"I'll be back in a bit, I'm going to buy something," Tian Yu explained.
After hearing this, the boss came back to find Tian Yu, hoping for an explanation as soon as possible, and repeatedly emphasized that their dishes were the best in the mountain city.
Tian Yu looked at Li Yong and asked the owner if her cooking was better than theirs, which would prove Li Yong right and allow him to eat for free. The owner disagreed and readily agreed. Tian Yu asked them to wait outside, explaining that it was their family's secret recipe and couldn't be shared. She also told Li Yong to keep an eye on the door. Li Yong readily agreed and promised not to let anyone in.
After everyone had left, Tangyuan finally asked Tianyu:
"Is Mother going to cook?"
"Yes, Tangyuan, be a good boy and wait here. In a little while, Mommy will make you something delicious that you've never had before." After saying that, she casually picked up a snack from the kitchen and gave it to Tangyuan, telling him to sit down and wait.
After settling Tangyuan in, Tianyu borrowed kitchen utensils and began making a modern version of braised pork. Just as Tianyu finished preparing the meat, Chen Chong returned with the spices she had requested. He stir-fried the meat, placed it in an earthenware pot, added seasonings, filled it with water, and started simmering. While waiting, Chen Chong didn't ask why; he did whatever Tianyu asked, helping out. Tianyu told him to simmer it over low heat, so he carefully controlled the heat. The people outside were making a fuss, but Tianyu ignored them, focusing on Tangyuan. She asked him if he could count, but Tangyuan shook his head; he certainly couldn't read. Tianyu thought she would have to find time to teach Tangyuan properly later, so she started counting from one to ten with him. Tangyuan listened attentively. Soon, the aroma wafted out, and the noise outside grew louder. After a while, Tian Yu opened the lid and, sensing it was almost done, asked Chen Chong to turn up the heat to reduce the sauce. When the sauce was nearly ready, Tian Yu ladled it out onto a plate, removed the seasonings, and watched the glutinous rice balls, her mouth watering. She left a small bowl for Tangyuan and Chen Chong. Tangyuan quickly picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth. Tangyuan's exaggerated expression amused Tian Yu, who almost shouted out loud. Tian Yu covered his mouth, telling him to be quiet so the people outside wouldn't hear. Chen Chong also picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, chewing it a couple of times before showing no reaction. Tian Yu was a little anxious and asked him how it was, if it wasn't good. He then came to his senses and said it was delicious, no wonder she said the restaurant food wasn't good. Tian Yu smiled smugly. After they finished their bowls, Tian Yu cleaned up the kitchen, making sure no trace was left before carrying the bowl out.
The people outside were already impatient, drawn by the aroma to the table. Li Yong, smelling the fragrance, exclaimed, "Is this what braised pork should be like?" Tian Yu gestured for everyone to try some. The owner, unconvinced, picked up a piece, but after tasting it, he remained silent for a long time, staring at Tian Yu. Li Yong, thinking it wasn't good enough, also picked up a piece. After only a couple of bites, he gave a thumbs up, saying it was the best meat he had ever eaten, and there was no other like it in the entire Wu Kingdom. Hearing this, the other diners came over to join in the fun, and soon the plate of meat was empty, everyone clamoring that it was so delicious and asking the manager to give them some too. Seeing this, the owner bowed to Tian Yu and introduced himself. It turned out he wasn't the owner, just a manager surnamed Qian. Manager Qian reassured the guests and invited Tian Yu to a side room in the back courtyard to talk. Li Yong pressed Manager Qian about how he still hadn't been paid for his meal, to which Manager Qian simply said, "You can leave now; the meal is free." Li Yong happily thanked Tian Yu and the others and left. Tian Yu, leading Tang Yuan and Chen Chong, followed Manager Qian into a side room in the back courtyard. Manager Qian was much more polite, serving tea and water, and pastries after they were seated. Fearing they wouldn't have enough time, Tian Yu told Manager Qian to speak frankly, as they needed to hurry back. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Manager Qian, hearing that Tian Yu was leaving, stopped pretending and said:
"May I ask if you would be willing to transfer this cooking recipe to me, Madam?"
Seeing that Tian Yu didn't seem inclined to speak, he quickly added, "Of course, our shop can't accept this for free. Please name your price, Madam."
Before, they always called her "little lady," but now even the way they address her has changed. It seems that after all this time, the opportunity has finally arrived. But she couldn't be impatient, so she said thoughtfully, "Let's forget about it. I paid for the meal that some brave man owed you. Also, my son ate a pastry in the kitchen earlier, so let's settle that too. As for the recipe, it's a family secret, and I can't just buy it casually." After saying that, she got up to leave, and Tangyuan and Chen Chong also got up.
"Madam, please wait. The price is negotiable. The meal for that brave man has already been waived, and besides, it's not your place to pay for it. Please, have a seat," Manager Qian hurriedly stood up to persuade her to stay.
"May I ask if your ancestors were cooks, Madam?" Seeing Tian Yu sit down, he pressed on.
"Yes, my ancestors were imperial chefs in the palace, but the family fortunes declined and they didn't leave much behind, except for a few secret recipes."
"How many? Madam has other prescriptions?"
"Yes, but it's not complete; it needs to be organized."
"Oh, what other dishes does Madam have in her recipes?"
Tian Yu glanced at Manager Qian, not wanting to argue any further, and stood up again, saying:
"If Manager Qian is alright, we'll take our leave now." After saying this, he bowed and prepared to go.
"Fifty taels! I'll give you fifty taels of silver!" Manager Qian shouted anxiously.
Upon hearing this, Tian Yu stopped, but didn't return to her seat. Standing by the door, she smiled, thinking it was worth more than she had imagined. Turning around, she smiled at Manager Qian and said, "As you saw, the customers in the shop all like it very much. Fifty taels? I think we should forget about it." After saying that, she turned around and pretended to leave again.
Seeing that Tian Yu was unwilling, the shopkeeper became even more anxious.
Upon hearing the figure, Tian Yu was quite shocked. It was so expensive! But she couldn't show it, so she controlled her expression and slowly turned around, saying, "Manager Qian is very sincere, but this concerns my family. Although my family urgently needs the money, I dare not make a decision on my own. Perhaps Manager Qian could allow me to go back and discuss it with my elders before making a final decision?"
"Please forgive me, Madam, but the restaurant can only afford to pay a maximum of one hundred taels. Any more would require reporting to the owner, which would take ten days to half a month. Besides, Brother Chen has always had business dealings with our restaurant. Please reconsider, Madam." Seeing that Tian Yu was willing to compromise, Manager Qian looked at Chen Chong and pleaded.
"Oh, I see. I'll think about it some more." Tian Yu also looked at Chen Chong. Although she was already thinking of buying it, she knew that in business, one always had to haggle over the price.
"One hundred taels of silver, plus free meals at our restaurant for you from now on. Please consider it further."
Manager Qian made another concession. Tian Yu pretended to consider it for a while before slowly saying, "Manager Qian, you're too kind. Considering how much your shop has taken care of my elder brother and how sincere you are, I'll sell you this recipe."
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. If you ever need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. Our shop will do its utmost to repay you." After saying this, he bowed deeply.
"Of course! Of course! Prepare the pen and ink." Tian Yu thought that this Manager Qian really knew how to do business. He was planning to do business with her often. But he was also a straightforward person, so Tian Yu agreed.
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