C6 Chef

Auntie Cu Yiyu was particularly enthusiastic about Faang Hua's culinary prowess, praising it to the skies and even inquiring around for any families with unmarried daughters who shouldn't miss the chance to snag such a promising young man. She was quite the matchmaker in the making.

After a refreshing afternoon nap, Faang Hua headed over to Xu Jialong's place to lend a hand.

The funeral banquet was set for the next day, and the preparations were a handful. Some dishes had to be prepped to a semi-finished state; otherwise, they wouldn't be ready in time.

By the time it was nearing three in the afternoon, the kitchen crew had mostly wrapped up the prep work for the dishes. Everyone was starting to feel the fatigue, and their eyes lit up when they turned to Faang Hua.

"Hua, is it time to start on dinner? I'm getting hungry," one of them said.

"I can't wait for dinner. Will it be as tasty as lunch was?" another chimed in.

"Rest assured, there will be plenty of food for dinner. No one will go hungry," Faang Hua assured them.

The lunchtime pork dishes were supposed to be enough for everyone, but Faang Hua's Great Master Level feast was irresistible. The dishes were not only scrumptious but also whetted the appetite, leading people to eat more than usual.

As Faang Hua was about to begin cooking in his chef's attire, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was his dad calling.

"Dad, when are you coming over?" Faang Hua inquired.

Faang Jin, Faang Hua's adoptive father, ran a wholesale business in the local market. He had heard about the passing of the Xu family patriarch and, since Xu Jialong's family had previously assisted with their own family's funeral, Faang Jin felt compelled to attend the Xu family's services.

"I'm tied up in the county and can't make it today, but your mom and I will do our best to get there before the banquet starts tomorrow. And you, make sure to help out at Jialong's family funeral. They've been there for us in the past, and we don't want to come off as ungrateful."

In the countryside, a funeral was a significant event, and not showing up would certainly earn you some disapproving looks.

"I'm already here helping out Uncle Jialong, so don't worry," Faang Hua responded with a smile.

"What's that? Uncle Jialong asked for your help?" his father asked.

Faang Jin hesitated before asking, "What are you off to do? You're not going to do something dangerous like carrying coffins, are you? That's not safe—you could easily get hurt!"

"No, Dad, it's not about carrying coffins. Relax, I'm just going to be the chef."

"That's a relief," Faang Jin exhaled, but his relief quickly turned to astonishment. "Chef? Has Xu Jialong lost his mind? You've never been a chef, especially not for a Village Feast. You're not cut out for that."

"He's not worried you'll mess it up? If you do, the Xu family patriarch will be turning in his grave!"

"Dad, what do you take me for? Am I really that hopeless? Just wait and see when you get back."

Faang Jin's voice was still laced with skepticism on the other end of the line, "Fine. If you botch it, I'll come and help you pick up the pieces."

After the call ended, the phone rang again. Faang Hua let out a wry smile without even looking at the caller ID.

"Do you have absolutely no faith in your son?"

"What faith? Hua, what's going on with you and your dad? What have you been up to lately?" A robust young voice came through the speaker.

Recognizing the voice, Faang Hua checked the caller ID and saw it was Lin Li, a college classmate from the same city.

"Ah, nothing much. I'm currently mastering the art of cooking for a Village Feast in the village!"

"You've got to be kidding me. You, a recent college grad, taking on a Village Feast? That's not your gig!"

Lin Li didn't buy a word Faang Hua said. "Only seasoned masters handle Village Feasts, the kind that earn the respect and thumbs-up from the locals. Stop pulling my leg. Meet me tomorrow night; I'm treating you to hot pot, and I've got something to discuss with you!"