Wang Youbao finally turned to An Jing and said, "The dish you mentioned last time?"
"May I use your kitchen? I’ll cook two dishes for you to taste. The cook can just watch, it’s very simple," she said. "You just need to add some fermented bean curd for flavor. Our family’s fermented bean curd can be used as a seasoning."
"Certainly, certainly," Wang Youbao replied over and over. He turned his head and instructed the shopkeeper, "Take Xiao Bio Gong’s lady to the kitchen."
"Yes," the shopkeeper replied respectfully before leading An Jing to the kitchen.
As An Jing followed the shopkeeper, she pulled Xiao Changyi with her to the kitchen.
Seeing An Jing holding Xiao Changyi’s hand without any reservation, both Wang Youbao and the shopkeeper were stunned. The lady was truly bold!
Wang Youbao did not follow them to the kitchen, as a gentleman should keep away from the stove. He had never entered the kitchen, so he continued to sit by the stone table and drink tea.
An Jing cooked chicken with fermented bean curd and pork ribs with fermented bean curd. The chicken was salty-sweet and wonderfully fragrant with a unique flavor, while the pork ribs were sweet and salty with a bean curd aroma, their golden-red color signifying a complete feast for the senses.
The cook and the shopkeeper tried the dishes in the kitchen first, both praising their deliciousness. They had never imagined that just adding fermented bean curd could change the taste so dramatically.
Carrying the two dishes An Jing had prepared, the shopkeeper entered the backyard and began to praise them to Wang Youbao, "Boss, Xiao Bio Gong’s lady has made these two dishes taste absolutely incredible!"
Wang Youbao, being a big foodie, was evident from his size. Upon hearing the shopkeeper’s words and smelling the aroma, he couldn’t help but swallow his saliva. As soon as the shopkeeper had set the dishes on the table, Wang Youbao immediately picked up his chopsticks to start sampling.
With one taste, Wang Youbao closed his eyes in satisfaction. It was truly delicious. How could it be this tasty...
Then, Wang Youbao couldn’t stop eating, quickly finishing off the two dishes by himself, even letting out a loud, satisfied belch.
An Jing: "..." She finally understood why this man was so overweight.
After eating, Wang Youbao finally felt a bit embarrassed, laughed awkwardly, and said, "These two dishes are very delicious."
An Jing smiled slightly and said, "Your cook has seen how I made the seasoning sauce from the bean curd. If you want to make other dishes with a fermented bean curd flavor, just use the sauce to season them—it’s very simple."
"Good," Wang Youbao nodded. After a pause, he added, "My Hundred Dishes Restaurant is in need of new dishes. Your contribution is like a timely rescue. I suppose I should purchase your recipe. How much would be appropriate?"
An Jing shook her head and said, "No need. I taught you how to cook with fermented bean curd because I hope you’ll use more of it and then come to buy from my family."
"Then you’re at a bit of a loss..." Wang Youbao genuinely felt that An Jing was getting the short end of the stick, especially if his dish became a big seller, he would make a substantial amount of silver.
"I’m well aware of whether I’m at a loss," An Jing replied with a smile. "As long as Young Master Wang needs fermented bean curd in the future, just hurry to my family to buy it."
Upon hearing this, Wang Youbao appreciated An Jing even more, feeling she was different from ordinary women, but he still laughed and said, "Agreed. If needed, I will definitely buy from you."
Turning his gaze to Xiao Changyi, Wang Youbao asked knowingly, "Xiao Bio Gong, I hear you’ve returned from the battlefield?"
He just wanted to see if this man could talk, as he seemed to have never heard him speak. Could he be mute?