Strange Cook

Everything that followed was handled as simply as possible.

Wang Chao filled out his application to join the team on the spot, passed the review at lightning speed, and half an hour later became a reserve player for the Jiangcheng City Table Tennis Team. For the time being, he received a basic monthly living allowance of five thousand yuan, with food and lodging included, and entered a semi-closed training regimen.

Wang Mei called and told him to train hard and bring glory to the country. After delivering a string of lofty, righteous remarks, she quietly asked whether the five thousand yuan was real.

Wang Chao said it was, and that there would be bonuses if he performed well.

Wang Mei was delighted. She then hung up and went to find Tony teacher to explain things on her son's behalf. That was a story for another time.

Jiang Shan acted as though he disliked Wang Chao, but his actions were much more honest. He voluntarily took Wang Chao to the dormitory, ran around helping him settle all the trivial matters, and finally brought him to the supermarket to buy daily necessities.

The ever-composed Wang Chao finally embarrassed himself.

He had no money...

He really only had a little over ten yuan on him, and the balance on his phone had never exceeded two digits in all these years.

Even the five hundred yuan Tony teacher had advanced him a few days ago had been confiscated by Wang Mei that very night.

In the end, he actually had to let a little brat pay for him, prompting the pretty cashier at the supermarket to glance at him several times. Though the faint trace of disdain in her eyes was subtle enough, Wang Chao still caught it.

It was after nine by the time Wang Chao returned to the training hall.

"For now, I'll be coaching you," Tian Qi told him. "Your biggest issue is that your physical fitness falls seriously short of the standard. Don't practice table tennis for the next few days. Focus on getting your body in shape."

Wang Chao readily agreed.

The team members were all young. Though there had been a minor clash at Mingyue Stadium, they had mostly forgotten about it after a few days.

After watching Wang Chao play two matches today, they felt more admiration than anything else.

So even while Wang Chao trained his stamina nearby, players kept coming over to greet him. Some even politely asked him to give them more pointers in the future.

By the end of the morning, Wang Chao had gotten to know most of the team.

Only Tian Zhengguang was nowhere to be seen.

At noon, Jiang Shan took Wang Chao to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was huge and had a full range of dishes. Looking at the trays of colorful food behind the glass counter, Wang Chao found himself looking forward to the meal for once.

"Pickled Cabbage Fish!"

"Mao Xue Wang!"

"Crystal Shrimp!"

"Stir-fried Beef!"

"Pine Nut Corn!"

"Oyster Sauce Lettuce!"

"Rice!"

"Noodles!"

"Buns!"

"Wraps!"

"Tomato soup!"

"They've got everything!"

"What a feast..."

Ever since arriving in this world, he really had not eaten a proper meal in a long time.

Every morning, it was steamed buns and boiled eggs. At noon, he ate boxed lunches with Tony teacher. At night, it was pickles, kimchi, and fermented tofu—whatever was simplest.

So now, looking at these brightly colored dishes, his saliva began to flow uncontrollably, and his stomach gave a timely growl.

Thank goodness China's table tennis world in this world hasn't started pushing that scientific nutrition meal nonsense yet...

He remembered clearly that in his previous life, the whole scientific meal planning and precise calorie counting trend had first risen in a certain country whose people lived rather comfortably. During those years, that island nation began developing table tennis nationwide and achieved quite respectable results. Their scientific meal plans were subsequently recognized by countries around the world, and eventually even China's national team began paying more attention to diet.

Whether it improved results was hard to say. After all, they were already number one in the world, with nowhere higher to go. But one thing was obvious: there were indeed far fewer fat people on the national team afterward, which was not a bad thing.

Still, the national players complained plenty in private, because lunch was no longer something to look forward to. Those precisely portioned and categorized meals made them want to cry.

"Bro, this way, this way." Jiang Shan tugged him hard to one side. "Don't go over there."

"Why not?" Wang Chao did not understand.

That side was full of delicious food. Since it was all free, why would he not be allowed to go there?

Jiang Shan did not explain. He only said, "Trust me. I'm right."

Wang Chao sized up the little brat. His build was well-proportioned and upright, practically textbook-perfect. Then he looked at the food on the kid's tray: broccoli, carrots, vegetable soup, beef, chicken breast, and rice.

He understood.

Though the little brat was young, his willpower was impressive. He was actually a weight-control fanatic, and he wanted to drag Wang Chao onto the same path.

Then count me out, buddy!

Wang Chao shook off Jiang Shan's hand and happily went over to scoop up a serving of Braised Pork Belly, a serving of Beef Stew with Potatoes, a serving of cured pork with green peppers, and another serving of spicy diced chicken. Finally, he piled on a huge mound of rice until his tray was heaped high, then returned to sit down and prepare to eat.

Then Jiang Shan nudged his pant leg and pursed his lips, signaling him to look over there.

At some point, a Cook wearing a white chef's hat and a full chef's uniform had silently followed him over. He sat at an empty table beside Wang Chao and stared at him unblinkingly.

Wang Chao was a little bewildered.

Jiang Shan did not dare say much and only vaguely warned him, "Don't ask. Hurry up and eat. Take what you can finish. Don't waste food."

"Waste food?" Wang Chao sneered. "Do you know that since I came here, I haven't had a single full meal? I could eat a whole cow right now!"

He happily picked up a trembling chunk of beef that had been stewed until tender, narrowed his eyes slightly, and stuffed the entire piece into his mouth with its dripping sauce. Just the texture against his tongue made him feel as if his soul were ascending, and he could not help taking a gentle bite.

"Mmm..."

"So salty..."

"Why does Beef Stew with Potatoes have such a strong vinegary taste?"

He nearly spat it out, but at that moment, the Cook sitting behind him spoke.

"Salty? It seems I still haven't gotten the salt right..."

"The vinegary taste is because I added aromatic vinegar. Vinegar helps break down the fibers, making the beef softer and more delicious as it stews."

"But I stewed it for a full three hours. The texture of this beef should be excellent. What do you think, young man?"

Wang Chao forced out a smile, swallowed that mouthful of overwhelmingly salty food, and nodded. "It really is quite good."

After saying that, he grabbed the bottle of mineral water beside him and gulped down several mouthfuls.

"Try this spicy diced chicken too. This time, I specifically bought a thermometer and a timer just to make sure the oil temperature was precise enough during frying. The outside needs to tighten up, while the inside stays juicy."

With a little mental preparation, Wang Chao ate a piece of chicken.

Mm, it was all right. Not as terrifying as he had imagined, just slightly undercooked. Wang Chao spat out a chicken bone and saw streaks of blood on it...

"This Braised Pork Belly is my specialty. You should give it a try too," the Cook introduced enthusiastically.

Wang Chao ate a piece of Braised Pork Belly.

It was soft and tender enough, but the flavor was a little bland. He could not tell whether it lacked salt, sugar, or perhaps ginger and garlic from the initial stir-frying.

What Wang Chao could not understand was why this Braised Pork Belly was such a vibrant red when it tasted so bland. It looked crystalline and rosy, like a juicy cherry, utterly alluring.

"You don't understand, do you? I learned a new trick online too. Just add a small handful of Red Yeast Rice while stewing, and it'll turn out this color. So, am I talented or what?" the Cook explained cheerfully.

Jiang Shan kept his head down and ate without saying a word. He quickly finished his diet meal, stood up, patted Wang Chao on the shoulder, and walked away. Yet the expression on his face looked as if he were holding back laughter, while also seeming somewhat sympathetic.