Chapter 107 Iced Lychee Sweet and Sour Pork.
The friends at this table may have different job titles, but this isn't a work gathering; it's a private dinner. They're so close that there's no need for formalities.
Just like before, when everyone was rinsing their bowls, chopsticks and teacups, this time everyone was also making themselves a bowl of soup, whether or not to add any soup ingredients was up to them.
Zhao Yuanzheng had tasted the delicious dishes of Gu's private kitchen many times, and the soup was also exceptional. At this moment, he put everything else aside and eagerly scooped up a spoonful of the still steaming soup and brought it to his lips. He blew on it a few times impatiently and then drank it.
The soup is clear and refreshing, with a sweet and sour fruity aroma that blends well with the meaty flavor of the ribs.
After finishing one spoonful of soup, Zhao Yuanzheng scooped up another spoonful and drank it straight to his lips without even blowing on it, as if his mouth were made of copper and he was not afraid of getting burned.
He tasted the sweet and sour soup in his mouth. The flavor wasn't as rich and fragrant as the soups he usually ate, but it was delicious in its own way, and it was the kind of soup that would whet his appetite.
The soup should be just the right level of acidity – too much acidity would be too pungent, and too little would be bland.
As for the sweet and sour taste, it's probably because there were a few jujubes mixed in with the dozen or so wampee fruits in the soup bowl. The sweetness from the jujubes neutralized some of the sourness of the wampee fruits, making it easier for them to accept.
The fat and marrow that seep out during the simmering process, along with the aroma of the meat, add a smooth and rich texture to the soup, preventing it from tasting just a sour and astringent flavor.
After drinking two spoonfuls, Zhao Yuanzheng couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh, and then picked up the bowl and drank the soup in big gulps without stopping.
The soup wasn't so hot anymore, so you didn't have to worry about burning your mouth. The soup slid smoothly from the bowl into your mouth and then swallowed without stopping. You could taste the sweet and sour fruit flavor and the savory meat flavor in your mouth, which was especially refreshing.
Rong Chuan and the others originally thought that they would let the hot soup cool down a bit before drinking it, and then chat for a while. This was the usual procedure for meals. Who knew that Zhao Yuanzheng was so impatient? He not only scooped the soup with a spoon, but after taking two sips, he actually picked up the bowl and gulped it down in one go. He had never been so enthusiastic when drinking alcohol!
I have to say, his expression of how delicious the soup was and how much I loved it piqued their interest. They all stopped talking and started tasting their own bowls of soup, which were still relatively hot.
Some people scooped up soup with a spoon, blew on it lightly to test the waters before drinking, while others, unafraid of burning their mouths, simply picked up the bowl and drank directly.
Ma Yongjun is often called a roughneck by his colleagues. He has a very unruly style. When eating in the unit's canteen, he always eats with big gulps. When he goes out on missions, he can lie down anywhere to rest. It is also common for him not to shower for several days when he is handling cases. However, he is meticulous in his work despite his roughness. He has never made a mistake and has even been excellent.
He picked up the bowl and drank the soup, but after one sip he frowned. Why was the soup still sweet and sour? It was so cloying.
Before he could even put down the bowl, he felt the sourness in his mouth fade and a sweet aftertaste emerge, the aroma of meat filling the air, and it seemed pretty good. He frowned as he continued to drink the soup in large gulps, and as he drank, his brow relaxed.
Lin Gangjie scooped the soup with a spoon to avoid burning his mouth, and also to savor the flavor. The soup wasn't particularly rich, but the sweet and sour fruity aroma was refreshing, mixed with the meaty flavor of the ribs, making it smooth and nourishing—quite pleasant.
After taking a spoonful of soup, he praised, "This soup is good. It's quite appetizing, refreshing, and helps cut through the greasiness. It's perfect for such hot weather."
"Wampee is a summer fruit, and eating it can relieve the heat. But this is the first time I've ever had soup made with wampee and pork ribs. It's quite unusual!" Zhou Hongyuan said, freeing up his mouth to speak.
He gulped down the whole bowl of soup and was still savoring the sweet and sour fruity aroma, feeling refreshed all over.
Rong Chuan was patient. Even though the soup wasn't as hot as he had imagined, he still scooped it up spoonful by spoonful and drank it, savoring the sweet and sour fruity aroma in the soup.
In this soup, the strong aroma of meat becomes merely an embellishment, while the refreshing sourness of the yellow skin is the main flavor, and the jujubes play a supporting role, preventing the soup from becoming so sour that customers find it unbearable.
The proportions of the three ingredients are just right, which is why this soup is so delicious. It's perfect for a hot summer day when you're sweating even just sitting still. It also helps to whet your appetite so you can eat more meat and vegetables later.
Just by drinking this soup, you can tell that this restaurant is of a very high standard, and it makes you look forward to the meat dishes that haven't been served yet.
Rong Chuan finished his soup before speaking, "This soup is delicious. No wonder Old Zhao drank it without saying a word after he got it, looking like it was the most delicious thing in the world, haha!"
After saying that, he even imitated a satisfied sigh, and he knew in his heart how genuine it was, as did everyone present who had drunk the yellow-skinned pork rib soup.
Zhao Yuanzheng had just finished a piece of pork rib and said with a satisfied smile, "This soup is naturally delicious, and the dishes to come will only be even more delicious. Otherwise, I wouldn't have specially invited you all here for dinner."
Rong Chuan, recalling what he had just said, asked, "You mentioned earlier that your whole family eats here, so how did you discover this restaurant?"
Everyone is busy with work, and they spend their free time resting and with their families. Besides, Lao Zhao's home and workplace are too far away, so he doesn't usually come here.
Ma Yongjun guessed, "It definitely wasn't Lao Zhao who discovered it. Maybe your sister-in-law thought the food at this restaurant was really good, so she brought Lao Zhao here to eat, and then the whole family loved eating here. You're right, aren't you?"
He raised his chin slightly and nodded towards Old Zhao, looking as if he were certain that this was the correct answer.
Lin Gangjie and Zhou Hongyuan waited for the answer with smiles, secretly guessing that Ma Yongjun might actually be right, with a probability of about 99%.
Zhao Yuanzheng glanced at them, a smug look on his face: "Of course that's wrong, Lao Ma, you've miscalculated this time!"
He explained, "My dad brought us to this restaurant. Initially, two of his former colleagues dragged him here, saying that the food was delicious and the ingredients were fresh. My dad fell in love with it after just one meal, and the three of us old men come here to eat every few days. We even created a 'Sunset Red Rice Group' for this."
“A while ago, my dad invited us and the kids to eat here again. I have to say, the food is really good, just as good as those big restaurants. The ingredients are fresh, so we feel safe eating here. The soup is also particularly good. Not only does my dad love it, but we and the kids love it too. We’ve been coming here to eat whenever we have a day off for the past month or so. Sometimes when I’m not available, my wife brings the kids and my dad here to eat.”
At this point, Zhao Yuan smiled and shook his head. Heaven knows how envious he was when he saw the food photos his wife sent him while he was busy with a case at the branch office.
He said, "We haven't gotten together in a long time, so I thought I'd invite you guys over for a meal, to try the food at this restaurant, and also to satisfy my cravings."
Actually, there are some things he didn't say, or perhaps he was afraid that no one would believe him if he did. This is indeed a bit unbelievable.
If he hadn't personally experienced the changes in his body, the medical examination report as proof, and the old man's previous medical examination report and his current energetic and healthy appearance, he wouldn't have believed it.
My father's medical report that time was surprisingly healthy. The minor ailments that had been flaring up in various organs had all disappeared, and the major illness that had depleted his body seemed to have been greatly alleviated. Every line of data and conclusion told me that the old man was now in good health and recovering well, even better than most elderly people of his age.
If it weren't for the rows of doctors' signatures and the official seal of a top-tier hospital, it would look like a forged piece of paper meant to amuse people.
After reviewing the old man's medical report, Zhao Yuanzheng and Zeng Musi discussed it for a long time that night, but they couldn't find any scientific explanation for these changes. Fortunately, the results were good, and as long as the old man was healthy, nothing else mattered.
The couple attributed the old man's improved health to Uncle Feng and Uncle Xu frequently accompanying him out for walks and fresh air. The old friends' gatherings and enjoyment of delicious food lifted his spirits, and perhaps that's how his health improved.
The old man enthusiastically recommended Gu's Private Kitchen, and the couple, not wanting him to be disappointed, smiled and agreed to go for dinner together on Saturday, also wanting to know what the dishes at the restaurant he often ate at were like.
Who knew that after this meal, the couple and their child fell in love with the dishes at Gu's Private Kitchen, feeling that even the most delicious food in the world couldn't compare!
With fresh and healthy ingredients, excellent cooking skills, delicious dishes, and affordable prices, who wouldn't love a restaurant that offers such high quality at a price comparable to a five-star hotel? Zhao Yuanzheng and his wife immediately decided to bring their father and children here to eat more often.
While satisfying our appetites, we can also spend more time with the elderly, allowing them to enjoy the joys of family life.
That was indeed the case throughout August. The whole family ate at Gu's Private Kitchen quite often, with the old man being the happiest. The family would come for meals, and old friends would invite them over again; they practically made Gu's Private Kitchen their canteen!
Zhao Yuanzheng is quite busy with work and has limited rest time. Zeng Musi and her child are quite free during the summer vacation, so they often drive over to pick up the old man and bring him to Gu's Private Kitchen for meals.
Zhao Yuanzheng could only look at the beautiful photos of dishes his wife sent him during his spare time at work, and barely imagine what those dishes would taste like so he could manage to eat in the cafeteria.
Fortunately, he wasn't in such a bad situation. At least if he could go home and have dinner normally, he could eat some leftovers from Gu's Private Kitchen. They were still delicious after being reheated. Zhao Yuanzheng often enjoyed them at home!
Although Zeng Musi and her child also craved this, they had eaten quite a bit at lunch, so they would give in to him to some extent.
Every time Zhao Yuanzheng ate Gu's Private Kitchen dishes at home in the evening, he felt all the fatigue of the day disappear, and he felt refreshed. He was also much more energetic when he went to work at the bureau the next day.
Around the end of August, he began to notice some changes in his body. He had noticed them a few days earlier but hadn't paid much attention, but now they were more noticeable.
He was seriously injured during a mission when he was young, and even after he recovered, he was left with some symptoms. His leg joints would become numb and painful if he stood for a long time. However, he did not feel numbness or pain when he had to stand for a long time at work recently.
At first, I thought it was because I was so engrossed in work that I forgot about my illness, and my body was quite sensible and didn't flare up at crucial moments. But after it happened more often, I realized something was wrong.
Zhao Yuanzheng recalled that even when he stayed up all night working on cases at the bureau, he was still as energetic as the young police officers in the bureau the next day. His concentration was higher than before. His wife said that his snoring was quieter when he slept, and he didn't seem to have had any stomach problems recently. How come everything was so similar to the changes in his father?
Zhao Yuanzheng chose his rest time to go to the hospital for a detailed full-body checkup, spending extra money to expedite the report.
When he received the report, all the indicators were alarmingly normal. The minor illnesses that had been diagnosed last year were gone, and the stomach, which had previously been diagnosed with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, showed nothing wrong with the gastroscopy results.
These things that seem normal are actually abnormal!
Zhao Yuanzheng took the medical report back to show his wife, Zeng Musi. She was also shocked. It was a good thing that her husband was healthy, but why did this seem so mysterious? Even Buddha's blessing couldn't be this extreme!
After discussing it, the couple concluded that since normal scientific theories and logic couldn't explain everything, they could only try to explain it through the most unlikely path. Reflecting on recent changes, the only explanation they could think of was frequently eating at Gu's private kitchen.
Zeng Musi also talked about some changes she noticed in her own body and in her child, all of which were for the better.
The two immediately went out to ask the old man about this matter.
Zhao Yongnian was overjoyed upon hearing this: "That's wonderful! As expected of Gu's private kitchen, it works so quickly! I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, but I was afraid you wouldn't believe me, so I thought I'd bring you here to eat more often. Once you feel better, you'll believe me without me having to say anything more."
Zhao Yuanzheng and Zeng Musi looked at each other, feeling a sense of relief, but many doubts still lingered in their minds, and they didn't know what to say for a moment.
Less than three seconds later, Zhao Yuanzheng asked, "Dad, what exactly is going on?"
Zhao Yongnian explained: "Even Lao Xu and Lao Feng can't explain it clearly. All we can say is that the ingredients used in Gu's Private Kitchen are very fresh and healthy. As you know, officials have taken samples and conducted tests before, and all the indicators were excellent and nutritious. Don't overthink it. Just accept it as long as it's good for our health. It's good to be a little oblivious in life."
"Initially, Lao Feng and Lao Xu took me to eat at Gu's Private Kitchen, saying that this restaurant was a bit magical and that eating there would be good for your health, and that minor illnesses and aches would gradually get better. They suggested I try it. At that time, I had just been discharged from the hospital and wasn't feeling well. I thought they were just being overly concerned and saying such nonsensical things, so I didn't want to disappoint them and went to eat with them. However, I didn't believe that eating at a particular restaurant could make me healthier."
"The food at Gu's Private Kitchen is delicious, comparable to the big restaurants we've been to. The soups are also very good. After that meal, my liking for this restaurant doubled. Maybe it's just that old people crave this kind of food. Since then, I've often gone to Gu's Private Kitchen with Lao Feng and Lao Xu. Every time we eat there, we're happy and satisfied, and it makes us feel great too."
"After a while, I also noticed changes in my body. I became more energetic every day, my hands and feet were stronger and I didn't get tired as easily. I coughed less often, and my blood pressure returned to normal every day... The feeling of my withered body regaining its vitality was so wonderful! I wanted to call you and share it with you right away, but I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. In addition, I wanted to understand my body better, so I went for a physical examination first and told you about it after the report came out."
"Since eating more Gu's Private Kitchen is good for your health, of course I can't be the only one enjoying it. Yuan Zheng's health is suffering from the illnesses he developed during his missions when he was young, and now he's busy with cases and often stays up all night without eating. Mu Si, you're always getting angry with the students at school and you're still so tired. I was thinking of taking you to Gu's Private Kitchen more often to help you take care of your health. It would be best if you could recover your health, but even if you can't, it would be good to alleviate your pain! And Xuan Xuan is still growing, so eating more Gu's Private Kitchen will only benefit him!"
At this point, Zhao Yongnian smiled with satisfaction, a hint of pride in his eyes: "Now it seems that the magic of Gu's Private Kitchen is far better than I imagined. Seeing Yuanzheng's medical report, I'm completely relieved!"
When people get old, they hope for nothing more than a few things: that their children and grandchildren are healthy and live harmoniously, and that their work goes smoothly. Only then do they hope for their own health and a good quality of life.
Zhao Yuanzheng and Zeng Musi remained silent after hearing this. They hadn't expected the matter to be so simple yet so miraculous, completely inexplicable by science.
If the old man had mentioned this from the beginning, they probably wouldn't have believed it. Now, having eaten at Gu's Private Kitchen a dozen or twenty times and genuinely savored the delicious food, they can naturally tell that there's nothing fishy about the ingredients; on the contrary, they're very fresh and nutritious. Perhaps they can only silently accept it?
The couple had countless ideas in an instant. Given the popularity of Gu's Private Kitchen, countless people must have felt the magic behind it. Naturally, some capable people had investigated and tested it. The fact that the restaurant is still operating normally and doing well means that it is impeccable.
The old man sees things clearly; it's good to be a little oblivious in life! As long as it ultimately benefits you, you can enjoy the food without worry!
So that day, Zhao Yuanzheng, Zeng Musi, and the old man had a detailed chat and tacitly agreed to the matter. They went to Gu's Private Kitchen for dinner as usual, and each time they ate there, they were happier than the last.
I didn't tell the children about this, lest they couldn't keep it a secret and spread it around, even though it's probably common knowledge among Gu's Private Kitchen's loyal customers.
Knowing about this amazing effect, Zhao Yuanzheng and Zeng Musi paid a little more attention to their physical condition and quality of life, and found that there were many subtle positive changes.
Looking at the child again, I felt that his appetite had improved, he was absorbing nutrients better and was stronger, and he was able to concentrate better when studying.
At the end of August, Zhao Yuanzheng went to the hospital for a follow-up examination of his old injury and received a very good result, which even the doctor exclaimed was miraculous.
On his way back to the bureau from the hospital, he thought of his close friends. They were all in the same system and had suffered major injuries and minor injuries over the years. The old injuries had become like venomous insects stuck to their bodies, not fatal but causing discomfort from time to time.
Zhao Yuanzheng then thought of inviting them to Gu's Private Kitchen for a meal to see if the magical effects of the dishes could help them.
His thoughts were similar to the old man's. If he directly told his good friends about this, they would just say, "Are you stupid at such a young age? You actually believe in this stuff." He could already imagine the look on his friends' faces as if they thought he was an idiot.
Zhao Yuanzheng decided to simply arrange a meal. He didn't believe his friends wouldn't like the delicious food at Gu's Private Kitchen.
If you like it, then it's simple. Such delicious food is hard to resist eating for too long. Friends can either invite you to dinner or bring their families to eat, which will achieve his goal.
After eating Gu's Private Kitchen for a while, I believe these friends will notice changes in their bodies; we're all in this line of work, so we should all have that kind of keen awareness. Then everyone's happy, and it's not too late to be honest.
Zhao Yuanzheng's thoughts swirled in and out of his mind, but it was only a matter of moments. His friends were all surprised that the old man had taken him to eat Gu's private kitchen.
Ma Yongjun chuckled, "I didn't expect that the eagle's eye was actually wrong today. It's all thanks to Uncle's foresight that he discovered such a delicious restaurant first!"
Rong Chuan was also surprised and laughed, "I really didn't expect that. It seems that Uncle really likes the meat dishes at this restaurant, which is why he often comes here to eat with his friends and even created such a trendy group chat. My parents are not like that. One loves fishing and the other loves square dancing. They talk by shouting and at most send voice messages on WeChat. They say they don't know how to use group chats!"
"That's great. It's good for Uncle to be retired now and get out more often. Having something to do gives him something to look forward to, especially since he's here to enjoy such delicious food," Zhou Hongyuan said with a smile. After drinking this bowl of yellow-skinned pork rib soup, he was convinced that this restaurant was of very high quality.
He added jokingly, "To be honest, it's all thanks to my uncle for discovering such a delicious restaurant and recommending it to Lao Zhao that we have the opportunity to sit here and eat today!"
Lin Gangjie nodded in agreement, "Indeed, just from sipping this soup, I know I made the right choice coming today! By the way, how has Uncle been feeling lately?"
We've been friends since we were young and just started working, so we all know each other's family situations. Earlier this year, when Lao Zhao's father was seriously ill and hospitalized, we even made plans to visit him together.
Zhao Yuanzheng nodded: "The old man has been in good health recently and is quite energetic. Otherwise, he wouldn't often meet up with his old friends to eat at this restaurant."
The changes in the old man's medical report were too complicated to describe in detail, mainly because no one would believe him anyway. He only mentioned the simpler aspects.
Everyone was happy to hear this; for middle-aged people, the greatest comfort is having parents who are well.
They chatted while drinking soup and eating soup ingredients.
The soup has a sweet and sour taste and is refreshing. The soup ingredients are also delicious. The pork ribs are tender and soft, falling off the bone with a rich meaty flavor.
The yellow-skinned fruit wasn't as sour as I expected, probably because it had all dissolved into the broth. This way, you could taste the soft, tender flesh, which was bursting with juice.
The jujubes taste especially sweet.
Everyone ate and praised the soup, mainly because they were shocked that such good pork ribs were used to make it. The portion looked quite large, no wonder the soup was so fragrant!
Then the waiter came over and served a very interesting dish – chilled sweet and sour pork with lychee.
A deep dish is filled with translucent white square ice cubes at the bottom, topped with round, bright orange-red sweet and sour pork pieces glistening with oil, and translucent, white lychee pieces that look crystal clear. Their plump, round shapes, perhaps from being stir-fried with the sweet and sour pork, have also been stained with some of the orange-red sauce, making them much more appealing. The whole dish looks refreshing and tempting.
For a moment, the people present couldn't help but swallow, their appetites instantly stimulated, but then a question popped into their minds: Why are there still lychees in this season?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
