Chapter 291: Chapter 278: Dark Strange Thing

Translator: 549690339

Zhuang Qingning had followed the steps to pickle the century eggs a few days ago. Thanks to the secret recipe from the system, the pickling time for the century eggs has been shortened. Today is the fourth day, and they can now be unsealed.

After washing away the dirt and wood chips from the jar, she peeled off the shell of the century eggs, revealing the translucent, amber egg white inside. She cut it open with a knife and found a thick, sweet yolk inside the dark green egg, which gave off a faint fragrance.

The pickling seemed quite perfect.

Zhuang Qingning skillfully cut the century egg into crescent-shaped pieces with the kitchen knife in her hand and placed them on a plate. Then she picked some green peppers and took some garlic to make a sauce.

“Sister.” Zhuang Qingsui, who had been playing with Snow Globe, peeked over, her eyebrows furrowed at the plate of century eggs. “Is this going to be our dinner later?”

“Yes.”

Having received an affirmative answer, Zhuang Qingsui immediately opened her mouth wide. “Are you sure this is edible, sister?”

A clump of darkness, and the smell is also strange.

“Not only can it be eaten, it’s very delicious. You’ll understand once you taste it.” Zhuang Qingning chopped the green pepper and garlic into pieces while skillfully peeling another century egg. After slicing it into small pieces, she threw it into the porridge boiling on the stove.

She put this weirdly black thing into the porridge?

Zhuang Qingsui pushed back her chin.

Can this truly…be eaten?

Can it be eaten, can it be eaten, can it be eaten?

Zhuang Qingsui felt that her brain was full of this question, especially when the bowl of porridge was set in front of her, and she still couldn’t muster the courage to pick up the spoon. But recalling that her sister had carefully pickled this weirdly black thing, and that she said it was tasty…

Sister is never wrong!

Zhuang Qingsui took a spoonful of the crumbled century egg and porridge, grit her teeth, shut her eyes, and stuffed it all into her mouth, even swallowing it down rapidly without daring to chew properly.

Hey, why doesn’t it taste as horrible as she imagined?

It seems to have a rich flavor with a pleasant aftertaste…

Zhuang Qingsui quickly scooped another spoonful into her mouth.

The egg white is chewy, the yolk is rich, it has a unique fragrance that she can’t quite put her finger on, and the taste is also indescribable. However, one thing for sure is that Zhuang Qingsui was certain of it.

That is—it’s delicious!

“This century egg is yummy.” Zhuang Qingsui moved her mouth and picked another cold mixed century egg piece to put in her mouth.

With added vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil, it has a slight spicy taste from chili, with the fragrance of mashed garlic, contrasting to the subtle taste of the century egg porridge, this dish has a richer taste, it’s also incredibly delicious.

“It’s truly delicious!”

Zhuang Qingsui once again praised quite emphatically.

“Glad you like it.” Zhuang Qingning squinted in smiles and divided some of the first barrel of century eggs after dinner.

Mrs. Wen and Zhuang Yonghe’s family each got some; she also sent some to Zhuang Jingye. The remaining, when she went to town the next day, were all taken by Zhuang Qingning and given to Zhang Yongchang.

Zhang Yongchang is the chef of Ruyi Pavilion now, like he did in Fushun Tower, taking charge of all matters in the kitchen.

Zhuang Qingning arrived at the backyard of the Ruyi Pavilion, where Zhang Yongchang was sitting in the courtyard selecting vegetables, together with Lian Rong and Chai Zhengzhen.

The three of them were sitting together, chatting and laughing.

Seeing this, Zhuang Qingning couldn’t help but smile.

No doubt, this Chai Zhengzhen is an excellent shop manager. He handles many things along with his colleagues, leading by example, and he didn’t display any superiority towards them. He treats every matter on its merits and solves disputes reasonably and emotionally.

Especially after Zhang Yongchang joined the Ruyi Pavilion, Chai Zhengzhen treated him warmly. They became like brothers in just a few short days. Zhuang Qingning had heard Zhang Yongchang praise Chai Zhengzhen many times.

Even though Ruyi Pavilion has lagged behind Fushun Tower for many years and even though its dishes are nowhere near as good as Fushun Tower’s, they still manage to hold a steady position in town. There must be something unique

about it.

“Manager Zhuang.” Chai Zhengzhen was the first one to spot Zhuang Qingning and stood up after dusting off his hands. “It’s been a while since I last saw you, Manager Zhuang. How have you been doing?”

“Everything’s fine, thanks for asking, Manager Chai.” Zhuang Qingning smiled, “I’ve been busy with our tofu skin workshop lately and haven’t been able to visit the shop. I had some time today, so I thought I’d come and see

Uncle Zhang.”

“Sure, you guys chat. I’ll go and take a look at the front.” Chai Zhengzhen rolled down his sleeves, turned to Zhang Yongchang, and said, “I’m going out for a bit.”

“Alright, when you get back, I’ll make you a bowl of hot and sour soup, and let Lian Rong bake you a pancake.” Zhang Yongchang laughed as he spoke.

“Great, that’s just the taste I’m craving.” Chai Zhengzhen squinted his eyes in laughter and walked off to the front yard.

Zhuang Qingning gathered herself and approached them, laughing, “Originally, I was worried that Uncle Zhang would not adapt well to his new environment. Now it seems that my worries were unnecessary.”

“Isn’t that right? I was worried too at first, but when this Manager Chai got to talking with Uncle Zhang, they hit it off so well they ended up like brothers. Manager Zhuang, I must tell you, I think that the relationship between the manager and my master is so strong because the manager has a thick skin. I mean, you have no idea just how thick his skin is. It’s even thicker than mine! He’s always hanging around with my master, always wanting to eat this and that. And my master, he’s just too soft-hearted to say no, so he ends up cooking for him, and then this guy… After he finishes his meal, he just praises my master non-stop. It’s so much that even 1 can’t bear to hear it anymore…”

Lian Rong spoke with flying saliva, full of dissatisfaction in his words, but the smile on his face just wouldn’t stop.

Isn’t this attitude of saying one thing while meaning another also something passed down from master to apprentice?

Zhuang Qingning looked at Zhang Yongchang, her face full of mischief.

“Just let him fuss about. He’s just talking nonsense. He sees you’re here, and he doesn’t even think about getting you some tea? Just use that tea that Manager Chai gave me yesterday, it’s not bad, make a cup for Miss Ning.” Zhang Yongchang teased.

“Alright.” Lian Rong flew off to make the tea.

Zhang Yongchang moved a little stool and let Zhuang Qingning sit down, “We haven’t seen you in a few days, you mentioned your tofu skin workshop just now, is everything going well?”

“It’s going well, the first batch of tofu skin has been delivered to large restaurants in the county. Brother Dong, who used to help me transport goods, is too busy to handle it alone now. He has even brought another person with him to help transport goods with two carriages.”

Zhuang Qingning laughed, “Uncle Zhang, let’s not talk about that for now. I came here today and brought something for you to eat.”

“What food?” Zhang Yongchang’s interest was piqued when he saw Zhuang Qingning’s mysterious appearance, “Could it be that you’ve come up with a new recipe?”

“It’s not exactly a recipe, it’s some century eggs I made a few days ago.” As Zhuang Qingning spoke, she peeled open a century egg to show Zhang Yongchang, “It’s this, take a look.”

Zhang Yongchang took the half-peeled duck egg, which revealed the dark inside, and pondered it for a bit. “This is… interesting. Is this a duck egg? Did you just call this a century egg?”