Everyone turned to look as three bicycles approached from the distance, kicking up a cloud of yellow dust.

"Isn’t that your brother-in-law and father-in-law? Did... did they hire a chef too?" Zhou Ze squinted for a better look, a little surprised.

Just a moment ago, they were worried about not finding a chef, and now two great chefs had arrived at once.

"This..." Zhou Hao was suddenly a bit embarrassed. After the local chef had fallen and gotten injured at noon, his brother-in-law and father-in-law had frantically helped look for another chef, and it turned out they had actually found one.

"Another great chef has arrived," Xiao Lei said with a faint smile.

"My brother’s in-laws were also helping look for a chef. Both families were working together, and they just happened to overlap. Let’s see what the situation is first. I think you’re the only one who can handle a scene like this," Zhou Yan said with an accommodating smile. He was definitely on his master’s side.

There were only two second-level chefs in all of Suji Town. The other one was the head chef of the state-run restaurant, and Zhou Yan didn’t believe they could have gotten him.

Xiao Lei was a chef who could handle a big event and put on a respectable banquet.

Besides, while it was framed as helping out, this was actually a pretty good job.

His master had just quit his job and hadn’t decided what to do next. This single job could bring in sixty or seventy yuan, enough to match a month’s salary. It was a viable path.

But the man had been invited by Hao’s father-in-law, so how to handle it was up to him. They definitely couldn’t make his brother-in-law lose face.

In a moment, the three bicycles arrived at the entrance.

The one in the lead was a short, stocky young man, Zhou Hao’s brother-in-law, Chen Xiaolong. He was wearing only a blue tank top. As soon as he got off his bike, he eagerly introduced the man behind him to Zhou Hao. "Zhou Hao, this is my uncle, Master Zheng Qiang. He’s a head chef at Rongcheng Restaurant and just passed the national exam to become a Third-level Chef this year. You know Rongcheng Restaurant, right? It’s a high-end restaurant; they even serve foreign dignitaries."

His words immediately piqued everyone’s interest, and they all started sizing up the man.

Rongcheng Restaurant! It was indeed very famous.

If someone from the village went to Rongcheng and got to eat at Rongcheng Restaurant even once, they’d brag about it for half a year after coming back.

To think the Chen Family actually had an uncle who was a head chef at Rongcheng Restaurant. If he were to take charge of the cooking, it would be a huge point of pride for the Zhou Family.

Zheng Qiang was short and plump, wearing a loose-fitting white chef’s uniform with "Rongcheng Restaurant" embroidered on the chest. He looked to be about thirty-five or thirty-six. Hearing Chen Xiaolong’s introduction and seeing everyone’s reaction, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly in a self-satisfied smirk.

Zhou Hao quickly pulled out a cigarette and offered it to him, saying politely, "Uncle, thank you for coming."

Zheng Qiang took the cigarette and said with a smile, "It’s no problem. I watched Yueyue grow up, too. Of course I’m willing to lend a hand for your wedding and help solve this problem. Besides, I’ve come back from Rongcheng and was planning to start working as a local chef anyway."

Zhou Yan’s eyebrow twitched. ’Well now, this uncle has the same clear goal as me.’

Xiao Lei stared at Zheng Qiang, a strange smile appearing on his face. ’So it’s this kid.’

Zhou Hao wasn’t one for beating around the bush. With a smile, he said, "Uncle, I’m really sorry. Just now, Zhou Yan invited his master, Master Xiao, and we’ve already asked him to take over the banquet. I’m so sorry to have made you come all this way for nothing."

"Huh?" Zheng Qiang’s smile froze. He glanced at the master and apprentice pair, Xiao Lei and Zhou Yan, standing to the side. Both were wearing chef’s uniforms, so they weren’t hard to identify. It was just that he clearly didn’t recognize Xiao Lei.

He tried twice before managing to tuck the cigarette behind his ear, then scratched his head in embarrassment. "Well, since this master came first, then... then forget about it."

Chen Xiaolong also scratched his head awkwardly and pulled Zhou Hao aside to whisper, "Brother-in-law, my uncle is a head chef, a head chef from Rongcheng Restaurant! You should reconsider."

"Brother, a man has to have integrity. Master Xiao is a great chef too, and Zhou Yan called in a favor to get him here. I’ve already settled it with him, so I can’t go back on my word." Zhou Hao’s attitude was firm, but his tone softened a bit. "I know our uncle is very skilled, and he only came all this way for Yueyue and your family’s sake. I will remember this kindness."

Hearing this, Chen Xiaolong had nothing more to say.

His brother-in-law, a former soldier, was upright and principled, valuing reason over relationships. But he was very good to his sister, so there was no faulting him.

And in this matter, there was nothing wrong with how he handled it. Both chefs had come to help; how could you agree to hire one and then turn the other away? That would just put the other person in an impossible position.

Father Chen stood to the side without a word, wondering how to console Zheng Qiang. After all, they were the ones who had invited him, only for him to be told his services weren’t needed upon arrival.

The second uncle held a pack of cigarettes, wanting to speak but hesitating.

The old lady watching from the side shook her head and was about to step forward to say a few words to smooth things over.

Xiao Lei took a step forward, smiled, and extended a hand to Zheng Qiang. "Master Zheng, hello. I’m Xiao Lei. This banquet has over thirty tables. I was also called in at the last minute and just got here. I don’t even have a helper.

Why don’t we take on this job together? We can make sure this banquet is a success, the guests eat happily, and the newlyweds can celebrate their big day without any worries. What do you think?"

As soon as he said this, everyone present was a little surprised and looked at Xiao Lei.

The matter had already been decided. The host family had chosen Xiao Lei, and Zheng Qiang hadn’t objected. So why was he proactively inviting Zheng Qiang to work with him?

That meant he’d have to split the money with him.

Zhou Yan also wanted to speak but held back. ’Master is being muddle-headed.’

Zheng Qiang looked at Xiao Lei’s outstretched hand, equally stunned. ’What’s going on here?’

He had been learning to cook in Rongcheng for over a decade and had a good eye. Xiao Lei’s lean, sinewy forearms, and the callused area between his thumb and forefinger, as well as his fingertips, clearly belonged to an old hand in the kitchen.

He thought about it for a moment. ’This Master Xiao probably wants to learn some techniques from a high-end restaurant, since I’m from Rongcheng Restaurant. That must be why he’s making this friendly gesture.’

’Yes, that makes perfect sense.’

’This banquet is an excellent opportunity for me. I was planning to start out as a local chef anyway. The money isn’t important; what’s more important is building my reputation.’

’As long as I showcase my superb culinary skills and make this old master admit defeat and become my assistant, then I’ll be the head chef of this banquet. I’ll make a name for myself all the same!’

’But, Xiao Lei... why does that name sound a bit familiar? I can’t quite place it right now.’

"Master Xiao, hello. I’d be delighted to work with you." Zheng Qiang immediately shook Xiao Lei’s hand and said with a smile, "You’re right. The most important thing is to make this banquet a success, so the guests are happy, the newlyweds have no worries, and the host family earns some prestige."

"That’s wonderful! With two masters joining forces, this banquet is sure to be a success." Second Uncle Zhou Ze hurried forward with his cigarettes, handing one to Zheng Qiang, his eyes disappearing into a wide smile.

’Getting two master chefs for the price of one, what a bargain!’

’The local chef?’

’Let him rest easy in the hospital.’

"Brother, have someone slaughter the pig first. We’ll need it cut up soon. The steamed dishes need to be prepped today," Xiao Lei said to Zhou Ze, pulling his hand back. "Then, bring us the menu the local chef wrote. Also, take us to see what ingredients have been prepared so I can organize the workflow."

Master Xiao instantly switched into work mode. His methodical approach made Zheng Qiang a bit uncomfortable, and he quickly nodded along. "Right."

"You got it, I’ll go arrange it!" Zhou Ze nodded and turned to find people.

"I’ll handle the pig slaughtering!" Zhou Jie shouted, then immediately called for help. "Haizi, Fei, and you guys, come help me hold down the pig."

A few burly men stepped out from the crowd and walked toward the large, fat pig trembling in the corner.

"You go hold the pig down too. When your Fourth Uncle gets here, let him do the slaughtering. His butchering skills are top-notch," said Uncle Zhou Qing, patting Zhou Jie’s arm with a smile as he looked at Zhou Miao, who had just parked his bike.

"Got it!" Zhou Jie laughed and charged over with a whoop.

Zhou Miao came over to say hello and was immediately dragged off to slaughter the pig.

Meanwhile, Zheng Qiang went to the side to talk with Father Chen and his son.

"Master, why did you suddenly ask Master Zheng to work with you?" Zhou Yan finally found a chance to ask Xiao Lei in a low voice.

"Did you see his build and his hands? Stocky, with thick arms. The calluses on his hands are the real deal. His fundamentals are definitely solid." Xiao Lei looked pleased.

"So?"

"I need a chopper. You have to go back to the restaurant to work soon, and I need to prep cold dishes tonight and tomorrow. Thirty tables’ worth of food... how am I supposed to handle all that by myself?" Xiao Lei said with a laugh. "The Third-level Chef exam has high standards for Knife Skills. A chopper like him is hard to find even if you search with a lantern."

Zhou Yan was speechless.

’Master really is the master.’

’He sweet-talked him a little and is already planning to use a Third-level Chef as a chopper.’

’Look at that expression on Master Zheng’s face just now—the raised eyebrow, the smirk. He must already be thinking about how he’s going to show off his skills, right?’

The second uncle quickly brought the menu and led them toward the food prep area, explaining the situation as they walked.

The local chef was very experienced and had handled many banquets of over thirty tables. The schedule he’d planned was tight. The original plan was to slaughter the pig at noon and start on the "Nine Big Bowls" and other dishes. But the pig hadn’t even been slaughtered yet, dozens of chickens were still in their cages, though the vegetables and side dishes were more or less ready.

After understanding the situation, Xiao Lei studied the menu in his hand for a while longer, then said, "Arrange for people to slaughter the chickens as well. It’s cool enough at night now, so we don’t have to worry about them spoiling. We’ll pre-steam the steamed dishes today so we won’t be in a rush tomorrow. I see he doesn’t have enough seasonings here. We’ll need to buy spices too. I’ll make a list, and you can have someone go to the supply and marketing co-op to buy them..."

The first and second uncles followed alongside, listening, nodding, and taking mental notes.

After the local chef fell at noon, he had his son come deliver the news and take back his braising liquid and spices.

’This Master Xiao, the head chef from a large state-owned factory, was really on another level. He was so organized in his work, and he explained clearly what was missing, how much was missing, and where to buy it.’

Zheng Qiang had initially been walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Xiao Lei, preparing to offer a pointer or two, but after a moment, he consciously dropped back a step to walk beside Zhou Yan.

Because he clearly felt that just by looking at the menu, he was unable to give precise instructions on how much seasoning and spices would be needed for the banquet, or where they could be bought.

At Rongcheng Restaurant, procurement was handled by a dedicated person. Every time he went into the kitchen, there were endless seasonings and spices available, and the side ingredients were delivered right to the kitchen as well.

It only took three minutes for him to go from being full of fighting spirit and brimming with the superiority of someone from a big-name restaurant, to slowly shrinking back and falling silent.

Following Xiao Lei felt like following his own master.

Everything he said sounded so reasonable that he couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

That’s right, he was completely outclassed.

Zhou Yan glanced at him, the corner of his mouth curling up. ’Seems like coming from a big-name restaurant isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.’

"Master Zheng, what do you think?" Xiao Lei stopped and turned back to ask Zheng Qiang with a smile.

"Huh? Uh..." Zheng Qiang forced a smile. "I think Master Xiao is right."

Xiao Lei nodded. "Then let’s just do as I said for now."

"However, I think this menu is a bit monotonous. It’s all pork; the guests will get tired of it," Zheng Qiang said, feeling increasingly disgruntled the more he thought about it. He spoke up again, "Why don’t we add a Camphor Tea Duck, a Kung Pao Chicken, and maybe a Dry-Braised Carp? At Rongcheng Restaurant, those are the dishes guests always love to order for banquets, and they get great reviews."