Chapter 600: Zhang Family’s Recovery from Illness
Zhang Family’s illness slowly started to get better.
First, she said that she felt more energetic and her chest pain was much better, and then she was able to go out for a walk.
She had been bedridden for some time; her poor eating and sleeping habits, coupled with half a month of medicine, had made her look thin. By all appearances, she seemed as if she had just recovered from a severe illness.
At that time, Qiao Xiaomai indicated to Tong Sanlang to make a small cart, similar to the ones used by chilled noodle vendors in the future.
Tong Sanlang was skilled in many areas, be it calligraphy, chess, or carpentry, he knew them all.
He went up the hill to cut down trees and came back. After a whole afternoon of clanging and banging, a small stall cart that met the requirements was produced.
It was tied to the ox cart with ropes, and it was a perfect fit.
Qiao Xiaomai was preparing to pickle pickled vegetables. Because she wanted to do business, she switched from using jars to using big vats this time.
After all these preparations are done, two days later, Zhang Family’s illness was cured.
Since she was recovered from the illness, we could start discussing the division of the house matter.
However, Zhang Family requested to have a trial run of selling for a few days first, to see how it goes.
Qiao Xiaomai had a few days to spare, so she agreed with her.
So, Qiao Xiaomai began teaching her how to make chilled noodles.
Making chilled noodles were simple. The ingredients were flour, complemented with cucumber and bean sprouts. Although it was a pity not to have chili, having a bowl of hearty chilled noodles during the hot summer was still quite enjoyable.
Regarding the Sour and Spicy Fish.
The fish needs to be purchased from the marketplace, and due to Bailu Town not being near the sea or a lake, the price of fish was even higher than chicken.
As a result, Zhang Family couldn’t help but complain, “This fish costs eight or nine cents per jin, you might as well teach me how to prepare the field snails and the Loach Soup.”
Qiao Xiaomai’s Brewed Snails were exceptionally delicious. The field snails she and Tong Sanlang had collected a few days earlier, she used some of them to make Brewed Snails and some to make Snail Noodle soup.
The people from the Tong Family who have tasted it, their expressions were the same as when they chewed on bones.
Although the meat was not much, this is the charm of good craftsmanship!
And then there’s that Loach Soup. All the loaches were beheaded, tail cut, and entrails removed. All the earthy smell was gone, leaving only the umami flavor. Every one from the Tong Family who drank it had their stomachs filled.
Even Tong Erlang, who was always concerned about Zhu Hongyun, was the same. At mealtime, he was able to quickly put Zhu Hongyun out of his mind.
These two dishes left a very deep impression in the memory of the Tong Family people, so at this moment, Zhang Family could not help but mention it. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel·fire.net
These dishes were so delicious, and the ingredients were free. With this being the case, why bother to go to the trouble of buying fish.
“There are not many field snails or loaches left in our village’s small river,” said Qiao Xiaomai.
She used to catch them quite often, and the villagers followed suit. When people catch them in large numbers, naturally fewer will be left.
“You can catch some from the stream near the slope of your house,” said Zhang Family.
“That’s not as reliable as Sour and Spicy Fish,” Qiao Xiaomai responded.
“Earn whatever can be earned. After all, it’s free. It’s no different from throwing it into the river,” Zhang Family came up with a convincing argument.
Qiao Xiaomai thought for a moment and nodded, “Okay.”
Now that she had the support of her spiritual spring water, the taste of the dishes could not go wrong.
But if they divide the house and Zhang Family moves to the new house, she could not guarantee the taste anymore.
If the taste can’t be guaranteed, then making money will not be stable. It’s better to provide more recipes.
Tong Tiehu sat under the tree, listening to the conversation between Zhang Family and Qiao Xiaomai. He opened his mouth and said, “Sanlang’s mother, considering what happened with Second Brother’s wife before, I’ll say this upfront, you can only use these things for yourself, you can’t think about selling them.”
“Otherwise, go back to your mother’s house and don’t come back.”