Su Dahu shook his head. "When we first started selling mala tang, a small number of customers mentioned this. But those who like mala tang and barbecue, and who love spicy food, would rather blanch it in boiling water than eat it without any spiciness."
Su Hua's heart stirred. Guests who can't eat spicy food but love it are mainly those whose mouths and stomachs are too sensitive to spiciness. There may not be many people like this in Qingshui County, but the total number in Tangshan Prefecture or other places is not small.
To retain these customers, a milder version of the spicy dish should be provided, rather than one that is completely non-spicy.
The best way to neutralize the spiciness to an acceptable level without excessively reducing it is to use Chinese medicinal herbs.
The thought had barely formed when Su Dalang said crisply, "Perilla, monk fruit, artemisia capillaris, and shiitake mushrooms can neutralize the spiciness."
"What?" The Su family members were momentarily stunned by these words.
Seeing everyone staring intently at her, the little girl blushed slightly, but still clearly said, "Perilla, monk fruit, wormwood, and five-spice powder can neutralize the spiciness. Grandpa Xue mentioned this when he was roasting rabbits in the backyard."
"Hahaha... Our eldest son is such a clever little devil." Su Hua laughed and ruffled his hair, her eyes filled with undisguised delight. "Eldest son is right. These four Chinese medicinal herbs are indeed the best choice to neutralize the spiciness. Neutralizing the spiciness rather than eliminating it is the only way to keep those customers who love spicy food but can't handle it. We have perilla at home. As for the other three herbs, we'll go and buy some when the pharmacy opens tomorrow."
The little guy had been silently watching from the sidelines when Dr. Zhou first visited Shanghe Village.
Later, when Elder Xue arrived, he became her little shadow.
He is generally not interested in other things, except for medical theory.
In the time of Yu the Great, folk healers were ranked below scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, belonging to the "middle nine streams" among the three religions and nine streams. However, the Valley of Divine Physicians was an exception. If Su Dalang could learn from Elder Xue in the future, he might have a bright future.
After hearing Su Hua's explanation, everyone finally understood the reason and looked at Su Dalang with great surprise.
Su Dahu and his wife smiled broadly; it was rare for Hua'er to praise them for being smart!
Only Su Erhu suddenly seemed like a wilted eggplant.
He looks exactly like his older brother, so why can't they have the same brains?
Moreover, he's already five years old, but his aunt has never gently patted his head like that before.
Su Hua noticed the changes in Su Erlang's eyes as she observed everyone's expressions. She smiled and ruffled his hair, saying, "Erlang is very clever, observant, and thoughtful. Keep up the good work!"
"Really?" Su Erhu's face turned slightly red.
Su Hua smiled and nodded, "Of course."
Su Dalang is more like Su Dahu, with a calm and steady personality, while Su Erlang is relatively lively. However, the two brothers are not yet five years old. While helping out at the restaurant, they also keep their minds active and think, which is already more advanced than most children their age.
After resolving the spiciness issue, Su Erhu suggested adding some drinks.
Especially during the upcoming two months of sweltering summer, offering iced drinks would be even more attractive to customers.
Su Hua agreed wholeheartedly. However, the new fruit trees in Zaozhuang had just been planted, and the crabapple trees at the end of the village would take another two months to ripen. To make drinks, they would need to buy some fruit from the Qin family's village, such as seasonal peaches, plums, apricots, and bayberries.
As for this iced drink, Qingshui County is located southwest of Dayu, where ice is more expensive than gold in summer.
To make iced drinks, you need to find saltpeter and make your own ice.
Sure enough, the brainstorming session was very effective. From now on, the restaurant can hold a brainstorming session every ten days, with not only the Su family members participating, but also the restaurant staff and head chefs.
After finishing their business, Su Hua walked out of the courtyard and saw A Zheng sitting alone by the window, drinking by herself.
There was already an empty bottle of apricot wine on the table.
The setting sun, like blood, shone through the window onto the girl, half in light and half in shadow, her loneliness spreading like a wine glass.
Su Hua raised an eyebrow and sat down beside her, picking up the wine pot and pouring herself a glass. "How is it? Barbecue at a restaurant must be tough!"
"It's alright, it's just that there are a lot of people, and my hands are sore from grilling." A-Zheng chuckled softly.
Turning her head, she picked up her wine glass and lightly clinked it against Su Hua's. In her deep pupils, the smoky red and the glow of the sunset reflected each other, forming glimpses of laughter. "I just didn't expect Xiao Hua'er to be so capable! How about you massage my hands later?"
The preceding words were perfectly normal, but the following sentence felt like a cat gripping one's heart.
However, Su Hua had seen even more exciting things, so she just smiled when she heard this, picked up the apricot wine in her cup and drank it all in one gulp. "This hand pressing is Elder Xue's specialty. Sister Azheng, why don't you ask Elder Xue for help?"
"No, Old Man Xue is more suitable for barbecuing."
Azheng refused without even thinking.
This interruption lessened the previously overwhelming loneliness by half.
Su Hua looked up at her quietly for a while before saying softly, "My mother, elder sister, and sister-in-law will be returning to Shanghe Village early tomorrow morning. Do you want to go with them?"
A-Zheng shook her head with a smile, "I can't just eat rice for free."
“You’re not a freeloader. You’re not my restaurant’s employee, you’re my friend.” Su Hua blinked, then joked, “Besides, I’ve already deposited a hundred taels of silver with you. If you’re careful with your food, it’ll be enough for you to live on for the rest of your life.”
A-Zheng paused, her hand holding the wine glass, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye seemed to burn uncontrollably.
After a long pause, she finally smiled and said, "Let's grill it for a few more days. I really like grilled meat."
She didn't know what else she could do besides grilling meat.
Perhaps that person was right. Once she took off her fine clothes and stripped away her original identity, she was nothing and could do nothing well.
On the contrary, the person in front of me seems to be able to do everything extremely well.
And she was her friend.
Her only friend in the world.
Su Hua put down her wine glass and beckoned to her, "Give me your hand."
"What...?" A-Zheng subconsciously stretched out her hands, but did not understand what she meant.
Until a slightly cool and tingling sensation came from my wrist, I looked down and saw a pair of delicate, slender hands in my line of sight.
A soft, gentle voice whispered in my ear, “Pressing these six acupoints regularly can effectively relieve hand soreness.”
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