Chapter 26: Chili Oil

Picking the dried chilies one by one, Zhao Mu quickly formulated a plan for his second dish. With his mind made up, he immediately set to work in the kitchen. Although there was no gas, it did not hinder his performance. Having grown up in the village with his grandmother, he was quite skilled at cooking with firewood. Once the preparations were complete, Zhao Mu ignited the stove and began to heat the oil.

An enticing aroma gradually drifted out.

"So fragrant!"
"What is that smell?"
"It's a bit pungent, but very aromatic. Could it be dogwood?"

The diners outside began to discuss it animatedly. However, since Zhao Mu had strictly forbidden anyone from entering the kitchen, they had no way of knowing exactly what he was preparing.

Wang Wu and Wen Zhi exchanged glances, their eyes filled with pleasant surprise. Ever since Zhao Mu had entered the kitchen, they had been on pins and needles. Only now did they feel half their burden lift. Culinary arts emphasize color, aroma, and taste; although they didn't know what he was cooking, with such an alluring fragrance, Zhao Mu had at least achieved half the battle.

Wen Zhi looked at Wang Wu and whispered, "Brother Wang Wu, I never expected Brother Mu to be so skilled at cooking. Why didn't you tell me sooner? You let me worry for nothing all this time."

Wang Wu shook his head and gave a wry smile. "On our journey, we were lucky just to have something to eat. When would Brother Mu have had the chance to show off his culinary skills? I only just found out myself that he could cook."

Wen Zhi nodded and continued to watch the direction of the kitchen. Finally, amidst the nervous anticipation of Wen Zhi and Wang Wu, Zhao Mu walked out carrying a dish. The patrons of Tianxiang Pavilion turned their gaze toward him one after another.

Zhao Mu placed the dish in front of Qin Jian and said with a smile, "Manager Qin, please have a taste."

Qin Jian looked at the plate before him, somewhat surprised. "You actually used those pickled vegetables?"

Zhao Mu nodded. "Indeed. This dish is prepared with pickled vegetables. I call it Pickled Fish."

Qin Jian hesitated for a moment, then picked up his chopsticks and lifted a thin slice of fish. His eyes immediately lit up.

"This fish is excellent!"

He set down his chopsticks and praised, "It is no wonder your ancestors were imperial chefs, Master Zhao. This Pickled Fish alone is worth a thousand gold pieces!"

Zhao Mu did not take the praise to heart. In truth, a mere dish of Pickled Fish was far from being worth a thousand gold. Qin Jian likely said this for the benefit of the diners. After all, once Zhao Mu taught the recipe to the chefs at Tianxiang Pavilion, this Pickled Fish would become the restaurant's exclusive signature dish. An exclusive secret recipe—one of a kind!

As expected, as soon as Qin Jian finished speaking, the diners grew restless.

"Manager Qin, you can't keep such a good thing all to yourself!"
"Manager Qin, let us have a taste of this Pickled Fish too!"

The crowd of diners clamored for Qin Jian to share the dish. Wang Wu and Wen Zhi looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief. Since Qin Jian had spoken this way, Zhao Mu had successfully passed the test!

Zhao Mu narrowed his eyes, quietly observing Qin Jian. Qin Jian remained unmoved by the diners' demands. He cupped his hands to the crowd and apologized, "My apologies, everyone. There is only one fish, and it is not even enough to satisfy my own appetite. However, rest assured, once the chefs at Tianxiang Pavilion have mastered this dish, you will be able to taste it at any time!"

Hearing this, the diners became even more curious about the dish. Moreover, Qin Jian was known to be generous; he would never be so stingy over a single dish. They all concluded that the flavor must be so extraordinary that Qin Jian could not bear to share it with others.

Without waiting for their reaction, Qin Jian ordered, "Waiter, take this Pickled Fish upstairs. I intend to eat my fill in a moment!"

The diners were displeased, but Qin Jian’s mind was made up. He continued to offer polite apologies while remaining firm. It wasn't until the waiter carried the dish away that the diners reluctantly backed down. But immediately, they refocused their attention on Zhao Mu. Zhao Mu had promised to make two dishes, and so far, he had only brought out one.

Qin Jian also turned his head toward Zhao Mu and said, "Master Zhao, you may bring out your second dish."

Zhao Mu smiled and returned to the kitchen to retrieve a small bowl. Seeing the small bowl, everyone was stunned. Was this supposed to be a dish?

One diner couldn't help but scoff, "Lad from the Zhao family, are you trying to fool us?"

The others laughed, though they didn't say anything further. Qin Jian frowned slightly, sounding somewhat displeased. "Master Zhao, is this your second dish?"

Zhao Mu shook his head. "If you, Manager Qin, consider it a dish, then it is a dish. If you do not, then it is not."

Qin Jian’s brow furrowed deeper. He stared at Zhao Mu’s face, as if trying to see through him. Suddenly, his expression shifted. He snatched the small bowl and brought it to his nose to sniff. Upon smelling the contents, his face immediately brightened with delight. But before he could speak, he began to cough violently.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Qin Jian covered his nose with his sleeve, coughing as if his lungs were about to burst. Seeing this, the others watched him with concern, some even suspecting that Zhao Mu had poisoned him.

"Manager Qin, are you alright?"
"Manager Qin?"

Hearing their questions, Qin Jian hurriedly waved his hand to signal he was fine. When he finally caught his breath, he asked, "Master Zhao, was that the fragrance I smelled earlier?"

Zhao Mu nodded, looking at Qin Jian with a touch of pity. The small bowl contained nothing other than the chili oil he had just made. The aroma of freshly made chili oil is at its most pungent, and Qin Jian had foolishly held it right under his nose. Spicy isn't actually a flavor; it’s a sensation of pain! It was no wonder he was coughing after inhaling such a large whiff.

Seeing Zhao Mu nod, Qin Jian ignored everything else and immediately asked, "Master Zhao, what is this made of? Why is it so fragrant?"

Zhao Mu glanced at the diners in the hall and countered, "Manager Qin, do you really want me to explain it here?"

Qin Jian realized his mistake and immediately said, "Master Zhao, and you gentlemen, please, let us go upstairs!"

He then instructed the waiter, "Go prepare a table of wine and dishes and send them to the private room upstairs!"

Ignoring the longing gazes of the diners, Qin Jian led Zhao Mu and the others directly to the private room. Once seated, he asked again, "Master Zhao, can you tell me now?"

Zhao Mu nodded and said, "Actually, this second dish cannot really be called a dish; it should be considered a condiment. As for what it is made of..."