Chapter 387 - 386: Opening for Business, Excited Customers

Chapter 387: Chapter 386: Opening for Business, Excited Customers

The two of them immediately broke into laughter.

「At that moment.」

Jiang Liu had also swapped out the pressure cooker for the Magical Pressure Cooker.

The Magical Pressure Cooker was a bit larger than a normal one, and it was a smart, plug-in model where you could adjust the cooking speed, set timers, and so on.

It looked like a high-tech gadget.

But on the surface, it looked perfectly ordinary.

Jun Qingmeng gave it a curious glance before paying it no more mind, continuing to cheerfully help Jiang Liu with Tongtong.

「Soon.」

Following the steps in the Ancient Sichuan Cuisine Recipe, Jiang Liu made a large pot of Fuqi Feipian. The dish had a beautiful, tender red color and was garnished with green celery.

Fuqi Feipian is made from sliced beef, beef tendon, and tripe, with a bit of small-leaf celery.

When slicing the beef and tendon, you have to cut against the grain. That way, the slices won’t get stuck in your teeth and will be fragrant and tender in your mouth.

There were many little tricks like this.

「6:35 a.m.」

Jiang Liu served a plate of Fuqi Feipian, along with two small bowls of rice and one large bowl of rice.

He also drizzled the five-spice chili oil he had just made over the Fuqi Feipian.

It was steaming hot, a complete feast for the senses in color, aroma, and taste.

"Daddy, can we eat now? Tongtong’s hungry again." Jiang Tongtong shyly looked down and rubbed her tummy.

’My little tummy just had a piece of cake, but Daddy’s cooking is making me hungry all over again.’

’Daddy won’t think I eat too much, will he? Waaah...’

"Go on, eat up." Jiang Liu patted her head. "After you finish, it’s off to kindergarten. I’ll make more delicious food for you two when you get back."

"Okay~"

"Daddy, be good, Tongtong wants you to have the first bite!"

"Honey, open your mouth."

After they both fed Jiang Liu a bite, they looked at each other and laughed.

When it came to spoiling their dad (and husband), the two of them were professionals!

"Just eat, you two. No need to be so polite with each other," Jiang Liu said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Every meal, he had to be fed the first couple of bites.

"Wow! This is so yummy, Daddy! The meat is delicious! Tongtong likes it! It’s spicy, hehe."

As expected of Jiang Liu’s little cub, Tongtong also liked spicy food.

Jun Qingmeng, on the other hand, couldn’t handle it.

She had to drink water after just one bite because of the spiciness.

Luckily, the slices of meat and tripe on the edge of the plate weren’t covered in chili oil.

"Honey, this Fuqi Feipian you made is so authentic! How are you so amazing?"

Jun Qingmeng’s gaze toward Jiang Liu grew even more doting.

’How is my husband so good at making everything taste delicious? No! I have to lock him down with a marriage certificate right away, no running allowed!’

"How’s the texture?" Jiang Liu asked after eating a slice. "Give me your review."

"Hmm..." Jun Qingmeng gathered her thoughts and gave an objective assessment. "In terms of appearance, the color is beautiful and very appetizing. As for the texture, hmm... the meat is fragrant and tender, doesn’t get stuck in your teeth, and is very easy to eat. The flavor is savory, numbing, and spicy. The beef flavor is very pure, with no gamey taste."

"All in all, it’s incredibly good. It’s a huge step above the Fuqi Feipian I’ve had at authentic Sichuan restaurants."

Jiang Liu nodded. "I’m planning to price it at sixty yuan per plate, served with a large bowl of Wuchang rice. What do you think?" Jiang Liu asked, his tone consultative.

A sweet feeling filled Jun Qingmeng’s heart. She loved this feeling of being valued, of being treated like family.

"I think that’s fine! Sixty is a very fair price—not expensive, but not particularly cheap either. Fuqi Feipian usually costs around fifty yuan in most restaurants."

She felt that the Fuqi Feipian her husband made would be worth it even if he sold it for a thousand yuan. The taste was even more authentic than the authentic stuff.

But Jun Qingmeng respected and agreed with Jiang Liu’s pricing. This was one of the things she loved about him.

He worked hard to earn money, but he wasn’t boundlessly greedy. After all, if he sold it for too much, not everyone could afford it. Not everyone’s family owns a mine.

「After breakfast.」

The two of them sat on their stools, looking at Jiang Liu with pitiful expressions.

The happy mood from just a moment ago had vanished.

’Daddy, look at your little cutie! She really doesn’t want to go to kindergarten, wah!’

’Please, please, have pity on Tongtong!!!’

’Can you hear Tongtong’s desperate cries from the heart!’

Jiang Liu cleared the dishes, deliberately avoiding their gazes.

「6:58 a.m.」

Outside, the scene was as lively as a grand opera. Some people were trying to buy spots in the line, while others were exchanging "pleasantries" over line-cutting disputes.

Jun Qingmeng and Tongtong glanced at each other and sighed wistfully.

"Daddy, Tongtong is leaving now. It might be a very, very long time before she comes back!

"

"Honey, we’re heading to the ’garten now..."

"Daddy, will you miss me and Mommy?"

"Of course I will." Jiang Liu patted both of their heads. "Go on now. When you come back, I’ll make you something delicious. Didn’t you want dough drop soup and popcorn? You’ll have it all when you get back."

"Mmm, okay then, Daddy."

The sad looks on their faces instantly blossomed into smiles.

See? They’re easy to please, right!? (Stated with righteous indignation).

After walking out the door, the two of them wordlessly formed a large heart shape with their hands for Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu smiled and waved.

The customers in line smiled with envy.

This family looked so warm and happy.

"When are you opening, Brother Jiang? If you don’t open soon, I’m gonna have to report to Yama Hall!"

"Any new dishes?"

"It’s been a while. I doubt it," said Wu Lingling, sporting dark circles under her eyes.

Jiang Liu opened the glass door. "Thank you all for your support. The shop is now open. Also, I have an announcement. We’ve added a new, permanent, free dipping sauce: five-spice chili oil. And for this morning only, we will be selling fifty orders of Sichuan Fuqi Feipian. Feel free to purchase a portion if you’d like. It’s sixty yuan per serving."

Fuqi Feipian?? Five-spice chili oil?

"Holy crap! Am I still dreaming?! Didn’t Boss Jiang say he wasn’t releasing any new dishes?"

"Fuqi Feipian, a permanent dipping sauce? Fuck, yes! I’ve been wanting to dip my buns in chili oil for ages."

"Good thing I came today. My mom just called and asked me to bring her a serving of Fuqi Feipian. Dream on! It’s her own fault for not getting up."

WHOOSH!

Hearing the news, the entire line instantly erupted into a buzz of conversation.

The quick-witted ones had already pulled out their phones to spread the news.

Boss Jiang actually came out with a dipping sauce, and it’s free!!

Most importantly, it’s a permanent addition!

Wu Lingling was a bit dazed. Her sleepy eyes instantly shot wide open.

"What did Boss Jiang just say?"

"I think it was... Fuqi Feipian, five-spice chili oil..."

"Can you sell me your spot in line?"

"Huh? You think that’s possible? I’m definitely getting Boss Jiang’s Fuqi Feipian today!"

Wu Lingling wanted to cry but had no tears left.

’If I had known, I would have come earlier today.’

Yang Zishan excitedly sent the news to Yang Zhengwu.

"Dad, are you up yet?"

Yang Zhengwu: "Don’t bother me if it’s not important. Oh, by the way, from now on, I’m splitting your monthly allowance into ten payments."

Yang Zishan: "??? (Shiba Inu staring blankly)"

Yang Zishan: "(Kitten sighing) Boss Jiang has a temporary special today, plus a new permanent dipping sauce, five-spice chili oil. Too bad you won’t get to try it."

Yang Zhengwu: "Heh heh, scared you, didn’t I? I was just joking with you, wanted to give you a surprise. I was actually going to tell you that I’m doubling your allowance from now on."

Yang Zishan: "Oh?"

Yang Zhengwu replied instantly: "My dear daughter, are you in line? Could you bring some food back for me? What does Boss Jiang’s Fuqi Feipian taste like? Can you buy some of that chili oil and bring it back?"

"You know your old dad loves spicy food..."

...