Gourmet: Midnight Vending-Chapter 425 - 373: Chen Mo at the Helm? Count Me In! (Part 2)

Chapter 425: Chapter 373: Chen Mo at the Helm? Count Me In! (Part 2)

What a "thief nemesis," what a "guardian of the old brand," and more exaggeratedly, a few days ago, a public unit even sent over a banner calling him the "City Food Ambassador." It’s just absurd.

Although Chen Mo is not in the company now, he frequently appears in the company’s WeChat public account, and the company leaders have praised him several times during meetings.

They said that Comrade Chen Mo put so much effort into market research, even forgoing his salary to leave the company for investigation, and he did so many good deeds during his research. It’s said they’re discussing restoring Chen Mo’s regular salary as of late.

Now, even though Chen Mo is not in the company, if he were to return, he would absolutely be a star figure. Even the head of the unit would have to show him respect!

Click, click, click!

Wang Heng snapped several photos directly and sent them to the work group of the [Investment Department].

"Oh wow, oh wow! Look who this is? No wonder Minister Jiang booked the banquet in the village; the chef is Chen Mo!"

Today is Saturday, and for most ordinary office workers, getting up right before noon around twelve o’clock is just waking up.

Manager Liao was no exception.

He was lying in bed savoring his lazy day off when he picked up his buzzing phone to see a message from the work group, and his brow furrowed slightly.

"Didn’t I say not to post work messages in the group on weekends? Who is so inconsiderate?"

Liao Feng unlocked his phone and opened WeChat. His eyes weren’t fully awake and he was stunned by the slew of photos.

Upon taking a closer look.

"What the heck?" Liao Feng sat up suddenly, "Chen Mo? Isn’t he in Yangzhou?"

Initially, everyone at the company knew about Chen Mo turning into an internet celebrity in Yangzhou, and opinions were divided on it.

But after Yangzhou Culture and Tourism sent over a banner the other day, the situation took a different turn.

The group didn’t even issue a written notice but directly called Liao Feng.

Saying something like, Chen Mo from the market department accomplished so much with market research; what is your investment department doing? Chen Mo single-handedly made a city famous in Yangzhou, and you’ve shown no signs of any action there?

Liao Feng was at a loss at that moment.

He hurriedly reflected on his mistakes and drafted a related proposal overnight.

Coincidentally, it was the weekend.

At this moment, looking at those photos, Liao Feng almost without thinking said, "Xiao Wang, save me a spot! I’ll be there in ten minutes!"

What Liao Feng said was exactly what others wanted to say.

During this period, they’ve been seeing Chen Mo’s short videos online, with so many people praising Chen Mo’s food, while they’re only Chen Mo’s colleagues.

How could they not seize such an opportunity?

"Brother Heng, count me in too! Save me a spot too!"

"I’m already in the car, will arrive in eight minutes, Brother Heng, please!"

"Brother Heng, whether I get to eat today depends on you!"

After sending the message, Wang Heng looked at his frantically vibrating phone in disbelief. Everyone was @ him in the group, and he couldn’t help but let out a cold snort.

You usually call me Xiao Wang, but now suddenly it’s Brother Heng?

Then his fingers danced rapidly on the keyboard.

Of course, venting was okay, but he didn’t need to bring that emotion into the group.

"All set, there are ten of us in the office, just right for a table, I’ve reserved it!"

After sending the message, Wang Heng finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued observing from afar.

"Wait a minute, why are there so many stylish ladies around Chen Mo?"

"Oh wow, what’s up with that woman? Laughing and chatting, even patting Chen Mo’s arm, does this guy have such amazing charm with women?"

"Black, white, purple, net-patterned... Damn, each style is different?"

Wang Heng felt like his brain was about to explode.

This was a scene he couldn’t comprehend.

If he remembered correctly, the old Chen Mo in the company was really quite quiet — he’d come to work, leave after work, and was quick with his tasks, coming across as simple and honest.

Who would have thought he was this kind of person?

If you can’t figure it out, don’t think about it for now.

Wang Heng found an empty table and sat down first.

He saw that only three cold dishes were placed on the table, all wrapped in plastic wrap — pig trotters drenched in chili oil, braised beef, and couple’s lungs slice, which made him chuckle.

Although admitting Chen Mo is now an internet celebrity, just seeing these three cold dishes on the table didn’t seem much different from an ordinary feast, right?

In Fenghua Investment, if the market department, which includes Jiang Fei, Chen Mo, and Mu Mu, is the horses-and-cattle division, then the investment department is recognized as the ’cream of the crop’ department.

Due to work reasons, even as a low-level employee, Wang Heng often receives invitations from partners to city’s high-end restaurants, so although Wang Heng doesn’t earn much on paper, he’s actually quite a foodie.

"Seems like even with Chen Mo at the helm, nothing special."

As he was pondering, the fourth dish appeared on the table, brought over by a countrywoman.

Finally, a dish that wasn’t covered with plastic wrap.

Wang Heng took a close look and was somewhat taken aback, "Wow, who serves this kind of dish in this day and age? Do they think people can’t afford meat now?"

He looked at the plate all neatly arranged with ten slices of large meat!

Moreover, these meat slices had no seasoning coloring at all, just the pure color of boiled meat, with pork skin on the outside and alternating fat and lean layers inside. Even the lean parts were boiled to a pale white.

Although he could instantly tell these were pork belly slices, Wang Heng still thought this stuff must be overwhelmingly plain; just a piece of boiled meat without seasoning, can it taste good?

Tsk tsk.

Wang Heng suddenly thought office colleagues, giving up their rest days to specially come over to feast, might end up disappointed after all!

On the other side, Chen Mo trimmed a piece of pork belly on the cutting board, while Black Blade continued slicing the meat.

Jingyi’s Mother swallowed and curiously asked, "Xiaochen, is this just plain boiled pork belly? Can it taste good? Isn’t it going to be super greasy?"

This was her understanding of pork belly.

Fortunately, Chen Mo wasn’t too busy at the moment, as the banquet prep had reached its final stages, so slicing meat didn’t delay chatting.

"To make pork belly neither fatty nor greasy involves a bit of technique."

Seeing Chen Mo genuinely preparing to share his cooking experience, the mothers quieted down to listen attentively. After all, they cooked daily at home, and learning a trick or two from Chen Mo would mean they could impress their families easily later.

"First, when you buy meat, you need to choose carefully, pick the lower pork belly. And choose this three-layered pork belly."

Chen Mo pointed to the cross-section of the pork belly he was holding. This pork belly was the epitome of quality, with four layers of alternating fat and lean meat; even the lean parts had slightly more than the fat parts.

"There are techniques in boiling too, start with cold water, and add green onions, ginger, and cooking wine."

The mothers could understand that.

Blanching, removing odor and impurities.

"Then you switch to medium-low heat, don’t overboil or the meat will fall apart; once it’s cooked, turn off the heat, but don’t rush to remove it, let it sit and cover for another half an hour."

"And finally, this is key!"

Woosh~

Chen Mo bent down to take out another piece of pale pork belly from an ice water bucket on the ground, "You must soak it in ice water for about ten minutes; it removes excessive fat and tightens the meat, reducing greasiness."

If examining closely at this moment, you’d notice that the ice water bucket holding the pork belly had a layer of solidified white lard floating on top.

After saying that, Chen Mo wielded Black Blade, slicing the pork belly into slices almost uniformly sized.

Each slice was thin and delicate, seeming less than 2 millimeters thick. If you held it up, the fatty part even seemed translucent!

Jingyi’s Mother nodded silently; the prior steps were nothing much, but seeing the slices being so thin with varying layers, the meat was simply impossible to be greasy.

Moreover...

It’s not like you’re eating just the meat!

Chen Mo scooped a generous ladle of sauce from a basin and poured it into a dish, arranging the white meat evenly around a round plate.

The ten slices formed a circle, with a bowl of sauce in the middle.

The dish exuded a strong garlic aroma, which they had witnessed Chen Mo preparing earlier.

This sauce mainly consisted of mashed garlic bulbs, paired with soy sauce, white sugar, vinegar, and pepper powder, with a final dash of chili oil and sesame oil!

With this sauce, dip a slice of that delicate pork belly.

Hiss...

Jingyi’s Mother and Gao Le’s Mother simultaneously swallowed.

Their eyes were fixed eagerly on the waitress, waiting for the [Garlic White Pork] to be placed on the children’s table!