My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 28

Having eaten her fill, Fu Jianxu contentedly set down her chopsticks. She noticed Fu Chunhao and Fu Zhixiao were still adding ingredients to the pot, clearly enjoying the hotpot immensely.

She stood up and retrieved two coarse porcelain bowls from the stove. Using a wooden ladle, she scooped out the freshly simmered, steaming, and glistening red hotpot broth.

Aunt Chunhao, take these home with you, Fu Jianxu said, pushing the bowls forward. The hot oil sloshed gently inside, filling the air with its rich aroma.

Fu Chunhao hastily put down her chopsticks and waved her hands. Absolutely not, absolutely not!

She had seen how much precious oil had gone into the broth. In these times, oil was as valuable as gold. How could she possibly accept such a precious gift, especially from two young people who were already struggling?

Fu Jianxu dreaded this back-and-forth. She deliberately stiffened her face and forced out a stern tone. Aunt Chunhao, are you saying you don’t like my cooking?

Oh, you silly girl! Fu Chunhao stamped her foot in exasperation, her face flushed. That’s not what I meant at all!

Ji Xiaoyu, standing nearby, chuckled and smoothed things over. Aunt Chunhao, just accept it. Sister Jianxu is so sincere. If you refuse, she probably won’t be able to sleep tonight.

Fu Chunhao reluctantly took the bowl, cradling it carefully as if afraid to spill a single drop of oil. Yet she still felt indebted, already planning how to repay this kindness.

Fu Jianxu turned to look at Fu Zhixiao. Despite the earlier back-and-forth, the female lead hadn’t stopped eating, calmly popping a slice of potato into her mouth.

Brother Xiao, do you know where I can get a custom-made copper pot? she asked, gesturing to describe it. You know, the kind with a chimney in the middle and a charcoal burner underneath…

Fu Zhixiao paused mid-chew, her eyes lighting up. You want a special hot pot? That’s a brilliant idea! It’ll be perfect for winter—we can shuan rou, thinly sliced meat and keep the dishes warm.

After a moment’s thought, she frowned. But the coppersmiths are already booked solid until the new year. If you order now, you probably won’t get it until spring.

Fu Jianxu’s brow furrowed. Everything in this ancient era was so inconvenient—even ordering a copper pot took forever. It seemed her plans to earn extra money through hot pot sales before the new year were doomed. This year was going to be tight.

In the blink of an eye, the fourth nine-day period had passed, ushering in the fifth.

After the Laba Festival, the entire town was steeped in the festive spirit of the approaching New Year. Red lanterns hung along the streets, and the cries of vendors rose and fell in a lively chorus. Stalls selling New Year’s paintings, malt candy, and firecrackers were thronged with customers.

Fu Ji Food Stall’s business boomed, with long queues forming outside its doors. The stall’s prime location at the eastern end of the street, where it curved from the docks, made it a natural thoroughfare for anyone entering or leaving town. Villagers who had spent the morning at the market, their stomachs rumbling, needed only to glimpse the bustling crowd and the satisfied smiles on diners’ faces to know they’d come to the right place.

Early one morning, Ji Xiuhe from Ji Family Village arrived in town with her mother-in-law and six-year-old daughter to shop for New Year’s supplies. Her husband had planned to join them, but a neighbor’s pig slaughter called him away to help. After a morning of shopping, the child grew tired and began clamoring for a piggyback ride, her little face scrunched up in a pout. Just as they coaxed her to the street corner, a rich, savory aroma wafted through the air. The girl froze, her tiny nose twitching as she sniffed the air.

Mommy, I’m hungry… The child tugged at Ji Xiuhe’s sleeve, gazing longingly at the fragrant food stall.

The grandmother wiped sweat from her brow and scolded, You little rascal! Just hold on a bit longer. We’ll eat when we get home! Truth be told, her own stomach had been rumbling for quite some time.

Noticing the grandmother’s weary expression, Ji Xiuhe gently suggested, Mother, let’s eat something here before heading home. You must be hungry too.

The grandmother relented. After waiting in line for about fifteen minutes, the trio finally reached the stall’s entrance. The grandmother peered inside, where steaming bowls and satisfied diners filled the air with savory aromas. She called out in her booming voice, Shopkeeper, what kind of food do you sell here?

The shopkeeper behind the counter looked up with a smile. Auntie, we have Mala Tang and Hot and Sour Vermicelli, both freshly made and very popular!

The grandmother had never heard of these unfamiliar dishes. As she turned to ask her daughter-in-law, she saw Ji Xiuhe’s eyes widen as she stared intently at someone behind the counter. Xiaoyu? Is that you? she exclaimed in disbelief.

In the back kitchen of Fortune Gate Restaurant, Xie Guilin glared at the several bowls of failed soup bases on the stove, his face ashen.

The Mala Tang soup base was dark and murky, its surface slick with a layer of greasy scum that killed any appetite at first glance. The Hot and Sour Vermicelli soup base in the middle was all sourness, lacking any of the numbing spice or savory aroma. The vermicelli in the rightmost bowl had been cooked to a mush, breaking into soggy pieces at the slightest touch of chopsticks, utterly devoid of its characteristic translucent sheen.

Useless trash! And you call yourself a chef we poached at great expense? Xie Guilin slammed the ladle into the pot, the scalding broth splashing out and making the cook flinch. How many days have you been trying? You can’t even make a decent soup base? Even the street stalls cook better than this a hundred times over!

The cook trembled, wiping sweat from his brow. Shopkeeper, that stall’s soup base is truly bizarre. I can’t figure out what spices they’re using. I’ve never tasted such a numbing sensation before…

Bullshit! Xie Guilin kicked over a nearby stool. The Proprietor chewed me out again this morning! The food stall across the street has lines stretching down the block every day, while we don’t even see a ghost of a customer!

At that moment, the sharp-featured clerk poked his head in. Seeing the shopkeeper’s anger had subsided, he quickly approached with a flattering smile. Shopkeeper, calm down. I’ve made a discovery…

Xie Guilin glanced at him sideways. Spit it out!

The clerk lowered his voice. A few days ago, I went to Fu Ji Food Stall and happened to see two men… He recounted in detail how the two men, one fat and one thin, had caused trouble and exchanged harsh words.

He paused, then added, Those two are holding a grudge. Yesterday, I saw them in an alley. Recognizing them as the troublemakers, I eavesdropped for a bit and overheard them plotting…

Xie Guilin stroked his chin thoughtfully. Go, keep a close watch on them. If they can really pull this off… He chuckled darkly. The vacant kitchen manager position…

A flicker of greed flashed across the clerk’s face as he nodded repeatedly, bowing obsequiously as he backed out of the room.

Xiaoyu, is that you? Ji Xiuhe exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

Behind the counter, Ji Xiaoyu looked up at the sound. She paused for a moment, then her face lit up with a radiant smile as she recognized the visitor. Sister Xiuhe!

She hurried around the counter, calling to Zhou Daya, who was clearing tables, Sister Daya, two Mala Tangs and a Hot and Sour Vermicelli, put it on my tab!

Absolutely not! Ji Xiuhe protested, waving her hands frantically, but Ji Xiaoyu firmly took her arm.

Sister Xiuhe, if you hadn’t helped me so often when we were kids, I wouldn’t be here today, Ji Xiaoyu said, her eyes slightly reddening as she swiftly cleared a clean table. Besides, it’s been years since we last saw each other. And now you have a child! Treating you and my little niece to a meal is nothing.

Soon, steaming bowls of Mala Tang and Hot and Sour Vermicelli were placed on the table. With other customers to attend to, Ji Xiaoyu said softly to Ji Xiuhe, Enjoy your meal first. We can catch up properly later.

In the kitchen, Fu Jianxu was focused on preparing ingredients when she faintly heard Ji Xiaoyu’s cheerful voice calling out front. Her hands froze mid-motion as she looked up in confusion. Did I just hear my girl calling someone Sister?

The broth in the pot bubbled and churned, but Fu Jianxu could only hear the laughter and chatter coming from the front of the restaurant. She couldn’t resist grabbing Zhou Daya, who was about to carry a dish out. What’s going on up front?

Zhou Daya nearly dropped the bowl when Fu Jianxu suddenly pulled her back. She explained loudly, Ah, Xiaoyu ran into her childhood neighbor, Sister Xiuhe, and she’s treating her to Mala Tang.

Oh, Fu Jianxu said, releasing Zhou Daya and lowering her head to continue blanching vegetables. But her ladle stirred aimlessly through the broth. Why does she call others Sister so sweetly? There are other good sisters too…

The red oil in the pot churned more violently, the rising steam making her heart feel heavy.

She scooped a portion of blanched Mala Tang into a bowl, added a ladle of scalding broth, but her ears still strained to catch the sounds of laughter and conversation from the front.

As the broth continued to bubble, Fu Jianxu felt a strange sensation, as if sour little bubbles were rising in her own heart.

Up front, Ji Xiuhe gazed at the radiant woman before her, unable to reconcile her with the gaunt little girl she remembered. If not for the faint familiar contours in her eyes and the growing resemblance to her mother, she would never have dared to recognize her.

Xiuer, do you know the boss of this stall? Her mother-in-law nudged her daughter-in-law with her elbow after settling down, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

She’s the little sister from next door in my hometown, Ji Xiuhe explained softly. We haven’t seen each other in years. I never imagined she’d open such a thriving business.

As they chatted idly, the child had already begun eating eagerly. The little one’s eyes grew brighter with each bite, and they exclaimed in a childish voice, Mommy, Grandma, hurry up and eat! It’s so delicious!

Infected by the child’s enthusiasm, the mother and daughter-in-law abandoned their reservations and lowered their heads to taste the food. At the first bite, their eyes widened in unison. The spicy, savory, and fragrant flavors exploded on their tongues, making it impossible to put down their chopsticks.

Even on the way home, they lingered over the exquisite taste, praising the Fu Ji Food Stall’s delicacies to everyone they met.

They weren’t alone in their praise. Almost every customer who visited the stall returned home with similar stories. Word spread like wildfire, and within days, villages surrounding Caojin Town knew about the new, affordable food stall on East Street, offering novel dishes they’d never tasted before.

Villagers who came to town for supplies were eager to try Fu Ji Food Stall and see if it lived up to the hype. Every day, a steady stream of customers lined up, the queue often snaking around the corner.

The staff at Fu Ji Food Stall were working themselves ragged. After discussing the situation, Fu Jianxu, Ji Xiaoyu, and Fu Zhixiao decided to prepare more stock.

Let’s make another hundred servings before the New Year, Ji Xiaoyu said, glancing at the ledger. We sold out by noon today.

Zhou Daya wiped sweat from her brow as she efficiently cleared the tables. You’re not wrong, she chimed in. We’ve had more than double the customers these past few days compared to when I first started.

Fu Jianxu rubbed her aching wrist as she cleaned the wok, secretly relieved. Thank goodness they’d hired Zhou Daya and Sister Hao Hong recently. Without them, the three of them would have been stretched too thin to manage.