Chapter 298: Chapter 285: Speaking Human Language?

Translator: 549690339 |

True, Fan Wenxuan usually behaves nonchalantly, eccentrically and often tricks Chu Jinzhou, but he genuinely cares for this student, worrying about every little detail concerning him.

In recent times, Ning Feng has been noticing little things and remembering them.

Seeing Fan Wenxuan like this, his heart warmed up a bit. He decided that he didn’t need to report such trivial matters to the older masters, so he nodded, “Yes, I understand.”

It seemed that the grasshopper cage he had bought temporarily in town was coming in handy.

Fan Wenxuan stroked his chin’s beard contentedly.

“By the way, where’s Jinzhou?”

“The third young master is studying in his room. I’m worried that he might get too worried about today’s matter and have not yet informed him…”

Ning Feng hesitated, looking uneasily towards Fan Wenxuan.

“Jinzhou doesn’t know? That’s great, it will be a surprise.” Fan Wenxuan said, picking up the grasshopper cage, and with his hands behind his back, walked towards the study in Chu Jinzhou’s courtyard.

As he walked, he waved dismissively behind him towards Ning Feng, indicating for them to disperse and attend their own matters.

Ning Feng sighed with relief, carrying some guilt towards Fan Wenxuan, and went to tell the others to prepare dinner.

The weather was getting hotter and hotter. With the arrival of the dog days of summer, the heat wave was rolling.

Over at Zhuang Qingning’s place, the tofu and tofu skin workshops were well- ordered, and business was thriving.

On the century eggs side, Zhang Yongchang had already developed several dishes.

Century eggs with ginger juice, minced garlic century eggs, kung pao century eggs, century eggs lean meat porridge, three-color steamed eggs, century eggs with tofu, century eggs in superior soup – there were a dozen different dishes in total.

These new dishes and ingredients, in such a sweltering summer, were an eye- opener.

And the unique taste was so appetizing that it had become a must-order dish for every table at the Ruyi Pavilion.

For a time, in addition to discussing the daily lives of the surrounding people, the talk was about what kind of dishes were added to Ruyi Pavilion today, and what else could be made from century eggs.

“It’s very strange indeed. You say this black thing is not good looking and the name is ridiculous, century eggs, but the taste is rather special, once you eat it, you keep thinking about it.”

“Isn’t that right? Last time I had the cucumber century egg soup at the Ruyi Pavilion, it tasted delicately fragrant and rich, with a unique freshness. I invited my uncle for a meal, and he finished the whole bowl of soup. I barely had a sip, got so envious that I had to order another bowl the next day.”

“And the three-color steamed egg is extremely delicious, I was thinking, just what is this white, black and yellow stuff. I thought it was just a fancy thing, but it’s crispy and flavorful, very appetizing.”

“Your words made me drool, I’m now thinking about going to the Ruyi Pavilion to try this dish, but unfortunately my finances lately have been real tight, otherwise, I’d love to stay there every day.”

“Being short of money is not a problem. If you want to eat it, you can buy the century eggs and make it yourself at home. Although it’s not as good as Ruyi Pavilion’s dish, if you add some minced garlic, soy sauce, and chopped peppers, it should satisfy your craving.”

“You make it sound so easy, I’ve only eaten century eggs at the Ruyi Pavilion, I haven’t seen them anywhere else; where would I buy them?”

“Didn’t you know? Zhuang’s Tofu Shop started selling century eggs yesterday, only one coin each, you can make a dish with three.”

“Really? Then did you buy some?”

“Not yet… there were too many people, I couldn’t get any.”

“Isn’t Zhuang’s Tofu Shop always restocked before dawn?”

“Yes, I remember it’s the same. Well, why are we still talking here? Let’s hurry to the tofu shop.”

“Let’s go…”

So, these few days, many people have been waiting at Zhuang’s Tofu Shop before it opened, and the century eggs were usually sold out quickly. The fame of the century eggs slowly spread.

With the increased sales of century eggs, the need to produce more arose. Zhuang Qingning was struggling to keep up alone. After discussing with Zhuang Jingye and Zhuang Yonghe, they set up a canopy on the vacant land next to the tofu skin workshop and made it into a century eggs workshop. She prepared the mud mixture for marinating century eggs, and hired people to perform the other operations.

Between the tofu workshop, tofu skin workshop, and century eggs workshop, business was booming. Practically everyone in the village who could work was busy in these workshops.

They could earn their wages without leaving the village and it wouldn’t interfere with their duties at home. They could still take care of the elderly and children at home as well. It was simply the perfect job.

Everyone in the village who worked in these workshops was grateful and respectful to Zhuang Qingning. She was more frequently mentioned by villagers than their money.

Zhuang Jingye saw this and felt both happy and worried.

He was happy that every family in the village was prospering, the village was getting richer, and the workshops were getting famous. According to Zhuang Qjngning, once the tofu skin and century eggs were known far and wide, their Enji Village would also become famous. As the village chief, he would be enormously proud. Perhaps he could even get mentioned in the county records, to be admired by future generations, thereby achieving lasting fame.

But he was worried that since the workshops’ success, the villagers’ attitude towards Zhuang Qingning was exceptionally good, even surpassing his status as a village chief.

Take yesterday, for example. He wanted to call a couple of people to help him carry some bamboo poles home to build a cool pavilion for summer tea­drinking. But the two young men said they didn’t have time.

Why did they not have time?

Because Zhuang Qingning’s cat Snowball was feeling lonely due to Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui being too busy to play with it. As they didn’t have time to prepare its meals either, they decided to catch some small fish to feed it and also to keep it entertained.

Listen, everyone, are they even talking sense? Are they doing what humans should be doing?

Nowadays his position is inferior to a cat in Zhuang Qingning’s house!

If this story got out, where would he put his face as the village chief? Wouldn’t he be a laughing stock?

This was indeed tragic.

Zhuang Jingye heaved a hundred and eighty sighs.

But then again, the villagers respected Zhuang Qingning and held her in such high esteem, it shows that what she did for them was beneficial and brought tangible benefits to the villagers.