The Fatal Poise of a Great General

PS: Thanks to Sixu, Shadow, Muddlebug, Silent, and Lin Qi'er for the tips. I got up late today, sorry.

Early the next morning, Qin Fen collected a bag of bean sprouts and headed out. The moment he entered the restaurant, he noticed something was off. His colleagues were suddenly much less friendly. It was not that they were snobbish; they were deliberately keeping their distance. Some even winked and gestured at him, as if warning him about something.

After putting his things away in his locker, Qin Fen entered the kitchen. From afar, he saw someone standing there as if commanding the world. No wonder everyone had warned him. So Zhang Ye was back. That bastard had recovered from his illness pretty quickly.

Zhang Ye had spotted Qin Fen the instant he came in. Enemies meeting face-to-face were especially hostile, not to mention the grudge over having his girl stolen. The thought of the young nurse turning cold toward him in an instant made Zhang Ye hate Qin Fen to the bone. He had disliked him already; now he disliked him even more.

The other man's gaze seemed to spit fire, but Qin Fen could not have cared less. You can't stand the sight of me? As if I wanted to look at you, you smiling tiger, you bastard.

"Qin Fen, you're here pretty early." Zhang Ye spoke in a deliberately strange tone, a smile still fixed on his lips as he maintained his poise before his subordinates.

"Yeah. I woke up feeling refreshed." Qin Fen shot back, "Nothing hurts, I'm not sick, and life is beautiful."

Fuck you. Zhang Ye cursed him viciously in his heart.

"Then get moving and prepare the ingredients. The boss's elders are coming later, and I need to make a few signature dishes. Don't screw this up. Whoever causes a problem, I'll deal with them." After saying that, Zhang Ye stared hard at Qin Fen.

Look at your sister. What does this have to do with me? I'm just cutting vegetables. Qin Fen began washing his hands to get ready.

The sun gradually climbed higher, and the scorching heat of July and August was fully on display. Hardly anyone wanted to go out, and the department store was sparse and quiet.

With a squeak, the glass door was pushed open. Sun Yating entered in a long dress, followed by two elderly men, both around their fifties or sixties. One wore glasses and looked refined, his hair neatly styled, dressed in a shirt and trousers. The other had graying hair and a somewhat poor complexion. He wore casual clothes, walked slowly, and needed the other man to support him.

"Yating, so this is your little restaurant. It looks pretty good." The gray-haired elder said with a cheerful smile.

"It's all right. Actually, I just wish she'd work a little less. She's already twenty-six and still hasn't found someone." The man with glasses shook his head and sighed.

"Twenty-five, Dad. Did you come here today just to pressure me?" Sun Yating shot him an unhappy look.

"Fine, I said nothing." The man with glasses raised both hands.

"You've got some nerve saying that. Do you think this is back when we were sent down to the countryside? You were so anxious, jumping around all over the place. If I hadn't joined the army later, I would have lectured you every day." The gray-haired elder laughed heartily.

"Can we not bring up the past? And besides, can you even lecture me now?"

"You're acting tough just because I'm sick, aren't you?"

"All right, all right, stop it. Dad, Uncle Song, find somewhere to sit. Do you want a private room?" Sun Yating knew the two had not seen each other in a long time, so she was quite amused. Even her old man was unusually lively today.

"Why go to a private room? There's nobody here anyway. We'll sit outside and stay close to the people." The gray-haired elder pulled his old friend toward a window seat.

Sun Yating made a trip to the kitchen and brought two people out with her. Zhang Ye already knew the inside story and looked delighted; these two were no small potatoes.

As for Qin Fen, his expression remained calm. If Sun Yating had not called him over, he would not have bothered joining in the excitement at all.

"Gentlemen, I have prepared some medicinal cuisine for you. Do you have any particular requests?" Zhang Ye asked softly. He glanced at Qin Fen, looking especially confident.

"Dad, Uncle Song, Chef Zhang's medicinal dishes are excellent. They're quite famous locally." Sun Yating hurriedly introduced him.

The two elders nodded. Song Jianjun, the gray-haired one, waved a hand. "No need to make it too elaborate. Keep it light."

Sun Yating's father, the man with glasses, glanced at Qin Fen beside them. He had seen plenty of people like Zhang Ye, but the kid standing there was rather interesting. He seemed to be spacing out.

That was right. Qin Fen was spacing out because he was bored.

If ordinary people knew who these two were, they would fight tooth and nail for a chance to show off. But he did not feel excited in the slightest. Lord Qin was just like that—doing things his own way. You guys being impressive was your business; it had nothing whatsoever to do with him. It was not that he did not know how to handle people. In fact, he was quite clever. But when all was said and done, it came down to one word: lazy.

He simply did not like this sort of thing. It was exhausting, like wearing a mask and spouting nothing but flattering lies.

So from the moment he had come out, he had been wondering what to eat for breakfast. He could use up those bean sprouts. He needed to treat himself well.

"This must be the little Qin you've mentioned before." Song Jianguo smiled. "Yating, you weren't satisfied with my eldest boy, but you mention this fellow quite often."

"Brother Shaoqing and I aren't on the same wavelength. Besides, he's very happy now, and you've already got a grandson." Sun Yating glared at the elder. Was there any point in saying such things out loud?

"What a pity. I still like you, girl. I like it when you argue with me. That way, I won't be bored by myself." Song Jianguo shook his head. "Little Qin, I heard your Winter Melon Bowl is exceptional. We came here specifically to see it for ourselves."

Hearing the elder speak, Qin Fen was about to answer when Zhang Ye immediately stepped forward. He shifted slightly, blocking Qin Fen from view. "Actually, the Winter Melon Bowl is one of my signature dishes. I've prepared it this time as well."

The two elders exchanged smiles and said nothing more.

Sun Yating, however, narrowed her eyes and shot Zhang Ye a venomous look. She admired Qin Fen, and his detached, unambitious attitude now made her secretly nod in approval. Such a great opportunity, yet he did not take the initiative to show off. He could keep his composure.

Qin Fen really could keep his composure. He simply had no desire to get involved. Do whatever you want. Once he had saved up enough phone credit, he would be out of here.

"Then go prepare it."

"That kid has the poise of a great general." Song Jianguo nodded. "Neither hurried nor slow, steady and composed. He's calm enough, and he doesn't show his emotions." The moment the other two left, he spoke up.

Sun Yating's father nodded as well. He had been observing Qin Fen ever since entering. Over the past few days, his eldest daughter had frequently mentioned the kid's name, saying his cooking was superb, that he was capable and efficient, and serious about his work.

Now that he saw him in person, he found that it was indeed true. The young man did not have the impulsiveness common to most youths. Even in the face of an opponent's suppression, he remained calm. He truly had the poise of a great general. With proper polishing, he would surely accomplish great things someday.

"This kid isn't bad. He has the same bearing I had when I was young," Sun Yating's father remarked.

"Get lost. You were just quietly devious."

While the two joked and cursed outside, Qin Fen and Zhang Ye entered the kitchen. The latter rushed anxiously toward the stove, while Qin Fen continued spacing out. What should I eat to use up those bean sprouts? I'm getting a little hungry.