The big chef had been observing her every move, just wanting to see what made her Tomato Egg Noodles so unique.
But from what he could see, it looked like the most ordinary, simplest method possible.
If it were him making it, he might choose to use abalone to make broth and then use that exquisite broth for the Tomato Egg Noodles.
But this Miss Chiâs approach was nothing like the culinary tricks he usually encountered.
It was clearly the kind of recipe beloved by the elderly at home.
He watched as the egg soup in the pot came to a boil, and Chi Enen added the chopped tomatoes she had prepared. After waiting two more minutes, she put in the noodles. She added salt, tasted the flavor with a spoon, and then... turned off the heat.
She actually just turned the heat off, just like that?
The big chef found it hard to process.
Was this the dish Master Jue had specifically demanded to eatâthe most ordinary, simplest dish, something even a child could make?
Chi Enen scooped the Tomato Egg Noodles out of the pot into a bowl. To prevent the noodles from becoming too sticky from sitting too long, she added more soup to the bowl.
Once she was sure the Tomato Egg Soup covered the noodles, she sprinkled a handful of green onions on top.
The vibrant green onions complemented the red tomatoes, and with the golden-yellow eggs and the steaming-hot aroma, the dish alone was enough to make oneâs mouth water.
Chi Enen curled her lips into a small smile, carefully placed the bowl onto a tray, picked it up, and prepared to leave.
The big chef, who had been observing all along, finally couldnât help himself and asked, "Miss Chi, is this... done? Are you sure you didnât skip any steps?"
"Skip any steps?" She had even remembered to sprinkle the green onions; what could have been skipped?
The big chef hesitated for a moment and then said, "I mean, is it really just the Tomato Egg Noodles Master Jue wanted? Thereâs nothing else?"
"Thatâs all he told me," Chi Enen asked curiously, "Did he tell you something else?"
The big chef was caught off-guard by her question and quickly waved his hand in denial, "No, no, not at all. I just thought maybe Master Jue had mentioned something else that Miss Chi might have forgotten."
Afraid she might press further, the big chef quickly offered, "Miss Chi, let me carry it over for you."
Chi Enen glanced at her injured left hand, still wrapped in gauze. After a moment of deliberation, she nodded, "Thank you."
The big chef was relieved that she didnât press further and immediately said, "Itâs no trouble at all, no trouble."
He picked up the tray and walked ahead...
The other kitchen staff watched them leave. Once they were out of sight, the staff gathered together, exchanging puzzled looks and whispering among themselves, "Isnât Master Jue known to be the pickiest eater? And yet heâs going to eat such a plain and simple Tomato Egg Noodles dish?"
"Yeah, itâs unbelievable. Iâve never seen Master Jue enjoy something so... down-to-earth before. Has he changed his tastes recently?"
"Thatâs unlikely, isnât it? How could someoneâs tastes change so easily? Unless... Miss Chiâs Tomato Egg Noodles are extraordinarily delicious? But it doesnât seem like it. Just from watching Miss Chi chop the tomatoes, itâs obvious she doesnât cook often. And besides, the recipe was so simpleâhow good could it possibly be? If it were me, I wouldnât even eat such noodles unless I was starving. Especially for someone like Master Jue, whoâs been accustomed to eating the finest delicacies since childhoodâhe should be even more particular about his food."
The kitchen staff chattered away, unable to come up with a reasonable explanation for why Li Beijue was insistent on having this bowl of Tomato Egg Noodles.