Chapter 65 065 A Bountiful Harvest in the Golden Jade Pressure Cooker [First Update]
A group of people simultaneously flooded the screen with comments, which was quite impactful. Everyone was clamoring for the store to relocate.
[Cosmic Escape: The host said this shop is opposite a middle school. What kind of spending power do middle school students have?! Don't waste your life in a place like this! Come to our XX National University! Our environment is beautiful, but prices are higher. You'll definitely make a fortune here!]
Yang Tao spat out a mouthful of water.
Beautiful environment, but relatively high prices...
Is this a recommendation or a criticism?
[Carrying a bucket up the mountain: Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing at the Minzu University? The host is from XX University of Technology! Trust me, come to the University of Technology, I guarantee the vendors will be busy from morning till night. Plus, our university is nestled against the mountains and by the water, so we have all sorts of local ingredients—you name it!]
Yang Tao: ...That's true. The mountains are so big, with all sorts of snakes, insects, rodents, wild vegetables, and fruits—a complete variety.
[Kaka: ...Why are they all taking over our local shops? Don't you people not eat noodles much where you're from?]
[Juanjuan: No way! I just ate lunch! And I only had claypot rice and steamed rice in a bowl, I didn't even eat the whole thing!]
These two local girls came over as soon as they saw the live stream today. When Yang Tao arrived in the afternoon, the two girls had just finished eating. They were holding their stomachs as they watched him set up the live stream and even greeted him.
"So you're from Taohao Store."
Yang Tao thought back, "You guys are... from the live stream?"
The two girls covered their mouths and laughed: "Yes."
I didn't want to go out during the National Day holiday and just wanted to stay home to avoid the crowds. But I got so hungry when I saw the live stream that I drove all the way from the county.
In this small town with few people, the two chatted all the way and unexpectedly discovered that they had several mutual friends, which made them feel instantly familiar with each other. Now, holding hands, they acted like best friends who had known each other for a long time.
"We didn't get to eat the lamb pilaf you made on your live stream!"
Although claypot rice was also delicious, the two of them still longed for the hand-pulled lamb rice for lunch.
Yang Tao scratched the back of his head: "I already said in the live stream that this was made by the restaurant on its own... If you want to eat this kind of special meal, you can order the private kitchen dishes."
"What kind of private kitchen dishes?"
Yang Tao enthusiastically explained: "Every weekend and holiday, the restaurant will have private kitchen dishes. You can order from the menu or have the owner cook for you. It costs 100 yuan per person, minimum of three people."
The two girls looked at each other, wanting to stay the night and enjoy this home-cooked meal, but Wen Fan informed them that it was canceled at the last minute.
"We don't have many dishes left in the restaurant, so some dishes need to be prepared in advance."
It would have been fine before, but now it's a holiday, and the college students who come in are like gluttons. The restaurant even ran out of vegetables for claypot rice in the afternoon. Wen's father had to go out and buy some more, and after he came back, he kept complaining that the vegetables were too old.
Wen Fan can put together a few stir-fries, but she also has her own principles. A meal must have at least one soup, so she has to start preparing in the morning.
The two looked at each other and decided to come back tomorrow.
"I didn't bring anything today, I'll come back tomorrow and book a guesthouse for the night."
Yang Tao wasn't surprised at all. People who drive dozens of kilometers for a meal would be strange not to eat if they heard there was a private kitchen.
As for the minimum order of three people, that's not a problem for them either, since they have several mutual friends, and they can just invite one tomorrow.
The conversation was quickly overheard by those nearby, and a college student with a keen sense of smell immediately raised his hand: "I want to eat too!"
He had been listening for quite a while and couldn't wait any longer.
Once there's a first, there's bound to be a second.
In the blink of an eye, three tables of private dining for tomorrow night have been booked.
Others were also shouting, but they couldn't place an order.
"Only three tables!"
"Hey, didn't you hear what people say? There are only three tables available every night on holidays."
"Then I'll book for the day after tomorrow."
"One hundred per person, that's a bit expensive..."
"What's so expensive about it? It's only 100 yuan per person and they'll cook it fresh for you. If you go to a shopping mall, this price will only get you broccoli that's been frozen for 18 months."
"I can't gather three people..."
"Are you stupid? Just ask who wants to share a table."
"Hey sis, are you in two days? Me too! Can we add each other on WeChat?"
...
Soon, Wen's counter was flooded with people placing orders.
Wen's mother created groups one by one, noting the time in each group, and then notifying everyone in the group after confirming everything...
Wen's mother suddenly dreamt of the summer after-school care program, but this time it was all college students.
With seven or eight tables booked out at once, Wen Fan's mood improved considerably, and the stir-fried noodles she made that evening were both fragrant and delicious.
Then I saw the comments section filled with people frantically promoting their own university or their location.
This sales pitch got the locals fired up, and they started to fight back.
[Juanjuan: The boss isn't going! Her business is booming! Plus, the boss cooks her own special dishes, we're going to eat there tomorrow!]
[Kaka: Exactly!]
[Juanjuan: And who said local prices are low? You wait, I'll post it on my WeChat Moments tomorrow and tell everyone to go and patronize the place!]
[Kaka: Exactly!]
[Kaka: If you don't believe me, I'll start a live stream tomorrow!]
The chat was in complete chaos. The college students who had booked seats also discovered Yang Tao's live stream. Yang Tao was not shy at all and chatted with people while streaming, and these people also flocked into the live stream to support him.
[momo: This is hilarious! I've never seen someone poach a customer just for reviewing a restaurant. The restaurant is super famous locally, okay?!]
[Milk Candy Bunny: Yeah, the store is super crowded. Even when I sleep in late during summer vacation, I can't get a reservation.]
[MuMu: And you're saying it's near a high school? Don't you know the boss's daughter goes to school here?]
As soon as these words were spoken, some people below started to have wicked ideas.
[Cosmic Escape: Hey? Could the boss's daughter come and study at our Minzu University? If she gets accepted, would the boss open the shop here?]
[Little Lucky Guy: Holy crap, blind student, you've hit the nail on the head!]
[God of Inflated Coupons: I'm begging you, if you want my sister to get into our university, we're willing to offer 800 boys as payment. From now on, we'll cover everything for you, from fetching water and food to carrying your luggage and taking final exams!]
[Cosmic Escape: Sis, our Minzu University is great, the natural scenery is absolutely gorgeous, have you considered it?]
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the shop, and Yang Tao managed to hear a few lines of traditional Chinese opera.
"Damn it, why are they digging up other people's children?"
"Ahhh, what's wrong with our agricultural university?!"
The comments section quickly went off-topic, turning into promotions between various universities.
Yang Tao was so overwhelmed by the generous donations he received from the backstage that he felt dizzy.
This group of people couldn't stop arguing. When they got carried away, they started throwing gifts, like fireworks, roses, and carriages. Yang Tao earned five or six hundred yuan in one go.
In the end, fearing his account would be banned by the platform, Yang Tao quickly ended the broadcast.
Yang Tao patted his chest and quietly asked Wen Fan, "If these people knew that you were the head chef, they would probably fight tooth and nail to get you. But seriously, which university do you want to go to in the future?"
Yang Tao was thinking ahead for Wen Fan. Uncle Wen and Aunt Xia originally opened this shop for their daughter. It was fine when Wen Fan was in high school, but if she went to university in another city, would they still stay here? Even if they did, Wen Fan would probably only appear during holidays, and it would be even more difficult to enjoy Wen Fan's cooking in the future.
The further Yang Tao thought about it, the worse Wen Fan's expression became.
Still in university, Wen Fan is already worried about the final exams.
Even closer to university is the option of paying a high price to get into a good university. If she becomes a high-priced student, she definitely won't be able to get into a top university in her senior year. Without getting into a top university, her chances of getting into a good university will be greatly reduced.
Thinking about this, Wen Fan felt so anxious that he wished he could have a cup of almond avocado yogurt smoothie.
We'll see.
Wen Fan lowered his head, deciding to do some more practice problems when he got home that night.
Yang Tao earned a lot of money from his live stream that day, and the next day he bought Wen Fan milk tea. Yesterday's live stream was a win-win situation. Wen Fan's mother was unaware that her shop had been searched countless times online, while Yang Tao's number of followers increased dramatically, surpassing a thousand in just one day.
Wen Fan, holding a milk tea, directed her father on how to handle the purchased ingredients.
After moving the tomatoes, Mr. Wen moved the pumpkins. The old pumpkins were heavy and big, and they were blocking the way in the store.
"How do you eat this old pumpkin?"
Yang Tao was very curious. Pumpkin was his least favorite food, but his mother used to love stewing it. The pumpkin porridge she stewed was watery and juicy, and Yang Tao would rather go hungry than eat it.
Wen Fan felt that pumpkins were in season right now, and he felt that something was missing if he didn't eat more of them.
When Yang Tao asked, she answered casually.
There's so much to eat.
"To keep it simple, just wash the pumpkin with water and dry it in the sun. After the pumpkin is dried, add salt, sugar, chili powder, a little brown sugar and glutinous rice to enhance the flavor, and a little five-spice powder. After mixing it well, steam it in a pot. After steaming, dry the pumpkin in the sun for another half day. The pumpkin flesh will become a little translucent, and then it's ready to eat. It has a slightly chewy texture and is spicy and sweet."
"If you don't want to dry pumpkin, you can cut the pumpkin into chunks, boil them first, then coat them with flour and fry them. After frying, add some seasoning powder, salt and pepper is best, but sweet is also fine. You can also use them in hot pot after you've had enough. Fried pumpkin chunks are also delicious in hot pot, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside."
"To make it even simpler, slice it and stir-fry it with diced pork belly. First, fry the pork belly to render the oil and make the meat inside crispy. Then add the pumpkin. After stir-frying, don't take it out. Add some water and mash it with a spoon, just like potato and eggplant stew. It's sticky and gooey. Add some cilantro and chopped green onions. It's also delicious with rice."
"And then there's salted egg yolk. After frying, coat it with egg yolk, preferably the yolk from a salted duck egg that's already oozing oil. Stir-fry it, and the yolk will start to bubble..."
Wen Fan recited the menu as if he were listing dishes, but before he could finish, Yang Tao was already so hungry he couldn't listen anymore.
"Stop talking..."
Besides, he even wondered if he was sick because he didn't like eating pumpkin when he was a child.
Why are there so many ways to cook a simple pumpkin?
"So what should we do tonight?"
Wen Fan: "It's simple. Cut a circle out of the pumpkin, steam it first, then bake it until golden brown. Take it out and put it in a casserole dish. Stew pork ribs, crispy pork, corn, and potatoes in a pot, and pour the stew into the center. The pumpkin will be soaking in the broth. Heat the casserole and serve it while it's still hot. This is called 'Golden Jade Stewed Pot Harvest'!"
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Author's note: Two more chapters to go...
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