Chapter 27: It Turns Out a Real Yangchun Noodles Master Is Hidden Here
About thirty more people got out of the cars that had just arrived.
The dozen or so people who went to greet them looked, but Boss Jiang and his two companions were nowhere to be seen.
But since they were already there, they decided to say hello anyway.
It felt like fate that they had all gathered for this event.
"Morning, everyone, morning."
"Morning, morning. How long have you been here? So, is this place really selling Yangchun Noodles?"
"It is. We were just about to order a bowl to try when we saw you arrive."
"I wonder when Boss Jiang and the others will get here. Come on, let’s go over."
"Let’s go. I don’t know if this place’s Yangchun Noodles can win. For some reason, I feel like it’s a long shot!"
"Me too."
The group chatted amongst themselves as they walked up to the shop’s entrance.
Hearing their discussion, Li You thought, ’Looks like these people aren’t just here to eat.’
’What were they talking about, wondering if I could win? What’s going on?’
’I should ask.’
After Li You asked, the man in the plaid shirt from before explained, "Boss, it’s like this. There’s an intermediate-level pastry chef from Heyang City named Qu Feng. He came to our Xingshui City..."
The man in the plaid shirt explained the whole story to Li You in great detail.
Li You finally understood the situation.
’This is actually quite interesting.’
’Mian Wei Jia?’
Li You had heard Wei Ping mention this restaurant before.
Wei Ping had said that he went to Mian Wei Jia to eat noodles and told its owner that the Yangchun Noodles here were much, much tastier.
’So, did the owner of Mian Wei Jia think my Yangchun Noodles could beat Qu Feng just because of that?’
’Didn’t Wei Ping say the owner didn’t believe him?’
’A little strange.’
Just then, another car pulled into the parking lot.
This time, it was Jiang Caidong, Liang Heng, and Qu Feng.
"Boss, Boss Jiang and Master Liang are here," said the man in the plaid shirt.
Everyone then excitedly rushed over to greet them.
When Li You got a clear look at two of them, the puzzle in his mind was finally solved.
’So that’s it. Boss Jiang and Master Liang have eaten my Yangchun Noodles here before.’
After getting out of the car, Qu Feng surveyed the surroundings, then glanced at Li You’s shop.
He thought, ’The location itself is nice, very beautiful. But it’s a terrible place for a restaurant. And the Yangchun Noodles from a place like this are supposed to be a sure win against me? Isn’t that a joke?’
Last night, Qu Feng had been pondering whether there was truly a hidden master of Yangchun Noodles in Changxi County.
After thinking for a long time, his conclusion was still that it was virtually impossible.
’All that "crouching tiger, hidden dragon" stuff, those hidden masters—that only happens in novels and TV shows.’
Now, seeing that the shop was indeed out in the wilderness, he felt even more certain.
’This isn’t the kind of shop a serious person would open.’
"Boss Jiang, we’ve already explained the situation to the owner here," the man in the plaid shirt said to Jiang Caidong.
Jiang Caidong smiled. "Good, thank you for your trouble."
Then he turned to Qu Feng and said, "Master Qu, let’s go over."
Qu Feng nodded. "Let’s go."
The group arrived in front of the shop.
Jiang Caidong said to Li You, "Boss, we’re back."
Liang Heng added, "I’m delighted that I’ll get to eat your Yangchun Noodles again today, Boss."
Li You smiled. "Welcome, you two."
Jiang Caidong then introduced Qu Feng, "This is Master Qu."
Li You said, "Hello, Master Qu."
Qu Feng was very surprised by Li You’s youthfulness, but he remained impassive as he said, "Hello, Boss. I heard from Boss Jiang and Master Liang that your skill with Yangchun Noodles is exceptionally high. I can’t believe you’re so young."
Li You replied, "Boss Jiang and Master Liang flatter me."
At this moment, both Jiang Caidong and Liang Heng noticed the "Today’s Menu" sign.
They were a little surprised, but also pleasantly so.
’There are two new dishes. I’ll have to try them later.’
For now, the priority was to let Qu Feng taste the Yangchun Noodles.
That was the main event of the day.
So, Jiang Caidong said, "Boss, could we please have a large bowl of Yangchun Noodles first? Master Qu is very interested in them."
Li You smiled faintly. "In that case, please wait a moment, Master Qu, everyone."
Then, he walked into the kitchen.
"Master Qu, please have a seat," Jiang Caidong said to Qu Feng.
Seeing Jiang Caidong still looking so full of confidence, Qu Feng couldn’t help but frown slightly again.
’Could this young boss’s skill with Yangchun Noodles really be superior to my own?’
’That should be absolutely impossible!’
’So why is Boss Jiang still so confident?’
Just as Qu Feng was trying to figure it out, a bowl of Yangchun Noodles was placed in front of him.
As he got a clear look, Qu Feng’s pupils dilated in shock.
The presentation of this bowl of Yangchun Noodles was simply stunning.
Not only was the presentation stunning, but the aroma was also incredibly fragrant.
’How could the color and aroma of a simple bowl of Yangchun Noodles reach this level?’
Qu Feng found it hard to believe.
’This is clearly far beyond my abilities.’
’Could this young boss actually be a Special-Level Pastry Chef?’
’No, that’s not right.’
’There are only a handful of Special-Level Pastry Chefs in the entire country. A young man like this definitely isn’t one of them.’
’Besides, even a Special-Level Pastry Chef might not be able to achieve this level, right?’
Qu Feng was stunned for a moment.
Seeing this, Jiang Caidong and Liang Heng felt incredibly satisfied.
They had been looking forward to this moment since yesterday.
And now, it had finally arrived.
Also, yesterday they had told Qu Feng that he didn’t even need to prepare ingredients for a competition.
’Now, Qu Feng must understand why we said that, right?’
’Under these circumstances, is there any need for a competition?’
The other customers, of course, also saw the bowl of Yangchun Noodles in front of Qu Feng.
They were just as surprised and incredulous.
’These noodles look so much more delicious than the ones Master Qu and Master Liang made yesterday!’
’The aroma is much more fragrant, too.’
’Based on looks alone, these noodles have already won!’
In addition to their disbelief, the customers were also incredibly excited and thrilled.
To think that a master of Yangchun Noodles was hidden away here in the wilderness!
Just like that, the tables had turned.
It seemed the reputation of Xingshui City’s Yangchun Noodles truly rested on their Changxi County.
Calling it "turning the tide" seemed appropriate, right?
After all, the other two districts and two counties had already been defeated.
A sense of pride swelled up in the hearts of all the customers present.
They felt ashamed for having doubted the noodles here earlier.
’We have no eye for quality at all.’
No wonder Boss Jiang said yesterday that even if the shop was located here, its business could still be excellent.
Yesterday, they hadn’t understood at all why Jiang Caidong would say that.
Now, they understood.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Qu Feng.
They all wanted to know what Qu Feng would say next.
After his momentary shock, Qu Feng finally picked up his chopsticks, ready to eat.
’No matter how good it looks, it’s still just looks. I’ll only know how it tastes after I try it.’
He took a bite of the noodles, then a sip of the broth.
As expected, the flavor was incredible. It was far more delicious than his own Yangchun Noodles.
He had lost. Utterly and completely.
Qu Feng was utterly dejected.
Boss Jiang was right yesterday. There was no need to prepare ingredients for a competition; all he had to do was taste the noodles here.
There really was no need to compete.
The gap between them was just too vast.
So, Changxi County really was a place of hidden masters. A true expert of Yangchun Noodles was hiding here.
Qu Feng couldn’t believe it, didn’t want to believe it, but he had no choice but to accept it.