Chapter 238 Let's have some bibimbap to whet our appetites.
As dusk slowly crept over the mountaintop, the sea of clouds gradually turned a warm orange hue. Su Yingxue glanced at the remaining ingredients by the stove, tapped her fingertips lightly on the cutting board, and an idea came to her mind.
She first put the leftover beef bone broth from the braised beef at noon back on the fire, threw in a few round pieces of white radish, and simmered it over low heat.
The radish, having absorbed the savory aroma of the beef bones, gradually became translucent, while a thin layer of oil floated on the surface of the soup, bubbling gently.
Here, she removed the stems from the fresh shiitake mushrooms and diced them, cut the carrots into small cubes, and then quickly stir-fried the pre-marinated chicken pieces into the pot.
The hot oil sizzled the chicken pieces, which quickly turned golden brown. Then, diced shiitake mushrooms and carrots were added and stir-fried together. The fresh aroma mixed with the sweetness of the vegetables immediately filled the air.
Su Yingxue ladled out a bowl of fluffy steamed white rice, scooped two spoonfuls of stir-fried chicken and mixed vegetables on top, tore off a few pieces of crisp seaweed and sprinkled them on top, and finally poured a spoonful of thick beef bone broth over it.
The braising sauce seeped into the gaps between the rice grains, coating each grain with a glossy sheen that looked incredibly appetizing.
"You guys, try this bibimbap tonight, with beef bone and radish soup, it'll be just right for keeping you warm." Su Yingxue smiled as she placed the bowl on the bamboo table.
Wu Xiaobei couldn't wait any longer, so she picked up a spoon, scooped out a big mouthful, and stuffed it into her mouth.
The soft, sticky rice, the tender chicken, the rich flavor of the shiitake mushrooms, the sweet carrots, and the crisp seaweed all melted in her mouth, layer upon layer. The savory sauce was the perfect finishing touch. She chewed with a beaming smile: "It's so delicious! It's even better than the Korean bibimbap I eat in the city!"
He Ying also scooped up a spoonful and slowly tasted it, nodding in praise: "The ingredients are simple, but the flavor is so rich, especially the rice, which is soaked with the braising sauce and becomes more and more flavorful with each chew."
After Wu Yonggang finished discussing the project with Lao Wang, he came over, ate a mouthful of rice, and then drank a large mouthful of beef bone and radish soup.
The radish was stewed until it was soft and tender, melting in your mouth. The soup was fresh but not greasy, and the warmth went from your throat all the way to your stomach. He couldn't help but slap his thigh and say, "So comforting! This is the true taste of home cooking!"
Watching them eat with relish, Su Yingxue served herself a bowl. It tasted good. The cold wind helped to dispel the chill from the mountaintop as she ate the bibimbap. Her stomach felt much better afterward.
As the evening breeze rustled through the clouds, the copper bells tinkled, and the distant sea of clouds gradually darkened. One by one, the lights on the mountaintop lit up, reflecting the stars in the sky, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The news that the Sky Ladder project had been finalized spread throughout Wushan in just a few days.
When the construction team came up the mountain with their tools and materials, there were more tourists in front of the cloud sea fireworks display than usual—many of them came because they were excited to witness the birth of the Heavenly Ladder.
Su Yingxue's business flourished even more. She simply set up two more bamboo tables next to her stall and got up before dawn every day to prepare ingredients. She was so busy that her feet barely touched the ground, but she still smiled with her eyes crinkling.
The construction workers also became her regular customers. Every day after work, they would gather around the stall, order a few bowls of mixed rice and a bowl of hot soup, and enjoy their meal with the mountain breeze.
"Miss Su, this soup has completely relieved all my fatigue!"
Old Liu, the foreman with dark skin, held a bowl of beef bone soup and drank it until sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Once the Sky Ladder is built, I'll bring my family to climb it first, and we'll also eat here!"
Su Yingxue smiled and agreed, then added another half spoonful of soup to Lao Liu's bowl.
As the days went by, the ladder halfway up the mountain gradually took shape.
The steel and concrete framework winds its way up the mountain, contrasting with the green mountains and sea of clouds, exuding a unique grandeur.
Tourists often stop to take photos as they pass by, and then head into the Cloud Sea Fireworks Shop to order some food and chat about what the Sky Ladder will look like after it's built.
Wu Xiaobei stayed on the mountaintop for a few days, while Wu Yong and He Ying did not descend the mountain until the main structure of the Heavenly Ladder was completed.
Before leaving, Wu Xiaobei held Su Yingxue's hand, reluctant to part: "Sister Su, I will definitely come again when I have a holiday. I want to climb the newly built Heavenly Ladder and eat your bibimbap and beef noodles!"
Wu Yong patted Su Yingxue on the shoulder with a smile: "Miss Su, I will definitely bring my team to support you when the Heavenly Ladder opens. At that time, your Cloud Sea Fireworks Shop will be our regular canteen!"
After seeing them off, Su Yingxue turned back to look at the shop behind her. The setting sun was slowly sinking, casting a warm golden hue on the wooden frame. The copper bells jingled in the wind, and the sounds of sizzling oil, tourists chatting and laughing, and the shouts of the construction team in the distance all mingled together.
She looked down and saw freshly chopped shiitake mushrooms and carrots on the cutting board, looking so vibrant in the sunlight that they seemed to glow.
Su Yingxue smiled. She knew that the warmth and life of Misty Mountain would drift further and longer along with that heavenly ladder.
Several months later.
On the day the Sky Ladder officially opened, before the morning mist on the summit of Wushan Mountain had even dissipated, a long queue had already formed at the foot of the mountain.
Tourists carrying cameras and backpacks chattered on the mountain breeze, their voices mingling with the sound of bells from the Cloud Sea Fireworks Shop.
Su Yingxue started cooking before dawn. The beef bone soup was bubbling away, the chicken pieces were stir-fried until golden and fragrant, and the steamed white rice was steaming hot.
Old Wang and Wu Yong arrived early to help. Dressed in festive red vests, they were busy handing out guidebooks to tourists. Seeing that Su Yingxue was so busy, they even took a moment to hand her a bottle of mineral water.
As the sun rose high in the sky, the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially began. The moment the red ribbon was lowered, thunderous cheers erupted from the mountaintop, and tourists surged towards the entrance of the Heavenly Ladder.
Wu Xiaobei squeezed to the front, holding up her phone to livestream. The camera showed the winding stairway to the sky and the surging sea of clouds in the distance. She shouted at the top of her lungs, "Family! This is the Misty Mountain Stairway to Heaven! After we climb it, we can eat the delicious food made by Sister Su!"
By noon, the queue in front of Yunhai Fireworks had grown even longer.
Tourists who had finished taking photos of the Heavenly Ladder were all captivated by the delicious aroma and couldn't tear themselves away. A young man who had just climbed down ordered a bibimbap with beef bone soup, took a couple of bites, and immediately squinted his eyes: "It smells so good! This bowl of rice has completely cured my fear of climbing the Heavenly Ladder!"
Old Liu from the construction team also came with his family. He patted his chest and told his son, "Back when I was building this ladder to the sky, I ate Miss Su's food every day, which is why I had inexhaustible strength!"
Sweat dripped down Su Yingxue's face, but her smile was exceptionally bright.
She had never climbed the ladder to heaven either. When the store opened, Wu Yong invited a group of outdoor enthusiasts to try it out.
She thought she could give it a try. She wondered if she'd be too scared to come down. But either way, it would be a fun experience.
After thinking about it, she wondered if she could invite a few friends to try it out and climb the Heavenly Ladder of the Fog Mountain together.
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