A simple sentence, yet it seemed to carry a hook, instantly drawing Ji Yanzhi's thoughts far into the clouds and suffusing them with an ill-timed but utterly intoxicating heat.
His Adam's apple bobbed hard. "Then tell me what you've prepared..."
Knock, knock, knock-
The sudden knocking was like a bucket of cold water, mercilessly dousing his newly kindled fantasies. Ji Yanzhi was just about to say, "Ignore it," when Ji Ting slipped out through the gap beneath his arm.
He opened the door to find Chef Liu standing outside with a broad smile. "Young masters, I've got all the ingredients ready in the kitchen. Is there anything in particular you'd like for lunch?"
Ji Ting thought for a moment. He felt that sharing their first meal aboard with everyone would help them fit in, so he suggested, "Uncle Liu, could we make two dishes in larger portions and eat with the expedition team?"
A trace of hesitation appeared on Chef Liu's face. "We could, but I've always cooked small, carefully prepared meals. I haven't really cooked in big batches before, so I'm worried I won't get the seasoning quantities right."
After a little thought, Ji Ting proposed a very Ji Ting-style solution. "We can solve that through standardization. First, we establish a standard weight for each ingredient, then calculate the exact seasoning ratios from the recipes. Uncle Liu, you can handle the heat and stir-frying, while I weigh the seasonings and add them in batches. That should maximize the consistency and stability of the flavor."
Although Chef Liu listened in a bit of a daze, the method sounded utterly reliable to him. "All right, all right. But I'm sorry for putting you to so much trouble, young master."
"It's only fair. My suggestion increased your workload, after all."
At that,