As soon as the words came out, Mai Dejun immediately regretted it.
How could culinary skills be casually shared with outsiders?
Especially for something niche like Ice Crystal Cake — it was likely a closely guarded secret recipe that couldn't be revealed.
"Old Mai, the recipe for this Ice Crystal Cake is Boss Lu's trade secret. How could he possibly tell you?"
Old Ge thought to himself that after so many years in the culinary world, Mai Dejun should know the basic rules by now.
"Ahem, haha... this Ice Crystal Cake is just too delicious, it's so good I'm lost for words!"
Mai Dejun quickly changed the subject.
Lu Qin just smiled and didn't mind.
Actually, it wasn't that the recipe couldn't be shared — it was just too complicated to explain. The production process of Ice Crystal Cake was extremely intricate, with many details requiring attention.
It was hard to put into words.
Mai Dejun tasted the Ice Crystal Cake while studying Lu Qin, full of curiosity.
A chef is different from ordinary professions. Talent helps, but the most important thing is diligent practice.
Basic skills like chopping, flipping the wok, and dough fermentation require not only talent but also patience and time.
Even with a famous teacher's guidance, it takes countless day and night cycles to develop skilled hands.
Lu Qin was still young, not yet thirty, yet his culinary skills were exceptional. Mai Dejun had never met anyone like him before.
Incredible!
Old Ge ate his Stir-Fried Rice Noodles while watching Mai Dejun.
The way Mai looked at young Lu was strange — it was like looking at his own son-in-law, full of admiration and affection.
He remembered Mai's daughter was already married — or was she...
Divorced?!
Old Ge felt annoyed. "I brought you here for good food, and you're trying to steal someone else's 'golden son-in-law'?"
Too bad he only had an unremarkable son.
If he had a daughter, someone like Lu Qin would be snapped up and tied down immediately.
Among the neighbors who came to buy breakfast, Wang Guifen and Aunt Liu were the most interested and gossip-hungry about Lu Qin's personal life.
After buying Stir-Fried Rice Noodles and Ice Crystal Cake, they lingered, reluctant to leave.
"Boss Lu, about that young girl Aunt Wang mentioned yesterday — are you interested?"
"No need to talk about conditions, she's beautiful, good figure, 1.65 meters tall, hardworking, and owns a clothing store."
"She's a great match, Aunt Wang can't find anyone like her. Boss Lu, you're perfect for each other!"
"She tried your Stir-Fried Rice Noodles and Ice Crystal Cake, and she's very interested in you. You know what they say — to win a woman's heart, you've got to win her stomach first!"
Faced with Wang Guifen's enthusiasm, Lu Qin could only smile wryly.
"Aunt Wang, I just got divorced and don't want to think about this right now."
"Oh, just divorced means you need to find someone even more! The best way to end one relationship is to start another. Aunt Wang understands young people like you!"
Aunt Liu wasn't to be outdone and immediately pulled out her phone to interrupt:
"Boss Lu, look at this — a rich, beautiful lady from a big company. Much better conditions than Wang Guifen's girl. If you're interested, I can give you her number and you can add her on WeChat..."
Seeing these two "matchmakers" going full force, Old Ge and Mai Dejun exchanged glances.
Lu Qin was way too popular!
Mai Dejun glanced at the small whiteboard hanging on the food cart, which read:
[ Twice-Cooked Pork 30 yuan/portion, limited to one portion per person]
[Chicken Tofu Pudding 50 yuan/portion, limited to one portion per person]
He quickly asked, "Boss Lu, you also sell Twice-Cooked Pork and Chicken Tofu Pudding?"
"Hey, don't interrupt. We're talking business with Boss Lu!"
Wang Guifen and Aunt Liu were unhappy to be cut off while matchmaking.
If they could successfully set Lu Qin up, they'd gain face.
Old Ge said, "Don't disturb Boss Lu's business. Do you think he's here to date?"
He said it seriously but actually just didn't want the two old ladies to sway Lu Qin.
If he couldn't have him, then no one else should.
To escape Wang Guifen and Aunt Liu, Lu Qin quickly replied to Mai Dejun:
"I don't sell Twice-Cooked Pork or Chicken Tofu Pudding in the morning; no ingredients prepared. I sell them in the afternoon and for late-night snacks."
"Where do you sell in the afternoon and at night? I want to try your Twice-Cooked Pork and Chicken Tofu Pudding."
Mai Dejun asked eagerly.
"How about this — let's exchange contact info."
Lu Qin didn't privately add customers. He pointed at the whiteboard and said,
"Sir, you can join the message group. I post my daily stall location there."
"message group? I don't know how to use that. Can't I just add your number?"
"That's not very convenient," Lu Qin said with an apologetic smile.
He couldn't open that door, or customers would all add him directly, or his number might leak out — that would cause trouble.
Mai Dejun was stunned. He didn't expect to be refused twice when trying to add someone.
Old Ge watched amused and thought, "Old Mai, now you know how it feels!"
But he still considered Lu Qin's position and spoke:
"Boss Lu, Old Mai is a fellow chef with some influence. He's not an ordinary customer, so you should add him."
Mai Dejun was a state banquet chef whose apprentices were spread across the country.
Many important people wanted his number but couldn't get it!
Lu Qin didn't know Mai Dejun's identity, but missing this chance would be a pity.
Mai Dejun cleared his throat and assumed a dignified air, not saying a word.
Now it was his turn to play it cool and let Lu Qin take the initiative to add him.
Otherwise... where would he save face?
"Better join the message group then, Sir. I'll add you."
Lu Qin really didn't want to add him. They weren't familiar enough, so there was no need.
Mai Dejun glared, surprised to be rejected a second time.
Hmph! Fine, no adding then!
"Forget it, no need."
"Old Ge, let's go."
Mai Dejun turned and left with his hands behind his back.
Old Ge looked at Lu Qin oddly, then at Mai Dejun, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction.
"Boss Lu, we're leaving. We'll come back for your Stir-Fried Rice Noodles tomorrow."
"All right, Old Ge, take care."
The group of neighbors had just left when a new group of customers arrived.
Lu Qin continued to run his stall.
"Young man, how much for the Stir-Fried Rice Noodles?"
"Vegetarian stir-fried, 8 yuan per serving. Add egg for 1 yuan, ham 2 yuan, minced meat 2 yuan."
"Add everything, two servings."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
Lu Qin ladled some oil into the pan and started frying the noodles.
"Young man, your moves are very professional!"
"To serve a good meal, you have to be skilled," Lu Qin said with a smile.
Chen Dahai wore simple clothes and old cloth shoes. He had a pair of reading glasses hanging around his neck, looking like an ordinary old man.
He stood with his hands behind his back in front of Lu Qin's stall, watching both the rice noodles in the pan and Lu Qin himself.
Not bad.
Old Shen's daughter had good taste after all.
This young man was good-looking, tall, clean, and pleasant to see.
Chen Dahai's first impression of Lu Qin was much better than those wealthy rich kids.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]