Half an incense stick later.

The flames in the stove licked the bottom of the pot, and the firewood crackled slightly.

Ali squatted in front of the earthen stove, watching white foam gradually appear around the edge of the iron pot. The steam pushed against the wooden lid and trembled gently, as if something alive was breathing inside.

The most important thing when cooking over a wood fire is controlling the heat. If the fire is too strong, the rice will easily burn at the bottom; if the fire is too weak, the rice grains will become mushy.

At this moment, the aroma of rice mixed with the scent of pine wood wafted into my nostrils, and the bubbling sound of the water in the iron pot grew louder and louder.

Ahri used the fire tongs to remove two pieces of firewood, and the red glow of the embers reflected on the wall, casting shadows of varying shades.

The moment when white steam rises from the edge of the pot lid is the most challenging time to test one's patience.

At this point, only a thumb-sized piece of charcoal should remain in the stove to allow the rice to slowly "wake up" in the residual heat.

When you hear a soft crackling sound from the bottom of the pot, it means the rice grains are forming a golden, crispy crust.

The moment the lid is lifted, the steam rushes out, making you squint, and the aroma of the rice is simply irresistible.

"Qingcheng! A lot of people have arrived outside, saying they're here for dinner!"

The man who just took out the rice is called Qingcheng, and his beast form is an eagle.

The man who ran in from outside shouting for help was named Mo Ran, and his animal form was a tiger.

He swallowed hard; putting everything else aside, the food tasted really good.

Ahri scooped the food into a large wooden bucket next to her and then had the two of them carry it out.

They were also told that a meal cooked over firewood would cost thirty gold coins.

Mo Ran and Qing Cheng looked at Ah Li. Was this person finally going to get serious?

It turns out that her cooking skills are really amazing.

As soon as the aroma of the food wafted out, many people outside were trying to figure out where the smell was coming from.

Just then, another man ran up, shouting, "There aren't enough chairs and tables in the restaurant, and a lot of people are starting to line up!"

This person is called White Wolf, and his beast form is a white wolf.

There was another person following behind him, named Qingyi, whose animal form was a green snake.

The four of them looked at Ali, who was carrying a basket of bowls. Ali said, "Let's take it out first."

The restaurant is too small now, and it's even been vandalized before. There's not enough tables and chairs, so there's nothing we can do.

Qingyi and Bailang resisted the urge to peek into the giant rice bucket; they were hungry too.

"You two shouldn't just stand there either. One of you collect the money and keep the accounts, and the other maintain order in the restaurant. Anyone who dares to cause trouble, just throw them out."

As soon as Ahri finished speaking, the four of them suddenly became clear-headed, and their eyes showed vertical pupils that resembled those of beasts.

Are they ready to take action?

No need to hold it in anymore!

Mo Ran, Qing Cheng, Qing Yi, and Bai Lang all looked at Ah Li.

Ah Li ignored their stares. She wasn't stupid; if this pot of rice got overturned, she'd have nowhere to cry.

It would be better to let these four people go all out, so that people who come to eat will line up obediently and not cause trouble.

Once the large rice bucket filled with firewood-cooked rice was placed on the table, the four of them took their places, glancing at the somewhat chaotic guests present without saying a word, just a glance.

The people quieted down, and some were even intimidated by the orcish aura emanating from them, taking a few steps back.

Seeing that it worked, Ah Li lined up the bowls and announced loudly, "Meng Family Firewood Rice, thirty gold coins a bowl, first come, first served, once sold out, it's gone!"

Thirty gold coins?

"Are you obsessed with money?"

"Even if it tastes good, you can't treat us like suckers!"

"If you're not going to buy, then get out of the way! I want to buy first!"

One person had arrived long ago, and he was so captivated by the aroma of the food that he immediately pulled out thirty gold coins and said, "Give me a bowl!"

"Alright!"

Ah Li didn't hesitate and filled a whole bowl.

The man saw that there were vegetables and meat in the rice and took a big bite.

The next second, his eyes widened considerably; it was a delicacy!

This was the first time he had ever eaten such a delicious meal.

He held the bowl of rice and then pulled out a bag of gold coins. "Boss, give me another bowl, no, two bowls!"

Seeing how much he enjoyed his food, some people around him swallowed hard and shouted, "Give me a bowl too!"

"Alright!"

Ah Li worked quickly and efficiently, preparing bowl after bowl of food.

Mo Ran and Qing Cheng, one holding the bowl, the other collecting the money.

White Wolf and Green Robe were like an accountant and a person standing there, preventing those who were fighting for a bite to eat from suddenly rioting.

Soon, all the large buckets of firewood-cooked rice, the kind that could fit Ali alone, were sold out.

Some people looked at the empty rice bucket and saw that it was gone, not even a single grain of rice remained.

"Boss, that's all?"

"I haven't eaten yet!"

Hearing that many people said they didn't get to eat, Ahri said, "That's all the ingredients we have prepared for today. If you want to eat more, go register with my husband first. Register your name, pay a deposit of ten gold coins, and you can eat tomorrow!"

Some people are still hesitating, while others are saying, "It tastes good today, but who knows if it will taste good tomorrow?"

Ahri laughed and said, "I can guarantee you, it will taste even better than today's!"

"Then I need to register first!"

The first person to eat ran up to the white wolf.

Qingyi prepared another notebook for Bailang to write down the names of these people.

After watching the white wolf register him and hand over the gold coins, the man said to Ah Li, "Boss, there's rice but no soup. Can you make some soup tomorrow?"

Ahri nodded, "Yes, I will. I wasn't prepared enough today, but I will definitely do it tomorrow."

"Okay, then I'll come earlier tomorrow!"

The man patted his full belly and left, quite satisfied.

Many other people also went to White Wolf's side to queue up and register their names.

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