Chapter 400 - “See? It takes two to tango." (4)
Mr. Gao suddenly spoke up. “How did you know that you can serve steaks that are not well done, Manager Tong?”
Tong Xuelu smiled and said, “I forgot where I read it. It says that foreigners would drink blood and eat fur. I figured if they like half-cooked food, I can give that a try.”
Of course she just made those all up. But how else could she explain how she knew to make the steaks in different level of wellness?
Foreign books were not allowed at this time. She had no choice but to lie through her teeth.
Naturally, Mr. Gao did not buy it.
But, some who were there knew that her boyfriend was
a research and figured that she might have learned that from the expert who had returned from the states through her boyfriend.
As the individual has a very special identity, nobody pointed that out.
Mr. Gao went on to explain, “I studied abroad when I was young and had steaks overseas. This was exactly how they tasted like. It was quite impressive that Manager Tong was many to make such delicacies at your young age!”
The other judges realized that they had been narrow minded when they heard Mr. Gao’s commentary.
In order to show that they were no narrow minded people, they drummed up the courage to try the steak. They even followed Mr. Gao’s lead and gave the steaks a high score.
Tong Xuelu scored 68 out of a total 70 point. That was one point higher than Red Star Restaurant!
Everybody was stunned when the score was announced and the chef of Red Star Restaurant stomped out.
“Congratulations, Manager Tong. You sure are outstanding among your peers!”
“She certainly is the up and coming. And she won fair and square!”
Tong Xuelu humbly thanked everyone and she couldn’t be happier.
Taking the first place meant a raise and that the restaurant would be able to get a phone.
That was wonderful news!
***
Words about Tong Xuelu taking first place spread quickly.
The government-operated restaurant’s business picked up even more. One could even describe that as exploding.
When the siblings Sun Wuyang and Sun Manrou learned about that, their faces were as black as the bottom of a pot.
Sun Manrou, “Third Brother, Comrade Tong is too outstanding. I think I should bow out.”
Sun Wuyang, “Why do you keep saying things like that. Don’t worry. I have an idea.”
Sun Manrou’s eyes beamed, “Oh? What is it?”
Sun Wuyang, “The chef of Red Star Restaurant should have gotten first place. He only lost because Tong Xuelu had cheated. He was not happy about that.
“I know Yang Guojie, the chef’s son, through a common friend. I’ve already had my friend told him to go after Tong Xuelu. If he and Tong Xuelu can become an item, Tong Xuelu’s recipes would become theirs and they would have no more competition in the future.”
Sun Manrou raised her brows. “Would he be willing to do that?”
Sun Wuyang chuckled, “Of course. He had been going to the restaurant daily recently. All we need is for them to have contact. Then I will tell the Wen family that Tong Xuelu was two-timing Rugui. Do you think that will not bother him?”
Shen Wanrong almost busted out laughing. “That’s a very good idea, indeed, Third Brother.”
“That goes without saying.”
Tong Xuelu had noticed that the chef’s disciple had been dining at her restaurant everyday since the day of the competition.
She didn’t pay him much attention at first but he would find every opportunity to talk to her and even offered to walk her home.
Tong Xuelu couldn’t be bothered to engage with him. She just said she would report him to the police and that finally got him to rein in some.
After Tong Jiaming and Tong Jiaxin had learned of it, they volunteered to come and pick her up after work.
Wen Rugui finally able to take time off to come visit a week after he had learned about Tong Xuelu’s achievement.