Chapter 424 - 366: Caught 2 Wild Soft-Shelled Turtles, Looking to Sell

Chapter 424: Chapter 366: Caught 2 Wild Soft-Shelled Turtles, Looking to Sell

All the customers who had gathered around Lu Xiangyun’s table cursed inwardly, ’Holy shit!’

’He can really cut tofu into threads this fine?’

’The owner is a total badass!’

’The owner must have been the one who cut this.’

’But then again, when is the owner *not* a badass?’

’Fair enough.’

’So Wensi Tofu really does involve cutting tofu into fine threads. And to think they’d accused the guy of spouting nonsense before.’

’Looks like they were the ignorant ones all along.’

This dish was truly unconventional. Of all the recipes that used tofu, whether as a main or side ingredient, this was likely the only one that required it to be shredded.

Of course, it was this very unconventional nature that made the dish seem so special.

’We have to order one and try it!’

Every table of customers ordered Wensi Tofu.

Wensi Tofu also became the main topic of conversation for the day.

...

At three in the afternoon, the rush was over and Li You was free once again.

He rested on the rocking chair by the entrance, playing on his phone for a while.

His phone rang. It was Luo Yunlin—the man who had sold him the fruit trees.

"Brother Luo."

Li You answered the phone.

"Haha! Younger Brother Li, are you busy? I’m not disturbing you, am I?"

"Not at all. I’m free now; the lunch rush is over."

"That’s good. So, here’s the thing. You mentioned before that you’d consider catering rural banquets, right? I have a relative—my aunt’s husband, actually. You’ve met him; we ate at your place together last time. He’s turning 79 next month and wants to throw a big banquet, probably around twenty tables. It’s a custom where he lives to celebrate milestone birthdays ending in zero a year early. So, this is essentially his 80th birthday feast. He’d like to invite you to be the head chef. What do you think? Are you interested?"

’Oh, I see.’

Li You considered it.

He was indeed interested in catering a rural banquet, and not just for the money. The idea itself sounded like fun.

Li You had always loved the lively atmosphere of such banquets. ’If I were the head chef, and all the guests were eating food I’d prepared... that would be a great experience.’

’It’s next month...’

"What date next month?" Li You asked.

"The eighth."

’That’s still about twenty days away.’

’Why not just take the job?’

Li You quickly made his decision. Since he was already interested in the idea, there was no reason to hesitate.

Besides, Li You remembered the man Luo Yunlin was talking about—his aunt’s husband. He recalled his name was Xie Wanxiang.

He was a rather talkative elderly gentleman who seemed to be in robust health.

’He’s already 79?’

’Honestly, you’d never know it. Last time, I thought he was under 70.’

As for celebrating a milestone birthday a year in advance, Li You knew it was a real custom for the elderly in many regions.

The belief was that by celebrating it a year early, you could hide your true age from Yama, the King of Hell, and thus ensure a longer life.

Of course, this was just folklore.

Some places had this tradition, while others did not.

’Oh, right, there was one more question. Where does the old gentleman live?’

Li You remembered that he and Luo Yunlin were not from the same village.

"Brother Luo, your aunt’s husband... his name is Xie Wanxiang, right? Where does he live?"

"Yes, yes, that’s him! Xie Wanxiang. I’m surprised you remember his name, Younger Brother Li. He lives in Shanghe Village, in Qingshui Town."

’Qingshui Town... so he’s in the same town as Duan Canghong. Just a different village.’

’Duan Canghong is in Changhe Village, and Xie Wanxiang is in Shanghe Village. Both names have "River" in them. I wonder if they’re far apart?’

’Of course, that wasn’t important.’

’What mattered was that no matter where Shanghe Village was located within Qingshui Town, it couldn’t be too far from here. Twenty, maybe thirty kilometers at most.’

’That was perfectly manageable.’

So, Li You said into the phone, "Alright then, Brother Luo. I’ll take the job."

"Really? That’s fantastic!" Luo Yunlin sounded delighted and surprised over the phone. "Younger Brother Li, thank you! I’ll tell my aunt’s husband the news right away. He’ll be absolutely thrilled."

"You’re too kind, Brother Luo. I’m honored that the elder would invite me to be the head chef for his 80th birthday banquet. I should be the one thanking him. And honestly, you’d never guess he’s 79. Last time, I thought he was still in his sixties."

Luo Yunlin laughed over the phone. "He really does look young for his age, and he’s in great shape. He still works his fields, you know. He can carry a load of seventy or eighty pounds without breaking a sweat."

"Wow, that’s incredible. The elder is in truly amazing health."

"He is. I hope I’m in that good of shape when I’m his age."

"I’m sure you will be."

"Haha! Let’s hope so. By the way, Younger Brother Li, how about we come over tomorrow to discuss the details of the banquet? What do you think?"

"Of course! You’re welcome anytime."

"Then we’ll see you tomorrow."

"Sounds good. No problem."

The two chatted for a little while longer before ending the call.

Afterward, Li You found himself still thinking about the banquet. It was the first one he had ever agreed to cater, and he was quite excited about it.

After pondering it for a moment, he went back to his phone.

He’d only been on it for a short while when his phone rang again. This time, it was an unknown number.

After a moment’s hesitation, Li You answered.

"Hello?"

"Xiaoyou, it’s me, Liu Haibo. Am I disturbing you?"

’Oh, it’s Liu Haibo from the village,’ Li You thought, recognizing the voice. ’I wonder what this is about?’

"Not at all, not at all. Uncle Haibo, what’s up?"

"Well, I went to the river this afternoon to catch soft-shelled turtles. I had some good luck and caught two. I was hoping I could set up a small stall in front of your restaurant to try and sell them. Would that be all right?"