Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 341 Zhang Ruonan's Little Thoughts

The warm afternoon sun on the grassland shone on the wooden cabin terrace, and Jiang Qing's arrival truly enlivened the entire Chinese restaurant.

Huang Xiaoming enthusiastically led him on a tour, from the kitchen filled with the aroma of cooking, to the dining area decorated with ethnic ornaments, and then to the front desk overlooking the boundless grassland.

Zhang Ruonan followed behind, her braids swaying slightly with her light steps. Whenever Jiang Qing's gaze swept over a corner, she would always add a playful introduction or two, her eyes shining as if they held little stars.

"Look over here, Mr. Jiang, this is our honor wall, covered with sticky notes and messages from our diners!"

Zhang Ruonan pointed to a wooden board next to the front desk covered with colorful paper scraps, her voice clear and crisp.

Jiang Qing leaned closer with interest and saw a sticky note that read, "Chef Zhan's shredded pork with garlic sauce is amazing!" land right in front of him.

He gave his evaluation with a smile.

"It seems the pressure is all on Chef Zhan."

"Absolutely! This is everyone's recognition of me!"

Chef Zhan poked his head out from the kitchen doorway, his loud voice radiating confidence.

"Don't worry, Mr. Jiang, I guarantee you'll get to try my cooking at lunchtime!"

"Okay, I'm looking forward to it."

Jiang Qing replied with a smile.

After the tour, it was already noon.

As the scattered tourists on the grassland gradually gathered, the Chinese restaurant ushered in its first peak dining season.

Zhang Ruonan, Yin Zheng, and Yin Tao immediately got to work, taking orders, serving dishes, and greeting customers, keeping themselves extremely busy.

Huang Xiaoming also mingled among them, coordinating the efforts.

Seeing this, Jiang Qing quietly stepped aside, not wanting to disturb them.

He strolled out of the cabin and stood by the wooden railing on the terrace.

The wind from Yangtian Lake carries the fresh scent of grass and earth, instantly washing away the last trace of dust brought from the city.

In the distance, the grass ripples and waves, meeting the drifting clouds on the horizon, creating a vast and open vista that soothes the soul.

Jiang Qing took a deep breath, and the fatigue from days of travel seemed to be diluted by the pure air.

Huang Xiaoming's invitation came at just the right time; this tranquil grassland was indeed an excellent place to rest.

Thinking of Zhang Ruonan's undisguised surprise and subsequent joy when she saw him, he couldn't help but smile.

This girl, whose smile is always infectious, always brings unexpected little incidents to our encounters, adding a touch of fun to this relaxing trip.

The restaurant was bustling with noise, the clanging of spatulas, the laughter of customers, and Yin Zheng's loud greetings all blended together.

Jiang Qing stood with her back to the restaurant, quietly enjoying the vastness and tranquility of the grassland.

The company isn't too busy lately. Xiao Ye and the others are all on set. But the worst off is Dudu. When she was under lockdown, she didn't know how long it would take to be unblocked. She took on too many roles at once, and she was practically stuck in Hengdian.

He visited her on set in Hengdian once and saw that she had lost a lot of weight, which showed how busy she had been, working non-stop.

Dudu even joked with him that she had already started looking at houses in Hengdian and that she was now practically a Hengdian local.

He didn't have any better ideas than to tell her to take a break. However, he estimated that she would be able to finish filming all her scenes in about a month, and then she could have a good rest.

They've already agreed that he'll be responsible for helping her fatten up the meat.

He still has this bit of confidence.

After an unknown amount of time, the noise behind me gradually subsided.

After the last table of guests left satisfied, Zhang Ruonan finally had some free time.

She raised her hand to wipe away the fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the straight back of the man standing outside the terrace.

The sunlight outlined his relaxed silhouette, contrasting beautifully with the backdrop of the grassland, and it was clear from afar that he seemed to be in a good mood.

She pursed her lips, quickly walked to the basin by the door to wash her hands, then carefully tidied the stray hairs on her forehead in front of a reflective glass window, straightened the braid on her shoulder, and quietly tugged at the straps of her overalls before flashing what she thought was her sweetest smile and walking out with light steps.

Huang Xiaoming was walking out of the kitchen when he witnessed the whole scene and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

Others might not be sure, but he knew all too well the relationship between Jiang Qing and Zhou Ye.

This girl's attempt to get close to Jiang Qing is not a good choice.

But he also understood it very well.

After all, how many women wouldn't be attracted to someone like Jiang Qing?

Not to mention girls like Zhang Ruonan, who are her age.

All I can do is wish her good luck.

"Mr. Jiang."

Zhang Ruonan walked to Jiang Qing's side, and like him, she also held onto the railing and looked into the distance.

"We're all done! Are you starving? Chef Zhan is already preparing our staff meals, they'll be ready soon! Since you came today, Chef Zhan will definitely make even more delicious food."

Her voice carried a lightness that came after a busy day, along with a hint of intimate closeness.

Jiang Qing turned his head and saw her cheeks, slightly flushed from the sunlight, and smiled.

"It's alright, it's quite interesting to see you all so busy. You guys are the ones who are working hard."

"It wasn't too hard, I'm used to it!"

Zhang Ruonan waved her hand, then put her hands behind her back, unconsciously tapping the ground with her toes, and looked at him from the side.

"Mr. Jiang, what have you been busy with lately? It feels like we haven't seen you in the news for a long time. Apart from the Silicon Valley Summit last time, you seem to have disappeared from the public eye?"

She tilted her head, looking at him curiously, her eyes blinking.

"Actually, it's not much different from before."

Jiang Qing smiled and turned to look at the endless green expanse in the distance.

"I made up for a few classes at the University of Science and Technology of China and dealt with some backlogged matters at the company. To be honest, I was indeed busy for a while, so as soon as Brother Xiaoming called, I quickly came over to slack off."

He made a little joke.

"That sounds so fulfilling!"

Zhang Ruonan sighed sincerely, then added somewhat embarrassedly.

"Unlike me, I've been spending all my time at this grassland restaurant lately, dealing with pots and pans every day. I feel like I'm almost becoming a professional order taker."

She laughed self-deprecatingly, revealing her signature dimples.

"But it's really comfortable here. The air is fresh and the scenery is beautiful. It's just that sometimes when there are a lot of guests, my head gets buzzing and I tend to forget things."

"I don't think so."

Jiang Qing looked at her, her tone becoming more serious.

"I noticed that you are very efficient in taking orders and serving customers, and your smile is very friendly, which is great."

Jiang Qing's direct affirmation caused Zhang Ruonan's cheeks to flush slightly.

She lowered her head a little shyly, her toes shuffling on the ground.

"I...I'm just busy doing nothing."

Inside the restaurant, Huang Xiaoming and Yin Zheng were helping Chef Zhan serve the prepared dishes onto the long table.

Huang Xiaoming looked up and saw the two people standing side by side on the terrace through the glass window.

Jiang Qing turned slightly to listen to Zhang Ruonan speak, while Zhang Ruonan looked up, her smile dazzlingly bright.

Huang Xiaoming nudged Yin Zheng next to him with his elbow, gestured towards the window with his lips, and gave an ambiguous smile.

Yin Zheng looked over and immediately understood, chuckled, and lowered his voice.

"Brother Xiaoming, look at Nannan's eyes, tsk... completely different from how she looks at us!"

"Young man."

Huang Xiaoming, with an air of experience, shook his head with a smile. "Alright, stop looking, let's get dinner ready! I'll go call them."

"President Jiang! Nan Nan! Dinner's ready!"

Huang Xiaoming pushed open the balcony door and called out in a loud voice.

"coming!"

Zhang Ruonan immediately responded and turned to give Jiang Qing a bright smile.

"Let's go, President Jiang, let's try Chef Zhan's cooking, it'll definitely be worth the trip!"

"Okay, I'm looking forward to it."

Jiang Qing nodded with a smile.

The round table was already fully occupied.

Chef Zhan indeed brought out his best skills.

The dish features glistening and tempting braised pork, refreshing and vibrant green water spinach with garlic sauce, fragrant and savory braised chicken from the grasslands, golden and crispy deep-fried small yellow croaker, and a large bowl of steaming hot tomato and egg drop soup.

The aroma of home-cooked dishes filled the air, making one's mouth water.

Everyone took their seats.

As the store manager, Huang Xiaoming took the lead by offering a glass of plum juice and greeted customers with great enthusiasm.

"Come, come, let's warmly welcome President Jiang to our Season 6 Chinese Restaurant! It's an honor to have you here! President Jiang, you've come all this way, please enjoy your meal!"

"Thank you, Brother Xiaoming, thank you everyone, I'm sorry to have bothered you."

Jiang Qing also picked up her cup and responded to him with a smile.

"President Jiang, you're too kind! We're overjoyed that you could come!"

Yin Zheng immediately responded, displaying exceptional enthusiasm.

"That's it!"

Yin Tao and Chen Linong also smiled and echoed.

Although Chef Zhan didn't say much, his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Qing, filled with obvious anticipation.

He had heard Huang Xiaoming and Yin Zheng mention that this young and promising CEO Jiang was also quite skilled in cooking.

Everyone picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

Jiang Qing picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth. The meat was tender and juicy, not greasy at all, and had a rich, savory sauce. The cooking time was perfect.

He then tried the braised chicken; the chicken was tender and flavorful, with a unique taste of the grasslands.

The deep-fried yellow croaker is cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

The water spinach with garlic is crisp and refreshing, while the tomato and egg drop soup is sweet and sour and appetizing.

Every dish showcases Chef Zhan's profound skills.

"Well, it's delicious."

Jiang Qing swallowed the food in her mouth and looked at Chef Zhan with sincere praise.

"Chef Zhan, you truly live up to your reputation. The braised pork was cooked to perfection, with precise control of heat and seasoning. The braised chicken was also just the right amount of savory flavor, the fried yellow croaker was fried to a perfect crispness, and the water spinach was cooked just right, maintaining its best texture. This meal truly showcases your skill; I was definitely right to come here!"

Upon hearing Jiang Qing's detailed and insightful comments, Chef Zhan's eyes lit up instantly, and his wrinkles beamed with joy.

This evaluation carries much more weight than simply saying "delicious"!

He rubbed his hands together, excited to have met a kindred spirit.

"Mr. Jiang, you really know your stuff! You can tell from your voice that you can cook! The heat control and seasoning really require a lot of thought. I'm glad you like it, I'm glad you like it! Haha!"

He was laughing so hard he couldn't stop.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Huang Xiaoming's eyes lit up and he immediately seized the opportunity to start a commotion.

"Hey, Mr. Jiang! Since you're so knowledgeable about food, and Chef Zhan appreciates your skills so much, how about... you show us your skills tonight? Let us broaden our horizons and taste Mr. Jiang's cooking?"

He looked at Jiang Qing with anticipation.

Upon hearing this, Chef Zhan immediately perked up and nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, yes! Mr. Jiang, would you like to give me some pointers? Or what dishes would you like to make? I'll help you prepare them!"

He was eager to exchange ideas and learn from those who were knowledgeable in the field.

Jiang Qing paused, a helpless smile appearing on her face.

"Brother Xiaoming, Chef Zhan, please spare me. I came here on vacation, just to freeload, why am I being given tasks? Besides, Chef Zhan, you're giving me too much credit. I should be your assistant, not a real chef like you."

He shook his head, not wanting to continue.

"I've been typing a lot lately, so my hands have gotten quite rusty with flipping food. I'm better suited to waiting to be fed."

"Oh, Mr. Jiang! Don't be so modest!"

Yin Zheng, always eager for excitement, joined in the commotion.

“We all know your culinary skills at Peach Blossom Village. Your skills are absolutely professional! We have no demands; we'll eat whatever you make.”

"Yes, Mr. Jiang, show us your skills!"

Yin Tao also joined in the persuasion with a smile.

Zhang Ruonan was sipping her soup when she heard everyone cheering, and her mind started racing with all sorts of plans.

Will I get to eat a meal cooked by Jiang Qing herself?

The moment the thought popped into her head, it possessed an immense allure and instantly took over her entire mind.

She put down her soup spoon and joined the group urging her to go, her eyes curving into crescents and her voice carrying a hint of coquetry.

"President Jiang~ Look how excited everyone is! Chef Zhan also wants to exchange ideas with you! And... I'm also really curious, what do your dishes taste like?"

After she finished speaking, she winked playfully at Jiang Qing.

Jiang Qing's gaze precisely caught the cunning glint in her eyes. He deliberately put on a stern face and glared at her with a hint of a joke.

"Teacher Zhang, why are you joining in this commotion? I think you're just stirring up trouble."

Despite being glared at like that, Zhang Ruonan didn't back down. Instead, she smiled even more sweetly and shrank her neck, looking playful as if she had been "caught".

Looking at the expectant faces in front of her, especially Chef Zhan's sincere and eager gaze, and Zhang Ruonan's incredibly bright eyes, Jiang Qing's laziness finally gave in.

Most importantly, he hadn't been cooking much lately, and then he encountered a master chef like Chef Zhan, so he got a little itchy to cook.

He sighed, feigning helplessness, but couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, alright, I can't refuse your kind offer. But it's settled then, I'll only make one dish, no more. And you'll have to provide the ingredients, I'll decide what to make."

"Yeah! That's great!"

"No problem! We've got your back!"

"Long live General Jiang!"

One is enough! One is enough!

Huang Xiaoming and the others immediately cheered and applauded, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.

Chef Zhan was so happy that he kept rubbing his hands together.

"Okay, okay! One will do! One will do! Mr. Jiang, just tell me what you need, and I'll get it ready right away!"

Amidst the excited cheers, Zhang Ruonan clapped enthusiastically.

Her gaze, however, bypassed the cheering crowd and was firmly fixed on Jiang Qing's face, her heart bursting with joy like a small firework.

That's great, I'll be able to eat his cooking tonight!

This thought made it impossible for her to suppress the smile on her lips, as if even the afternoon sun on the grassland became brighter.

(End of this chapter)