There was no need to ask how the taste was.
Just from Chitawara Natsume's expression of enjoyment, Liu Ming guessed that she was very satisfied.
In just a few days, he had taught Tadokoro Megumi to this extent, and Liu Ming was proud of himself.
Chitawara Natsume didn't refute. "It's a very good dish. More importantly, the taste is exactly the same as yours, which is truly incredible. It's not difficult for a chef to learn a dish, especially with someone guiding them. However, to achieve the exact same taste requires extremely high talent. With this talent, plus your dedicated guidance, I can already imagine her future achievements."
Tadokoro Megumi was also embarrassed by the praise, her face flushed.
"She's still just a student, and she has a lot more to learn," Liu Ming waved his hand, humbly for once.
Chitawara Natsume rolled her eyes. Looking at his current smug expression, he didn't seem to mean what he said.
"Are you interested in letting her come to my company? I can let her be a team leader in the development department," Chitawara Natsume again had the urge to poach someone.
Liu Ming glared at her, scolding with a smile, "Didn't I just say she's still a student? She just got promoted to Totsuki Academy's high school division this year."
"Totsuki Academy!" Chitawara Natsume frowned. That was a prestigious culinary academy. But thinking about it, it made sense. With Tadokoro Megumi's current age and skill, she would definitely choose Totsuki Academy.
"Actually, you don't have to worry. Even students can work part-time. Many students at Totsuki Academy work part-time outside, especially Eizan Etsuya, the current Ninth Seat of the Elite Ten. He has cooperative relationships with many companies, so you don't have to worry at all."
Chitawara Natsume didn't plan to give up just like that.
If I can't hire you, then I'll hire your apprentice.
Once the apprentice comes, how can you, the master, escape?
With this in mind, she tried even harder to persuade Liu Ming.
Liu Ming remained unmoved. "She's still young, and this is an important period for her studies. I only hope she focuses her attention on learning. Other unimportant things will only hinder her progress. So, this is not negotiable, and you shouldn't mention it to her."
Chitawara Natsume looked at Liu Ming in surprise, saying with a hint of emotion, "She is truly lucky to have a master like you."
"A good master is hard to find, and a good apprentice is equally rare. I'm also very happy to have such an apprentice, so don't even think about her."
"Alright then, will you agree to come to my company? I can even put the entire development department under your management," Chitawara Natsume brought up the old topic again.
"Ah haha, you think too highly of me. You should hand such an important department over to someone else. I'm going to go deal with these ingredients first, otherwise, forget about the day after tomorrow, you won't even get to eat it the day after that."
Liu Ming effortlessly picked up the box. The hundred-pound weight felt as light as a feather in his hands.
"Sister, is this person really that amazing? You value him so much that you even promised him the position of head of the development department."
Chihiro Orie was truly puzzled now. The cuisine at this restaurant was indeed delicious, but that alone wasn't enough to value him so highly. She couldn't understand what Chitawara Natsume was thinking.
"The day after tomorrow, after you taste the special dish he makes, you'll understand."
Chitawara Natsume didn't explain, nor did she tell her that special dishes could be reserved here.
.....
"Master?" Tadokoro Megumi stood nervously in place, constantly twirling her thumbs.
"The guest was very satisfied with your two dishes, so you can be more confident."
Liu Ming reached out and ruffled her head.
Tadokoro Megumi's nervous face immediately broke into a happy smile. She was happy not only for herself but, more importantly, because she hadn't embarrassed her master.
"It's all because Master taught me well," Tadokoro Megumi said earnestly.
"Alright, I told you to be more confident. But this alone isn't enough. You haven't forgotten the task I gave you, have you?"
"You mean the takeout food sold in the small cabinet? I've been keeping it in mind and already have some ideas."
Tadokoro Megumi immediately replied.
"Good, that's good. Someone ordered a special dish today, so now you'll learn it properly from me."
"Is it Mystical Mapo Tofu? I'll definitely learn it seriously." Tadokoro Megumi's eyes widened, and she became visibly excited.
She had wanted to learn that dish for a long time. Before, because of her tongue, she could only watch from the side.
Now that her tongue was better, she still couldn't eat heavily flavored dishes, which she always found regrettable.
She never expected that today, her master would finally allow her to learn.
"Uh." Liu Ming was stunned. He hadn't expected Tadokoro Megumi to be so eager.
"It makes me, as your master, very happy to see you so eager to learn.
But unfortunately, what you're learning this time isn't Mystical Mapo Tofu, but a new dish. It's very famous and luxurious in Huaxia.
Some big spender even prepared portions for us, so you'll be in for a treat the day after tomorrow."
Tadokoro Megumi was a little disappointed at first, but after hearing the latter part of his words, she became excited again.
To be valued so highly by her master, it must not be an ordinary dish.
"Master, what dish is it?" she asked curiously.
Liu Ming smiled mysteriously. He didn't say it immediately but opened the box in his hand.
He pointed to the ingredients inside and asked, "Seeing these ingredients, what comes to your mind?"
Tadokoro Megumi looked at Liu Ming doubtfully. She took two steps forward and came to the front of the box.
Inside the box were high-grade ingredients: abalone, sea cucumber, fish lips, yak hide gelatin, king oyster mushrooms, beef tendons, shiitake mushrooms, cuttlefish, dried scallops...
And judging by their quality, they were all top-grade.
Almost every one of them could make a delicious dish on its own, yet now they were all being used to make one dish.
For the past two days, Tadokoro Megumi had been specifically studying Chinese cuisine. When she saw these ingredients before her,
a name immediately popped into her mind: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.
"The jar is opened, and the aroma wafts to the neighbors; the Buddha smells it, abandons meditation, and jumps over the wall."
The famous Chinese dish - Buddha Jumps Over the Wall