1996: Starting from a bankrupt farmhouse restaurant

"Silly child, let's not talk about this anymore, eat dumplings!" Master patted Zhang Yuwen's head and put a dumpling on her plate.

Lu Yuan prepared several dipping sauces for the dumplings, including pure garlic vinegar sauce, sauce with chili oil, and sauce with soy sauce.

The master also picked one up, took a bite with his bare lips, and immediately showed a surprised expression:

"So fresh! I've had mackerel dumplings in Shandong Province before, but they weren't as delicious as these!"

The master dipped the food in the sauce again, took a bite, and savored it carefully.

"There's fish, shrimp, mushrooms... so many ingredients, yet the flavors blend together so perfectly!"

The master chef's eyes lit up: "If that chef could dance, he'd definitely be a master choreographer!"

Zhang Yuwen: "...Master, now I finally understand why people call you the 'Dancing Madman'."

Actually, everyone was already quite full before the dumplings were even served.

We actually forced ourselves to finish these dumplings.

After all, delicious food should never be missed.

Unexpectedly, after the dumplings were finished, Zhenzhen and Pingping brought out a tray of small bowls, and everyone got a portion.

"Please enjoy our dessert, mango pomelo sago, after dinner!"

This star product, which later became popular in major milk tea brands, was actually created by a proper chef in a Chinese restaurant.

By 2026, the recipe for mango pomelo sago will no longer be a secret.

But in this day and age, bringing out this dessert outside of Hong Kong Island is still quite impressive.

At that time, the variety of desserts in Chinese restaurants was actually very limited, far less abundant than in later generations.

However, a sumptuous feast is often accompanied by desserts.

Especially for high-end banquets, it is necessary to ensure both outstanding taste and sensory quality.

Mango pomelo sago has a refreshing sweet and sour taste that is sweet but not cloying and has a rich flavor profile.

As the finale of a banquet, having a small bowl of this is truly very comforting.

Moreover, the combination of ingredients in Mango Pomelo Sago is beautifully colored, the finished product has a consistent shape, and the name sounds pleasant. These days, it's definitely not a cheap or low-end banquet.

The farewell banquet drew to a close with this perfect dessert.

Satisfied, yet still wanting more—that's the girls' truest feeling.

When everyone was leaving, Zhenzhen stood at the door waiting for them, carrying a bag.

When Zhang Yuwen walked over arm in arm with her master, Zhenzhen spoke up:

"Dear guest, this is a souvenir from your hometown. Please accept it."

As she spoke, Zhenzhen handed the bag to her master.

The master was somewhat surprised. She opened the bag and looked inside. It contained a small bottle of chili sauce, beef sauce, tomato sauce, and sesame powder.

These are all common, homemade sauces typical of northern China. A wave of emotion washed over her again, and she said to Zhenzhen:

"Young lady, may I meet your family's chef?"

Zhenzhen replied, "Please wait a moment, I'll go ask."

After Zhenzhen left, Master said to Zhang Yuwen beside him:

"Yuwen, please wait for me in the car. I'd like to ask that chef how to make a dish."

Zhang Yuwen said, "It's alright, Master, I'll wait for you here!"

"Silly girl!" Her master smiled and tied her hair back. "Master is leaving soon, so it's okay if people tell. But if you're here, they can't reveal their trade secrets."

Zhang Yuwen suddenly realized and said, "I understand, Master. I'll go back to the car now."

After a while, Wenwen returned to the entrance of the courtyard, followed by Lu Yuan.

The master took the initiative to extend his hand and shake hands with Lu Yuan, saying:

"Boss Lu is young and promising. It's truly my great fortune to be able to enjoy such delicious food while I'm away abroad!"

"You're too kind, teacher," Lu Yuan replied with a faint smile.

"Boss Lu, there's one more thing I need to ask of you!" the master said, taking a wad of cash from his pocket and handing it to Lu Yuan.

"Here's 5500 yuan. I asked the girl in your shop when I went to the restroom, and it should be enough to pay for today's meal."

Lu Yuan didn't take it, but asked in confusion, "Your apprentices have already paid."

The master nodded and said, "This is what I need to ask of you. I'm leaving at the end of the month, so please return their money next month. Those kids don't earn much, and they went hungry just to treat this old man to a meal. I really feel guilty. Consider the extra 500 yuan as your payment!"

Lu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then took the money, keeping 5000 and returning the remaining 500.

"I'll only charge for my meal; I'll find a chance to return their money."

"Thank you so much!" Master shook Lu Yuan's hand firmly again before turning and leaving the courtyard.

Lu Yuan originally didn't intend to get involved; the worst thing a shop owner can do is get involved in customers' personal relationships.

But then he thought, this master went to America and spent US dollars, so he might as well leave the money for these girls, which might encourage them to come to the store more often.

However, this master is a kind and simple person, so we can only wish that her daughter is doing well in the United States.

There's a TV series these days called "Beijingers in New York".

It's those TV shows that are causing trouble because they're lazy and idle in Beijing, and then they go to America to mess around.

Although this TV series exposed the hardships of the American underclass to some extent, it still inspired many people to defy the odds and want to go to America.

In reality, most of the people who went abroad did not fare well.

Given the material conditions at the time, the United States seemed to be a superior choice.

But the people of this land, having lost their cultural identity, have lost their soul.

. . .

Even after the private banquet ended today, Lu Yuan still couldn't rest.

Because there's a family dinner hosted by Mr. Ding tomorrow.

His cooking style is not based on the status or position of the person he is cooking for.

As long as he paid enough for the meal, Lu Yuan would treat even a beggar with respect.

After cleaning up the kitchen, he personally checked all the ingredients needed for tomorrow.

Just then, Grandpa called out to Lu Yuan from the front hall.

When Lu Yuan arrived at the front hall, he found that the old man and his grandfather had already finished eating the pigeons.

The old man still maintained the demeanor of an elder, but the grandfather's mouth was full of oil, and he kept smacking his lips, as if he hadn't had enough.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, Grandpa's previous anger completely vanished:

"Xiao Yuan, although Grandpa has never been inferior to anyone in raising pigeons in his life, I'm still a bit behind you when it comes to roasting pigeons."

Grandpa's sharp turn almost broke Lu Yuan's back:

"Um... Grandpa, you're not angry anymore?"

"Of course I'm angry!" But Grandpa's expression showed no trace of anger at all.

"But what angers Grandpa is that you, this good-for-nothing grandson, can cook such delicious pigeon. Why didn't you think of being filial to Grandpa before?"

Lu Yuan: "..."

Grandpa said, "From now on, Grandpa will raise the pigeons for you to grow fat and healthy, but you must remember to take care of Grandpa and your great-grandfather every now and then, understand?"

The old man glared at the grandfather and said, "Old man, why are you so greedy? Xiao Yuan is meant to be sold for money. Do you think money will grow inside your belly if you eat him?"

Grandpa was completely bewildered by the scolding, thinking to himself, "Why does this sound so strange?"

The oldest man in the whole village, calling himself an old man?

But I am indeed an old man, so where is the problem?