Chapter 54. Eating well and sleeping well in bunk beds leads to good health!

Lin Yao brought the steaming hot meat roll to the front hall, and its golden and glistening appearance instantly attracted the attention of the diners.

The three steamers of meat rolls weren't many; one serving per table was barely enough for everyone in the front hall. Some new guests, unfamiliar with Lin Yao's cooking, hesitated to order. While they were hesitating, Wu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), bought a whole steamer, saying he wanted to take it back for the镖局 (bodyguard agency)'s镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) to try. Seeing Wu's lack of martial ethics, carrying a whole steamer by himself, Chen Qianyuan couldn't sit still any longer and ordered two servings as well.

If others were to patronize the shop so enthusiastically, people would assume they were hired shills. However, Wu the镖头 (bodyguard) and Chen Qianyuan were not short of money. Because they ran a镖局 (bodyguard agency) and a clinic in town, they knew many people. Seeing that they were also rushing to buy, the diners who had been hesitating just moments before stopped hesitating. But goods don't wait for anyone, and while they were still hesitating, the few trays of meat rolls on the counter were almost gone.

Those who hadn't managed to buy any, smelling the lingering aroma in the air, asked, "Young lady, when will you steam another batch?"

Lin Yao wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled apologetically, "We won't steam any today. We didn't prepare enough ingredients, but we'll definitely make more tomorrow!"

Upon hearing Lin Yao's words, Liu Xu hurriedly ran to her side and suggested, "A Yao, I'll go buy the ingredients right now! So many people want to eat this, it would be such a waste not to make it!" He looked anxious, afraid of missing this great business opportunity.

Seeing this, Lin Yao smiled gently, pulled Liu Xu aside, and explained in a low voice, "Brother Xu, this is called 'hunger marketing.' We can't let customers eat their fill all at once. Think about it, the meat rolls were sold out as soon as they were served today, and those who tasted them raved about them. Those who didn't get to try them are still thinking about it. If we sell them again tomorrow, wouldn't that whet their appetites even more?"

Her eyes were bright as she patiently explained, "It's like you're craving candied hawthorns, but you're told they're sold out for today and won't be available until tomorrow. Wouldn't you be even more excited and come early to wait?"

Liu Xu scratched his head, seemingly understanding but not quite: "So you deliberately made less so that everyone would want to eat more?"

Lin Yao nodded and continued, "That's right. Moreover, we're launching a new product today so suddenly that the kitchen is in a rush to prepare. Making more would inevitably lead to chaos and affect the quality. It's better to first establish a good reputation and whet everyone's appetite. Then, when we're fully prepared, we can launch a big sale tomorrow."

Liu Xu suddenly realized, and an admiring look appeared on his face: "Shopkeeper, you're really quick-witted! How come I didn't think of that!"

Lin Yao smiled and patted his shoulder: "Learn more from him in the future. You'll gradually understand the ways of doing business. But even though we're not making meat rolls today, we can't let our customers leave empty-handed. Go to the kitchen and have Ayu prepare some pickled vegetables as side dishes for everyone, as an apology."

Just then, Xu Mu strode in carrying his woodworking crate. He twitched his nose and exclaimed, "Good heavens, what smells so good? I can smell it from two streets away!"

Lin Yao's eyes lit up, and she quickly led Xu Mu to the backyard: "Master Xu, you've come at just the right time! I specially saved a portion of the new meat rolls for you today!" She turned around and brought out a celadon plate from the kitchen. The meat rolls inside were still steaming hot, and scallions were sprinkled on top, making them look especially tempting.

Xu Mu rubbed his calloused hands, grinning to reveal a set of white teeth: "Oh, Miss Lin is so thoughtful!" Without any ceremony, he lifted his coarse cloth jacket and sat down on the stool, picked up a piece of meat roll, took a bite, and his eyes suddenly lit up: "So tender! This meat filling even has a hint of sesame oil!"

Xu Mu and his two apprentices quickly finished a serving of meat roll. Seeing that they had almost finished eating, Lin Yao led them to two rooms in the backyard and pointed to the narrow bed inside: "Master Xu, I want to make a bunk bed, connected by a ladder, with one person sleeping on each side." As she spoke, she squatted down and drew a sketch on the ground with a twig. "You see, for safety, add a railing along the edge of the upper bunk."

Although Lin Yao's sketch was simple, Xu Mu, having spent most of his life as a carpenter, immediately understood its meaning. He leaned over, staring intently at the sketch, his eyes widening with curiosity. His rough fingers rubbed his chin. "Your idea is excellent! I've been a carpenter for half my life, and this is the first time I've seen such a clever design. Wealthy families often build bunk beds for maids and servants, but none are as practical and space-saving as yours." He suddenly straightened up, looking intently at Lin Yao. "Young lady Lin, if your brain were in a man's body, I would have taken you on as my apprentice long ago!"

Lin Yao knew that Xu Mu was genuinely praising her, but in this era, women were already constrained by etiquette and rules. Someone like her who went out to do business was already an anomaly, let alone learn these skills that could be passed down through generations.

Lin Yao pulled herself out of her thoughts. What kind of rules and regulations this era imposed on women was not something a mere transmigrator like herself could control. She just needed to live her own life well.

The two finalized the dimensions and materials, and Xu Mu patted his chest and guaranteed, "This bed is simple, these guys and I can make it for you today! I'll personally supervise the cutting of the materials and make it sturdy, so it won't wobble even after twenty years!" With that, Xu Mu and his apprentices began sawing the wood.

Lin Yao returned to the kitchen. Xu Mu was a renowned carpenter in town. The skill gap and technical barriers between ancient craftsmen were far greater than in modern times. Building a good relationship with him meant she could have his furniture and other small items made for her new home in the future—not necessarily cheap, just durable. Lin Yao planned to cook three dishes: tofu with scallions, stir-fried cabbage with pork belly, and grilled fish, which she had been dreaming about lately!

Grilled fish is a very popular dish in modern times, and many restaurants have even made a name for themselves with just this one dish.

As the weather gets colder, setting up a clay stove and an iron plate on the table, cooking steaming hot grilled fish on the iron plate, and pairing it with side dishes such as bean sprouts, konjac, and lotus root not only warms the body but also enhances the taste. Of course, for Lin Yao, this can also significantly increase profits.

Lin Yao had various recipes for grilled fish in her mind, and finally she decided to try making perilla grilled fish first. Perilla is common nowadays and can be used not only as a drink but also as a side dish. In addition, perilla is spicy with a refreshing aroma, making it perfect for removing fishy smells and adding fragrance.

"Su Niang, clean the gills and innards of the fish, make three cuts on its back, and marinate it with salt and cooking wine." Lin Yao instructed as she chopped the dogwood and piled minced garlic and ginger aside. She had specially asked A Zhu to buy fruitwood charcoal from the charcoal shop, as this type of charcoal produces a strong fire but little smoke, giving the grilled fish a faint woody aroma.

Xu Mu was in the courtyard, wielding the ink line to draw lines, while his two apprentices had already sawed the bed boards neatly. Zhang Fan wiped the sweat from his brow. "Master, what do you think Lady Lin will cook for us later?"

Xu Mu lifted his foot and gave Zhang Fan a good whack on the butt. "Eat, eat, all you know is how to eat. It's not easy for Miss Lin to run this shop. She can't let you eat for free all the time. If you get hungry later, come to the front of the restaurant properly to order and pay."

Zhang Fan smacked his lips. "I know." He then nudged Zheng Dao's shoulder. "I think Miss Lin will definitely give us special treatment."

Zheng Dao agreed with his master, saying that Zhang Fan was unaware of the value of money when he wasn't in charge of the household. "I'll listen to my master."

Lin Yao placed the marinated fish on the grill, the flames licking at it. She turned to Wang Xiaoyu and Su Niang and said, "Grill the fish over low heat first, remember to flip it over, and brush on the oil only when the skin is slightly charred. The fruitwood charcoal is best when it's glowing red-hot and smokeless; too high a heat will burn it, and too low a heat will make it lose its tenderness." With a flick of her wrist, she brushed on a layer of oil, and amidst the sizzling sound, the fish skin gradually turned an enticing golden color.

Su Niang was chopping cabbage at the cutting board, the leaves flying as the knife rose and fell. Lin Yao caught a glimpse of this and reminded her, "Tear the cabbage leaves into palm-sized pieces so they absorb the flavor better when stir-fried. Choose pork belly with three layers of fat and lean meat, and render the fat in the pan first."

Lin Yao stuffed ginger slices into the cuts made in the fish and sprinkled on some coarse salt. "This is to make the fish meat firmer, and the salt can lock in the freshness."

While listening, Wang Xiaoyu cut the tender white tofu into small cubes. This tofu would not only be made into scallion tofu, but also added to the grilled fish.

After cutting the tofu, Wang Xiaoyu took the cabbage and pork belly that Su Niang had cut, poured some rapeseed oil into the wok, and as soon as the oil started to bubble, she slid the pork belly slices into the wok.

The slices of meat sizzled in the hot oil, gradually curling into golden-brown edges, filling the air with a rich aroma. The pork belly in the wok had already developed golden-brown fat, and Wang Xiaoyu, following Lin Yao's usual method, poured in the cabbage and stir-fried it quickly over high heat. Before long, a dish of oily and fragrant stir-fried pork belly with cabbage was ready.

As soon as Wang Xiaoyu put down the spatula, she ran to Lin Yao's side and continued to observe Lin Yao grilling fish.

"Grill the fish until both sides are golden brown." Lin Yao lifted the grilling tongs. The fish skin was already golden and crispy. She used a brush to dip in honey water and carefully spread it on the fish. "Honey water enhances the flavor and makes it taste richer."

Lin Yao placed the grilled fish on a plate, poured some lard into a pan, added ginger slices and minced garlic to sauté until fragrant, then gently slid the tofu cubes into the pan and fried them until golden brown on both sides. Next, she added bean sprouts, lotus root, and duck blood. The pan gradually began to simmer and steam, and she grabbed a handful of washed perilla leaves and sprinkled them in, the spicy aroma mingling with the fresh flavors of the ingredients.

Finally, Lin Yao carefully moved the grilled fish, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, into the cast iron pot. She then evenly spread the cooked side dishes around the fish, covered it with a thick layer of fresh perilla leaves, and poured over a broth made with dogwood, Sichuan peppercorns, and five-spice powder. The aroma assaulted everyone and even wafted outside the kitchen.

Zhang Fan sniffed, the enticing aroma making him forget his woodworking. "It smells so good! Chef, what dish is this? I want to order this later!"

Xu Mu was also ravenously hungry from the aroma. He had already eaten lunch before coming here and had just had a meat roll as a treat. Now he was hungry again, so he quickened his pace. "Hurry up and finish, I'll buy you some more!"

Having received his mentor's promise, Zhang Fan stopped wasting time and focused on working hard.

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Author's Note: Xu Zhiheng: Has no one noticed I'm missing? (T^T)

Mohele: A popular clay figurine in the Song Dynasty

Amber sugar: a common type of candy

Happy Group: Sesame Tangyuan