Chef at the University Canteen-Chapter 518 - 284: Such Flavor Should Only Exist in Heaven; How Rarely Is It Found on Earth?
July 2nd, Saturday, light rain turning to clear.
Just after a light rain, a trace of coolness has been brought to the somewhat hot air. Even the trees and flowers on campus seem to have become greener and revitalized, thanks to the long-awaited rain.
School hasn’t officially started the vacation yet, so the employees of the Seventh Dining Hall are still working as usual. However, as some students have started to gradually leave, the amount of food prepared by the Seventh Dining Hall every day is slightly less than usual.
Of course, this is the Seventh Dining Hall, after all. Its appeal to students is extraordinary. Even if some students leave, those who remain can still pack this place.
It’s just that due to the sweltering weather, some students who live too far away don’t want to commute back and forth. There are also those focused on preparing for exams who worry about wasting time waiting in line, which makes the Seventh Dining Hall slightly less crowded.
But compared with the other dining halls on campus, the Seventh Dining Hall is still incredibly popular, with more diners at each meal than all the other six dining halls combined.
Today is the weekend, and the Seventh Dining Hall kitchen is closed once again. But Jiang Yu doesn’t have the habit of sleeping in, so he woke up early as usual and went to the kitchen on the first floor to help prepare breakfast.
With the vacation approaching, there are fewer breakfast options than usual.
For example, items like steamed buns, which usually sell slowly, are not being made. The same goes for hot dishes and porridge, with a reduced selection.
Conversely, more soup dumplings, meat buns, and vegetable buns are being made. There’s even iced options for eight treasures porridge and mung bean porridge, which are especially popular among students during the hot summer weather.
After finishing up with breakfast, Jiang Yu grabbed a large bowl of cold noodles and started slurping. He had barely eaten a couple of bites when Hu Zhihai sat down with his own large bowl of cold noodles.
This guy knows how to enjoy life — he even added two duck wings to his cold noodles. As soon as he sat down, he picked up a duck wing and started chomping with delight, saying: 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
"Lao Jiang, let me ask you something, and be honest!"
Without even looking up, Jiang Yu casually replied, "Just spit it out if you have something to say."
"Is the Seventh Dining Hall staying open during the summer vacation for me?"
Hu Zhihai leaned in with a smug look and said,
"You know I’m staying on campus to prepare for exams, worried I might not eat well, so you decided not to close, right?"
"..."
Jiang Yu looked up, stunned, at Hu Zhihai’s beaming, round face. For a moment, he was speechless.
Dude, have you been possessed by some imagination demon?
Otherwise, with your limited brain capacity, how on earth did you come up with such a wild idea?
"I already guessed it, and it’s just like I thought!"
With a "I figured it all out" expression, Hu Zhihai patted Jiang Yu on the shoulder and said emotionally,
"Last year, you took a break for a few days during National Day but stayed open this summer. If it’s not for me, then for whom?
Say no more, good brothers for life!"
Jiang Yu: "..."
You’ve said it all, so what else can I say?
Alright, think whatever makes you happy.
Jiang Yu couldn’t be bothered to argue and continued eating his cold noodles.
This guy, Zhihai, must be so stressed from studying for exams that it’s affecting his brain.
Look at him, he’s even imaginating scenarios!
After breakfast, Hu Zhihai, carrying his backpack, energetically headed to the library to study.
Evidently, after "confirming" that the Seventh Dining Hall stayed open over the summer just for him, Hu Zhihai was more motivated than ever. If he doesn’t get into the graduate program at his school this time, even he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
Shortly after Hu Zhihai left, Lu Shuwu came over with one hand holding a bowl of Lean Meat and Century Egg Porridge, and the other holding chopsticks clutching a large meat bun. As he ate, he approached Jiang Yu and asked:
"Boss, the chefs will be coming in for interviews later. I’ve never interviewed chefs before — what should I do?"
"You can just watch. Lao Jia and I will be there."
Having finished breakfast, Jiang Yu was browsing his phone. Hearing Lu Shuwu, he briefly looked up and said,
"Lao Jia has been a head chef for many years. He must have interviewed dozens of chefs, if not hundreds. He’s experienced!"
After a pause, he added, "Let’s observe more. Interviews aren’t the key; tasting the dishes is what really matters. No matter how extensive their resumes, if the food doesn’t taste good, it’s useless."
"Oh, now that you’ve explained, I understand."
Lu Shuwu seemed relieved and smiled, "I’ll have someone tidy up the first-floor private room to use as a temporary interview space later."
"Alright, go ahead."
Jiang Yu nodded and went back to his phone.
After watching some news, noticing it was about time, he stood up, planning to head upstairs for a shower and a change of clothes.
Though the rain had slightly cooled down the temperature, the kitchen without air conditioning was still like a furnace. After working all morning, his clothes were drenched with sweat several times.
