Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 215: Delicious food is often found in inconspicuous small shops

Shen Yu hurriedly smiled and said, "Well, I'm so sorry. I was just here thinking about whether I could do it or not, and I neglected Master Lu."

Lu Lang smiled slightly: "It's okay, what do you think of my suggestion?"

Shen Yu nodded and said, "If you trust me, Mr. Lu, then give it a try. I am confident about the dishes, but my shop is too simple. If I really hold a banquet here, I am afraid that your classmates will dislike it."

Lu Lang thought for a moment and said, "What if I ask Miss Shen to come over and cook?"

"Come to your house? Do you want to go to the kitchen behind the county government office?"

Shen Yu didn't really want to go. She thought of the county magistrate in the county government who was a devout Buddhist and loved to eat vegetarian food. She was worried that when she really went to his house to cook, he would not allow her to kill anything or eat anything. She was not good at making vegetarian dishes.

Shen Yu hesitated and said, "I don't know how to cook vegetarian food."

Only then did Lu Lang think of the clean, greasy and unpalatable small kitchen at the back of his house, and he couldn't help but feel deflated.

Jiang smiled and said, "I wonder if Mr. Lu will hold the banquet at noon or in the evening."

Lu Lang said: "Going to a restaurant is always a night party, but going to the suburbs is not necessarily the case."

Jiang suggested to Shen Yu: "Our shop will have few customers after the market closes, so we will also close."

"Then put the long tables in the shop aside and put a large round or square table in the middle, so that the guests can sit around it and a whole table can be placed."

Lu Lang nodded repeatedly: "There are not many of us, only six of us including me, and we are not the kind of people who like to drink, so we won't make any noise."

"It's just that we take turns to be the host, discuss our recent reading experience, paint a few paintings, and write a few poems. The place just needs to be quiet and clean."

"Last time when Brother Song hosted us, we went to the thatched cottage by the canal."

"It was built by fishermen to shelter from the wind and rain. It was very simple. The food and drinks were brought over, and even the tables and chairs were pulled over by car. Everyone was happy all the same."

Shen Yu smiled and said, "Sitting by the river is called elegance, but sitting in a snack bar like mine is nothing."

Lu Lang shook his head and said, "My grandfather once said that all delicious food is often found in inconspicuous street shops."

“Although the dishes in restaurants are delicious, they are bound by rules and are often too complicated, which makes the original flavor of the food lost.”

"When I was young and had not yet gone to school, my grandfather was not so strict."

"When he comes back from outside, he sometimes brings me some street food."

"Once, he took me to a remote alley, to an inconspicuous snack shop in the alley, to eat chicken soup wonton noodles."

"I later tried this kind of noodles in restaurants, but none of them tasted as good as the one in that alley restaurant."

Shen Yu was touched. Yes, what’s the big deal if the store is simple?

Although I am not as good as those chefs with many years of experience, the dishes I can cook are more varied and have new and unique flavors, so they are not necessarily worse than those in big restaurants.

Shen Yu suddenly became confident and nodded in response: "Thank you for your advice, Mr. Lu. In this case, I will accept it. My family will prepare in advance."

"If you decide to come over for the banquet on the 16th, have Qixi come over and let us know two days in advance."

Seeing Shen Yu finally nodded in agreement, Lu Lang smiled and said, "Then let's put this matter aside for now."

"If there is anything missing or needs to be purchased, just ask Qixi to help. After all, he will be bored and have nothing to do while I am studying."

Shen Yu nodded, and Lu Lang continued to ask: "Are you planning to talk to Li Changgen again on the third day?"

Shen Yu said: "Yes, he should agree to it sooner when he is anxious to pay off his gambling debts."

Lu Lang said, "Then I'll let Qixi stay here for the next few days. You have a room full of old and young women and children. If Li Changgen really hears about something and comes looking for him, it would be better if Qixi is here."

Shen Yu laughed and said, "Qi Xi is only fifteen or sixteen years old. What can he do? Can he beat Li Changgen?"

Lu Lang smiled slightly: "Don't think Qi Xi is naughty on weekdays, he actually knows some martial arts."

"When I was in the mansion, he followed me in learning horse riding, archery, and boxing and kicking from my master."

"Although he is playful and not very skilled, Qixi can easily beat three or two ordinary men on the street."

Shen Yu was a little surprised. He didn't expect that Qixi, who smiled all day long, was also so good at kung fu.

But where should Qixi live if he stays here? Will my mother agree?

Jiang also thought of this and could only say, "It's not easy for us to decide on this matter. Why don't we wait for Sister Li to come back? If she agrees, let Brother Qixi stay here for a few days."

Shen Yu nodded. She felt that according to the customs at that time, it was not appropriate for a girl to make the decision and let a man of similar age live in the house.

Although there are many people in the yard, this matter still needs to be consulted with Li, and it would be more appropriate for Li to answer it.

Just as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. It turned out that Li and her family had returned.

At this time, Xiao Zhuzi had fallen asleep in Zheng Sanniang's arms. Jiang went to answer the door. Shen Yu saw that only money could solve Zheng Sanniang's problem, so he let Zheng Sanniang hold Xiao Zhuzi and go back to the room to sleep first.

Shen Yu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister Zheng, I'll prepare the money here, and I'll try to give as little as possible when the time comes."

After receiving Shen Yu's promise, Zheng Sanniang nodded gratefully.

And because Lu Lang was still beside her, she didn't say anything. She just bowed to Lu Lang silently, then went back to her room carrying Xiao Zhuzi.

Mrs. Li was very happy. She led them into the big kitchen with several paper bags in her hands.

The three children were all excited. After watching the circus show together, they became familiar with Qixi.

Several people were chattering non-stop, and the already large kitchen suddenly became lively and cheerful.

Seeing Lu Lang sitting next to him, Qi Xi quickly stopped talking and came over to greet him politely: "Master, we are back."

Lu Lang nodded. After greeting Lu Lang, Li urged the children to go to rest.

After the three people left, Jiang pulled Li aside and told her that Lu Lang wanted to keep Qi Xi here for a few days.

When Li heard that Qixi knew martial arts, she couldn't help but be delighted. She kept saying, "Why not? Let Qixi stay. We can make a bed for him in Yucheng's room and let the three boys squeeze in."

Qixi still doesn't understand what's going on.

Lu Lang briefly explained that Qi Xi was needed to guard here for the next two days.

When Qi Xi heard this, he smiled so hard that his mouth almost reached his ears, and nodded repeatedly: "Sure, why only three days? I'm willing to do thirty days."

Lu Lang's face darkened, and Shen Yu quickly crossed out, "Thank you very much, Brother Qixi.

Qi Xi then realized that he was too happy and said something wrong, so he quickly tried to make amends: "Master, that's not what I meant. It's good for me to follow you."