Branch opening
The process of opening a branch of Sushan Xiaoji is going even more smoothly than expected.
A few days before the opening, a carefully drawn colorful note was included in the packaging of our dim sum. It not only indicated the location of the branch, but also clearly stated that all dim sum would be half price for the first three days of the opening.
Furthermore, the first fifty customers, regardless of their purchase amount, will receive a free box of the new store's specially made Bijian Bean Cake.
This pastry was improved by Pei Qingwu based on an ancient recipe and modern tastes. The skin is made with rice flour mixed with mugwort juice, and the filling is red bean paste with chopped walnuts. It is stacked in seven layers. It was originally intended to be one of the signature dishes of the branch, but now it is being used to attract customers, and the effect is excellent.
On the opening day, before dawn, many locals and regular customers had already gathered in front of the newly rented shop "Sushan Xiaoji·Xishi Branch".
The brand-new blue cloth signboard swayed gently in the morning breeze, and red silk ribbons tied into floral patterns hung on the lintel, creating a festive atmosphere.
Wu Niang and Yu Yi arrived early in the morning, wearing ruqun (traditional Chinese dresses) specially made for them by Pei Qingwu. Wu Niang's dress was apricot yellow, and Yu Yi's was lake green, which made the two girls look even more charming and spirited.
Behind the two were the owners of Caichun Pavilion.
The man's surname was Zhou, he was around thirty years old, and he had a kind and honest appearance. He was responsible for welcoming and seeing off guests, collecting money and keeping accounts. His wife's surname was Liu, and she helped in the kitchen to take care of the cooking and other miscellaneous tasks.
"The auspicious hour has arrived—opening for business!"
With a clear shout from Manager Zhou, the screen blocking the entrance was removed, revealing the bright and clean dining area and the counter displaying various pastries.
The guests, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately rushed in.
"Wow, this shop is so bright! And the pastries look so delicious!"
"Half price! It really is half price! Quick, give me two boxes of sesame cake and one box of jade cake!"
"Are there any free gifts? Do you still have the Bijian bean cake?"
The counter was instantly packed with people, all talking at once, creating quite a lively scene.
Wu Niang and Yu Yi stood behind the counter. One of them quickly packed up the pastries, while the other crisply announced the names and prices of the pastries. Although they were busy and sweating, their faces were filled with excited and joyful smiles.
Manager Zhou stood to the side, calculating with an abacus, collecting money and giving change in an orderly manner.
Liu Niangzi would occasionally bring out freshly baked pastries from the kitchen, steaming hot and fragrant.
Pei Qingwu, along with Gu Heng, Qian Tao, and others, also came to help take care of them.
Gu Heng was assigned to maintain order at the entrance and distribute small, sample-sized snacks wrapped in colored paper to attract passersby.
He was tall and handsome, and although he was a little shy, his sincere attitude attracted many middle-aged women and young girls to stop and watch.
Qian Tao moved among the dine-in customers, carrying a teapot and serving complimentary mint drinks to the waiting guests. Her sweet smile and charming words made the customers beam with joy.
"Boss Pei, with the opening of this branch, the residents of West Market are really in for a treat!"
A familiar old customer smiled and said to Pei Qingwu, "Your two apprentices have truly inherited your skills. This Bijian bean cake is sweet but not greasy, it's delicious!"
Pei Qingwu replied with a smile, "You flatter me. They are still young and will need the help of their neighbors in the future."
The shop was bustling with activity, and the pastries on the counter were dwindling at a visible rate.
The copper coins jingled as they fell into the money box, creating a lively atmosphere reminiscent of the summer weather.
Some customers who received complimentary Bijian bean cakes and tried half-price snacks found them both affordable and delicious, and couldn't help but tell their acquaintances about them as soon as they left, attracting even more curious people to come.
By midday, the crowds had not diminished at all; in fact, the market was even more crowded with more and more people.
In the kitchen, Wu Niang and Yu Yi were almost constantly working, kneading dough, preparing fillings, steaming, and cooking... Their hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to their cheeks, but they didn't bother to wipe it off.
Liu Niangzi helped from the side, and seeing the two girls working together in a good manner despite their busy schedules, she also showed a look of approval in her eyes.
"Master," Wu Niang said, taking advantage of a break in the day, looking up to see Pei Qingwu coming to check on her. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and trepidation: "Do you think... is it alright?"
Pei Qingwu felt extremely gratified as he looked at the lively scene before him.
She took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Wu Niang's forehead, saying softly, "It's not just okay, it's excellent. You did even better than I expected."
Yu Yi also raised her head, though tired, her eyes were firm: "Don't worry, Master, we will definitely take good care of this shop."
Watching his two apprentices grow rapidly and become capable of handling things on their own, Pei Qingwu suddenly felt a sense of "my daughters have come of age."
She patted them on the shoulders and encouraged them, "Keep going, and maybe you'll do even better than your master in the future."
The busy day gradually subsided only when the sun set and the city drums sounded.
After seeing off the last guest, Wu Niang and Yu Yi practically collapsed into their chairs, too exhausted to even speak.
The Zhou couple were still busy checking accounts and tidying up the shop.
Gu Heng and the others helped tidy up the shop, while Pei Qingwu went to the kitchen and cooked several bowls of shredded chicken dumplings and a plate of braised beef.
"You must be exhausted. Eat something first."
Pei Qingwu brought out the food, which was steaming hot and smelled delicious.
Wu Niang looked at the bowl of steamed buns, her nose tingled, and she almost burst into tears: "Master..."
"Silly girl, you've had a long day, eat up." Pei Qingwu interrupted her with a smile: "Today is a great day for our opening, we've made a brilliant start. From now on, this West Market branch is truly in your hands."
"Um!"
The broth for the shredded chicken soup is made by simmering old hen and pork bones for a whole day. It is clear and golden, with all the surface oil skimmed off, leaving only a rich and delicious flavor.
The thin, smooth, and chewy slices of bread, along with the evenly and tenderly shredded chicken, are topped with a small handful of finely chopped bright green coriander. As the steam rises, the aroma fills the air.
After a long day, the group picked up their bowls and, without saying much, slurped down their food until sweat beaded on their foreheads and their stomachs felt warm and cozy. It seemed that most of their fatigue had been relieved by the bowl of hot soup noodles.
After dinner, Manager Zhou roughly calculated the day's accounts, his face beaming with undisguised joy.
Although the profit margin was low due to the large volume of business, the income was still quite considerable.
Pei Qingwu felt somewhat relieved, but still remained cautious. He told Qian Tao, Shi Dayong, and the others to go back to the main store to rest, while he planned to stay a little longer to see how things were before and after the store closed for the evening.
Seeing this, Gu Heng silently tidied up the clutter he had collected and stayed behind, saying in a low voice, "Master, I'll stay with you."
That night, Pei Qingwu rested in a small hut that had been temporarily set up in the backyard of the branch store.
The hustle and bustle of the day faded away, and the night became exceptionally quiet, making it difficult for her to fall asleep.
My mind was a jumble of thoughts: sometimes I saw Wu Niang and Yu Yi bustling about, sometimes I saw the stream of customers coming in, and sometimes I was thinking about all sorts of things to do in the future.
I tossed and turned until the moon was high in the sky, but I still couldn't fall asleep.
She simply put on her coat and got up, wanting to go out into the courtyard for some fresh air.
The summer night breeze carried a hint of coolness, dispelling some of the restlessness in my heart.
However, as soon as they stepped into the backyard, they saw a faint light coming from the direction of the kitchen, and there was a faint rustling sound.
Pei Qingwu was surprised and approached quietly.
Inside the kitchen, Gu Heng was tending to a small clay stove, carefully watching over a small earthenware pot sitting on it.
White steam rose from the mouth of the jar, carrying a faint aroma of herbs and meat.
"Aheng?" Pei Qingwu asked, puzzled. "What are you doing here so late?"
Gu Heng turned around at the sound of her voice. When he saw her, a look of embarrassment flashed across his face. He then stood up and rubbed his hands together awkwardly. "Boss, you're still awake... I... I'm trying to make some soup."
"Soup?" Pei Qingwu took a few steps closer.
The flavor was clearer; it wasn't the chicken or bone broth we usually stewed.
“Hmm,” Gu Heng nodded, his voice lowering slightly, “It’s pork heart soup… When I was little, sometimes I couldn’t sleep well at night, and my mother would make this for me. She said that pork heart, along with a few calming and soothing herbs such as poria cocos, rose petals, and albizia bark, could be boiled into a soup that could relieve depression and help people sleep peacefully.”
He paused, then looked up at Pei Qingwu: "I noticed that the boss seemed restless this evening. I'm afraid he's exhausted from the day and worried about the branch, making it hard for him to sleep. So I thought... I'd give it a try."
Pei Qingwu was stunned.
She never expected the young man to be so observant, noticing her subtle insomnia, and she never imagined he would stay up all night to prepare this calming soup for her.
A warm current quietly flowed through my heart, dispelling the chill of the night.
At this moment, the earthenware pot on the small clay stove made a soft "bubbling" sound, and the soup had reduced to just the right consistency.
Gu Heng quickly picked up the cloth and moved the pottery jar away from the stove.
He took a clean porcelain bowl and carefully strained the soup from the jar with a spoon.
The soup was clear and slightly amber in color, with a few pieces of tenderly stewed pork heart and some medicinal residue at the bottom of the bowl.
He held the bowl of soup in both hands as if it were a rare treasure, and offered it to Pei Qingwu, his eyes filled with anticipation and nervousness: "Master, would you like to try it? I put in the herbs according to the recipe I remembered, I don't know if the taste is right..."
Pei Qingwu took the bowl, his fingertips touching the warmth of the bowl's surface.
She lowered her head, blew on it, and took a small sip.
Upon tasting the soup, one first feels a just-right warmth, followed by a blend of the bitterness of the herbs and the mellow sweetness of the meat that spreads across the tongue.
The pig's heart was stewed until extremely tender, with a delicate texture and none of the usual fishy smell of offal. Instead, it developed a unique sweetness under the neutralizing effect of the medicinal herbs, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
“It’s delicious,” Pei Qingwu looked up and met Gu Heng’s nervous gaze, and sincerely praised, “The meat is tender, the soup is rich and flavorful, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, and not fishy at all… I didn’t expect you to have such skills.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Heng's eyes lit up instantly, as if he had fallen into the stars. He couldn't help but smile up, revealing an extremely happy smile: "I'm glad you like it, Master! This soup isn't difficult to make. If you find it useful, Master, in the future... in the future, if you can't sleep well at night, just let me make it."
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?" Pei Qingwu felt a lump in her throat as she looked at his undisguised joy.
"No trouble at all!" Gu Heng hurriedly shook his head, his tone extremely serious: "As long as the master likes it, as long as it's good for the master's health, it's not troublesome at all."
The night was deep, and a single lamp in the kitchen shone dimly, illuminating the boy's sincere and ardent gaze.
Pei Qingwu held the bowl of warm calming soup, feeling the warmth spread from his stomach to every part of his body.
Even the heart that had been somewhat agitated by various matters became strangely calm and peaceful.
Pei Qingwu's decision to stay and investigate was not unfounded.
The next morning, just as the branch had taken down its doors and before it could officially open to customers, trouble suddenly broke out.
Several men dressed in shorts carried a person who looked to be in pain, clutching his stomach and groaning, and blocked the store entrance with a menacing air.
The leader slammed a half-eaten piece of Bijian bean cake onto the ground and shouted angrily, "You heartless shopkeeper! What kind of filthy snacks are you selling! My brother bought this worthless cake from you yesterday, ate it and then vomited and had diarrhea all night. He was on the verge of death! You must give us an explanation today!"
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