Chapter 193: Hand-in-hand Mastery
Chapter 193: Hand-in-hand Mastery
Living under the same roof, when one person learns to roast chestnuts, it's equivalent to the whole family learning. Paying two tuitions or just one, the difference lies in the comparison between legitimate learning and "borrowing" at home, which might lead to unpleasant cooperation in the end.
Offering a favor that secures cooperation is a wise move. Bai Lu readily agrees, "Sure, Aunt Wu and Uncle Fugui can come over after lunch to learn."
Grateful, Wu Xiuyun quickly goes home to fetch a ham for Bai Lu, "This is a large ham that Fugui brought back from the countryside last night. It's been salted and sun-dried, won't spoil no matter how long it's kept. You can cut the meat off the leg and stir-fry or boil it. Also, boiling the ham hock for soup enhances the flavor."
Bai Lu, looking at the enormous ham, recalls the famous Jinhua ham from the future. Even though they're not in Jinhua, the ham here shines with luster and firm texture, clearly a successful creation.
The wisdom of the working people is truly remarkable.
Accepting such a valuable ham as a gift, Bai Lu feels a bit overwhelmed, "Aunt Wu, there's no need to be so polite. This ham is too precious; you could sell it for a good amount. The fruits you gave us yesterday were delicious enough."
"The fruits are good, but the ham is even better." Wu Xiuyun places the ham on the table, "We have more at home, all made for personal consumption, not for sale. It's not about money; it's about the taste you like."
Wu Xiuyun smiles and leaves.
Looking at the huge pig leg on the table, Bai Lu contemplates and starts planning the menu.
Ham stir-fried with garlic shoots, ham boiled with shredded vegetables, ham stir-fried with peas... and, of course, simmering ham hock soup!
Ham and pig hock soup should be good for bone health. Add some other ingredients, and it'll be a substantial boost.
Satisfied, Bai Lu's face lights up.
When marinating the ham, a generous amount of salt was used. It's best to soak it in warm water before consuming, which can be done later in the afternoon before preparing dinner.
After placing the ham properly, Bai Lu goes inside to make phone calls, contacting the eight other partners with different sales routes.
Having exchanged contact information initially, those with phones provided their numbers, and those without left the number of a neighbor or a nearby phone.
After making the calls and notifying all partners to gather for discussions, Xiao Wei also returns home from school.
Bai Lu plans to pick vegetables from the backyard garden but doesn't have time to inform Wang Cuihua, so she sends Xiao Wei instead.
Wang Cuihua, who has been dreaming of learning how to make sugar-roasted chestnuts, receives Xiao Wei's notification and rushes to Bai Lu's house.
Arriving there, Xiao Wei blocks her at the door, "I told you the time. No need to come so early."
"I want to learn how to make sugar-roasted chestnuts sooner." Wang Cuihua tries to push past Xiao Wei.
Xiao Wei firmly closed the door, "We haven't had lunch yet. Sister-in-law said we would teach together in the afternoon."
Wang Cuihua managed to squeeze one foot inside, hand clinging to the door, and begged earnestly, "Just let me in. I'll cook for you. I'm really good at it, and I guarantee you'll want more. Big brother Xiao Cheng will like it too."
Xiao Wei was momentarily speechless. He then called out, "Big brother."
Wang Cuihua instinctively turned around.
The door immediately closed.
Her hand and foot were both pushed out.
However, Wang Cuihua didn't feel sad or disappointed. Without delaying, she greeted Xiao Cheng, who had indeed returned. Holding groceries from the market, he walked over step by step.
Cold glares were cast at her from a distance. Xiao Wei, who had been clinging to the door just moments ago, received a stern warning, "If you damage the door, you'll have to pay for it."
That warning was left unfinished as Xiao Wei was scared stiff.
"Big brother... it's Wang Cuihua. She insisted on coming in despite Sister-in-law saying we'll teach in the afternoon."
After explaining, Xiao Wei immediately opened the door.
Xiao Cheng responded with a casual "Hmm."
Xiao Wei didn't face the cold knife-like gaze he expected. He knew he had handled it correctly, and his fear eased a bit.
Happily, he closed the door and went home.
Yufugui went to the city to watch television and stuck to his decision. He bought a 21-inch color TV and a satellite dish just like Xiao Cheng and Bai Lu. To celebrate the opening of Xiao Cheng's electronics store, Bai Lu treated him to a piece of large, brightly red-braised pork.
Xiao Cheng wanted to pick up the tab, but Bai Lu insisted, "Congratulations on the successful opening of your electronics store. This is my treat."
Xiao Wei wanted to take a piece but didn't dare. He had been rejected too many times before. Instead, he managed to sneak a piece onto Bai Lu's plate.
He did the same for Sister-in-law.
Celebrating the business of both big brother and big sister-in-law was a joint celebration.
Bai Lu glanced at the self-comforting face of the little guy and decisively placed a piece of red-braised pork in Xiao Cheng's bowl.
Xiao Cheng's bowl had two pieces of red-braised pork—one from Bai Lu and one... from Xiao Wei and Bai Lu.
The shapes and sizes were nearly identical, distinguishable.
"Eat quickly." Bai Lu handed him another piece, smiling and offering one more.
Xiao Cheng had a good memory. Glancing at Bai Lu, he used his chopsticks to pick up the red-braised pork and ate it.
Not a single piece was left.
Xiao Wei retracted his furtive glances, secretly rejoicing in his heart. He had won Big Brother's approval; he knew it because he hadn't received the cold shoulder. He happily enjoyed his meal, devouring the rice.
Suddenly, he felt so fond of Sister-in-law.
Bai Lu didn't enjoy eating fatty meat, so Xiao Cheng served her other dishes with lean meat.
The family happily ate their fill.
Before half-past twelve, all the partners had arrived. Wang Cuihua, who was supposed to be the earliest, just made it on time, wearing a particularly bright floral dress.
Chen Dafu gave her a suggestive look, "Flower chicken."
Wang Cuihua, constrained by Xiao Cheng's presence, bit her lip, choosing not to publicly criticize him as an ugly old duck.
At half-past twelve, Bai Lu turned on the TV, and the channel happened to be the provincial television station.
The news from last night was being replayed on time, "In the early morning hours, there were multiple incidents of group fights and illegal gambling in Nan City. Hospitals are operating 24 hours, and the provincial headquarters takes it seriously, appointing investigators to look into the matter."
Same words, same pictures.
Yufugui, Meng Youliang, and others, even without Bai Lu's precise judgment, guessed from the symbols of power in the corners of the photos and inferred a lot.
Except for Wang Cuihua, who didn't understand anything, everyone in the room was shocked, staring at Bai Lu for confirmation. Even though Xiao Cheng was standing beside her, they didn't dare look at him.
Bai Lu, surrounded by a red halo, seemed to be surrounded by blood shadows. Looking at Xiao Cheng, there might be a splash sound on the ground.
They knew Xiao Cheng had exceptional skills, but they never expected him to be this terrifying.
Even more unimaginable was Bai Lu's calm demeanor, standing side by side with Xiao Cheng.
In the gaze of everyone, Bai Lu confirmed their speculations, "You all saw it. Those people are now busy with their own problems and have no time to interfere with our candied chestnut business. You can rest assured to learn. Once you've mastered it and identified the market, you can open the door to a thriving business."
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