Chapter 92 Mercury Pudding
She first softened the cream cheese in a double boiler, then beat it with an electric mixer until smooth and free of lumps.
Next, mix the heavy cream with the granulated sugar and whip until it reaches a soft peak stage, meaning it has clear lines but still remains fluid.
Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in batches, gently mixing until combined and smooth, ensuring no deflation occurs.
Next, process the gelatin sheets. Soak them in ice water until softened, squeeze out the excess water, melt them over hot water until liquid, and pour them into the cheese mixture after they have cooled slightly. Stir quickly until well combined.
Finally, add an appropriate amount of butterfly pea flower juice and a touch of elderflower liqueur. The cheese mixture instantly takes on a dreamy, Mercury-like blue-purple hue, with a subtle floral and fruity aroma.
She strained the mixed pudding mixture to ensure an extremely smooth texture, then poured it into delicate little transparent pudding cups, gently tapped them to release any air bubbles, covered them, and placed them in a portable mini-fridge to chill and set.
Around noon, Su Xiaonuan's stall appeared on a tree-lined road near Chenxi Kindergarten.
She had just parked her stall, prepared her tools, and made less than five servings of pudding when the kindergarten dismissal bell rang crisply—it was only 2:30 in the afternoon.
Su Xiaonuan quickly placed the five puddings she had made into a transparent display case with a slight refrigeration function.
The loudspeaker next to it diligently began looping its brainwashing advertising slogan: "Freshly made Mercury pudding~ One bite and you'll taste the stars~ Mmm~ Delicious and sweet~ Mercury pudding, Dad loves it, Mom loves it, Grandpa loves it, Grandma loves it, and kids love it even more, everyone come and buy some~"
This trick worked!
Soon, the little ones, some led by their parents and others skipping and hopping out of the kindergarten, were drawn to the beautiful puddings in the display case that seemed to contain a "starry sky".
"Mom! Look! Blue jelly!"
"Grandma, that's so pretty! Are there stars in there?"
"Dad, I want to eat that!"
The children huddled in front of the display case, their eyes wide open, their mouths slightly agape, drool practically dripping from their mouths, their eyes filled with the purest longing for the unknown delicacies.
Many parents looked somewhat helpless upon seeing this.
A tired-looking male parent, dressed in work clothes, anxiously searched through the crowd but couldn't find his child. Turning around, he found his mischievous son standing on tiptoe in front of Su Xiaonuan's stall, gazing longingly at the pudding in the cabinet.
The man's face darkened, and he strode over, about to scold, "You brat! What are you doing running around like that! I'll teach you a lesson..."
Before he could finish speaking, a unique, sweet but not cloying milky aroma with a hint of floral fragrance entered his nostrils.
He subconsciously sniffed, his gaze following the source of the aroma to Su Xiaonuan's hands as she made pudding.
With practiced ease, Su Xiaonuan poured the dreamy blue-purple pudding liquid into the mold, her wrist deftly rotating to spread the liquid evenly. Then, she picked up a small spray gun and gently sprayed the surface of the pudding—instantly, a thin, caramelized crust, resembling the craters on the surface of Mercury, formed, emitting a soft "crackling" sound, its golden color enticing.
The man stared wide-eyed, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.
This...this looks so delicious!
Just then, the little one beside him tugged at his trouser leg, looked up at him with his little face, and pleaded in a tearful voice, "Daddy...Daddy...buy one, just one...that blue star...looks so delicious..."
The man was indeed tempted by his son's request and the alluring fragrance.
He glanced at the price tag instinctively—30 yuan per serving.
It was like a bucket of cold water being poured over my head.
The hesitation on the man's face instantly turned into frustration and displeasure.
He works himself to the bone on the construction site all day, sweating buckets, but he doesn't earn much money. Thirty yuan for such a small cup of "jelly"? Does he deserve to be ripped off like this?
"What are you eating! All you know is eating! Come home and eat!" The man immediately put on a stern face and scolded in a harsh tone. Then, without saying another word, he grabbed the crying child and roughly dragged him away from the stall.
Although his steps were somewhat hesitant and difficult as he left because of the lingering fragrance.
Su Xiaonuan watched from the side with her brows furrowed deeply.
She could understand the hardships of life, but treating a child's desires this way was a bit... She shook her head, withdrawing her sympathetic gaze from the little figure being dragged away while crying.
She neither can nor will force every customer to make a purchase. Her target customers are those who are both willing and able to make a purchase.
Soon, her first customer arrived.
She is a stylish young mother with a quiet and lovely little girl.
"Boss, this pudding looks really pretty. Let's give one to the kids to try."
"Okay, please wait a moment." Su Xiaonuan smiled sweetly, deftly took out a set pudding, and decorated it with a small mint leaf and edible silver foil, making it look even more exquisite and dreamy.
The little girl took the pudding, carefully scooped up a spoonful with her small spoon, and put it in her mouth.
The next second, her little face lit up with surprise: "Mommy! It's so delicious! It's smooth, sweet, and smells like flowers!"
The young mother took a bite and immediately exclaimed, "Wow! Boss, this pudding is absolutely amazing! The sweetness is just right, not cloying at all! It's made with the finest ingredients!"
With this first positive review, some parents who were originally hesitant but had the purchasing power immediately took action.
"Give me one too!"
"Boss, two, please!"
"Let my kid try this 'star' too!"
Business suddenly picked up.
Su Xiaonuan packed and collected money quickly and efficiently, always wearing a sweet and innocent smile on her face.
She noticed that some parents were clearly using the pretense of "buying for their children" as an excuse to try the novel and delicious desserts themselves. She understood this without saying a word and continued to serve every "customer, big or small" with a smile.
Just as she was busy with her work, a somewhat familiar voice rang out in front of her stall with a smile: "Oh, Boss Su, what a coincidence! We meet again."
Su Xiaonuan looked up and, sure enough, it was Han Jun with half-pink and half-black hair from yesterday.
Zhao Liyue was helping to maintain order and pack things up when she saw Han Jun appear. She immediately stepped forward half a step like a mother hen protecting her chicks, and frowned slightly as she looked at this "uninvited guest".
Han Jun changed into casual clothes today, still looking as roguish and handsome as ever.
He grinned, revealing his signature white teeth, and stood at a safe social distance, explaining, "Don't get me wrong, I'm here to pick up my classmate's sister. Look, she's right over there."
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