Daddy's Gourmet Shop-Chapter 342 - 332: Our Hotel’s Deep-Fried Frizzled Tofu Rolls?
The Delicious Restaurant, despite undergoing an expansion that doubled its area and increased its seating, still appeared overcrowded due to a corresponding increase in the number of customers.
The diners had grown accustomed to this.
After finishing their meals, they would rise immediately without lingering, tidy up their tables, place their dishes and utensils into the basket next to the automatic dishwasher, and head straight out.
This was to make room for the next group of customers!
As soon as one group left,
another group filled their place, and this time it was Jiang Shouyi’s family along with some people queuing behind them.
The small restaurant became packed once again.
Jiang Shouyi, familiar with the place, turned his head and called out, "Mingtao..."
"Hey~"
Jiang Mingtao responded, then asked, "Dad, what’s up?"
"Go to the self-service ordering machine over there and place our order! Hongxia and I will find a seat first."
Jiang Shouyi energetically pointed towards the queue by the automatic ordering machines near the entrance and reminded him: "If there’s any crispy fried rolls, make sure to order a serving. For everything else, it’s up to you!"
After saying that, Jiang Shouyi, leaning on his cane, walked over to a window-side table and sat down.
Seeing a few people already waiting by the ordering machine, Jiang Mingtao felt as though he had spent the entire morning in queues.
It seemed he queued more in this single morning than he had in decades!
Sigh!
If his business friends came to know that he had queued for over two hours at a small restaurant just to have a meal, they’d likely laugh their heads off.
However, following the old man’s instructions, he couldn’t disobey!
Alright then!
Time to queue!
His assistant, perceptive as ever, quickly volunteered: "Chairman Jiang, let me handle the ordering!"
"Okay."
Jiang Mingtao nodded, trusting his assistant’s ability to handle the task, and sent him off to order.
Turning back, he saw his wife, Chen Hongxia, still by his side, watching the kitchen. He immediately knew why.
She was looking at their son!
When their son glanced up and spotted them, a hint of surprise crossed his face. He gave them a smile but said nothing and continued assisting a chef of similar age nearby.
Jiang Mingtao immediately guessed that the young chef must be the owner of the restaurant.
And also his son’s employer!
He nudged Chen Hongxia’s arm and said, "Chao is busy right now! Let’s eat first, and he’ll naturally come find us when he’s free."
Feeling a bit of heartache watching her busy son, Chen Hongxia did not interrupt him and followed her husband to join Jiang Shouyi at the table.
"Huh? Are those Chengzhan and Qi Yu serving over there?"
Seeing two energetic young men weaving among the tables, she found them familiar, prompting her to take a closer look.
Jiang Mingtao agreed, "They do look like them!"
"That’s precisely Chengzhan and Qi Yu." Jiang Shouyi confirmed.
Chen Hongxia couldn’t help but exclaim, "The transformation in these two kids is quite something!"
"Indeed, it’s remarkable, almost like a complete makeover..."
An expression of incredulity flitted across Jiang Mingtao’s usually serious face.
If the old man hadn’t pointed it out, he’d have never believed the two before him were once the idle Li Chengzhan and Lin Qiuyu.
He was deeply curious about what had prompted such a significant change in them.
Watching Huang Tao hard at work in the kitchen, he quickly deduced the reason.
Just as he was pondering,
Li Chengzhan brought over the dishes they had ordered.
"Mr. Jiang, Uncle Jiang, Aunt Hongxia, these are your orders, all set. Please enjoy."
Li Chengzhan said with a friendly demeanor as he placed the plates from the tray onto the table.
Jiang Shouyi smiled benevolently, "Alright, just leave them here, we’ll arrange them ourselves."
Chen Hongxia kindly asked, "Chengzhan, are you adjusting well to work here?"
With a continuous smile, Li Chengzhan nodded and politely replied, "I’m quite accustomed now. My time here is good, and the boss and colleagues have been very considerate of both me and Jiang Chao. You don’t need to worry, Aunt Hongxia."
"That’s good to hear."
Seeing his genuine smile, Chen Hongxia believed his job was actually going well.
It was the first time she’d seen him working and smiling so genuinely.
This put her mind at ease.
Only after Li Chengzhan got back to his work, did they pick up their chopsticks to savor the array of dishes.
Jiang Shouyi cheerfully invited, "Mingtao, Hongxia, we’re quite lucky today to encounter these delicious finds. Let’s try them out quickly."
While serving them each a piece of crispy fried roll, Chen Hongxia remarked, "Dad, it’s the first time I’ve seen you look so happy over just food."
Jiang Shouyi laughed, saying, "Hongxia, once you taste this spread of delicacies, you’ll understand—eating Boss Huang’s creations is sheer joy!"
Chen Hongxia was a bit skeptical.
Isn’t eating just about satiating hunger? Can it really bring joy?
Although Jiang Mingtao had heard of it, he’d never experienced it himself, so he was doubtful too.
Thoughts running through their minds, they subtly picked a piece of crispy fried roll each, the tantalizing aroma wafting straight to their noses, making their mouths water unconsciously.
As they eyed the golden-brown crispy rolls, their appearance looked quite appealing as they dipped them in sweet bean sauce and took a bite.
Hmm?
It seems...
They really are quite tasty!
The crispy rolls were cooked to perfection.
Crunchy on the outside, and the sweet bean sauce was exceptionally delicious.
The filling inside was tender and flavorful too.
Their family runs a prestigious hotel in Jiang City.
Of course, this includes crispy fried rolls; however, taste-wise...
Honestly, they fell short of Boss Huang’s version.
Even being frequent guests at reputable hotels with business partners,
Such delectable crispy fried rolls, they were having for the first time.
This craftsmanship...
Impressive indeed!
Jiang Mingtao picked up another piece of crispy fried roll to enjoy.
Delicious, truly delicious!
He genuinely felt joy.
The same was true for Chen Hongxia.
A blissful, contented expression swept over her face as she watched her husband continuously pick pieces of crispy fried roll.
She and Jiang Shouyi grew anxious.
She quickly voiced, "Don’t hog them all, Mingtao, it’s not often we get to eat here, and you’ve almost finished a whole plate by yourself!"
Jiang Shouyi, also slightly displeased, added, "Exactly, exactly, weren’t you dismissive of the restaurant’s dishes earlier while outside?"
Hearing the old man’s discontent, Jiang Mingtao slowed down a bit, calmly responding, "Dad, Hongxia, it’s just a plate of crispy fried rolls, right? I’ll have our hotel’s head chef prepare them for you later."
Jiang Shouyi criticized unreservedly, "Can our hotel’s crispy fried rolls compare to this place?"
Jiang Mingtao: "..."
Dad, why speak such blunt truths...
Realizing it would be hard to enjoy these again after returning home, he reached out with his chopsticks for another crispy fried roll.
Seeing this, Chen Hongxia got even more worried.
She hurriedly stretched out her chopsticks, joining in the scramble for more.
Jiang Shouyi kept quiet.
Besides, the crispy rolls were almost gone!
This family, despite owning a five-star hotel,
having tasted all kinds of gourmet extravagances,
and famous dishes,
now found themselves competing over a mere plate of crispy fried rolls, their chopsticks almost colliding!
