Chapter 140

Zhou Yan was so shocked that he could hardly speak. Looking at Qing Mengzhu's Qing Mengzhu a thumbs up.

After swallowing the strawberry, he couldn't resist picking up another one and popping it into his mouth to savor it again.

Qing Mengzhu stopped what she was doing and asked him, "How does it taste?"

Zhou Yan sighed, "Don't worry, just based on these strawberries, your membership fee shouldn't be refunded. They're so delicious! A vegetable package costing two thousand a month paired with these strawberries is practically a steal!"

Qing Mengzhu in surprise, "Really?"

Zhou Yan: "I swear on my career, it's true! These strawberries are so delicious! What variety are they? How can they be so fragrant, sweet, and refreshing?"

Qing Mengzhu: "It's milk strawberry. I'm relieved to hear that."

Chapter 140

The strawberries from Qing Mengzhu's family were of such high quality that Zhou Yan asked for a small basket to take home.

Luckily, they had some at home, so Qing Mengzhu packed a small basket for him. Two hours later, he sent his apprentice to deliver a cake, along with three cups of special ice cream.

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Zhao Hexi, who was cuddling with Qing Mengzhu's furry friends, lit up when she saw the cake and ice cream. "Brother Zhou is so considerate!"

The young apprentice chuckled, "Master knew you were here, Brother Zhao, so he specially added an extra portion."

Zhao Hexi hugged the Guard: "I love Brother Zhou!"

All four furry creatures were present; Zhou Yan had probably reserved some for them, and he specially placed seven cupcakes.

After thanking Zhou Yan on WeChat, Qing Mengzhu specifically asked about the cake ingredients to see if the little ones could eat it.

Zhou Yan said the ingredients were very clean, and eating a small amount should be fine. However, it's best not to give ice cream to the little ones, as it's too cold.

While Qing Mengzhu was chatting with Zhou Yan on her phone, the little ones were already drooling.

Qing Mengzhu looked up and met four pairs of bright, sparkling eyes.

From the Dharma Protector to the Little Otter, every single one of them sat upright, displaying an unusual air of dignity.

Qing Mengzhu chuckled, speechless. "Are you all really that serious?"

The four little creatures barked, with the Dharma Protector barking especially loudly.

Ming Chunxi patted the nearest Guard, a smile on her face, "The freshly baked cake does smell really good; it's understandable that they couldn't resist."

Qing Mengzhu then removed the cupcake cups, took out the small cupcakes inside, and gave one to each of the little ones.

The Dharma Protector opened its mouth wide, ready to swallow the small cake whole, but Qing Mengzhu had to remind it, "Dharma Protector, take it easy, there won't be any left after you finish it."

The Dharma Protector swallowed half of the cake, then quickly spat it out, even licking it fondly.

After distributing the cake to the little ones, Ming Chunxi handed over the ice cream.

The ice cream comes in a small cup, probably only 100 to 150 grams, the kind you can eat at night without feeling guilty.

Qing Mengzhu glanced at it; the ice cream was matcha flavored, but topped with a large, red strawberry, making it look absolutely beautiful.

Zhao Hexi, who was standing next to her, took a picture and posted it on her WeChat Moments. Qing Mengzhu glanced at it, but instead of taking a picture, she picked up a small spoon and scooped out a spoonful of ice cream.

Upon tasting it, Qing Mengzhu discovered. "The tea powder inside is from our family!"

Their tea has a unique aroma that almost everyone who has tasted it can detect. From Qing Guozhi to Zhou Yan, and even Ming Chunxi's school of thought, many people have mentioned it.

Qing Mengzhu never expected that Zhou Yan would specially grind their tea leaves into tea powder and even make matcha ice cream.

It has to be said that the cool, refreshing, and sweet ice cream paired with matcha powder has a unique aroma that is simply too tempting. The refreshing taste of tea leaves melting on the tongue is very comforting, even in early spring.

Qing Mengzhu narrowed her eyes, quite pleasantly surprised by the formula.

As expected of the head chef, his innovative abilities are truly remarkable.

Zhao Hexi, who had already bitten off half a strawberry, heard Qing Mengzhu's exclamation and urged, "The strawberries inside are the real gem, you guys should try them!"

Qing Mengzhu asked in confusion, "What's wrong with the strawberries? Were they treated in a special way?"

Zhao Hexi: "I can't explain it, you'll know once you try it."

Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi exchanged a glance, both with a hint of doubt in their eyes.

Qing Mengzhu scooped up a strawberry, took a small bite, and immediately understood why Zhao Hexi was so excited.

The chilled strawberries are even sweeter than before. Perhaps due to the unique nature of strawberry flesh, when the flesh is covered with ice crystals, it is full of gaps, making it soft, fluffy, and sweet. With one bite, the natural strawberry aroma seems to dance on the tip of your tongue, and the porous structure of the strawberry gives the ice cream a unique texture.

Qing Mengzhu exclaimed, "I never imagined that strawberries could taste like this after being chilled!"

Zhao Hexi: "Right? Right?! It's absolutely amazing!"

Ming Chunxi: "Really good."

Zhao Hexi: "It's a pity there wasn't enough. It would have been better if there was more ice cream and a couple more strawberries."

Qing Mengzhu thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps it's precisely because the portions are all just right that it leaves one wanting more."

Zhao Hexi: "That makes sense. If I were to eat until I was stuffed, I wouldn't want to eat it again. But now that it's like this, I'll keep thinking about it and long for it to happen again."

Qing Mengzhu: "Right? Brother Zhou has a great grasp of people's psychology."

They ate ice cream first, then cake.

The freshly baked cake hadn't completely cooled down yet, and the egg and milk flavors inside were very rich. It didn't seem to have any fancy tricks; the cake was just soft and fluffy to the perfect degree, and the aroma of eggs and milk was substantial enough. It relied entirely on the natural flavor of the food to attract diners.

After finishing the cake, Qing Mengzhu couldn't help but praise Zhou Yan again, especially since the Dharma Protector beside her kept licking their lips, looking as if they still wanted more.

Zhao Hexi echoed enthusiastically, and this time even Ming Chunxi wasn't jealous.

Zhou Yan is truly remarkable, not only in his culinary skills but also in his philosophy of cooking.

That night, Qing Mengzhu tossed and turned in bed, Ming Chunxi pulled him close, holding him by the waist. "What's wrong?"

Qing Mengzhu: "We've eaten quite a few meals cooked by Brother Zhou, haven't we?"

Ming Chunxi: "There are quite a few."

Qing Mengzhu: "Brother Zhou is a great cook, a very kind person, has many friends, and many apprentices."

Ming Chunxi and Qing Mengzhu lay face to face. "You want to dig him up?"

Qing Mengzhu nodded. "I've thought about it before. You see, Brother Zhou has been staying in the village. He was able to come over to help prepare for the new store, but now that the new store is up and running, he's still here. I guess he has some kind of conflict with the higher-ups or the CEO of their catering group. It should be easier to poach him."

Ming Chunxi: "He's not only the head chef now, but also the executive chef. If you want to poach him, the salary you'd have to offer is much higher than what you'd pay a regular chef."

Qing Mengzhu played with Ming Chunxi's fingers. "I know. But money isn't that important to us now. Having a good partner is the most important thing. He Xi helping us has saved us a lot of trouble."

Ming Chunxi: "He Xi's advantage is that he is completely of one mind with us."

Qing Mengzhu: "Yes, if Brother Zhou is willing to come and help us, he will too. I trust his character."

Ming Chunxi chuckled in the darkness, "Then let's dig. I'll find out first what position he holds in his group. You decide what kind of treatment to give him. If he wants to open a restaurant, should we open a separate one, or merge it into Zhuxi Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.."

Qing Mengzhu: "Okay, I'll think about it and discuss it with you when I've made up my mind."

Ming Chunxi acted quickly; he said he was going to inquire about Zhou Yan's situation, and he brought back the news the next day.

Ming Chunxi said, "Brother Zhou's boss has brought back several chefs from abroad, and now they mainly cook Western and Japanese food. Brother Zhou has become a bit marginalized."