Chapter 73 Opening Banquet: A Perfect Match
Lu Qiong checked again, and this time it really wouldn't work: "All three stove openings are blocked. It will take a lot of time to clear them."
But they can't afford to wait.
Jinniang rolled up her sleeves and snatched the bamboo pole from Lu Qiong's hand: "The stove at home often gets clogged with smoke, which is much harder to deal with than this. Don't worry, Qiong-jie, I'll clear it for you right away!"
She poked the bamboo pole forward, hitting the stone brick at the bend in the flue, and pushed harder, as if there was hope.
Then Jinniang's smile froze, and she looked both amused and exasperated: "I think I've stuck the bamboo pole in the stove..."
Lu Qiong couldn't laugh, so he could only tell Jin Niang to stop and wait for someone to clear the smoke channel.
Yang Jie'er also took a quick look outside and saw that there were quite a few diners waiting in the hall, some of whom looked impatient.
The kitchen was crowded, but she only peeked out briefly before returning, pacing back and forth with her hands clenched: "This can't wait! Several people have already ordered mutton and are waiting for me to make mutton soup! If I can't make it, it'll ruin our reputation, especially on the first day of business..."
What Sister Yang said reflected everyone's concerns. They all looked at Lu Qiong, after all, she was the manager and the backbone of the place.
The helpers could only assist, and seeing that things were not going well, their hearts sank and they lost all their enthusiasm.
Lu Qiong was also trying to find a solution that would satisfy both sides. The dishes had to be served soon, and the diners couldn't be made to wait any longer!
The stove is unusable, but there are other ovens in the kitchen, and the pastries have just been steamed...
Lu Qiong laughed and suddenly thought of a plan: "Sister Yang, go to the shop and bring out all the ice you have. We'll set out more fruit platters. Yao, go to the market and buy as much goat milk as you can."
Having spent a year with her, Sister Yang could roughly understand her intentions. She smiled and nodded, then went to find the ice hidden in the cellar.
Although A Yao didn't understand, he didn't dare to waste any more time. He took the money and rushed out to find the nearest sheep dealer.
Seeing that Jinniang was still standing there, Lu Qiong also needed her help: "Jinniang, do you still have the stove from when we ate the offerings from Boxia earlier?"
Jinniang was feeling guilty for causing trouble, but now that she was needed, she was overjoyed and nodded several times: "I have everything, I'll get it right away."
The little ones in the backyard were having a great time. Shuangjie was sitting on a low stool adding candied hawthorns, while Lu Xuan was pulling Wei Pan and Lijie along, fiddling with something.
Lu Qiong looked around, walked to the center, and muttered to herself, "This place is nice..."
When the house was renovated, the courtyard wall was also rebuilt, and there were still a lot of bricks left. She asked Lu Xuan to bring over a few bricks, squat down and arrange them into a square shape. Seeing the size, it was just enough to put a large pot in.
Lu Qiong brushed the dust off her hands, turned around and went into the house. A Yao had also bought back the goat milk, which was about half a basin, enough to make dozens of bowls of ice cream.
There was a well in the backyard, and Lu Xuan and the others drew water up to wash the newly bought fruit one by one.
Lu Qiong was in charge of plating the food. She laid a layer of ice under the plates and then placed loquats, bayberries, and peaches on top. The bottom of the plates was also freezing cold. After carrying a few plates, her hands went numb.
The diner was puzzled and pointed to the fruit platter in front of him: "I ordered braised mutton, not fruit!"
The reaction wasn't too strong, and Lu Qiong breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly smiled again and said, "Today is a little different. Let's start with cold dishes. We've also prepared a fruit platter for everyone, all of which are free."
As he spoke, he and Sister Yang presented the fruit platters, one for each table.
It's hot, and diners are easily agitated, but the fruit platter in front of them can calm them down, although there are still a few who find it hard to cope.
"Are you trying to fob me off with this? I only came here because I heard your mutton is fresh and your braised mutton is delicious. You think you can just give me some fruit and call it a day?"
He wasn't speaking quietly; even Lu Xuan in the backyard heard the noise. She saw that the man had broad shoulders and was even a head taller than Lu Qiong.
She was frightened, but also worried about her older sister, so she rushed forward and whispered in Lu Qiong's ear, "Is he causing trouble?"
Lu Qiong took her hand, signaling her to be quiet, and apologized to the diner, "It was our oversight. If you can't wait, sir, why don't you go and look at other restaurants?"
The diners were caught off guard by her words and fell silent. His companions, also feeling embarrassed, pulled him aside, saying, "You'd better behave yourself; everyone's watching..."
After this matter was put behind us, Lu Qiong had to deal with even more difficult problems.
Jinniang's stove has arrived, and together with the ones in the shop, a total of three stoves have been set up in the kitchen. They can only hold small earthenware pots, so it's impossible to cook mutton.
Afu, the kitchen helper, put charcoal on the stove, and with a hiss, a fire instantly ignited, and the goat's milk in the earthenware pot began to heat up.
The backyard wasn't idle either. Pang Qiaoniang helped Jinniang look after Shuangjie'er to prevent her from running around. Lu Xuan and the others piled up the stone bricks higher to make it easier to add firewood.
Afu and Sister Yang lifted the iron pot, taking small steps along the way. Lu Qiong followed closely behind them, reminding them to watch their step: "Watch your step, there are steps!"
The stone bricks were laid flat, so they were stable no matter how high they were piled up. The iron pot on top wouldn't wobble either. Only then did Lu Qiong smile: "Now we can cook the mutton."
The ice cream over there had also cooled down; the porcelain bowl was placed in ice cubes, making it especially cold to the touch, but the aroma was even more intense.
When it was served to diners, it attracted many people to crane their necks. The milky white ice cream was sweet and refreshing, with a hint of alcohol, which could even make people feel intoxicated.
Lu Qiong stood at the front of the hall and smiled at the diners: "These are the shop's newest dishes. You are the first to try them, and they are free. After you finish this ice cream, the braised mutton will be served!"
Another freebie?
These words resonated in the diners' minds, and all their previous anger dissipated, leaving only the icy cheese in front of them.
With one spoonful, the milky white ice cream slides down the edge of the spoon, melting in your mouth with both rich milky and alcoholic aromas.
Even the diners who were just angry were now savoring it. Before anyone else could take their first bite, one of them had already eaten half of the icing cream in his bowl, and he didn't forget to say to the person next to him, "It's a good thing I didn't leave earlier, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get this free icing cream."
With this bowl of ice cream before them, the diners were even more eager for the lamb that followed, constantly craning their necks to look into the backyard.
Several windows were opened in the wall near the backyard, and they are now open, allowing a view of the busy scenes in the yard.
Yang Jie'er was boiling water, first blanching the mutton to remove the gamey smell, skimming off the foam, then draining the water from the pot, washing it clean, and brushing it with oil. The pot sizzled as soon as it got hot, and Lu Qiong also poured in the chopped garlic to sauté until fragrant, the aroma wafting into the hall through the doors and windows.
Even after they finished the ice cream, no one urged them to hurry up and make more. They just kept swallowing their saliva, looking forward to the mutton feast to come.
The blanched mutton turned slightly white. It was then stir-fried in a hot pan. After a while, Sister Yang added soy sauce, sugar, and salt, and stir-fried it until it turned a dark brown color. Finally, she added water mixed with flour to make the broth thicker.
Seeing that it was about time, Lu Qiong nudged Lu Xuan, who was standing guard beside her, with her elbow and said, "Take these firewoods away for me."
Lu Xuan did as she was told, and even poured water on the fire to extinguish it.
After reducing the firewood in the pot by half, turn the heat from high to low, cover the pot, and simmer for a while.
Pfft pfft—
Everyone's attention returned to the iron pot, and Lu Qiong lifted it, releasing a cloud of steam and the aroma of braised mutton wafting outside the shop.
The mutton was soaked in the sauce, and it was very fragrant. She picked up the wooden dagger, turned it over a few more times to reduce the sauce, and then sprinkled some chopped green onions on top as a garnish.
Once served on a plate, the mutton is tender and juicy, and the sauce stains the white porcelain plate. The diners stare at it intently until the mutton is brought to the table.
Afu stayed in the kitchen the whole time, and while they were making braised mutton, she steamed rice for everyone by herself.
However, the portion was small, since it was made using the same oven used for steaming cakes.
Lu Xuan leaned against the window and watched as the diners in the lobby ate with such gusto, disregarding etiquette, grabbing lamb chops with their hands and easily removing the bones by gently biting into the meat. She was filled with envy.
"Sister, I also want to eat mutton. It would taste especially good if all the sauce was poured over the rice..."
Lu Qiong took out a bowl from behind her back, which was half-filled with braised mutton, and smiled, saying, "I saved this for you a while ago."
Lu Xuan hesitated, wondering what to do about Wei Pan and Li Jie'er, when she saw them all sitting around in the courtyard, watching the fire and tasting braised mutton.
However, they didn't stay in the courtyard for long. There were dozens of customers in the shop, and they had to clear away the leftovers and wash the dishes constantly.
They were busy until the afternoon before they finally had a chance to catch their breath.
As dusk approached, the kitchen chimney was also cleared. It turned out that the house was quite old, and the chimney in the wall hadn't been properly covered. When the rain came in, it would back up and block the chimney.
After Lu Qiong settled the payment, he escorted the person to Longjin Bridge, where he saw someone walking towards him in the setting sun.
Xie Xun also bowed to her, his face showing unease: "It is my fault that I was unable to attend your opening banquet today."
The vendor pushing his cart passed by the two of them, and Lu Qiong realized that the occasion was not appropriate. She smiled and said, "Let's go inside first."
"Did you try the pastries from this morning, Xie Lang?" Lu Qiong poured a cup of tea, which was a little cold, but she didn't care.
Xie Xun must have been thirsty, because he drank it all in one gulp. Fortunately, no water spilled out. He then smiled and said, "I tasted it as soon as I got it. It's sweet but not cloying. My little lady is still so skillful."
Lu Qiong smiled inwardly and asked him what he had been busy with.
"Recently, it rained, and the kapok seedlings were also flooded, but they are fine now."
Lu Qiong recalled the previous incident and jokingly asked him, "You didn't fall into the ditch this time, did you?"
Xie Xun lowered his head, perhaps pursing his lips, his voice somewhat muffled: "No."
Jinniang hadn't left yet. She had just come out of the backyard when she saw this scene. The setting sun shone through the wooden window onto the two of them. The young man lowered his head and smiled, while the woman's eyes were full of charm.
Now that's what you call a perfect match!
She retreated to the backyard, not daring to disturb the two who were talking.
The earthen wall isolated the bustling noise of the street. Lu Qiong glanced at Xie Xun and couldn't help but smile: "Wait here, I'll serve you a bowl of freshly cooked braised mutton."
Xie Xun smiled and nodded, until her figure was obscured by the wall...
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