Chapter 1: The Apprentice's Restaurant Goes Bankrupt Right at the Start
In Quancheng (City), in front of Yanxi Restaurant.
Feng Zhengming and his Senior Brothers followed behind their Master (Shifu), bidding a final farewell to the century-old establishment.
On Feng Zhengming's back was an Iron Wok.
Stuck inside the Iron Wok, which was resting against his back, were a Cooking Ladle and a Boning Knife.
These three items were the cooking tools Master (Shifu) had recently passed down to Feng Zhengming.
Master (Shifu) stared at Yanxi Restaurant for a long time, finally letting out a helpless sigh, then bowed deeply to the restaurant.
Seeing this, Feng Zhengming and his Senior Brothers quickly followed Master (Shifu), offering their final bows of farewell to Yanxi Restaurant, which was facing closure due to mismanagement.
After bowing, Master (Shifu) turned around, his gaze sweeping over Feng Zhengming and the other Senior Brothers.
“From now on, no matter which restaurant you Senior Brothers go to, always remember: cooking starts with being a person. At all times, uphold the fundamental principles of being a good person, and always stick to the skills I’ve taught you.”
After hearing Master (Shifu)'s words, Feng Zhengming, along with his Senior Brothers, earnestly bowed to Master (Shifu), promising to uphold their skills.
Master (Shifu) nodded in satisfaction, then descended the steps in front of Yanxi Restaurant, reaching out to firmly pat each Apprentice's shoulder.
This weighty pat was an old craftsman's final legacy passed down to his Apprentices.
Stopping in front of Feng Zhengming, Master (Shifu) first asked: “Zhengming, are you really not coming back with me? Do you want to stay in Quancheng (City)? And work at the canteen your Eldest Senior Brother is managing?”
Feng Zhengming didn't originally belong to this era.
He was originally a typical corporate drone from the 21st century.
Every day, he lived a blessed life of '007'.
Although he wasn't burdened by a mortgage or car loan, he also hadn't earned the qualification for romance.
Deeply entrenched in this 'blessed life', Feng Zhengming could only order the cheapest pre-packaged meal deliveries every day, accompanying them with various online cooking videos. He became a 'cloud Apprentice' to many famous chefs, but never had the time to show off his skills.
Feng Zhengming originally thought his life would end amidst this 'blessed life'.
But unexpectedly, an accidental car crash transported him to this era, which resembled the 1990s.
Feng Zhengming became a kitchen Apprentice at Yanxi Restaurant.
He learned cooking under the head chef in Yanxi Restaurant's kitchen.
During his two years as an Apprentice, Master (Shifu) and the Senior Brothers treated Feng Zhengming very well.
Under Master (Shifu)'s guidance, Feng Zhengming gradually integrated all the knowledge points from the many cooking videos he'd watched in his previous life.
He also proficiently mastered the various cooking techniques taught by Master (Shifu).
He had thought he was about to get his chance to cook at the stove.
To his surprise, Yanxi Restaurant actually went bankrupt due to mismanagement.
Master (Shifu) was somewhat disheartened and decided to retire and return to his hometown.
The Senior Brothers, through various connections from their own families, had all found new places to work.
In the end, only the helpless Feng Zhengming remained, with no place to go, like a rootless duckweed.
Master (Shifu) wanted Feng Zhengming to go back to his hometown with him.
But Feng Zhengming thought it over and decided to stay in Quancheng (City) after all. After all, Quancheng (City) was the provincial capital, and staying there would surely offer more opportunities.
Eldest Senior Brother Li Huidong walked over and said, “Master (Shifu), don't worry, I'll take good care of Junior Brother.”
Eldest Senior Brother's words pulled Feng Zhengming's thoughts back.
He earnestly looked at Master (Shifu), then glanced at the old plaque of Yanxi Restaurant.
“I want to stay in Quancheng (City). First, I’ll work with Eldest Senior Brother at the canteen he’s managing, accumulate some experience, and then try to go it alone. Master (Shifu), don’t worry, I won’t act rashly; I’ll definitely prepare well before striking out on my own. When I earn enough money, I’ll buy back Yanxi Restaurant, and then I’ll invite you back to preside over the kitchen.”
Although their two years together weren't long, Feng Zhengming and Master (Shifu) had developed a bond like father and son.
He knew very well that the closure of Yanxi Restaurant was a considerable blow to Master (Shifu).
Therefore, Feng Zhengming held a belief in his heart: he would rely on his own abilities to buy back Yanxi Restaurant, and then invite Master (Shifu) back to preside over the kitchen. He intended to make this century-old establishment the most prestigious dining hall.
Master (Shifu) smiled and patted Feng Zhengming's shoulder: “Zhengming, I passed down the Wok, Cooking Ladle, and knife to you, hoping you can make good use of them and earn a living. Master (Shifu) doesn't ask for you all to become rich and famous. Master (Shifu) only hopes that you can all cook well, remember to be honest and upright, and dedicated to your cooking.”
Feng Zhengming and his Senior Brothers nodded earnestly, indicating they would heed Master (Shifu)'s instructions.
Leaving Yanxi Restaurant, Feng Zhengming and his Senior Brothers accompanied Master (Shifu) to the train that would take him back to his hometown.
Then, with Eldest Senior Brother, he also saw off the other Senior Brothers one by one.
Only then did Feng Zhengming follow Eldest Senior Brother to the canteen that Eldest Senior Brother had contracted with others.
Eldest Senior Brother Li Huidong, in partnership with others, had contracted to manage the canteen and guesthouse of a beer factory in Quancheng (City).
Besides needing to supply meals for the beer factory employees every day.
They also needed to prepare some special meals for the factory's hospitality functions.
On the way back with Eldest Senior Brother, Feng Zhengming was constantly pondering his future path.
He recalled that when they saw Master (Shifu) off, the current boarding station in Quancheng (City) was a temporary suburban small station, arranged because the plaza in front of Quancheng Station was undergoing renovation, redirecting passengers there.
Since it was a temporary boarding station, there were no shops around, only a few scattered vendors selling goods.
Feng Zhengming thought that perhaps selling bento boxes outside the temporary small station would be good business.
Li Huidong turned his head and saw his Junior Brother following him, head bowed and silent the whole way.
He thought Feng Zhengming was sad because Master (Shifu) had left.
Li Huidong turned and said, “Zhengming, don't be sad. Master (Shifu) is old; retiring to his hometown to enjoy his golden years is quite good. When we have time, we can go visit Master (Shifu). You can work in the canteen for now. If you feel you don't want to work in the canteen anymore and find a suitable restaurant, go ahead and switch jobs; Senior Brother won't stop you.”
Eldest Senior Brother's words pulled Feng Zhengming's thoughts back.
Feng Zhengming quickly looked up, seeing Eldest Senior Brother's sincere face.
He quickly said, “Thank you, Senior Brother. I was just thinking, with the old train station plaza undergoing renovation, all boarding has been moved to the South Station. There aren't many shops around the South Station, so people rushing for trains during meal times will definitely be hungry. Can we prepare some meals from the canteen and go sell bento boxes at the South Station?”
Li Huidong was a bit surprised: “You want to go sell bento boxes at the South Station?”
Feng Zhengming nodded: “Yes. The canteen Senior Brother is managing isn't far. We can make extra meals in the canteen every day, take them to the South Station, and sell bento boxes. The business definitely won't be bad.”
Li Huidong thought for a moment, then helplessly shook his head: “Where would we find the manpower in our canteen to sell bento boxes? Hundreds of people from the beer factory eat lunch, and there are also those who need special meals. We're already swamped; how would we have time to go sell bento boxes at the train station?”
Hearing Eldest Senior Brother say this, Feng Zhengming immediately said, “Senior Brother, can you let me try? I can pay you for the meals I take from the canteen. If the business is viable, we can settle accounts once a month.”
Li Huidong looked at his Junior Brother, somewhat puzzled.
“You don't want to work in the canteen, do you? If you don't want to work here, you can say so directly. Senior Brother isn't forcing you to stay in the canteen; I can help introduce you to other restaurants.”
Feng Zhengming quickly said, “No, Senior Brother, I just don't want to trouble you. Master (Shifu) passed down the knife, Wok, and Cooking Ladle to me, so I want to try to support myself with my own abilities. In the future, when I earn money, I must buy back Yanxi Restaurant.”
Li Huidong looked at Feng Zhengming, at his fresh-faced, early twenties appearance.
Li Huidong felt that Feng Zhengming was still a bit childish.
He probably didn't understand how much money it would take to buy back Yanxi Restaurant.
However, Li Huidong could also understand, seeing it as Feng Zhengming's filial piety towards Master (Shifu).
So, in the end, Li Huidong agreed: “Alright, if you want to do it, then go ahead and try. Don't settle accounts with me for the first month; consider it Senior Brother's sponsorship for you to give it a try.”
Feng Zhengming smiled and said, “Thank you, Senior Brother.”
(End of this chapter)