Chapter 256: Opening a Hotpot Restaurant
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan showed everyone how to use small plates to hold the seasoning. Afterward, she stirred it with chopsticks and invited everyone to sit around the burning pot.
After boiling the seasoning in the pot, Su Binglan put in the meat and vegetables she had prepared. The meat cooked quickly since Baili Jinghua had sliced them thinly.
Su Binglan scooped out the cooked meat and placed them on a plate, saying, “Okay, everyone. You can take the meat, dip them in the seasoning, and start eating.”
Everyone listened to her instructions to a tee and thought of how unique this eating style was. The whole family sat around the pot together, making the atmosphere lively.
“It’s so delicious! I like this way of eating.” “I never thought I could eat meat like this.”
“It’s so fragrant and unique.”
“I feel warm all over.’
It was autumn, so even though the weather was good that night, it was still a little cold. However, everyone sat around the hotpot and felt its warmth.
“It’s so tasty!”
“This is the first time I’ve learned about such a unique way of eating.”
Everyone ate quickly; even Su Binglan continued eating mutton, potato pancakes, sweet potato fries, and tofu. She taught everyone how to eat hotpot, and they all eventually understood.
The family even fought over the ladle to scoop up the food and helped to keep them from burning, especially Su Wenwu. He thought he had not done much since returning home and felt quite embarrassed. Therefore, he hurriedly helped everyone scoop food onto their plates.
Su Binglan explained smilingly, “Don’t be so anxious, Third Brother. You have to wait until the meat is cooked thoroughly. But since the tofu is essentially cooked, you can heat it a little in the pot before eating it.”
Just like that, Su Binglan guided everyone.
“This hotpot is delicious, Little Sister. It has a unique taste and makes me feel warm, especially because the weather is cold,” Su Wenzhe said as he ate.
“I’m so satisfied! My stomach feels so warm.” Su Wenxiu also ate a lot.
Meanwhile, Su Wenwu was about to cry because he had never eaten such delicious food. He ate so much that night and felt like he was dreaming, mainly because the food was so warm.
Su Binglan had prepared plenty of meat, vegetables, and even noodles. She said, “We’ve made a lot of food, so let’s eat as much as possible since it’s the Mooncake Festival.”
Even Baili Jinghua thought the food was delicious as she had never eaten such a thing in the capital. She and her son had eaten many delicacies with Su Binglan since they came to Su Teng Village.
Baili Jinghua realized that her son’s complexion had improved over the past few days. Moreover, he slept and ate well, causing him to become more cheerful. These changes made Baili Jinghua incredibly happy.
Everyone chatted and laughed happily as Su Binglan looked at them, “I plan to open a hotpot restaurant soon.”
She simply voiced her thoughts, but no one was surprised.
“Yes, you must open one for this delicacy. You have your father’s support, Binglan,” Su Fengmao said.
He thought people would still eat this kind of food even if they were full. He knew many would want to try hotpot for the first time when Su Binglan opened a hotpot restaurant.
Shen Qiuhua nodded and said, “The weather is getting colder since winter is just around the corner, so opening a hotpot restaurant is an excellent idea.”
After some thought, Liu Yinyin said, “I think a hotpot is more straightforward since we just need to set up the pot and prepare the ingredients. Then the customers can put in their meat and cook it themselves.
“Also, eating while cooking is enjoyable and especially appetizing.” She had grown keen on doing business and was used to thinking about it.
Su Wenzhe also agreed. “I’ll support you too, Little Sister. Just look at Xuexuan and Xuehai. They love this thing too.”
Su Xuexuan and Su Xuehai looked excited.
Su Wenxiu said, “This hotpot is excellent, Sister. The hotpot restaurant is a one-of-a-kind idea.’
There weren’t such things in the capital, so Su Wenwu said, “Aren’t you too busy with other things, Little Sister? I can help you with the restaurant if you let me eat more.”
He enjoyed eating hotpot, so he thought he could get more if he helped his sister run the restaurant. He became excited with that thought in mind.
Su Binglan looked at Su Wenwu’s expression and smiled. “You’re too kind, Third Brother, but don’t worry. You just got home, and you should know that there are many other delicacies you haven’t tried yet. You’ll slowly get to know these things soon.”
Su Wenwu was aware that he did not know many things. For example, this was the first time he had heard of tofu. However, his mother just explained that Su Binglan was the one who came up with these things.
Su Wenwu thought the tofu was delicious when he ate it. It was soft, smooth, and had a unique fragrance.
He was stunned, asking, “There are more delicacies?!”
Su Binglan just realized what everyone liked when they tried hotpot for the first time. She noticed that Su Wenwu loved to eat meat, so she thought of letting him try barbecued meat.
She continued putting noodles into the hotpot as she said, “I know you will enjoy barbecued meat, Third Brother. I’ll bring you to a barbecue stall after you’ve rested enough. The stall belongs to our third uncle, by the way.”
Su Fengmao added, “Your sister also came up with the barbecue idea.”
Su Wenwu was astonished as he thought, ‘Is my sister a genius or something?! It seems like she came up with everything around here!’
When he finished the food on his plate, he said, “Father, Mother, I won’t go out to work anymore. I’ll just stay here and help my sister with her work.”
He no longer wanted to leave town for work since there was delicious food at home, his family was well-off, and they had a big house.
Su Wenwu often went hungry when he worked away from home. He could not bear to eat because he wanted to save money. He would help his team with food instead.
Of course, he would eat, but he would not spend too much on food. He only bought white rice to fill his stomach, even if he did spend money.
It was tough out there, and to keep the goods safe, he and his team took turns keeping vigil at night. Nonetheless, Su Wenwu felt happy to be able to eat such good food when he returned.
Baili Jinghua added, “I don’t have much to do here, and I don’t know what I’m good at either, Binglan. Why don’t you open the restaurant and I’ll help? I’ll take good care of the food and the customers.”
After all, Su Binglan would need help once she opened her hotpot restaurant.
Then she could rest assured with Su Wenwu and Baili Jinghua around.
Su Wenxiu said, “I can help too if you can’t handle it, Sister.”
Su Binglan said thoughtfully, “Wenxiu, you must focus on your studies if you want to learn about medicine. Don’t bother yourself with other things. I can handle it.”
Su Fengmao said, “The house is finally ready, and I don’t have anything else to do now. Your mother can handle the soybeans, so I’ll help you with the hotpot restaurant.”
“It’s all right, Father. You can just rest at home,” Su Binglan interjected.
However, Su Fengmao insisted, “You’ve healed my foot, and I can do many things now. Let me help you, Daughter.”
He knew his daughter had done much for the family, so he genuinely wanted to
help her with something..
