ng Yuhuai followed a few steps behind, apparently intending to head back to the southern part of the village. Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips, hurried over, and closed the door, only to see that person’s figure flash and slip back in.
Hua Xiaomai got such a fright that she imdiately took a few steps back. Once she got a clear look at him, she placed her hand over her heart with lingering fear and patted it twice, both annoyed and amused, "Why are you sneaking around like a thief?"
ng Yuhuai lowered his eyes and smiled as well, not answering her question directly. Instead, he said, "This shop is isolated, you being here alone is unsafe. I have nothing pressing to do, so I’ll keep you company for a while."
Hua Xiaomai was not one to stand on ceremony. Hearing him say that, she nodded, "Well, that’s perfect, let’s go to the backyard, I have sothing wonderful to show you."
No sooner had she spoken than she partially closed the main gate and led the way through the back door to the yard.
In the backyard, next to the left wall, a pit about a foot deep was dug, and in it sat a large wine jar surrounded by piles of wheat straw and grain husks, slowly burning around the walls of the jar. Occasionally, the soft crackling sounds mixed with a slightly pungent sll and the rich aroma coming from within the jar, creating an odd yet appealing scent.
It was only upon drawing closer that ng Yuhuai noticed the mouth of the wine jar was sealed with wet clay, probably baked for quite a while since it was now cracked and the fragrance was leaking from those gaps.
"What are you making here?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. He picked up two stools, handed one to Hua Xiaomai, and sat down a bit away from the fire, "What’s inside the wine jar?"
"This is called ’jar at’." Hua Xiaomai raised her eyebrows proudly, and as soon as she started talking about the dish, she beca quite loquacious, "My second sister told , it’s a tradition in Fuzhe County that a restaurant cannot light the stove before opening—it’s considered bad luck. But I need to start doing business tomorrow, and I have to prepare a couple of signature dishes, right? After thinking it over, I decided this ’jar at’ would be perfect. Digging a pit in the yard might technically involve lighting a fire to cook, but at least I’m not using the kitchen stove, so that should slip by the rules, right?"
ng Yuhuai watched her with a smile but remained silent.
This ’jar at’ was actually a celebrated dish, though it seed not to have appeared yet in this era. The proper way to make it involved a chicken and a duck, a pound and a half of leg at, plus six taels of ham, four taels each of sea cucumber and abalone. After blanching everything briefly, they were all stuffed into the wine jar, followed by a dozen cooked eggs, and seasoned with half a bottle of fine Shao Wine, scallions, ginger, and various sauces. It needed to simr for at least ten hours until the outer layer was crispy, the at tender, and the juices flavorfully infused before it could be consud—its taste was rich and decadent.
"Although the dish takes ti, it’s quite easy to make. And with all kinds of ats inside, a bite fills your mouth with a savory atiness. For the villagers who work hard all day, it will definitely be a hit, no question about it." Hua Xiaomai was speaking with such enthusiasm. Glancing at ng Yuhuai, she continued to mutter, "But to be honest with you, I was a bit reluctant to use luxury items like sea cucumbers and abalones, so I bought two big squids instead and stuffed them in. It should still capture so of the ocean’s flavor—I’m clever, aren’t I?"
ng Yuhuai was so amused by her that he laughed, yet he still said nothing and just quietly watched her. Hua Xiaomai looked at him, a bit puzzled, and suddenly clapped her hands, "Hey, how about I give you a taste when it’s done? Hmm... no, it’s better to let it stew in the jar overnight. I’ll heat it up on the stove tomorrow morning to enhance the flavor. You can try it then, along with Uncle Ke and the others..."
Before she could finish, her hand was caught and held within a larger palm.
ng Yuhuai lowered his head to take a careful look at her hand, his fingertips slowly sliding over the back of her hand. Caught off guard, Hua Xiaomai’s ears heated up. Not wanting to appear overly shy and inexperienced, she pursed her lips and feigned indifference with a small laugh, "Uh ... My second sister says, my hands are always soaked in water, smoked in the fus of cooking oil—they’re so rough and ugly ..."
"My hands are rough too," ng Yuhuai replied abruptly.
... Big brother, is this your idea of comfort?
Secretly rolling her eyes, Hua Xiaomai subtly withdrew her hand and picked up a stick to prod the bottom of the fire pit.
"I just returned from the north, and I can rest at ho for two days," ng Yuhuai glanced at her, "Once your restaurant opens tomorrow, I was thinking of discussing that matter with my mother."
After a pause, he added, "My mother ... she has a bit of a temper. Unless it’s soone she has taken a liking to herself, she will have sothing to say. I’m worried she might trouble you, so you needn’t pay her any mind. If she becos too much of a nuisance, just walk away."
Upon hearing this, Hua Xiaomai skeptically raised an eyebrow, sowhat reluctantly, "How about ... tomorrow you bring her along to the banquet?"
"It’s not necessary," ng Yuhuai imdiately waved his hand, "On such an important day, if she were to cause a disturbance, I’m afraid it might affect your future business. Don’t worry about this, after all, let’s wait until after your grand opening tomorrow."
That was close! Thankfully, he has a clear head and is considerate, she was really only making a polite offer!
The two sat in the backyard for a while, exchanging a few words occasionally but nothing of much significance, rely small talk. After more than half an hour, the at in the earthen jar was finally stewed enough. ng Yuhuai then helped Hua Xiaomai take the wine jar out of the fire pit, carried it into the kitchen to place it carefully in a corner, and then locked the shop door before stepping out.
"Go ho and rest, don’t worry about other things. I’ll co early tomorrow to help," ng Yuhuai untied the impatient black horse while instructing her.
What’s this, saying goodbye?
"Aren’t you going to walk ?" Hua Xiaomai tugged at the corner of her mouth, "Just to the riverbank will do."
ng Yuhuai quickly turned his head to look at her, smiled with a seemingly helpless expression, but then imdiately led his horse to her side: "Let’s go." (To be continued. If you like this work, please head over to Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation ticket or monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to continue reading.)
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