The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World-Chapter 281 - 280: This Is Just Too Amazing

Ma Hua Chao looked incredulously at the takeout box in his hand.

The dishes he just ate were all made using vegetarian ingredients to replace the original ones?

But...

He couldn't taste the difference at all!

Those eel shreds and the fried fish fillets, they clearly tasted like fish!

The fresh, tender flavor still lingered in his mouth, leaving him with a lingering aftertaste.

Ma Hua Chao widened his eyes: "How is it possible that this isn't seafood? Then, what exactly did you use to make them?"

It's not something secretive either.

Fu Yu smiled and said, "Dried shiitake mushrooms, tofu, and water gluten. Rest assured, the ingredients we use in our restaurant are genuine and the prices are fair and reasonable."

Ma Hua Chao was dumbfounded upon hearing this...

"It's amazing to be able to create a seafood taste using vegetarian ingredients!"

Fu Yu smiled: "So, you don't need to feel any burden."

Ma Hua Chao stared at Fu Yu in a daze, and after a long while, his eyes suddenly reddened: "Thank you, I..."

He had just uttered one word when he choked up, unable to speak further.

When the tears finally couldn't be held back and burst out, this frail man completely lost control and began to cry loudly.

Fu Yu's expression changed instantly, instinctively wanting to go up and comfort him, but didn't know what to say in this situation.

Yao Shi was equally stunned...

It's said that men don't cry easily, just because they haven't reached the point of heartbreak.

Only when people fall ill do they understand how precious health is, and how important money is.

The difficulties of survival and financial pressure had driven this frail man into a corner.

And at this time, the care and kindness from this stranger, Fu Yu, was like the last straw that broke the facade of his feigned strength.

Even the severe pain during the illness hadn't made him cry, but now, he was crying like a child.

Ma Hua Chao cried bitterly for a long time before he slowly regained his composure.

"I... I came to Bei'an all alone, in the hospital, with no one caring or asking... My family doesn't know my situation. They all think I'm busy with work and never actively contact me..."

"Every day, I watch money flow out like water, diminishing... I really can't afford to live..."

Fu Yu and Yao Shi were both silent.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are what everyone must experience in life.

As the saying goes, the worst thing one can have is illness, but who can say they won't fall ill in a lifetime?

Fu Yu took the tissue from the table and handed it over.

Ma Hua Chao took it and wiped the tears from his face, then turned to the sympathetic waiter beside him and said, "The bill, please."

After paying, Ma Hua Chao turned back to Fu Yu and deeply bowed.

"Chef Fu, thank you."

Fu Yu hurriedly waved his hand: "Hey, hey! Be careful with your waist..."

Ma Hua Chao straightened up, his eyes still red, but he smiled at Fu Yu.

But the helplessness and desolation in his eyes made one's heart ache even more.

Watching Ma Hua Chao go to the cashier to settle the bill with the waiter, Fu Yu greeted Yao Shi and hurried back to the dormitory.

He had a thousand yuan cash in his suitcase, which he had set aside for emergencies.

Fu Yu wanted to give Ma Hua Chao some money, although it wasn't much, it was still a gesture.

He knew if he tried to transfer money to Ma Hua Chao, he would surely refuse it, but if it was cash, he might be able to give it to him.

Fu Yu rushed to the front hall and saw the waiter who had served Ma Hua Chao earlier coming over.

Fu Yu hurriedly asked, "Where is he?"

The waiter was startled and replied, "He's gone!"

Fu Yu ran out the door.

At this time, it was the peak dining hour, and the restaurant was at its busiest.

As Fu Yu went out, new customers were entering the restaurant, and he quickly stepped aside to make way for them.

As a result of this delay, by the time he got outside, Ma Hua Chao was nowhere to be seen.

Fu Yu looked at the thousand yuan in his hand and sighed.

Back in the kitchen, Zhao Meng had already learned about what had happened from Yao Shi.

Seeing Fu Yu looking dejected, Zhao Meng asked with concern, "You helped him save money, why the long face?"

Fu Yu told Zhao Meng about his intention to donate money to Ma Hua Chao.

Zhao Meng looked at Fu Yu, feeling both proud and helpless.

He comforted him in a tone used for a silly child: "Having the intention is already enough! And didn't you help him save over a thousand yuan? Isn't that the same as giving it to him?"

Fu Yu thought about it and agreed.

Meeting by chance, they had a connection, he did what he could, and it was somewhat comforting.

Busy until the end of the night shift.

Because Zhao Meng's hand was injured, the chefs had to work long shifts, while the junior workers could rotate as usual.

When the day shift ended, someone from the pastry department brought over a pot of cooled mung bean soup.

"Chef Wang said it's too hot today, he worried about everyone getting heatstroke, so we made extra, so everyone can have some."

Zhao Meng thanked them with a smile: "Thank you, Chef Bai!"

The pastry and main course departments at Qianlima have always had a good relationship, and the main course department often sends food over to them.

A junior worker came over to serve the mung bean soup.

Fu Yu took a bowl and drank a big gulp of it.

It was like a thin mung bean paste, with rock sugar added, offering a slight sweetness and coolness, reaching deep into his heart.

Fu Yu enjoyed it so much that when he called home that evening, he couldn't help but mention it.

His mother said immediately, "When you come back on vacation, I'll make some for you too! We'll add honey, it'll be even sweeter and tastier!"

Fu Yu chuckled, suddenly recalling the nostalgic yet helpless look in Ma Hua Chao's eyes when he talked about his family.

Fu Yu missed home even more.

Since Yao Shi took him to work part-time at the music restaurant, Fu Yu hadn't had a break.

Fu Yu was in a real dilemma.

He wanted to take two days off to visit his parents.

After returning home for three days of annual leave early in April, almost half a year had passed without a break, His parents must miss him a lot too.

If he visited now, his parents would surely be delighted.

But he worried about disrupting orders if he took a break since Zhao Meng's hand wasn't fully recovered, and the boss might have something to say.

He only had fifteen days of annual leave; after excluding eight days from New Year's Eve to the eighth day, and the three days he already took, he had four days left.

After October, Zhao Meng's hand should be healed, and he could take a break and return home, right?

That's what Fu Yu hoped for.

He really, really wanted to go home now.

Partly because he finally earned some money and could buy gifts to honor his parents.

On the other hand, working day and night without a break, even with additional support, left him feeling somewhat exhausted.

If there was anything that kept him motivated and excited during this time, it was the extra income he had earned at the music restaurant.