Chapter 252: Sesame Sauce
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Liu Yinyin did not understand what a hotpot was as she wondered if it would be enough for the whole family. Although she had doubts, Liu Yinyin felt there would not be a problem since her sister-in-law said it was okay.
“Well then, let’s go home quickly.” She could not wait any longer, even though she and her husband had just eaten lunch. Liu Yinyin did not know why she felt hungry again whenever she thought of her sister-in-law’s delicious food.
The couple sat on the oxcart and rushed home smilingly. Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin were thrilled that their business was good, their earnings were substantial, they could send their kids to school, and their days with their children were joyful.
Moreover, Liu Yinyin had nothing to worry about because her parents’ lives had also improved. She was always smiling, especially on weekdays.
The previous night, Liu Yinyin and Su Wenzhe took their children to eat at the Liu family home. Liu Yinyin went to her parent’s house in advance to deliver some food and have a meal during the Mooncake Festival.
On the day of the Mooncake Festival, she would spend it at the Su familys home. Liu Yinyin thought of the previous night and said smilingly, “I’ve never seen my parents so happy.”
Su Wenzhe responded, “It’s because they can make a living with duck blood vermicelli and soup dumplings. My parents are also happier since they can earn money and live good lives.”
Liu Yinyin nodded. ‘Yes, you’re right.” Her husband’s words deeply moved her.
Half the afternoon had passed when Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin reached home. At that time, Su Binglan and the others were busy in the courtyard.
Shen Qiuhua was washing the vegetables while her husband built supports so that he had a place to place the pot full of charcoal. Baili Jinghua was helping Su Binglan as Su Binglan cut the mutton and pork into small, thin strips.
Meanwhile, Su Xuexuan, Su Xuehai, and Baili Xihong played with blocks on the sidelines. They were toys that Su Binglan had made for them since the trio often played together these days.
However, Baili Xihong would stay by his mother’s side whenever the two little ones went to school during the day. Of course, Baili Jinghua brought her son to the Su familys home to play because she typically went there to her Su Binglan with her work.
Su Binglan had helped Baili Jinghua a lot, so Baili Jinghua would help her whenever she had free time. The two girls had gotten to know each other very well as they worked and talked together often.
Baili Jinghua i s personality gradually became relaxed. Only then did the Su family realize how gentle she looked. Still, she kept her straightforward attitude, and everyone liked it.
Su Wenxiu was also helping at home since Hundred Herb Hospital was closed for the festival.
Everyone was talking, and it was very lively when Liu Yinyin said smilingly, “We’re home!
She entered the house as she spoke while Su Wenzhe steered the oxcart and tied it up. Then the couple washed their hands and prepared to help the family. Su Wenzhe asked, “Little Sister, we’re having hotpot tonight, aren’t we?
“Yes, we are.”
Su Wenzhe was hungry. “I know it’ll be delicious since you made it.”
He did not eat much in the afternoon, so he could eat more in the evening.
Su Binglan handed a knife to Su Wenzhe, saying, “Cut the meat into thin strips while I get the seasoning.”
Baili Jinghua interjected, “Ooh, let me do it. I’m good at this.”
After all, she liked wielding knives and spears the most when she worked very hard in her martial arts training. Thus, she was skilled in using knives as she skillfully cut the meat into thin slices.
Su Wenzhe was stunned. ‘IT-That’s…”
His sister’s friend was just like his sister, as he felt that Baili Jinghua was not an ordinary person because of her extraordinary knife skills. Su Wenzhe did not even see how Baili Jinghua moved.
Everyone thought Baili Jinghua was a weak woman when she first arrived at the village. They dared not speak loudly for fear of being rude and scaring her.
No one expected her to be such a fierce woman after familiarizing themselves with her for a few days. Of course, that was a compliment, not a derogatory one.
The family would feel awkward if she were a delicate and fragile woman. It was still better this way.
“How’s that?” Baili Jinghua looked at Su Binglan like a child awaiting praise. Su Binglan nodded and said, “Nice, that’s excellent.”
Baili Jinghua smiled. “Leave these kinds of things to me in the future.”
Su Binglan seemed to have thought of something and asked, “Have you thought about what you want to do next?”
Baili Jinghua shook her head. “I don’t know what to do, but I’ve thought about it. I want to work beside you for now.”
She liked Su Binglan very much because she felt she was again by Princess Lan Roubings side. She finally had her good friend back, so she wanted to help Su Binglan.
Su Binglan’s expression changed. “Well, I have a suggestion. I plan to open a hotpot restaurant. How about helping me with that?”
“R-Really?!” Baili Jinghua could not believe it. She wondered if Su Binglan would honestly be willing to use her help.
“B-But I might get careless and not know how to do detailed work.” Baili Jinghua understood that she could not deceive Su Binglan. After all, she knew what she was good at and what she was not good at.
Su Binglan smiled. “I think you’re doing very well since you know how to make pastries. You’re also good at slicing meat, so you can do anything if you put in the effort.
She looked at Baili Jinghua encouragingly.
Baili Jinghua kept nodding. “Mhm!”
She did not know why, but listening to Su Binglan i s words reminded her more and more of Princess Lan Roubing.
Su Binglan had been dreaming of some strange things over the past few days. She dreamt that she knew Baili Jinghua. She shook her head, stopped thinking about it, and quickly prepared the seasoning.
Su Fengmao set up the pot and said, “Binglan, come here and see if this is
Su Binglan went over, looked, and said, “You did a good job, Father. We can light the charcoal, wait for the pot to get hot, insert the food, and eat.
No one had ever tried hotpot before, nor had they even heard of it. However, everyone was anxious as they could not wait to eat right away.
Su Fengmao said, “Your third uncle gave us this charcoal for free.”
“Okay, don’t tell Uncle Fengzhi we need more in the future because I want to pay him if we do,” Su Binglan responded.
Su Fengmao said, ‘I l didn’t, but he said you taught them how to make it. Besides, there’s no cost to burning charcoal because they just need to burn sticks they find from the mountain according to your method, so just tell him how much more we need.”
Su Binglan said, “I’ll talk to Uncle Fengzhi about it later.”
She wanted to open a hotpot restaurant and needed a lot of charcoal. However, she could not allow her third uncle to give her charcoal for free. Moreover, Su Fengzhi’s familys barbecue business was going well, and they were busy, so how could Su Binglan let them make charcoal for her?
Shen Qiuhua could not help but interject, “We could only cook simple dishes and not anything delicious during past Mooncake Festivals. Still, we would eat mooncakes and celebrate. This year will be the best because we have so many delicious foods. Even our mooncakes are different.”
Su Wenxiu chuckled and said, “I also think this year is extra lively, so I’m looking forward to the New Year since I know there will be more delicious things to eat then.”
Su Binglan continued to season the food with sesame sauce she had made from peanuts. Everyone smelled the sesame sauce and thought it was fragrant.
Su Wenwu finally came back after his trip. He just wanted to go home for the reunion festival during the Mooncake Festival.
He ran back to the village and arrived at the door of his parent’s house, but he could smell the delicious fragrance. When he looked inside, he suspected that he was hallucinating..
