Zhang Wei was helpless.
He had no idea how to explain things to these natives.
Perhaps in a culinary world, deliciousness could solve all problems, making everyone focus on a single goal and overlook the most basic aspects.
Indeed, taste was important.
But it was not everything.
After organizing his thoughts for a while, Zhang Wei posed a seemingly nonsensical question: "Why do you think there's poop after eating food?"
Wolfgang was taken aback.
Why suddenly talk about such a... pungent topic.
"Isn't it natural for food to produce poop?"
"But what exactly is poop?"
"Ah, this... As a chef, why would I study such a thing!"
Zhang Wei sighed and explained: "The human digestive system relies on strong acids, while cattle and sheep rely on microbial fermentation. Although their focuses differ, both have a drawback: they cannot completely digest and absorb all nutrients!"
"The remaining energy, along with indigestible waste and byproducts of digestion, are expelled from the body. This is what constitutes poop."
Wolfgang was confused: "What's the point of you saying this? What does it have to do with your porridge?"
"Absorption rate!"
"Food nutrients are not fully absorbed."
"The percentage of energy absorbed varies between different foods!"
Wolfgang suddenly understood: "Is that so? Is porridge's absorption rate higher than meat?"
"No."
Wolfgang: ...
I feel like you're messing with me.
Zhang Wei explained: "Under normal physiological conditions, with a healthy digestive function, the digestibility of porridge and meat is almost the same."
"But our target is critically ill patients, and severely injured patients with organ deficiencies!"
"Their digestive capacity is compromised!"
"Although meat is energy-dense, they can't absorb much of it!"
"And the porridge I cook is soft and mushy. The meat is also blanched twice. While the total nutritional value isn't high, patients can fully utilize it!"
"Money that can be spent is more practical than a mountain of gold that can only be looked at."
Could it be...
That way?
So I was preconceived and fell into a misunderstanding!
Wolfgang stood there, clearly struck by Zhang Wei's words.
"So, this is why you insisted on porridge as the meal for the injured, despite all objections. Digestive absorption rate... this is an angle I never considered."
Zhang Wei said: "The reason you didn't think of it is because you never considered things from the diner's perspective, asking what is most suitable."
In the great culinary era, the status of chefs was exceptionally high.
Ordinary restaurants still had menus.
At high-end restaurants, diners could only choose a general direction and confirm the use of certain ingredients.
Chefs had immense freedom to showcase their skills.
But this excessive freedom also led to excessive self-centeredness; they rarely considered the diners' needs anymore.
Ignoring diners was utterly unworkable, whether on Blue Star or in Shokugeki.
Wolfgang remained silent for a moment, then uttered a remarkably naive theory: "I believe that as long as there is absolute flavor, everything else can be ignored."
In the face of absolute power, all techniques are mere embellishments.
It wasn't that this theory was incorrect, but it was too vague and artificial...
Zhang Wei asked: "Then what is absolute flavor?"
"I don't know."
"But I will strive with all my might to pursue it."
Zhang Wei felt his head start to smoke, utterly perplexed: "You don't even know what absolute flavor is, yet you do nothing and think about nothing... It's like knowing that absolute wealth can buy everything, but refusing to work for money."
"Perhaps what you're pursuing as absolute flavor is already something you've dismissed."
"So foolish!"
Pursuing flavor was also Zhang Wei's aspiration.
But what Zhang Wei did was to meticulously refine his skills, leaving no detail unaddressed.
Using his hands...
Using his mind...
Every step was taken with firm footing.
Take the art of precise cuisine as an example. Zhang Wei has ruined countless ingredients in his pursuit of the formless.
Just as the two were about to continue their philosophical discussion.
A fierce wind swept through the sky.
A hurricane descended like a meteorite: "Mr. Zhang Wei, the Chairman has woken up. The skin doll has asked you to come over as soon as possible."
Woken up?
That skin doll is amazing!
Zhang Wei immediately said: "You two continue cooking! Wolfgang, I'll leave this here to you."
"No problem, you go ahead and take care of it!"
...
The two sped off, covering a distance of thousands of meters in mere seconds.
Zhang Wei lifted the tent flap. Mo Du was lying on the bed, chatting with the skin doll.
Upon seeing Zhang Wei, Mo Du cried out with surprise.
"Brother~ I knew you'd come in time."
"What do you mean in time? If you'd been on time, you wouldn't have been poisoned. You two seem to be having a good chat?"
Mo Du said reverently: "I grew up listening to the legends of Senior Skin Doll. My shapeshifting techniques are all thanks to her. She's my idol!"
The skin doll replied modestly: "Chairman, you flatter me."
The Chairman's status was merely a nominal title to the skin doll; she wouldn't be so deferential.
However, Mo Du's relationship with Zhang Wei was what truly mattered.
Zhang Wei asked: "How is Mo Du's condition now?"
The skin doll said: "After my treatment, I have removed all toxins from the Chairman's body and resolved the aftereffects of the hypnosis."
"However... the damage caused by the overdose of medication is real. The Chairman's brain is severely damaged."
Mo Du was startled: "Am I going to become a simpleton?"
Zhang Wei was speechless.
You already are quite simple!
The skin doll said: "It won't affect her thoughts or memory, but her brain's fatigue resistance is severely compromised and cannot operate for extended periods."
"I estimate that in the coming days, the Chairman will need to rest for more than eighteen hours a day."
"Her waking hours will be much shorter than a normal person's!"
The damage is to fatigue resistance...
A true Sleeping Beauty.
Regarding brain repair, it was too advanced and difficult, and Zhang Wei had almost no relevant knowledge in this area.
"Call Qiu En here."
"He should be operating on the wounded soldiers."
Zhang Wei said without hesitation: "This is an order!"
Zhang Wei knew where his priorities lay.
Mo Du, however, said: "Brother, don't worry. My condition isn't something that can be resolved overnight. Delaying it will only mean an extra day of sleep. The wounded soldiers' lives are at stake, so let Qiu En focus on them first."
Zhang Wei was silent for a moment, then nodded, agreeing with Mo Du's suggestion.
"Mo Du, you seem to be a little different now."
"This way of acting isn't like someone from the Black List."
Mo Du smiled: "People, we all change."
She paused.
Mo Du continued: "So, do you prefer the current me, or the me from before?"
"This... As long as it's you, I like it."
Mo Du leaped up and cheered: "Brother~ This is the first time you've said you like me~"
Zhang Wei: ...
I feel like I've been tricked.
What's with this cheesy pickup line vibe?
"Silly girl."