Chapter 86: What Does It Actually Taste Like?

Having the Wang Family sell the items she holds makes her feel more at ease than selling them at the Yahang, because of Wang Jiaru's reputation and her grandfather's, she is still willing to trust once.

The lunch was good, so the dinner naturally has to be lighter.

Sweet potato porridge and side dishes also seemed quite nice to Mr. Wang, especially the sweet potato porridge; he hadn't had it in ages, and a sudden bowl felt very delicious.

The next morning, she kept her promise and let them have beefsteak.

After Mr. Wang took the first bite, his mouth never stopped; the children at home didn't compete with him, and only after they fed him to fullness did the children start eating.

This made him feel embarrassed; after finishing, he didn't leave but sat aside watching the children eat.

"What a pity, our Ming Emperor protects cattle; otherwise I'd really like to get two heads of cattle and have a proper feast—so tasty."

"If you want to eat, just come over; I can't let you have it every day, but an occasional treat to satisfy cravings is still possible."

Watching the children eat heartily, he was still swallowing saliva.

"What shall we have for lunch?"

"Alright, then let's have Luo Shi Noodles for lunch today."

Qiao Mai immediately brought Ling'er over, and seeing little Ling'er mimicking everyone by pinching her nose, she couldn't help but laugh.

The soup ingredients are all in a packet; what she needs to prepare are some auxiliary ingredients to add to the soup as tasty side toppings.

He pinched his nose and said, "I tell you, Qiao Niang, this flavor is way too unique, isn't it?"

"Right, I'm making a pot of rice noodles; can you eat it?"

To prevent the Luo Shi Noodles' smell from stinking the house, they set up a table in the courtyard.

Hehe, that's it!

"Sure, didn't you see they're all eating? Eat with confidence; I guarantee you'll want one bowl and then two."

"It's a smell that's stinky, but tastes fragrant."

The right-side neighbor, who was eating, also came over; upon entering the courtyard, seeing what they were eating and smelling the strong odor, he immediately understood.

The people in this whole area didn't have a proper lunch at noon.

So he pinched his nose, ate a chopstickful, then lowered his pinching hand.

When Mr. Wang heard the word "stinky," he grinned, "If it's edible we'll eat it; if not, bring us something else to eat on the road."

"What's there to fear about stink? As long as it's tasty, it's fine; Qiao Niang didn't reject it, so what could he complain about?"

Just as they were about to take leave, Qiao Mai stopped them, asked them to wait, and insisted they try it.

Mr. Wang saw her staring off, thought she was pondering a recipe, and didn't disturb her; after a short while, Qiao Mai snapped back and smiled at him.

Qiao Mai placed the freshly cooked noodles before him, "Eat while hot; once it cools it clumps."

The children finished the meat and went off to play contentedly; after Yuan Jiaqi finished, he picked up Ling'er, and Qiao Mai ate last.

He pinched his nose and thought, the Qiao family isn't digging up big dung; they're making some weird food.

"Yes, next time we come, shall we eat this again?"

Mr. Wang, sitting at the doorway, took a sip and was immediately choked and spat it out.

She only ate two pieces, then began preparing the noon noodles.

Everyone was too afraid to pick up chopsticks and eat, but Qiao Mai ignored them, grabbed chopsticks, lifted the noodles and ate directly.

Why does it feel a bit naughty? There's a little fear inside.

The eating was downright joyous, and the first who couldn't handle it was Mr. Wang.

The family ate Luo Shi Noodles in the courtyard, which terrified the neighbors; they all thought the Qiao family was digging up big dung.

"Yes, it's just that people here can't tolerate this flavor; if you open a shop like this, other shops can't operate nearby because it's just too stinky."

"Hao Er, come, sit down; Auntie will cook you a bowl of noodles, give it a try."

"Can I?" he said, not even sure himself.

"As long as you don't reject it, I'll make it; this is far less trouble than the others."

"Indeed, otherwise I wouldn't have taken them in; I only act when it looks good."

Qiao Mai used a large sea‑bowl for the adults and a big bowl for the children, mainly so the broth could soak the auxiliary ingredients, letting them absorb flavor and taste better.

Finally it was noon; after preparing the auxiliary ingredients, Qiao Mai finally poured the broth from the packet into the bowl—this flavor, oh my god.

This atmosphere delighted Mr. Wang; he sat at the doorway, watching Qiao Mai stir, and occasionally turned to look at the children.

They sniffed carefully; unlike the big‑dung smell, the former was fragrant‑stinky, the latter truly stinky.

Don't think it's just a bowl of noodles; when you get particular, it's actually quite troublesome.

There wasn't anything especially rare in the freezer, so she looked on the shelves, and finally her mind settled on Luo Shi Noodles.

"But it's delicious, trust me!"

You can dig if you want, but what are you digging at high noon?

Few people dislike the texture of Luo Shi Noodles; once you try a bite, the rest is nonstop eating, eat, eat.

That was already quite understated; Yuan Jiaqi laughed, and Qiao Mai, seeing him, waved at him.

"Auntie, is this edible?"

"Sir, can you eat foods with a special flavor?"

The children only then lifted their chopsticks; indeed, their eyes lit up the moment they took a bite.

"I think it's very tasty, but I don't know if you can handle it."

"You eat first; after you're done watching the kids, I'll eat?"

"It should be fine; bamboo shoots seem to be a southern vegetable."

"What exactly does it taste like?"

From now on, whatever Qiao Niang says must be eaten; if she says it's good, it's definitely good, never resist.

She's also a bit worried; she doesn't have many dishes she can make and is still learning—what to eat for lunch? She mentally checked the freezer.

Qiao Niang cooked new food again; the thing they ate was that lingering foul smell.

Yuan Jiaqi also pinched his nose embarrassedly, while only Qiao Mai took a deep breath—hadn't smelled it for so long, she really missed it.

For example, Pig Trotters, Fried Peanut, Fried Tofu Sticks, Fried Egg, Cured Sausage, etc.

Chen Hao wasn't as pretentious as they were, directly put his hand down, picked up chopsticks and ate.

Chen Hao walked to the table, saw everyone's bowls, suddenly realized that the strange smell came from the food in the bowls.

"You kids are all fine."

Qiao Mai was speechless; they had just finished the early lunch, already thinking about noon.

Fried Egg, Fried Tofu Sticks, and sausage and Pig Trotters, their flavor when soaked in the soup—can't even mention how delicious it is.

Yuan Jiaqi lowered his hand, held his breath and took a bite, found it really tasty.

No one pinched their nose anymore, except Yuan Jiaqi, who pinched his nose with one hand and held a child with the other.

Ling'er is already one year and one month old; everyone coaxes her to walk in the courtyard, and after a while reward her with a bite of cake.

As expected, anyone who has tried it falls in love with this flavor.

Mr. Wang chuckled, "Is there a recipe for this?"

"Eat it, this stench isn't that kind of stench; the sour bean pods and sour bamboo shoots inside are especially tender. I love Fried Egg the most—one bite, fragrant, spicy and refreshing. Hurry and eat; next time we eat, who knows how long it will be."

"How does the taste of this noodle you made turn out?"

"Sour bamboo shoot flavor."

"Eat quickly, it's really tasty; if you don't, you'll regret it."

"Naturally it's edible; it has a sour‑spicy palate, and today I made it mildly spicy for you."

Chen family was cursing around the house; her son couldn't stand it and wanted to go to the Qiao Family to see what's going on.

"What flavor is it?"

A bowl of noodles after another was placed on the table, and the children, pinching their noses, sat at the table.

Mr. Wang, hearing the name, thought it must be delicious, so he nodded cheerfully, and even Yuan Jiaqi couldn't help but swallow.

He then found an excuse and knocked on the Qiao Family's big gate, "Mr. Yuan, there's a strange odor in this area—did it drift out from your house?"

After eating the pungent luo shi noodles, everyone finally distinguished two kinds of odor and all embraced this delicacy.

The sight made Mr. Wang so happy that he clutched his belly and laughed for a good half hour.

After eating the noodles, they helped wash the bowls and chopsticks, cleaned the house and courtyard, and only then boarded the carriage waiting outside the gate.

With the food Qiao Mai had prepared for the carriage, they left the Small Town and headed to Weicheng.

(End of Chapter)