Chapter 33: The Culinary Assessment

After bidding farewell to his master's wife, He Yuzhu returned home with Yushui.

He placed the koi he had caught into the pond in the courtyard. To ensure its survival, he poured a cup of spiritual spring water into the pool. The koi, which had previously been sluggish, instantly began to swim about. Seeing the lone koi swimming in the pond, he felt it looked too solitary, so he retrieved some small fry from his spatial dimension and released them into the water. With more fish, the pond looked much better.

After spending some time playing with Yushui, He Yuzhu stopped wandering around. After a period of rest, it was time to work hard.

He Yuzhu had scoured old book stalls and found several books, including a manual on Qi Family Boxing and five anonymous notebooks containing culinary insights and recipes, which covered specialty dishes and flour-based foods from all across the country. Every morning, He Yuzhu would wake up and practice a round of Qi Family Boxing in the courtyard before heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. After eating, he would spend his time at home studying the recipes.

When Yushui saw her brother reading and studying, she would take out her own picture books, sit to one side, and read quietly.

One day, as soon as He Yuzhu arrived at the Fengzeyuan restaurant, he was called into the office by his master, Fan Dakang. Fan Dakang handed him a letter of introduction.

"Take this. Go to the Emei Restaurant tomorrow; there is a culinary grading examination being held there. Once you arrive, look for your senior fellow apprentice, and he will arrange everything for you," his master said.

"Thank you, Master. I won't let you down tomorrow," He Yuzhu replied.

"Very well, go about your work. Set off early tomorrow; don't be late," his master said.

He Yuzhu exited Fan Dakang's office and returned to the kitchen to busy himself.

The next morning, He Yuzhu dropped Yushui off at his master's house and rode his bicycle straight to the Emei Restaurant in the West City.

The Emei Restaurant was the first Sichuan-style restaurant in Beijing, and in 1950, it had hosted the celebratory banquet for the soldiers returning from the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.

Upon arriving at the Emei Restaurant, he saw his senior fellow apprentice as soon as he entered and went up to greet him: "Senior Brother."

"You're quite something, kid. It’s only been a few years, and you're already ready to graduate," his senior brother remarked.

"Of course, just look at who I am," He Yuzhu said with a touch of arrogance.

"You really are full of yourself. Master had me register you for the Grade 3 chef examination. This assessment only goes up to Grade 3, and today is the Grade 3 test. It's only because there's a shortage of chefs right now that you can sign up directly; in the future, when there are more, you'll have to take them one by one," his senior brother explained.

"How does the examination work?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Theory in the morning, practical in the afternoon. There will be five judges in the afternoon; Chef Wu, a master of Sichuan cuisine, is one of them, and two others were sent from above—they are also great gourmets. They will score you, and an average of 80 points is required to pass," his senior brother replied. "Are you confident?"

"Of course I am. I definitely won't embarrass Master or you," He Yuzhu said.

"Since you're confident, come with me to check in," his senior brother said, leading him inside.

He Yuzhu followed him obediently. After checking in, he entered the theory exam room, where there were about 30 other people. After dropping him off, his senior brother went back to work in the kitchen.

After the theory exam finished in the morning, the kitchen was at its busiest, so He Yuzhu did not bother his senior brother.

The practical exam wasn't until 2:00 PM, and since Yushui was being cared for at his master's home, He Yuzhu didn't need to rush back. He hopped on his bike and headed to Beihai Park.

Finding a quiet spot by the lake, he took a stool and a fishing rod from his spatial dimension to kill time. He baited the hook with an earthworm, cast it into the water, and sat back, eating some steamed buns he had prepared that morning.

Not long after finishing, the rod twitched. He Yuzhu grabbed it firmly and felt a powerful tug, realizing it was a big fish. He quickly stood up and took a few steps back, struggling with the catch. The commotion drew the attention of nearby anglers.

It took a great deal of effort, but He Yuzhu finally landed the fish—a snakehead over a meter long.

"Young man, are you selling that fish?" a voice asked.

He Yuzhu looked up and saw a familiar old man.

"Oh, it's you, sir," He Yuzhu said.

"Do we know each other, young man?" the old man asked, puzzled.

"Last year, at Shichahai, I caught a big fish and you bought it," He Yuzhu said.

"Ah, I remember now. Why isn't your sister with you today?" the old man asked.

"Just me today. If you want the fish, 20 yuan and it's yours," He Yuzhu replied.

He Yuzhu didn't know exactly who the man was, but he knew he was accompanied by bodyguards and was clearly someone of high status. He didn't try to curry favor by giving the fish away for free.

"Fine. 20 yuan for a fish this size is not expensive," the old man said, handing him the money and calling his bodyguard to collect the fish. "Xiao Zhang, leave him an address. Young man, if you catch another big one, contact Xiao Zhang. As long as the fish is big enough, I'll take them all."

He Yuzhu looked at the address Xiao Zhang provided; it was for a residential compound. "Understood. As long as I catch another big one, I'll sell it to you," He Yuzhu promised.

After the old man left, He Yuzhu checked the time, packed his gear, and headed to the Emei Restaurant.

Upon arriving at the Emei Restaurant and checking in, a staff member led them to the rear courtyard, where many temporary stove stations had been set up. This was the exam site.

The five judges entered and announced the rules: each candidate would draw two dishes to prepare, after which the judges would score them.

He Yuzhu drew Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken. He gathered the ingredients and began to work. Before long, he had finished both dishes and raised his hand to signify completion.

The judges walked over to him, looking surprised at his youthful face. They tasted both dishes in turn. Once the scoring was complete, they asked He Yuzhu to leave the exam area and wait in the lounge.

When everyone had finished, the judges read out the list of those who had passed. Including He Yuzhu, only eight people had succeeded.

The judges presented the eight with their national chef certification. Seeing He Yuzhu, one couldn't help but ask, "Young man, how old are you?"

"I'm 17 this year," He Yuzhu replied.

"Remarkable. You've earned a Grade 3 certificate at 17. I thought you just looked young, but you really are young," one of the judges remarked.

"Who is your master?" Chef Wu asked.

"My master is Fan Dakang of the Fengzeyuan," He Yuzhu answered.

"Old Fan has found himself a treasure. Is Guo Xu your senior fellow apprentice?" Chef Wu asked.

"Yes, that's right," He Yuzhu confirmed.

After some polite exchanges, the five judges departed. He Yuzhu took his chef's certificate, said goodbye to his senior brother, and headed straight to his master's house to share the good news.