"Zhao Shen, don't bother coming tomorrow. I need a skilled chef, and while you possess a breadth of knowledge, you can't even discern the saltiness of a dish. What use are you to me?"
Zhao Shen had yet to delete that message; it remained etched in his memory, vivid as yesterday. Time had swiftly passed, yet he remained unchanged—only now, he was a different version of himself.
After a moment of hesitation, he recalled that he had once worked in a five-star hotel kitchen, preparing meals for others without ever tasting them himself.
Now that he had the means, even without taste buds, he could no longer deprive himself; he owed it to himself not to leave any regrets in his heart.
...
He gazed up at the resplendent entrance of the hotel, its name grandly displayed. The gilded letters sat proudly atop a dragon-emblazoned plaque, flowing elegantly: the Jiuxing Hotel!
A crimson carpet stretched from within the doors, cascading down the steps and adding warmth to the winter air, exuding imposing grandeur.
Luxury vehicles were lined up in the parking spaces, underscoring an undeniable sense of power.
The sparkling revolving glass door complemented the majestic stone lions, while two elegant women in qipaos stood poised at either side, radiating grace.
"Good day, sir; please come in," one of the qipao-clad women greeted warmly as Zhao Shen approached, with another swiftly stepping in to assist.
"Do you need assistance with your luggage?" the hostess inquired, her face adorned with a polished smile.
"No, thank you; I can manage," Zhao Shen replied, carrying only his wallet and needing no further assistance.
As he entered through the front door, he reflected on his previous experiences in the kitchen, where he had always taken the staff entrance. This was his first time stepping through the grand entrance, where he had often fantasized about the possibility of mingling with the charming hostesses in qipaos, imagining even the slightest connection with one of them would transform his life into something extraordinary.
...
No need to dwell on the past, for it is better left unspoken!
Money, indeed, can incite a most insatiable greed in people, yet it possesses a certain charm.
"Sir, may I ask how many are in your party?" the hostess inquired during their walk.
"Just me," Zhao Shen answered.
The hostess looked slightly surprised; it was uncommon for someone to dine alone at such an upscale establishment.
"Right this way, sir." She extended her fair, delicate arm in an inviting gesture, guiding him to a table by the window.
Zhao Shen nodded appreciatively; he was pleased with the choice, as a window table always lifted the spirit.
"Ding!"
Upon pressing the button beside the table, the hostess excused herself. The service and amenities at a five-star hotel were exceptionally meticulous, and she was solely responsible for seating him; a dedicated server would arrive shortly to take his order.
...
The table was rectangular, adorned with a wooden finish featuring intricate plum blossom patterns, exuding a vintage charm. A semi-transparent white tablecloth draped over it, and at its center stood a jade-green vase holding a single fresh carnation, while neatly arranged disposable cutlery sat to the side. This alone elevated the dining experience tremendously!
Before long, a server approached.
"Sir, here is your menu. Please take a look." A soft, youthful voice accompanied a girl as she presented the menu to Zhao Shen.
"Do you have any recommended dishes today?"
This was Zhao Shen's first time dining in a five-star hotel. Previously, he had been devoid of taste and had never cared to indulge in an extravagant culinary experience. Furthermore, as he did not reside in the hotel's staff accommodations, he was unfamiliar with anyone except his colleagues from the kitchen.
As for the dishes, he had only prepared them; he had never tasted them. Thus, hearing recommendations was a welcome change.
"Yes, today's special is a nourishing turtle dish prepared by our chef, which effectively warms the stomach and nourishes the kidneys—would you like a serving?" The girl's cheeks flushed slightly, as the supervisor had instructed her to present the menu appealingly to male guests. Despite her numerous rehearsals, she still felt a bit shy in front of the young Zhao Shen.
"I'll have a serving of that, please. What else do you recommend?" Zhao Shen mused. The chef occasionally made soups, but he had never been able to sample any, as interactions with the head chef in such a large establishment were quite rare. For a lowly kitchen worker like him, opportunities to meet the chef were few.
Nevertheless, his culinary skills had far surpassed those of the head chef.
"Today, those are the chef's specials. Perhaps you'd like to try some of our signature dishes?" The girl gently flipped the menu to showcase the featured items.
"Alright," Zhao Shen said casually, scanning the page of signature dishes before adding, "I would like one of each, and for the main course, I'll have fried rice."
...
The server, astonished by Zhao Shen's order of all the signature dishes along with the chef's soup—totaling eighteen—queried, "Sir, are you dining alone? Our portions are quite substantial; are you certain you want all of this?"
"It's fine; please bring them all." Zhao Shen was fully aware that he could not consume such a feast, but he was primarily fulfilling a long-held desire. After all, who wouldn't dream of reveling in success after having been cast aside?
Since he was finally indulging, it seemed trivial to order just a couple of dishes.
"Very well, please hold on. If any friends join you, simply press the button, and we will provide additional utensils." The server, seeing Zhao Shen's resolve, refrained from further persuasion, politely taking the menu and departing, assuming he would have guests shortly.
In the grand hotel kitchen, the division of labor was distinctly organized, and the wait from order to dishes arriving was roughly ten minutes. Each task was managed by dedicated personnel.
"Sir, here is your chef's turtle soup, charcoal-grilled lamb chops, vermicelli with oysters, spicy bullfrog, and Sichuan-style spicy shrimp…" The server announced each dish as he delivered it, while Zhao Shen patiently awaited the completion of his meal.
"Sir, your dishes are all served. Please enjoy your meal."
Zhao Shen nodded, picking up his chopsticks, ready to savor what would be the most lavish lunch he had experienced in nearly a decade. Suddenly, he felt a jolt of sensation, akin to an electric current, dancing across his tongue.
...
"Hmm? This frog meat is too tough, and the spice overwhelms its natural flavor."
"The eggs in this fried rice are undercooked; while tender, the eggy taste masks the rice's delightful dryness and flavor."
"The lamb's flavor is poorly managed, resulting in an overpowering gamey taste that detracts from the overall experience."
Abruptly, Zhao Shen halted, even ceasing the motion of chewing, utterly astonished as he began to truly experience the essence of flavor for the very first time in his life—the genuine, profound taste of salt!