Chapter 120 I now think my wedding dress is…
Gan Hao initially thought it might taste similar to scallion oil chicken, but after taking a bite, he realized it was completely different!
The moment the chicken enters your mouth, the first thing that fills your senses is the irresistible flavor of vinegar. Gan Hao has always loved sour flavors, otherwise he wouldn't have been so eager to try West Lake Vinegar Fish. He considers himself to have tasted most of the world's sour-based flavors, but he was still amazed by this one.
Its sourness is mellow and gentle, never irritating, and suits most tastes. After the sourness, a subtle aroma of complex spices emerges, keeping the taste buds on the tongue busy, and finally unifying in a slightly sweet aftertaste.
This flavor greatly enhances the natural taste of the chicken without overpowering it.
The chicken is tender to the perfect degree; any more and it will be mushy, any less and it will be dry. Especially when you chew the chicken skin, it has a slight crispiness from being fried but is never burnt or dry, and it still retains its oily texture without being greasy.
Each type of chicken showcases its unique texture and flavor. The vinegar sauce is the soul of the dish; the five flavors are so diverse that it's difficult to say which is better, each with its own distinct charm.
"This is great! Crispy skin, tender meat, and lots of juice!"
"Delicious!" Everyone was a little reserved when they took their first bite, but they immediately started eating with gusto.
"Dad, give me a piece of chicken, I want to eat the skin!" Gan Hao's daughter also had rice grains and oil all over her mouth as she ate.
Mrs. Gan Hao laughed and said, "Look at Tingting, she used to have such a hard time eating, we had to feed her, but today she ate so well. So children can eat too, the only reason they don't eat is because the food at home isn't good."
"Old Gan really knows how to find a place. This is much better than the Michelin-starred restaurant I ate at last time, which cost 2,000 yuan per person."
"Those Michelin-starred restaurants are all just gimmicks."
Even my friend, who doesn't usually like sour food, couldn't resist taking several bites: "This isn't very sour, and it's not just plain sour either."
So actually, he didn't dislike sour food; he just hadn't had any sour foods that suited his taste before.
When there were only a few pieces of chicken left on the plate, Gan Hao suddenly remembered: "Hey, hey, hey, don't just focus on eating, we still need to vote."
The friends immediately realized:
"I think this dish is more flavorful, with a tangy and appetizing taste!"
"I like this one; the meat is firmer and chewier."
"I've forgotten what it tasted like before. How about I try another bite of each flavor?"
"What?! How could you say something like that?"
Laughter filled the private room. Friends offered their opinions, debating animatedly, and finally cast their votes solemnly. Gan Hao hesitated for a long time before casting his vote for the dish with the most balanced flavor.
Just then, the waiter came in and served them the snacks they had ordered.
"This is another limited-time dish, traditional-style steamed rice cake," the waiter introduced.
Lifting the bamboo basket, steaming white vapor billowed out. Once the vapor dissipated, five small steamed cakes were revealed inside, each resembling a flower petal, with an extremely elegant and natural gradient of purple, white, and yellow colors, and the finely crushed jujube pieces on top like tiny flower stamens.
It's just a steamed sponge cake, but it's so exquisite that you almost don't want to eat it.
"This...this is steamed sponge cake?" Gan Hao's wife exclaimed in surprise, "It looks so beautiful!"
Gan Hao asked with some doubt: "This seems a little different from the steamed cakes you used to sell?"
He had seen photos of the new product on Song Sao Fish Restaurant's official WeChat account; it was a very simple triangular steamed cake.
The waiter explained with a smile, "This was also made by another new chef that Chef Song invited today. This new chef is good at making pastries and vegetarian dishes."
I see!
Filled with curiosity, everyone shared this art-like dessert.
The first taste is an extremely familiar, simple and warm aroma of rice and sweetness, but the texture is more delicate and moist than ordinary steamed rice cakes, and the three colored parts seem to have an extremely subtle natural sweetness.
"The yellow ones are probably pumpkins, and the purple ones are sweet potatoes."
The ingredients and color scheme are fairly ordinary, but the flavor is just right, incorporating a sweetness without overpowering the original taste of the rice cake.
"Delicious!" Gan Hao's daughter's eyes sparkled as she ate one bite after another.
Gan Hao savored the food, his shock coming in waves. The traditional flavor of the scallion and vinegar chicken, the ingenuity and exquisiteness of the steamed cake—their quality far exceeded his expectations.
He had originally thought that Sister Song's culinary skills were unparalleled, reaching their pinnacle. But the skill and depth of understanding she displayed in these two dishes today were... in no way inferior to Sister Song's!
So, it seems that only other big shots know other big shots?
"Old Gan, your recommendation is absolutely brilliant!" a friend sighed with satisfaction. "After eating Chef Song's fish, I already thought it was the pinnacle, but these next two dishes were just as good. This level of skill would be a restaurant's crown jewel anywhere!"
Gan Hao snapped out of his shock and grabbed the waiter, asking, "Will the chef who prepared these two dishes today continue working at this fish restaurant?"
Don't let yourself only get to eat it once and then be unable to again!
The waiter shook his head: "Chef Song didn't say, but they are friends invited by our boss, so perhaps they might stay."
She wasn't entirely sure either.
Gan Hao said with some regret, "I understand."
The waiter smiled and said, "Mr. Gan, you can follow our official WeChat account. If the two chefs stay, there should be an announcement."
Gan Hao nodded.
When Song Sao Fish Restaurant brings in a chef who can work independently, it does announce it on its official WeChat account, including his resume and the dishes he specializes in, so that everyone can order according to their preferences.
After the waiter left, they drank some tea in the private room before going out for a stroll. Although it was the height of summer, Qinghe Ancient Town had many good places to cool off. Even before they were leaving, some friends were already planning to follow Gan Hao's example and upgrade to annual passes.
Two more visits and you'll break even – it's an absolute steal!
Lu Xiaoqi knew the fish restaurant was busy, so she didn't go during the busiest time of day and didn't go until after 1 p.m.
The group ate and drank, having a great time. With Li Guinian, this social butterfly and "party expert," around, the atmosphere was never dull. When the drinking was at its peak, he and his brother, one playing the pipa and the other singing, while Wang Wei and others joined in by tapping their wine glasses with their chopsticks.
Zhu Lianxiu also sang a song, her voice was melodious and clear, and the guests in the small courtyard next door kept asking curiously if there was a performance here.
Later, Song Wu Sao, Shan Zu, and Fan Zheng, who had finished work early, also arrived.
At first, Shan Zu and Fan Zheng were a little unaccustomed to it, as they were usually staff members at these banquets rather than participants. Fan Zheng, in particular, didn't have a strong liking for banquets; she preferred peace and quiet, and the banquets she usually hosted were often not very pleasant.
But this time was different. The people present came from all walks of life. In ancient times, these people would have been divided into different classes and would never have been able to come together. But here, they were not separated by their social status, and everyone was very relaxed.
Moreover, her idol Wang Wei was there too! So naturally she would stay a little longer.
So Fan Zheng chose to sit next to Lu Xiaoqi.
Lu Xiaoqi was smiling and hiding to the side, enjoying the lively moment.
But soon, her mood soured, because Li Guinian picked up the pipa, casually strummed a cheerful interlude, and then loudly proposed: "On such a fine day, with such good friends, how can we not have some elegant activity to add to the fun? Why don't we play a game of 'flying flowers' and a poetry relay? Whoever can't finish the game will be penalized with a cup of wine or perform a talent!"
Everyone checked the time and, seeing that it was a rare opportunity to slack off during work, readily agreed. Even Zhang Zhongjing stroked his beard and said he could join in the fun.
Only Lu Xiaoqi's smile froze instantly, and her heart skipped a beat—it's over. Although she was good at Chinese, how could her knowledge of poetry possibly fill the gaps between these big shots?
Sure enough, after several rounds, the keywords changed from "spring" to "moon" and then to "wine," and the verses became increasingly obscure. Lu Xiaoqi forced herself to compose a couple of lines, but quickly ran out of ideas and drank two cups of rice wine amidst good-natured laughter.
In the next round, the pressure was on Lu Xiaoqi again. She frowned and racked her brains, but her mind was completely blank. She was so anxious that her fingertips almost dug into her palms. Just as she was feeling embarrassed, she suddenly felt Su Jun, who was sitting diagonally opposite her, lightly touch her with his toe under the cover of the tablecloth.
She subconsciously looked up and saw Su Jun with an unchanged expression, his gaze calmly fixed on the wine glass in his hand, but his lips moved almost imperceptibly as he whispered a few words.
Lu Xiaoqi had a sudden inspiration and immediately blurted out: "The flowers have faded, the red petals are gone, and the green apricots are small!"
"Wait, wait!" Li Guinian was the first to jump up, pointing at Su Jun and laughing loudly, "Su Jun! When did Young Master Su learn this skill of secretly transmitting his voice? This won't do! Accomplices are guilty of the same crime, guilty of the same crime!"
Wang Wei couldn't help but chuckle, and said gently, "Zirong's suggestion is rather unfair."
Gongsun Jin, always eager for a good show, banged on the rim of his bowl and egged on, "Punishment! A punishment is necessary! One cup for Boss Lu, three cups for Su Zirong!"
Zhu Lianxiu covered her mouth and chuckled: "Prime Minister Su's protection of Xiaolu is truly a sign of deep affection and loyalty. We should drink this wine."
Several older people watched the spectacle with smiles on their faces.
Instantly, the entire private room was filled with a joyful atmosphere, with cheers rising and falling. Su Jun, exposed in front of everyone, showed a faint hint of embarrassment on his usually aloof face. He glanced helplessly at Lu Xiaoqi beside him, who wished she could hide her face under the table, and shook his head with a wry smile.
"Alright, alright, I admit I cheated." He readily agreed, poured himself a drink, and downed three cups in a row, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Lu Xiaoqi was a fun-loving person to begin with, and amidst the good-natured teasing and laughter, her slight embarrassment quickly disappeared: "Fine, let's drink!"
There were still people working in the afternoon. The so-called penalty drink was actually just the lowest alcohol content rice wine; it wouldn't get you drunk, just like a soft drink, and a gust of wind would completely sober you up. But just as she was about to drink, her phone rang.
She looked down and saw Zhao Feiyan.
After the call connected, Zhao Feiyan's voice came through: "Xiao Lu, I'm back!"
Lu Xiaoqi: "!!!"
After Zhao Feiyan finished her tour of "Treading on the Golden Lotus," she returned home and rested for a few days before going to Hengdian World Studios to film a movie directed by Director Tang, in which she played an empress who was obsessed with love.
"I finished filming yesterday and immediately bought a high-speed train ticket to come back this morning," Zhao Feiyan said with a smile. "I wanted to give you all a surprise."
Lu Xiaoqi and Song Wu Sao picked her up at the entrance of the ancient town and took her directly to a fish restaurant for dinner.
"If you had told me earlier, I would have picked you up at the high-speed rail station."
Zhao Feiyan smiled and said, "Wasn't this to give you a surprise?"
"It is indeed a pleasant surprise." Lu Xiaoqi smiled. "Then you don't need to go out anymore, right?"
Zhao Feiyan took the rice bowl from Song Wusao and breathed a sigh of relief: "No need to go out anymore, take a rest."
For almost a year, she was either on tour or with film crews, constantly moving around without a fixed abode. At first, it felt novel, but after a while, it became tiring.
Fortunately, these days were not wasted. Now she has a very stable fan base, and although her performance in "Treading on Golden Lotus" and her portrayal of "Empress Zhao Feiyan" on the Spring Festival Gala are not exactly famous all over the country, they have laid a good foundation.
Therefore, Zhao Feiyan wanted to rest in Qinghe Ancient Town first.
Most of the people in the courtyard knew her, but there were some newcomers who hadn't seen her before. Miss Lu introduced them to each other, and then both of them felt as if they were in a dream.
It's truly a wonderful thing to be able to bring them all together.
Li Guinian had collaborated briefly with Zhao Feiyan before, and his eyes lit up when he heard her say that. He immediately extended an invitation as if they were old friends: "In that case, Your Highness, would you like to participate in my 'Rainbow Robe Dance'?"
In addition to the original performances in the ancient town, he has also been restoring the "Rainbow Dance" music.
This dance and music performance tells a magnificent and beautiful mythological story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang visiting the Moon Palace, where he met the celestial palace, Chang'e, and a host of fairies. He knew the music by heart, but he was mainly stuck on the casting—the main fairy roles needed to be played by suitable actresses to make the performance believable. So far, Li Guinian was most satisfied with only Gongsun Jin.
If Zhao Feiyan could join us, that would be wonderful!
Zhao Feiyan pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Of course."
She was also very interested in this dance and music that became legendary in later generations.
Li Guinian laughed heartily: "In that case, my 'Rainbow Dance' is just around the corner."
......
Leaving aside the laughter and chatter in the courtyard, Shan Zu and Fan's small-scale demonstration at Song Sao Fish Restaurant had already caused a stir among the restaurant's regular customers. Those who had tasted the fish were all showing off.
[Holy crap!!! What kind of amazing thing is this on the fish restaurant's secret menu today?! That scallion and vinegar chicken, I'm crying, I want to vote for every single one of the five flavors!]
[Upstairs +1, it's impossible to choose! I just blindly voted and now I regret it; I should have ordered another plate of each.]
And that pastry was like a work of art; it had an incredibly rich rice flavor. My mom, who doesn't usually like sweets, ate the whole thing.
Does anyone know who the master chef is? The waiter only said it was invited by Chef Song, but the skill level... I hope they'll stay on this channel!
[@SongSaoFishRestaurant - Customer Service XiaoSong, sister! I'm begging for the return of the traditional scallion and vinegar chicken! I'd queue up three more times for it!]
[Same request + ID number. This flavor is so unique, the sourness has such layers of complexity, unlike any vinegared dish I've ever had before!]
Those who managed to eat there were excitedly discussing it in the group chat, while those who missed it were completely bewildered.
What happened? I suddenly had a bad feeling, as if something big had happened somewhere I didn't know about...
I feel like I missed out on something incredibly good.
Oh, it's nothing really, I just got to try a new dish made by Chef Song's friend.
Yes, yes, it's about the same level as Chef Song's, it's not a big deal.
Yes, yes, don't worry about it. It just means that after this time, there might not be another chance.
Those who just saw it felt like the sky was falling!
Immediately, someone tagged Lu Xiaoqi, who had been lurking in the group chat, and sent a crying emoji: "[Boss Lu, this isn't fair! I used to go every week, but I had something come up this week and couldn't do this to me!]"
[Boss Lu!!! Please stay permanently! Please keep the menu the same! I'll renew my annual membership for another ten years!]
Immediately, a row of identical crying emojis appeared in the group chat.
It made Lu Xiaoqi cry.
She couldn't help but laugh and sent a message in the group chat: 【I'm here, what's going on?】
The chef had already told her that she wanted to visit Song Sao's Fish Restaurant every day, as she was very interested in the development of modern culinary arts. However, the chef was getting old and was new to the area, so both she and Song Wu Sao felt that she only needed to go at noon and should rest more in the evening.
Fan Zheng was willing to help out at Song Sao Fish Restaurant, but since she was a Buddhist and a vegetarian, she wasn't keen on spending long hours in the kitchen. So the two of them decided to clear out a small kitchen for her in the back, specifically for preparing pastries.
However, this is only a temporary measure. When the second phase opens, the two will each have their own destinations.
There was originally a temple dedicated to the God of Wealth in Zone 2, but during the later planning stage, it was felt that having a temple in this area didn't quite fit the overall style, so Yuwen Kai moved it to the area where Zones 5 and 6 meet, and it is still not open to the public.
This place is next to a planned high-end resort hotel, and Lu Xiaoqi plans to put the library she won in the lottery here as well. After Fan Zheng arrived, she had the idea of opening a vegetarian restaurant here.
This area will become a slow-living, Zen-inspired wellness resort.
Fan Zheng had no objection to the plan and readily agreed.
As for Shan Zu, she is skilled in making banquet dishes and imperial cuisine. The small island in the center of the lake in Zone 8 will eventually become Hua'e Xianghui Tower. Although Lu Xiaoqi has not yet obtained the blueprints for Hua'e Xianghui Tower, she has already figured out what to do with it. It will become the venue for the "Night Banquet" in Qinghe Ancient Town, and no one but Shan Zu can be the head chef for this banquet.
Of course, she wouldn't tell the diners these specific plans, but only that the two chefs would be based in Qinghe Ancient Town and that Song Sao Fish Restaurant would randomly introduce new dishes.
Hearing her say that, the regular customers were relieved.
[Starting today, I'll be stationed at Song Sao Fish Restaurant. I refuse to believe I won't run into them.]
[Got it! Random refresh, going to a fish restaurant will be like opening a blind box, the SSR limited edition kind! Interesting, very interesting.]
Lu Xiaoqi's lips curled into a smile when she saw the last sentence, and she posted: 【It's not SSR, it's SR.】
As for why it isn't, and what the difference is between the two, let those people use their imaginations!
......
Two days later, He Yan finished filming her scenes and came to Qinghe Ancient Town from Hengdian.
Her wedding is at the end of October, and she came here to try on two of her dresses.
In the tranquil and focused workshop of Qinghe Textile Factory, light streamed softly through the ancient window frames. He Yan, wearing two different gowns, gazed contentedly at her reflection in the enormous floor-to-ceiling mirror.
Both dresses are still unfinished, but the most time-consuming part of the craftsmanship is almost complete, and they already exude a remarkable charm.
“It’s exactly what I wanted.” He Yan’s voice was filled with undisguised joy.
Entrusting one's wedding dress to an unknown workshop is actually quite risky—because without much experience in custom tailoring, there could be huge differences between the design draft, the expected result, and the final product. Therefore, He Yan actually prepared her Plan B, leaving herself a backup plan.
As a result, even after leaving Qinghe Ancient Town, she frequently received updates from the Qinghe Textile Bureau regarding the progress. Manager Han's approach was far from that of someone handling haute couture for the first time; it was remarkably mature. Moreover, judging from these updates, every step seemed to be proceeding smoothly and steadily.
This gradually calmed He Yan down.
Now that she has seen these two outfits in real life, she finally feels a sense of relief.
"So beautiful..." He Yan murmured to herself, turning her body gently. The heavy drape of the Song brocade made her every step appear dignified, and the modified, fitted cut perfectly outlined her figure, both traditional and modern.
“There seems to be a little bit of extra fabric under the armpit. If I take it down another half inch, it will fit better.” Han Yunshang stepped forward, professionally pinched a piece of fabric, and marked it with a pin.
"The buttons feel a little tight, and it's a bit restrictive when moving around. It would be better if I loosened them a bit." He Yan moved her shoulders slightly.
"Understood."
After trying on her formal gown for going out, He Yan tried on the dress for the evening reception.
When she put it on, the entire workshop fell silent for a moment.
From the cut to the details, it was absolutely perfect, like a work of art. She could already imagine how elegantly she would carry off this unique gown at her wedding.
He Yan slapped her forehead, somewhat annoyed: "What should I do? I'm starting to think my wedding dress might not be good enough for these two gowns..."
Oh no.
Han Shanggong smiled. Since the wedding dress wasn't ordered from her, she didn't need to get involved in this.
He Yan sighed. The wedding dress was custom-made for her by a high-end luxury brand she endorsed, and she was initially quite satisfied with it. However, it now seemed that some details needed to be more refined. Otherwise, the main wedding dress would be overshadowed by the evening gown and the reception dress, which would look rather comical.
Her schedule was very tight; after trying on the clothes, she prepared to leave and return to Shanghai.
As she was leaving, He Yan remembered, "Oh, right, Manager Han, I have some good news to tell you. The anniversary issue of 'Fashion' should be released soon. We'll be promoting it in the next few days."
She said excitedly, "Liu Yu showed me some preview images, and the effect is excellent. In addition to the cover and the photos, there will also be a major twelve-page feature article in the magazine, which will specifically introduce your Qinghe Textile Factory!"
He Yan winked at Han Shanggong and joked, "You guys better be prepared. Once the magazine is released, you'll probably get a lot of people coming to see you!"
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