1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 73 The Complete Guide to Braised Foods (Incomplete)

When Zhou Yan left the library, his notebook was already filled with three pages of notes.

Whether it's a love letter or not isn't important; what matters is a love of learning and the feeling of knowledge entering one's mind.

In addition, there was an extra copy of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" in the bicycle basket. The old man was clearly a fan of the Three Kingdoms, and I strongly recommended it to him, while also advising him not to read "Water Margin".

As Zhou Yan rode away, the old man called out behind him, "A true man's ambition should be like the Yangtze River flowing eastward to the sea; why yearn for a gentle land!"

Shocking and enlightening!

Deafening!
Eh? Wait.

If the old man has such lofty ambitions, how could he be so good at writing letters?
Something's not right, something's really not right.

Zhou Yan rode his bike to the bridge and bought two jin of baijiu (Chinese liquor). After thinking for a moment, he bought another two jin, returned to the library, put the bottle on the table, and said with a smile, "Grandpa, I bought you some liquor."

The old man unscrewed the bottle cap, smelled it, and nodded in satisfaction: "Where did you get this from Old Zhang at the bridgehead? You're quite sensible, kid. I'll teach you something real next time."

"Alright, see you later, Master." Zhou Yan said with a smile, got on his bike and rode towards Zhou Village.

This is a busy time; the villagers are either selling beef or working in the fields, and you hardly see anyone along the way.

When Zhou Yan returned to the old house, he saw Zhou Qi squatting under the persimmon tree at the door, drinking sweet potato porridge from an enamel basin.

When he saw Zhou Yan park his car at the entrance, he looked up and grinned at Zhou Yan.

His face was dirty, but his smile was exceptionally honest and simple, and his eyes were clear.

"Eat slowly," Zhou Yan said with a smile. Today's sweet potato porridge also contained a lot of braised beef offal, which was clearly the old lady's handiwork.

The Zhou family members could only enjoy the old lady's braised dishes during festivals and holidays, but he was quite lucky.

Zhou Yan carried the wine in. The old lady was feeding the chickens. A large white goose followed behind her, its head held high, its crimson crown bright red, its long neck taut like a silver spear, its wings slightly spread, and its snow-white feathers gleaming coldly, like a goose general accompanying the emperor on an inspection tour.

A tabby cat was dozing on the courtyard wall, its two white paws tucked into its chest, basking in the warm autumn sun, fast asleep.

This is the raccoon that the old lady brought back from the end of the village at the beginning of the year, after she brought two carp with her.

This tabby cat may not look very big, but it's a master at catching mice and often catches a few sparrows for a treat.

The old lady had raised her cat for eighteen years. When Xiao Zhou was a child, he loved to run to the old lady's yard just to pet the cat.

Now it's Zhou Momo's turn. Besides the goose and the cat, there are all sorts of snacks to eat.

There are many rats in the countryside, so the old lady likes to raise chickens, ducks and geese. She also has many grandchildren, so she doesn't use rat poison. Therefore, she has always kept cats at home.

"Grandma," Zhou Yan called out.

The old lady turned to look at him and asked with a smile, "What brings you here so early in the morning?"

The goose also set its sights on him, poking its head forward and spreading its wings slightly, assuming an attack posture.

"I came to see you." Zhou Yan casually picked up a small stick leaning against the wall and held it in front of him in a defensive stance, which was already muscle memory.

These are guard geese; they just can't be tamed.

He only recognized the old lady and Zhou Momo, kept his distance from his uncle, but was very rude to him.

There's a reason why the stick is placed so easily.

If you can't raise them, can't you cook them properly?

Zhou Yan strongly suggested that the old lady stew it for the Chinese New Year this year, stewing goose in an iron pot.

The old lady herded the goose back into the pen, turned around and looked at the wine in Zhou Yan's hand, sighed: "I haven't even finished the one I took last time, why are you bringing this again? You have to be able to save the money you earn, otherwise it's like a hen trying to catch a chaff—all for nothing."

"The wine won't spoil, so drink it slowly. I can still afford to buy two catties of wine." Zhou Yan carried the wine into the main room and placed it on the table.

The old lady washed her hands and came in with a big, bright orange persimmon in her hand. She handed it to Zhou Yan and said with a smile, "Eat this. It was just picked this morning and it's ripe on the tree. It's very sweet."

The thin persimmon skin wrapped around the ripe, soft flesh. Zhou Yan took it with both hands. It looked like it was filled with water, trembling slightly. A light squeeze of his fingers left a fingerprint.

Some images flashed through Zhou Yan's mind. Before Zhou Momo was born, he was the youngest among the grandchildren and loved to play in the old lady's yard. She would always give him some snacks and rare treats to eat, until he gradually grew up and came less and less often.

But every time he came, the old lady would magically produce food, stuff it into his hand, and then look at him with a smile and say, "Eat up."

"Okay." Zhou Yan replied with a smile, tore a little off the stem, and put his mouth to it to take a suck.

The cool, sweet syrup, encasing a few crisp seeds, is like a pool of nectar, melting on the tongue with a sweet and refreshing taste. After a few sips, the thin skin is torn open, and the flesh trembles slightly in the palm. A bite reveals tender flesh with a touch of crispness, sweet but not cloying, a unique and delightful experience.

In no time, Zhou Yan had devoured the entire persimmon.

Tree-ripened persimmons are indeed delicious.

It's so sweet! It's sweet to the core.

This is the first time in my life I've been a son, and also the first time I've been a grandson.

The feeling of being favored by the old lady is quite special.

After finishing his meal, Zhou Yan's hands were sticky with fruit juice. He went to the kitchen to wash his hands and came back. Looking at the old lady who was pouring him water, he asked, "Grandma, my uncle came to my shop for noodles this morning. He said he was going to work today, but I didn't have a chance to ask what position the organization assigned him."

"The notice was delivered to our home yesterday. He said he's some kind of committee member, in charge of the Suji Armed Forces Department. He's quite satisfied with it, saying it's almost like leading troops." The old lady handed him a water glass and said with a smile, "I haven't seen him so happy in a long time. He got up early this morning and exercised in the yard for an hour before going out. He's full of energy."

Zhou Yan could tell that the old lady was also very happy and was quite pleased with herself.

The head of the armed forces department should be a member of the town's Party committee, a deputy section chief level position, which is quite good.

Zhou Weiguo is stubborn but highly capable. There is a box in his bedroom filled with various certificates of honor.

With the status of a first-class meritorious official, there is definitely room for promotion.

Of course, he himself wouldn't care.

"Grandma, I had a bricklayer build a new stove yesterday, and I also bought a big aluminum pot. I'm planning to start making brine tomorrow. Can I come pick you up and take you to the shop to give me some pointers?" Zhou Yan said, gesturing.

"Okay." The old lady nodded and pointed towards the kitchen, saying, "There's a jar in the corner of the kitchen. Try to carry it back."

"What kind of jar?" Zhou Yan got up and walked towards the kitchen. There was a large earthenware jar in the corner, just like the sauerkraut jar at home. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "I have sauerkraut in my shop, I don't need yours."

"Open it and take a look," the old lady said with a smile as she followed him into the kitchen.

Zhou Yan stepped forward and carefully lifted the small bowl covering it. A fragrant aroma of braising sauce wafted out. Looking into the jar by the light, he saw that it wasn't pickled cabbage at all, but a jar of bright red braising liquid.

"Old brine?" Zhou Yan turned around in disbelief.

Isn't this the old lady's most beloved pet? Why did she suddenly give it to him?

"The food you sell to customers must taste amazing, so that they'll remember it after just one bite," the old lady said, looking at him. "New braising liquid needs to be simmered for a while to develop its full flavor; otherwise, the customers will leave."

"This jar contains half of my old brine. Take it back and boil it again tonight, then pour it back into the jar and leave it in a cool, dark place. Tomorrow, come pick me up and take me to the shop. I'll teach you how to make and maintain the brine."

"Grandma, I..." Zhou Yan suddenly felt a tightness in her nose, and her heart felt like it was on fire.

The old lady's care was warm and tender.

“I still have to pass on this skill.” The old lady looked at him with a smile. “Your mother has told me a few times that people in town still talk about my braised food. It’s just that your aunties and sisters-in-law are all bad at it. I’m afraid people will talk behind my back if I pass it on to them.”

“If your child studies hard, I think he can do it.”

Zhou Yan sniffed and nodded solemnly: "Grandma, I will definitely study hard and not let you down."

"Then call someone to come and move it. I'm going to play mahjong next door. They called me earlier, and I said I'd go after feeding the chickens, because we're short one player. Lock the door when you leave, I've put the key in my pocket." The old lady waved her hand, turned and left, as if she had made up her mind.

“Oh, Grandma…” Zhou Yan’s emotions abruptly stopped, a mixture of helplessness and amusement.

This is probably the mentality of people from Sichuan and Chongqing.

His gaze fell on the earthenware jar, and it became intense again.

This is the old brine he's been dreaming of!

Zhou Yan picked up the old brine and walked towards the main room; this jar weighed at least twenty jin.

[Ding! You've collected half a pot of high-quality braising liquid, obtaining your initial stock of old braising liquid, and embarking on your braising culinary journey!]

[The other half of the brine was detected as unavailable. The task is complete, and payment will be settled according to progress.]

[Reward for completing the task: Complete Guide to Braised Dishes (Incomplete)]

　Last three days! Please read on!!!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)