Five hours!
Time flew by, and soon the tavern was about to close.
Today, Sonoka, who had just become an assistant chef, seemed full of energy and had been busy until now.
At the cooking station, Zane was slicing marinated beef into thin pieces.
Nearby, Sonoka had just finished her tasks and sat down to rest. She propped her chin in her hands, her eyes filled with curiosity as she watched Zane.
"Boss Zane, aren't there no more customers? Why are you still cooking?"
Zane finished slicing the beef, put away his knife, and replied softly, "Aren't you hungry?"
"Ah!"
"Well, yes, a little."
The tavern's business was indeed busier than Sonoka had anticipated. Although the operating hours were only five hours, she had been busy without a break as an assistant chef.
It wasn't until Zane's reminder that she realized her stomach was growling with hunger.
...
In the northwest region of China, people live at a slower pace and enjoy food during their leisure time. Beef noodle soup is a reflection of this leisurely lifestyle.
Like the ancient Silk Road, beef noodle soup has a long history.
Legend has it that beef noodle soup originated during the Tang Dynasty. Unfortunately, due to its ancient history, this can't be verified.
The current authentic beef noodle soup was created by a Hui Muslim named Ma Baozi in 1915.
At that time, his family was poor, and he made hot pot beef noodles at home, carrying them through the streets to sell.
Later, he added broth from boiled beef and lamb liver to the noodles. The aroma was so enticing that everyone loved his beef noodles, and he gradually became famous!
Zane, in less than half a minute, expertly stretched and cooked the noodles.
In another minute, he scooped the cooked noodles into bowls, added the broth and beef slices, and then topped them with blanched greens, chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic.
He sprinkled on chili powder and cilantro and added a spoonful of special chili oil.
With that, two bowls of beef noodle soup were ready.
The beef slices seemed lonely, floating on top of the noodles like a solitary hero standing at the peak of Mount Hua.
The tavern was quiet, with even the steam from the hot broth seemingly frozen in the air.
...
Sonoka picked up a pair of chopsticks.
She carefully lifted a thin slice of beef, observing its translucent beauty like a delicate work of art.
She quickly placed the beef in her mouth, savoring the way it melted on her tongue.
Fresh!
Tender!
And juicy!
The rich beef flavor was incredibly impactful.
Despite being sliced thinly, the beef melted in her mouth like early spring snow.
Sonoka closed her eyes, enjoying the unique umami brought by the amino acids in the beef.
With each chew, the taste buds on her tongue were fully invigorated, basking in the wave of savory meat juices.
High-quality ingredients need the simplest cooking methods.
This phrase perfectly described the bowl of beef noodle soup in front of her.
The beef slices were boiled, yet this simple preparation brought Sonoka a brief, intense "climax."
...
Slurp, slurp!
After finishing a slice of beef, Sonoka's hunger was fully awakened.
She eagerly slurped up the hot noodles, feeling a warm sensation spread through her body.
The combination of radish, beef, garlic sprouts, cilantro, and the rich broth warmed her face.
She was lost in the aromatic and flavorful beef noodles, unable to pull herself away.
At first, it didn't seem particularly special.
But as she ate more, she realized this bowl of beef noodle soup was far more complex than it appeared.
The fresh beef and chewy noodles brought an indescribable satisfaction.
The broth contained red oil bean paste, small dried red peppers, scallions, ginger, garlic, angelica, astragalus, bay leaves, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
The broth, the soul of the noodles, was brought to its fullest potential.
Without tasting it herself, she wouldn't have known how complex and unforgettable a bowl of noodle soup could be!
Reflecting on her journey from confidently starting Shunkatei to her current stagnation, Sonoka realized many things were like this bowl of beef noodle soup: you couldn't judge them prematurely.
Judging based on surface impressions could miss the deeper essence, and a hasty attitude might forfeit many valuable opportunities and the true nature of things.
...
Time passed slowly.
In the peaceful and joyful atmosphere, Zane and Sonoka soon finished their beef noodle soup.
"That was truly satisfying."
"This noodle dish surpasses any of the various ramen in Japan."
Sonoka sighed with contentment, thinking about how being an assistant chef meant she could enjoy delicious meals at the tavern.
And this kind of life would likely continue daily, making her feel almost dizzy with happiness.
"Boss, there's a saying that beef noodle soup has one clear, two white, three green, four red, and five yellow. What does that mean?" Sonoka asked after calming down a bit, taking advantage of the free time to chat with Zane.
"It's not complicated. It refers to the colors of the ingredients."
"Clear is the broth; white is the radish; green is the cilantro and garlic sprouts; red is the chili; and yellow is the noodles."
"Generally, if a bowl of beef noodle soup combines noodles, broth, meat, flavor, and color, it's considered very successful."
Zane explained vaguely.
"I get the broth and beef, but the noodles... are they that important?" Sonoka was puzzled.
In her mind, beef noodle soup was just broth and noodles.
"I understand why many think the soul of noodles is the broth, but the noodles themselves are also crucial."
"The quality of the flour, various parameters, and the stretching technique are closely related to the flour's quality."
"In other words, based on the requirements for noodle flour, it should have more than 30% gluten, with elasticity being paramount."
Hearing this explanation, Sonoka fell into thought.
She quickly understood and asked, "Does this mean the thickness of the noodles is also a factor?"
"Smart!"
"Noodles' thickness depends on personal preference."
"Noodle shops usually serve thin noodles because they cook quickly, in about 30-40 seconds."
"Customers usually don't specifically request different shapes."
"Beef noodle soup noodles are generally round, flat, or irregularly shaped."
"They can also be classified into thin noodles, hair-thin, two-thin, three-thin, wide noodles, leek leaf, etc. Each type has its own texture and flavor."
"The noodles we had tonight were two-thin noodles, with a width of 4mm."
"I see."
"It seems I still have a lot to learn!"
Sonoka sighed again.
"The culinary industry is always changing. If you don't keep up, you'll easily be left behind by the times."
Sonoka nodded, deeply agreeing.
...
Late at night.
Everything was shrouded in darkness, creating an eerie stillness.
Sonoka finally returned home. As an assistant chef, she could stay at the tavern, but since Shunkatei was just next door, she didn't need to live with Zane—oops, I mean, live together.
She just needed to show up at the tavern every evening and return to Shunkatei after closing.
[Ding-dong!]
[The host has successfully signed in!]
[Ding-dong!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Lion's Head recipe.]
The dormitory training activity was about to start.
Students like Megumi, Ikumi, and Alice were busy honing their culinary skills.
Meanwhile, Totsuki Elite Ten members like Rindo and Erina were occupied with various school affairs.
So, no Totsuki students came to the tavern tonight.
However, with Sonoka's help, the tavern was getting on track, steadily moving in a positive direction.
...
Meanwhile, at Totsuki Academy.
In a cute, girly dorm room, Erina was reading a manga.
"Yuu!"
"Love... love me!"
"Ah! Are they finally going to kiss?"
"What's it like to kiss someone?"
Suddenly, Erina lost herself in thought, her mind filled with inappropriate fantasies.
Her face turned red, and she quickly closed the manga Zane had lent her.
"Hisako."
"Do you think he's resting now since the tavern is closed?"
Next to her, glasses-wearing Hisako was browsing a manga website on her computer.
She knew exactly who Erina was referring to when she said "he."
Erina mumbled, "I wonder what he does when he's not running the tavern?"
Hisako glanced at Erina and chuckled, "Miss, do you know what you look like right now?"
"What?" Erina asked.
"You look like a woman longing for her lover," Hisako replied.
"Huh?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Aside from cooking, I don't desire anything!"
Erina crossed her arms defensively, "Although it's too early to talk about graduation."
"But I don't have much time left. If I can't quickly improve my culinary skills and become the first seat of the Elite Ten, then..."
"Then I won't be qualified to lead Totsuki Academy into the future!"
Hisako sighed. She knew Erina carried the heavy burden of being the heir to the Nakiri family.
"Miss, that's why you've been relying on Zane recently, right?"
"After all, his cooking can impress the Headmaster, WGO officials, the Elite Ten, and many others."
"Relying?"
"I'm not relying on him!"
Erina crossed her arms, looking defiant.
"Really? Then who plans to work part-time at the tavern after the dormitory training?" Hisako teased.
"
Hisako..."
Erina glared at her, her eyes filled with a murderous intent.
Reluctantly, Hisako closed her mouth.
But she couldn't deny that Erina had changed significantly over the past month.
The person responsible for this change was none other than Zane, the tavern owner!
...
The two fell silent.
Erina's expression softened, but her eyes were still filled with confusion.
Though she often thought of Zane, another person frequently came to mind.
Yes, that person was her mother:
Mana Nakiri!
Though she had once resented her, learning that her mother was in Japan filled her with anticipation.
She hoped her mother would come to see her after ten years apart.
But all she got was news of her mother meeting the Headmaster!
This was hard for her to accept and made her question their relationship.
"Hisako, if I ever meet my mother, what should I do?"
Erina asked, her eyes filled with helplessness.
Hisako was at a loss, unsure of what to say. Finally, she said, "I think Lady Mana will apologize to you?"
"After all these years, does she even think of me as her daughter?"
"Miss, please don't think that way!"
Hisako hurriedly comforted her, knowing Erina's pain.
She understood that without her mother's presence and enduring her father's "extreme education," Erina hadn't had an easy life.
Recently, Erina had seemed more cheerful, perhaps because she felt more hopeful.
Or maybe it was because Zane was around, making her feel secure despite everything?
"That's right!"
"We still have Zane!"
Hisako suddenly had a bright idea.
----------
I have a new fanfic out, its called BTTH: Sun Emperor, here's the synopsis:
In Battle Through the Heavens, growing steadily.
No system, relying on talent.
Not specifically targeting Xiao Yan, not building a harem, reasonably seeking opportunities.
For 10 advance chapters: patreon.com/angelictranslating