Chapter 33 This slice of meat is amazing!
Taking advantage of a break, Su Yingxue quickly washed and disinfected her hands before starting to prepare the Fuding pork slices. She took out a piece of pork leg from the refrigerator, which she had specially selected at the market that morning; the meat was fresh and tender. On the cutting board, she sliced the meat into thin slices and then repeatedly pounded it with a special wooden mallet. The rhythmic "thump-thump" sound of the mallet hitting the meat was like a kitchen symphony.
Hou Yiming had moved even closer without him noticing. He watched as Su Yingxue added the pounded meat paste to the tapioca flour and kneaded it with practiced ease. Her fingers were long and slender, yet incredibly nimble when kneading the dough, quickly transforming the meat paste into a smooth ball.
"Add a little baking soda," Su Yingxue explained softly, precisely scooping a small spoonful from the spice box and continuing to knead the dough. Her wrists moved nimbly, and the dough gradually became elastic in her hands.
The water boiled, and Su Yingxue used a spoon to drop slices of meat one by one into the pot. The moment the slices hit the water, she flicked her wrist slightly, and the meat slices spread out evenly. Hou Yiming noticed that her technique for adding the meat slices was extremely meticulous, preventing them from sticking together while ensuring even heating.
"Add seaweed and dried shrimp as well." Su Yingxue took out the prepared ingredients from the cupboard. The seaweed unfurled in the hot water, and the dried shrimp released a fresh seafood aroma. She then added carefully simmered bone broth, and the soup gradually turned thick and white.
When the first bowl of Fuding sliced pork was placed in front of Hou Defa, the old man's eyes lit up. "These slices of pork... how can they be so tender?" He picked up a slice, and the pork glistened under the light. The melt-in-your-mouth texture amazed him.
Hou Yiming couldn't resist taking a bite. The delicious broth burst in his mouth, and the tender meat slices contrasted wonderfully with the crispy savory pancake. He watched Su Yingxue's busy figure, the light casting a gentle golden glow on her. The ingredients on the cutting board seemed to be magically transformed in her hands, turning ordinary ingredients into amazing delicacies.
"Another serving of sliced meat!" Hou Defa smacked his lips contentedly. "My grandson wants some too!" He gestured towards Hou Yiming, the old man rarely showing such a childlike expression. Hou Yiming paused for a moment, then nodded slightly, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turning up.
"How is it? Delicious, right? I picked a good place, didn't I!" Hou Defa smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits, his mouth stuffed full, and he took a big bite of a few more pieces of savory pancakes, his mouth dripping with oil, but he looked completely satisfied.
As he chewed, he glanced at Su Yingxue, who was busy at the cutting board. He saw that her bangs were damp with sweat as she kneaded the dough with great concentration. Her arms moved rhythmically, and beads of sweat slid down her cheeks. She simply wiped them away and continued to focus on the food in her hands.
Hou Yiming took the sliced meat soup from his grandfather, took a small sip, and the rich, savory flavor instantly exploded on his tongue. He put down the spoon, turned to Su Yingxue, and said sincerely, "Miss Su, your cooking skills are truly remarkable. Would you be interested in cooking at the Hou Tu Group's canteen? Our branch office is just a few hundred meters away in the Hou Tu Building, not far from here."
Su Yingxue paused slightly, then continued kneading the dough. Hearing this, she smiled gently, with a hint of shyness and determination: "Thank you for the invitation, but I just like making late-night snacks here. It's comfortable and I'm used to it. I appreciate your kindness."
“You child…” Hou Defa glanced at his grandson, his tone tinged with helplessness and doting. “You think I didn’t invite her? Little Su is happy to sell pancakes here, just for the comfort of her life. Besides—” He took a big bite of the savory pancake and mumbled indistinctly, “It’s good that she’s doing it here; those old guys can’t poach her.”
Hou Yiming naturally knew his grandfather's temperament. The old man not only loved to eat, but he also formed a "foodie alliance" with a group of like-minded old friends, specializing in searching for hidden snacks in all sorts of nooks and crannies, making him the "king of gourmets." He took a sip of soup, said nothing more, and just listened silently.
“Little Su,” Hou Defa scooped up another spoonful of meat soup and mumbled as he drank, “Your meat soup tastes really good. It’s just that, with my old bones, I just want to go to bed early at night, otherwise I would really like to have a bowl of it every day.”
Su Yingxue twirled the rolling pin in her hand and joked with a smile, "Alright then, if you can help me attract more customers, I'll save you two hot servings in advance next time, how about that?"
"Seriously?" Hou Defa perked up immediately upon hearing this, a sly glint flashing in his cloudy eyes.
Seeing this, Su Yingxue just smiled and didn't take it seriously. She casually replied, "Really?" After saying that, she lowered her head and busied herself making a bowl of sliced meat soup, her movements skillful and efficient.
Hou Defa outwardly maintained a leisurely, thoughtful demeanor, but in reality, he had already made up his mind. He turned to the side, leaned close to his grandson Hou Yiming, lowered his voice, and whispered a few words in a tone only the two of them could hear.
Hou Yiming, who had initially maintained a somewhat relaxed expression, froze instantly after hearing his grandfather's words. His brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of hesitation and unease flashed in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, "Grandpa, isn't this a bit inappropriate late at night?"
"What's wrong with that?" Hou De waved his hand dismissively, looking quite self-righteous. "This young lady's skills are so good, I was just helping her promote her. She didn't charge me, so I'm happy to!"
As he spoke, he tapped the ground lightly with his cane. The white whiskers at the tip of the sturdy, gold-lacquered wooden cane trembled slightly with his movements, exuding an undeniable stubbornness.
Su Yingxue was completely oblivious to the "secret plot" between the grandfather and granddaughter. She only felt that setting up her stall at 10 PM tonight was perfect—not many people, relaxed and comfortable, and although the customers weren't crowded, they were consistent. Grandpa Wang hadn't come back recently because of the last time he sold pancakes. With only her family setting up the stall tonight, it was a bit quiet, but closing around midnight was just the right time.
I can sleep in a little longer in the morning and then prepare the ingredients in the afternoon.
All in all, although these days have been tough, the high volume and low profit margins have allowed me to save over three thousand yuan. Adding in the occasional bonuses from the system, becoming a small-time rich woman seems increasingly within reach, which is incredibly motivating.
Just then, Hou Defa suddenly got up and went out, seemingly to make a phone call. By then, it was late at night, the streetlights were dim, and it was nearly 11 p.m.
Su Yingxue quickly kneaded two more batches of dough for savory pancakes, preparing to sell two more batches before packing up to go home. She had made a little too much Fuding meat slices tonight, and planned to take some home, either as her own late-night snack or to share with her grandmother in the hospital and the doctors and nurses who had taken such good care of her, as a way of expressing her gratitude.
"Is this the place?"
"I heard Chairman Hou is inside?"
"I hadn't even hung up the phone yet, and I came straight over!"
"Eating in the cafeteria? I just came here to see the dentist a few days ago, are you sure you're not mistaken!"
"This is it, hurry up and go in!!"
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