I'm a Druid at a farmhouse.

Chapter 13 This Contrast

With Song You's permission, Wang Guoming and Li Zhe exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of expectation in each other's eyes, and followed him into the kitchen.

Song You's kitchen wasn't big, but the stove, cutting board, and sink were all polished to a shine, and all kinds of kitchen utensils were arranged in an orderly manner, exuding a sense of efficiency.

"Boss Song's kitchen is cleaner than some star-rated hotel kitchens," Li Zhe sincerely praised.

Song You smiled but didn't reply. He poured the chopped chicken pieces into a bowl and began preparing to blanch them to remove the fishy smell.

Place the pot in cold water, add ginger slices and cooking wine, and turn on the heat.

Wang Guoming and Li Zhe stood to the side, their eyes fixed on the knife skills. They had expected to discover some secret technique or unique cooking method.

But what happened next greatly disappointed them.

Blanching, taking it out, rinsing off the scum—every step was done in a standard and routine manner, just like what they usually do in their own kitchen.

Next, Song You heated oil in a wok and added rock sugar to caramelize it.

Once the sugar is caramelized, add the chicken pieces and stir-fry until each piece is evenly coated with the caramel color.

Next, add water, along with common spices such as scallions, ginger slices, star anise, and bay leaves. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat.

The whole process was smooth, but there was really nothing particularly clever about it.

The excitement on Wang Guoming's face slowly faded, replaced by confusion.

Li Zhe frowned, feeling like he had been deceived by himself.

This cooking skill is just too ordinary!

With this level of skill, let alone comparing him to their master, even a chef from any decent restaurant in Xiangcheng would be better than him.

Was that incredible knife skill just a facade?

"Gentlemen, stewing chicken takes a while. Why don't you go outside and have some tea?" Song You noticed their disappointment and offered his suggestion.

"Alright then." Wang Guoming went along with it, his earlier enthusiasm for observing had dissipated.

Li Zhe was even more direct, pulling Wang Guoming out while muttering under his breath, "Brother Guoming, I think this kid is all show and no substance. What's the use of good knife skills if the things he makes are bad? It's all for nothing."

The two returned to the stone table under the grapevines. Wang Guoming looked at the basket of fresh vegetables on the table, and his doubts deepened.

"Li Zhe, do you think it's possible for someone to have unparalleled knife skills but mediocre culinary abilities?"

Li Zhe thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Impossible. Knife skills are fundamental; they serve the purpose of cooking. What's the point of a chef practicing knife skills if he can't even master the most basic control of heat and seasoning? To chop wood?"

Although that's what he said, Song You really did say that, which left him quite puzzled.

"That's strange." Wang Guoming was completely baffled.

"Guoming, don't think too much about it." Li Zhe poured him a cup of tea. "We'll leave after we finish eating. Your master is waiting for our news."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious: "Your master values ​​this exchange with that master of Hunan cuisine very much, so don't let him down."

"Don't worry, it's just a friendly spar." Wang Guoming picked up his teacup, his expression regaining its confidence. "I'll catch up with my master's old friends and see how far Hunan cuisine has developed here. No problem."

He had barely finished speaking when the kitchen door opened.

Song You came out carrying a large clay pot and a plate of stir-fried vegetables.

"Chicken stew with mushrooms, and a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables. Please enjoy."

As soon as the lid of the casserole was lifted, a rich aroma of meat mixed with the fresh scent of mushrooms wafted out. The stir-fried greens next to it were as green as jade, with glistening oil droplets on them.

The presentation was good, but Wang Guoming and Li Zhe had already given up hope.

The two picked up their chopsticks, mostly out of politeness.

Wang Guoming picked up a piece of chicken, while Li Zhe picked up a piece of green vegetable.

The chicken enters the mouth.

Wang Guoming's chopsticks stopped in mid-air.

His chewing movements also slowed down.

The chicken skin is soft and tender, the meat is firm and chewy, and every fiber is soaked in the rich broth.

Most importantly, the natural sweetness of the chicken itself is not masked by the spices, but rather highlighted and dominated the entire mouth.

good to eat!

too delicious!

The taste completely exceeded his expectations for this dish.

On the other side, Li Zhe's expression was equally interesting.

The greens that the chopsticks touched the tongue were crisp and refreshing, and the unique sweetness of the vegetables burst on the tongue instantly, so refreshing that it seemed to cleanse the soul.

He could even feel a faint warmth sliding down his throat, dispelling the last bit of fatigue in his body.

"this..."

The two looked at each other again, and both saw disbelief and shock in each other's eyes.

The cooking skills are so ordinary, so why does it taste so good?

This is unreasonable!

Little did they know that as Song You stewed the chicken and stir-fried the vegetables, a faint trace of natural energy would naturally emanate and blend into the broth and dishes.

This power is imperceptible to ordinary people, but it can maximize the flavor of the ingredients and blend them together perfectly.

This is the true core of the [Gourmet Druid].

Cooking techniques are merely the outward form, while the application of the power of nature is the inner essence.

Seeing the two of them looking like they'd seen a ghost, Song You was secretly overjoyed.

The money has arrived again.

[Druid Log: You received genuine praise from a diner, Gourmet Druid beginner progress +2%! Current progress: 9%.]

He didn't disturb the two of them, turned around and walked to the corner of the yard, where he added some water and millet to the chicks.

Watching the furry little creatures scramble for food, Song You felt increasingly pleased.

"Coo coo coo—"

He made strange noises, and at the same time, he released a soothing thought. The chicks, which had been huddled together, miraculously quieted down and began to peck at their food in an orderly fashion.

Wang Guoming couldn't understand it at all.

He put down his chopsticks, walked quickly to Song You's side, and his expression changed from shock to a forced calm.

"Boss Song!"

"Hmm?" Song You turned around.

"Can you still cook fish here?" Wang Guoming's tone carried a plea he himself didn't realize.

"Sure, sure." Song You glanced at the nearly empty dishes on the table. "But the dishes are already served. If we add more, my fish isn't cheap, and we'll have to wait a while."

"It's okay! Money is not a problem," Wang Guoming said firmly.

Song You shrugged and didn't try to persuade him further.

It's a fool not to make money when you can.

He led Wang Guoming and Li Zhe to the reservoir.

"You wait here, I'll be right back."

Song You walked alone to the other side of the reservoir, to a blind spot blocked by a sloping earthen bank.

He closed his eyes, and the Whisper of Nature was activated.

"The time for sacrifice has come; a suitable offering is needed."

A gentle yet irresistible thought sank to the bottom of the water.

Soon, a large grass carp weighing about ten pounds was pushed out of the water by its companions and swam towards the shore, dizzy.

Song You picked up the net and easily scooped it up.

He carried the still-living fish back to the two of them.

In the courtyard, Wang Guoming grabbed Li Zhe, who was eating, with an extremely serious expression.

"Li Zhe, you eat first, don't worry about me."

"I have to supervise this fish every single step of the way, from killing it to cooking it!"