Chapter 34: Kitchen Anecdotes
Canteen, kitchen.
Hot water was already boiling ahead of time in the iron pots one by one, with rising steam condensing into water droplets on the skylight, dripping onto the cast iron stove top with a sizzling light sound.
“Miss La, you’re saying you want to learn literacy and cooking with me?”
Old Cook put down the iron ladle he was stirring in the pot, unable to hide the shock in his voice.
He hadn’t expected this hot new executive of the Beasts Pirates, the girl exuding an incredible aura all over her body, to stoop to find an unnoticed old cook like himself.
Although he had spent some time on a noble cruise ship and knew a few characters, the Beasts Pirates didn’t lack them either… Well, Captain Kaido might have slightly neglected cultural education within the organization.
But there was no need for her to come find him personally; sending someone to instruct him would have been enough.
“That’s right, just teach me to read the newspaper in your spare time. For cooking, just let me assist; no need for you to bother teaching me.” La’s tone was gentle and calm, without a hint of joking.
“…”
“Alright, since Miss you have spoken, this old bone of mine will obey your orders.”
Cook was silent for a long time, but in the end, he didn’t refuse. He had no way to refuse.
But this wasn’t too much trouble for him anyway, and La didn’t seem like one of those difficult-to-serve pirates.
Although he had only seen her once during a meal, her reasonable personality that clashed with the entire Beasts Pirates crew and her elegant, composed aura left a deep impression on him.
There was another reason he didn’t want to refuse: La herself had a strange affinity field around her; whenever he immersed himself in that feeling, he could clearly recall those memories that had originally become blurry.
Among them was the most beautiful memory of his life—that was decades ago, in the flower fields of his hometown. With the morning dew not yet dried, the girl holding wild daisies and smiling at him, her skirt hem also stained with this out-of-place purity.
“In that case, from now on, I’ll call you Master.” Hearing Cook’s response, La smiled.
“Miss, don’t overwhelm this old bone of mine; just call me Old Cook like everyone else.” Cook hurriedly declined upon hearing La’s words.
“No, not to mention that you will soon be my teacher, just considering age, you are far older than me; such a title would be improper.”
La’s attitude was firm; whether as her predecessor ‘You Ling’ or as ‘La’ now, she always habitually maintained the most basic courtesy toward elderly people of advanced age.
『As expected, she’s a good child who doesn’t fit in with the Beasts…』 Old Cook couldn’t help but feel a flash of helplessness and regret in his heart.
“Then, how about calling me Grandpa Cook… No, no, indeed still… Um, call me Cook Dad; the kids about your age call me that when I buy vegetables.”
Old Cook seemed to remember something, his eyes suddenly flashing with a gleam that quickly dimmed again, ultimately not choosing that title.
“Okay, Cook Dad.”
The moment La uttered this name in her ethereal and gentle voice, Old Cook’s long-dormant heart trembled fiercely.
He seemed to see that tiny figure that only existed in his imagination, standing there dazed in place.
“Hey, Brother Cook! Ingredients are all bought back; we should prepare lunch.”
The sous chef wearing a tall hat led many canteen waiters pushing the door into the kitchen at this time, carrying many fresh ingredients bought from the town in their hands.
“Yo! Miss La, what are you doing here? Sorry, lunch isn’t ready yet.”
“No problem, I’m not here to eat; I’m here to learn cooking from Cook Dad. Starting today, I’m a kitchen helper.”
Seeing the other’s surprised and flustered appearance, La smiled and explained.
“Hel, hel, helper?! Miss La, you’re an executive of our Beasts Pirates! How can we let you be a helper! If Boss Kaido finds out, we, we…”
“You needn’t worry about that; I’ll talk to Captain Kaido.”
“As for being a helper, it’s just my personal idea. If having me around makes you uncomfortable, just treat me as a supervisor~” To ease the sous chef’s pressure, La made a little joke.
“But…”
The sous chef wanted to say more, but Old Cook spoke up at this moment, settling the matter.
“Alright, that’s it. You don’t need to worry about Miss La’s affairs; I’ll take responsibility.”
“Now let’s prepare lunch; that group of hungry ghosts won’t wait for us.”
He felt out a fish with a rather casual appearance from the ingredients on the counter; the fish tail was slapping water droplets, looking very fresh and lively.
“Miss, I’ll now teach you how to handle these ingredients.” Cook wiped the water stains that had just splashed on his face, preparing to start the lesson.
“Just call me La; no need for honorifics, Cook Dad.” La seriously corrected Cook’s form of address.
“Haha… Alright, alright.” Old Cook adjusted his apron with one hand and didn’t dwell on it further.
He then slammed the flat of the knife heavily on the fish head; the action was so sharp it didn’t look like it came from a seventy- or eighty-year-old elder. With just one strike, the casually featured sea fish immediately went still.
“This thing is called ugly fish, a sea fish unique to the New World. Don’t let its ugly looks fool you; when grown, it’s a ferocious carnivorous fish that can prey on sharks! It’s said to have a bit of Sea King lineage.”
Old Cook explained while skillfully slitting open the fish belly and removing the innards…
“This one is a juvenile fish; its weak point is that lump on its head. A hard knock will stun it.”
“While it’s dazed, we descale and eviscerate it to ensure the maximum freshness in texture.”
Although La had said not to bother teaching her, Old Cook still explained every step in detail.
Honestly, for a high-end chef like him who specialized in serving nobles, waiting on the Beasts Pirates’ roughnecks who were like cows chewing peonies was somewhat a waste of talent; even casually grilling a piece of meat, they couldn’t tell good from bad.
But Old Cook still performed every step with utmost precision and perfection. Perhaps that was the pride and persistence of a chef.
La on the side listened very seriously, memorizing each of his actions in her mind.
The rugged-looking sous chef and waiters exchanged glances, not knowing what to do for a moment as they watched the elder and the young one.
“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and light the fires!”
Cook turned back to the still-dazed crowd and roared. Only then did everyone react and begin preparing lunch.
It seemed this white-haired old mister still had considerable authority in the kitchen.
……
