Liu Ming's washing speed was very fast; he was done in just over ten minutes.
When he arrived in the kitchen, Tadokoro Megumi was still processing ingredients.
"Master, you're here," Tadokoro Megumi stood up respectfully.
"Don't be so formal. I'm not that scary. Treat me like family or a friend, with a normal attitude, otherwise, I'm afraid you won't be able to focus on learning."
"Okay, okay," Tadokoro Megumi was still a bit reserved.
There was nothing he could do. In R-country, the concept of hierarchy was deeply ingrained, so even if Liu Ming told her not to worry, she couldn't do it all at once.
Liu Ming waved his hand, signaling her to step aside.
He took over the spot.
Liu Ming held the chef's knife and spoke softly, "The importance of knife skills to cuisine, I believe you are quite clear about it after studying at Totsuki Academy for so long. So, what kind of knife skills are considered qualified, and how do you improve your knife skills?"
Liu Ming's wrist twisted slightly, and the ingredients on the cutting board were instantly dismembered.
He gently tapped the counter, and a slight vibration caused cracks to appear in the ingredients there, which were processed in the blink of an eye.
And it was perfectly processed.
Tadokoro Megumi also realized that she had apprenticed herself to an extraordinary master.
Afterward, Liu Ming explained some small knife skill techniques to Tadokoro Megumi. These were all closely guarded secrets, even in ancient times, imperial chefs would only teach their direct disciples; they were inherited secret techniques.
Liu Ming's cooking speed was always famously fast; in less than an hour, he had prepared a large table of fragrant and delicious dishes.
Tohru had a hard time today, accompanying him through the primeval forest for most of the day. Only then did he finally find all the ingredients needed for the Appetizer Soup, so he wouldn't break his promise to his disciple.
These dishes today were specially to reward her.
"Dinner's ready, everyone come in and take out the dishes!" Liu Ming shouted loudly.
Tohru's movements were still so quick, her mouth watering as she stared at the various delicacies on the dining table.
"Xiao Ming made so many dishes tonight, I feel so happy!" Tohru's eyes curved into crescents.
"You worked hard today too, have a good meal tonight," Liu Ming said approvingly, rubbing her head.
"Hehe, Xiao Ming, you're so good!" Tohru's face was full of smiles.
She picked up two plates of dishes and walked towards the living room.
After Kanna recharged, her strength also recovered somewhat. Imitating Tohru's movements, she also picked up two plates of dishes.
Liu Ming didn't stop her. Although Kanna's body was small, she was, after all, a giant dragon, and her strength far exceeded that of ordinary people.
"Little Kanna, you can just sit outside, let us do these things." Tadokoro Megumi didn't know all this. Seeing Kanna, who was less than five years old, carrying two plates of dishes, she quickly ran over and took them into her own hands. Kanna blinked, looking at her empty little hands with a bit of confusion, not understanding why.
Tohru could carry dishes, so why couldn't she?
Liu Ming gently patted her small head, "To other people, you're still just a child. In the future, you need to learn the common sense of this world. Now, go sit at the dining table."
"Oh," Kanna responded.
Sitting on the chair, her eyes felt insufficient. The food in front of her was simply too fragrant. Her saliva kept swirling in her mouth.
"Lady Tohru, these foods are so fragrant!"
"Right? Xiao Ming's cooking is the best!" Tohru proudly raised her head, feeling honored.
"Mm," Kanna nodded her small head continuously, her gaze fixed on the dishes on the table, occasionally swallowing.
"Why are you all just sitting there? Didn't I say to be casual? You don't have to wait for me." Liu Ming saw that several people were sitting there, staring intently at the table but not touching anything.
He couldn't help but find it amusing, and at the same time, felt a warmth in his heart. This must be the feeling of home.
It had been years since this place was so lively.
"Am I in heaven?" The moment Kanna took a bite, the feeling of satisfaction immediately reached its peak.
"Is this heaven? So beautiful, so warm. Eh, that's strange, I'm clearly a dragon, shouldn't I return to the Dragon God's embrace when I die? How could I go to heaven?"
"Lady Tohru, these foods are truly delicious!" Kanna looked at Tohru with a happy expression.
"Right? Xiao Ming's food is the best in the world."
"The best in the world!" Kanna nodded her small head in agreement.
This wasn't Tadokoro Megumi's first time eating Liu Ming's cooking, but each time brought a new shock. Especially this time, witnessing the entire cooking process firsthand allowed her to further appreciate Liu Ming's unfathomable skill.
Ordinary ingredients, ordinary cooking methods, yet he could create flavors that deeply moved people. She also wished to reach such a height.
The scenery at that height must be beautiful.
Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but be lost in thought.
.....
After dinner, Liu Ming gathered everyone. Tadokoro Megumi gently poured a cup of tea for each person.
"Tomorrow the restaurant will officially open. Now I will assign each person's work content."
"Tohru," Liu Ming looked at Tohru.
"Here!" Tohru raised both hands high.
"These past few days, I've taken you to many places. You know where the ingredient wholesale market is, right? Tomorrow I'll give you a shopping list, and you'll help with the procurement. It would be best if you can persuade them to deliver goods daily. Any problems?"
"No problem at all, leave it to me," Tohru said, patting her chest and readily agreeing.
Liu Ming nodded in approval. He had watched the anime and knew how formidable Tohru's social skills were, so there was no need to worry.
"Megumi."
"Yes!" Tadokoro Megumi stood up nervously.
Liu Ming pointed to the transparent display window inside the restaurant, located to the right of the main entrance.
"That spot is for takeout food, and it's all yours. Besides the dishes being Chinese Cuisine, I won't give you any other restrictions. What to sell, how to sell it, how much to sell—it all depends on you. Just treat it as your own little shop."