Siheyuan: Mastery started in the 50s

Let's see if we can cooperate. There was a trace of deep thought in his eyes. He knew Wang Qiang well, and knew that he was a honest person and his cooking skills were also acceptable. But cooperation was not a joke, and he had to think it over carefully.

"Opening a restaurant is a hassle, especially for people like us who have old skills. We have to be very determined. Tell me, what do you think?" He Yuzhu asked tentatively.

Wang Qiang took a deep breath and said seriously, "I think we can open a small Chinese restaurant. It doesn't need to be big, but it needs to be exquisite. I am good at northern cuisine, especially stir-frying, and you are even more skilled in making noodles and stews. I think if the two of us can show our strengths, and run a business in a historical place like Siheyuan, we will definitely attract a lot of customers." He smiled slightly. He could see that Wang Qiang was indeed well prepared, and the boy's ideas coincided with his own plan. The two looked at each other at the same time, and they both had some intention of cooperation.

"Your idea is good," He Yuzhu said, "but cooperation is not just about enthusiasm, it also requires attention to practical details. For example, how should we divide the work, finances, and menu? Have you thought these things through?"

Wang Qiang nodded and said, "Master He, I've thought about it. I think we can divide the work according to the cuisine we are good at. I will focus on stir-fry and cold dishes, you will be responsible for pasta and stews, and we will hire a few kitchen assistants to ensure the stability of the products. As for the financial aspect, I think we can split it 50-50. After all, we are all contributors, and cooperation should be fair. He said, "What do you think about the menu?"

Wang Qiang replied: "I want to focus on traditional northern home cooking, but make some innovations on this basis. We can add some seasonal vegetables and make stir-fried dishes to keep it fresh. In addition, we have to grasp the cultural background of the Siheyuan and organize some special activities, such as a traditional family dinner every weekend to attract old Beijing customers."

He Yuzhu gradually had a clear idea in his mind. He knew that although Wang Qiang was young, he was down-to-earth and had ideas. More importantly, he did not have a mentality of quick success and instant benefits, and he could run his business in a down-to-earth manner, which was what He Yuzhu valued most.

The conversation between the two became more in-depth, and they discussed the location, decoration style, and promotion of the store. Wang Qiang suggested that the unique environment of the courtyard house could be used to build the restaurant into a place with feelings, which not only provides delicious food, but also allows customers to feel the cultural charm of old Beijing. For example, some old photos could be hung in the restaurant to show the history of the courtyard house, and a few eight-immortal tables could be placed at the door so that guests could sit in the yard to drink tea and chat.

He Yuzhu agreed with this, thinking that this idea was both down-to-earth and could attract customers. The two of them got along better and better, and finally decided on a preliminary cooperation plan.

When leaving the courtyard, Wang Qiang felt particularly relaxed. He knew that this conversation had brought him one step closer to his dream. In the days to come, he and He Yuzhu will start preparing for their joint restaurant and work towards their common goal.

A few days after leaving the courtyard, Wang Qiang's mood was always a bit complicated. He was full of expectations, but also felt a little uneasy. During this time, he had been thinking about how to better cooperate with He Yuzhu and how to put his ideas into practice. But at the same time, he recently discovered something that bothered him a lot - there seemed to be something wrong with his sense of taste.

This discovery was made a few nights ago when he was trying to cook a new dish at home. He had intended to use this dish as a trial work for his collaboration with He Yuzhu, hoping to show his strength. However, when he tasted the soup, he found that he could not accurately distinguish the saltiness.

At first, he thought it was just the ingredients that day that were wrong, or he was too tired that day. However, after trying for several days in a row, he had to face a frustrating fact - there was really something wrong with his taste. No matter how he adjusted the seasoning, or tried again and again, it was either too bland or too salty. He had lost that keen sense of food.

This situation made Wang Qiang more and more anxious. He knew that taste was crucial for a chef, especially for the restaurant they were about to open. If he couldn't accurately grasp the taste, the quality of their dishes would not be guaranteed. This was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

However, Wang Qiang did not want to tell He Yuzhu about this problem. He did not want He Yuzhu to think that he was unreliable, especially in the early stages of their cooperation. He had to find a way to solve this problem first, or at least find a way to deal with it. Wang Qiang repeatedly adjusted a simple home-cooked dish in the kitchen - scrambled eggs with tomatoes. He had made this dish countless times, and he should have known the heat and seasoning very well, but today, he could not get the delicious taste in his memory.

He picked up the cooked dish, picked up a piece with chopsticks and put it in his mouth. The sour taste of tomatoes hit his tongue, but the saltiness was still unclear. Wang Qiang cursed himself in his heart and picked up the salt shaker again, trying to remedy the situation. However, no matter how much salt he added, the taste was still wrong.

"What on earth is going on?" Wang Qiang was anxious. He put down his chopsticks fiercely, and sweat oozed from his forehead. Was there something wrong with his body, or was it a psychological effect? ​​He couldn't help but start to doubt himself. The phone rang, pulling him out of his contemplation. He picked up the phone, and it was He Yuzhu.

"Master Wang, what have you been busy with recently? Do you have time to come over and study the menu together?" He Yuzhu's voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding very relaxed.

Wang Qiang suppressed his anxiety and tried to sound more relaxed: "I'm busy. I'm thinking about the dishes. You can come over tomorrow and we can discuss it together."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Qiang sat in a chair with a heavy heart. Tomorrow's meeting is crucial, and he must find a way to deal with the current predicament as soon as possible. After repeated thinking, he decided to go to the market to find some fresh seasonings and ingredients, and try to restore his taste sensitivity through different taste stimulations. Wang Qiang went to the nearby market. He deliberately selected several seasonings that he rarely used, and bought some fresh seafood to stimulate his taste. He knew in his heart that this might be a long process, but he had no way out.

Back at the courtyard, Wang Qiang walked into He Yuzhu's kitchen with a lot of food. He Yuzhu was cutting vegetables on the chopping board. When he saw him come in, he smiled and said hello: "You brought so many good things. It seems that you came prepared."