Starting from a Bankrupt Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant

Chapter 268: Chapter 162: Inheritance

The two men looked at the bags in each other’s hands and smiled.

"How much did you bring?"

"Two hundred."

"Me too, two hundred."

"Go on, knock."

Juan answered the knock at the courtyard gate, her expression surprised to see the two of them.

"Let’s talk inside." Kong Qingfeng walked straight in. Kong Huafeng followed and closed the door behind him.

"Juan, here are two hundred silver dollars. Hide them well and spend them slowly. Use it to buy the three kids more meat to eat." Kong Qingfeng placed two wrapped rolls of silver dollars on the table.

"Here’s another two hundred." Kong Huafeng took out his money as well.

Juan quickly waved her hands. "I can’t take this, I can’t. Big Brother, Huaifeng, you just gave us money last month, and you’re always bringing food over. How can I accept this?"

"This is what we earned from helping with the wedding banquet for the Duan Family. We have more. If you run out, just let us know." Kong Qingfeng took a large handful of candy from his bag, placed it on the table, and said with a smile, "Wedding candy. For the three kids."

Juan’s eyes reddened. "You’ve helped my family so much. I don’t know how I can ever repay you."

Kong Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively. "We’re family. What’s this about repayment? Just focus on raising the three kids. When the eldest turns thirteen, have him come be my apprentice."

"Okay." Juan nodded.

...

1945.6.3

The Kong Family Estate.

Kong Rui lay on the bed, his face pale as a sheet. He tightly gripped the hands of Kong Huafeng and Kong Qingfeng, who were kneeling by his bedside. His voice was hoarse. "When the Japanese devils are driven out, burn a newspaper from that day for me. The skills of the Kong Sect, you must... you must pass them down for me..."

As his voice faded, Kong Rui’s hand fell limp.

"Father!"

"Master!"

"Uncle..."

The room filled with the sounds of tragic weeping.

Zhou Yan slowly clenched his fists. ’If only the Grandmaster could have held on for just three more months.’

...

「1949.12.16」

The entire city of Jiazhou was liberated.

The owner of Le Ming Restaurant had already taken his family, young and old, and fled south by boat.

After being closed for a while, Le Ming Restaurant was turned into a state-owned restaurant. The original team of Chefs was recalled, and it reopened for business.

Kong Huafeng was a man of great prestige and virtue. He had donated money several times during the war of resistance, earning him a good name. As he was also literate and cultured, he was appointed head Chef.

Kong Qingfeng also returned. He was still in charge of the woks, and was also a Grandmaster.

The elder Luo had died of illness the year before last. The other Luo had been conscripted the year before last and never returned. The young Luo had aged into an old man, and had also become a Grandmaster.

Le Ming Restaurant reopened, but business was rather sparse. It was mainly responsible for hosting government leaders.

The wealthy families had all fled, and few people had the spare money to eat at a restaurant. Everyone was busy with land redistribution.

Kong Qingfeng sat across from Kong Huafeng, holding a bowl of congee. They slurped it down with pickled radishes.

The forty-six-year-old Kong Huafeng bore a strong resemblance to the middle-aged Kong Rui of the past, though he looked a bit more refined.

"Senior Brother, I’m planning to take Xiaofei as my apprentice. What do you think?" Kong Qingfeng asked, looking at Kong Huafeng.

Kong Huafeng put down his bowl. "What does Xiaofei himself think about it?"

"He’s a twelve-year-old kid, what can he be thinking? Although the family was allotted land, he doesn’t have the strength to farm it. If he comes to the restaurant as an apprentice, at least he won’t go hungry. It’s one less half-grown kid to feed at home, which will make things easier for Juan." Kong Qingfeng’s voice was low. "Having a full stomach is the most important thing."

Kong Huafeng was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. When will you hold the apprenticeship ceremony? I’ll preside over it."

"Tomorrow, then. I checked the calendar; tomorrow is a good day," Kong Qingfeng said with a smile.

In the main hall, Kong Qingfeng and his wife sat on chairs.

A young boy knelt on the floor offering tea, reciting, "I will serve my master as my father, eternally and without change. I humbly ask for your acceptance."

Kong Huafeng and Luo sat to the side, smiling.

Juan stood nearby with red eyes, turning her head to wipe away tears.

Kong Qingfeng accepted the tea and took a sip. He reached out and helped the boy to his feet. "Xiaofei, from today on, you are my apprentice. Follow me and learn to cook well."

"Yes, Uncle."

"What did you call me?"

"Master!"

"Mm."

Zhou Yan watched this scene with a smile on his face.

The boy who had knelt here all those years ago to beg for an apprenticeship had become a master himself today.

At this moment, the circle of inheritance was perfectly complete.

...

「November 8, 1958 - 7:00 AM」

"A training class! Are you telling me you’re going to take all of our Kong Sect’s recipes and techniques and teach them to outsiders? Kong Huafeng! Don’t you forget what your surname is!

When we became apprentices, Master said: ’A thousand taels of Gold won’t buy the art, but you’d give it away to an old friend on the street’!

The skills of the Kong Sect are passed down through the family! They absolutely cannot be taught to outsiders!

Have you forgotten Master’s dying wish?"

In the office of Le Ming Restaurant, Kong Qingfeng slammed his hand on the table, speaking furiously.

Kong Huafeng, who was sitting behind the desk, stood up, poured a glass of water, and placed it in front of Kong Qingfeng. He spoke earnestly, "Qingfeng, times have changed. The restaurant is state-owned now. We all call each other ’comrade’.

Chef training classes are popping up everywhere, booming with success. Batch after batch of promising young Chefs are emerging like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. The momentum is excellent.

I haven’t forgotten Master’s last wish. In fact, it is precisely because of his wish that I’ve decided to answer the call to establish a training class, to be the main lecturer, and to organize all the Kong Sect’s recipes and techniques into teaching materials to pass on to more young Chefs.

This is the only way to truly ensure the techniques of the Kong Sect are passed down!

You’ve taken five disciples from the Kong Family. All these years have passed, and you tell me, which one of them is capable of shouldering the legacy of the Kong Sect?"

Kong Qingfeng was silent for a moment, then said sullenly, "I think Guodong can do it!"

Kong Huafeng stared into his eyes. "Do you really think so?"

Kong Qingfeng averted his gaze and said in a low, firm voice, "I don’t agree, and that’s that! There are so many children in the Kong Family. There’s bound to be a talented one among them. We can take our time, pick and choose. We’ll definitely find someone suitable!"

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