Chapter 283: Exquisite Kitchen Chapter 305: Human Relations

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

In the food shop, Song Miao saw Han Li and couldn't help but smile, pointing to the table behind and saying, "Young Master, please take a seat—today we're just serving leftover rice, nothing specially made, so you'll have to make do!"

At this moment Cheng Erniang happened to come out, about to turn back and fetch water; Han Li saw this and said, "Sister Cheng Er, don't trouble yourself, I'll tidy up on my own."

After speaking, he indeed followed her into the back courtyard.

He knew his way around, drew water himself to wash his hands and face, then took a copper pot steeping hawthorn leaf tea back to the front hall; seeing Song Miao and Cheng Erniang laying out dishes and arranging bowls and chopsticks, he said, "No need to trouble yourselves, I'll do it myself."

Speaking, he began pouring tea and water himself.

Cheng Erniang heard this, turned to look at Song Miao, and only after receiving her nod did she step aside to tidy the stove, pots, and basins.

On the table were four or five small plates and bowls, the dishes varied, clearly portioned out in advance; there was also a small lidded cup, its contents hidden beneath the lid.

He went first to serve rice, but had just lifted the ladle and lifted the pot lid before serving, when he could already smell a very pleasant aroma of water plants.

The rice was crystal clear and plump, with many white stem-like chunks pressed into it, peeled of their outer layer, leaving only the center, cut into pieces.

He paused and asked, "What is this?"

Song Miao smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Let me."

She explained: "It's a seasonal dish, called Fanzi. It's rare that we got some water bamboo today; this thing is seldom sent from the south, and the season is almost over, so eat once and there's one less time. Though not as tender as when freshly picked locally, it's good just for the taste."

She took chopsticks, took a plate, carefully picked out the stem-like water bamboo from within, drizzled a little soy sauce and a little sesame oil over it, gave it a slight toss, and placed it before Han Li, then served him another bowl of rice.

Han Li first ate the so-called Fanzi.

The sesame oil was used very sparingly, and the soy sauce was light, specially prepared; both brought out an extremely simple salty-fresh flavor, everything giving way to the water bamboo's original flavor.

The water bamboo was crisp and sweet. Although Song Miao had said it was past its season and not fresh enough, taking only the core, it had a completely tender, residue-free texture—not just clinging to the surface, but biting in, the water bamboo flesh was full of rice fragrance all the way through, the juice not bursting forth but sliding along the teeth into the mouth; unknowingly, one mouthful of clear sweetness.

The rice was kept warm by the stove's residual warmth, actually not very hot, only lukewarm; the water bamboo on top was naturally the same, but it was precisely this just-right temperature that made it easier to feel that freshness—the rice grains were all infused with the water bamboo aroma.

Relying solely on this Fanzi, a few pieces of water bamboo accompanying it, Han Li ate a bowl of rice.

Besides the water bamboo, there was also a small plate of chilled lotus root and a dish of sour-spicy lotus root cubes.

It was not yet autumn; both were crisp lotus root. The chilled one relied entirely on ingredient selection and knife work—Song Miao cut it herself, and the chilling was thorough. Chewing it, there was no feeling of lotus fibers snapping and connecting; no dipping sauce needed, only the lotus juice was clearly felt—sweet juice rampaging in the mouth.

The sour-spicy lotus root cubes were also only lukewarm, having sat in the pot; originally cut into even small square cubes, four-by-four, they absorbed flavor easily when stir-fried, and now after sitting for an hour or two, eating them, the sour and spicy seemed to have grown together with the lotus cubes.

The sourness came from aged vinegar, white vinegar, and jar-soaking water combined, very refreshing, sour enough to clear the nasal passages; plenty of Xun Guan mustard seeds were added, and the spiciness was fierce, but relying on the lotus cubes' own lotus sweetness, everything became gentle again—this dish alone could finish half a pot of rice.

Besides the vegetable dishes, there were two meat dishes, with modest portions.

One was white-cut chicken; the chicken skin was thick but springy and crisp, with a thin layer of translucent jelly between skin and meat, condensed from chicken juice and chicken oil essence.

The chicken meat was simmered until cooked, cooked just right, very firm, full of fragrance, not a hint of fishiness. The dipping sauce was made from sand ginger, green onion oil, minced ginger, and Xiao Sauce; lightly coating it, chewing would draw the chicken flavor out in a flood.

The other was a meat patty steamed alone in a small cup, containing red dates, Dang Shen, goji berries, soaked dried shiitake, and the shiitake was minced into the pork.

The meat was very fresh, tasting of simple, home-style nourishment. After long steaming, the sweetness of the Dang Shen, goji berries, and red dates had all entered the pork patty, very settling to the stomach. Finish a cup and drink the essence broth too, and one would feel one's qi and blood growing forth together.

Indeed, not a single dish was freshly made, but none feared sitting; even sitting could add a bit of flavor. Lukewarm, just right for eating.

The portions were just right, making one eat very comfortably.

A table of small dishes, soon together with the rice, was wiped clean by Han Li.

Just then Song Miao came over to refill tea; he hurriedly put down his chopsticks and asked, "Stall Owner Song, are you free right now?"

Song Miao paused in her steps and said, "Young Master, please speak."

Han Li moved the plates and bowls on the table to the right position, cleared half a square of space on the tabletop beside his left, then took out several thin sheets of paper and a small cloth bundle from his sleeve, placing them in the empty space. He stood up and pulled the left armchair out a little, then raised his head to look at Song Miao.

His movements were very natural, adopting an inquiring manner: first move, then clear, then place, then pull the chair, finally raise his head. Song Miao naturally followed his movements and sat on that armchair.

Han Li then sat back in his seat, pointing to the paper and cloth bundle on the table, and said softly, "Senior Brother says that lately it's all thanks to you taking care of his meals. Everyone who sees him says his complexion has improved, and thanks for helping me out greatly by going with me to Hua Prefecture—I want to give you a gift."

He pushed the cloth bundle toward Song Miao.

"It's a piece of raw jade he got long ago. He told me to slowly grind and carve it into a jade pendant for you to weigh down your skirt hem when you come of age. I've drawn several designs; you pick one, see which you like."

Song Miao almost immediately thought of the day she went to deliver a letter, when Chen Fuzi had insisted on giving her white jade on the spot.

She opened the cloth bundle layer by layer; sure enough, the white jade inside was flawless, translucent and moist, its shape and size still as before, lying comfortably in the cloth bundle, with a small familiar sharp corner protruding outside, very much like a rabbit's three-lipped mouth.

If it could speak, it would probably be grinning and saying hello right now—Hey, didn't expect that! It's me again!

Song Miao looked at the rabbit mouth and couldn't help but sigh, saying, "I open my door for business; the master coming to my door is taking care of me. There's no reason to accept such a heavy gift in return. Young Master, hearing this, you don't help persuade—where has your mouth gone?"

Han Li heard this and smiled, saying, "It's truly a big day; I also want to give a gift, just haven't chosen a suitable thing yet."

He then had her look at the designs on the paper.

Seeing Song Miao seemed about to refuse again, he said, "Today I came; there's also another matter I want to ask—I heard people say the shop doesn't have enough space and you're looking for another courtyard to dry meat jerky. Is that so?"

Recently, everywhere looking for courtyards and houses, many old customers and acquaintances knew, all helping out with ideas. Song Miao wasn't surprised the other party knew, and casually replied, "There is such a matter. Young Master, do you know a suitable place?"

"I think across the street is quite good, and it's not very difficult. Why not come tell me?"

When he spoke earlier, his face bore a smile, and his voice had a faint smile, but after asking this, his expression suddenly became serious.

Seeing him serious, Song Miao also said seriously, "I know Young Master must have a way. It's just that the Grain Affairs Department and the Ministry of Revenue are places of great power. In the future..."

She paused, just thinking how to say it more appropriately, when she heard Han Lidao say: "Earlier I said Young Lady underestimated me; now I must say Young Lady overestimates me. In your heart, would I do something without certainty, something of no benefit to myself?"

He moved a little to the left and said softly, "Let me lend a hand too. The stove hasn't been able to exert strength; finding a courtyard shouldn't be blocked, right?"

Song Miao laughed for a moment and said, "Young Master, these words..."

Han Li also said: "I see the shop is currently operating, just a two-courtyard house. How can that be enough? Across the street is so close, everything convenient. Why don't we just buy it outright?"

"I've saved some spare money. I told you before, but you wouldn't take it. This time is a rare opportunity; surely you shouldn't say those distant words again?"

While speaking, he took out a letter paper from his bosom.

Song Miao didn't need to accept or open it, and knew it was mostly banknotes inside. After thinking, she frankly said: "I really don't want to take Young Master's money."

Han Li paused, thoughtful, then said: "Then I'll buy it, and you rent it from me—how about that?"

Song Miao shook her head. "The favor is too heavy. A favor is harder to repay than money—I know Young Master will surely say I don't need to repay it, that it's just business between us. I'm a merchant; I most detest dragging things out."

Han Li fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked: "In Stall Owner Song's eyes, am I mud or water?"

Song Miao found it a little hard to respond.

The two sat quietly facing each other.

After a few breaths, Han Li lifted his gaze to look at her and asked: "Back in Hua Prefecture, how much did you do? Why didn't I say I was afraid of owing you a favor back then?"

"Let's not talk about that first—how much are you willing to use me at most now?"

"Surely not less than Xin Feng, less than Cheng Erjie, less than Zhang Siniang, less than Sun Lizheng?"

This question was pointed, breaking the earlier solemnity between them, and Song Miao couldn't help but laugh, asking: "Young Master really has a way to get the Building Affairs Department to put the house across the way up for sale—and in the future, can I still keep scolding them?"

Han Li glanced at her lightly and said: "Not scold them, then scold you?"

His words actually carried a hint of anger.

It was truly rare to see the person across from her angry; Song Miao felt an indescribable flavor in her heart, yet inexplicably found it even funnier.

She said: "Troubling Young Master—first I'll owe you a great favor. If that house can truly be bought, I plan to mortgage this food shop. If still lacking something, I'll borrow from Young Master then, and repay slowly in the future. How about that?"

Han Li ultimately agreed, then pointed to the jade pendant style on the table, gesturing for Song Miao to look, while he himself stood up, slowly cleared the bowls and chopsticks on the table, and took them to the back courtyard.

After their earlier conversation, Song Miao didn't want to leave those dirty bowls and chopsticks; though she felt clearly justified, his one sentence "then scold you?" made her seem in the wrong, so she could only slowly turn over those few sheets of paper, examining the styles closely.

Soon Han Li came out having washed the bowls and chopsticks, sat back in his seat, took a clean teacup, poured tea for each of them, moved the armchair half a step closer, and explained one by one the meanings behind each style.

Just as they were speaking, Song Miao heard a slight sound from behind the Second Gate.

She turned her head first, and Han Li, seeing this, also turned his head. The two looked together and saw a small head poke out from inside the door, small eyes blinking, with a tiny bamboo hairpin on her head—it was Xiao Lian.

A well-behaved child is truly adorable.

Song Miao smiled and waved at her; the child shyly lowered her head and ran over, leaning beside Song Miao, as if gaining courage from this, then turned and softly said to Han Li: "Han Gege, thank, thank you for the hairpin, comb, and mirror you gave me—I want to give a return gift. Sister said I can come ask you—what should I give Brother?"

Han Li raised his eyebrows, first glanced at Song Miao, then looked at Xiao Lian, pondered for a moment as if seriously considering, and finally said: "Actually, there is one thing I'd like to ask for your help."

He said: "I just returned to the Capital from outside. Today when I went to my senior brother's study, I found there are more bookworms and insects this year than in past years. Can you think of a way to prepare some medicine packets to help me drive away insects and ants?"

Xiao Lian immediately stood straight, clutching Song Miao's sleeve with one hand, and asked: "What kind of insects?"

Han Li said: "I saw two or three kinds..."

He briefly described them.

Xiao Lian immediately ran back to the back courtyard. Soon she brought out paper and brush, seriously recording them, and solemnly promised: "I'll go ask my master tomorrow, and definitely prepare a good insect-repelling packet for Brother!"

She added: "If they can't be driven away all at once, I... I can make new ones!"

Having settled a major matter, she happily took the recorded content back to the back courtyard.

After eating and speaking, and spending half a day selecting jade pendant styles here, seeing that the time was not early, Han Li couldn't stay longer and had to rise to take his leave.

Before leaving, he said: "Stall Owner Song will be doing big business in the future—how can you act so overly cautious? Just try it—some mud and water can actually be dragged along."

He added: "I have my own mind; I'm never afraid of owing you a favor. I only feel the greater and more the debt, the better—do you have a bit of such a mind?"

After speaking, he walked a few steps ahead, then turned back, slowly looked at her once, then clasped his hands in farewell, and walked away again.

Song Miao stood inside the door, not in a hurry to close it. After a moment, she finally walked out, stood in the middle of the Alley End, and raised her head.

A crescent moon hung in the sky, stars like a river.

She stood looking for a long while. At one moment thinking of mud, at another of water. After a long while, she entered the house, closed the door, latched and locked it, returned to her own room, and was about to shut the door when she suddenly paused, went out again, holding a lamp to the water vat under the shed.

In such darkness, the swimming fish in the water couldn't be seen clearly. She stared for half a day; only a dim yellow candlelight shone on the water surface, swaying, scattered by the fish inside.

She did have a mind—how could she not have a mind? That was why she was even more unwilling to owe such a great favor.