Second update,

...

These were matters unknown to outsiders, and Qin Fang and Tang Family Members wouldn't actively speak about them to others.

After greeting Secretary Tang and others, Qin Fang was immediately rushed by Tang Feifei to prepare the dishes. He didn't need to personally handle every dish. He only had to cook one or two of his best specialties.

Qin Fang had already pondered and considered this on his way to the kitchen.

Qin Fang's Cooking Skill had reached Intermediate at 95%, just a stone's throw away from leveling up, a proficiency so advanced that even the fast-learning and highly intuitive Wen Yi couldn't hold a candle to him.

"Sigh, it's a boon for Li Rui..."

Just thinking about the people sitting in that private room, most of whom could be considered his own people, the only exception was Li Rui. Even though he came to Fang Feixue to offer his congratulations, Qin Fang knew that he was an enemy, a Viper hiding malice behind his smile.

As the saying goes, there is fine wine for friends and a hunting gun for wolves.

The Tang Family Members were friends, naturally to be entertained with fine wine and delicious food. However, there happened to be a wolf among them, and Qin Fang still had to offer fine food and wine. It was hard not to feel depressed.

...

In the kitchen.

"Master, what dish are you making?"

Wearing a pristine white chef's robe, Wen Yi curiously watched the pot of food Qin Fang was making but was filled with confusion. It looked somewhat like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, but the ingredients used and the cooking methods had similarities, yet more differences, which prompted her question.

Sun Liang, Wu Ping, and Zhou Rui, also curious, stood by, watching carefully, yet they did not find an opportunity to interject.

Sun Liang and Wu Ping were okay, at least they had attained Beginner Level Cooking Skill and had officially started learning. With continuous diligent practice, they would become capable chefs like Wen Yi before long.

As for Zhou Rui, he was somewhat behind. He had to start with the basics. However, Wen Yi occasionally gave him pointers, and though she did not formally take him as her disciple, Zhou Rui respected her a lot, even though he was a bit older than her.

"This is a dish I've conceived on the spur of the moment. Pay close attention, everyone. If you learn it, it will become our signature dish at Fang Feixue..."

This dish was the result of Qin Fang's contemplation along the way, a hint of insight he had before advancing to Advanced Cooking, and also a very special cooking technique.

The dish, based on Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, required even more meticulous selection of ingredients and a variety of cooking methods: frying, sautéeing, boiling, deep-frying, sticking, roasting, braising, stewing, steaming. Almost a dozen different cooking techniques were mixed together to create this very unique dish... it was not just a simple braise like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

"Wen Yi, come and be my sous chef..."

The preparation of this dish was extremely difficult; time was the real essence. Unfortunately, Secretary Tang and the others were waiting in the private room, so Qin Fang had to call upon Wen Yi to join forces in creating the dish.

Even with differing strengths between two chefs with Intermediate Cooking skill, such minor differences wouldn't adversely affect the entire dish.

After detailed instructions on what Wen Yi needed to do, she listened intently and nodded from time to time, seeming to grasp the points. Even the parts she found difficult only caused her to hesitate briefly before she understood and immediately got to work.

As for Sun Liang and Wu Ping, the pair of junior brothers found the explanation quite mystical. They only vaguely knew the method, but why and how to do it well were beyond their grasp. This was the gap in cooking proficiency.

The cooking process was very complex, and even though the other chefs in the kitchen helped with the prep work, Qin Fang's and Wen Yi's exceptional speed, especially Qin Fang, with his One-Handed Weapon Mastery, handled the kitchen knife, spatula, ladle, and so on with utmost finesse. Still, it took nearly half an hour before the dish was finally completed.

Meanwhile, the dishes for the other guests in the restaurant had been served, with Wen Yi personally managing the private room.

When Qin Fang, pushing a cart, opened the door to the private room, all eyes turned to him. To his surprise, while everyone outside had begun eating, the guests inside were still talking and hadn't started their meal.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting!"

Looking at the empty seat next to Tang Feifei, which was also next to Secretary Tang, Qin Fang felt a slight jolt in his heart and spoke apologetically.

"Xiao Qin is here. Come, take a seat!"

Secretary Tang still maintained his warm smile and did not seem angry that Qin Fang had made them wait for half an hour.

"Yes, Secretary Tang..."

Qin Fang respectfully spoke as he placed the real main course on the table, still covered by a large metal lid.

He held a great deal of respect for this dignified middle-aged man, not just because of his status but also because he was Tang Feifei's father.

"Xiao Qin, don't keep calling me Secretary Tang. From now on, you can call me Uncle Tang..."

Tang's Secretary said with a smile, his tone very amiable. He was quite pleased with Qin Fang, which naturally led to a closer relationship.

"Yes, Uncle Tang!"

Qin Fang responded without hesitation, immediately starting to address him as such, while Tang Feifei's face also revealed a radiant smile.

"This dish is Fang Feixue's signature dish, specially prepared for you..."

Obliged by such kindness from Secretary Tang, Qin Fang felt he could offer nothing in return. He immediately stood up and unveiled the large metal lid on the table, revealing the dish inside.

"Wow, it smells so good..."

Ding Chuchu, ever outspoken, couldn't help but exclaim almost at the exact moment Qin Fang lifted the lid, as the tempting aroma hit her, bouncing up with a voracious appetite, and she nearly reached for the chopsticks before noticing Secretary Tang looking at her with an amused expression, causing her to smile sheepishly.

"Not bad, the aroma is enticing..."

Luckily, Secretary Tang didn't mind. With his status, he had tasted all sorts of dishes, so he appeared quite composed. However, his brief comment conveyed a genuine appreciation.

"Xiao Qin, what's the special feature of this dish? It looks a bit like 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall', but not quite like it..."

Looking at the seven distinct colors in the pot, even Secretary Tang, who had seen countless delicacies, found this dish to be extraordinary.

"Actually, there is no particular trick to it. The name of the dish is 'Seven Orifices Exquisite'. It involves using different cooking methods to prepare the required ingredients separately first and then combining them into one pot, stewing it in the manner of 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall'. Each of the seven flavors stands out on its own but can also blend with the others, achieving a harmonious result, hence the name 'Seven Orifices Exquisite'... "

Qin Fang explained with a chuckle. The actual cooking process was far more difficult than what he described. Blending the seven different flavors into one pot and then slow-cooking it for a few more minutes, ensuring the original tastes were preserved while merging together, was unimaginably challenging...

"Seven Orifices Exquisite... what a good name!"

Secretary Tang nodded slightly and murmured a compliment, casting a meaningful glance at Qin Fang as a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

Actually, the name was something Qin Fang had come up with on a whim without holding any particular significance, but Secretary Tang's expression seemed to invest it with some meaning, something Qin Fang himself failed to notice.

"Uncle Tang, as an elder, please, you should try it first to appreciate Fang Feixue's signature dish..."

Qin Fang immediately said, showing his respect.

"Good, good! Xiao Qin, you have promised me that once I've eaten here, I will certainly become a repeat customer. If it doesn't satisfy me, I'll have to give you a spanking..."

Secretary Tang joked as he reached out with his chopsticks to pick up some food.

His way of selecting food from the dish was very particular. Most people faced with such an unusual dish would pick just one of the seven flavors to start with, but Secretary Tang went straight to the center, where the seven flavors were mixed together.

In the art of cooking, the biggest taboo is a cluttered taste, as it can completely ruin an otherwise delicious dish. If the seven mixed flavors in this dish couldn't blend harmoniously, then despite how delicious the other seven individual flavors might be, the dish would still be spoiled...

As he tasted the dish, there was no significant change in Secretary Tang's expression, making Qin Fang grow somewhat nervous.

As the creator of the dish, Qin Fang was very satisfied with it. Although he dared not claim it to be flawless, he believed it represented the pinnacle of his current skill level.

If he were to surpass that, he would have to wait until he achieved Advanced Cooking.

Yet, with Secretary Tang remaining silent, Qin Fang couldn't tell if he was satisfied or not. After all, Secretary Tang was well-traveled and had tasted far more delicacies than Qin Fang had encountered. Perhaps Qin Fang's 'Seven Orifices Exquisite' didn't hold as high a place in Secretary Tang's heart as Qin Fang had imagined.

"Come on, everyone, try this dish!"

Secretary Tang's calm demeanor made Qin Fang nervous, but still, he maintained a warm smile as he invited everyone present to taste the dish.

The others naturally did not dare to refrain and picked up their chopsticks to try the dish...

It seemed that considering Secretary Tang had tasted the most complex part of the dish in the middle, the other guests hesitated only for a moment before deciding to avoid that area, regardless of taste, and instead sampled from the nearest individual seven flavors. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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