Starting from a Bankrupt Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant

Chapter 266: Chapter 162: Inheritance

Kong Rui and the owner walked in. Each picked up a pair of chopsticks and, under the nervous gazes of the three apprentices, tasted a piece of the stir-fried pork liver.

Kong Rui didn’t speak immediately, turning instead to look at the owner.

After tasting it carefully, the owner nodded slightly. "Not bad. A bit short on salt, the Fire Control was a little over, and the gaminess needs to be suppressed more. Qingfeng can start cooking the dishes for the main hall’s customers."

Only then did Kong Rui speak. "The owner is right. The Fire Control and seasoning are a little lacking. You need to study more, practice more, and keep improving."

"Yes, sir." Kong Qingfeng nodded respectfully, unable to hide the excitement on his face.

The owner put down his chopsticks and left.

"Qingfeng, congratulations on passing!"

"Big Brother, you’re amazing!"

Kong Huafeng and Kong Qingjie were both beaming with excitement.

Kong Rui smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "As of today, you’ve officially graduated from your apprenticeship. But you still have a long way to go to become a great Chef. To become a famous Chef, you must achieve meticulous ingredient selection, fine cutting and preparation, precise Fire Control, appropriate seasoning, and beautiful plating. Skill comes from practice, and practice makes perfect."

"This disciple will remember!" Kong Qingfeng gave Kong Rui a deep bow.

Zhou Yan watched this scene from the side, a smile also appearing on his face.

Seven years of culinary apprenticeship, filled with endless hardship.

This moment of graduation was the moment he truly became a Chef.

That night, back at home, the master and his three disciples celebrated with drinks.

The master’s wife joined them for a drink, and everyone was in high spirits.

The scene began to fast-forward.

Kong Huafeng began working the wok, starting with dishes for the individual customers in the main hall.

He seized every opportunity to cook, never complaining about how hard or tiring it was.

When he wasn’t cooking, he would prep ingredients for the other Chefs, continuing to hone his Knife Skills.

Kong Huafeng was always one step ahead of him. His talent was greater, and he had more of an intuitive gift for cooking.

Over the next ten-plus years, the names of the Kong father and son echoed through Jiazhou City, becoming a celebrated tale.

Kong Qingfeng often heard people talking about them. He would smile, but in his heart, he was secretly competing, and he would add an extra hour of practice the very next day.

Day after day, year after year.

After ten years of arduous practice, he finally cooked his way up to the elegant private rooms on the second floor, and into the exclusive suites of Le Ming Restaurant.

The renowned "Kong Father and Son" became the "Three Prodigies of the Kong Family."

The name of the Kong Sect began to spread.

’Kong Qingjie?’

Zhou Yan searched carefully. In 1936, at the age of thirty, he was still a prep cook...

Kong Qingjie was driving a donkey cart with Kong Qingfeng to buy ingredients, a wide grin on his face. "Big Brother, I don’t think it’s a big deal if I just stay a prep cook for the rest of my life. Master, Senior Brother, and you are all famous Chefs. You have to cook so many dishes every day. I can just focus on prepping for the three of you, holding down the fort in the back. It’s all the same!"

"I really don’t have a talent for cooking. But I’m a good prep cook, the owner pays me well, and I can completely support Juan and our two kids."

Kong Qingfeng looked at him in silence for a long time, then nodded. "That’s fine, too."

...

"Big Brother! Big Brother! Qing Jie left a letter, and I can’t find him anywhere! Can you see what it says?" A pregnant woman, holding the hands of two young children, walked into the kitchen, her eyes red, and handed a letter to Kong Qingfeng.

Kong Qingfeng looked at the scrawled characters on the envelope: *To my dear Juan*

His face instantly turned deathly pale.

Kong Huafeng rushed over when he heard the news. He steadied Kong Qingfeng with one hand and took the letter, slowly tearing it open.

The characters in the letter were a messy scrawl, yet they filled three whole pages.

"Brother Feng, what did Qing Jie write?" Juan asked, looking at Kong Huafeng’s somber expression, her voice on the verge of tears.

"Sister-in-law, come outside and sit with me. I’ll read it to you." Kong Huafeng helped Juan walk out the door and sat her down on a stone chair in the courtyard.

Kong Qingfeng followed them out and stood beside Juan.

"Juan, I’ve gone to fight the Japanese devils. I’m leaving tonight and will be out of Sichuan by tomorrow. Don’t come looking for me.

I’m sorry. I know you’re about to give birth, a time when you need the most care, and yet I’m leaving now.

Those Japanese devils are too hateful. They invade our land, kill our people, and rape our women.

Of our family’s three brothers, if someone has to leave Sichuan to fight the devils, it can only be me.

Big Brother is already a famous Chef. He’s mastered the Grandmaster’s culinary arts and is the one who will carry on the traditions of the Kong Sect. Our third brother is only twenty, just got married, and doesn’t even have kids yet...

Brother Huaifeng, Big Brother, I knew Juan would come to you with this letter, so I’ve written a few words for you two as well.

Brother Huaifeng, you’re the one who taught me to read and write. I’ve put it to use today. Thank you for all your care and support over the years.

Big Brother, please kowtow to Master, Master’s wife, and our mother for me. Tell them Qing Jie will come back to fulfill his filial duties at their knees.

I’m entrusting Juan to you and Sister-in-law’s care. When the baby in her belly is born, please ask Master to help choose a name.

Qing Jie."

Kong Huafeng finished reading the letter in a low voice, his eyes already red-rimmed.

"How could he be so heartless, so cruel?" Juan wailed.

Kong Qingfeng held her by the shoulders, his own face streaked with tears.

Zhou Yan looked at the crimson date on the wall: March 6, 1938. A wave of sorrow washed over him.

"Sister-in-law, don’t you worry. Jie will definitely come back." Kong Qingfeng’s voice was firm. "From now on, as long as I have food to eat, you and the three children will never go hungry for a single meal. When they’re a bit older, they can come learn to cook from me. They’ll all have a skill to rely on."

Kong Huafeng also offered gentle words of comfort. "Sister-in-law, I’ll have your sister-in-law come see you often. For now, focus on your pregnancy and staying healthy. I’ll ask around for news of Qing Jie."

...

「June 1, 1938」

The cry of a newborn baby echoed from the room.

Outside the door, Kong Rui, Kong Huafeng, and Kong Qingfeng, who had been sitting and waiting, all shot to their feet, their faces breaking into joyful expressions.

"It’s a boy! It’s a boy!" The midwife came out holding the baby, beaming at Kong Rui. "Grandmaster Kong, Juan said she wants you to help name the child!"

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