From the very beginning, Ma Hua was already planning what he wanted to do in the future. Although he liked cooking,

But if I really had to cook for the rest of my life, I definitely couldn't do it.

As for money, to be honest, Ma Hua really doesn't care, given how much material resources are produced in the system's small courtyard.

You can easily make a few small profits by simply spending a little money.

However, MCA still wanted to find a legitimate way to make money, which was to open a restaurant.

Not for myself, but for my family.

To reassure my parents that I haven't been messing around outside, and to let them spend their money with peace of mind.

Nan Yi would become the head chef of his future grand hotel.

When Ma Hua arrived home, he saw his mother busily preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner.

When Ma Hua's mother saw him return, she said, "Xiao Hua, you're back."

"Mom, didn't I tell you that you don't need to worry about the New Year's Eve dinner? I've already arranged everything."

Ma Hua looked at his mother's busy figure, sighed, and said with some helplessness.

"I know, you can arrange things as you like, but if I don't prepare a few extra dishes myself..."

"I feel like this New Year's Eve dinner is particularly tasteless." The mother sighed. She knew Xiaohua meant well.

But cooking the New Year's Eve dinner herself is a memory etched into her bones over the years.

I always feel like something's missing if I don't cook a few dishes myself.

"Alright, Mom, then you can do less from now on." Ma Hua sighed. Fine, do it then.

As long as Mom is happy, that's all that matters. At worst, she can eat porridge every day starting tomorrow.

Sigh, if other people knew that my family had folded bamboo shoots to eat, they'd probably be envious.

Although there was a shortage of food and clothing in this era, every family still prepared for the New Year's Eve dinner.

They also did their best, using all the meat coupons they had saved up to try and cook a good meal.

Even if you can't make it, you should still try to cook a few different dishes to comfort yourself after a year of hard work.

Ma Hua handed the lunchboxes he had gotten from Nan Yi to his mother.

When the mother received the lunchbox and opened the first one, she was momentarily stunned.

The aroma wafting towards me, and the golden color...

And this thick, flavorful broth looks so appetizing.

The mother looked at Ma Hua with some hesitation, and asked him incredulously, "Is this abalone in baked sauce?"

"Yes, Mom, quickly open the other one and take a look." Ma Hua nodded.

He gestured to his mother to open another lunchbox.

"Orchid Bear Paw, Snow Plum Flying Dragon, Mandarin Duck Shark Fin, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth."

"Xiaohua, this..." The mother looked at Xiaohua with a trembling expression.

This is absolutely astonishing! So many expensive dishes! Let alone now...

Back then, even my family couldn't afford it.

"Hehe, didn't I tell you before? The machine repair shop I went to has a head chef who's a descendant of the imperial chefs."

"I helped him with a small favor, and he made it especially for me." Ma Hua chuckled.

I knew my mother would be shocked.

These few dishes alone would be unaffordable for most people, not even in future generations.

After all, bear paws and gyrfalcon are rare finds; those who eat them are practically working on sewing machines.

Just like how Northeastern cuisine later declined. After all, is Northeastern cuisine even considered food?

That's a three- or five-year minimum requirement. Forget about eating them, even if you just injure them, you'll still be in jail.

If it weren't for the later improvements to Northeastern cuisine, it would have disappeared long ago.

Seeing his mother's worry, Ma Hua immediately said, "Mom, don't worry, I've already given the money."

Besides, the help I gave your son wasn't anything harmful; I helped him find a wife.

You can ask my dad about this. Everyone in the machine repair shop knows he likes the factory's most beautiful girl.

He couldn't figure it out, so I gave him some advice, and that's why he...

"Fine, fine, I know you're meticulous, but you still can't handle it."

You think you can handle this, but Xiao Hua,

Remember this: we can't do anything illegal. And also...

You can only do this once. Don't you know what kind of world we live in now?

The mother sighed, saying with a hint of helplessness, "After all, Xiaohua has already brought the dishes."

What else could I do but eat? Besides, I'd already heard from Xiaohua that the man was a descendant of the imperial chefs.

She also wanted to taste what these famous dishes were like. The food made by the imperial chef was truly excellent.

It looks, smells, and tastes delicious! Then look at the dishes I made... sigh.

"Mom, I know, but it's Chinese New Year today, and I promise it'll only happen this once. Don't worry,"

Nowadays, everyone cooks meat at home, and no one else will know.

"As long as we don't tell anyone, no one will know." Ma Hua immediately nodded.

He understood his mother's concerns; indeed, what he had done today had brought some relief.

But it's Chinese New Year today, and I already have a baby, so why should I make my family suffer?

Looking at the colorful, fragrant, and delicious dishes before her, the mother sighed, "Oh, your dishes, once they're served..."

The food I cook is like swill.

"Mom, what are you saying? This dish isn't even one-thousandth as good as yours!"

Let me tell you, I'm not bragging, but the food you cooked is the best I've ever eaten.

Seeing his mother's somewhat disappointed expression, Ma Hua immediately comforted her.

"Hmph, you, no wonder people ask you for help in pursuing their wives. You have such a sweet tongue."

When the mother heard Ma Hua say that, although she knew Xiao Hua was lying to her,

But my mood improved after all, my son praised my cooking.

That mother didn't like to hear it.

"Alright, alright, get out of my way. Just looking at you annoys me. Go play with your nephew and niece."

"Those two heartless bastards have been saying they've missed you for a long time," the mother waved her hand, signaling Ma Hua to leave.