Urban Soldier Young Master

Chapter 1063 - 1062: Can't Even Cook in Peace

On the way to the kitchen, Chu Ge asked Shenyao: "Yaoyao, is your grandpa usually so fussy?""Oh, totally. I'm used to it. Brother Chu, you don't need to pay attention to it either. Old Man Chu has always been like this. Afraid I'd choke while eating, afraid I'd drown while drinking water, and worried I'd fall while walking. I guess he's just getting older and likes to fuss over things?"

Chu Shiyao chuckled, her smile carrying a hint of helplessness, yet more so the happiness from being pampered and cared for.

"I see..."

Chu Ge nodded, and couldn't help but recall what Chu Shiyao had said on the phone earlier. Being cared for in every aspect like this, instead of being pampered, it's more like being a lab mouse monitored from all sides, ready for experimentation.

If it wasn't for Chu Shiyao not having received family love for so long, if it were someone else, they might not be able to tolerate it any longer?

As Chu Ge pondered this, they arrived at the kitchen, and Chu Shiyao opened the door.

This kitchen spans over a hundred square meters, fully equipped with various kitchenware and stoves. Dozens of men and women clad in white chef's uniforms and hats sit or stand in different places, turning to look as the door opened. Once they saw Chu Shiyao, they immediately stood respectfully, bowed in unison, and greeted, "Miss."

Although these people had different skin colors, clearly from various countries, their pronunciation of "Miss" was in perfect Mandarin.

Chu Ge glanced around at these people, quickly realizing they were not just simple cooks. Each had a restrained sharpness about them, capable of being chefs when holding kitchenware and warriors when handling knives and guns.

Even though Chu Ge never doubted that the mountain where the Chu family resided was a place full of hidden talent, just the quality of the chefs in one kitchen was somewhat beyond his expectations.

While Chu Ge observed the chefs, they did not watch Chu Ge, evidently understanding the etiquette and knowing it would be impolite.

A man in his forties, with a burly physique and a very clean-cut appearance, came over and respectfully asked, "Miss, is there anything you need to instruct us about?"

Even though this man's Mandarin was excellent, with yellow skin and black eyes, based on Chu Ge's experience, he looked like someone from South Korea.

Chu Shiyao smiled, "Li Ge, how many times have I told you not to be so formal with me? It sounds too awkward. Also, just call me Yaoyao."

Li Zhong smiled, "Yes, Miss."

Chu Shiyao rubbed her forehead helplessly, "Li Ge, let me introduce someone. This is Chu Ge, an esteemed guest of mine and Old Man Chu."

Then, she turned to Chu Ge and said, "Brother Chu, this is Li Zhong, the head chef of this kitchen."

Chu Ge smiled and nodded at Li Zhong, reaching out his right hand.

Even though Chu Ge's intention to shake hands was clear, Li Zhong just looked at his right hand and did not extend his own.

"Sorry, Mr. Chu, for hygiene reasons, let's skip the handshake."

"Oh Li Ge, it's just a handshake, no need to be so rigid."

Seeing this, Chu Shiyao was afraid Chu Ge might be upset, and quickly spoke to Li Zhong. However, even after she said this, Li Zhong only offered a polite, apologetic smile and made no move to extend his hand.

Chu Ge chuckled, withdrawing his hand, then turned to look at the slightly embarrassed Chu Shiyao and said, "Yaoyao, Chef Li is right, it truly was my impudence."

Seeing that Chu Ge didn't seem angry, Chu Shiyao finally relaxed a bit and told Li Zhong, "Li Ge, today, you guys can take the afternoon off. I'll leave lunch to Brother Chu. If he needs anything, just assist him."

"Yes, Miss."

Li Zhong replied, then Chu Shiyao said to Chu Ge, "Brother Chu, it's up to you then. I have a health check to undergo at that time, and unless something unexpected happens, there will be quite a few tests today. Take your time, no rush."

"More tests today?" Chu Ge repeated this phrase in his mind, having some suspicions, but still asked, "Why do you say so?"

"Uh... nothing. I'm just guessing, hehe... alright, I'm off."

Chu Shiyao's expression paused slightly as she raised her hand to scratch her head. Although she tried to act naturally, Chu Ge's sharp eyes easily caught her embarrassment, further confirming his suspicions.

Perhaps the reason Chu Shiyao needs to do more tests is that she's not sticking to today's lunch diet plan.

Though he thought so in his heart, Chu Ge didn't say it out loud. He smiled at Chu Shiyao, nodded, and said, "See you later."

After Chu Shiyao left the kitchen, Chu Ge turned his gaze to Li Zhong and told him the dishes he planned to make, asking if the ingredients were available here.

The dishes Chu Ge wanted to make were not anything outlandish. Everything was available here. Upon receiving a positive answer, he intended to start right away, but Li Zhong asked him to change clothes, wear a mask, and disinfect his hands.

Chu Ge complied with each request before being allowed to proceed. However, it didn't end there. Once he began cooking, Li Zhong had even more demands.

From how thick the ingredients should be sliced, to the ratio of main ingredients to side ingredients in a dish, to what oil to use during cooking, what heat to cook on, and even taking out measuring cups to precisely measure each seasoning in milligrams—Li Zhong interfered with virtually everything Chu Ge did.

Ever since Chu Ge started cooking properly, he had been cooking for over ten years, and this was the first time he cooked so unhappily.

This... Li Zhong is managing this way too much, isn't he?

The feeling was just like having a fly buzzing around you when you're cooking.

Chu Ge even felt that this guy was more meticulous than the Germans, known for their rigor, treating cooking like it was some chemistry experiment of utmost importance with Nobel Prize significance.

At first, Chu Ge could patiently endure, but after ten minutes of being nitpicked by Li Zhong, he really started to get angry. Was this guy Li Zhong just picking a fight with him on purpose?

Besides, who exactly was cooking this meal, him or Li Zhong?

After finishing a portion of chopped scallions, Chu Ge put the knife down on the cutting board and glanced sideways at Li Zhong. He was really at his limit.

"Chef Li, could you quiet down a bit? First of all, Mr. Chu and Chu Shiyao have entrusted me to make this meal, and secondly, I really don't like being disturbed when I'm cooking."

Facing Chu Ge's gaze, Li Zhong maintained his slightly indifferent manner, "I'm sorry, but I must be responsible for everything in this kitchen. If there's anything that has offended you, apart from apologizing again, I really have no other recourse."

"Responsible? From what you're saying, do you suspect there's something wrong with the food I'll make that could harm them?"

"At the very least... personally, I believe that doing it my way is a more advisable approach."

Li Zhong's confrontational stance made Chu Ge puzzled. Had he dug up Li Zhong's ancestral grave, or offended women in his family? What grudge or resentment existed between them that warranted Li Zhong's antagonism?

"Geez, could Li Zhong be thinking I'm here to steal his job? Is that why he's deliberately giving me a hard time?"

With that thought, Chu Ge first broke out in a sweat. On second thought, it actually seemed quite possible. After all, it was abnormal for him, as a guest of Chu Chengrui, not to be outside chatting and drinking tea with him but instead cooking in here.

In this kitchen, Li Zhong obviously held considerable prestige. As the two confronted each other, the dozens of other chefs looked at Chu Ge with schadenfreude, as if seeing Chu Ge embarrassed before Li Zhong gave them joy.

Feeling this change in atmosphere, Chu Ge found it both frustrating and amusing. He only wanted to cook a meal that Chu Shiyao would enjoy, yet he encountered such inexplicable situations. What kind of nonsense was this?

Was it worth falling out with Li Zhong over this?

Clearly, it wasn't worth it. For the sake of Chu Chengrui, if not for himself, he still had to consider Chu Shiyao. If Chu Shiyao found out he got into a conflict just to make a meal for her, she would surely feel very uncomfortable.

Explaining to Li Zhong that he was just a guest chef for one meal? Chu Ge felt that was superfluous and pointless.

Not to mention, regardless of the intention behind Chu Ge's visit today, on the surface, he was a guest of Chu Chengrui and Chu Shiyao, so who exactly did Li Zhong think he was?

Explaining to Li Zhong would lower his ethos; it would be giving Li Zhong more than he deserved.

Even if Chu Ge wasn't inclined to stoop to Li Zhong's level and did explain things clearly, it would leave Li Zhong with no place to spare face. Wouldn't that just make Li Zhong seem especially petty?

Though the guy was inherently petty, people as narrow-minded as him tend to care deeply about their reputation, which likely didn't even matter to others.

As for just putting up with it and, according to Li Zhong's requests, finishing the dishes Chu Shiyao specifically wanted?

That... wouldn't work either. Aside from the fact that Chu Ge wasn't particularly magnanimous and was already annoyed by the nitpicking, making him feel like slapping the guy aside, even for Chu Shiyao's sake, he wouldn't want to do it that way.

After all, the taste of the dishes Chu Shiyao wanted should be his creation. If he put up with it and cooked as Li Zhong demanded, the result wouldn't be the flavor Chu Shiyao wanted.