Zhao Shubo could only look at the chef apologetically. "I'm really sorry, my dad is a typical Chinese taste, he can't eat raw meat. Could you please pan-fry it again until it's well-done."
Honestly, asking the chef to cook the steak well-done was tantamount to blaspheming his culinary skills.
Any chef with a bit of pride would not comply with a customer's request to cook such a good steak thoroughly.
But there was no choice. He had been hired at a high price, so he had to comply.
However, if this were in a hotel and a customer requested the steak be cooked well-done, he would refuse.
If they wanted a well-done steak, they could have beef stew with potatoes, which was always cooked through.
As for steak, he couldn't make it well-done.
He picked up the steak in front of Zhao Dewang and was about to reheat it when Zhao Dewang's voice rang out again, "Brother Liu, do you want yours reheated too?"
He had noticed the look of difficulty in Liu Chunsheng's eyes just now, fearing he also found it hard to swallow but was too polite to refuse.
Liu Chunsheng didn't speak but turned to look at Liu Yifeng. "Ask him."
Liu Yifeng knew his father couldn't stomach raw food and said gratefully to the chef, "Then please reheat my dad's steak too. I'm really sorry to trouble you again."
The chef nodded indifferently. "Alright, please wait a moment, gentlemen. It will be ready soon."
With that, he carried both plates of steak into the living room.
Liu Chunsheng looked at Zhao Shubo somewhat apologetically. "Young Master Zhao, I've never eaten steak before. I'm really resistant to this kind of undercooked steak. I hope you don't mind."
"Don't apologize to him. Steak should be eaten cooked anyway. You're always blindly admiring foreign things, thinking the moon is rounder abroad. Next time you bring this home, don't. I can't enjoy it." Zhao Dewang's face was still grim.
"Dad, when have I blindly admired foreign things? It's just eating steak, and you're putting such a label on me. Luckily, it's not the Anti-Japanese War period, or I might be dragged out and beaten for what you say." Zhao Shubo's tone was full of helplessness.
Zhao Dewang snorted and said no more.
Zhao Shubo then turned to Liu Yifeng. "Mr. Liu, we should eat while it's hot. It affects the taste when it cools. Can you manage a five-minute cooked steak? And Tongtong, can you eat it? If you can't, Uncle Zhao can have the chef make you a well-done one."
Tongtong shook his head. "No need for a new one. Tongtong knows this is the most nutritious way to eat beef."
"Well said, my little man! Uncle Zhao gives you a thumbs up." Zhao Shubo was in high spirits after hearing Tongtong's words and immediately gave him a thumbs up.
Liu Yifeng first helped Tongtong cut his steak into small pieces and then fed him a piece with a fork.
After eating, Tongtong's eyes lit up with surprise. "This steak is delicious! It doesn't taste gamey at all, and it's incredibly tender."
"Tongtong is already a gourmet, praising food so well." Zhao Shubo then took a bite himself. It tasted quite good, much better than in Western restaurants outside. It was true that you get what you pay for.
Liu Yifeng also took a bite, expecting Tongtong to be just saying it for politeness. After all, there was still blood in the meat, how could it not be gamey?
To his surprise, it truly wasn't gamey at all. Perhaps it was the rosemary, as the steak had a faint, fresh aroma. With every chew, the juice inside burst forth, tantalizing the taste buds.
"Mr. Liu, the taste is acceptable, right?" Zhao Shubo asked immediately after Liu Yifeng ate.
Liu Yifeng finished the mouthful of meat before replying, "It's indeed very good. The meat is tender and fresh. It's much better than any steak I've had before."
"Of course. This isn't ordinary beef. Since you find it delicious, eat more." Seeing that Liu Yifeng and his son genuinely enjoyed it, Zhao Shubo felt a sense of accomplishment.
Zhao Dewang watched the three of them eating with great relish and shook his head. "I don't understand young people's tastes. You eat raw beef with such enthusiasm. I think you can all revert to primal instincts and become savages. Evolution is unnecessary."
"Dad, that's just your personal opinion. Actually, fresh beef can be eaten raw, but you have to choose the most tender part of the cow."
"Enough. You eat your food. I'll chat with Brother Liu." Zhao Dewang didn't want to continue this topic.
In his lifetime, he would never eat steak raw. Even if it was cooked on both sides, as long as the inside was still raw, he wouldn't eat it.
Just as Liu Yifeng and the others were about to finish, the chef finally brought out the well-done steaks. They looked no different on the outside, but they were completely cooked through inside.
Zhao Shubo immediately took his knife and fork and cut the beef for his father.
Seeing that the beef was cooked, Zhao Dewang began to eat.
Liu Yifeng also cut the beef for his father before returning his knife and fork.
With the elder being served his steak, the plate was quickly cleared.
"Tongtong, are you full? Do you want anything else to eat?" Liu Yifeng asked Tongtong, who had also finished eating.
"I'm full! Can I play another game of chess with Grandpa Zhao?" Tongtong looked at the two grandfathers chatting in the living room and longed to run over for another game.
Liu Yifeng nodded. "Yes, but after this game, Dad will be almost finished, so we must go home!"
Tongtong nodded excitedly. "Okay!"
With that, he immediately went to the living room. "Grandpa Zhao, Dad agreed to let me play another game of chess with you. Can we play one more?"
Zhao Dewang, who was in the middle of a conversation, put down his teacup and placed the chess board on the coffee table, ready to compete with Tongtong again.
He had figured out Tongtong's chess patterns and felt he had a good chance of winning this time.
In the dining room, Zhao Shubo watched the two of them playing chess and said with a half-joking smile, "Mr. Liu, your son and my father really get along well. Even my sister's son hasn't received such treatment. Usually, when I'm home, my dad always thinks of Tongtong first, and sometimes I, as his son, get a little jealous."
"I'm truly sorry that my son is competing for Grandpa Zhao's affection."
"No need to apologize. Tongtong is a child who is naturally loved by everyone and adored by flowers. If I have a son as smart and cute as yours in the future, my dad will probably thank all his ancestors." He said this to let Liu Yifeng know that his son deserved to be treated well. He had never seen a child as young as Tongtong who was so intelligent. Not only was he smart, but he was also sensible and had a good appearance. When he grew up, the girls pursuing him would form a line stretching to the northernmost region, and then his father would have too many options to choose from.
"That's still a long way off, and I don't plan to interfere with my children's emotional lives."
"Hahaha, it is indeed too early to talk about this, but I'm getting married during the New Year, and if all goes well, I'll be a father by the end of next year. If Mr. Liu has time, I'd like to invite your family to my wedding."
"So soon? But congratulations on finding your other half. I sincerely wish you well." Liu Yifeng offered his heartfelt congratulations.