Chapter Fifteen: If I Were Shredded Pork in Garlic Sauce
“Looking at how young you all are, I suppose none of you cook much at home?” Zhao Gang spoke while dragging a stool over to sit at the dining table, his thick-skinned demeanor impossible to refuse.
“Indeed, I've never cooked before,” Luo Yuan replied with a gentle smile, maintaining his composure.
Luo Yuan was the young man who had earlier spoiled Zhao Gang’s plans, and the stunning girl accompanying him was called Azure.
As the group of young people chatted, they gradually learned each other's names.
“You really are young,” Zhao Gang and the other restaurant owners shook their heads in silent agreement. “Then do you know the current market price for a pound of pork?”
“Sorry, for certain reasons, we aren’t very familiar with such things. Could you tell us more specifically?” Luo Yuan swirled his cup of tea as he spoke.
Zhao Gang raised a brow, thinking to himself, “There’s hope.” He cleared his throat, knowing young people didn’t appreciate an elder’s lecturing tone, so he made an effort to smile and act as if he were one of them. He lifted his hand and patted Luo Yuan’s shoulder in a brotherly manner.
Luo Yuan’s hand froze in mid-air, his brow slightly furrowed.
“According to current prices, pork belly goes for thirty per pound, second-cut pork is around twenty-five, and tenderloin, which is commonly used for shredded pork dishes, is thirty-five per pound.”
Zhao Gang was both the head chef and responsible for procurement; it was fair to say he knew ingredient prices inside out.
“I’ve heard of pork belly and tenderloin, but what is second-cut pork?” Luo Yuan seized the chance to subtly ease Zhao Gang’s hand off his shoulder.
“You don’t know second-cut pork?”
“How can these kids not have basic knowledge?” someone muttered.
“They’re just like my son, always glued to the computer and never stepping into the kitchen.”
“The second-cut pork is…” As soon as Zhao Gang spoke, the crowd at the door began chattering.
“What do you know? With all the academic pressure nowadays, which parent would let their child cook? It’s perfectly normal not to know.”
Zhao Gang hurriedly interrupted, lest Luo Yuan and the others take offense, and continued, pointing to his own hip as he explained, “Second-cut pork is actually from the area near the pig’s hind leg. The meat here is both lean and fatty. The butcher’s first cut yields mostly fat, the second cut is about forty percent fat and sixty percent lean—hence the name second-cut pork.”
“I see,” Luo Yuan and the others nodded earnestly, not feigning interest.
“Let’s get back on track,” Zhao Gang shifted gears, heading straight for the main point. “Tenderloin is familiar, right? In restaurants, a pound of tenderloin at thirty-five can make at least seven or eight servings of shredded pork in garlic sauce. If a restaurant is unscrupulous and adds extra vegetables, they can stretch it even further.”
The moment he finished, the restaurant owners behind him couldn’t help but grimace.
Zhao Gang was ruthless—even targeting his own. If word got out about today’s conversation, the old street’s businesses would have to consider lowering prices or increasing portions by tonight, or risk losing customers.
“Chef Zhao, since you’re so clear on this, does ‘Fiery Kitchen’ operate in this way as well?”
---
Sure enough, someone in the crowd spoke up with suspicion.
“Rest assured, on my honor, Fiery Kitchen would never do such a thing!” Zhao Gang thumped his chest in assurance, though a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, unseen by the crowd.
“You get what I mean, right, young man?”
“I’m not quite sure. Please clarify,” Luo Yuan replied with a slight smile.
“Yes, uncle, stop beating around the bush and get to the point,” a girl in the group urged, leaving Zhao Gang red-faced.
“What I mean is, based on my calculations, the cost for a serving of shredded pork in garlic sauce is only a few yuan. Even with labor, utilities, rent, and profit, it tops out at about ten yuan.”
Zhao Gang paused, glancing at the anxious Su Rui, and sneered, “So, do you think charging fifty-six yuan for a simple plate of shredded pork in garlic sauce here is reasonable?”
“Su Rui, serve the food!”
Just then, Li Can’s voice rang out from the kitchen. Su Rui hurriedly brought out ten servings of shredded pork in garlic sauce, placing them before the customers.
When Azure, Luo Yuan, and their group entered earlier, Su Rui had made it clear that only shredded pork in garlic sauce was available today. Whether out of curiosity or abundance, everyone ordered a serving, each paired with a bowl of rice.
“See? What did I say?” Zhao Gang slapped his thigh and pointed at the steaming dish before Luo Yuan. “More vegetables, less pork—classic profiteering!”
“Chef Zhao nailed it!”
“Su Boss’s chef is bold, showing no restraint at all!”
“Do they think we’re blind?”
“Forget it; let’s not eat here anymore.”
“Do we even need to? Looks like they’ll be closing soon!”
…
Watching the angry crowd, Zhao Gang felt triumphant.
On this old street,
If Zhao Gang wants someone’s business closed, they won’t be able to operate.
“Too bad, after today, Su Rui will surely hold a grudge, but it doesn’t matter. If I have ways to make her look bad, I also have ways to save her. It all depends on whether she understands my intentions.”
Zhao Gang chuckled to himself.
“Ah! Wang Chuxin, you’re so annoying! You still have food on your plate—why are you grabbing mine?”
“Hehe, aren’t you dieting lately?”
“Lin Lan, don’t bother with that hungry ghost. Eat mine—I’ve been having stomach troubles and can’t eat much.”
“Sisters are always the closest.”
---
“What the… Why did you take my ginger?”
“Hahaha…”
The sudden shift in atmosphere nearly made Zhao Gang and the others cough up blood!
What was going on?
Was it unclear, or did they not understand?
Why were these young people eating so happily, as if nothing had happened?
Shouldn’t they be outraged, confronting the owner and storming out after learning the truth?
Did they realize their actions were aiding the unscrupulous?
“Young man, you all…”
“Uncle,” Azure, who had been silent, finally spoke, smiling.
Her voice was beautiful, like a gentle stream—clear and ethereal.
“We understand everything you’re saying.”
“Then why…” Zhao Gang pointed at the diners enjoying their meals.
“Some things can’t be measured by money.”
Azure looked down at the dish she couldn’t bear to touch, tenderness glowing in her eyes.
For a moment,
Everyone was transfixed.
More than a few young men imagined,
If only…
If only…
If I could be that plate of shredded pork in garlic sauce—how wonderful that would be…
(To be continued…)
PS: Azure's identity should be guessed by now—details revealed tomorrow! Sweet dreams, everyone!