Feng replied, “I have found two apartments, but since it’s already so late, they are not willing to come over to show us the house. They suggested tomorrow instead so that you can get the money ready in the meantime. If you are interested, then you could sign the contract right away, with an upfront payment of three months rent and one month for deposit. One is $6k per month while the other is $5.5k per month. Both apartments come with premium renovation with household appliances included. If you make the payment, you can move in right away.”

“You are looking for an apartment?” He San Qing pouted his lips. “Why didn’t you inform me? I have no apartments in this area. But to the north of the 3rd Ring or east of the 2nd Ring, or looking further south as well, I have apartments which are all more than 100 square meters and completely free of charge for you.”

“I would like to stay nearby. That’s more convenient.”

“There should be some around here as well. Let me check.” He San Qing held his phone.

“It’s alright. The rent for the apartment isn’t much. If you owe someone else a favor for such a simple matter, it’s not really worth it.” As he said these words, he was shocked. He thought, “In the past when I was in the desert, Dad would only earn a salary of about $2k+ a month. I would never have more than $100 inside my pocket. After coming to the Northern City for just a few days, how could my core values change so quickly? Even my tone of voice has become bolder?” Surprisingly, the sum of up to $10k has become nothing much in his eyes.

He San Qing pondered and agreed with Bai Lu. “Right, change your clothes. Let’s go for some happy times.”

Bai Lu did not want to go, but he thought, “Zhang Sha Sha has holed up in her village for her whole life. Never once did she set foot in the Northern City, so I should really take her out more often to see the world.” Therefore, he agreed, and said to Sha Sha, “Change your clothes.”

“We are going out to party again?” She was a little bit shy.

“Let’s go and take a look, to see what it’s about.”

She said, “Yes.” Then she went into the room to change her clothes. He San Qing tilted his head to look at Bai Lu. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“You are not changing your clothes? Just heading out like this? White vest, jeans and plimsoll shoes?”

Bai Lu went into the toilet to take a look at himself in the mirror. “Looks acceptable to me.”

“Acceptable my ass! Don’t you dare embarrass me.” He San Qing yelled.

Bai Lu shouted back. “You parade your ass around all day like a big red rooster. How could you be afraid of somebody else embarrassing you.”

Gao Yuan and Si Ma Zhi burst out into laughter.

Tong An Quan and Huang Feng wanted to join them as well, but they knew full well that Gao Yuan’s social circle was in a completely different world. Therefore, they bid everyone farewell. However, it was Huang Feng’s handsome classmate that really wanted to tag along. After hearing how the Young Masters Trio spoke with such a carefree tone, along with the two flashy and enticing sports cars parked outside the door, he really wanted to make an acquaintance with these few people. He thought, “Isn’t it all about the connections in this world?”

That’s why the moment he left the restaurant, he grabbed hold of Huang Feng to question him. “Who are those few people? Are they your friends?”

“One of them is my colleague in the same department. What’s the matter?” Huang Feng responded.

“They are joining a gathering. Could we follow them and tag along?

Huang Feng laughed and shook his head. “What kind of joke is that. I am leaving, goodbye.” He left with Tong An Quan. They walked and chatted along the way. “How’s it going with Wang Yi Yi?”

Tong An Quan said, “Still the same.”

As they walked further and further away, the handsome classmate was not willing to let it rest. He informed the other three classmates. “Not going to send you guys off.” Then he walked back into the restaurant. With a face full of smiles, he walked towards Bai Lu. “My name is Luo Zhi Yu, the university classmate of Huang Feng. For the gathering tonight, could you guys bring me along?”

Bai Lu was stunned when he heard that. He turned towards He San Qing. “He said he wanted to come along.”

He San Qing smiled and walked over. “I am sorry. It’s a small gathering of close friends, no outsiders are allowed.” Even though he was smiling while he spoke, it was rather obvious to any human that the smiles were fake.

Nonetheless, He San Qing had saved him some face. If it was not for the fact that Gao Yuan was working in that particular department, and also having eaten a meal together in Bai Lu’s restaurant, He San Qing was very likely to have thrown some sarcastic remarks directly at his face. For example, he could have said, “Who the hell are you? Do I even know you at all?” Or something similar, to shake up this little kid.

“Oh, sorry for the inconvenience. I did not know about that. Then I will not bother you guys any longer, and make my leave.” After having his ego bruised, Luo Zhi Yu hurriedly left the restaurant. Then he drove away in his BMW.

“Tsk, there’s a guy here that forgot his surname after just a little poke.” He San Qing looked at the BMW as it drove away and grumbled with disdain towards the guy.

It wasn’t long before Sha Sha came out with a fresh set of clothes. It was a moon-white colored slim-fitting princess dress; the bottom edge of the skirt rested above her knee. On her feet were white plimsoll shoes.

He San Qing made a weird sound, and he said, “Beautiful.” He turned around and ran out the door.

“Is this guy mad?” Bai Lu glared at him, then he turned his attention back to Sha Sha. Indeed she was gorgeous, the dress made her look more youthful and energetic. He did not expect that the dress paired with plimsoll shoes would be so eye-catching.

Not long after, He San Qing returned. In his hands was a silver pendant. “Wear it on.”

Zhang Sha Sha declined.

“It’s a gift for you. It’s not something expensive to me,” he said.

Si Ma Zhi interrupted. “Indeed it is not very expensive, probably a few hundred dollars. His car is filled with them; he uses it very often to impress the ladies.”

“Could you stop lying? Wasn’t it you that brought me along to buy it in the first place?” He San Qing stared at him.

“What if it is really worth only a few hundred dollars?” Seeing the genuine look on He San Qing’s face, Bai Lu received over the pendant and helped Zhang Sha Sha to put it on. “Count it as my gift to you instead. It looks pretty nice on you.”

“Really?” Her eyes glowed brightly.

“Wait a minute. Do you have a comb around here?” He San Qing asked Bai Lu.

Bai Lu shook his head. Si Ma Zhi sighed, and he said, “You do not even have a comb around the house. How sloppy are you?” As he spoke, he walked out of the house. Not long after, he returned with a comb.

Bai Lu praised him. “You two are really like Doraemon.”

He San Qing received the comb. He undid her ponytail and let her hair down. Then he wetted the comb and brushed through her hair a couple of times. He dragged Bai Lu over, and he asked, “Look, look. What do you think?” Then he asked Si Ma Zhi, “Do you have some cosmetic powder?”

Si Ma Zhi rolled his eyes. “Did you really think that I am a girl?”

He San Qing shook his head. “Wrong, I thought that you were a robotic cat.”

Bai Lu examined Zhang Sha Sha. He thought, “With such a simple makeover, and she became much more beautiful. Even her skin is glowing more fairly than before. Not bad at all.”

Zhang Sha Sha was embarrassed with all these men looking at her. She ran into the toilet to take a look in the mirror. When she gazed upon herself in the mirror, she was utterly taken aback by her own reflection. Having lived for over 15 years, never once had she looked so beautiful. She blinked her eyes repeatedly and stared at herself in the mirror.

Japanese manga series, with a robotic cat: Doraemon, who could pull all sorts of weird gadgets out of his belly pouch.