Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: Chapter 027 Calming Down (1/2)

Chapter 27: Chapter 027 Calming Down

Translator: 549690339

The buns were rich and fragrant, leaving an oily delight on their lips.

No tea was served at the stand, instead, they made use of a thin rice soup made from millet; each person was given a bowl for free. It was refreshing and prevented the discomfort of drinking tea after a full meal which could upset the stomach.

Full and content, the two sisters purchased some beans and other vegetables as was customary, and headed home.

Once home, they soaked the beans and rested, waiting to make tofu in the evening.

Mealtime at the Fushun Tower was always bustling.

While business wasn’t as busy as during the large gatherings, the restaurant, an old eatery in town, boasted an array of delicious dishes at fair prices and generous portions. Almost all the tables on the first floor were full at this time.

Feng Yongkang was pacing around in the main hall. When seeing regular customers, he would offer a drink and a small dish of peanuts, an effort to strengthen their bonds and attract more business in the future.

“Manager Qin, you’ve been less diligent these days than before.” Feng Yongkang spotted Qin Hongbao, who ordered two dishes and was drinking alone in a corner. He approached with a smile, filled a cup for Qin Hongbao from his liquor bottle, and also for himself, and gave a toast.

“Well, isn’t it because I’ve been busy in the shop these days? My wife at home is also giving me a hard time, always accusing me of loving liquor.” Qin Hongbao laughed and made small talk with Feng Yongkang, but couldn’t help but gripe.

“Look, is it easy to run a noodle shop? I work to death every day, and as a man, 1 have no other hobbies besides drinking a few cups when I’m free. I don’t drink much, and I’m not the kind of drunkard who gets knocked out every day. Does she have to nag me every day?”

“So, after a good scolding, I have been able to stay quiet for two days. I can also take advantage of the slow business at noon and come out for a drink.”

“Since you’re here, I want to ask, has Fushun Tower changed its chef? How come I haven’t heard anything?”

“No?” Feng Yongkang was quite surprised: “Why are you asking this all of a sudden?”

“Huh? That’s rather weird. How come the taste of the dishes I ordered for lunch a few days ago is different from today’s?” Qin Hongbao inquired. “That lunch, I ordered the same braised tofu, and it was delicious. I even praised Chef Zhang’s improved skills saying that the braised tofu was much better than usual. I craved for it for two days. So today, I came back and ordered the braised tofu again, but it wasn’t as good as that day…”

“Could it be that Chef Zhang has been slacking off and didn’t want to cook himself, so he casually got an apprentice to cook this dish?”

“How can this be possible?” Feng Yongan chuckled and clarified, “Among Fushun Tower’s signature dishes, braised tofu is one of them. All the dishes in the restaurant are personally cooked by Chef Zhang. We wouldn’t dare to let apprentices handle it, let alone this signature dish.”

“But now that you mention it, Manager Qin, I’m curious. Does this dish really taste different?” Feng Yongan fetched a new pair of chopsticks and, after obtaining Qin Hongbao’s consent, picked and tasted a piece of tofu.

“It’s the usual craftsmanship of Chef Zhang, without a doubt. There’s no difference.” Feng Yongan asserted confidently.

“Oh? That’s rather strange.” Qin Hongbao’s brow furrowed. “How was it so delicious that day? That tofu was so aromatic. Today, it doesn’t have that flavor. Could it be that because 1 was able to go out for a drink for the first time in a while a few days ago, I was in a good mood and everything tasted great?”