Upon arriving at the restaurant, Lin Xu spotted his father-in-law from afar, sitting at a table by the window. Various signature dishes from Building No. 2 were laid out before him.
Around him sat Tan Yajun from the audit office and a few other middle-aged n, chatting and eating together in what looked to be a harmonious atmosphere.
"Wow, there really is a new dish!" Shen Guofu exclaid upon seeing Lin Xu approaching with a dish in hand, and he quickly got up.
When he saw it was pork knuckle, his face imdiately lit up with joy. "Pork knuckle with wine—the more you eat, the more you’ll find to enjoy! This dish is truly impressive."
As long as it’s at, you’re happy, huh? Lin Xu thought.
Lin Xu walked over, placed the plate on their table with a smile, and casually said to Shen Guofu, "Grandma wanted to eat Crystal Sugar Pork Knuckle, and I was worried I wouldn’t make it right, so my senior brother made a few to teach . Since you’re here, it’s the perfect opportunity for you to try it."
Upon hearing this, Shen Guofu imdiately patted Lin Xu’s shoulder. "Good boy!"
Then he said to Tan Yajun and the others, "Lin Xu visited my ho yesterday, and the old lady was delighted. She even made Crystal Sugar Pork Knuckle herself. Yueyue, that girl, was teasingly egging Lin Xu on to make it for the old lady, and I didn’t expect this kid to actually start learning today."
The mont Tan Yajun heard this, he couldn’t help but praise, "Truly a good, filial kid, just like Yueyue."
Shen Guofu was montarily speechless. Old Tan, if you’re envious, just say so. Why go around cursing people?
He pulled Lin Xu over and said, "Co, let introduce you to these uncles. They grew up in the sa alley as and Old Tan, and they ca specially today to taste your cooking."
Lin Xu quickly greeted the uncles.
After the pleasantries, Lin Xu said, "Please, go ahead and eat. I still have work to do, so I need to get back."
"Sure, sure. You go ahead."
Once Lin Xu had left, the middle-aged n couldn’t wait to pick up their chopsticks, all reaching for the Crystal Sugar Pork Knuckle that had made them drool the mont it was served.
Shen Guofu took a piece of the pork knuckle skin and popped it into his mouth, instantly srized by the sweet flavor.
It was deliciously sweet yet not greasy, with a refreshing quality reminiscent of sugarcane. The skin itself was tender and flavorful, lting away at the re touch of his tongue.
Only after they finished the pork knuckle could they discern the subtle saltiness within the skin. It left an unforgettable and utterly delightful aftertaste.
"Oh my goodness, this pork knuckle is so delicious!"
"Indeed, the at is tender, and the flavor is spot on."
"I don’t usually like sweet dishes, but I can’t stop eating this pork knuckle."
"The more you eat, the tastier it gets! Old Shen, I forgot to ask if your son-in-law has learned how to make it yet. If he has, we’ll have to start coming over to your place for dinner more often!"
"Yes, we must! This pork knuckle is just too satisfying."
"..."
While Tan Yajun and the others chattered non-stop, Shen Guofu remained silent, his head down, busy vying with his old friends for the pork knuckle on the plate.
A bunch of fools who’ve never had to fight for their food, Shen Guofu thought. Is this really the ti for talking? Every extra word spoken ans one less bite of pork knuckle. Go on, keep talking. The more you talk, the more I get to eat.
Only when nothing was left on the plate but a lone leg bone did they finally stop.
Shen Guofu let out a contented burp. That was so satisfying!
「Back in the kitchen.」
His senior brother had gone upstairs for an executive eting for Building No. 2, so the sugarcane syrup Lin Xu had been planning to make had to be postponed.
However, Lin Xu wasn’t in a rush.
The Crystal Sugar Pork Knuckle he’d just carried to the dining hall had been tempting him the entire way, and he was already craving the dish badly. Seeing a plate still left, he hurriedly picked up his chopsticks and eagerly tasted a piece of the pork skin.
Mmm, it really is delicious, he thought. Despite so much sugar, it wasn’t cloying at all. That’s almost unbelievable!
After a few more bites, he got himself a bowl of rice, scooped so of the remaining sauce from the pot, mixed it with the rice, and took a bite.
Mmm, this warm rice mixed with the savory-sweet sauce is just incredible, he mused. Even plain rice becos a delicacy!
"You like eating it mixed like this too?"
As he was eating, Song Dahai ca over.
It was past dinnerti, so he also served himself a bowl of rice and began eating it with the pork knuckle before heading back to his duties.
Hmph, Xie Baomin managed to snag two sugarcanes from , Song Dahai thought. Well, I’ll make up for it with this rice and pork knuckle. I, Old Song, can’t let myself be taken advantage of!
Lin Xu smiled and replied, "We’re about to get busy, so I’m just grabbing a quick bite. Chef Song, where is Building No. 15? Is it a bit far from here?"
"Not too far. Just follow the main road inside Fishing Platform, and you’ll see a red, traditional Chinese-style building near the rockery. That’s Building No. 15... Chef Lin, if you’re not busy, you should co visit us. Many of the young people in Building No. 15 look up to you as a role model."
Really? Lin Xu thought. Then I’ll definitely stop by after work. The sugarcane isn’t important; I just want to make more friends.
Song Dahai continued, "Especially my nephew. Ever since he watched your competition, he’s been looking up your information online, constantly creating buzz about you and doing daily check-ins, just like those kids who idolize celebrities."
This imdiately caught Lin Xu’s interest. He said, "That’s so flattering! I didn’t expect to have fans here at Fishing Platform."
He’d thought the people constantly chattering about him in the online discussions were just food enthusiasts; he hadn’t realized that even chefs from Fishing Platform were captivated.
This makes a visit to Building No. 15 an absolute must, Lin Xu decided. I should get to know this fanboy first. Then, if I want so sugarcane later, it’ll just be a matter of asking!
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