Although they are now much closer to the dock stalls, Meng Zhao is still worried that the food will get cold if they stay out too long. So when she was preparing the food to load it onto the truck, she wrapped each bowl in a cotton quilt, which would keep it warm to some extent.

After Madam Gu and Aunt Feng'e went to the dock, she took the blueprints she had drawn in advance from the house and went to the carpenter's shop.

Just then, Li, the carpenter who was planing wood, saw her coming and immediately beamed with joy. "Young lady, what are you going to make this time?"

Meng Zhao handed over the prepared drawings, "Master Li, please take a look at this."

Carpenter Li took the blueprints and looked them over. They looked like a frame. Although he didn't quite understand their purpose, he didn't ask any further questions. Anyway, Meng Zhao's blueprints were clear enough, with the dimensions and splicing directions of each component marked. He just needed to follow the instructions. He was also used to the girl ordering novel items from time to time.

"By the way, Master Zhao, how's the signboard I ordered coming along?"

"Girl, don't worry, it's almost finished. Come back tomorrow and take the signboard and this stand with you."

Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. He then paid the deposit and left the carpenter's shop.

A few days ago, their skewers business was so good that she told many customers about the location of the shop. Since so many people liked it, Meng Zhao didn't want to give up the business. She planned to open a shop that combined braised meat and skewers.

She had already planned the space in the shop in advance. There was originally a partition in the shop used for customers to take measurements and make clothes, but Meng Zhao had it removed, leaving only a large open space, about 20 square meters but less than 30 square meters.

We'll put the braised meat near the entrance to sell, so that passersby can smell the aroma.

The shop can accommodate five tables for four people each. There is also some space on the left side, where Meng Zhao installed a shelf to display skewers for customers to choose from.

Although the shop had ventilation openings, Meng Zhao did not build a stove. Instead, he prepared several more stoves, mainly to ensure the temperature of the braised meat and the skewers. Secondly, in winter, having several stoves would make the shop warmer.

To prepare these things, Meng Zhao has been running around a lot lately, and has even become familiar with the carpenter's shop.

The newly ordered rack was also for making meatballs, because chopping meat by hand is too strenuous. So she remembered the foot-operated stone mortar she had seen when she was a child, used for making glutinous rice cakes.

By stepping on the pedal and using the weight of the wooden mallet, the meat is pounded into a paste. This not only saves effort, but also makes the meatballs more delicate and elastic.

***

When Gu Shi and Aunt Feng'e returned, Meng Zhao was testing the recipe for braised meat. As soon as they entered the door, they smelled the rich aroma of meat.

"Zhao Zhao, this smells so good! I feel like I could eat two bowls of rice just from the aroma."

"Hahaha, Auntie, you're exaggerating too much!" Meng Zhao laughed so hard she bent over.

Aunt Feng'e shook her head firmly, "I'm not exaggerating, your braised meat recipe is really delicious."

Meng Zhao smiled as she ladled out the freshly braised meat and warmly greeted them, "Mom, Aunt, Qingze and Qingyu, put down what you're doing and come and taste this braised meat."

Everyone's feedback was that it was delicious. Meng Zhao said helplessly, "You can't fool me. We're doing business here. If you think there's anything wrong, you must tell me as soon as possible so I can take a look and make some changes."

Madam Gu took a couple more bites of the braised meat, savored it carefully, and then shook her head. "Zhaozhao, I think the braised meat you've made these past few times is quite delicious, but to me, the taste is actually pretty much the same."

For this braised meat business, she has tried the recipe many times. Each time, she adjusts the recipe proportions based on the previous finished product and feels that something is not right. But unfortunately, apart from Meng Zhao, no one else seems to be able to taste the difference.

Since that was the case, Meng Zhao decided not to make any further changes. In any case, she felt that the taste was already the best she could achieve with the available ingredients, so she decided to follow the recipe.

After everything was decided, Meng Zhao found a large bowl, scooped out several kinds of braised meat from the pot, filled it to the brim, and carried it to her neighbor's house next door.

Before renting the shop, she had inquired about the family living next door. The man worked as an accountant at the pawnshop, and the woman did odd jobs. They originally lived in the village, but because their son passed the imperial examination a couple of years ago and is currently studying at the county school, they rented a courtyard in the county to accompany their son to study.

Meng Zhao stepped forward and knocked on the door. When she saw that the person who opened the door was a woman of similar age to Gu Shi, she said, "You must be Aunt Qian. I just moved in next door. I was in such a hurry when I moved yesterday that I didn't have time to say hello. I made some braised meat at home today, and it tasted pretty good, so I thought I'd bring it over for you to try."

Aunt Qian had heard a few days ago that the family next door was moving out, but she didn't know who would be moving in. She didn't expect Meng Zhao to come to her door today. She quickly smiled and replied, "Oh, why are you being so polite? Please come in and sit down."

Meng Zhao smiled and waved her hand, "No need, Auntie. I still have chores to do at home. I'll just bring the things over."

Hearing Meng Zhao say this, Aunt Qian didn't insist. She took a bowl from the house and handed it to Meng Zhao. "You see, we don't have anything good at home. These are the buns I made yesterday. Take them home and try them. If you like them, come back to Aunt Qian for more."

Meng Zhao brought some braised meat, and in return, the other party naturally gave her some as well, so she didn't refuse and accepted the steamed buns.

"What a coincidence! We were just wondering what to eat tonight. Now it's perfect. We can have the steamed buns that Auntie made with the braised pork."

After chatting casually for a few more minutes, Meng Zhao took the steamed buns and went home.

In a neighborhood, there are always ways to help each other out. It's not about having the best relationship; as long as we can get along well and avoid major conflicts, that's enough.