Chef Liu of Starry Sky Kindergarten had to leave for a trip due to a task at hand.
The two dance teachers, feeling a strange softness on their bellies, felt a sense of relief.
Chef Liu was too good at what he does.
He could even make the weight-loss meals taste incredibly good.
What's it like to feel full on a weight loss diet? He always wanted to answer that question. It didn't feel like dieting at all.
Once you put on weight, there's a sense of 'anything goes'.
They were considering whether to eat without restraint.
Because the braised pork hocks offered by the school cafeteria is too tempting.
That's when they heard that Chef Liu had to leave on a business trip!
The trip was for a culinary contest.
The flash store had to stop its operation because of the live broadcast of the culinary contest.
But then they learned that the copyright was going to be moved over to the television station.
So, they had to temporarily halt it, as the television station needed some time to prepare.
The television station is also afraid that the popularity might decrease.
So they have been preparing non-stop.
It took them more than a week to get everything ready.
There were three teams in total, each covering an 8-hour shift.
They finally got the stage and various camera positions sorted out.
Even the post-production team has been found.
Chef Liu was called in. This time, the radio station decided to use live broadcast.
Their cake station used to be very popular amongst all national television stations.
But now it has gradually dropped out of the top 10.
The high online popularity of this culinary match has everyone at the station excited.
They saw it as a great opportunity for them to redeem themselves.
They broke the tradition of recorded programming and switched to live broadcast.
The aim was to connect with the high online interactivity.
Chef Liu was one of the judges.
Shen Wei was also a special guest.
Apart from them, some online taste testers were retained as well.
The original appearance of Shen Wei was retained when she made the culinary contest, just now taking place on a more professional set.
Chef Liu had previously been a judge, but those contests were small-scale.
For example, when experienced chefs took on apprentices. He commented like a senior.
Before, he was at the flash store.
He had been working at the flash store for quite a long period of time.
He has been used to live broadcasting from his own unit.
This time he is coming to the professional set. Prior to the trip, he even unexpectedly experienced insomnia.
He dug out the most expensive suit from his home, only to find that it has become too tight.
Chef Liu was dumbfounded.
He spent more than 5000 on the suit.
He hardly wore it, saving it for important occasions. Who would've thought that it would become too small?
Chef Liu was muttering to himself.
His wife said on the side, "You've been keeping this for over 10 years, and you've gained at least 30 pounds, naturally, you can't wear it. Go buy a new one."
Chef Liu said in his mouth, "What's the point of buying it, wasting money!"
Unable to wear this suit which cost more than 5000, he still couldn't help but cherish it.
But he still handed his wife some money, asking her to buy a high-end suit.
It was already late at night, and Chef Liu couldn't sleep.
He opened up the WeChat group, and found that many of his colleagues in the kindergarten group were craving the dishes he cooked.
Initially, they borrowed Chef Liu, thinking that Chef Chen could replace him.
But Chef Chen was at the flash store, and the kindergarten could only temporarily find another chief chef to cover the shift.
But those who have tasted the dishes made by Chef Liu know that there's a huge difference between him and other master chefs.
Everyone cherished him, because recording the programme would take at least two months.
The thought of not being able to eat Chef Liu's food for two months made all the colleagues at the kindergarten feel unbearable sadness.
She was just shy of crying in front of Chef Liu to express how much she would miss him.
Chef Liu was feeling pretty in delight. He couldn't help but reply with a voice message in the middle of the night, "Everyone, rest assured. Although I am out on business, I have already arranged for Chef Zhang to take over the kindergarten kitchen."
Chef Zhang had once substituted him in the pop-up restaurant, a cook skilled with braised dishes and was especially nonchalant.
He disliked taking apprentices or adhering to formal working hours, living a laid-back lifestyle much akin to old Beijing locals.
The last time the pop-up was swamped, Chef Liu called for Chef Zhang.
Once his braised dishes hit the tables, they quickly secured a place in the hearts of the patrons.
They were simply phenomenal - no one really knew how he managed to do it.
His dishes were the kind where you'd want to suck your fingers after finishing, not wanting to waste any bit of the sauce.
Each duck neck, stripping every tiny bit of meat from the nooks and crannies.
Not wanting to waste even the slightest bit.
That braised juice, combined with a bit of potato slices and kelp.
These seemingly ordinary ingredients suddenly attained culinary divinity under the anointing of the braised juice.
Whether mixed with rice or eaten as is - they were exceptionally delicious.
Nowadays, many places sell braised duck products.
But none could compare to what Chef Zhang had to offer.
Each time everyone ate, they had blissful expressions on their faces.
After finishing, they'd want to savor one more duck neck, nibbling slowly and chewing meticulously, as if this was what life was truly about.
By the time Chef Liu responded, it was already deep into the night.
He assumed everyone had gone to bed.
That they would see his message first thing in the morning.
Who would have thought that the moment he posted his message in the group chat, there was already a lively response, "I knew Chef Liu wouldn't abandon us."
"My gosh, I'm truly lucky!"
"Don't worry, as long as we're here, there won't be any problems in our kindergarten."
Chef Liu was an extremely caring person, and his primary concern was the kindergarten.
This message warmed his heart.
Looking at his phone, Chef Liu laughed and muttered, "These little rascals."
Chefs Liu and Chen were the eldest in the kindergarten.
They saw all their colleagues as younger siblings.
Just a moment ago, they were all moping about how much they would miss him.
But now that they knew there was a new chef, they'd quickly forgotten about him.
That said, everyone's response reassured him.
Otherwise, being the people pleaser he was, he might have started to feel guilty.
The next day, Chef Liu went to the broadcasting studio early in the morning.
As soon as he got there, he couldn't help but inquire about Shen Wei's whereabouts.
Despite Chef Liu's age, he spent most of his time interacting with pots and pans, and didn't socialize much.
The sight of so many people and such magnitude arrangements made him a little nervous.
Soon enough, Shen Wei made her appearance. Seeing Shen Wei, Chef Liu immediately felt a sense of relief and quickly walked over to greet her.
"Shen Wei, you're here! I can now relax." he said.
Shen Wei replied, "You're here so early! We haven't even started yet."
He could have taken a longer break.
Chef Liu said, "I got worried!"
Even though they had handed over the broadcasting rights to the TV station.
They had initiated the program. He felt a sense of responsibility towards it.
He wanted to make sure everything was done right.
After a while, he saw Jiang Xun, his prized favourite.
Jiang Xun was sitting in a corner.
Most people were aware of his fallout with his mentor.
In addition to his aloof personality, not many people proactively approach Jiang Xun.
Now that Liu Chef sees him alone, he can't help but want to ask him about his employment intentions.
"Would you like to join us at Starry Sky Kindergarten?" he inquires.
Liu Chef deeply feels that there are too few helping hands in the kitchen.
The moment he steps out, there's immediately a shortage in the culinary department.
It took a burst of popularity and inviting friends over to occupy the space this time.
But you can't always rely on popularity for solutions.
How wonderful it would be to have the strength of a few youths.
After years of dedicated guidance, they can gradually take on heavier responsibilities.
Then he can retire peacefully in the future.
