Chapter 1407: with translation of chapter title

He couldn't help swallowing saliva, then wrinkled his nose and drew a deep breath—fragrant, truly fragrant.

Chef He and Manager Li nearby did the same, but Chef He immediately knew it must be Ye Zhangqing cooking.

What are you doing so early that it smells this fragrant?

Is this the spirit chef you mentioned yesterday?

At that moment, Manager Zhao turned back and asked; hearing this, Chef He and Manager Li quickly nodded.

Yes, it's Senior Ye; no one else has such skill.

Hmm, I feel my decision to rush here overnight was correct.

Hearing that, Manager Zhao also nodded in agreement; just this aroma had already conquered him.

He wasn't in this city yesterday but elsewhere, having received a message from Manager Li.

The other party said they'd found a spirit chef not inferior to the Old Ancestor of Food as Heaven, whose culinary skill was astonishing; if they could bring him into Baiwei Xuan, it would surely elevate Baiwei Xuan to a higher level.

In any case, they were hyping the other party to the skies, and repeatedly assured there was no exaggeration.

Thus Manager Zhao rushed over overnight; though he had been half‑believing, half‑doubting, after smelling this aroma he felt coming overnight was indeed a wise choice.

He nodded approvingly at Chef He and Manager Li, and the three headed toward the rear courtyard.

No need for a guide; following the scent, they went straight to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard, bowls of beef noodles kept coming out of the pot; Yun Xiantai and the others each held a large bowl, found a spot to squat, and dug in.

Although they had sampled many delicacies of the food world yesterday, being able to eat a bowl of Ye Zhangqing's beef noodles this morning was still a treat.

Those delicacies of the food world are indeed fresh, but they cannot compare to Ye Zhangqing's simple bowl of beef noodles.

Everyone ate with oil dripping from their mouths; seeing this, Manager Zhao and the two could hold back no longer, smelling the fragrance and seeing how delicious they ate.

Chef He immediately saw Ye Zhangqing in the kitchen, whispered a few words to Manager Zhao, and the three went over on their own.

Senior Ye.

At the kitchen door, Chef He called out respectfully; Ye Zhangqing turned his head and saw it was Chef He.

Coming so early—what's up?

Nothing much; this is our manager, who heard of Senior Ye's culinary skill and came specially to pay a visit.

After brief introductions, Manager Zhao looked at the young Ye Zhangqing and was astonished.

He himself is a mighty emperor‑level expert; with his vision it's easy to see that Ye Zhangqing's youthful appearance isn't from any age‑preserving art—he's genuinely young.

At such a young age to possess such culinary skill—even Chef He, a holy‑grade spirit chef, felt inferior; facing him he wore a respectful look, like a disciple before his master.

Young friend Ye, you're truly talented at a young age.

Manager Zhao, you're too polite—haven't you three had breakfast yet? How about we rustle up something together?

Ye Zhangqing asked politely; anyway, it's just three bowls of noodles—simple.

Upon hearing that, Manager Zhao, Chef He, and Manager Li's eyes lit up.

Especially Manager Li—yesterday he just licked the bottom of the plate, tasted a bit, and hadn't really eaten anything proper.

Yet even just tasting a bit left him with endless aftertaste.

He had been feeling depressed, wondering when he'd get to truly enjoy Ye Zhangqing's cooking; he hadn't expected this surprise to come so suddenly.

If Manager Zhao hadn't been in front, he would have nodded and agreed without hesitation.

Is this... convenient?

Manager Zhao, after all, is a notable figure in the food world, so he naturally wanted to be polite; Ye Zhangqing didn't mind.

It's just plain noodles; as long as Manager Zhao doesn't mind.

Hearing Ye Zhangqing say that, Manager Zhao had no reason to refuse and immediately nodded his agreement.

Soon after, each of the three held a bowl of beef noodles, imitated the others, and squatted by the kitchen door to eat.

Manager Li could hardly wait; he took a bite, and the next second his eyes widened.

Good... delicious...

He mumbled a sentence, then immediately buried his head in the bowl.

Chef He was no better off.

Only Manager Zhao, at first trying to maintain his dignity, but couldn't hold out long before he dug in heartily.

A simple bowl of beef noodles, yet for the three of them it was the most delicious thing they'd ever eaten.

The rare delicacies made from precious ingredients paled in comparison to this simple bowl of beef noodles in their eyes.

As people of the food world, they believed they had sampled many delicacies.

In this world, no flavor could make them lose composure anymore—but now a single bowl of beef noodles had conquered them.

A large bowl of beef noodles was devoured by the three in the blink of an eye, not a drop of broth left.

Not far away, Yun Xiantai, who had already finished eating, watched the three strangers appear and curiously asked Hong Zun beside him.

Who are they?

I've never seen them before—how did they start eating just after turning around? Who knows them?

Hearing that, Hong Zun also shook his head in puzzlement; he didn't know them either, but ventured a guess.

Since Young Ye gave them noodles, they must be people he knows.

If Ye Zhangqing could feed them noodles, obviously they know each other.

In fact, Ye Zhangqing did this also because of the Thunder‑Control Manual Chef He gave him yesterday; besides, it's just a bowl of ordinary noodles—at least in Ye Zhangqing's view it's nothing special.

Thinking they were acquaintances of Ye Zhangqing, Yun Xiantai didn't say more, wondering whether to go say hello later.

But before he could act, he saw Ye Zhangqing just step out of the kitchen, and Manager Zhao and the two hurried forward to meet him.

At that moment, Manager Zhao's gaze toward Ye Zhangqing was filled with fervor.

A great talent, absolutely a great talent—if Baiwei Xuan could have such a spirit chef, catching up to Food as Heaven would surely be a matter of time.

With such Chúyì, when the time comes, even if facing the Old Ancestor of Food is Heaven, he, Zhao, would not be the slightest bit afraid.

In a moment, he had already made up his mind to recruit Ye Zhangqing.

"Little Friend Ye, your skill is the best I have ever seen in my life, without equal."

"Shopkeeper Zhao, you're being polite; in this vast world, I, a junior, cannot bear such praise."

In response, Ye Zhangqing said humbly, and did not feel the slightest bit of pride or self-satisfaction due to Shopkeeper Zhao's flattery.

Seeing this, Shopkeeper Zhao, being straightforward, immediately explained his purpose.

"Little Friend Ye, with such Chúyì, I wonder if you have any thought of joining my Hall of Hundred Flavors? As long as Little Friend Ye is willing, we can discuss any request; for what we can agree to, I, Zhao, will absolutely not refuse."

Huh???

Shopkeeper Zhao did not deliberately suppress his voice, so Yun Xiantai heard these words clearly.

He, who was just about to come up to greet, upon hearing this, turned his head with a strange expression and looked toward Hong Zun.

"What did this old coot just say?"