Chapter 38 Fish Ball Vermicelli Soup
After the two changed their clothes, when they re-entered the flower hall, Madam Ji was already sitting there with three people who looked like shopkeepers, looking at the things that Fan Xiaoxiao had brought.
Upon seeing the two enter, she quickly greeted them with a kind smile, saying, "It's kind of you two to come in such heavy rain. These three are the managers of our restaurant. They've heard about your culinary skills, madam, and wanted to come and see for themselves today."
The three men walked over, cupped their hands in greeting to Fan Xiaoxiao and her companion, and introduced themselves one by one: "My surname is Chen, you may call me Manager Chen."
“My surname is Ma. You may call me Manager Ma.”
"My surname is Gao. You two can call me Manager Gao."
Fan Xiaoxiao and Uncle Wang quickly returned the greeting. Madam Ji waved to the maid behind her and smiled at Fan Xiaoxiao, saying, "You two got caught in the rain just now, why don't you have some ginger tea?"
After saying this, two pretty maids came over with teacups. Uncle Wang was about to refuse, feeling a little uneasy, when Fan Xiaoxiao smiled sweetly, thanked him, and took the ginger tea, sipping it slowly. Seeing her like this, Uncle Wang couldn't refuse anymore, so he blushed and accepted the ginger tea as well.
After the two warmed up, Fan Xiaoxiao didn't waste any time. She put down her teacup and went to the materials she had brought, saying, "Alright, we've changed our clothes and had our tea. Now, let's talk about what Madam is most interested in. May I borrow your kitchen?"
"Of course, preparations have already been made there."
After Ji Yushu finished speaking, he led everyone into the Ji family's kitchen. Looking at the kitchen, which was two or three times larger than Old Zhang's, Fan Xiaoxiao thought to herself, "It's so good to be rich!" Even the stoves were two more than Old Zhao's! Not to mention all the complete pots and pans—she was envious, truly envious!
Fan Xiaoxiao looked around the kitchen with longing. Madam Ji smiled and said, "I don't know what Miss Fan needs. If you have any special requests, please feel free to make them."
"That's all. Just wait and see."
After saying that, Fan Xiaoxiao put down the materials she was carrying, picked up a clay pot and boiled water. After the water boiled, she sprinkled some yellow powder into it. A minute or two after the powder was added, a faint aroma of meat wafted out. Ji Yushu sniffed and sighed, "What is this? How come it smells like meat broth so quickly?"
Fan Xiaoxiao smiled mysteriously and shook the small bottle containing the yellow powder, saying, "This is a secret recipe."
After saying that, Fan Xiaoxiao added vermicelli, fish balls, and vegetables to the pot. Under the boiling broth, the mung bean vermicelli floated up and down, and in no time, a steaming bowl of hot casserole fish ball rice noodles was ready.
"Alright, you two, please have a taste first."
Vibrant green spinach was laid atop strands of silvery vermicelli, with five round, snow-white fish balls floating on top. The aroma of sesame oil mixed with a hint of pepper constantly stimulated the taste buds. Ji Yushu swallowed rather unceremoniously, then went to the back to get a few small bowls. He added more vermicelli, fish balls, and spinach, and poured some broth over them. After preparing these, he handed the bowls to Madam Ji and the three men dressed as shopkeepers.
Watching everyone pick up their bowls and taste the food, Uncle Wang nervously craned his neck, a hint of unease on his face. Fan Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, smiled broadly, appearing completely confident. Ji Yushu's eyes lit up the moment the fish balls entered his mouth; these unassuming white balls were incredibly bouncy and delicious. Looking at the clear broth in the bowl, he took a sip, the rich, savory flavor of fresh meat sliding smoothly down his throat, while the spinach, vibrant green and crisp, was truly tempting.
Finally, there's this glass noodle dish. It looks somewhat translucent, and when you pick it up, it's covered in broth. It's smooth to the taste, with a hint of chicken broth and fish flavor.
"Delicious! It's great!"
Hearing Ji Yushu's praise, Uncle Wang finally felt relieved, and a smile appeared on his face. Madam Ji and the three managers nodded repeatedly after finishing their meal. Manager Chen and Manager Ma exchanged a smile and said, "Madam! Where have we found such a capable person? With this, our restaurant business will definitely be able to turn the tide!"
"Yeah yeah!"
Madam Ji beamed with joy. That day, Fan Xiaoxiao had refused to work at her family's restaurant, and she had thought there was no chance of cooperation. Fortunately, after her repeated requests, the young lady of the Fan family agreed to help them find a solution. Now, things were much better; with this, they might actually be able to turn the tables on the Huang family!
"My lady, may I ask if this dish has a name?"
When Madam Ji asked about this, Fan Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "I now call this dish casserole fish ball vermicelli."
Ji Yushu smacked his lips, seemingly savoring the memory. Upon hearing Fan Xiaoxiao mention the name, he glanced at the empty bowl, rubbed his chin, and said, "The name 'Wife' is a bit too direct. I think it would be better to call her... Snow Pearl Vegetarian Shark Fin. The meatballs are snow-white, and the vermicelli covered in broth looks just like shark fin."
Fan Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow. "Wuhu, cultured people are really something else." This fish ball and vermicelli hot pot, named "Vegetarian Shark Fin," suddenly sounds like something you can't afford!
"Cough cough."
Manager Ma cleared his throat, frowned slightly, and said, "But a bowl of fish ball and vermicelli soup alone won't be enough to keep the customers coming back for long, and it won't solve the root of the problem!"
After these words were spoken, the people present, who had been somewhat excited, felt as if they had been doused with a bucket of cold water, and the atmosphere instantly turned cold.
The problems at Ji Family Restaurant stemmed largely from the fact that the Huang family's various taxes restricted the number of customers. In addition, the Huang family had to pay taxes when entering and leaving the town, which made the cost of their goods very high. Over time, few customers came to Linjiang Restaurant.
Fan Xiaoxiao had already inquired about this issue in town after Madam Ji came to ask her about the work assignment. She wasn't surprised at all when she heard Manager Ma say this.
“Indeed, Manager Ma, you are right. It is indeed difficult to solve your restaurant’s problems with just this one bowl of fish ball and vermicelli soup.”
As soon as Fan Xiaoxiao finished speaking, Uncle Wang's heart jumped again.
"Er Ya, what about us here?"
Fan Xiaoxiao patted Uncle Wang's arm, signaling him to calm down, and then continued, "But what if I said that this casserole fish ball vermicelli, oh no, it should be called Snow Pearl Vegetarian Shark Fin, could break the Huang family's heavy restrictions on Guqu Town?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Yushu's expression immediately turned serious. He put down his bowl, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Fan Xiaoxiao, and asked solemnly, "Does my wife have a solution?"
The rain outside was getting heavier and heavier. Fan Xiaoxiao curled her lips into a smile, like a cat licking its paws: "That's right."
(End of this chapter)
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