Chapter 199: What’s the Point of Coming Here?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Qiao Mai left him ten sets of deluxe noodles, leaving Shopkeeper Tong in bewilderment. Coincidentally, someone overheard their conversation as they exited the private room and immediately took an interest.
Their curiosity got the better of them. “Shopkeeper, are the noodles she just mentioned really that delicious?”
Shopkeeper Tong curled his lips. “I find them tasty, but they are rather expensive. I wouldn’t recommend you try them.”
“It’s just five taels of silver for a bowl. I’d like to give it a try. Remember to make it just the way she instructed.”
This took Shopkeeper Tong by surprise as he realized someone was genuinely interested in this expensive meal.
“Are you sure you want to try it?”
“Quickly prepare it. Let me see what makes these five-tael noodles so delicious. ”
Shopkeeper Tong, who initially wanted to cry but had no tears, quickly picked up the basket and headed to the kitchen. Five taels of silver was considerable; sometimes, it amounts to an entire table of dishes.
How it went on Shopkeeper Tong’s side was beyond Qiao Mai’s control. She had done her part by helping him. Now, it was up to him to seize this opportunity.
Upon returning home, she saw several tables pushed together with a massive piece of swordfish placed on top. She immediately pulled out a dagger and began her work.
She expertly sliced the fish into pieces, preserving the best parts while storing the rest in her space’s refrigerator.
In the morning, she pan-fried some fish, and everyone praised its taste. She wondered if they’d be willing to try it raw.
She sliced the fish into thin pieces, arranged them neatly on a plate, and prepared a mustard-based sauce.
She spent the morning busy with preparations. Now, it was time for everyone to arrive.
As soon as she thought of it, they arrived promptly.
Looking at the plates of glistening raw fish, they raised their eyebrows.
“Are you trying to make us eat raw fish?”
Qiao Mai smiled, “Give it a try. If you can accept it, eat it. If not, enjoy the meals prepared by our kitchen staff. This is the most classic way to enjoy this fish. It’s the only way to savor its true essence.”
She picked up a slice, dipped it in the sauce, and took a bite. She closed her eyes momentarily, making a satisfied expression.
This encouraged a few others to try as well.
“Mmm, it tastes pretty good. I can accept it.”
“This fish cost me two hundred taels of silver. The captain was generous; I said two hundred, and they insisted one hundred was enough.”
“This fish is so expensive?”
“I’ll be honest. This fish comes from the deep sea and is not easy to catch. Even one thousand or ten thousand taels would be worth it.”
“In that case, I want to taste it too.”
One by one, they picked up their chopsticks and tried a piece. Some furrowed their brows, while others found it enjoyable. People had varying tastes. Some accepted it, while others did not.
“I still prefer it grilled.”
“In that case, I’ll grill some for you next time. Personally, I like it this way. It’s not fishy, and the sauce makes it even more delicious.”
They sat down and devoured the swordfish. Only after finishing it did they eat the dishes prepared by the kitchen staff.
Today, they had two meals. They were all so full that they skipped dinner.
Having addressed the water situation, Qiao Mai felt a great weight lift off her shoulders. If the water source ran dry, she could always become a water carrier for the town.
She can’t let the people suffer. She hadn’t experienced a drought before, but she had heard stories.
Every time there was a fire in the south, many people died, and in the case of droughts in the north, people fleeing famine also suffered losses. She hoped they would all live well and prosper.
What other purpose did she have for coming here? What was the significance of having an extraordinary space like this?
Besides her daily cultivation, she hardly did anything else.
On the other hand, Liu Hai and Shopkeeper Tong were experiencing a surge in business due to the instant noodles.
The noodles were incredibly delicious. Shopkeeper Tong supplied ten sets daily, while Liu Hai provided a hundred servings.
No matter how much they requested, Qiao Mai wouldn’t increase the quantity. Customers eagerly flocked to their stores to taste the exclusive noodles.
When the stock runs out, some customers would order something else. The limited availability boosted their businesses significantly.
One day, while meditating and cultivating within her space, a servant came in and reported.
“Mistress, Miss Lu Ruxin from the Lu family is here, requesting an audience.” Without opening her eyes, Qiao Mai responded with a single sentence.
“Tell her to leave!”
After the servant left, Lu Ruxin was unceremoniously sent out of Lucky Garden. When she arrived, she lacked confidence, but now she felt like her pride had been shattered.
She had come to discuss the cold noodles situation with Qiao Mai.
Ruxin had even gone to the Liu family’s cold skin shop to taste their noodles and found that they were indeed superior to her own. She began to wonder if Qiao Mai was holding back on her.
Unable to contain her curiosity, she came to the house, but the outcome was unexpected.
Ruxin was not happy about the way things had turned out. When she went to the Liu family’s shop, she called Liu Hai over. Knowing the relationship between Liu Ye and the girl, Liu Hai acted coldly.
“What do you want?”
“Are you planning to open more branches of your shop?”
“No, only this one.”
This answer eased Ruxin’s mind. “I hope you won’t open any more branches, as it would be considered competition for me. Do you understand?”
Liu Hai was not pleased. “My cousin gave you her recipe as a gift, so don’t be ungrateful. It’s my decision whether or not I open another branch. There are several restaurants in the town; why do you think you deserve special treatment? As far as I know, your noodle shop has a competitor across the street in this town. They might not be as good as you, but their business is doing well. Why don’t you say anything to them?”
“You?”
“You’re only good at taking advantage of those who treat you well. Don’t come to my shop again. It’s not welcoming you, you ingrate!”
“You!”
“Get out.”
Liu Hai chased her away, leaving Ruxin with teary eyes and a feeling of indignation as if the whole world owed her something.
When Lu Sanniang found out, she did not look for Qiao Mai or comfort her daughter.
Upon hearing about it, Ruyi was livid. “It’s her fault. I can’t believe my sister would turn into this. She was given a recipe without charge, yet she’s causing so many problems. She’s the only one who gets to open a branch; even our master’s relatives can’t do so. It’s outrageous.”
Qin Yide placed the book in his hand on the table. “Master is one of the rare good people in this world. Whenever someone treats her even slightly better, she reciprocates tenfold without keeping track of gains and losses. Despite this, people are still dissatisfied.”
“Whenever I see my sister, I get angry. If it were me, I would have used a stick to chase her out a long time ago. She even dared to go to our master, the ungrateful wretch.”
Qin Yide didn’t want to meddle in the matters of the Lu family, but he also found Lu Ruxin’s behavior to be quite excessive.
Strangely, the news of this incident spread throughout the town. Lu Ruxin had become a pariah, receiving scorn and criticism from everyone.
Unable to bear the hostile atmosphere in Tianshui Town, Lu Ruxin used her considerable wealth to purchase a house in the capital. With her maids and dowry in tow, she left without uttering a word.
When Lu Sanniang realized and tried to chase after her, Lu Ruxin gazed at her with resentment.
“If everyone despises me so much, I might as well leave. Why do you bother searching for me?”
“You are a vulnerable young lady without anyone to support you. You will be at a disadvantage outside.”
“Mother, aren’t you relying on Mayor Qian? I can have my own support; I don’t need to fixate on you.”
“Fine then.”
Lu Sanniang’s temperament was equally fiery. “Since you are so resolute in your decision, I hope you don’t meet a dead end.”
“Hmph, even if I end up in a coffin, I don’t need your concern.”
Their relationship became awkward after this incident. They each turned and walked away stubbornly.
Qiao Mai wasn’t bothered by the situation. Only Ruyi came to visit her frequently. It seemed that because of Ruxin’s behavior, Lu Sanniang had distanced herself from Qiao Mai, as she had rarely dropped by since October. Qiao Mai didn’t mind the peace. She began preparing New Year’s gifts for everyone..
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