Chapter 61 061 Overcooked Cabbage Soup (Major Revision)

Steamed yam and meat patty with egg is a simple dish to make, but the soup is fresh and delicious. The yam is steamed until soft and flavorful, and the meat patty is tender and juicy. The egg is solidified on top of the meat patty, making it a light and nutritious dish that is not greasy at all.

Li Mei took a bite of meat and a sip of soup, and the tension between her brows, which had been taut all afternoon, finally relaxed.

My colleague's congee with preserved egg and lean pork arrived. It wasn't too bad, with plenty of lean pork and preserved egg, and the thick congee didn't taste like a pre-made dish. But as my colleague ate, his eyes kept glancing at Li Mei.

Is that simple, almost bland, steamed egg with yam and meat patty really that delicious?

"Director Li, would you mind if I tried a bite?"

They were longtime partners, and since her colleague spoke frankly, Li Mei had no reason to refuse.

My colleague took a bite of the meat pie, and regretted it as soon as he finished eating it.

"After eating your meat pie, how can I possibly enjoy my porridge?!"

The porridge that I thought was pretty good a moment ago is now full of problems.

It wasn't fragrant enough, smooth enough, or flavorful enough, and it lacked that fresh, made-to-order aroma. Recalling the rumors about this restaurant's often-prepared dishes, I suddenly couldn't bring myself to drink it.

"No, Director Li, you have to tell me which store it is!"

She's made up her mind, she'll order it tomorrow!

Li Mei smiled gently: "I'll send you the link later."

Li Mei slowly finished the yam and meat patty steamed egg, along with a bowl of rice and a side dish. After eating, her stomach felt warm, as if the pressure had disappeared.

While her colleagues were envious, they suddenly noticed that the sauce box seemed untouched.

"Director Li, why aren't you eating that?"

Li Mei glanced at the sauce: "I want something light tonight."

"Oh, I see."

She thought Li Mei wasn't going to eat anymore.

Li Mei put the sauce away, planning to use it as a condiment when she had to eat hospital food in the future.

...

That night, perhaps thanks to the delicious food, Li Mei didn't feel as tired as she had for the first time in a long time.

Of course, thanks to her colleagues' promotion, many people kept asking her for the link the next day.

Li Mei sent the link to the group chat.

She later kept that box of sauce in her office and ate it on several nights while working overtime.

*****

During this National Day holiday, many students, like Wu Na, left early.

Some people could hold out until the evening, while others arrived with their suitcases as soon as they got off the bus.

Business gradually picked up in the afternoon, and by evening, the store's customer traffic was significantly more than double that of usual.

"I've been waiting for this!"

"Wow, this braised food is even tastier than I expected!"

"The sauce I brought to school was all taken, sob sob sob, those animals."

The arrival of this group of young people has distinct characteristics.

Two or three people sit together, order a huge table full of food, eat until they're stuffed, and then pack up a few more servings of braised dishes before leaving.

Two girls sat at a small table near the door, their eyes glazed over. During their time at school, they had tried every claypot rice and braised dish in the vicinity, but none of them tasted like Wen's!

The two were so full they could barely stand up straight, yet they were reluctant to leave, so they looked up at the other diners around them.

One of them was clearly a small business owner on the street. He ate quickly and contentedly. Hearing his family calling from outside, he immediately shoveled down a few more bites, leaving only a little food uneaten. With a pained expression, he said to his mother, "The money has been paid," and hurriedly left.

There are also students who come to enjoy the delicious food during the weekend off-peak season. They are at the stage of life when they can eat the most. A pancake with vegetables and a bowl of rice are standard for them. They sit in twos and threes at a table, eating their own food and also eating their friends' food.

Some elderly people even brought their children along, and the children ate with great relish, filling their spoons to the brim, which brought smiles to the faces of the elderly.

Among everyone, a grandfather and grandson stood out.

The old woman's clothes weren't torn, but the style was old enough to be from ten years ago. Her gray hair was neatly combed. She held a bowl and lovingly asked the child across from her if he wanted more food.

"Eat a few more bites. Grandma doesn't know how to cook this at home."

Although the child's clothes were neat and clean, they were obviously a bit too big and swayed around on him.

"I don't want to eat anymore, Grandma will eat."

The child looked to be about five or six years old, but the things he said were remarkably sensible.

"You didn't eat much just now."

The old lady scolded, "Do you think your grandma is like you? Grandma is too old to digest such hard rice."

The child looked at the old man, then at the clay pot rice in the casserole.

"Eat quickly."

Without saying a word, the old man picked up a spoon and was about to feed him.

The child eventually gave in, reached out and took the chopsticks, and ate with relish.

The rice crust at the bottom of the claypot rice was crispy, and the spare ribs on top were delicious. The kids ate it without even looking up.

Soup is a special daily treat from Wenji. Sometimes it's as simple as seaweed and egg soup, and sometimes it's something that no one has ever heard of.

For example, today, a large pot in the store is simmering a pot of cabbage and tofu soup.

Just from the name, this soup sounds bland and unremarkable, but once you scoop out a bowl, you'll find that's not the case at all.

The soup pot is milky white. Before making the soup, stir-fry some flour and then add the soup. Fry the eggs in oil, drain the oil, and cut the eggs into thin strips. Add the fried egg strips to the soup pot. Cook the cabbage until it is very soft. Add some dried shrimp just before serving.

The simple cabbage soup, with the cabbage stewed until its shape is barely visible, has a rich, juicy flavor. The fried egg is slightly crispy, but it doesn't feel out of place in the thick soup. The tofu is tender, and the cabbage is refreshing. This seemingly simple cabbage soup carries a kind of rustic warmth.

The old woman drank one bowl, then went to get another. This kind of soft, mushy cabbage soup was perfect for her palate.

The child ate rice while reaching for the soup with his other hand.

The moment the child stretched out his hand, the girl, who had been looking around, twitched.

The child's hand was missing three fingers.

My gaze fell down and I realized that the child was still in a wheelchair.

One of the girls had a complicated look in her eyes, and the other girl followed her gaze, choking on a mouthful of rice that she couldn't swallow.

After finally swallowing it down, he said, "How about... we pay them for their meal later?"

The girl replied softly, "I'll go."

She got up and walked to the counter. To avoid being overheard, she whispered to Wen's mother, "Let's include the cost of the meal for that grandmother and grandson outside in the bill."

Wen's mother also lowered her voice.

"Thank you, you're the third person to say that..."

The regular customers are all familiar with this grandfather and grandson pair, but these college students are unaware of the inside story.

"Grandma Guo and Xiao Siyuan live nearby, so everyone gives them a discount."

The girl was a little surprised: "You two know each other?"

Wen's mother nodded.

A car accident took away Grandma Guo's son and daughter-in-law, and also caused Xiao Siyuan to lose a leg and several fingers. The old woman's son used to own a shop on this street; after the accident, Wen's mother sent 500 yuan to the funeral.

Later, the old lady brought her child to eat on the street, and no one charged her. Grandma Guo couldn't refuse, and for a long time she didn't come out again.

We're all adults here; how could we not see the old man's backbone?

So later they accepted them all, then filled the bowls fuller, gave more food, and offered a discount on the regular price.

Grandma Guo always made Xiao Siyuan express his gratitude and accepted everyone's kindness.

Looking at the grandmother and granddaughter over there, the girl gave Wen's mother a thumbs up.

Grandma Guo and Xiao Siyuan had just finished eating. The old lady got up shakily and struggled to push the child's wheelchair.

"Yingzhi, I've put the money on the table!"

Wen's mother chased after him outside: "You gave too much!"

Without saying a word, he stuffed a few yuan back into her hand, then handed the takeout box in his other hand to Grandma Guo.

"Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. These are homemade mooncakes with not much sugar in them. You should try them."

Grandma Guo kept declining, but Wen's mother was unusually firm.

"It's a holiday, so let the kids have a change of pace."

In the end, Wen's mother won, and Grandma Guo made Xiao Siyuan say thank you.

The little boy's hair had grown a bit longer, and it was fluffy like a peach. After Siyuan said thank you, Wen's mother said, "Shouldn't we shave Siyuan's head?"

Grandma Guo said with a smile, "This child's hair grows so fast, it needs to be shaved. I'll go to Xingxing's place to get it cut in a bit."

Wen's mother: "Zhou Xing isn't in the shop today. Why don't you go at another time? Only Wang Lei and Zhou Hao are here now."

Zhou Xing went to great lengths to recruit these two apprentices, often promoting them on the street, saying that he would charge the neighbors a hair washing fee, as a way for the two apprentices to practice their skills.

A few days ago, Wen's father went on a trip because it was cheap, and when he came back, Wen's mother almost kicked him out.

The hair was cut in different sections, some long and some short. The front hair was so short it didn't cover the forehead, while the back hair was so long it looked like it hadn't been cut at all.

Even when Wen Fan came home from school, the first thing he said was, "Dad, you're so ugly."

It's fortunate that it didn't cause Wen's father to become depressed.

Now, every time Wen's father sees Zhou Xing, he sighs and groans, and his resentful gaze almost makes Zhou Xing afraid to visit him.

Grandma Guo laughed a few times: "Okay, then I'll go tomorrow."

Wen's mother chatted for a few more minutes about everyday things until someone in the store called for the bill, at which point she hurriedly said goodbye.

Grandma Guo pushed her grandson's wheelchair, the autumn evening breeze caressing their faces. Little Siyuan, who had just been talking about being full, touched the warm mooncake.

"Grandma, can you guess what the mooncakes taste like?"

What do you think?

I think it's filled with red bean paste!

"Why don't you open it and see for yourself?"

Xiao Siyuan quietly opened the bag. The mooncakes made by the Wen family were not particularly fancy, and the molds had simple patterns and flavor labels.

Red bean paste, five-nut filling with shredded nuts, Sichuan pepper beef, red bean paste, lotus seed paste with salted egg yolk.

Xiao Siyuan can't wait for the Mid-Autumn Festival to arrive!

When Grandma Guo returned home, she first helped her grandson to bed, and then placed the mooncakes on the altar in the living room.

"Xiaogang, Yuqin, Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, you should try some mooncakes too."

“Siyuan and I are doing great, and Siyuan will be able to get a prosthetic leg soon.”

"Our neighbors have been very kind to us, and things will only get better from here on out."

A tear glistened at the corner of the old man's eye.

"I hope you're all doing well over there."

****

Wen's mother gave Grandma Guo a bag of mooncakes, and after letting the remaining mooncakes dry for a while, she wrapped them all up.

"I'll send these mooncakes to the kindergarten tomorrow."

One thousand mooncakes were given away, and the remaining mooncakes were left to rest and allow the oil to seep back into the mooncakes.

Wen Fan was scheduled to take a day off the next day and still had to go to school. Upon hearing this news, the person most devastated was not Wen Fan herself, but rather Assistant Zeng, who had called to order food.

Even through the phone, Wen's mother could hear the other party's frustration. After repeatedly inquiring, she learned that the chef was unable to take orders on Sundays. As a last resort, her assistant paid a high price to have the chef stew a few servings of pig's feet.

"My boss really likes to eat it."

Chen Jiahe suddenly returned to his hometown last week and reappeared a few days later. Although the feeling of returning home is not all pleasant, Chen Jiahe is obviously different.

This change was not noticeable to others, but Assistant Zeng could vaguely sense it.

The two are rushing back to Hong Kong Island the day after tomorrow. The braised pig's feet have been vacuum-packed so they can eat them for a few days after they get back. Assistant Zeng was quite disappointed.

"I hope to see your chef next time."

Having missed the opportunity last time, and with no explanation from Wen's mother this time, Assistant Zeng assumed it was some eccentric, reclusive master.

With the arrival of the adjusted work schedule, the military training for first-year high school students has come to an end.

The school organized a military training review, and the second and third-year students set aside an afternoon to watch the first-year students march in formation on the playground.

"Finally, it's over!"

This is not only the voice of first-year high school students, but also the voice of second-year and third-year high school students.

When high school freshmen were undergoing military training, aside from everything else, the cafeteria was really crowded and uncomfortable.

When the first year of high school ends, the school will implement staggered dismissal times.

Senior year starts first, followed by junior year, and freshman year last.

Han Lulu said excitedly, "I'm sure I'll be able to buy vegetable-filled pancakes then!"

It seems like the senior year of high school is separated from the other two years. Wenji's restaurant is so popular, but very few seniors go there. I don't know if they've never eaten there, or if they're too busy studying to have time.

However, Han Lulu was more than happy that the senior students didn't know about this shop. The competition was already fierce, and if they arrived late, they could only watch the queue for the pancakes with fillings and sigh in frustration. After school, the queue stretched as far as the eye could see. She didn't even want to think about another wave of people arriving!

"By the way, Wen Fan, are we talking about the 7th for our autumn outing?"

Wen Fan nodded: "Yes."

An eight-day holiday shouldn't be placed on the last day, as everyone needs to adjust. But placing it too early isn't good either, since everyone has personal matters to attend to.

On the penultimate day, everyone agreed.

"More than twenty people signed up this time, which is just right."

Since Fu Chuan and his group weren't going, it was good that Jin Rui, with his sharp tongue, was spared.

Qin He hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

Fu Chuan wasn't going, but there was another person on the list that surprised everyone.

Qin He glanced at Wen Fan secretly, hoping that Wen Fan wouldn't be too surprised to see Fang Weiyue.

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Author's Note: This chapter has been significantly revised. Sorry.