Chapter 101 - The Zhou Family (2/2)

As for the second branch’s Zhou Zixu, he had displayed astonishing talents since he was small. However, despite his recent beautiful business victories, the boy was still too young. This really caused the patriarch to worry incessantly, causing his hair to turn white faster...

“Haha! I’m really quite lucky when it comes to food. Just got home in time to make mealtime!” Third Young Master Zhou, Zhou Zixu, held two jars of salted vegetables as he came in. When he saw everyone’s attention on him, he smiled a self-deprecating smile as he paid his respects to his grandfather and grandmother.

The head of the Zhou Family coldly snorted and said, “Looks like you still know how to come home! Every day you’re running off to who knows where. Ah, other than Zhenxiu Restaurant, you have never even touched the other businesses of the family! Oh right, you had talked about having a condiment factory before the end of last year. How is it going so far? At your age, your father had already made waves in the southern province’s market!”

Because he had an awkward status in the family, Zhou Zixu’s grandmother had raised him at her side since childhood to avoid having other people treat him badly. Thus, his relationship with his grandparents had always been good. This caused the other grandsons in the family to envy him. In fact, whenever the patriarch seemed displeased, the other grandsons kept quiet out of fear. Even Eldest Young Master Zhou had to consider his words for a bit before he would say anything. However, Zhou Zixu was all smiles as he replied, “Grandfather, don’t we still have you managing the rest of the family’s businesses? You’re old but vigorous. Staying at home doing nothing is really quite dull. As for my factory, didn’t you previously say that this is for me to practice? I’m still young, so it’s important to take it a little at a time, especially for business!”

“Is thirteen still considered young? It’s the right age for settling a marriage and getting engaged, ah! Second Son’s wife, you need to start considering his marriage prospects now. After he gets engaged, he’s considered an adult and should start doing some proper business and stop running around outside, avoiding home!” The Zhou Family patriarch was very unsatisfied with him and wished he could just press on that youngster’s head to transfer all of his knowledge of business matters to him.

Madam Jiang, who was Zhou Zixu’s mother, agreed sweet-temperedly. Zhou Zixu let out a smile that was half a grimace at his mother and said, “Grandfather, how do you know I’m not concerned about the family’s businesses? I’m not running around without a purpose. After all, the last time I was at the docks, didn’t I find a dish of pickled fish that tasted quite good, eh?”

If he hadn’t brought up this topic it would have been better as the Zhou Family patriarch frowned after hearing this and said, “Has the chef from Zhenxiu Restaurant figured out how to make this pickled fish yet? He even boasted that he’s a famous chef but he’s no better than a little girl from the countryside!”

“Grandfather, please calm down. It’s not that the chef at Zhenxiu Restaurant was boosting his own reputation, but in terms of cooking, one false step makes a great difference. That pickled fish recipe was probably a secret recipe that was passed down from her ancestors, so it’s unlikely it’d be easy to just figure it out.” The eldest grandson, Zhou Zifang, cleverly interjected and explained.

Zhou Zixu also agreed, “That’s right, that’s right! Let’s wait a little longer, if he really can’t figure it out then, I’ll just go to that little girl and buy the recipe from her.”

The Zhou Family’s matriarch loved her grandson dearly. She nodded her head in agreement and said, “Xu’er is right! Also, let’s not talk about business during the family meal. Start the meal ah…”

Zhou Zixu hurriedly patted the jugs of pickled vegetables in his hands as if they were some priceless treasure. He sidled over to his grandmother, made eye contact with her, and said, “Grandmother loves grandson the most! Grandson also loves you very much. I know your appetite hasn’t been very good lately, so I especially went to a pickled vegetable store and bought some appetizers in hope that they’ll increase your appetite. Please try some! I personally carried them the entire way back home!”

When Matriarch Zhou saw her grandson’s smiling face, she immediately felt better. As if he was still a child, she gently caressed his head, and said, “My Xu’er is still so filial. Qinglian, go to the kitchen and take a portion of these pickled vegetables out. Let’s have everyone here try some.”

Zhou Zixu’s mother, Madam Jiang, glared lovingly at her son and said, “Be careful of boasting too much in front of grandmother. In a moment if it doesn’t fit her tastes, what kind of situation do you think you’ll be in?”

Zhou Zixu sat next to his mother and pulled on her arm like a spoiled child. He pouted and said, “Mother, it doesn’t matter if other people give me face or not, but you need to help your son. If it’s not tasty, please still eat a little more!”

His grandmother pointed a finger at him and gently laughed, “You little monkey...with such a filial heart, I will also give you some face and eat a couple more bites…”

A plate of sweet and crispy radishes and a plate of fragrant and spicy wine marinated tofu came out. They were artfully arranged on a crystal plate with a light dressing of sesame oil on top. The tantalizing smell of sweetness and sour hit everyone, which increased all their appetites greatly.

Matriarch Zhou’s personal maidservant, Zitang, served her mistress a portion of the radishes and placed them into her congee bowl using ivory chopsticks. The combination of the sweet and crispy radishes with a hint of spiciness paired perfectly with the congee that had been slowly simmered with the best rice money could buy. The old lady’s eyes lit up in pleasure as she enjoyed her food.

“How is it? Grandma, does it meet your tastes?” Out of all of the grandsons, only Zhou Zixu would ever intimately call the matriarch ‘grandma’. The rest of them all respectfully referred to her as ‘grandmother’.

The Zhou Family’s matriarch carefully chewed and tasted the different flavors that came from the congee and pickled radishes. A bit of time passed before she finally met her grandson’s eager eyes and slowly nodded her head, “Not bad, not bad! How could I not believe in my grandson’s tastes?”

[1] Gui Guzi (鬼谷子) was Sun Bin's (famous general) master and had agreed to come down the mountain to save him after the Qi Country's envoy, Su Dai, asked him three times.

[2] Arhat or Luohan (罗汉) - a term originating from Buddhism. In Chinese Buddhism, it is used to describe a practitioner who had a higher level of attainment or pre-enlightenment but has not become a Boddhisattva, or a Buddha.