Chapter Twenty-Five: Secrets

Chu Yun turned at the sound and saw a young woman step forward. She was not very old, her features rather pleasing, but she gripped a bronze kitchen knife in her hand, her gaze sharp and her whole demeanor radiating a fierce aura that was rather intimidating. Seeing her, Chu Yun couldn’t help but recall the female instructor in the special forces training camp—nicknamed the Iron Nun—whose severity left a deep impression on him.

With a thud, Chen Jun, startled by the woman’s voice, dropped his chopsticks and began to tremble. Yet Chu Yun noticed that Chen Jun’s cheeks were tinged with red; clearly, his fear was mingled with affection for the woman.

The other two waiters, meanwhile, continued eating the braised lamb as if nothing had happened. Chen Jun hastily apologized to the woman, “I’m sorry, Shuangxi.”

From the memories of his predecessor, Chu Yun knew that this woman was Wang Shuangxi, daughter of the owner of the Celebratory Restaurant, and that Chen Jun was indeed enamored with her. Chen Ping had tried to secure a better livelihood for Chen Jun through his connections, but Chen Jun insisted on staying on as a waiter at the Celebratory Restaurant. Even though working there meant only one meal a day and little hope of seeing his wages, he refused to leave.

As for the other two waiters, their indifference to Wang Shuangxi’s anger and their continued enjoyment of the lamb revealed their dissatisfaction and intention to soon leave the restaurant. Wang Shuangxi was vexed by their disregard but could do nothing about it. So she vented her ire on Chen Jun, scolding, “I told you to bring in customers outside, and here you are slacking off, eating—in fact, eating the signature dish of Ten Li Fragrance?”

Clearly, she had picked the softest target, thinking Chen Jun was easy to bully. Yet Chen Jun kept apologizing, “I’m sorry, Shuangxi, I’m sorry…”

Witnessing this, Chu Yun sighed inwardly. With such timidity, Chen Jun was unlikely to win Wang Shuangxi’s heart. Before crossing over to this world, he had seen too many men like this—men whose girlfriends ended up cheating on them.

Resolved to help Chen Jun, Chu Yun spoke up, “Miss Shuangxi, please don’t be angry. Chen Jun wasn’t slacking off. He was tasting the signature braised lamb from Ten Li Fragrance to see if he could uncover its secret, so that the Celebratory Restaurant could recreate the dish.”

Chen Jun looked at Chu Yun in surprise, shaking his head slightly, signaling him not to fabricate stories. Wang Shuangxi looked at Chu Yun, then at Chen Jun. “Is that true?”

Chen Jun opened his mouth, about to deny it, but Chu Yun quickly interjected, “Of course it’s true. He’d never lie to you, Miss Shuangxi. Just think—how many waiters have come and gone at the Celebratory Restaurant, but has Chen Jun ever left?”

Wang Shuangxi ignored Chu Yun, focusing on Chen Jun. “So, have you discovered the secret behind Ten Li Fragrance’s braised lamb?”

Chen Jun was about to shake his head, but, catching Chu Yun’s insistent winks, he gritted his teeth and said, “I’m close to figuring it out. I just need a bit more time to work it out.”

He was no fool; he realized Chu Yun had his reasons for saying all this, but he feared Wang Shuangxi might press him for details.

Chu Yun quietly praised Chen Jun’s clever response.

Wang Shuangxi was stunned by Chen Jun’s words, then grew excited, grabbing his arm. “Really? Chen Jun, is that really true?”

Being so close to Wang Shuangxi and breathing in her subtle fragrance made Chen Jun even more nervous. But seeing the hope in her eyes, and thinking of the Celebratory Restaurant's dismal business—teetering on the verge of closure and a likely cheap takeover by Li Duofu—he became even more determined not to disappoint her. He nodded, “Yes, it’s true. Give me a little more time, and I’ll uncover the secret behind that delicious braised lamb.”

He glanced at Chu Yun, resolving that, whether or not Chu Yun knew the secret, he himself would figure it out, so the Celebratory Restaurant could serve the dish as well.

Chu Yun gave him a reassuring smile.

He then asked Wang Shuangxi, “Miss Shuangxi, would you welcome me as a diner here?”

She was taken aback. “You want to eat at our place?”

Chu Yun smiled. “That’s right. You’re not worried I can’t afford to dine here, are you?”

Wang Shuangxi quickly waved her hands. “Who doesn’t know you dreamed of an immortal, received medical skills, and became a doctor? You earn good money seeing patients now. Of course you’re welcome. The Celebratory Restaurant is delighted to have you.”

“Good. Then give me your best private room,” Chu Yun requested.

“Certainly, certainly,” Wang Shuangxi replied, beaming as she ushered Chu Yun into the Celestial Suite.

Chen Jun, no fool, understood that Chu Yun wanted to speak with him in private. So he personally delivered the first dish, closed the door behind him, and got straight to the point. “Brother Chu Yun, have you already discovered the secret of the braised lamb?”

Chu Yun shook his head.

Chen Jun grew anxious.

Chu Yun couldn’t help but laugh. “Look at you, so worried. Rest assured, if I hadn’t figured it out, I wouldn’t have said what I did back there. The secret to Ten Li Fragrance’s braised lamb—its color, its taste—is a special ingredient: soy sauce.”

“Soy sauce? What kind of seasoning is that?” Chen Jun asked.

“It’s made by cooking soybeans, draining and cooling them, mixing with flour, and letting them grow a white mold in the kitchen. Then they’re placed in earthenware jars to soak for several months, producing a savory liquid. Of course, the actual process is more complex and needs further research.”

“A process that takes months? That’s useless to us—by that time, the Celebratory Restaurant may have already closed.”

“That’s why you need to find another way to bring in business,” Chu Yun replied.

“What other way?” Chen Jun asked.

Chu Yun patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve already thought of something. Tonight, when you get home, I’ll come by and tell you. If we can revive the restaurant’s business, you’re sure to win Wang Shuangxi’s heart.”

Chen Jun’s face flushed. “Brother Chu Yun, what are you saying?”

Chu Yun laughed. “Come now, your feelings couldn’t be more obvious to me.”