CIATB Chapter 141 The First Brick of the Castle!
Chapter 141 The First Brick of the Castle!
"Who wants to be your kitchen assistant?"
Nie Qingcheng complained verbally, but her actions betrayed her true feelings.
The excitement and anticipation in her eyes were almost overflowing.
For her, this was more attractive than signing a contract worth tens of billions.
At Zhang Yan's command, the entire orphanage sprang into action.
The black-clad bodyguards who were originally responsible for security have now taken off their suit jackets and become the most capable porters.
They took out several brand-new, gleaming stainless steel pots that could be used as mirrors, as well as several sets of highly professional-looking portable gas stoves from the trunk of the Rolls-Royce.
All of these were prepared by Zhang Yan long ago.
Since he was already there, he didn't intend to let the children have another simple meal of cabbage and tofu.
Dean Wang and several staff members wanted to help, but Zhang Yan smiled and asked them to step aside.
"Director, you and the aunties are only responsible for one thing."
"Just watch."
Zhang Yan took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Nie Qingcheng.
The top was covered with the names of various ingredients.
From top-grade Wagyu beef to the freshest deep-sea shrimp, from organic seasonal vegetables to a variety of rare mushroom seasonings.
"Assistant Nie, the purchasing task is now in your hands."
"There's only one requirement: deliver them all within half an hour."
"Can you do it?" Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Underestimating me?"
Nie Qingcheng rolled her eyes at him and took the order.
She didn't even make the call herself.
Instead, she simply took a picture of the form and sent it to her chief secretary, Linda.
The accompanying instruction consisted of only two words.
[Comply]
This is the execution power of a female CEO with assets exceeding 100 billion yuan.
Less than twenty minutes.
Several refrigerated transport trucks bearing the "Qingcheng Fresh" logo were parked at the entrance of the orphanage.
The purchasing director of Qingcheng Group, a man who usually manages a supply chain worth hundreds of millions, is personally leading a team, sweating profusely as he directs his employees to deliver boxes of the freshest and finest ingredients into the yard.
He looked at the young man in front of the makeshift stove, dressed in cheap clothes but calm and composed, and felt a sense of awe.
A man who can make his high and mighty Queen personally come down to play house with him is definitely a god descended to earth.
The ingredients are ready.
Zhang Yan's solo show has officially begun.
He tied on an apron with Peppa Pig printed on it, which he found in the kitchen, and the scene instantly became somewhat comical.
But the moment he picked up the kitchen knife.
His entire aura changed.
[God-level culinary skills] Going all out!
That ordinary kitchen knife seemed to come alive in his hands.
"Da da da da..."
A sound as dense as raindrops rang out.
A potato spun rapidly in his hand, a flash of silver light, and the potato skin was nowhere to be seen.
Then, with another flash of the knife, the potato turned into a thin, even slice, and then instantly transformed into thin potato shreds as fine as hair.
The entire process was fluid and graceful, full of artistic beauty.
Everyone in the courtyard was stunned.
The children opened their mouths wide and forgot to make noise.
Dean Wang and his staff forgot to be amazed.
Even the bodyguards, who were used to big scenes, stared wide-eyed, as if they were watching a Hollywood action blockbuster.
Nie Qingcheng stood aside, gazing at her intently.
She had seen Zhang Yan play the piano; he was elegant and noble.
She had seen Zhang Yan race cars before; he was wild and unrestrained.
She had seen Zhang Yan crafting mecha by hand, focused and creative.
But she had never seen Zhang Yan wearing an apron, washing his hands and cooking for a group of children.
At this moment, Zhang Yan lost his aloofness and composure.
He was enveloped in a soft light called "the warmth of everyday life".
Gentle, reliable, and reassuring.
"Are you stunned?" Zhang Yan's voice snapped her out of her reverie.
"Come here, help me."
He pointed to a basket of green vegetables next to him.
"Huh? Oh!"
Nie Qingcheng snapped out of her daze and rushed over.
She imitated Zhang Yan, picked up a green vegetable, and pressed it into the basin of water.
"That's not how you wash it."
Zhang Yan shook his head helplessly.
He put down what he was doing, walked to her side, and took her hand from behind.
"First, you need to wash away the mud and sand from the roots."
"Then, we broke the leaves apart one by one and washed them."
His chest was pressed tightly against her back.
His warm breath tickled her earlobe.
Nie Qingcheng's face instantly turned bright red.
This ambiguous posture was more captivating to her than any sweet words.
She felt her heart pounding so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.
The movements of his hands also became stiff.
A perfectly good head of greens was ruined by her washing.
"Giggle giggle..."
The children watching nearby let out a good-natured chuckle.
"My sister is so silly!"
"Brother Zhang Yan, can you teach her?"
Nie Qingcheng's face turned even redder, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
She, the dignified female president of the Qingcheng Group and a queen of the business world, actually suffered a Waterloo in her life when it came to washing vegetables.
Seeing her embarrassed expression, Zhang Yan's smile deepened.
He didn't make things difficult for her anymore, but instead pulled her aside.
"You just need to keep the fire going."
He pointed to the gas stove that required manual ignition.
Now, everything should be fine, right?
As it turned out, he had underestimated the destructive power of Nie Qingcheng, the "kitchen killer."
After burning off three eyebrows and nearly setting the stove on fire.
Nie Qingcheng was "ruthlessly" stripped of all her rights to participate by Zhang Yan.
She could only hug her knees and squat to the side, watching Zhang Yan, like a thousand-armed Guanyin, simultaneously control three large pots.
The spatula struck the iron pot, creating a vibrant symphony.
Flames rose, and hot oil churned.
The ingredients traced graceful parabolas in the air before landing precisely in the pot.
"Sizzle—"
An indescribable, domineering aroma suddenly exploded out.
It's braised pork!
The pork belly, with its alternating layers of fat and lean meat, was stir-fried until golden brown and slightly charred, coated with a glistening caramel color, and simmered in a rich sauce.
The aroma, sweet with a hint of salt, was so overpowering it was unreasonable.
In the pot next door is sweet and sour pork ribs.
The sweet and sour aroma, like a mischievous little hand, keeps tickling your taste buds.
There was also a huge pot containing Zhang Yan's original "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Plus" stew.
Dozens of ingredients blend together in the rich, white broth, releasing a complex aroma that makes your soul tremble.
The fragrance burst out of the orphanage's walls like a "fragrance bomb," instantly covering an area of one kilometer in radius.
An old man who was taking a stroll on the next street stopped and took a deep sniff.
"Whose cooking smells so good? It's making my mouth water!"
The smell of this odor instantly made the instant noodles in the stomach of white-collar workers who were working overtime in the office building lose their appeal.
Even the pigeons flying overhead circled around, unwilling to leave.
Night falls.
The courtyard of the orphanage was brightly lit.
Dozens of tables were arranged to form a long line.
The children, staff, Dean Wang, and the bodyguards who had been specially allowed to stay by Zhang Yan sat together.
Everyone's face was beaming with happiness.
The dishes are finally all served.
Braised pork belly, sweet and sour pork ribs, cola chicken wings, steamed sea bass, braised prawns...
A total of twenty dishes were laid out on the long table.
It was so plentiful, it felt like celebrating the Lunar New Year.
"Dinner's ready!"
At Dean Wang's command, the children cheered, picked up their chopsticks, and began to wolf down their food.
"Wow! This meat is so delicious! It melts in your mouth!"
"These pork ribs are sweet and sour, I want more!"
"Brother Zhang Yan, you're amazing!"
Nie Qingcheng sat next to Zhang Yan, watching the lively scene, her eyes slightly moist.
She picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth.
It was an exquisite taste she had never experienced before.
It's fatty but not greasy, sweet but not cloying, with chewy skin and tender lean meat.
It was a million times better than any signature dish she had ever eaten at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
But she knew that delicious food wasn't just about the taste.
More importantly, it contains a flavor called "love" and "home".
This was the most delicious and heartwarming meal she had ever eaten.
She turned her head and looked at the man who was busy serving food to the children, his face smeared with sauce, but smiling like the sun.
My heart was filled with an immense sense of happiness.
She thought, this is what I want.
It's not those cold, hard business statistics, nor is it that hypocritical mutual praise among businesses.
Instead, it's this steaming, hearty meal right before my eyes, a taste of everyday life.
After the meal.
The children chased and played in the yard with their new toys.
Zhang Yan and Nie Qingcheng sat side by side on the stone steps, looking at the stars in the sky.
"Zhang Yan," Nie Qingcheng suddenly spoke.
"Um?"
"Thank you for giving me a home."
Zhang Yan paused for a moment, then smiled.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms.
"fool."
Late at night.
The two said goodbye to Dean Wang and the children, and got into the Rolls-Royce for their return trip.
The car was very quiet.
Nie Qingcheng leaned on Zhang Yan's shoulder, seemingly tired, with her eyes closed.
Zhang Yan thought she was asleep, so he slowed his breathing and remained still.
a long time.
Nie Qingcheng's voice rang out softly in the quiet carriage.
"Zhang Yan".
"Um?"
"next year……"
She paused, as if organizing her thoughts.
Then, she turned her head, and her beautiful peach blossom eyes shone brightly in the night.
"Let's have a child too."