Chapter 2 Master Abe
"Ke Ling, are you okay?"

Master Abei hurried over and asked worriedly.

Liu Keling was still a little frightened. At this moment, she was half held in Xu Qing's arms. She could see that handsome face as soon as she raised her eyes. Her heart beat faster and her face flushed again.

Hearing her mother's question, Liu Keling nodded hurriedly and panickily, not knowing for a moment whether it was better to stand up or maintain the status quo.

Fortunately, Master Abe made the decision for her. Master Abe quickly pulled Liu Keling up, looked her up and down carefully, and made sure that she was not injured. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

At this time, Xu Qing was looking at Master Abei.

The middle-aged woman in front of him had a beautiful face. The years had not left many traces on her face. It was just that due to years of hard work, her black and shiny hair had turned gray early. However, these few gray hairs did not detract from her appearance at all, but instead made her look more extraordinary.

The title of "Sichuan Fairy" is truly well-deserved.

Xu Qing thought to himself.

Master Abei looked at Xu Qing and asked, "Who is this little brother?"

Xu Qing clasped his fists and bowed respectfully: "Master Abei, my name is Xu Qing, I come from Ancheng County, and I hope to become Master Abei's disciple."

"Ancheng County is not that close."

"Yes, I have spent all my money on the journey. If Master Abei doesn't take me in, I will probably have to become a beggar." Xu Qing said with a wry smile.

He is not just playing the victim, he is really miserable.

When Master Abei heard what Xu Qing said, he hesitated.

She had originally decided not to accept any more apprentices. She was old and had insufficient energy, Shaoan was a worry too, and Juxialou's business was busy. Her body could no longer bear the triple pressure.

But she couldn't let a child go out to beg for food. He was unfamiliar with the place and it would be terrible if he met bad guys.

Master Abei thought about it and finally agreed, saying, "Okay, then you can stay in Juxialou and learn cooking from me."

"Thank you, Master!" Xu Qing was overjoyed and quickly changed his address.

Finally, I succeeded in becoming his disciple.

Liu Keling's heart was also filled with joy. She would be able to see him every day from now on!

It turns out his name is Xu Qing, what a nice name!

Master Abei said, "After dinner, you can come here and study with Shaoan."

"Yes."

After dinner, Xu Qing came to the kitchen early.

Master Abei was organizing the materials for the teaching later. When he saw Xu Qing coming, he smiled and said, "You are here early. Shaoan hasn't come yet. Wait for him for a while."

Xu Qing found a stool and sat down. He was dazzled by the dazzling array of kitchen utensils and ingredients in the kitchen. There was an entire wall in the kitchen hung with kitchen utensils. There were at least dozens of them, including knives, spoons, and spatulas. Although they were well maintained, they looked like they had not been used for a long time.

Seeing his curiosity, Chef Abei said, "The kitchen utensils used by the chefs of Juxialou in successive generations are displayed here. When each chef leaves office, he will leave his kitchen utensils behind and place them here for future generations to admire."

Master Abei introduced them to him one by one, and when she talked about a certain set of kitchen utensils, her eyes suddenly became misty, filled with longing and sadness.

She gently stroked the kitchen utensils and was silent for a moment.

"What is this set of kitchen utensils?" Xu Qing asked.

"These are the kitchen utensils used by my husband, Liu Malu, the previous head chef of Juxialou." "Excuse me, but is Chef Liu deceased?" Xu Qing asked carefully.

According to the plot in the animation, he should have passed away, but I don’t know if reality is the same as the animation.

"He... yes, he has passed away, almost six years ago." Master Abe sighed softly.

"Forget it, let's not talk about him. Ah Qing, tell me about you."

Master Abei looked at Xu Qing and asked gently.

"Me? I don't have much to say. I was born in Ancheng County. My parents died early and I was the only one left in the family. I have been very sensitive to the taste of food since I was a child, so I have always been interested in cooking. Later, I heard about the reputation of Juxialou and Master Abei, so I wanted to come to Sichuan to learn from the best chef, that is, Master you."

Xu Qing said sincerely.

Anyway, this was the original body's life story, and he didn't lie, he just didn't tell it all.

"Thank you, but unfortunately I'm not the best chef in Sichuan."

When Master Abei heard him say this, he smiled and shook his head.

"Is there anyone more powerful than Master Abe?"

Xu Qing was really curious now.

This is a plot that doesn't exist in the animation.

Chef Abei looked towards the mountains in the distance and sighed softly, "China is a vast country with abundant resources. There are countless talented people hidden in this vast land. They either travel between mountains and forests, leading a secluded life. Or they hide in the market, leading an ordinary life. I am just a little famous. There are many chefs better than me in the world, not only in Sichuan. They don't care about fame, power, or money. All they think about is the ultimate in food."

"Fame, power, and money are not the ultimate goals that chefs pursue. The ultimate goal of a chef is to pursue the ultimate in delicious food. Only with this mentality can you not lose your way, and only with this goal can you go further on the road of being a chef. If you lose your goal and your mentality, no matter how much fame, power, and money you accumulate, they will all eventually disappear. Ah Qing, no matter how great your culinary achievements are in the future, you must not be arrogant, and you must not forget your original intention of culinary art."

Xu Qing said seriously: "Yes, Master, I understand."

Xu Qing kept Master Abei's earnest advice in mind.

Xu Qing's goal is to become a top chef, and Chef Abei has been a top chef for a long time. What she has seen, heard, and experienced is far more than Xu Qing can imagine.

Chef Abei's earnest advice is not only a sharing of experience as a top chef to newcomers, but also the result of her life's hard work.

These are words from a master that you can never ask for.

It may not sound strange now, but one day in the future it may become a guiding light for him when he is confused.

Suddenly, a harsh, mocking voice came from outside the window: "Old woman, you are talking useless nonsense again."

Shaoan kicked the door open and walked in. He saw Xu Qing sitting next to him and asked with a frown, "Who is this guy?"

Master Abei said, "Shaoan, let me introduce you to a new disciple named Xu Qing. From now on, you two will be brothers, so you should get along well with each other."

Shaoan suddenly exploded, smashing everything at hand, cursing and spitting everywhere.

"Brother? Him? Why should a country boy be my fellow apprentice? I have learned martial arts for many years. Do you have to teach this boy from the beginning? What a waste of time!"

"Old woman, what you taught me was useless stuff to begin with, and now you're looking for a kid to hold me back! When will I ever learn real skills?"

"Get out of here, kid! Get out of here right now!"

(End of this chapter)