Yuan Zhou didn't mean to pry into his privacy when he asked that. He just felt that how could the middle-aged man reach such a level with such excellent craftsmanship?
The middle-aged man in front of him was dressed in plain clothes that were even a little shabby and his eyes were clean and full of vicissitudes. It was the first time that Yuan Zhou had met such a person. There was simply a "I have a story" written on his face.
That almost made Yuan Zhou say something like "I have liquor".
"I just came to this place and haven't found a suitable job yet." The middle-aged man didn't eat elegantly. He answered straightforwardly when he heard Yuan Zhou's question.
"Then you can look for one carefully. We have many opportunities here." Yuan Zhou said kindly.
"Um." The middle-aged man swallowed a mouthful of rice and then nodded his head.
Following that, there came the sound of the two people picking up the dishes and chewing. The middle-aged man ate very fast.
"Your craftsmanship is very good. Thank you." Only after eating up one bowl did he set down the bowl.
"Thank you for your compliment." Yuan Zhou nodded his head.
"It's a fact." The middle-aged man said earnestly.
Neither of them was talkative. Therefore, the restaurant fell silent immediately.
In the end, the middle-aged man broke the silence first.
"My name is Du Cheng. May I know your name?" The middle-aged man asked.
"My name is Yuan Zhou. I'm the chef of this restaurant." Yuan Zhou said courteously.
"Since we've exchanged our names, we can be considered friends now." The middle-aged man said that.
"Of course." Yuan Zhou nodded his head.
"To thank you for the meal, I would like to play another tune." When the middle-aged man said that, he didn't show any arrogance at all. Instead, he just took it for granted.
It was as if it was a common thing to thank Yuan Zhou with a tune for a meal. Besides, he didn't specifically mention that he didn't have money now and couldn't repay him. It was just an ordinary manner.
"Thank you, Du Cheng." Yuan Zhou was pleasantly surprised. He immediately nodded his head and agreed.
"The tune is Moon Over the Two Springs." The middle-aged man reported the tune first and then started to play the strings.
Right after that, the beautiful melody of Moon Over the Two Springs came from the well-maintained Erhu.
As a matter of fact, Yuan Zhou didn't know much about music. It was just that the middle-aged man was too good at playing. Even Yuan Zhou was immersed in the previous song that he didn't know, not to mention this more popular song.
The two of them sat separately. Yuan Zhou sat on the chef's chair in the kitchen and listened to the music attentively while the middle-aged man, Du Cheng, sat on a random chair in the living room. He tilted his head and played the zither in his hands seriously.
As a matter of fact, Yuan Zhou's initial guess was correct. Du Cheng had indeed not eaten anything for two days and had only eaten some snacks. Without a job or money, only the Erhu was valuable.
With the middle-aged man's craftsmanship, he could just set up a stall on the street. Normally, even if he didn't have much income, it Erhu.
However, Du Cheng didn't do that. He even played a song in a deserted place while walking along the back door of Yuan Zhou's restaurant. It was more like he was playing it for himself to listen to.
It only took Du Cheng a few minutes to finish 'Moon Over a Fountain'.
With a sound of "Xi Xi Suo Suo", he packed up the case and prepared to go out.
"Sorry to bother you, Yuan Zhou. I'm leaving now." Du Cheng walked to the door and thanked Yuan Zhou.
Of course, he went out from the door of Yuanzhou Shop this time.
"I should thank you. Take care." Yuan Zhou also walked him to the door courteously.
As a chef, Yuan Zhou could tell Du Cheng was very hungry and besides, he didn't have any money with him. That actually made Yuan Zhou a little puzzled.
"If he sells his skills, he can definitely earn a lot of money. After all, the craftsmanship of playing Erhu is very good even though I'm a layman." Yuan Zhou muttered to himself.
Nobody knew why Du Cheng didn't sell his skills even though he couldn't afford to eat. Yuan Zhou didn't know. Nobody knew. Maybe he just didn't want to make money with his skills. He just didn't want to sell his skills. Who knew?
There were always craftsmen who had their own persistence. And it was this persistence that made them unable to eat the next meal. However, Yuan Zhou didn't understand this kind of persistence.
"Whatever. It's time to prepare lunch." Yuan Zhou got rid of the messy speculation in his mind and prepared to prepare lunch earnestly.
...
Time passed quickly. When there was only half an hour left before lunch, the technician who had taken Yuan Zhou as his master came. After a long time, the technician who had taken Yuan Zhou as his master arrived.
Of course, he had specially told Yuan Zhou the reason why he didn't come. It was because he planned to come here to learn full-time after resigning.
"Great Master Yuan, good afternoon. This is the Keemun Black Tea Bud Tip prepared for you. It's just at the right temperature." As soon as Engineer Cheng arrived, he handed a pottery pot to Yuan Zhou respectfully.
"You don't have to do that. Just stand there and don't get in the way." Yuan Zhou knitted his brows and didn't take the teapot.
"Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to learn from you." Engineer Cheng revealed a solemn expression.
Engineer Cheng behaved exactly like a disciple.
"I won't accept any disciple now. So you are not my disciple. Just watch yourself." Yuan Zhou said straightforwardly without any hesitation.
"Okay. Since Great Master Yuan doesn't like it, I won't do it next time." Engineer Cheng appeared quite earnest. After putting away the teapot, he stood beside the sergestes wall scenery obediently.
From this position, he could have a panoramic view of the kitchen and wouldn't get in the way of Zhou Jia's work.
"Did you resign?" Yuan Zhou suddenly raised his head and asked.
"Yes. I will stay here until I think it's long enough. I hope I won't disturb Great Master Yuan." Engineer Cheng nodded his head.
"No, you won't. Just come according to the time. If you want to eat, go line up." Yuan Zhou shook his head and said that.
"Thank you, Great Master Yuan." Engineer Cheng said courteously and respectfully.
"You don't need to call me that. Just call me Yuan Zhou." When Yuan Zhou heard the appellation again, he finally couldn't help saying that.
"Then I will call you Boss Yuan." Although Engineer Cheng was proud and impatient, he was also very stubborn.
Even if Yuan Zhou wasn't willing to accept any disciple, allowing him to observe was also a learning experience. Calling his name directly was really disrespectful. Therefore, he compromised and called him that way.
"Okay. I'm preparing the ingredients for lunch now." Yuan Zhou nodded his head and then continued with the work at hand.
After he said that, Engineer Cheng immediately stared at Yuan Zhou processing the ingredients without blinking.
The last time he saw Yuan Zhou processing the ingredients was during the competition of rare ingredients. At that time, he wasn't so close to Yuan Zhou.
That place wasn't like Yuanzhou Shop which had its own odor-repellent facilities and was free of dust and dirt.
The location of the shop was also small. Therefore, it was the first time for Engineer Cheng to see Yuan Zhou processing the ingredients at such a close distance.
"Everybody, business time starts now. The first ten customers, please take your seats." The clear and melodious voice of Zhou Jia passed from the door.
While the two of them were working earnestly just now, Zhou Jia had already come over and prepared everything.
"Boss, a serving of Phoenix-Tail Prawns and Egg Fried Rice." The voice of Zhou Jia ordering soon passed.
"Um." Yuan Zhou nodded his head and then started to scoop up the prawns.
"Hua La", Yuan Zhou took up the prawn net and scooped up the exact number of prawns in one net.
"Now it's time to process the prawns." As a chef, Engineer Cheng was actually good at Cantonese Cuisine. However, he still knew the cooking method of Phoenix-Tail Prawns.
Normally, one would wash the prawns one by one and then take out the shrimp veins before putting them into the wok to fry. However, the cooking method of Yuan Zhou was beyond his understanding.
"As expected of Great Master Yuan. Even the way he washes the prawns is different." Watching attentively, Engineer Cheng couldn't help saying.
...
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