Chapter 10: The Fried Noodles We Shared in Those Years

Isn't it just him

Old Cao, disregarding the presence of younger generations, excitedly exclaimed a curse: "What a pity, what a pity, the stir-frying technique and heat control have reached their peak! If only the sauce were a little better, it would be even more perfect, and calling it the best fried noodles in the world would not be an exaggeration. Xiao Zhao, did Zhou Yi make this sauce himself... Zhang Zhao! Are you going to wait a bit before eating it?"

Yes, Uncle. Rest assured, I will keep this matter close to my heart and will never speak of it, even if it costs me my life

Oh ... ...

How could this be? It is actually a top-tier delicacy among the gold-inlaid jade! With the finest frying technique and precise control of the heat, the hot sauce is completely enveloped within the crispy shell. Even now, it still maintains a delectable temperature... Perfect, simply perfect!

"No way, Uncle. This kid may be good at making cold noodles, but that doesn't mean he can cook well. China has eight major culinary traditions, and there are over ten thousand famous dishes. Who can claim to master them all? Aren't you praising him a bit too much?"

Old man Cao let out a bitter laugh, holding the remaining half box of fried noodles as he sat back on the sofa, and sighed deeply: "How ridiculous that I still want to take someone as my apprentice, yet I unexpectedly encountered a true culinary master... How absurd, how absurd, this time I have completely lost face."

The middle-aged man glanced at Old Cao and said somewhat indignantly: "Uncle, this kid actually rejected your goodwill. Isn't that a bit arrogant? I think it's better to let it go. If you want to pass on your legacy, you still have me as your nephew, right? You know that my greatest passion in life is culinary arts. When I started my business, I chose the restaurant industry without hesitation. You see..."

Old Man Cao glanced at the fat man and said: "Although I have only seen this little fellow once, I can tell he is quite a person of strong opinions. If he were to find out that I had someone following him, I would likely lose even this one connection. At that point, it would be difficult to take him as my apprentice..."

Thus, he just hid the lunch box containing the fried noodles behind his back, not taking it out immediately, deliberately making his uncle anxious, which can also be seen as a way to vent his frustration.

Old Man Cao completely ignored him; this was not because the old man was trying to act cool, but rather because all of his attention was captivated by a box of stir-fried cold noodles.

A middle-aged man with a hearty and honest appearance approached the elderly Cao Lang, who was savoring Kung Fu tea in the living room, and spoke in a lowered voice

Upon seeing the old man’s furious expression, Zhang Zhao barely managed to 'wake up' from the temptation of the cold noodles. He smacked his lips and said: "Our people say that the female vendor's business was originally poor, and she couldn't sell the noodles at all. It was Zhou Yi who helped her sell out, so that sauce should belong to the female vendor."

Zhang Zhao appeared simple-minded, yet he was actually quite cunning. Over the years, he had asked Old Man Cao countless times, but Old Man Cao was unwilling to truly pass on his skills. This time, upon returning home, he was in particularly good spirits and only taught him a single dish, fragrant marinated meat.

However, you might consider seeking opportunities to befriend him and strengthen your relationship through https://m.hetushu.com. Who knows, at a critical moment, he could be the one to help you through your difficulties

Quickly tell me, what has this little friend of mine bought to eat? It seems that the snack street in Chudu is full of hidden talents; someone who enjoys food so much is actually interested in the snacks there? I, as an old man, should go take a look another day

Zhang Zhao's eyes have begun to shine, and of course, the fewer people who know about the matters of the Zhou Yi, the better; he is certainly not a fool

Zhang Zhao widened his eyes and said, "Could it be that kid?"

Uncle, the person we sent has returned, bringing news about that young man

Old man Cao spared no effort in criticizing his nephew: "This little fellow named Zhou Yi is a natural-born good cook. I have made up my mind about him, and no one can persuade me otherwise! You might as well tell me where this little foodie went after leaving us, to the cinema?"

He didn't go to the cinema; that was simply a deception aimed at you, dear elder

Old man Cao glared, walked over, snatched the lunchbox, and then eagerly opened it: "I want to see what this kid... Oh? Three sides crispy, the highest realm of fried noodles!"

Old Man Cao nodded and said, "I thought so. How could a grand master of culinary arts, a true culinary deity, possibly make such a basic mistake with the sauce?"

Haha, Uncle, rest assured, I knew you would ask this on wwwhetushucom.com, isn't it because you bought a copy?

Gold inlaid with jade, indeed it is gold inlaid with jade... How many years has it been since I last saw such craftsmanship? I never expected this...

Did you not let him find out?

Rest assured, Uncle, he did not notice.

Old Cao glanced at Zhang Zhao and suddenly said with a serious tone: "Zhang Zhao, remember this: extraordinary people often have eccentricities. I see that this person who studies the Book of Changes does not like to show off; he is truly a remarkable recluse. Therefore, regarding today's matter, you must keep it to yourself and absolutely must not tell anyone that I once gave him the title of 'Culinary God.' Do you understand?"

He certainly cannot cook every dish in the world, but the stir-frying technique and fire control demonstrated in this plate of cold rice noodles are beyond my old man's capabilities. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is the realm of a culinary master

"Stir-fried cold noodles... What did you say? Zhou Yi helped the female vendor stir-fry the cold noodles? Did any of our people buy a portion to bring back?" Old Cao was taken aback and asked anxiously.

How did this kid end up at the snack street

This box of wonderfully poetic fried noodles makes him feel as if he has traversed time and space, returning to his university days, recalling "those years when we shared fried noodles together"

This is correct

Zhang Zhao rolled his eyes, thinking to himself that he had seen many foodies before. Just because someone went to a snack street, there was no need for you to be so excited, right?

"Chef? Are you referring to..."

Uh, let me have another piece, Uncle, just one more... Ah, what did you just say, sauce?

"Good, you little rascal, hurry up and bring it here!"

As the cold jelly enters the mouth, the moment the tongue gently touches the crispy, golden-brown pieces, a burst of delicious sauce, enveloped in a crispy shell, splashes out. That sudden and fragrant flavor nearly made Old Man Cao's eyes pop out of their sockets!

This powder is truly... ... too beautiful!

There is no need to say more; as your uncle, I am, after all, a prominent figure in the realm of Jingbang cuisine. If I truly wished to take on disciples, those eager to bow before me could line up from Cheng'an Gate to Bali Bridge. Are there really no talents in the culinary world of the capital that surpass you?

Zhang Zhaodao: "He went to the snack street at the flea market"

Uncle ... ...

Do not be deceived by Zhang Zhao's current plumpness, as he is seen as a worldly businessman. Back when he was in university, he was quite the 'sensitive person' and even published poetry in the school magazine.

Zhang Zhao did not open the box of powder after receiving it. At this moment, seeing his uncle's astonished expression as if he had seen a ghost, he curiously approached. When he saw the pieces of cold jelly wrapped in golden green, he couldn't help but lick his lips and said in disbelief: "Uncle, can cold jelly be stir-fried like this? This... this is simply a work of art... No! Each piece of cold jelly seems to be alive."

Old Man Cao gently picked up a piece of fried noodles, his movements as tender as a young boy in his adolescence caressing the face of his first love, gazing at it affectionately for a long while before slowly placing it in his mouth

Old man Cao's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh heavily: "I knew it, how could I possibly be mistaken? This little fellow just came out of the restaurant and went straight to the snack street. Indeed, he is a true foodie, just the kind of person I resonate with!"

Old Cao smiled wryly: "Moreover, I must keep the matter of taking him as my disciple a secret. This young man will surely soar one day; if diligent people were to find out that I, Cao Lang, once overestimated my own abilities and wanted to take him as my disciple, where would I put this old face of mine?"

His ancestral home is near Bianjing, in Yingtian, where he grew up eating fried cold noodles, making him an absolute expert in the field

At this moment, his hands began to tremble slightly, and his originally half-closed old eyes suddenly widened, as if he were Captain Jack discovering a treasure in the deep sea

"Stop it, Xiao Zhao. What are you thinking? Do you think I am unaware?"

Old Cao glanced at him and shook his head, saying: "I know you have a passion for cooking. However, with your talent, you will at most become a first-level chef in your lifetime. It is absolutely impossible for you to become a high-level special chef. Zhang Zhao, it's not that your uncle is unwilling to teach you; it's that the master chef is simply not willing to bestow upon you this gift of cleverness..."

At that moment, while he was expressing his emotions, Zhang Zhao had already devoured more than half a box of fried noodles and was staring with wide eyes, still wanting to reach out and grab more. Fortunately, Old Man Cao reacted quickly and swiftly moved the fried noodles behind him.

He bought a portion of cold stir-fried noodles, then exchanged a few words with the girl at the stall, and started stir-frying the noodles for her. It is said that the noodles he stir-fried tasted exceptionally good, and the customers in line almost got into a fight over them