Chapter 8: The Competition of the Fried Noodle Stall

The taste of fried noodles depends not only on the chef's frying skills but also on the texture of the noodles and the sauce, with the sauce being the most crucial element. It is said that the famous fried noodle shop in Bianliang, known as Zhang's, possesses a unique family recipe that is kept secret, even from his wife.

Good... um, Brother Zhou?

High-quality sauce paired with mung bean starch requires a focus on achieving a state of 'crispy but not burnt'. A skilled stir-fry chef can fry each piece of starch to a crisp on one side or even both sides, similar to pan-fried buns, producing a golden crust that must not turn black. When eaten, it should be both chewy and flaky, with a rich aroma filling the mouth; this is what constitutes a premium dish

The majority of those who frequent the market are young people, particularly young women, as these snacks cater perfectly to their tastes. Therefore, in every city's flea market, a street dedicated to snacks is indispensable, with business booming even surpassing that of ordinary vendors. On these snack streets, imported delicacies are certainly abundant, and local specialty snacks are even more essential, often featuring the most authentic artisans.

Zhou Yi did not hesitate to decline this opportunity that many people would break their heads and dream of obtaining, but still politely gave his phone number to Cao Lang: "Mr. Cao, when you come to Chudu again, you must contact me so that I can extend my hospitality."

Boss, please bring a serving of noodles

I find it strange. Lao San, what kind of medicine have you taken? After eating just two pieces of meat, you can articulate so many principles? Even someone as prominent in the culinary world as Cao Yidao is desperately trying to take you as his apprentice?

What are you looking at? My face is not adorned with flowers. If you want to see flowers, go look at the ones in your home library

The noodles he stir-fried reached a level of crispness on one side, and 80% of the cold noodles were able to maintain their integrity, with one side being golden brown and the sauce evenly and fully coating the noodles. When they were taken out of the pan, small bubbles were forced out by the heat, resulting in an appearance that scored 90 points.

After Zhu Xiaohua left, Zhou Yi did not rush to hail a taxi. It is said that walking a hundred steps after a meal can extend one's life to ninety-nine years. Tonight is not too hot; a cool breeze blows and the moonlight is like water. He felt the urge to take a stroll.

The illustrious first-class chef, Cao Yidao, a towering figure in the culinary world, finally opened his mouth to take on a disciple, only to be directly rejected? Cao Lang's face turned red and pale in turn, and after a long while, he finally grasped the situation: "What a young rascal, treating me with such disrespect? Fine, I will be persistent with you; just wait and see..."

The delicate figure on the electric tricycle, with its slender shoulders and a few strands of hair slightly disheveled at the nape of her neck, touched the softest part of Zhou Yi's heart at that moment, causing him to unconsciously begin to care for this girl in a difficult situation

For the government, this is a fig leaf; for laid-off workers and university students running stalls, this is a grand stage of life; for lower-tier consumers, this is Jin Ying International, Jia Jia Fu, and other similar places

The "second sister" he mentioned is naturally Zhou Jingjing, the one from the Zhou family who went to France to deceive foreigners, the only pseudo-chef in the Zhou family who can be considered to have inherited the family business

Zhu Xiaohua shuddered and said: "Lao San, everything I just said was nonsense. Well, I am really drunk and need to go back to rest. If you want to watch a movie, you can go alone with the pictures and books. I won't accompany you."

Do not talk nonsense. If you dare to tell my second sister about this, over at 'Flower', hmm, if I remember correctly, someone said last month that they were going on a business trip, but in fact, they went to a resort hotel on a southern island...

Aren't Liu Xu and Xiao Ye setting up their stall right here? Since we are here, why not go take a look at what business they are doing...

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They are all just thoughts

Willows and small leaves

Liu Xu was just about to receive the money when she looked up and saw Zhou Yi, instantly taken aback.

It seems that the three generations of fried noodle brands are not just boasting; with this level of skill, one could say that not only in Chudu but also in the birthplace of fried noodles, Zhongyuan Bianjing, they are top-notch. Zhou Yi nodded slightly, then turned to glance at the stall across from him run by Liu Xu, letting out a quiet sigh before stepping over.

It is unclear when exactly flea markets began to emerge, much like real fleas, suddenly appearing in various cities across the land of China, as if a spring breeze had come overnight, causing thousands of trees to bloom with pear flowers

I apologize, Mr. Cao. I am too lazy; how can I possibly engage in diligent practice

As soon as she left the old place, Zhu Xiaohua kept staring at Zhou Yi up and down, looking as if she was about to make a move.

Zhou Yi spends extravagantly on food, while having little pursuit in other areas. Therefore, he often wanders here, enjoying a leisurely shopping experience while buying things. However, this time his mindset has changed slightly; one reason is his curiosity about Liu Xu, and the other is an inexplicable sense of cherishing beauty, even if he himself is unwilling to admit it

With the awareness of a food lover, Zhou Yi naturally first entered the snack street adjacent to the bookstore, where a variety of aromas immediately wafted through the air: lamb skewers, candied hawthorn, grilled quail, rock candy lotus seeds, and stinky tofu, offering a complete array of flavors that tantalized the appetite

Opposite them was a small stall with a sign advertising fried noodles. The sign hanging at the stall was still brand new, yet it was bustling with customers, with many people queuing to make a purchase, indicating a thriving business. Waves of the fragrant aroma of fried noodles wafted from this stall, drawing even more people over.

Flea markets across the country are actually quite similar, primarily selling small goods, low-end clothing, pirated books, and pirated CDs. If there is any distinction, it lies in the different local flavors of snacks.

Zhou Yi took out 5 yuan and handed it over with a smile

However, the chef at this establishment, which bears the sign "Three Generations of Fried Noodles," is clearly a master in his craft. The sauces he uses are undoubtedly of at least a Level 6 culinary standard. Particularly impressive is his frying technique, which dazzles the eyes with its swift and skillful movements. One need not even taste the dish; merely watching him cook is worth the 5 yuan spent on the noodles.

If she were to find out that Zhou Yi actually rejected Cao Yidao, it would be strange if she didn't go completely crazy on the spot. She would definitely buy a plane ticket to fly back immediately, forcing Zhou Yi to bow and become her master, while also trying to gain some benefits for herself in the process

Zhou Yi glanced around and saw Liu Xu standing behind the stall with a worried expression on her face, while Xiao Yezi sat beside her, clenching her small fists and looking angrily at the opposite side

Zhu Xiaohua exclaimed: "Moreover, you even refused? Little brother, if this matter gets to the second sister's ears..."

It appears that Liu Xu has encountered strong competition from peers in the fields of strength and literature.

"Are you drunk? Can you manage on your own? Do you need me to take you home?" Zhou Yi chuckled heartily.

However, this dough is soft, and achieving a fully cooked and well-fried state is already quite challenging. Moreover, how can one manage to have one side burnt or both sides burnt? Therefore, if the chef's skills are slightly lacking, the dough will undoubtedly stick to the pan. Even if it can be quickly scooped up, the dough will break apart, and although it can still be eaten, both the flavor and appearance will be compromised.

"No need, no need, we are all warriors tested by alcohol, what does this count for?" Zhu Xiaohua straightened her back, indicating that her brother was perfectly fine, with no issues, and then she hailed a taxi, swiftly leaving.

Movies are certainly not worth watching. For someone as lethargic as I am regarding the Book of Changes, it is much more comfortable to prepare a few snacks at home, brew a good pot of tea, and connect the projector to watch films. How uncomfortable is it in a cinema? These days, there is all sorts of behavior; inside, people smoke, eat sunflower seeds, and engage in all kinds of inappropriate activities, making it quite distressing to watch.

Zhou Yi did not rush to greet Liu Xu, but instead walked over to the stall across the way to take a look and sniff the aroma.

The Old Place Restaurant is not far from the community where Zhou Yi resides. Heading north across a road and then taking a turn, one arrives at the renowned flea market. Zhou Yi wandered casually and unknowingly found himself in this nighttime shopping paradise. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, prompting him to step inside.

Curiosity killed the cat, and it is evident that the Book of Changes is also a work of curiosity

Stir-fried noodles refer to stir-fried cold noodles, a well-known snack in the Central Plains region. In the Bianliang area, people of all ages, regardless of gender, enjoy it. Paired with a sesame pancake and a bowl of tofu pudding, it makes for an excellent breakfast or late-night snack

Uncle Zhou, are you here to see Auntie?

Before Cao Lang could speak, Zhou Yi said: "We have also finished our meal and need to rush to the movies, so we won't keep you any longer..." Saying this, he called over the waiter to settle the bill and took the still somewhat reluctant Zhu Xiaohua out of the restaurant, leaving Old Cao sitting there in a daze.

There is only one stall with the sign of Central Plains Fried Noodles, and its business is extremely poor, with almost no customers, forming a stark contrast to the bustling trade of other stalls

Little Leaf also saw the Book of Changes, but this little loli was too straightforward; as soon as she opened her mouth, she made the two adults blush

Zhou Jingjing is truly passionate about culinary arts, but her talent is quite limited. After two years of struggling in culinary school, she finally obtained a Level 2 chef certificate. She attempted to apprentice under renowned chefs several times, but they took one look at her cooking and outright rejected her, not even bothering to offer a comment. Her skills were simply insufficient to make a living in the country, so in the end, she had no choice but to go abroad and cater to foreign individuals who knew nothing about cooking.

Some well-dressed young women and successful young men have all transformed into food enthusiasts here, with crowds of people flocking to each food stall, and business is exceptionally good

Zhou Yi shot him a glare, fully aware that after today's incident, the chubby guy would have new material to talk about. In the future, when he met with the brothers, who knows how animatedly he would recount today's events

Those who come here to shop are not entirely poor; many white-collar and gold-collar workers occasionally shed their pretenses to join in the fun, tossing aside a few trifles to experience the joy of haggling. They feel as if they are emperors incognito, and this sense of pretentiousness is quite enjoyable.