Strange Chef

Chapter 1 I Come from the Desert.

In the boundless desert lies a small oasis. A helicopter takes off from the oasis. As the helicopter ascends, numerous voices can be heard from below, creating a great commotion.

“The little troublemaker has finally left.”

“Old Wang, how about having a drink tonight?”

“Thank goodness. We can finally live a few days of normal life.”

“Don't let him come back again. Let him go and trouble others!”

...

When the plane flies far away, a police whistle sounds from the oasis. Then a voice shouts, “Do you want to live properly? Behave yourselves! An ounce of liquor will be added to dinner.”

“Hurrah, hurrah.” Dozens of big men shout “Long live”, not knowing whether it's for the departure of the little troublemaker or for the added ounce of liquor for dinner.

...

Three days later, at the Beicheng Railway Station, a bald man holds a note and looks around randomly. “Such a big Beicheng doesn't even have a public phone? So backward.” His eyes are filled only with countless beautiful women and he splendidly ignores the many card-operated phones on the street.

The bald man is called Bai Lu. He grew up in a strange place, knows many strange people and has learned many strange skills.

With perseverance, Bai Lu, who has feasted his eyes on beautiful women, finally finds a public phone. He dials a number. After a while, a busy signal comes from the receiver.

Strange. Did I dial wrong? Dial again. Why is it still a busy signal?

Dial again. The busy signal remains.

Dial again...

The shop owner can't stand it anymore. “Young man, phone numbers in Beicheng are eight digits. You missed one digit.”

“What? Eight digits? When did it change?” Bai Lu seems very surprised.

The shop owner is extremely speechless. “Did you come from Mars?”

This is so embarrassing. Being despised. Fortunately, there is an address. Bai Lu asks, “Uncle, how do I get to Xiaowangcun? By train or long-distance bus?”

“What? Train? Long-distance bus?”

“It's a village. Don't you have to go out of the city?”

The shop owner is completely speechless. “A map is eight yuan. Buy one and look at it yourself. Or find any bus and ask the conductor when you get on.”

“Beicheng is really inconvenient.” Bai Lu mutters softly as he buys a map.

Start by looking at the surroundings. After a minute, he finds a problem. As it turns out, there are also villages within the city, such as Gongcun, Zhuang and so on. Xiaowangcun is also within the Third Ring Road.

Having read the news, he knows that housing prices within the Third Ring Road are terribly expensive. Looking at the note again, it says Five-Star Grand Hotel, Xiaowangcun. Unexpectedly, his father's friend is quite rich. Even if it's just a pigeon coop, it's at least worth a million. Not to mention it's a five-star grand hotel. How rich must this guy be? If he gives me a little bit casually, life would be extremely comfortable, right?

With beautiful expectations, Bai Lu sets off for Xiaowangcun full of energy.

An hour later, he is as tired as a dog after being squeezed. Standing on the street and watching the bus leave, he says, “I will never take a bus again.”

Looking at the road sign, “Xiaowangcun Road”. Walk forward. “Five-Star Grand Hotel.” Muttering the name, he looks at the tall buildings everywhere and tries hard to find the luxurious hotel.

After walking up and down a small street several times, he still doesn't see where the Five-Star Grand Hotel is. He grabs an aunt sanitation worker and asks, “Auntie, how do I get to the Five-Star Grand Hotel?”

“I don't know. I'm not a local.” The aunt turns and leaves.

Looking up, there is a familiar figure ten meters away. What he is familiar with is that uniform. He shouts, “Police officer, don't go!”

Sun Min pauses. In the past, it was always herself who shouted at others to stop and not go. Now hearing others shout, it's very uncomfortable. She stops and looks back.

Oh, it's a policewoman? Bai Lu trots over. “Police auntie, how do I get to the Five-Star Grand Hotel?”

“Who are you calling auntie? Looking at your wrinkled face and calling me auntie?”

“... Police sister, how do I get to the Five-Star Grand Hotel?”

Sun Min is very angry. This guy is so blind. She points. “Ahead.”

“Ahead?” Ahead are tall buildings. Under the tall buildings is a fully enclosed vegetable market. Outside the market are several storefronts selling pastries, shoes, boxed lunches and so on. There is an authentic Lanzhou pulled noodles shop and an authentic Goubuli steamed bun shop. Between the pulled noodles shop and the Goubuli shop is a hotel. There are five big characters on the signboard, Five-Star Grand Hotel.

This... is really shocking.

“Thank you, police sister.” After thanking Sun Min, Bai Lu walks towards the Five-Star Grand Hotel. While walking, he is depressed. What time is it? Why is the hotel still closed? A huge rolling shutter door is hanging down heavily.

Looking around, there is no one at the door of the pulled noodles shop and the steamed bun shop. He walks sideways into the steamed bun shop. “Master, when does the Five-Star Grand Hotel open?”

“That guy does business as he pleases. Nobody knows when he'll be there. Have some steamed buns. They are delicious and made of fresh meat.” The boss is very enthusiastic.

“I'm looking for someone.”

“Looking for someone? Then I don't know. Otherwise, knock on the door and see.” After saying that, the boss goes to the kitchen to make steamed buns.

Knock on the door? Bai Lu obediently knocks on the door of the Five-Star Grand Hotel.

Bang bang bang, bang bang bang, bang bang bang... Bai Lu persists for two minutes. The people inside finally can't stand it and shout loudly, “What are you knocking for? We're not open today.”

“I'm looking for Wang Mudun.” Bai Lu shouts back even louder.

The three words “Wang Mudun” seem to have magic. There is suddenly a messy noise inside. Two minutes later, the rolling shutter door is raised and the glass door is pushed open. A big man steps out. He is at least 1.85 meters tall, very tall and strong. Just a bit old. He should be almost fifty years old. Wearing sportswear and slippers, he looks at Bai Lu. “Who are you looking for?”

“Wang Mudun. My dad asked me to look for him.”

The big man is very excited. “What's your dad's name?”

“... I don't know. I only know his surname is Wang. Others call him Old Wang or Boss Wang.”

“Good boy. What's your name?” I don't know if it's because Bai Lu can't remember his dad's name or because he heard the news about Bai Lu's dad. Anyway, Wang Mudun is very happy.

“My name is Bai Lu.” The father's surname is Wang and the son's surname is Bai. The son doesn't know his dad's name. What a harmonious family.

“That's you. Come in, come in.” He invites Bai Lu inside. “Where does your dad live?”

Bai Lu asks, “Are you Wang Mudun?”

“You have to call me uncle, Second Uncle. Also, my name is Wang Zun. I'm not Wang Mudun.” Wang Mudun wants to take the luggage. Seeing that there is only a small satchel, he praises, “A real man should be like this, free and easy.” He pulls him into the inner room.

“Did you change your name?” After entering the room, Bai Lu looks around the room and asks casually.

The house is not big. There is a compartment in the inner room. The big room is the kitchen and the small room is the bedroom. The conditions are tough enough. It's not much better than in the desert. Just as he is looking around, a middle-aged woman with a ruddy complexion comes out of the toilet. She is very fair and good-looking. Her hair is a bit messy. Seeing Bai Lu, she is a bit embarrassed. She quickly leaves the inner room. At the store entrance, she looks outside through the glass. Seeing no acquaintances, she quietly opens the door and leaves quickly.

So professional! Bai Lu looks at Wang Mudun. “Is she auntie? I'm sorry to disturb your exercise.”

“What auntie? Don't talk about this. Tell me how your dad is.”

“Very good.”

“How is his health? Where is he? What is he doing now?” Wang Mudun has many questions.

Bai Lu is a bit curious. “How long has it been since you two met?”

“Right. Meeting. You are still smart.” Wang Mudun suddenly stands up. He rushes into the room and makes a mess. He takes out a small bag. “Give me the address.”

While talking, he takes out a pen and paper, writes down a bunch of numbers and a bunch of keys, and pushes them to Bai Lu. “This is my mobile phone number, the hotel's phone number, and my ID number. Remember them.”

“Why are you giving me this?” Bai Lu has a feeling of being puzzled.

“I'm going to find your dad. Quickly give me the address and phone number.” Wang Mudun urges.

Bai Lu writes down the address. Wang Mudun grabs it. “I'm leaving. The hotel is yours.” After saying that, he rushes out of the hotel, hails a taxi and goes to the station.

Bai Lu is stunned. His dad is abnormal. It seems that Second Uncle is even more abnormal. Just like this, he leaves the hotel to me? What's going on?

He is in a daze in the room for a long time. Confirming that Wang Mudun won't come back, he looks at the hotel. It's so dirty. Bai Lu sighs. Alright, let's work. He starts to clean up.

He is busy until midnight and cleans the hotel spotlessly. Even the pots, pans, bowls and chopsticks are as clean as new. Then he cooks noodles, eats, and goes to sleep.

The next day, he gets up very early and thinks about his life plan.

Dad asked me to come to the big city to make a name for myself. Second Uncle leaves the hotel and runs away. Do I have to rely on this small hotel to make a name for myself?

After thinking and thinking, he decides to start working. Thus, the Five-Star Grand Hotel resumes business.

He buys red paper and a writing brush. He writes a few lines in a flamboyant way and pastes it outside the hotel.

What is written on the red paper is that this store only serves ten customers a day. Those exceeding the limit will not be served. Your understanding is appreciated. In addition, patients with anorexia can buy meals at a 20% discount with a doctor's certificate. Only one portion per person.

I don't know if the business of the hotel was originally bad or if people were scared by his notice. No one comes to the hotel to eat all day. Bored, Bai Lu lies on the table, sleeping and waking up, waking up and sleeping again. Until 7:30 in the evening, when he really can't sleep anymore, he pushes the door and goes out.