Chapter 51-55

Chapter 51: Meat Zongzi

The entire half of the day, Jiang Erniu had not encountered any hardships. Instead, he was met with kindness from Xia Mingyue and the others, who patiently taught him everything they knew.

Now, Xia Mingyue was even helping him attract business without reservation, completely unconcerned about competition. Rather than worrying that his business might affect hers, she was more concerned that he wouldn’t succeed.

Joining her business was undoubtedly the second-best decision of his life——right after marrying Feng.

Wiping his eyes discreetly, Jiang Erniu took a deep breath and threw himself into his work with even greater determination.

For lunch, Xia Mingyue and the others had meat dumplings.

The meat inside was soft, tender, and bursting with flavor. Each bite was infused with rich, fragrant juices, and the generous filling ensured that every mouthful was satisfying.

Not only was the meat delicious, but the glutinous rice surrounding it had fully absorbed the marinade and the essence of the meat, making it equally flavorful. Even when eating just the rice, one could taste the deep, meaty aroma, as if savoring the meat itself.

In short, it was delicious!

Jiang Erniu, who was invited to try two dumplings, was wide-eyed with astonishment after the first bite.

He had never heard of savory rice dumplings before, let alone imagined that meat could be wrapped inside them. The very concept was unheard of in his world. But the reality? Absolutely mouthwatering.

Madam Xia’s culinary skills were beyond anything he had ever expected.

No wonder she wasn’t afraid of others stealing her recipes or worried that an apprentice might become a competitor.

A master of her level would never starve.

Doing business with such a person and learning her skills could only bring endless benefits. There was no way this would be a loss.

By the end of the day, Jiang Erniu’s resolve to follow Xia Mingyue in business had solidified——stronger than the stone lions standing guard in front of Jinqiu County’s government office.

Xia Mingyue’s first attempt at making bamboo tube rice dumplings had been a resounding success. Her confidence soared, and in the afternoon, she began preparing materials to supply the county school the next day.

At precisely four in the afternoon, the bamboo delivery arrived.

Ten sturdy, high-quality bamboo stalks——just as good as last time.

After inspecting them, Xia Mingyue handed the young deliveryman a string of copper coins.

To make it easier for him to carry, she had thoughtfully threaded them onto a rope.

The young man, delighted by the heavy weight of the coins, beamed so widely that his eyes nearly disappeared behind his smile. "Madam Xia, if you ever need more bamboo in the future, just come to me! My surname is He, and my name is Shunzi. I live in Hejiazhuang, south of the city——not far from here. I guarantee I’ll always bring you the best bamboo...."

Before he could finish, He Shunzi suddenly sniffed the air. "What a wonderful smell.... like..., meat?"

Wu Jin, who had been happily chewing on a piece of meat, immediately turned and clamped the lid shut on the earthenware jar.

That piece of meat was his. No one else could have it.

"It’s probably the scent of the meat dumplings," Xia Mingyue said with a smile. "You've been working hard delivering bamboo for us these past days. Here, have a dumpling as a thank-you."

There were still a few dumplings left over from lunch——ones made when they had run low on meat and ended up with more glutinous rice than usual. Each bamboo tube had only a small amount of meat inside.

"Thank you, Madam Xia! Thank you so much!" He Shunzi was taken aback by her generosity. Bowing repeatedly, he eagerly accepted the long, bamboo-wrapped dumpling she handed him.

"This is really unique," he marveled, inspecting it. "I've never seen a zongzi made with meat before!"

Then, he took a bite.

The moment the rich, savory flavors spread across his tongue, his eyes lit up like stars.

"Madam Xia," he blurted out, already reaching for his string of copper coins. "Do you have any more of these dumplings? I want to buy some!"

Xia Mingyue felt speechless.

Was business just walking straight to her now?

She had originally planned to save the remaining dumplings for dinner. Since these particular ones had less meat than usual, she had made fewer of them than her standard batches.

"This dumpling is incredible!" He Shunzi pleaded when he saw her hesitation. "Please, just sell me a few. I don’t even mind paying extra!"

Seeing his enthusiasm, Xia Mingyue decided not to refuse. She pulled out five more bamboo-wrapped dumplings. "Since you live far away, it’s best to take them as they are, without unwrapping the bamboo. Normally, a meat dumpling costs ten coins, but these have less meat, so I’ll sell them to you for eight each."

"Thank you, Madam Xia!" He Shunzi quickly counted out his payment. Then, as if suddenly struck by a thought, he added an extra five coins.

"It wouldn’t be right for me to take advantage of your kindness," he said. "Think of this as a small token of gratitude."

Before Xia Mingyue could react, he snatched up the five bamboo tube dumplings——still holding the one he had been eating in his mouth——and hurried off.

Xia Mingyue stood there for a moment, then chuckled.

He Shunzi was an honest man.

With the bamboo delivered, there was no time to rest. Xia Mingyue immediately set to work processing it.

Meanwhile, He Shunzi, clutching his bundle of rice dumplings, left the city gates.

Instead of heading south toward Hejiazhuang, he veered westward, arriving at the entrance of a grand estate.

The manor sprawled across an enormous area. Its high walls gleaming white under the sun. Intricately designed eaves lined the rooftops, their tiles expertly arranged to repel rain. The imposing main gate bore a lavishly gilded plaque inscribed with three elegant characters: "De Xin Yuan."

Clearly, the owner was someone of great status.

But He Shunzi didn’t approach the grand entrance. Instead, he walked along the perimeter and knocked lightly on a small side door.

The door creaked open, revealing a round-faced servant. Upon seeing He Shunzi, the servant narrowed his eyes. "Oh, it’s you."

"It’s me," He Shunzi bowed. "Is Steward Fu available today?"

"Steward Fu is here, but he’s busy overseeing the preparations for the old madam’s arrival. I doubt he has time to see you."

With an esteemed elder returning, Steward Fu would only become even busier.

He Shunzi felt a pang of disappointment but forced a smile. "I won’t trouble him, then. I just brought something rare I found in the county——a bamboo tube meat dumpling. I bought a few to share with him as a token of goodwill."

He handed one to the servant. "This one is for you, too. The rest, please deliver to Steward Fu on my behalf."

Seeing that He Shunzi was tactful enough to offer him something as well, the servant’s attitude softened. Grinning, he said, "Alright, I’ll make sure he gets it and put in a good word for you. But you better remember us if you get the job."

He Shunzi was hoping to secure the contract to deliver fresh vegetables and eggs to the estate.

It would be hard work, involving constant supply runs from local farms, but the profit would be substantial.

And He Shunzi was not afraid of hard work.

He had no desire to live a life where he had too much free time but not enough food to eat.

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Chapter 52: Difficulties

Hearing the servant’s response, He Shunzi smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I will. If I manage to secure this job, I will definitely work hard and do it well. Besides, this household keeps many chickens——I can also take care of supplying eggs and poultry."

Whether this was true or not, it sounded reassuring to hear.

The servant, who already had a favorable impression of He Shunzi for his intelligence and capability, chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "I’ll be waiting then. I won’t keep you any longer——you need to find an opportunity to approach Steward Fu soon. The old madam’s carriage is expected to arrive this evening. If you delay, you might miss your chance."

"Then I won’t hold you up any longer," He Shunzi said, bowing politely. He waited until the side door closed before straightening up and heading home.

He glanced down at the bamboo tube rice dumplings in his hands and muttered to himself, I hope this helps me today. If I manage to land this job, I’ll definitely thank Madam Xia!

Meanwhile, the servant who accepted the rice dumplings from He Shunzi left one for himself before heading off to inform Steward Fu.

When Steward Fu heard about He Shunzi’s visit, he chuckled. "That He Shunzi is quite sharp——he knows how to get things done."

"Exactly," the servant grinned. "Didn’t you say the current vegetable supplier is dull and inefficient? Now that someone more capable has come along, why not give him a try, Steward Fu?"

Steward Fu nodded. "We’ll discuss it after the old madam arrives and settles in...."

Before he could finish, another servant rushed over, panting. "Steward Fu! Someone just reported that the old madam’s carriage is only five miles away. Madam Gui, who’s traveling with her, has asked us to prepare for her arrival."

At once, Steward Fu’s expression turned serious. "Quickly! Open the gates and have everyone assemble to welcome her. Get the sedan chair ready! Call a few sharp people to stand by in case she has additional requests."

This was the first time someone would be staying at the estate since its construction, and it was no ordinary guest. The old madam was once the matriarch of the He family. Now elderly and in poor health, she had chosen to move here for a quieter life away from the bustling household. She wasn’t coming alone, either——she was bringing over fifty servants and more than ten carts full of personal belongings.

Steward Fu had never met her before, but he could guess she was a formidable woman. Likely strict, authoritative, and certainly not easy to please.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he rushed about, his inner garments already damp with nervous perspiration.

Seeing how busy Steward Fu was, the servant didn’t disturb him further. Instead, he placed the bamboo tube rice dumpling in the small kitchen, planning to heat it up and deliver it to Steward Fu later that evening.

Seeing how busy Steward Fu was, the servant didn’t disturb him further. Instead, he placed the bamboo tube rice dumpling in the small kitchen, planning to heat it up and deliver it to Steward Fu later that evening.

With their prior experience handling bamboo, Xia Mingyue and her helpers worked efficiently this time. They sawed and split all ten bamboos in about the same amount of time as before.

Washing, soaking glutinous rice, marinating meat, grinding bean paste, cutting candied dates....

By noon the next day, Xia Mingyue and Zhao Dahu set out together to deliver the bamboo tube rice dumplings, along with their usual supply of pancakes and cold noodles.

The load was heavy, and the journey from West Street to the county school in Dongcheng District was quite a distance. To make transport easier, Xia Mingyue borrowed a flatbed cart and hauled everything in one trip.

As they arrived at the school gate, the gatekeeper, Old Li, hurried out to meet them. "Madam Xia, quickly, over here!" He called in a hushed but urgent tone.

Seeing his anxious expression, Xia Mingyue frowned. "What’s going on?"

"Madam Xia, don’t ask for now——just push the cart over to that corner and wait for my signal. When I give you the cue, you can come over."

While speaking, Old Li helped her push the cart into position and added in a low voice, "Remember, don’t step forward until I gave you a signal. If I don’t, stay put no matter what."

Hearing how serious he sounded, Xia Mingyue nodded. "Alright, I understand."

She, then, motioned to Zhao Dahu. The two of them waited patiently in the designated spot.

However, curiosity got the better of her. Every now and then, she peeked out to observe what was happening.

The county school’s gate remained firmly shut throughout the noon hour. No students emerged for their usual meal break. A quarter-hour passed before the doors finally opened, and a few scholars, who were clearly teachers, stepped out.

Among them were Dai Changnian and Shen Yongan, walking side by side.

Dai Changnian scanned the empty street and nodded approvingly. "It seems my warning to the students yesterday had some effect."

At last, he wouldn’t have to deal with them constantly fussing over street food.

"Indeed," Shen Yongan agreed, though his expression was tinged with disappointment.

That rice dumpling had been truly delicious.

Since eating it that day, he hadn’t been able to forget the taste. After school yesterday, he had taken a walk around the market, even purchasing a few zongzi from different vendors. But none of them came close to the one he had eaten.

He couldn’t outright ask Zhang Mingyi and Fan Pingyang where they had bought it, so he could only hope that they’d decide to buy more——then he’d find a way to "ask" for a few.

But now.... He sighed

I suppose I’ll never get to taste that rice dumpling again.

Shen Yongan let out another quiet sigh of regret.

"Master Shen, you’ve seemed rather preoccupied these past two days. Is something troubling you?" Dai Changnian asked with concern.

Shen Yongan quickly composed himself. "It’s nothing serious. I appreciate your concern, Master Dai." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Perhaps it’s just the heat. The rising temperatures can make people feel sluggish."

"Then you should see a doctor soon," Dai Changnian advised.

Since Shen Yongan’s arrival at the county school, he had been diligent in his work. Dai Changnian assumed his fatigue stemmed from overworking.

"I’ll look into it when I have the time," Shen Yongan replied absentmindedly.

Just as he was about to continue walking, he suddenly paused. His expression shifted. "I just realized——I left my purse in the room. Master Dai, please wait a moment while I retrieve it."

"No need," Dai Changnian waved a hand. "I’ll cover the tea today."

Shen Yongan shook his head. "We agreed that I would treat you, and I intend to keep my word. I’ll be right back——Master Dai can wait for me at the teahouse."

Without waiting for a response, he gave a respectful nod and turned back toward the county school.

At that moment, by the school gates, Old Li saw that the teachers had walked far enough away. At last, he gestured for Xia Mingyue to come over.

Then, he called into the schoolyard.

At the signal, Zhang Mingyi, Fan Pingyang, and two other scholars who had purchased Xia Mingyue’s rice dumplings yesterday tiptoed out.

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Chapter 53: Is Over

After stepping out of the schoolyard, they instinctively scanned their surroundings once more, ensuring no lurking danger. Only then did they straighten their backs and stride toward the gate, heading for Xia Mingyue’s flatbed cart to collect their much-anticipated food.

Yet, despite their efforts to appear composed, an air of tension lingered among them. Their movements were hurried, their glances wary——like spies on a clandestine mission.

Xia Mingyue couldn’t help but chuckle. “What are you all sneaking around for?”

Zhang Mingyi sighed in exasperation. “It’s because of what happened last time. Remember that farce? Master Shen caught us, and we were punished with endless book-copying. Word got out, and somehow, it escalated into a dispute between us. To make matters worse, the others ran to Madam Xia’s stall, bought heaps of rice dumplings, and then flaunted them in front of everyone.”

His expression turned even more helpless. “Master Dai found out about it and was furious. He strictly forbade us from bringing outside food into the county school. But we had already placed today’s order with Madam Xia, and we couldn’t just back out. So, we had no choice but to wait until the teachers left before sneaking back to get our food.”

Fan Pingyang nodded in agreement. “The teachers are already upset. We don’t want to provoke them further, so we’ll hold off on buying from Madam Xia for a few days. Once things settle down, we can resume.” He added eagerly, “But when we do come back, Madam Xia has to prepare even more delicious dishes for us!”

Xia Mingyue smiled. “Alright, alright.”

So that’s why they were acting so strangely. No wonder. It all stemmed from the teachers’ scolding.

Perhaps, due to their constant distractions, these students hadn’t been focusing on their studies, which only fueled their teachers’ frustration.

Xia Mingyue could understand that frustration. After achieving fame in modern times, she had returned to her culinary school as an honorary lecturer. She had seen firsthand how disappointing it was when students failed to progress——it was like a volcano ready to erupt! Impossible to contain.

With all the food finally collected, Zhang Mingyi and the others hurried back, while Xia Mingyue and Zhao Dahu quickly pulled the flatbed cart away from the county school gate.

Inside the school grounds, Zhang Mingyi and the others immediately began distributing the food according to their prearranged list.

Money exchanged hands, and food was passed around in an orderly fashion——no pushing, no scrambling. Each person received their portion in turn.

Crispy meat pancakes, spicy and refreshing cold noodles, fragrant and tender bamboo tube rice dumplings....

With such a feast, they would surely have enough energy to power through their afternoon studies!

But, the lively atmosphere was soon interrupted by a panicked cry.

“Master Shen is back!”

Disaster!

In an instant, the cheerful mood dissolved into sheer panic.

"Weren’t Master Shen and Master Dai supposed to be at the teahouse meeting friends? Why are they back so soon?”

“You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?”

“Forget that! Just run!”

Chaos erupted. Within moments, the students scattered in all directions, abandoning their half-distributed food. Only Zhang Mingyi and Fan Pingyang remained, standing dumbfounded in the aftermath.

“These guys...!” Fan Pingyang cursed under his breath. “So much for loyalty!”

“No time to worry about them now,” Zhang Mingyi said hastily. “Let’s hide the food before Master Shen sees it. I still haven’t recovered from the last book-copying punishment.”

Realizing the urgency, Fan Pingyang quickly helped him wrap everything in oil paper before tucking it away in the flower bed.

The flower bed was dense with green pines, bamboo, and a few wintersweet blossoms. With such thick foliage, unless someone looked closely, the packages would remain well-hidden.

They had barely finished when Shen Yongan appeared.

“Master Shen!” Both of them greeted him hurriedly, forcing their expressions to remain neutral.

Shen Yongan’s gaze swept over them. “What are you two doing here?”

Zhang Mingyi was quick to respond. “We just ate at the canteen and came out for a walk to help with digestion.”

Fan Pingyang chimed in immediately. “And to review the lesson from this morning.”

Shen Yongan nodded, seemingly uninterested. He had only returned to retrieve his money pouch, so he simply advised them, “If you’re going to review your lessons, do it inside. Standing around like this will only invite suspicion.”

“Yes, Master! You’re absolutely right.” They both agreed in unison before making a swift retreat.

With that, Shen Yongan entered the room, retrieved his purse, and headed out again.

However, as he reached the gate, he suddenly stopped.

“Master Shen,” Old Li greeted him.

Shen Yongan gave a slight nod, then sniffed the air. “Do you smell that?”

Old Li visibly flinched before frantically waving his hands. “No! Absolutely not! I smell nothing at all!”

To further distance himself from suspicion, Old Li quickly stepped outside, as if removing himself from the scene would erase any connection to the enticing aroma in the air.

But Shen Yongan frowned. He was certain he smelled something.

Driven by curiosity, he followed the scent until he spotted a pile of neatly arranged oil paper packages beneath the green bamboo.

Unwrapping one, he found two distinct types of food: a common meat pancake and something unfamiliar yet strangely nostalgic——an oddly shaped dumpling.

More importantly..., this dumpling....

Shen Yongan’s eyes widened. He leaned in, inhaling deeply. The rich, savory aroma, the unmistakable chunks of real meat, the glossy brown hue——this was undoubtedly a meat zongzi!

Jinqiu County was in the north, where rice dumplings were traditionally sweet, filled with red bean paste or candied dates. Salty meat zongzi like the ones from his hometown were unheard of here.

Yet, against all odds, one had appeared before him today.

A wave of memories surged through him. The nostalgia was so overwhelming that he wanted nothing more than to take a bite, to see if it tasted just like the ones from home.

But this food wasn’t his.

Taking something without permission was theft, and as a scholar, he would never allow himself to commit such an act.

Gripping the dumpling tightly, he turned, intent on finding its rightful owner.

At that moment, Zhang Mingyi and Fan Pingyang, having cautiously returned to reclaim their stash, froze in horror at the sight of Shen Yongan holding the zongzi.

Their faces turned deathly pale.

“Master Shen....”

It was over. There was no escaping punishment now.

Shen Yongan regarded them seriously. “This food belongs to you?”

There was no use in denying it. They had been caught red-handed.

Resigned, they nodded. “Yes....”

Shen Yongan exhaled, relieved. That made things simple.

Reaching into his purse, he retrieved some coins. “I’ll buy this zongzi. How much is it?”

“Ten cents each——” Zhang Mingyi began, but Fan Pingyang hastily elbowed him.

“Master Shen, please just take it. Talking about money makes it feel..., awkward.”

__________________________

Chapter 54: Pickled Garlic

After saying that, Fan Pingyang shot Zhang Mingyi a helpless glance.

This guy was really clueless. How could he still ask the teacher for money at a time like this? If Master Shen got angry and decided to confiscate all the remaining food money, not only would they have to return the coins, but they’d also end up with no lunch!

"Whether I'm being kind or not has nothing to do with these ten coins." Shen Yongan calmly counted out the amount and handed it to them. "Don't worry, taking money from you won’t make me any angrier. However, you were just reprimanded by the teachers this morning. It would be wise to show some restraint."

"Yes, of course." Fan Pingyang nodded hastily. "We won’t do this again. It’s just that today's order was placed two days ago, and we couldn't go back on our word. We had no choice but to follow through. I hope you understand, Master Shen."

"A man of integrity, I see." Shen Yongan gave a slight nod. "Fine, I won’t pursue this matter further, but if you dare pull this stunt again, be prepared for a serious punishment!"

"Understood!"

Zhang Mingyi and Fan Pingyang responded immediately, trembling slightly. But after a long pause, they realized no further scolding was coming. When they looked up again, they saw only Shen Yongan’s retreating figure.

"What's going on with Master Shen today? Why is he being so... lenient?" Zhang Mingyi wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I thought we were done for!"

"Even a strict master will be grateful to those who bring him something he has longed for," Fan Pingyang said knowingly, nodding as if he had uncovered a great truth.

"But Master Shen has never been one to indulge in food and drink." Zhang Mingyi remained skeptical.

Why would they be let off the hook just because of a rice dumpling?

"We weren’t food lovers before, either." Fan Pingyang rolled his eyes. "It’s just that we had never tasted Madam Xia’s cooking before."

"...That actually makes some sense."

A person doesn’t crave what they’ve never experienced, but once they do, it’s hard to go back.

Even Master Shen was powerless before the irresistible charm of Madam Xia’s cooking!

Feeling slightly relieved but still cautious, Zhang Mingyi worried that Master Shen might return——or worse, another teacher might show up. Without lingering any longer, he quickly gathered the food with Fan Pingyang and hurried away.

Meanwhile, Shen Yongan, now at a quiet corner, stopped in his tracks.

Making sure no one was around, he unwrapped the rice dumpling and took a bite.

The soft, glutinous texture and the rich, savory fragrance immediately spread through his mouth. It was even better than the candied date dumpling he had last time. Most importantly, it tasted strikingly similar to the meat rice dumplings from his hometown.

"This taste...."

It was just like home.

Shen Yongan took a deep breath, lost in nostalgia.

With the county school no longer placing daily food orders, Xia Mingyue shifted her focus entirely to teaching Jiang Erniu how to cook and helping him secure a good location for his food stall.

Jiang Erniu was a diligent learner. In just a few days, he had mastered the art of making pancakes, wrapping, and cooking wontons with impressive skill.

As for the stall’s location....

Previously, with the county school’s orders, Xia Mingyue had planned to set up Jiang Erniu’s stall on East Street. It was a prime spot——not only did it have a stable customer base, but it also helped ease the business pressure from her own stall.

However, given the recent situation at the county school, she worried that it might backfire. Instead, she turned her attention to North Street.

Unlike the refined and wealthy East District, the people of North Street were mostly laborers——hardworking individuals who, after earning their wages, sought out good food as their first priority. Though not as affluent, their spending power was strong, making it a far better option than West Street.

After scouting the area, she finally settled on a spot.

It was at the entrance of an alley——a spacious location, though not free. It required a monthly fee of fifty copper coins.

But the price came with benefits: at night, someone would watch over the tables, chairs, and stove, and they could even use the well in the backyard for water.

Overall, it was a convenient and cost-effective choice.

Jiang Erniu finalized the location and immediately began preparing——setting up a shed, arranging tables and chairs, buying a stove, bowls, and chopsticks, and gathering all the essentials for opening day.

That afternoon, a light rain began to fall, its steady drizzle creating ripples on the ground.

"The sky has been gloomy all day, and now the rain has finally come," Sister Lu sighed, watching the water drip from the eaves. "At least it waited until after breakfast. If it had started earlier, the roads would have turned to mud."

The rain wasn’t particularly heavy, but working in such dreary weather carried a certain loneliness.

"At least there’s no wind," Jiang Zhuguo noted.

The wheat harvest began after the Dragon Boat Festival. This was the critical period when the grains ripened. If strong winds came now, not only would the wheat fail to grow properly, but the stalks might fall, making harvesting difficult. Worse, if the grains got stuck in the damp soil, they could turn moldy or start sprouting prematurely.

Coming from a farming family, Jiang Zhuguo knew all too well how crucial this stage was.

Xia Mingyue glanced at the dark, overcast sky, which looked as heavy as an iron pot lid. "At this rate, the rain will probably continue all day tomorrow. It might be best to take a day off from the stall."

Everyone had been working hard lately, and exhaustion was beginning to show. A short break wouldn’t hurt.

"Brother Jiang, take this time to prepare the last few things needed for the opening."

"Alright," the group agreed.

Not needing to prepare ingredients for the next day, they finished washing up early and went about their own tasks.

Xia Mingyue, meanwhile, took out the piles of fresh garlic that Sister Lu had bought over the past few days and began peeling them.

The garlic was newly harvested and not completely dried yet. When peeling, she didn’t strip off all the layers——just enough to remove the root and the rough outer skin, leaving the delicate inner layers intact.

After washing and drying them, she placed them in a clean earthenware jar.

She then mixed white vinegar and sugar, brought it to a boil, let it cool completely, added a splash of white wine, and poured the mixture over the garlic, fully submerging it. Finally, she sealed the jar tightly with wax.

When the first jar was done, she started on a second batch——this time using darker rice vinegar and brown sugar.

The result? One jar of white pickled garlic and another of reddish-brown pickled garlic. Though the flavors were identical, the visual contrast would make for a more appealing dish. In about half a month, they would be perfectly crisp, refreshing, and delicious.

Just imagining the crunchy, tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor made her mouth water.

But now that she had garlic, she needed something to eat it with.

After a moment of thought, she reached for the bundle of fresh celery resting in the kitchen corner.

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Chapter 55: Steamed Vegetables

But what she needed now wasn’t the thick, juicy celery stalks, but the tender green celery leaves.

After plucking them all, she washed them thoroughly and set them aside to drain. Then, Xia Mingyue began peeling carrots and potatoes.

Jiang Zhuguo, who was helping nearby, watched as the celery leaves were mixed with the shredded carrots and potatoes. When he saw Xia Mingyue scoop out some flour, he suddenly realized what was happening.

"Sister Xia, are you planning to make steamed vegetables?"

But..., steamed dishes aren’t that great....

Jiang Zhuguo’s family didn’t have much land, and with his father’s education expenses to cover, they had to save every bit of food. To stretch their meals, they often relied on vegetable leaves to fill their stomachs.

Steamed dishes were a staple in their home.

Steamed elm seeds, steamed locust flowers, steamed wild greens, steamed broom sprouts, steamed cabbage, steamed radish leaves, steamed celery leaves....

She had eaten them all.

For Jiang Zhuguo, these dishes were a lingering childhood nightmare. Still, compared to eating wild vegetable pancakes, they were at least tolerable.

Some families, even poorer than hers, would have been delighted just to mix some white flour into their steamed greens. They would consider it a rare and delicious treat.

Maybe Sister Xia had heard others praise this dish and wanted to try it herself?

As she continued tending the fire, Jiang Zhuguo hesitated. Should she warn Sister Xia not to get her hopes up? Before she could say anything, Xia Mingyue had already coated the vegetable mix with flour and placed it in the steamer once the water boiled.

After one steeping of tea, she lifted the lid, stirred the mixture with chopsticks, added another dusting of flour, and mixed it evenly before steaming it a little longer.

After another steeping of tea, the dish was done. Xia Mingyue scooped generous portions into large bowls and served them.

Jiang Zhuguo hesitated before taking a bite.

The moment the steamed vegetables touched her tongue, she was stunned.

The texture wasn’t the sticky, watery mess she remembered. Instead, the flour had evenly coated every celery leaf and every vegetable shred, keeping them dry and fluffy. Each bite carried a fragrant blend of wheat and vegetables.

It was completely different from the steamed dishes she had known.

Paired with the fresh garlic sauce Xia Mingyue had just made, the flavors came alive——the pungency of garlic, the earthiness of vegetables, the warmth of wheat——melding into an unexpectedly delicious harmony.

The more she ate, the more she wanted.

Was this... more satisfying than meat?

Jiang Zhuguo never thought she would one day devour steamed vegetables so enthusiastically, unable to stop herself.

What she didn’t expect was that the next morning, she would enjoy them even more.

When she woke up, Xia Mingyue had taken the leftover steamed vegetables from the night before and pan-fried them.

She tossed in two small red chilies and cracked an egg into the mix. The result? A dish with a tantalizing kick of spice and the rich, creamy taste of eggs.

Most surprising of all, the flour coating crisped up in the hot oil, giving the dish a lightly crunchy texture. The fragrance was intoxicating, and the aftertaste lingered.

Jiang Zhuguo ate two full bowls of white porridge along with the dish, so much that she ended up burping twice while washing the dishes.

Embarrassed, she scratched her head and joked, “At this rate, I’m going to bankrupt you, Sister Xia.”

“There’s a lot we might lack at home, but food isn’t one of them. Just eat as much as you need.” Xia Mingyue smiled, unconcerned. “Good food gives you strength. So, you'll have more energy to work.”

Then, she added, “And this is an important habit——you have to keep it up. Don’t try to cut back on food. Always make sure you eat your fill.”

Ever since Jiang Zhuguo started working here, Xia Mingyue had noticed how reserved she was, even with her meals.

A little restraint was understandable, but being so frugal that she didn’t eat enough was unacceptable.

A full stomach led to better moods, more energy, and greater productivity.

Besides, Jiang Zhuguo was a well-mannered and diligent young lady——she deserved this kind of care.

Jiang Zhuguo bit her lip.

Her family wasn’t well off, and most of their money and grain went toward her father’s education. Her mother was in poor health and had many worries.

She had long since developed the habit of deliberately eating less.

She thought she had hidden it well, but Sister Xia had seen right through her.

To be honest, ever since she started working here, her meals had improved dramatically——white flour, eggs, even meat——nothing like the days when she lived on wilted greens and watery porridge. Even if she wasn’t eating until she was completely full, she wasn’t suffering.

Yet, Sister Xia still told her to eat more, not to hold back.

Sister Xia was so kind....

Jiang Zhuguo tried hard to stop her eyes from misting up. She nodded firmly. “Okay! I’ll remember that!”

I’ll make sure to repay Sister Xia in the future. After all, she’s feeding me so well——I have to be worthy of it!

Outside, the morning drizzle had turned into a heavier rain, which finally tapered off after lunchtime.

By the afternoon, the sun had come out, and Xia Mingyue led Jiang Zhuguo and Sister Lu into another busy day.

The next day, the food stall reopened as usual.

After a day’s break, regular customers who had grown accustomed to Xia Ji’s food came early. Some ordered a steaming bowl of wontons. Others requested meat pancakes with cold noodles. Some even brought their own clay pots to take food home.

Business was bustling, and Xia Mingyue and her team barely had a moment to breathe.

By noon, the crowd had reached its peak.

"Two bowls of wontons!" a voice called out.

"Got it!" Sister Lu responded, wiping down a long table for the two newcomers. “Big bowls or small?”

“Two grown men, of course we want big bowls.”

The man sounded impatient, so Sister Lu couldn't help but take a closer look at him.

Something about him seemed familiar....

“It looks like the guy who tried to scam Brother Yuncao when buying pancakes last time,” Xia Mingyue murmured as she ladled wontons into bowls. “He was caught by Brother Qiyan.”

"He’s back to eat again? I bet he’s here to stir up trouble....”

Sister Lu frowned, debating whether to send them away.

People with bad intentions were unpredictable.

Before they could decide, Sun Gousheng, now seated, snapped, “Why are my wontons taking so long? Is it because your business is good that you’re getting picky with customers? Do we look too poor to afford a meal, so you don’t want to serve us?”

“How can you judge people by their clothes?” His companion, Tian Dazhuang, chimed in.

At that, the other diners exchanged uneasy glances.