Miao Yuan did not even flit his eyes on Miao He, and it was apparent enough that he was still whitewashing himself.
Aunt Yang hummed a few times. “It’s very good. I came with Brother He today to purchase some tonics and was about to go. Who would have thought this Auntie had chosen a perfectly situated cheap tea stall by the road and wanted to take a break. With a mere sip of tea, someone came up and balked at something inexplicable! Yet, people still walk with him and do not see his acts. Oh ya, no wonder his face is big.”
The first student who stormed there was called Fang Jie. He also knew that the person was Yang family’s elder. Still, he told off those things in front of people. Whether he truly mean harm or just misunderstood, he deserved to be rained down with curses and be choked back. Fang Jie could not help blushing due to embarrassment.
Miao Yuan gritted out a stiff smile as if he heard nothing. “Since we met by chance today, I humbly ask to invite you two for a drink better than this one.”
“No need! The tea you invite as for, I dread will only bring more ruckus after accepting it! It’s better for our families to remain clear through and through separately! Brother He, let’s go settle the bill with the shopkeeper so we can go!” Second Aunt Yang instructed, her displeasure apparent.
Miao He hummed and left the Asura field with a wooden face.
AD
He was itching to cast aside the original host’s profile, and of course, to bang the table and sneered,” Fuck you bullshit! I didn’t see an enormous face, but ferocious dung covered in gold. Do you want to be the city wall?” In only a month, he was anxious about being suspected of overthrowing the original host’s character by employing a “reforming and starting afresh” attitude.
Especially Miao Yuan. He had been with the former host for several years and was quite familiar with his temperament, unlike the familiarity Yang family had toward Miao He. If his strangeness was too obvious, Miao Yuan should be able to discern it better than Yang Dalang.
So Miao He endured first. In any case, the days would come for a long time.
Time reveals a person’s heart. This body’s reputation was on gradual fall out, and one day it would be broken completely over to him!
As for this scumbag, if he wanted to live better than the former host, then Miao He was unafraid of not giving the host a taste of revenge!
The two groups, at last, parted on bad terms.
On the way back, Aunt Yang was beaten black and could not return to her initial mood. Her aggravation was clear on the face. Noticing Miao He beside her was also in low spirits she sighed, and said, “Auntie believes you about this matter today. Don’t recall and think about it too much. What happened in the past was naturally a past, and the situation now, Auntie has separated both to be different.”
Miao He was a little surprised. He thought that Aunt Yang was just protecting his shortcomings. Truly, what you think in the heart was another matter from the actual. He also wanted to explain a few words before getting off the cart, but he did not expect to hear those words first.
“…. Thank you, second aunt.”
“What thanks? Just look at how you still are considerate if growing vegetables to support the family, subsidize with us, buying things and thinking everything in all aspects, and taking care of Dalang as well. I could now live alone in peace knowing that everything seems all well!” Aunt Yang’s mouth spoke of this seriously, but her eyes darted at the mole on Miao He’s wrist.
‘It’s still shallow. Aiya, the two children don’t know what to grind ah.’
“Dalang, ah…. You should explain to him first when you return to avoid hearing it from other people. That guy, ah, will just be in low spirits but will never bring it even if you ask him. You know of this, don’t you?”
When she mentioned Yang Dalang, that scene before going out flashed in Miao He’s mind. His face warmed up at once, and he gave a vague answer.
When they arrived, Aunt Yang lent a hand in moving the big bundles to Miao He’s house, even though they saw Yang Dalang was waiting at the door. Of course, no one would let him do it.
Before Aunt Yang left, Miao He stuffed another box of mung bean cakes she bought for him and told her to take it back and eat with her family. Second Aunt Yang seldomly never decline, so she accepted it. This act of receiving seemed like a pacifier to safeguard Miao He’s heart. The elder actually possessed a fine personality despite her rough exterior, and the longer they got along, the more Miao He gained experience and understanding of his current situation. Compared to the original host’s birth mother, he felt he could give birth to a touch of family feeling.
That night, it was definitely not because of Miao He’s guilty conscience that he cooked his own specialty tomato and egg noodles.
AD
He first fried the egg mixture in a pan greased with flax oil. Then sautéed the garlic, ginger, and sliced tomatoes to release the sweet-smelling flavors of the aromatics; soon, he added water, sugar, a bit of soy sauce, and the leftover chicken bone, and slowly boiled it. When the tomatoes were cooked, he threw the scrambled eggs into the pot for a simmer. During this time, the flavor of the fried eggs would exude into the soup and add another aroma. Then finally, he cracked an egg again and dropped it directly onto the soup to make a flower-shaped egg. Miao He added the noodles to make a simple yet delicious tomato egg noodle.
There was a punch of refreshing sourness and sweetness offered by the quality of fresh fruit in the soup, mixed in with the salty, fragrant sesame oil and eggs, topped with smooth noodles made of pure white flour. The tip of Miao He’s nose was sweating, and Yang Dalang also busied himself in eating without a word. He hesitated in his heart—should he say it now or wait for a little while?
‘Since Dalang was eating merrily, then let’s wait for a while.’
Ever since he returned home, Miao He had been figuring out the certain timing. He felt no dread in saying it, but he could feel that their relationship had tuned in for good and was uncertain whether the matter could ruin their relationship back to zero. Yang Dalang was against him visiting the town before, and whether this was the exact reason for it, Miao He could not fathom an answer. But Aunt Yang’s reminder also yielded the truth. He would rather say it himself than Yang Dalang hearing it from the mouth of others.
Another thing that Miao He was oblivious to, was that the more he considered the man’s feelings, the more he opened his heart to this person.
He procrastinated until the meal was over and even after finishing the entire box of mung bean cakes all by himself. As he sighed, Miao He picked up the courage, smoothed his lips, and finally said, “Today, Second Aunt Yang and I encountered Miao Yuan in town. It was only a coincidence!” Dabai struggled a little on his lap and straightened itself up to eat the mung bean cake happily.
Yang Dalang’s pitch-black eyes were elusive under the oil lamp. “Then?”
AD
Miao He honestly recounted the entire conversation that happened. In other words, this served as a startup to prepare Yang Dalang psychologically.
Yang Dalang only said, “You came back uneasy because of this?”
Miao He twisted and untwisted his hands. “…. Obviously?”
Yang Dalang hummed in response. Then there was silence, letting Miao He not know what he pondered in his mind.
Miao He was scared he would think too much, so he could not help coming over and sitting on the bench Yang Dalang sat on. He leaned over and said, “I truly didn’t go to the stall to wait for people. It was unknown to me they’d rest there too! If I knew, I wouldn’t have gone to town today.”
Yang Dalang gazed at Miao He and calmly said, “Why do you need to hide?”
Miao He choked. ‘Isn’t it just because I’m worried about you?’
At that moment, Yang Dalang stretched out his hands and pulled. Miao He’s center of gravity was unstable equilibrium, so his upper body lurched forward and landed on Yang Dalang’s lap. His hands also took support from the latter’s leg, and Dabai leaped away with a meow. Miao He could not help feeling a little nervous. He wanted to get up as fast as he could, but he worried he would harm the person if he did so.
“Your injury—”
And the rest of the words were all cut off by Yang Dalang.
He inclined his head to the side. Like a predator stalking his prey. And bit Miao He’s mouth in one swoop.
And this kiss, at all, was unlike the peck in the morning.
It was deep, tight, hot, and wet, like thoroughly plundering in and touching.
Miao He completely went blank on the lap. He wanted to break free, but the man held him closer to him, buckling them tighter and tighter as he kissed him without restraint.
Miao He lost all strength in all four limbs. His heart pounded against his ribcage erratically, his breathing only lasted short, and his head resembled a bowl of congee, muddled.
Not until he was let go, Miao He did not know how misty his expression was. How fast his breathing was. How his fingers grasped the collar of Dalang like it was his lifeline.
And so, Yang Dalang thumbed Miao He’s lips and sprayed his warm breath on the latter’s face.
He said, “You’re my ger. Just remember it well in your heart.”
***
The next day, Miao He got up and became busy like a spinning top.
He fiddled with the living soil for a while, then headed to the field to plant new vegetables. Next, he top-dressed the vegetable field with additional fertilizer, using the crumbled living soil to grow whatever he pleased to in a flash, then fed the chickens and Dabai as well. After all of that work, Miao He hid in the kitchen after explaining to Yang Dalang he would make stewed pig trotters garnished with scallions for him. Stewed pig trotters with scallions could nourish the blood and reduce swelling. It was a very suitable food tonic for Yang Dalang.
Miao He could not forgive himself for being bad at handling that scene. What scene? It was precisely the shared steamy kiss and him all acting confused the night before. And when the skies lit up, he got out of the bed acting as if nothing had happened and just gathered firewood, rice, oil, and salt. Miao He, who secretly concealed his sexuality in his previous life and had not once talked about it in the past, could not discern how to deal with such an exceedingly difficult situation.
When he met Yang Dalang’s eyes this morning, he felt fidgety and wanted to hide somewhere. Dalang didn’t seem to worry about how they started on the wrong foot. Just by looking at his little ger’s pink face, he instantly knew what was going on in the person’s heart.
When dense pink bubbles floated in their house like spring, the most famous Yangzhou Teahouse in town, specifically in their Tianzi room, was as frigid as winter.
“This dish—last time, there was this dish.”
AD
In the upper wing room decorated in lavish elegance from the most high-grade silk drapes and most exquisite carvings, there was a somber old man within. He wore a sapphire blue robe and a rust-colored Fushuo pattern, which signified happiness and longevity. The old man sat with his shoulders squared and sturdy. Behind him stood a row of well-dressed servants hired to keep guard. He put down his chopsticks and blurted out.
At this moment, the old man faced a table full of fine delicacies. Wisps of steam rose from the bowls and saucepans, winding into a hot air of delightful flavors. However, the portion of each dish was not much less than the initial serving. Only the two dishes pointed out by the old man were eaten over one-third.
‘Why are you balking again when the dishes aren’t finished?’ Shopkeeper Jin, who waited by his side, did not dare call in question. He respectfully withdrew from the wing room and hastily ordered a waiter to relay.
The waiter outside the door heeded his request with a light “en”. He breezed toward the kitchen room and passed on the request. “Tianzi room requests to add some freshly fried three vegetables, and oysters sauce stewed cabbage stems!!”
“Tianzi room requests to add some freshly fried three vegetables, and oysters sauce stewed cabbage stems!!” Another voice passed it on.
Chef Xu Wei’s hand that held a ladle shook. He shouted “coming” and skillfully seasoned a blackened wok in one hand. As he raised the pan from the stove, he shouted, “Are there remains from the box of vegetables yesterday?! Bring it here!”
The second chef wiped his face with his arm sleeves, feeling a little nervous. “Master Xu, there are only two handfuls of cabbage left in that box. We have used the oil rapeseed up!”
Xu Wei scowled. “Get others to make up. Quick!”
“Ai!”
The kitchen did not let people wait too long. They prepared the two dishes and rushed to deliver them to the now stifling arctic den Tianzi room. Inside, the old man had his eyes half-closed and hands clasped together, resting on his stomach. He no longer moved his chopsticks anymore, just waited for the two dishes to arrive. Shopkeeper Jin did not dare wheeze loudly as he felt the oxygen dropping in every second. He lowered his hands and thought about whatever he could think.
Before he brought in, the waiter took a mouthful of air first. He placed the food on the table respectfully. “Your ordered freshly fried three vegetables and oyster sauce stewed cabbage stems. Please enjoy your meal.”
Upon hearing this, the old man deliberated in opening his hands and picked up one chopstick each. The cabbage in freshly fried three vegetables, once again, burst forth rich fresh flavors in the mouth. Equally matching with the crispness of the fungus and the mildly spicy spring bamboo shoots. The old man nodded. When it was his turn to appraise the stew, the old man slammed both chopsticks together and flung them on the table.
“Go to the kitchen and call all of them here.”
Shopkeeper Jin felt cold sweat streamed all over his back. He bowed his head and slipped out of the room, reducing his presence. He pulled a waiter over and rushed him to call the people over. After a while, together with Xu Wei, his assistant, the second chef, and other people in charge of soups and desserts entered Tianzi room in a single file! It was fortunate Tianzi room was big enough to hold several people without bumping on each other. Perhaps they all felt dread creeping up on their bones, thus they all wanted to squeeze together to boost their courage.
“You all want to put out these new dishes to surpass Dahe Restaurant’s tofu pudding? This old man asks you, have you tried their tofu pudding?” No one dared to answer on the spot. “Shopkeeper Jin, let someone buy a table right away. Give these people a try, so they could awake from their delusions.
“But even if there was no tofu pudding to compete, the dishes are still not new.” The old man’s tone may be light, but his words stabbed deeper into the heart.
“Timing and right food—I suppose you have forgotten this principle. Eating the best dishes of the season at the right season is the fundamental mission of Yangshui Teahouse. Look at what you have played — nondescript, trying to please the public with claptrap, and incongruous. Ha, these are all sold at roadside stalls. This old man refused to order them.
“The sole things that could be eaten are the freshly fried three vegetables and oyster sauce stewed cabbage heart. Those dishes aren’t new, but good ingredients could be found, rendering more fame. The second time the stewed cabbage heart was served, the cabbage heart was old and rubbery. Last time it was fresh, tender, and crispy, and now the quality was different. What’s the matter?”
Among all the people, he was the sole person who brought out the qualified vegetables. Xu Wei loosened up a tense breath and replied hastily. “The vegetables were only brought yesterday, and the quantity was small, so we ran out of it today. This was where other substitutes were used.”
“Visitors are not fools. Never treat them as such. If you know it is good, then you’ll consume it a lot. The words of this old man, aren’t they correct?”
“It is just Elder Qu said,” said Nuonuo, taking initiative on behalf of the entire group of people who were scolded.
“Then hurry and set order for the vegetables. In the future, you’ll receive as many vegetables as there are. If you can get such high-quality ingredients, how can you fear Dahe Restaurant’s tofu pudding? We have to gamble over there. Once we receive it, our status will plummet a bit, but don’t let people think we are afraid. The business will not be on the losing end this time. Shopkeeper Jin, can you do it?”
Shopkeeper Jin swooped to bend over. His body nearly folded in half. “Such a heavy task be entrusted to me, I won’t dare fail Elder Qu.”
The old man called Elder Qu swept his icy eyes over the crowd. He dropped another sentence before leaving. “Don’t let this old man down.”
After the event, Yangshui Teahouse was like maddened bulls as they hustled to trace the origin of the box of vegetables. When Wu Mian came over carrying the box, he did not shun away from others’ eyes and ears. Soon enough, Shopkeeper Jin of Yangshui Teahouse tracked him down.
“Want to continue buying the vegetables?” Wu Mian rolled his eyeballs. “Okay, you can just buy it from me!! I know the place and I’ll get the dish!!!”
Shopkeeper Jim’s face sank several degrees down when he heard it.
‘Isn’t this the exact wish Wu Mian desired? To make a profit from it?’
Miao Yuan did not even flit his eyes on Miao He, and it was apparent enough that he was still whitewashing himself.
Aunt Yang hummed a few times. “It’s very good. I came with Brother He today to purchase some tonics and was about to go. Who would have thought this Auntie had chosen a perfectly situated cheap tea stall by the road and wanted to take a break. With a mere sip of tea, someone came up and balked at something inexplicable! Yet, people still walk with him and do not see his acts. Oh ya, no wonder his face is big.”
The first student who stormed there was called Fang Jie. He also knew that the person was Yang family’s elder. Still, he told off those things in front of people. Whether he truly mean harm or just misunderstood, he deserved to be rained down with curses and be choked back. Fang Jie could not help blushing due to embarrassment.
Miao Yuan gritted out a stiff smile as if he heard nothing. “Since we met by chance today, I humbly ask to invite you two for a drink better than this one.”
“No need! The tea you invite as for, I dread will only bring more ruckus after accepting it! It’s better for our families to remain clear through and through separately! Brother He, let’s go settle the bill with the shopkeeper so we can go!” Second Aunt Yang instructed, her displeasure apparent.
Miao He hummed and left the Asura field with a wooden face.
AD
He was itching to cast aside the original host’s profile, and of course, to bang the table and sneered,” Fuck you bullshit! I didn’t see an enormous face, but ferocious dung covered in gold. Do you want to be the city wall?” In only a month, he was anxious about being suspected of overthrowing the original host’s character by employing a “reforming and starting afresh” attitude.
Especially Miao Yuan. He had been with the former host for several years and was quite familiar with his temperament, unlike the familiarity Yang family had toward Miao He. If his strangeness was too obvious, Miao Yuan should be able to discern it better than Yang Dalang.
So Miao He endured first. In any case, the days would come for a long time.
Time reveals a person’s heart. This body’s reputation was on gradual fall out, and one day it would be broken completely over to him!
As for this scumbag, if he wanted to live better than the former host, then Miao He was unafraid of not giving the host a taste of revenge!
The two groups, at last, parted on bad terms.
On the way back, Aunt Yang was beaten black and could not return to her initial mood. Her aggravation was clear on the face. Noticing Miao He beside her was also in low spirits she sighed, and said, “Auntie believes you about this matter today. Don’t recall and think about it too much. What happened in the past was naturally a past, and the situation now, Auntie has separated both to be different.”
Miao He was a little surprised. He thought that Aunt Yang was just protecting his shortcomings. Truly, what you think in the heart was another matter from the actual. He also wanted to explain a few words before getting off the cart, but he did not expect to hear those words first.
“…. Thank you, second aunt.”
“What thanks? Just look at how you still are considerate if growing vegetables to support the family, subsidize with us, buying things and thinking everything in all aspects, and taking care of Dalang as well. I could now live alone in peace knowing that everything seems all well!” Aunt Yang’s mouth spoke of this seriously, but her eyes darted at the mole on Miao He’s wrist.
‘It’s still shallow. Aiya, the two children don’t know what to grind ah.’
“Dalang, ah…. You should explain to him first when you return to avoid hearing it from other people. That guy, ah, will just be in low spirits but will never bring it even if you ask him. You know of this, don’t you?”
When she mentioned Yang Dalang, that scene before going out flashed in Miao He’s mind. His face warmed up at once, and he gave a vague answer.
When they arrived, Aunt Yang lent a hand in moving the big bundles to Miao He’s house, even though they saw Yang Dalang was waiting at the door. Of course, no one would let him do it.
Before Aunt Yang left, Miao He stuffed another box of mung bean cakes she bought for him and told her to take it back and eat with her family. Second Aunt Yang seldomly never decline, so she accepted it. This act of receiving seemed like a pacifier to safeguard Miao He’s heart. The elder actually possessed a fine personality despite her rough exterior, and the longer they got along, the more Miao He gained experience and understanding of his current situation. Compared to the original host’s birth mother, he felt he could give birth to a touch of family feeling.
That night, it was definitely not because of Miao He’s guilty conscience that he cooked his own specialty tomato and egg noodles.
AD
He first fried the egg mixture in a pan greased with flax oil. Then sautéed the garlic, ginger, and sliced tomatoes to release the sweet-smelling flavors of the aromatics; soon, he added water, sugar, a bit of soy sauce, and the leftover chicken bone, and slowly boiled it. When the tomatoes were cooked, he threw the scrambled eggs into the pot for a simmer. During this time, the flavor of the fried eggs would exude into the soup and add another aroma. Then finally, he cracked an egg again and dropped it directly onto the soup to make a flower-shaped egg. Miao He added the noodles to make a simple yet delicious tomato egg noodle.
There was a punch of refreshing sourness and sweetness offered by the quality of fresh fruit in the soup, mixed in with the salty, fragrant sesame oil and eggs, topped with smooth noodles made of pure white flour. The tip of Miao He’s nose was sweating, and Yang Dalang also busied himself in eating without a word. He hesitated in his heart—should he say it now or wait for a little while?
‘Since Dalang was eating merrily, then let’s wait for a while.’
Ever since he returned home, Miao He had been figuring out the certain timing. He felt no dread in saying it, but he could feel that their relationship had tuned in for good and was uncertain whether the matter could ruin their relationship back to zero. Yang Dalang was against him visiting the town before, and whether this was the exact reason for it, Miao He could not fathom an answer. But Aunt Yang’s reminder also yielded the truth. He would rather say it himself than Yang Dalang hearing it from the mouth of others.
Another thing that Miao He was oblivious to, was that the more he considered the man’s feelings, the more he opened his heart to this person.
He procrastinated until the meal was over and even after finishing the entire box of mung bean cakes all by himself. As he sighed, Miao He picked up the courage, smoothed his lips, and finally said, “Today, Second Aunt Yang and I encountered Miao Yuan in town. It was only a coincidence!” Dabai struggled a little on his lap and straightened itself up to eat the mung bean cake happily.
Yang Dalang’s pitch-black eyes were elusive under the oil lamp. “Then?”
AD
Miao He honestly recounted the entire conversation that happened. In other words, this served as a startup to prepare Yang Dalang psychologically.
Yang Dalang only said, “You came back uneasy because of this?”
Miao He twisted and untwisted his hands. “…. Obviously?”
Yang Dalang hummed in response. Then there was silence, letting Miao He not know what he pondered in his mind.
Miao He was scared he would think too much, so he could not help coming over and sitting on the bench Yang Dalang sat on. He leaned over and said, “I truly didn’t go to the stall to wait for people. It was unknown to me they’d rest there too! If I knew, I wouldn’t have gone to town today.”
Yang Dalang gazed at Miao He and calmly said, “Why do you need to hide?”
Miao He choked. ‘Isn’t it just because I’m worried about you?’
At that moment, Yang Dalang stretched out his hands and pulled. Miao He’s center of gravity was unstable equilibrium, so his upper body lurched forward and landed on Yang Dalang’s lap. His hands also took support from the latter’s leg, and Dabai leaped away with a meow. Miao He could not help feeling a little nervous. He wanted to get up as fast as he could, but he worried he would harm the person if he did so.
“Your injury—”
And the rest of the words were all cut off by Yang Dalang.
He inclined his head to the side. Like a predator stalking his prey. And bit Miao He’s mouth in one swoop.
And this kiss, at all, was unlike the peck in the morning.
It was deep, tight, hot, and wet, like thoroughly plundering in and touching.
Miao He completely went blank on the lap. He wanted to break free, but the man held him closer to him, buckling them tighter and tighter as he kissed him without restraint.
Miao He lost all strength in all four limbs. His heart pounded against his ribcage erratically, his breathing only lasted short, and his head resembled a bowl of congee, muddled.
Not until he was let go, Miao He did not know how misty his expression was. How fast his breathing was. How his fingers grasped the collar of Dalang like it was his lifeline.
And so, Yang Dalang thumbed Miao He’s lips and sprayed his warm breath on the latter’s face.
He said, “You’re my ger. Just remember it well in your heart.”
***
The next day, Miao He got up and became busy like a spinning top.
He fiddled with the living soil for a while, then headed to the field to plant new vegetables. Next, he top-dressed the vegetable field with additional fertilizer, using the crumbled living soil to grow whatever he pleased to in a flash, then fed the chickens and Dabai as well. After all of that work, Miao He hid in the kitchen after explaining to Yang Dalang he would make stewed pig trotters garnished with scallions for him. Stewed pig trotters with scallions could nourish the blood and reduce swelling. It was a very suitable food tonic for Yang Dalang.
Miao He could not forgive himself for being bad at handling that scene. What scene? It was precisely the shared steamy kiss and him all acting confused the night before. And when the skies lit up, he got out of the bed acting as if nothing had happened and just gathered firewood, rice, oil, and salt. Miao He, who secretly concealed his sexuality in his previous life and had not once talked about it in the past, could not discern how to deal with such an exceedingly difficult situation.
When he met Yang Dalang’s eyes this morning, he felt fidgety and wanted to hide somewhere. Dalang didn’t seem to worry about how they started on the wrong foot. Just by looking at his little ger’s pink face, he instantly knew what was going on in the person’s heart.
When dense pink bubbles floated in their house like spring, the most famous Yangzhou Teahouse in town, specifically in their Tianzi room, was as frigid as winter.
“This dish—last time, there was this dish.”
AD
In the upper wing room decorated in lavish elegance from the most high-grade silk drapes and most exquisite carvings, there was a somber old man within. He wore a sapphire blue robe and a rust-colored Fushuo pattern, which signified happiness and longevity. The old man sat with his shoulders squared and sturdy. Behind him stood a row of well-dressed servants hired to keep guard. He put down his chopsticks and blurted out.
At this moment, the old man faced a table full of fine delicacies. Wisps of steam rose from the bowls and saucepans, winding into a hot air of delightful flavors. However, the portion of each dish was not much less than the initial serving. Only the two dishes pointed out by the old man were eaten over one-third.
‘Why are you balking again when the dishes aren’t finished?’ Shopkeeper Jin, who waited by his side, did not dare call in question. He respectfully withdrew from the wing room and hastily ordered a waiter to relay.
The waiter outside the door heeded his request with a light “en”. He breezed toward the kitchen room and passed on the request. “Tianzi room requests to add some freshly fried three vegetables, and oysters sauce stewed cabbage stems!!”
“Tianzi room requests to add some freshly fried three vegetables, and oysters sauce stewed cabbage stems!!” Another voice passed it on.
Chef Xu Wei’s hand that held a ladle shook. He shouted “coming” and skillfully seasoned a blackened wok in one hand. As he raised the pan from the stove, he shouted, “Are there remains from the box of vegetables yesterday?! Bring it here!”
The second chef wiped his face with his arm sleeves, feeling a little nervous. “Master Xu, there are only two handfuls of cabbage left in that box. We have used the oil rapeseed up!”
Xu Wei scowled. “Get others to make up. Quick!”
“Ai!”
The kitchen did not let people wait too long. They prepared the two dishes and rushed to deliver them to the now stifling arctic den Tianzi room. Inside, the old man had his eyes half-closed and hands clasped together, resting on his stomach. He no longer moved his chopsticks anymore, just waited for the two dishes to arrive. Shopkeeper Jin did not dare wheeze loudly as he felt the oxygen dropping in every second. He lowered his hands and thought about whatever he could think.
Before he brought in, the waiter took a mouthful of air first. He placed the food on the table respectfully. “Your ordered freshly fried three vegetables and oyster sauce stewed cabbage stems. Please enjoy your meal.”
Upon hearing this, the old man deliberated in opening his hands and picked up one chopstick each. The cabbage in freshly fried three vegetables, once again, burst forth rich fresh flavors in the mouth. Equally matching with the crispness of the fungus and the mildly spicy spring bamboo shoots. The old man nodded. When it was his turn to appraise the stew, the old man slammed both chopsticks together and flung them on the table.
“Go to the kitchen and call all of them here.”
Shopkeeper Jin felt cold sweat streamed all over his back. He bowed his head and slipped out of the room, reducing his presence. He pulled a waiter over and rushed him to call the people over. After a while, together with Xu Wei, his assistant, the second chef, and other people in charge of soups and desserts entered Tianzi room in a single file! It was fortunate Tianzi room was big enough to hold several people without bumping on each other. Perhaps they all felt dread creeping up on their bones, thus they all wanted to squeeze together to boost their courage.
“You all want to put out these new dishes to surpass Dahe Restaurant’s tofu pudding? This old man asks you, have you tried their tofu pudding?” No one dared to answer on the spot. “Shopkeeper Jin, let someone buy a table right away. Give these people a try, so they could awake from their delusions.
“But even if there was no tofu pudding to compete, the dishes are still not new.” The old man’s tone may be light, but his words stabbed deeper into the heart.
“Timing and right food—I suppose you have forgotten this principle. Eating the best dishes of the season at the right season is the fundamental mission of Yangshui Teahouse. Look at what you have played — nondescript, trying to please the public with claptrap, and incongruous. Ha, these are all sold at roadside stalls. This old man refused to order them.
“The sole things that could be eaten are the freshly fried three vegetables and oyster sauce stewed cabbage heart. Those dishes aren’t new, but good ingredients could be found, rendering more fame. The second time the stewed cabbage heart was served, the cabbage heart was old and rubbery. Last time it was fresh, tender, and crispy, and now the quality was different. What’s the matter?”
Among all the people, he was the sole person who brought out the qualified vegetables. Xu Wei loosened up a tense breath and replied hastily. “The vegetables were only brought yesterday, and the quantity was small, so we ran out of it today. This was where other substitutes were used.”
“Visitors are not fools. Never treat them as such. If you know it is good, then you’ll consume it a lot. The words of this old man, aren’t they correct?”
“It is just Elder Qu said,” said Nuonuo, taking initiative on behalf of the entire group of people who were scolded.
“Then hurry and set order for the vegetables. In the future, you’ll receive as many vegetables as there are. If you can get such high-quality ingredients, how can you fear Dahe Restaurant’s tofu pudding? We have to gamble over there. Once we receive it, our status will plummet a bit, but don’t let people think we are afraid. The business will not be on the losing end this time. Shopkeeper Jin, can you do it?”
Shopkeeper Jin swooped to bend over. His body nearly folded in half. “Such a heavy task be entrusted to me, I won’t dare fail Elder Qu.”
The old man called Elder Qu swept his icy eyes over the crowd. He dropped another sentence before leaving. “Don’t let this old man down.”
After the event, Yangshui Teahouse was like maddened bulls as they hustled to trace the origin of the box of vegetables. When Wu Mian came over carrying the box, he did not shun away from others’ eyes and ears. Soon enough, Shopkeeper Jin of Yangshui Teahouse tracked him down.
“Want to continue buying the vegetables?” Wu Mian rolled his eyeballs. “Okay, you can just buy it from me!! I know the place and I’ll get the dish!!!”
Shopkeeper Jim’s face sank several degrees down when he heard it.
‘Isn’t this the exact wish Wu Mian desired? To make a profit from it?’
