Chapter 30: Crunchy and Delicious

“Alright.”

Master Zhao returned to the kitchen and swiftly got to work pulling noodles, boiling them, and slicing the marinated meat.

“Old Yan, if I remember right, you like spicy food, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes I do.”

“Alright then, I’ll slice you some of the spicier marinated meat.”

“And you, kid? You eat spicy food?”

“I do,” Guo Tao nodded.

Back when he was trying to save money, he used to buy steamed buns from the canteen and stuff them with the free chili oil they provided. These days, eating spicy food had become second nature to him.

“Got it.”

Master Zhao scooped out some spicy marinated pig ears and beef from the small pot and quickly chopped them into two plates with a few crisp cuts.

Just then, the noodles in the pot were done cooking.

Using long chopsticks and a strainer, Master Zhao transferred the noodles into a bowl that already had a prepared broth.

He topped it with a poached egg, added a couple of chopsticks’ worth of greens, half a pig trotter, and sprinkled some chopped scallions on top.

“Here you go, kid. Try it and see how it tastes.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The moment Guo Tao saw the steaming hot bowl of noodles placed in front of him, he felt a wave of warmth and gratitude.

It had been ages since he’d had such a high-quality bowl of noodles.

It was a massive bowl, and just looking at it made his mouth water.

“What are you waiting for, kid? Dig in,” Yan Fang urged.

“Right, right.”

Guo Tao lowered his head and started slurping up the noodles with his chopsticks.

The noodles were springy, and the broth was rich and flavorful with a hint of spice.

The poached egg was fragrant and delicious.

The greens were crisp and sweet.

The pig trotter was tender and bouncy, so flavorful it made his mouth water uncontrollably.

That huge bowl of noodles was gone in no time, thanks to Guo Tao’s focused eating.

Even the broth was nearly wiped clean.

“Kid, I’ll go make you another bowl.”

“Thank you, Uncle, but really, I’m full.”

“Your noodles were absolutely amazing!” Guo Tao patted his stomach as he spoke.

To be honest, he thought this was the best bowl of noodles he had ever eaten in his life.

Both the presentation and the flavor were top-notch.

“Of course it’s good. Master Zhao used to be the head chef at a high-end private restaurant.”

“If I didn’t work at this orphanage, I’d never have had the chance to eat like this,” Yan Fang said, picking up another slice of marinated meat and chewing slowly.

“Mmm, Master Zhao, you really are something. This marinated meat is incredible.”

“It’s so good, it’s making me dizzy with delight.”

“Heh, just eating marinated meat might get a little greasy. I’ve still got some flatbread from this morning. Want me to toast a couple slices for you?”

“Then I’ll trouble you, Master Zhao,” Yan Fang said after checking the time and seeing it was still early.

“No trouble at all. It’s nothing.”

While Master Zhao went to toast the flatbread, Guo Tao leaned in and asked quietly.

“Miss, do you guys always eat this well?”

“You think one bowl of noodles means we eat well?”

“Let me tell you, you just came at the wrong time.”

“If you’d come at lunchtime, then you’d really know what good food is.”

“When we have rice for lunch, there are usually at least six to eight dishes.”

“Every single one is one of Master Zhao’s specialties, and they’re all insanely good.”

“Most importantly, all the ingredients are top-quality. The director spends a lot to get organic vegetables and premium meats from outside.”

“The director says the kids at the orphanage are growing and need to eat well and drink well.”

“And you think that’s it? We don’t just have dishes. We get soup and fruit too.”

“Cherries and durians that cost hundreds outside? We get to eat them here.”

“I didn’t realize how amazing organic fruit could taste until I started working here.”

“Besides rice, Master Zhao has made us lamb soup, hot pot, roast whole lamb, sauced noodles, steamed dumplings…”

“And that lamb? The director had someone specially bring it back from Inner Mongolia. Panda lamb. Thinly sliced and dipped in hot pot—oh my god, the flavor…”

“The director also said that when Mid-Autumn Festival comes, we’ll have a crab feast…”

“…” Guo Tao.

What the heck, is this really an orphanage?

Why does it sound more like a high-end restaurant?

What kind of orphanage eats like this every day?

Ahhh, he had just finished a whole bowl of noodles, but now he was hungry again.

“Oh right, kid, what’s your name again?”

“I’m Guo Tao, nineteen years old, from Guazhou…”

“Alright, alright, no need for a full census report. I just asked for your name.”

“Oh, haha.” Guo Tao gave an awkward laugh.

His head had been filled with thoughts of food just now, and he hadn’t even realized what he was saying.

“Xiao Guo, we’ve got a rule here. Everyone washes their own dishes after eating.”

“See that sink over there?”

“Once you’re done, put your dishes in the sterilizer. The sink next to it has hand soap and hand cream.”

“Got it, got it.” Guo Tao stood up to go wash his bowl.

“Hold on, what’s the rush?”

“This marinated meat smells amazing. Finish that first.”

Master Zhao quickly brought over the toasted flatbread.

The warm flatbread was stuffed with marinated meat, and one bite was so good it nearly made them swallow their tongues.

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, paired with the flavorful marinated meat and a splash of meat juice.

With every bite, sesame seeds from the crust would fall off with a satisfying crunch.

Ah, pure satisfaction.

“Master Zhao, your cooking is seriously incredible!”

After washing his dishes and slinging his backpack over his shoulder, Guo Tao followed Yan Fang out. He couldn’t help but turn back and give Master Zhao a big thumbs-up.

“Heh, glad you liked it.”

Master Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, the smile on his face so wide it was hard to contain.

He loved hearing people praise his cooking.

The more praise he got, the more fired up he became.

And when he got fired up, he wanted to try out new dishes.

As for the director’s advice to take more breaks when he had time?

Breaks? What breaks? He wasn’t tired.

He could keep flipping that wok all day!

As long as he wasn’t dead tired, he’d keep tossing that wok like his life depended on it.

Still, it probably was time to find an assistant.

Ideally someone with good character, eager to learn, passionate, energetic, and hardworking.

Now, who would be a good fit?

Ah, got it!

******

After leaving the canteen, Yan Fang gave Guo Tao a quick tour around the orphanage.

When Lu Qingqiang’s call came in, she immediately took Guo Tao to her office.

The moment Guo Tao met the orphanage director, Lu Qingqiang, he was clearly stunned.

Wait, this is the director?

She looked… way too young.

Had she even graduated college?

She looked more like a freshman who had just entered university.

“Hello, I’m Lu Qingqiang.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Guo Tao. I’m a sophomore at xxx University.”

“Yes, I’ve read your resume. I’m quite impressed. Is there anything you’d like to know more about?”

“Actually, Director, would it be possible to have the kids who need tutoring come by later?”

“Also, here’s the lesson plan I prepared on the way here. Could you take a look and see if the pace and structure are appropriate?”

As he spoke, Guo Tao pulled a notebook from his bag and handed it over.

Lu Qingqiang took a quick look and was pleasantly surprised.

“Not bad. You’ve clearly put thought into this. I think it looks great.”

No wonder he was a college student.

It was just a part-time tutoring gig at an elementary level, but he had still taken the time to prepare a lesson plan, even doing it on the way here.

Just that level of dedication was enough to earn her approval.

Not to mention, the content was thorough and well-tailored.

“Wait here. I’ll call them over.”

— Translator’s Notes —

– Mid-Autumn Festival: The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, often marked by family gatherings, mooncakes, and lanterns.