Siheyuan: Tanjia Cuisine He Daqing, destroying Yi Zhonghai

He Daqing smiled softly, "It's normal to feel a little nervous, which shows that you care about this matter. But as a chef, the most important thing is to stay calm and steady in order to cook every dish well. You performed well today, which shows that you have made great progress in this regard."

He Yuzhu felt warm in his heart. The master's recognition was a great encouragement to him. He knew that this was not only the success of a bowl of porridge, but also another growth in his cooking skills.

He Daqing put down the bowl and continued, "Zhu Zi, you have to remember that in the chef's business, details determine success or failure. Sometimes, a bowl of seemingly simple porridge actually contains a lot of skills and experience. And these things can only be mastered through continuous practice."

He Yuzhu nodded and said seriously: "Master, I will remember your words. No matter what dish I make in the future, I will treat it with my heart and never be careless."

He Daqing nodded with satisfaction. "Okay, I feel relieved to have your heart. What you need to do in the future is not only to learn more skills, but also to constantly hone your character. Only in this way can you truly become a top chef."

He Yuzhu felt the expectations and responsibilities in his master's words. He knew that his master's requirements for him were not only to pass on his skills, but also to cultivate his mentality and establish his professional spirit. He secretly made up his mind to live up to his master's expectations and carry forward this skill.

He Daqing slowly finished the heat-removing porridge cooked by He Yuzhu, and felt a warmth flowing through his body, as if dispelling the heat accumulated during this period. He put down the bowl, took a deep breath, and felt much more refreshed. He looked up at He Yuzhu, and a feeling of relief surged in his heart. He knew that his apprentice had gradually mastered the essence of cooking, and more importantly, he saw in He Yuzhu the increasingly mature mentality and persistence in details.

"Work hard, Xiao Zhuzi, you've worked hard these days. You're tired too, go and take a rest." He Daqing said with a smile, his voice full of gentle concern.

He Yuzhu looked at the relaxed expression on He Daqing's face and felt more at ease. He nodded and said, "Master, you should also go to bed early. I won't disturb you today. You can rest and I will continue to practice."

He Daqing smiled slightly and waved his hand to signal He Yuzhu to get busy. Then, he got up and walked back to his room, lay on the bed, covered himself with a quilt, and closed his eyes. His physical fatigue made him fall asleep quickly, but his heart was calm and satisfied. He knew that he could rest assured that He Yuzhu had gradually taken over his mantle.

However, He Yuzhu was not as relaxed as he seemed. Although he was very happy about his master's evaluation, the sense of responsibility in his heart made him dare not slack off for a moment. He knew that his master had placed so much effort and hope on him, and he must not let him down.

That afternoon, He Yuzhu continued to be busy in the kitchen, he was working on a new dish, which was an idea he had recently come up with, hoping to add some innovation to the tradition. However, at this moment, several old chefs in the restaurant came over with a hint of unfriendly smile on their faces.

"Hey, Xiao Zhuzi, what new tricks are you trying?" one of the old chefs teased, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

He Yuzhu raised his head, glanced at them, and responded calmly: "I'm trying some new dishes, hoping to bring something different to the restaurant."

"New stuff? Ha, don't you look at your own weight? Don't think about those fancy things all day long. Just do your job well." Another old chef said disdainfully, with hostility in his eyes.

He Yuzhu was a little unhappy, but he held back and didn't get angry. He knew that these old chefs were jealous of him. They couldn't stand the fact that a young man had won the favor of He Daqing so quickly, and even had a tendency to take over the kitchen. He Yuzhu knew that this was not just a competition of cooking skills, but also a contest of qualifications and status.

"I just want to give it a try. After all, times are changing and dishes need to be constantly updated." He Yuzhu said as calmly as possible, with a bit of determination in his tone.

The old chefs sneered. One of them took a step closer and patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder. He said in a threatening tone, "Boy, don't think that you can show off here just because the master taught you a few tricks. You don't have the final say here."

He Yuzhu felt the strength of the hand on his shoulder, and a rage began to burn in his heart, but he forced himself to calm down. He knew that a conflict with them at this time would only make things worse.

"Everyone is doing this for the good of the restaurant. I don't want to compete with anyone." He Yuzhu said slowly, trying to keep his voice calm.

However, the old chefs did not intend to let him go. They had worked in the restaurant for many years and thought they had an unshakable position, and He Yuzhu's rise made them feel threatened. They began to make things difficult for He Yuzhu at work, sometimes deliberately intervening when he was cooking to disrupt his rhythm, and sometimes picking on him in front of the boss.

He Yuzhu knew that these people were deliberately targeting him, but he didn't want to make his master worry, and he didn't want these disputes to affect his work. He decided to endure it, prove himself with his own strength, and strive to win their respect with his achievements.

However, this kind of pressure and bullying made He Yuzhu feel even more depressed. He found that every time he returned home, he could not completely relax, and the ridicule and provocation of those old chefs would often echo in his mind. Even in the dead of night, he would toss and turn, thinking about how to deal with these people's difficulties.

One night, He Yuzhu worked overtime alone in the kitchen, trying to forget his worries by focusing on his work. He carefully pondered the new dish, constantly adjusting the recipe and the heat, trying to make a taste that satisfied him. However, the boredom in his heart made it difficult for him to concentrate, and every time he tried, he always felt that something was missing.

Just as he was immersed in his thoughts, the kitchen door was gently pushed open, and He Daqing appeared at the door. He stood there, looking at He Yuzhu quietly, with an indescribable complex emotion in his eyes.

"Zhu Zi, why aren't you resting so late?" He Daqing's voice was low and gentle, with a hint of concern.

He Yuzhu looked up and saw the figure of his master. He was startled. He quickly put down the things in his hands and walked to He Daqing. "Master, why are you still awake?"