Winter Melon Candy? Lin Xu's expression was somewhat surprised.

The first two, Yangzhou Fried Rice and Braised Pork Trotter, were quite good, but what was the deal with this Winter Melon Candy at the end?

He rubbed Dundun's head, about to ask the little one what was going on.

A torrent of experience flooded into his mind. After processing the recipes for Yangzhou Fried Rice and Braised Pork Trotter, he began to examine the one for Winter Melon Candy, which really seemed like a filler item.

Winter Melon Candy is a dessert snack made from fresh Winter Melon. The process involves a series of steps, including dehydration and candying. It's known for benefits such as clearing heat, detoxification, protecting the liver and kidneys, and stabilizing blood pressure.

It was a good thing, indeed. But what use was it to me?

Was he planning for me to sell it as a high-priced health supplement to retired elderly folks?

My dear son, are you unhappy and stirring up trouble for me because I've been too busy lately and haven't had time to play with you?

Just as Lin Xu was about to complain to Dundun a bit, he suddenly recalled how he had grumbled about Dundun many times when he'd received the knife-sharpening Technique. As it turned out, the very first round of the competition had required that exact Technique.

Could it be that this Winter Melon Candy will also be useful in the future?

The entire process of making Winter Melon Candy was quite lengthy, taking about three to four days. Lin Xu planned to buy a Winter Melon tomorrow and start making it.

After all, he didn't need to come to the shop starting tomorrow. He also didn't need to clock in at the Fishing Platform, so he had plenty of free time.

When he was running his own business, he could work from dawn till dusk. But now that he was an employee, he naturally had to slack off when possible; he couldn't betray the fellowship of wage-earners.

After making this decision, Lin Xu played with Dundun for a while using a cat teaser before returning to the kitchen to get busy.

At three o'clock, his team from the food cart went to the bakery next door in twos and threes. They were there to officially sign their employment contracts and confirm their wages as permanent staff.

When they returned, everyone was beaming, clearly very satisfied with their contracts.

"Thank you, Boss!"

"Thank you, Boss!"

"Thank you, Boss!"

Seeing Lin Xu, each of them expressed their gratitude. Lin Xu replied with a smile, "You've earned it. Keep working hard, and things will definitely get even better in the future."

Although the new Lin Ji's Food would hire some head chefs, and possibly even appoint a professional executive chef, Lin Xu still trusted his original team from the food cart the most. After all, they had spent so many days together, day in and day out. They not only understood each other well but also had excellent, unspoken coordination.

After signing the contracts, these employees buzzed with renewed energy in the kitchen.

"This afternoon will be our last meal in this shop. Junior Brother, is there anything you'd like to eat? I don't have much to do this afternoon. Just tell me what you want, and I, your Senior Brother, will make it for you."

The thought that Lin Xu would soon be working in Building Two, and that the dish "Home" would also be sold there, made Xie Baomin unable to suppress his excitement.

The obscure Building Two was finally going to make some noise! He hoped its revenue could surpass Building Ten's. Then he'd see how Dongdong could still swagger about in the weekly morning meetings.

Having just processed the recipes for three dishes, Lin Xu wasn't particularly interested in eating. However, since his Senior Brother had offered, he said, "Just make that Zaozhuang Spicy Chicken you mentioned before. I've had Geleshan Spicy Chicken and Guizhou Spicy Chicken, but never Zaozhuang Spicy Chicken. I'd like to try it."

Geleshan Spicy Chicken involved picking chicken pieces from a mound of dried chilis, while Guizhou Spicy Chicken owed its flavor to the Sticky Rice Cake chilis beloved by Guizhou natives. This Zaozhuang Spicy Chicken, however, piqued Lin Xu's curiosity. He wanted to try it.

Xie Baomin smiled and said, "No problem. But Zaozhuang Spicy Chicken needs freshly slaughtered tender roosters. We don't have any in the shop. Why don't I go buy a couple?"

"I'll go," Lin Xu offered. "I'm more familiar with the nearby markets."

"Alright. After you buy the chickens, get some thin-skinned chilis too. They're essential to Zaozhuang Spicy Chicken; you can't leave them out."

Thin-skinned chilis? Lin Xu committed the name to memory, grabbed his car keys, and headed out.

Driving his G-Wagon, he arrived at the Spring Wind Market. He found a stall that butchered roosters fresh and bought three evenly-sized, tender ones.

There were many people at the shop today; one rooster definitely wouldn't be enough. So he bought three. Two for them to eat at the shop, and one to pack for Classmate Shen to take. His Senior Brother rarely cooked, so he had to let his father-in-law and mother-in-law have a taste.

After buying the roosters, he went to Uncle Shen's stall. "Uncle Shen, do you have any thin-skinned chilis?"

"Yes, I got some in this morning." Seeing Lin Xu carrying the freshly bought roosters, he asked with a smile, "Are you planning to make Zaozhuang Spicy Chicken?"

"That's right. Uncle Shen, you know this dish too?"

"I just saw it on a short video... Oh, by the way, Boss Lin, don't forget to film your videos after the shop closes! My wife has become a big fan of yours. She tries to cook whatever you demonstrate. Just yesterday, she ruined over ten pounds of Lotus Root trying to make those White Jade Lotus Root Strips you showed, but she couldn't get it right."

While picking out chilis, Lin Xu explained, "Those White Jade Lotus Root Strips weren't meant as a tutorial. It was just to demonstrate the difficulty of the Technique and prove my championship title was legitimate... What did your wife do with the ruined Lotus Root?"

"What else could she do? She found another recipe and made Lotus Root Powder out of it."

Well, at least it wasn't wasted, Lin Xu thought.

After picking the chilis, Lin Xu went to pay, but Uncle Shen flatly refused the money. How could he possibly charge such a regular customer for a few chilis? Besides, these thin-skinned chilis were only a few bucks a pound, nothing valuable.

Lin Xu didn't insist too much. "Alright then. Don't stock too many vegetables tomorrow, Uncle Shen. When the new shop is about to open, I'll let you know in advance to get your inventory ready. I'll be counting on you for deliveries then."

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