Chapter 40 Chapter 40

Chapter 40

"Brother, come out for dinner." Su Yinyin gently knocked on her brother's door.

Su Xian answered, and then came out, with ink still wet on his hands: "Sister, you and Daddy and Mommy eat first, I'll be here soon."

Su Yinyin took out a small handkerchief to wipe her brother's hands, and said, "Then I'll bring it to you, brother."

After saying that, Su Yinyin went to serve the food and let her brother eat in the room.

A few days ago, Su Yinyin's family went to register her brother for the Tongshi exam. When they received the official documents, the family felt more realistic that their child was going to take the imperial examination.

Su Xian was naturally no exception. Now it was the end of the twelfth lunar month and the private school was completely closed, so he could only review at home.

He would come to visit Mr. Huang, Mr. Li, and Mr. Zhang when he was free, but it was the New Year soon and everyone was very busy, especially the last two, who had more important examinations to attend.

Therefore, during this period of time, I can only rely on my own efforts.

The more times like this, the more he cannot relax. In the past few days, Su Xian has not left the room except when necessary.

His family knew that he was working hard, so they couldn't persuade him too much.

Fortunately, Yinyin can still call her brother, so she doesn't go to the store before and after the New Year, and just stays at home with her brother.

Su Yinyin brought the food. Su Xian was still writing. He came to his senses when he saw his sister coming. He hurried to take the food: "I will have dinner with my family tonight."

"It's okay, Dad and Mom don't mind." Su Yinyin even brought her own meal, obviously wanting to accompany her brother, "As long as brother thinks it's good."

Now, saying don't be nervous and relax is all empty talk.

It depends on whether the candidates feel comfortable.

After dinner, Su Yinyin took her brother out for some fresh air and cleared the snow off the swing in the yard.

The two played for a while, and seeing that her brother really wanted to go back to study, Su Yinyin naturally followed him obediently.

During this period, Yuan Rui also brought a notebook, which he had written down before and should be useful to the baby's brother.

However, Yuan Rui was also very busy. He said that there were many guests at home and he had to meet them.

In fact, the Su family is similar.

The Su family has extensive social connections, and Deputy Envoy Su has many friends. In addition to old friends and colleagues who came over in previous years, those who came over this year also included deputy envoys from the Military Department and even the families of the commanders.

Deputy Envoy Su was promoted from the seventh rank to the seventh rank, and the document from the Ministry of Personnel has already come down, which is indeed worth celebrating.

In addition, people that Su Madam knew through business, as well as couples who met through Xiao Hongniang, sent New Year gifts.

Even after the New Year, there were still guests coming to our house.

After the new year, it will be five years at AXA, and it is a new beginning.

On the third day of the first lunar month, Master Zhang and Chu Shan came to visit hand in hand, and it was estimated that good things were about to happen.

The Zhang family did hesitate about this, but after learning about the Chu family and Wei Shusheng, they became sympathetic.

Not only that, I also feel that the Chu family is so loyal and honest that they are really worthy of trust.

Of course, it was also because Mr. Zhang’s previous marriage was not going well.

"It's because of you." Master Zhang said embarrassedly, "They knew that we were connected because of you, so they were relieved instantly."

Is this even possible?!

The gap between the two families' backgrounds is quite huge.

Just because of her reputation as a matchmaker, are you going to just ignore it?

Isn't that a bit too blind?

But when I see people around worshipping gods in every household during the New Year, and Yuan Rui's family leaving for many days because of sacrifices, and they say they have to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple at home, it seems that I understand, right?

After all, this is ancient times, so it's normal to be a little superstitious.

Su Yinyin still said: "Okay, then you better be good, otherwise you will come to scold me in the future."

Chu Shan smiled at Master Zhang.

They wouldn't.

After Master Zhang finished his imperial examination, they started arranging his marriage.

It's the imperial examination again.

It feels like the whole capital is busy with this matter.

After seeing them off, Su Yinyin took out the recipe for her mini date paste pastries.

Last year when the provincial examination was held, the family business was better. This year when the imperial examination is held, candidates from all over the country will come, so there will definitely be more people, so we have to hurry and make new products.

Su Yinyin accompanied her brother while thinking about the recipe.

She didn't even go out when the house was open after the New Year.

The high-gluten flour was finally produced, and a lot of gluten was also produced.

Fortunately, gluten tastes good and it’s not a waste of food.

Next, make the date paste filling.

Su Yinyin originally thought that there were red dates in the orchard of Daguo's family, but she didn't grow any. Instead, Aunt Wang, who came to help, grew two and brought some dates to her from the countryside.

Madam Su also paid for this, so no one would suffer any loss.

As for what the child wants to do, let her do it.

Mrs. Su has eaten the noodles made by Bao Bao and knows that she is very talented.

The store opened on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. She went to the store to work, leaving her daughter and son at home.

But I told her that she could use a low fire but not touch the oven, as safety is the most important thing.

Su Yinyin would definitely agree, she is not the kind of person who would do anything messy!

When making date paste, the most important thing is the sweetness of the red dates and the frying time.

The red dates that Aunt Wang brought were big and plump, and they were delicious even when eaten alone. I think they would be equally good if made into date paste.

The ingredients are very simple, just remove the core of the red dates, add vegetable oil and a small amount of water.

First, boil the pitted red dates, then blend them into a paste and filter out the red date residue.

The next step is to pour it into the pot, turn on low heat, add vegetable oil while stirring, and soon the aroma of the red dates will come out.

Not to mention his brother who lived under the same roof, even his next-door neighbor Aunt Liu would keep an eye out for him.

"Yin Yin, what smells so good?"

Su Yinyin took out the date paste filling generously: "Aunt, please try it and see if it is sweet."

The slightly reddish date paste filling is soft and sweet, you’ll know it’s delicious without even tasting it!

Su Xian also took a bite and found it tasted delicious.

The date paste-filled foods I bought on the street before were definitely not as smooth and delicious as this one.

Seeing that both of them liked it, Su Yinyin knew that the date paste filling was ready.

"Your Su family is worthy of its heritage of craftsmanship. When you grow up, maybe you can revive the reputation of the Su family's dim sum." Aunt Liu's praise was sincere, but she also had to hurry out, so she couldn't say more.

Her daughter gave birth to a baby in December, so she must go and take care of her.

Su Yinyin said quickly: "When Sister Liu's baby is one month old, I will go see the baby too."

"Okay, okay, you should sit at the main seat at the full moon banquet."

If it weren’t for baby Yin Yin, my daughter’s marriage probably wouldn’t have been so good.

After Aunt Liu left, Su Xian ate two more bites and went back to study.

It is now the sixth day of the first lunar month, and the examination will be held in another month. He is very nervous.

Fortunately, the private school will open early tomorrow, so those who are taking the examination for children will finally have a teacher to teach them.

Examinations are a big problem no matter where you take them.

Su Yinyin thought of her college entrance examination and quickly shook her head, telling her not to think about such a terrible thing!

It’s better to make the mini date paste cakes on hand.

She knew a little about the reputation of the Su family's dim sum that Aunt Liu had just mentioned.

Decades ago, the Su family’s dim sum was somewhat famous throughout the capital, but it has fallen into decline over the past two generations.

Everyone has glorious moments, but it is true that we should not treat a moment as permanent.

The date paste filling was very well made.

We can finally get started.

Su Yinyin carefully took out a small can of grease.

If put here, it should be called醍醐. "Compendium of Materia Medica" says that milk becomes cheese, cheese becomes butter, and butter becomes醍醐.

In modern terms, it's probably something like butter.

She bought this by accident at the dairy factory.

She and her brother had to drink milk every morning. Her family was familiar with the owner of the buffalo farm in the suburbs. When they learned that they used milk to make oil, they realized that this might be the ancient butter.

This thing was called one of the Eight Delicacies in the previous dynasty. It was only because buffalo milk is more available now that the price has dropped slightly. Otherwise, her family simply could not afford it.

The boss also said: "In recent years, many households in Beijing like to drink milk, so the production has increased."

"Especially the wealthy families. They say that the palace has ordered milk for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and naturally the princes and nobles have followed suit."

“It’s only been a few years.”

Is there such a thing?

But as the leader leads the crowd, it is normal for people in Beijing to follow suit.

No matter what, getting butter was definitely a pleasant surprise for Su Yinyin.

I just hope that in the future there will be more milk and butter so the price can go down a bit!

For a baker like her, this is simply too good to be true.

After softening the butter, pour in the white sugar and stir. Then pour the high-gluten flour and more white sugar into the butter.

Finally, add egg liquid and knead into a smooth dough.

Leave the dough outside in a cold place for 15 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

Next, divide the dough into three parts, roll it out and cut it into irregular corners, and finally make it into a rectangle.

Add date paste into the rectangle, with the seam facing down, and brush with egg liquid.

Then sprinkle with white sesame seeds and cut into bite-sized pieces.

There was no one else in the kitchen at the moment, and Su Yinyin's cooking was smooth and pleasing to the eye.

The only drawback is that she has to stand on a small stool to do anything, otherwise she can't reach the table.

The final step, of course, is baking.

The oven at home is not heated, so it is better to send it to the store for baking.

Su Yinyin said something to her brother and quickly went out with the small basket.

The store is not far from my home, and I can get there in a short jog.

Business in the store is average at the moment, and Madam Su is the only one there.

"Yinyin, why are you here?" Madam Su hurriedly answered, "What is this place?"

"Mom, these are the snacks I made. Is the stove in the store empty? I would like to use it for fifteen minutes." Su Yinyin obediently showed the snacks to her mother.

Madam Su's eyes lit up: "Is this the thumb-sized jujube paste cake you mentioned?"

“It’s done so quickly.”

She thought she would have to wait a few more days.

My daughter does things too quickly. It seems she really has a talent for this.

Su Yinyin naturally couldn't just say "Mini Date Paste Pastry", after all, mini is a transliteration.

The word "thumb" is more intuitive. If it is the size of a thumb, it means it is small.

"Well, you can bake one bite at a time. It won't stick to your hands, and it won't fall apart."

As Su Yinyin was speaking, Madam Su had already gone to bake the snacks. In her opinion, the snacks were beautifully made, and the dough had a different aroma.

Like milk flavor?

Could it be that Yin Yin used the wisdom?

The mother and daughter exchanged their experiences in making desserts, and they both agreed that using butter to make desserts would allow the milky flavor to stimulate the sweetness.

As the two were talking, there were some passers-by scattered on the street.

Just after the Chinese New Year, most people won’t go to dim sum restaurants, as this is also the quietest time of the year.

Before, Su Niangzi and her daughter went back to their hometown after the Chinese New Year to learn a craft. They took advantage of the free time in January and February.

It definitely won’t work this year.

At least we have to wait until Su Xian finishes the Tongshi exam.

Regardless of whether they can pass the exam or not, their whole family will definitely accompany them.

Madam Su held her daughter in her arms to warm her hands, but her hands were warm. The warm clothes sent by Yuan Rui's family were indeed very good.

Thinking of this, Madam Su stroked the child's hair and said, "In a few days, the baby will be five years old."

Five years old, still a baby.

But after a few years, it won't be easy to play with boys all day.

Especially Yuan Rui, he has a good family background and is getting older.

Madam Su looked at her well-behaved daughter and smiled again, deciding not to think too much about it for now.

“It smells so good.”

"Shopkeeper, what kind of snacks do you have that smell so good?" A passerby wearing a fur hat stopped and kept sniffing the scent of Huinu's snacks.

"dessert!"

Madam Su, Su Yinyin subconsciously ran towards the oven.

The mother and daughter were having such a great time chatting that they actually forgot about this matter!

Fortunately, a passerby asked in time and it was baked just right.

"The store has just released a new product called thumb-sized jujube paste crisps." Su Yinyin said happily, "Mom, please try it first."

Su Yinyin's eyes were sparkling, making it impossible for Madam Su to refuse.

The Thumb-Headed Date Pastry lives up to its name. It can be held between the thumb and index finger, one bite at a time, and tastes elegant and decent.

But as a snack, the most important thing is taste.

“This fragrance, this date paste.”

"My daughter, how did you make it? The date paste has a dense and smooth texture, and the taste of the skin is very different." Madam Su was about to say that butter used in snacks is better than imagined, but she didn't say it.

This is their store’s secret recipe!

Madam Su tried another one. The freshly-baked thumb-sized date paste pastry was so delicious!

She is a snack maker, but she couldn't help but eat a lot more!

"Boss, don't just eat it yourself. Tell me how it's sold. Let me try it." The passerby who just spoke to him became anxious. He became anxious just by smelling it!

Madam Su smiled and said, "Thanks for reminding us, otherwise they would have been almost burnt. I'll give you the first two."

“It hasn’t officially started selling yet.”

The passerby was excited and stuffed it directly into his mouth.

It smells so good.

It’s fragrant and sweet, and I feel happy after eating it.

"What's that smell?"

"Madam Su, are you making new snacks at home?"

"Give me a few too. How are they sold?"

"I want one too. I've never smelled such delicious snacks before."

Neither Mrs. Su Yinyin had expected that they were just testing one furnace and had no intention of selling it.

But the aroma of freshly baked desserts is so intoxicating.

Such a warm and sweet smell in the middle of winter is really hard to resist.

The originally deserted store is now crowded with people, all coming for the thumb-sized date paste pastry.

Su Yinyin's super computing power came in handy at this moment.

After carefully calculating the cost of all the ingredients in her mind, plus the appropriate profit ratio for catering, Su Yinyin suddenly stuttered, "Mom, this thing might sell for ten cents each."

Ten cents for a thumb-sized snack.

Is this price too high?

Su Yinyin is not a profiteer, but the cost of materials is really too expensive.

Not to mention the unique high-gluten flour, precious butter, white sugar, and date paste.

Especially the first two, they are not raw materials that can be easily purchased.

Madam Su was surprised when she heard the price.

The sugar cake was the size of a palm and cost only eight cents.

This thumb-sized jujube paste pastry is really a bit expensive.

It was the first time for the two of them to sell snacks at such high prices, and they were quite speechless.

What's going on? It's obvious that they didn't falsely quote the price.

"It's delicious. It's so delicious. What's the secret recipe for this jujube paste? Why does it taste so sweet and smooth?"

He opened his fur hat while enjoying the free tasting and said anxiously, "I want to buy two more, no, ten!"

The customer looked at her eagerly. Su Yinyin whispered, "Ten cents each, are you sure?"

Ten cents?

The customers who were attracted by the aroma were dumbfounded.

Such a small thing, ten cents?

It's not a money grab.

Madam Su quickly explained: "We used very good and expensive materials, but I didn't expect it to be so expensive."

"This is the first batch, so the price is the only one I can get."

She would never question her daughter's ability to calculate, which must be there.

"Here! Ten!" said the customer who had just tasted it. "The small eight pieces in Nancheng cost twenty cents each, and I don't see people buying less."

How can it be the same!

The dim sum in Nancheng is famous for its deliciousness, so it is reasonable that it is expensive.

Can this small store be the same?

The customer who had tasted the snack took out the silver and said, "Ten pieces are worth one penny. Count them, shopkeeper. Give me some snacks."

Madam Su and Su Yinyin looked at each other, and the mother and daughter packed up quickly and accepted the money.

There is a market for thumb-sized jujube paste cakes that cost ten cents each!

Many of the onlookers were moved when they saw this.

It's okay to buy one and try it, even if it's just one bite.

Who makes it taste so sweet?

After tasting it, the situation was out of control.

"I want ten too!"

"I want five!"

"It's delicious. The taste is unique."

“I ate too fast and didn’t taste it!”

The milky aroma and sweet date paste filling are a perfect match.

And the flour seems different, too. It seems crispier? More fragrant?

Why?

Don’t ask why, I finally understand what people mean when they say the raw materials are good.

Such delicious snacks, no wonder they only cost ten cents each!

Now it doesn’t seem expensive at all!

A long line formed in front of Hui Nu Dim Sum. People passing by would ask, "What are you buying? Why are there so many people?"

"Delicious? I'll try it too. There are so many people lining up, it must be delicious."

Su Yinyin felt bad, looked at the line, then looked at the remaining dim sum, and quickly waved her hand: "Don't queue up, there is only one batch of new dim sum, and it will be gone when you get to queue."

There are eighty pieces in a batch, and most of them have been sold.

What?

Only one furnace?

That's even more worth buying.

Su Yinyin was helpless. She really didn't want to use hunger marketing. She was just afraid that customers would queue for a long time but not be able to buy the product, which would make them angry and disappointed.

After much persuasion from Su Niangzi and her daughter, they finally stopped queuing and promised, "We only have this one batch today. Come back tomorrow and it will definitely be ready tomorrow."

Su Yinyin alone would definitely not be able to do it. Madam Su must learn it first.

Customers who bought the Thumb-Headed Date Paste were shocked by how delicious it was, while those who didn’t were very disappointed.

The smell is so delicious. Look at the expressions of the people who bought the snacks.

Is it really that delicious?

Must try it tomorrow.

The whole batch of dim sum was sold out very quickly, so those who didn’t buy any had to take some other dim sum back home.

For the first time since opening at the beginning of the year, Hui Nu Dim Sum's business was unexpectedly good, and the whole street became much more lively.

Madam Su looked at the empty basket and sighed, "I forgot to leave some for your father and brother."

"I kept it." Su Yinyin opened the food box on the other side, "It's still hot. I'll take it home for my brother."

"Good baby, it's a pity that your father can't eat the first batch of hot food." Madam Su praised.

When the snacks were delivered back home, Su Xian was still reading a book. When he saw his sister bringing snacks to him, he wanted to eat some but was afraid that his hands would get dirty and it would be difficult for him to write.

Moreover, the snack crumbs that fell off could easily attract mice and other animals. Even though it was winter, he didn't want to eat at his desk.

But when I open the food box and see the bite-sized snacks, it seems that there won’t be any crumbs left? And my hands won’t get particularly dirty?

Su Yinyin didn't know what her brother was thinking. She still wanted to teach her mother how to make thumb-sized date paste cakes.

Madam Su has made quite a few snacks, and once you understand the principles, you can quickly get the hang of it.

It just takes more practice to learn how to use butter.

After learning about the ingredients used, Mrs. Su exclaimed, "Special flour is hard to come by, and butter is expensive, no wonder it tastes so good."

Ten cents is really worth it.

In just one afternoon, Mrs. Su mastered the method of making thumb-sized date paste crisps.

Tomorrow, new products from Hui Nu Dim Sum will be launched!

Thumb-sized date paste cake!

Madam Su started making more than one batch of snacks. Even Su Xian, who went to school the next day, and Deputy Envoy Su, who was on duty, brought a lot of new snacks before going out.

Especially Su Xian, he discovered yesterday that this kind of snack is convenient and elegant to eat, will not stain paper and ink, and is even suitable for use during exams.

That will keep the paper as neat as possible.

When he takes the provincial examination, he will bring this kind of snack to the examination room.

The elder brother Su Xian was focused on the Tongshi exam. He knew that only by passing the exam could he be worthy of his family's care for him and protect everyone in the family.

At this moment, there is a long line in front of Huinu Dim Sum.

Not only were there customers who didn’t buy anything yesterday, but there were also those who came because they were attracted by the aroma of the snacks.

There’s no way, the freshly-baked thumb-shaped date paste crisps are so fragrant!

It smells so good that I can’t walk!

Su Niangzi and her daughter were dumbfounded. They thought they were well prepared, so why were there so many people?

In order to prevent more customers waiting in line from wasting their time, the purchase limit had to be temporarily lifted.

Each person can buy up to ten, and we won’t sell any more.

They will do their best to make sure everyone has snacks!

When the lady boss of the sauce shop next door saw this, she came over to help.

We are all neighbors, so it’s our job to help out.

The private school where Sun Dongjun of the Sun family attends will not start until after the 15th, so he might as well come and help.

After the Chinese New Year, the seven-year-old boy has become a little thinner. He usually helps out in his family's shop, and here he helps to serve snacks with neat movements.

The long queue stretched directly to the doors of other stores, attracting more people to come and see.

What kind of snack is so attractive?

The person who asked this question smelled the freshly-baked thumb-sized date paste cakes and immediately joined the queue.

They want to eat too!

It smells so good!

In the private school where Su Xian was studying, the Jinshi teacher stared at Su Xian's snacks for several seconds.

Huang Xiucai, who was helping to teach the students, winked at Su Xian and the snacks were given to the teacher.

The Jinshi Master looked at his two favorite students and said with a straight face, "Are you after this snack of yours?"

Having said that, the Master still tasted it and said casually, "Very good, very good."

"All students taking the Tongkat Ali exam this year should buy this."

Why?

Another four or five students with dark circles under their eyes looked up.

Is it delicious?

"Eat, eat, eat, all you know is eating." The Jinshi teacher said seriously, "The Tongshi exam lasts a whole day. Do you want to take the exam on an empty stomach at noon?"

"The cakes distributed by the Imperial Examination Hall are cold and hard, and can easily stain the test papers. This kind of snack is best brought to the examination room."

The scholar, who had passed the imperial examination and had gone through countless imperial examinations, saw the deliciousness of this snack at a glance.

After tasting it just now, I found it sweet but not greasy, and more suitable to be brought to the examination room as a special snack.

"Did you hear me? Ask your family to prepare everything when you get home."

"If only one person passes the exam this year, come back and wait and see."

Everyone looked at Su Xian.

Buy it, why don’t we buy it?

But how does it taste?

Su Xian was somewhat reluctant, but for the sake of being classmates, he closed his eyes and shared the thumb-sized jujube paste cake: "You guys have a try."

“Remember to buy it at my house!”