Chapter 84 There’s Soone Who Might Be Able to Make Liver Paste Soup!”
Maidejun lived in Tianxin Community, a mid-rise residential area with good facilities, conveniently located not far from the old city. Now retired, he led a leisurely life, running errands and taking care of his grandson.
A rcedes sedan pulled up at the community gate. Shen Muyan had brought along Fang Ya to visit. Regarding the liver paste soup issue, she might need Maidejun to step in personally, and having Fang Ya as an extra persuader could help.
Fang Ya, clearly dragged out of bed, looked less than thrilled. Being woken at this hour to act as a ‘tool person’ was bound to irritate anyone.
“You owe . I want stir-fried noodles, ice crystal cake, chicken tofu flower, and imperial chicken wings from Lu Qin later,” she grumbled.
Shen ignored her, not bothering to remind Fang that Lu Qin was no longer part of her life. Carrying a box of fruits, the two entered the community, stepped into the building of Block 16, and took the elevator up.
When they arrived, it was Maidejun’s wife who answered the door.
“Old Mai is out for a walk with Xiao Huzi. Co in and have so tea. I’ll give him a call,” she offered.
“No rush, Auntie,” Shen replied politely.
About fifteen minutes later, Maidejun returned, his grandson in tow.
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The Problem with Liver Paste Soup
“Hmm, liver paste soup…”
After hearing the situation, Maidejun put on his reading glasses and carefully examined the photo of the dish on Shen’s phone.
“Look here,” he said, pointing at the liver paste in the image. “The surface is pitted with tiny holes. That’s the most obvious issue. Nowadays, people use electric steam ovens instead of traditional stears. While electric ovens are faster, they’re completely sealed. The trapped steam condenses into water droplets, which fall onto the liver paste and create those imperfections.”
Shen’s eyes lit up with realization.
“So that’s why Ouyang Lin didn’t even taste it and deed the soup unqualified.”
Maidejun nodded.
“A true food connoisseur evaluates a dish’s appearance, aroma, and flavor. If any of these aspects falls short, it’s a fail.”
Shen imdiately asked, “So if we replace the electric stear with a traditional one, would that solve the problem?”
Maidejun chuckled, shaking his head with a hint of amusent.
“It’s not that simple.”
Fang Ya, munching on a slice of waterlon, chid in.
“Uncle Mai, why don’t you step in and make the liver paste soup for my dear Shen here? Problem solved.”
Shen quickly added, “Mr. Mai, we’re happy to compensate you generously for your help.”
Maidejun popped a grape into his grandson’s mouth and waved them off with a smile.
“I’m retired. Haven’t held a knife in years. These days, I’m just in charge of grocery shopping, my wife does all the cooking.”
“Uncle Mai, you’re still sharp as ever. Please help us!” Fang Ya pleaded, piling on the flattery.
“It’s not that I don’t want to help,” he replied. “Liver paste soup is a highly technical dish that demands exceptional knife skills. My hands aren’t steady anymore. If I ss it up, not only would I fail you, but I’d tarnish my reputation. It’s not worth it.”
After a pause, he added, “Besides, liver paste soup isn’t even my specialty. Even if I were in top form, I might not be able to et that Ouyang fellow’s standards.”
Shen frowned. Fang Ya stopped pinching Xiao Huzi’s cheek and asked in surprise, “Not even you can do it? Then what are we supposed to do?”
Shen suddenly recalled sothing.
“Mr. Mai, I heard you have a very talented apprentice in Haishi, soone with the surna Sui…”
“Oh, you an Xiao Fu? He’s not up to the task either. His skills are what I taught him, and after graduating, he focused on business rather than improving his craft. He can handle other Sichuan dishes, but liver paste soup isn’t one of them.”
Shen’s disappointnt was written all over her face.
“But,” Maidejun said, brightening, “you don’t need to lose hope, Xiao Shen. In Jiangcheng, I know soone who might be able to make this liver paste soup.”
“Who?” Shen and Fang asked simultaneously.
Maidejun pulled out his phone and opened a Douyin (TikTok) video.
“Take a look. This is the person. Not sure if you know him, but his stir-fried noodles stand is wildly popular in Jiangcheng. And he doesn’t just sell stir-fried noodles.”
The video showed footage of Lu Qin expertly cooking stir-fried noodles, followed by close-ups of the finished dish.
[Captions read: If you’re in Jiangcheng, you must try this stir-fried noodles stall. Missing out is a huge regret. This is the gold standard—so good it’s criminal!]
“Lu Qin!” Fang Ya exclaid in shock.
“You know him?” Asked Maidejun, equally surprised.
“Know him? He’s Shen Muyan’s ex-husband!” Fang blurted out.
Maidejun slapped his thigh and laughed.
“Well, isn’t this a waste of ti! Why co to an old geezer like when you’ve got him?”
“Wait a minute…” Maidejun paused, looking puzzled. “Xiao Shen, you and Lu Qin were married. How could you not know your husband can cook? And at a level higher than mine?”
Fang Ya gasped.
“What? Uncle Mai, are you saying Lu Qin is better than you?”
“That’s only natural, I’m a fan of his as well. I’ve been having fried noodles for breakfast for several days now. Little Tiger particularly loves his ice crystal cake, sothing I can’t manage to replicate.”
Shen Muyan and Fang Ya exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.
Maidejun used to be a national banquet master chef, and Lu Qin is even better than him!
Shen Muyan asked, “Mr. Mai, can he make liver paste soup?”
“Twice-cooked pork, chicken bean curd flower, imperial concubine chicken wings—all Sichuan dishes. To elevate them to that level shows his knife skills, experience, and techniques are extraordinary… Wait a second, you’re his wife. You don’t know whether he can make liver paste soup?”
Shen Muyan didn’t know how to respond, it wasn’t sothing she could explain publicly about their divorce.
Fang Ya stepped forward to cover for her.
“They don’t interfere in each other’s work affairs.”
Maidejun didn’t think much of it and simply said, “If you want to know if he can make liver paste soup, why don’t you just call and ask him directly?”
______
Elsewhere, Lu Qin had finished packing up his morning food stall and was riding his three-wheeled vehicle ho. As he passed the Wanda Plaza, he stopped for a mont. He rembered there was a boutique store on the first floor, so he parked his vehicle and went in to buy a few hairpins and hair ties for Lu Xiyao.
After making his purchases and just as he stepped out of the boutique store, a car salesperson approached him, insisting he take a look at a new energy vehicle.
“Sir, even if you’re not buying, take a look at this new M7 model. It just arrived yesterday. It’s a spacious five-seater and cos equipped with a fridge, a TV, a large sofa, and Longguo’s most advanced intelligent driving system—HarmonyOS cockpit. You can co in and experience it…”
Lu Qin was about to say he had other matters to attend to when he noticed that the car’s exterior was impressive, and the interior looked quite nice as well. It didn’t cost anything to take a look, so he got in.
The salesperson had only just started their pitch when Lu Qin’s phone rang.
It was Shen Muyan calling.
“Liver paste soup? Yes, I can make it.”
Lu Qin answered calmly.
On the other end, Shen Muyan’s heart skipped a beat, a trace of excitent flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Maidejun had a look that said, I told you he could make it.
Shen Muyan sent Lu Qin a picture of the liver paste soup made by Hu Zhijun.
“Take a look at the photo I sent on WeChat. Is there anything wrong with this liver paste soup? Can you tell?”
Even though Lu Qin claid he could make it, Shen Muyan still needed to confirm his skill level. After all, being able to make sothing and making it delicious were two entirely different things.
Hu Zhijun was a pri example.
Even with Maidejun, who was often praised as a master chef, personally preparing the dish, it was uncertain if it would satisfy Ouyang Lin. This alone showed that liver paste soup was not a dish just anyone could master.
Lu Qin responded quickly.
“There are three problems.”
“First…”
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