Chapter 15: Teppanyaki Pork Belly Fried Rice - Teppanyaki Makes its Debut!

"Are you really sure you saw it clearly?" Lin Changshou was skeptical of what Hu Shi said.

“I saw it clearly! Yuan-ge’er was coming back from town today, and I was thinking of buying him a fish at the dock to nourish him. But when I got to the dock, I saw those three little jinxes selling food at their stall. Goodness, their business was booming!” Mrs. Hu said mysteriously. “I even heard the boatmen say that the braised pork offal they sell uses a family secret recipe! Could it be that my father-in-law and mother-in-law really gave them some secret recipe?”

She leaned closer to Lin Changshou and whispered, "Honey, isn't this strange? Before, those younger guys were good for nothing and always wanted more food. How come they suddenly know how to do business? You didn't see that stall, it was packed with people, incredibly lively, they've probably made a lot of money!"

Lin Changshou frowned, stroked his chin and pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "This matter is indeed a bit strange. But if there really is a secret recipe in the family, why would my parents live such a poor life? My father has always doted on me. If there is a secret recipe, it should be left to me! How could it be left to those jinxes from the second branch of the family?"

Madam Hu curled her lip, snorted heavily through her nose, and said disdainfully, "Tch, I think their short-lived mother probably secretly hid a lot of wealth before she died, keeping it a secret from us. Now those little brats have seized the opportunity and are using it to start a business. Husband, you'd better watch out and not let those kids take advantage of us. Think about our Yuan-ge and Ming-ge, they're still working themselves to the bone in town, how can we just stand by and watch them live the high life!"

A calculating glint flashed in Lin Changshou's eyes as he said, "Let me think about it. This matter can't just be left like this. If they really have some way to make money, I, as their uncle, will definitely help them out. How can I let a few kids run wild?"

While the eldest branch of the Lin family harbored their own secrets, a completely different scene unfolded in the kitchen of the second branch. Lin Cheng and Lin Song were gathered around an iron plate, examining its strange shape.

Lin Cheng had been puzzled ever since his sister ordered the iron plate, but he assumed she had her reasons. However, just now, when his sister enthusiastically announced she would use this "iron plate" to cook for everyone, he simply couldn't understand what such a plate could possibly be used for.

Lin Song, also looking curious, reached out and touched the cold iron plate. He turned to his older sister, Lin Yao, and asked with a puzzled look, "Second sister, what delicious food are you making?"

Lin Yao flicked the little tuft of hair on Lin Song's head. "You'll find out soon enough."

She first squatted down and skillfully added some dry firewood to the stove, then lit the dry grass. Soon, a roaring flame was burning in the stove. She placed the iron plate steadily on the stove, the flames licking the bottom of the iron plate.

The iron plate gradually warmed up, and wisps of heat began to emanate from its originally cold surface.

Lin Yao placed her hand one finger above the iron plate to feel the temperature. After confirming that the temperature was suitable, she turned around and walked to the vegetable basket next to her, took out the pork belly and green vegetables that she had prepared in advance, and scooped out a large bowl of leftover rice from the steamer next to her.

She skillfully sliced ​​the pork belly into thin slices and placed them on the hot plate. The moment the pork belly touched the hot plate, the sound of steam evaporating rang out, the fat of the pork belly was rendered out, the oil began to jump merrily on the hot plate, and the aroma of meat filled the air.

Lin Cheng and Lin Song were so enticed by the sudden aroma that they swallowed hard, their eyes wide open, staring intently at the iron plate.

Lin Yao occasionally turned the meat slices with a spatula. When the meat slices turned golden brown and slightly charred, she shoveled them aside and threw the greens on top. The greens softened quickly under the stimulation of the hot oil, emitting a fresh aroma. The greens coated with lard looked even more tender.

Then, Lin Yao poured the rice onto the hot plate, used a spatula to break it up, and mixed it thoroughly with the pork belly and vegetables. She sprinkled on some salt and seasonings, and continued to stir-fry. The rice rolled around on the hot plate, absorbing the aroma of the meat and vegetables, becoming incredibly tempting.

Lin Cheng couldn't help but lean closer, take a deep breath, and say, "This smells amazing!"

Lin Song looked up at her and said in a clear voice, "Second sister, you have to scoop me lots of rice later. I want to eat my fill so I can grow up quickly and earn lots and lots of copper coins for you!"

Lin Yao looked at Lin Song. The little guy had been eating well these past few days, and his originally pale face had turned rosy. She couldn't help but chuckle and said, "I'll fill your bowl to the brim later, so you have to eat a lot and grow up quickly so you can help your second sister earn countless amounts of money in the future! Earning money is much more exciting than earning copper coins!"

Making money should start small, and if you're going to make money, make big money. Copper coins are the smallest unit of currency in this era, how can they compare to the real and satisfying benefits of silver?

Amidst laughter and conversation, the sizzling pork belly fried rice was ready. Lin Yao ladled the fried rice onto a plate; the red meat, green vegetables, and white rice created a beautifully coordinated dish.

Lin Cheng and Lin Song couldn't wait to pick up their bowls and chopsticks and start eating heartily.

Lin Yao, though still sitting in her chair and outwardly calm, was secretly about to scream with excitement as she ate the fried rice.

This is the taste!

The rendered pork fat, fragrant and oily, coats the rice perfectly, making every bite bursting with the flavor of home cooking. The thinly sliced ​​pork belly, seared crisp on the hot plate, blends into the rice and vegetables, adding layers of texture and making this fried rice even more delicious and satisfying!

Every bite made Lin Yao feel that this was the meaning of her life!

In her past life, Lin Yao was completely focused on pursuing a slim figure and preferred light flavors. Back then, she would probably have thought this fried rice was a bit too oily. But now, life rarely offers the comfort of oil, and this fragrant and oily fried rice is simply the most delicious thing in the world, every bite is full of happiness.

Looking at her thin and frail body now, she needs to eat more and earn more money if she wants to recover!

“Brother, let’s steam more rice later. I want to make fried rice to sell at the dock tomorrow,” Lin Yao said.

Lin Cheng was enjoying his meal when he heard this. He paused and looked at Lin Yao with a puzzled expression: "Sell it at the dock? Is that feasible? This is all made from white rice, with lard and pork belly. It's all top-quality ingredients. If it's too expensive, I'm afraid not many people will be willing to spend the money to buy it."

Lin Yao swallowed the food in her mouth. "Brother, what you said makes sense, but dockworkers are bound to be tired and hungry after a day's work. At this time, if there were hot and filling food, I think someone would be willing to pay for it. This business might actually be able to take off."

"Besides, there are so many people at the docks. I don't plan to only do business with the dockworkers and boatmen." Lin Yao winked mischievously. "If we want to earn more money, we can't just focus on small businesses that only cost a few coins. There are so many merchants and bodyguards coming and going at the docks. They are busy all day long and have some spare money. Our sizzling pork belly fried rice has a unique flavor and can quickly fill their stomachs, which perfectly meets their needs."

“Ah Yao is right,” Lin Cheng also put down his chopsticks. “I was eating this fried rice and I was only thinking that it was delicious. I never thought that it could make money like this. Your brain is much more flexible than your older brother’s.”

After dinner, Lin Yao and Lin Song immediately began washing rice and vegetables, cleaning all the ingredients they would need for the next day.

Lin Yao noticed that autumn was approaching and the night air was getting chilly. She thought that it would be inappropriate to sell cold drinks at this time, so she decided not to brew any more of the previous drinks.

While slicing the pork belly, she discussed pricing with Lin Cheng: "Brother, how about ten coins for a serving of fried rice?"

Lin Cheng stopped wiping the iron plate, his brows furrowing slightly, his expression hesitant. "Ten coins a meal, that's really not cheap. Although we use only the best ingredients, I'm afraid this price will scare away a lot of customers."

Hearing Lin Cheng, a local, say this, Lin Yao knew she should reconsider the price. After a moment's thought, she quickly came up with an idea and said, "How about we sell the rice in large, medium, and small portions? A large portion is ten coins, a medium portion is eight coins, and a small portion is three coins. That way, people with different appetites and budgets can all have a suitable choice." As she spoke, she deftly found a bowl and gestured to demonstrate the three different portions, making it easier for Lin Cheng to understand.

From a consumer psychology perspective, if a product is sold at a single price of ten coins, customers will inevitably feel that the price is too high. However, by designing three price tiers, narrowing the price difference between the large and medium portions, and appropriately widening the price difference between the small, medium, and medium portions, the consumer's purchasing decisions can be cleverly guided. In this way, when comparing, customers will find that the medium and large portions are only two coins apart, but the medium portion is significantly larger, naturally making the large portion seem more cost-effective and thus more inclined to buy the large portion.

When a large serving of popcorn is priced at 30 yuan and a small serving at 20 yuan, most consumers will tend to choose the small serving, as it is more affordable. However, once a medium serving priced at 28 yuan is added between the two, the situation changes drastically. Consumers will find that by spending just 2 yuan more, they can upgrade from a medium to a large serving, instantly making the 30-yuan large serving seem more cost-effective and worthwhile. Here, the medium serving of popcorn acts like a carefully crafted "bait," subtly exerting its effect. This "bait effect" makes people feel that the old option is more cost-effective and attractive when faced with two equally good choices.

Lin Yao explained it to Lin Cheng in simple terms, "Now that you put it that way, it seems I'd also prefer to buy the ten-coin fried rice." Lin Cheng suddenly understood.

"Moreover, many people have probably never eaten fried rice before. A small portion for three coins is affordable for those who are short of money, and it also allows those who are unsure about the taste to try it out," Lin Yao said.

"Ah Yao, you're really quick-witted! We'll do it your way!" Lin Cheng nodded repeatedly.

Lin Song nodded in agreement, "Let's do as Second Sister says!"

Looking at his grown-up demeanor, Lin Yao found it both adorable and amusing, and scratched his chin, "You little guy, you understood that too?"

Lin Song ran off with a grin, "I got it, I got it! Second Sister's going to make a lot of money!"

A note from the author:

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