In the private room in the front hall, Hao Liang and Gao Wenjing, who came over specially to see him, were chatting enthusiastically.
Last year, Hao Liang's son suddenly fell ill. The family was in chaos and he missed visiting his wife's grave.
We haven't seen each other for two years, and Hao Liang looks older and older.
Maybe it's because I've been working in the kitchen all year round and doing physical work. Now that I'm older, it shows in my face.
Hao Liang took a sip from the tea cup and said happily: "Hey, that's a good thing, Xiao Gao, you can be considered a promotion!"
Gao Wenjing pursed her lips and smiled: "Well, the staff turnover in the store has been quite high in the past two years. After this job transfer, the old people have basically been promoted."
Hao Liang nodded: "You are still very capable, but you are too young. In a few years, you should be able to move up."
Gao Wenjing waved her hands quickly: "I dare not think about that. I am quite satisfied with it now."
The two were talking when a waiter came in to serve the food.
Seeing the large white porcelain bowl on the table, Hao Liang was slightly startled: "Sichuan soup with smooth pork?"
Gao Wenjing also took a look and said in surprise: "Huh? Hasn't this dish been taken off the shelves a long time ago?"
Because the taste of this dish is too similar to that of fish fillets in fresh soup, and the store has always featured fresh seafood dishes, this dish has been quietly removed from the shelves in the past few years.
I didn’t expect that the kitchen chef would make this dish again today.
But I guess it was Hao Liangyi who wanted to try the old-fashioned dishes in the store.
Gao Wenjing could understand Hao Liang's mood, so she said with emotion: "Oh, actually this dish was really popular back then!"
"I originally thought this dish was an old tradition in the store, but later I heard that it is actually Chef Hao, your own specialty."
Before Hao Liang resigned, he had been working in the back kitchen. Serious chefs, including Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu, were all brought up under his leadership.
Gao Wenjing looked at the smooth Sichuan soup pork in front of him with clear soup color and was full of emotions, but Hao Liang seemed to have something on his mind, sitting there silently, and his face was a little red and hot.
Gao Wenjing saw it and quickly asked with concern: "Chef Hao, what's wrong with you? Is it a little too hot in the room? Why don't you turn on the air conditioner?"
Hao Liang's face was a little complicated. Looking at the bowl of carefully cooked Sichuan soup and smooth pork in front of him, he felt a little sorry when he recalled what happened back then.
Gao Wenjing saw something was wrong and couldn't help but look carefully. He saw that Hao Liang's face turned red and his expression didn't look right.
He was immediately startled: "Hao Chef, what's wrong with you? Why is your face suddenly so red? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Hao Liang waved his hand quickly: "Oh, it's nothing, I just suddenly thought of something."
Gao Wenjing was puzzled: "What's going on? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Hao Liang couldn't help but sigh: "Oh, this dish was specially made for me by Xiao Zhao!"
Gao Wenjing was stunned for a moment: "Ah, what's wrong? Is there something wrong?"
Hao Liang asked himself, in fact, these few times he came back to visit the tomb, Zhao Meng received him every time he came to the store. Not only did he cook for him, but he also gave him free wine. Sometimes he would take a break from the busy work and come over to talk and drink with him. Glass of wine.
However, in the past, his attitude towards Zhao Meng was not very close.
Unexpectedly, after he really left his job, the person who thought about his good qualities would be Zhao Meng.
Sometimes when I think about it, I feel really embarrassed. He thinks he has a unique eye for people, but unexpectedly, he is blind. Thinking about it, he feels a little guilty and has some unspeakable regrets...
Normally, Hao Liang would not be as emotional as he was now, but in this situation, he was sitting in the place where he worked, eating familiar dishes, surrounded by his former colleagues.
This feeling inexplicably makes people want to talk.
Hao Liang paused for a moment, and then said: "No, I just suddenly remembered what happened back then. Before I resigned, I was behind the scenes.
Aren't there two people, Xiao Zhao and Xiao Gu, in the kitchen? "
When Gao Wenjing heard this, she thought, oh, that must have happened twenty years ago. At that time, she had not come to work in Qianlima, so she had no idea about these things.
Hao Liang let out a long sigh: "At that time, Xiao Yao's intention was to let me take care of the two of them and promote them when they succeed in the future."
"As you know, Xiao Zhao is quite upright and has an average temper. His words and deeds are not that popular. Xiao Gu is different. He has a particularly eye-catching look and knows how to get things done. When the two of them are compared together, To say that I am taking them with me, I must be somewhat biased."
"I usually teach them how to cook. I always ask Xiao Gu to follow me. Xiao Zhao lets him practice on his own. Occasionally, if there is something he is not good at, he will give him a little guidance."
"And one time, I remember very clearly. I was cooking sweet and sour carp. I had too many orders on hand, and four stoves were turned on at the same time. I was already a little busy, but in the end, I encountered a customer who was making trouble. "Xin, I didn't pay attention to the heat when frying the fish. The heat when frying the carp was a bit too high."
"Actually, we often encounter this kind of situation. We usually deal with it a little bit. As long as the customers are not particularly picky, they can basically get away with it."
Dishes with strong flavors such as sweet and sour fish and spicy shrimp actually have some slight problems with the ingredients, which most people cannot notice at all.
"But at that time, I finished frying the fish and was anxious to deal with the customer dispute, so I handed over this dish to Xiao Zhao to take over."
"It turns out that Xiao Zhao is usually quite stubborn. When he took over, he saw that the carp was fried too much and told me that he wanted to remake this dish."
"At that time, I was in a hurry to go to the front hall, and I was a little annoyed when he stopped me. I felt that Xiao Zhao was too gay and didn't know how to deal with others. He didn't know how to treat special situations. I was in a hurry again. There were still a lot of orders that had not been cooked yet, so I was worried, but Xiao Zhao kept scribbling with me, so I got angry and scolded him a few times."
"Later, when I came back from handling matters in the front office, I found out that the customer who ordered the braised fish was actually a gourmet. As soon as he tasted it, he said that the fish was cooked too well, and that person also knew the boss. "
"In the end, Xiao Zhao took the blame for nothing. Actually... I was the one who took advantage of the situation. Alas... I even gave Xiao Zhao a scolding. Unexpectedly, this kid just took the blame. The matter was over with, and I was not even mentioned at all."
Having said this, Hao Liang was quite embarrassed. After all, he sternly rejected Zhao Meng's proposal at that time. Being criticized by his boss's friend about his cooking skills was also a bad impression.
"It was from then on that I decided to help Xiao Zhao. Unexpectedly, I actually handed him over."
"The main thing is that Xiao Zhao is really kind and kind!"
Hao Liang sighed and continued: "Later, my wife got sick and was not in good health, and I was indeed old enough, so I just quit my job and left."
"At that time, my wife had been hospitalized in the Central Hospital, and she didn't tell her friends about it. My family was taking care of it."
"Once, I happened to meet Xiao Zhao when he was visiting a friend in the hospital. We bumped into him and chatted for a few words. Unexpectedly, he came to the ward to visit my wife that afternoon."
"At that time, my son was working out of town and was about to be promoted. I didn't even dare to tell him about it. My daughter was about to take her final exam and couldn't come back. At home, my parents didn't get it early. , she has only one sister, and her sister and I will take care of her."
"Her sister also had her own family to take care of. It was really hard at that time. She didn't need money, she just needed people."
"I feel like I can't count on anyone, and it's very stressful."
"Ever since Xiao Zhao found out about me, he has come to the hospital every week on his spare time. Sometimes he packs two dishes for me, and sometimes he takes care of me for a while."
"Later, Xiao Zhao took the time to come over and help introduce a very reliable nurse. You don't know, there are so few reliable nurses. It's okay with my family in front of me. The two I hired before, the two in front and the two behind. Attitude, later I became angry and stopped using outsiders, so I joined hands with her sister.
Serve. "
"Xiao Zhao really helped me a lot at that time."
Speaking of this, Gao Wenjing sighed inwardly. He didn't expect that there was such a thing between Hao Liang and Zhao Meng.
Thinking about it this way, it's no wonder that Hao Liang would go to Qianlima to have a meal whenever he came back to Bei'an to visit his grave.
I originally thought I was just nostalgic for the place where I used to work, but unexpectedly I came over to visit Zhao Meng.
And Zhao Meng also cared about Hao Liang's kindness back then. Over the years, whenever Hao Liang came to the store, he would always cook it himself.
After a while, Hao Liang said: "Alas...I couldn't come back last year. I finally came here this year. I don't know what next year will be like."
Gao Wenjing, always sweet-tongued and eloquent, hurriedly persuaded: "Hey, with your body being so strong, you can definitely come back as long as you have time. Besides, communication is so convenient now. If you miss us, you can call us at any time."
Hao Liang smiled and nodded: "That's right, Xiao Gao, would you like to have something with me?"
Gao Wenjing hurriedly said: "No, Chef Hao, I still have customers to entertain here. You eat first, and I will come over to talk to you later."
Hao Liang said understandingly: "Okay, then go and do your work. There is no need to entertain me."
This time happened to be the time for dinner, and Hao Liang was particularly understanding.
Gao Wenjing was no longer polite, got up and went out to work.
When Hao Liang was halfway through his meal, Zhao Meng rushed over from the kitchen, carrying a bottle of wine in his hand.
It's not the kind that is usually sold in the store, but the medicinal wine that I got through some connections, which is very good for the body and has a nourishing effect.
Zhao Meng was busy in the kitchen and didn't plan to stay for dinner, but it was always appropriate to have a glass of wine with Chef Hao.
Chef Hao smiled and filled up the wine glass: "When I come back, I will go to the restaurant to eat, and you will be the one taking the spoon every time. Is that appropriate?"
Chef Hao meant something in his words, and Zhao Meng was also cheerful, saying, "Now that you're back, wouldn't it be appropriate not to have a meal at the restaurant? Let's stop being so polite. I know that you have always treated me as your apprentice. In my heart, You are my master. They say a master and a disciple are like father and son, and that’s how we are.”
When Chef Hao heard this, a smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he was so happy that he couldn't open his mouth from ear to ear.
Zhao Meng still had work and couldn't drink too much. He picked up the wine glass, touched it with Chef Hao, and drank up the wine in the glass.
Chef Hao also drank the rest of the wine in his glass. With this sip of wine in his stomach, he felt refreshed both physically and mentally.
So he said with a smile: "It's great! It's better to come back. I'm over there, and they are very strict with me. They usually don't let me drink any alcohol. This makes me greedy!"
Zhao Meng comforted him: "That's for your own good, but this wine is okay, the alcohol content is low, so it's okay to drink a little. Besides, people who like to drink are addicted. You can't quit immediately, especially like us. , I have been drinking for half my life, if I really don’t drink, what fun would there be in living?”
Chef Hao nodded: "If I don't tell you, I still need you to understand me."
Zhao Meng filled the glasses for both of them.
Chef Hao looked at him. Zhao Meng had a resolute appearance, with clear facial features. When he was young, there was a faint trace of Sichuan pattern between his eyebrows. Now that I am getting older, my brows are always frowning unconsciously when I am talking and laughing. The marks are getting stronger and I look a bit older.
Looking at Zhao Meng, Chef Hao couldn't suppress the unspeakable guilt in his heart, which was steaming with alcohol.
Taking a deep breath, Chef Hao said slowly: "When you weren't here just now, Xiao Gao chatted with me for a few words, and we were talking about you."
Zhao Meng was stunned and looked at Chef Hao curiously: "What did you say about me?"
Chef Hao blushed and said sarcastically: "Oh, I recall what happened back then... At that time, when you and Xiao Gu were learning Sichuan cuisine from me, I didn't teach them properly at the beginning. you......"
"One year, Boss Feng, who sells mink coats in a department store, came to the restaurant for dinner and ordered a dish of sweet and sour fish. I didn't pay attention when frying the oil, and the heat was a bit too high. You said at the time that you wanted to cook it again, and I I'm a little angry, so I order you to continue making the sauce...
.At that time, I was impatient, and I was indeed a little irresponsible, so...I always owe you an apology! "
When Zhao Meng heard this, he immediately remembered.
At that time, Hao Liang had just come to Qianlima to work as a chef, and the boss Dong Juntian asked him and Gu Yunwu to learn how to cook Sichuan cuisine with Hao Liang.
He has never been exposed to this area, has little experience, and lacks practical experience.
As a result, Dong Juntian had a very bad impression of him because of the customer's feedback, which had a huge impact on him.
In fact, this is inseparable from his later becoming more and more cautious and stricter about cooking requirements.
When Zhao Meng heard this, he quickly shook his head and said, "I can't blame you for that matter. The situation was special at that time. I remember that there seemed to be a customer who was looking for trouble, and you were also in a hurry to solve the problem."
Zhao Meng told the truth.
He might not be in a good mood at that time, but without experience there would be no growth. Over the years, his rigorous character has really helped him avoid a lot of losses!
Hearing this, Hao Liang reached out and patted Zhao Meng on the shoulder: "Xiao Zhao, you are a really good person. With a personality like yours, you will definitely be able to do anything right in the future, whether it is work or dealing with people!"
...
Sometimes, life is like this, full of twists and coincidences in the ordinary, and everything will affect our growth.
However, justice is in the heart and will never be late.
