Chapter 45 Self-heating hot pot is so delicious!
Cheng Jiaojiao couldn't hide her curiosity, and while she was scared, she peeked at him.
Jiang Ling clapped her hands. "It'll be ready in fifteen minutes. Don't touch the box, it'll be very hot. I'm going to get the soda."
The box was now steaming. As the water boiled, a fragrant aroma wafted out!
Cheng Jiaojiao looked at him in disbelief, "Brother, how can it boil without a fire? What did you just add?"
Cheng Fang looked completely bewildered.
Ask him? He doesn't know how to explain it either.
There was only a packet of something I didn't know inside the box, and some cold water. And then it boiled!
However, he didn't want to lose face in front of his sister.
"This, this is called a self-heating hot pot. In other words, it heats up on its own."
Cheng Jiaojiao is still young and easily fooled. "Wow, that's amazing!"
Jiang Ling took three bottles of soda.
After waiting a while longer, the boiling in the box finally stopped.
"Okay, it's cooked."
Cheng Fang couldn't wait to open it; the box was still very hot, so he had to be careful.
As soon as the lid is opened, the aroma wafts out!
It smells so good!
The menu is very diverse, featuring potatoes, wood ear mushrooms, kelp, enoki mushrooms, cabbage, tofu skin, beef, chicken, ham, and glass noodles.
They're all soaking in a spicy red oil broth. Just looking at them makes my mouth water.
"Wow, it smells so good, Sister Jiang! I've never smelled anything like it before!"
This was the first time Cheng Jiaojiao had ever seen food like this. It could be cooked without fire and it smelled so good!
Jiang Ling smiled slightly, "Eat more if you like. There's more if you finish."
Cheng Fang couldn't resist any longer. He had eaten instant noodles before and always thought they were quite delicious, but this hot pot was even more delicious!
Three people, three pairs of chopsticks, three boxes of self-heating hot pot, and three bottles of soda, and they started eating with great enthusiasm!
Cheng Jiaojiao rarely eats anything so spicy. Paired with a soft drink, she felt a stinging sensation for a moment, followed by a refreshing coolness!
"It's so delicious! No wonder my brother always says that Sister Jiang has lots of delicious food here!"
Cheng Fang took a big gulp of iced soda and let out a refreshing breath.
"Even delicious food can't shut you up."
Indeed, soft drinks taste best when they're ice-cold.
The thing I brought back last time was a complete waste.
But how come there's so much ice here, Miss Jiang, during the hottest days of summer?
It seems like they can pull out a frozen drink anytime.
Even shops in the capital city might not be able to do this.
Jiang Ling smiled and said, "If you like it, take some back with you so you can enjoy it without having to come all the way here."
"Really? Sister Jiang, you're so kind!" Cheng Jiaojiao's mouth was all red from eating, and she couldn't stop.
The three of us finished all three boxes of self-heating hot pot, and there was still a little bit of soda left.
Cheng Fang exclaimed, "Eating hot pot with a soft drink in the summer is just so refreshing!"
Jiang Ling smiled as she watched the two of them looking satisfied.
She still prefers having someone to eat with.
Before leaving, Cheng Jiaojiao made an excuse that she had a lot of brothers and sisters and a lot of elders at home, and pestered Jiang Ling to pack three large bags of pastries and snacks for her.
Two large bags of soda, plum juice, and iced tea were also packed.
I also took the remaining three boxes of self-heating hot pot with me.
I also grabbed a box of instant noodles.
Cheng Fang said he'd had enough, but he didn't stop her. After all, he'd get a share of the profits later.
The carriages were all filled, leaving only enough space for two people.
When the heir of the Marquis's mansion went shopping, he was naturally generous, casually placing a gold coin on the counter.
As she was leaving, Jiang Ling called out to Cheng Fang.
"Young Master Cheng, may I ask you a favor?"
Cheng Fang was taken aback, then patted his chest and said, "Miss Jiang, please tell me. As long as it's within my power, I, Cheng Fang, will do it even at the cost of my life! If it's beyond my power, I will definitely find someone who can do it for you!"
"Don't be so nervous, it's nothing serious."
Jiang Ling handed him a bag of silver.
Including the income from the past few days, there are already over a hundred taels of silver in here.
She wasn't sure how long the wooden door would last, so she figured she should quickly exchange her existing silver for real money in her bank account to put her mind at ease.
However, there are many small pieces of silver and copper coins here, and it's too troublesome to convert them into cash little by little.
Thinking back to the business card Mr. Zhou gave me, perhaps it would be more appropriate to replace it with a vase.
"I wonder if Young Master Cheng has any way to buy a piece of porcelain of good quality."
"What does Miss Jiang need porcelain for?"
“I have an elder relative who really likes porcelain. I want to buy some as a gift for him.”
Cheng Fang pushed the money bag back, saying, "This is such a small matter, I will take care of it for Miss Jiang. There is no need for Miss Jiang to spend any money!"
"No, this is my way of showing my appreciation as a junior, and I must pay for it. Young Master Cheng, please buy whatever you can afford with this money."
Jiang Ling didn't want to owe him this favor. Without an exact amount, she didn't know how valuable the young master of the Marquis's mansion would find for her.
Cheng Fang understood. This was a gift from Miss Jiang to her elders as a junior. If he had bought it with his own money, what would that have been?
Therefore, he had no choice but to accept it.
"Alright, I'll take care of it, Miss Jiang! I just don't know when Miss Jiang will open her shop? So I can deliver the goods."
Jiang Ling thought about it and decided that this matter should be handled sooner rather than later.
"Then let's set the date for the evening of three days from now. I will be waiting for you here, Young Master Cheng."
"Okay, it's a deal!"
Cheng Jiaojiao waved from the carriage, "Thank you, Sister Jiang, for the lamp and tinder!"
Jiang Ling smiled and waved goodbye.
After the carriage drove away...
The figure hidden in the shadows reappeared.
A thin, wrinkled hand lifted the carriage curtain, and a hoarse, deep voice rang out.
"Your Highness, Prince Cheng has already left the general store."
A deep voice rang out from inside the car, "Then it's our turn to step in. Ah Fu, are you ready?"
Afu, who lifted the curtain, nodded, then took out a bottle of unknown medicine from his pocket and drank it down with a death-defying air.
————
Jiang Ling once again brought out the only remaining inventory in the warehouse.
The shelves for snacks are already full; it looks like we need to restock.
By the time Jiang Ling finished tidying up, it was already 9 PM.
People in the countryside go to bed early, and the whole village is quiet.
Jiang Ling moved a chair to the doorway and sat down to cool off.
A gentle breeze blows, and the moon and stars are few.
The starry sky of this era is truly captivating.
He ate the cucumbers that the villagers brought him while counting stars.
Jiang Ling suddenly felt that living like this forever might not be so bad.
When Jiang Ling counted to 99, a discordant sound suddenly rang in her ears.
"Help! Help me!"
Jiang Ling: ......
It seems like you didn't hear anything, right?
After the wind had blown enough, Jiang Ling prepared to move the chair back.
"Is anyone there? Ah Fu, Ah Fu, you have to hold on!"
Jiang Ling had just stood up; the chair hadn't been moved inside yet.
A man in his thirties, carrying a man who looked to be in his forties or fifties, appeared at the entrance of the grocery store.
Upon seeing Jiang Ling, he felt as if he had found a lifeline.
He rushed over and stood in front of Jiang Ling, his eyes filled with anxiety, bowing repeatedly.
"Shopkeeper, shopkeeper, help! My steward has suddenly developed a high fever and is convulsing. Please, shopkeeper, is there a doctor or clinic nearby? I need to get him to see a doctor urgently!"
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