Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Zhang Dabiao is right.

The steps of cooking, knife skills, and the control of heat are all things that are either passed down through family traditions or require years of practice; they cannot be mastered overnight.

But seasonings can be made quickly. For ordinary people who know how to cook a few home-style dishes, if they have good seasonings, the taste will quickly be elevated to a higher level.

Sha Zhu was able to cook for others in the factory, largely because he had a family-inherited secret seasoning recipe.

But compared to the famous Wang Shouyi Thirteen Spices, his stuff is nothing special.

Others might not know, but Sha Zhu came from a family of chefs, so he had heard of this seasoning.

He also knew how to make oyster sauce and chicken bouillon; there were similar methods in Tan family cuisine. He understood what they meant as soon as he heard the names, but these things were too expensive in terms of ingredients and time, so it wasn't worth it at all.

But as long as you know the recipe for Thirteen Spices, you can make it yourself at a Chinese medicine store!

If Zhang Dabiao knew the recipe, he could easily pass it on, or even make it and sell it to the cooks at the steel rolling mill...

Then Sha Zhu's position would really be in jeopardy.

Sha Zhu didn't know if others could do this, but Zhang Dabiao?

That's really hard to say. This idiot doesn't care about the consequences when he takes revenge, especially since he doesn't make a living from manual labor.

Could this be his way of getting revenge on me?

Sha Zhu broke out in a cold sweat.

but--

Does this idiot even know the recipe?

Xu Damao then asked directly, "Da Biao, what you're saying sounds so mysterious, but do you know the recipe for Thirteen Spices?"

Zhang Dabiao thought for a moment. Even if we don't mention the ingredient list on the packaging, there are all kinds of recipe e-books and some simple seasoning recipes in his little nest.

He remembered downloading a PDF ebook containing the ingredient ratios of Thirteen Spices; it's quite common online.

Although it's not the exact proportions of the authentic Thirteen Spices, the taste is not too different, so it's fine to use as is.

So he nodded: "I do have some."

"I don't know which of my dad's friends gave me the secret recipe."

"Not only that, I have tons of recipes too!"

Hearing Zhang Dabiao say that, Sha Zhu's heart sank!

He believes!

He really believed it!

Because Zhang Dabiao even has specially supplied cigarettes, milk, grassland cheese, and fresh grapes from Xinjiang!

Recipes and secret recipes are things that can be replicated, so it's not surprising to have a few sets!

If Zhang Dabiao were to use these things to retaliate against him, Sha Zhu really wouldn't know what to do.

Think about it, if the cooks in the steel mill buy their seasonings from Zhang Dabiao or copy recipes, everyone's dishes will taste better, and Sha Zhu won't matter anymore!

When Xu Damao heard that Zhang Dabiao had these things, he immediately got excited!

"Hey! Da Biao, then you could just make your own Thirteen Spices and sell it to the cooks at the steel mill. That way, Sha Zhu would..."

Sha Zhu's heart sank!

Xu Damao is still determined to destroy me!

I'm going to kill him!

I'm going to put a sack over his head!

But Liu Guangqi stopped Xu Damao from speaking: "Damao, the rain is still falling."

"Oh, oh, oh, my bad, I'm sorry, rain."

Rain didn't speak. She knew about the feud between Xu Damao and her brother. It wasn't something she could stop, and what right did she have to stop it?

"I only need enough for myself. This is someone else's secret recipe; what will happen to them if I reveal it?"

That's really unfair.

Zhang Dabiao thought that he would at least wait until after the reform and opening up before trying to make money with this secret recipe. Now?

Let's not even talk about it.

We could change the name and adjust the proportions, like calling it "Da Biao Fifteen Spices"? That doesn't sound good...

Eighteen Fragrances?

Ugh—this name is so disgusting.

We'll talk about it later.

Liu Guangqi, however, gave Zhang Dabiao a thumbs-up: "Dabiao, impressive!"

Hearing this, Sha Zhu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Everyone ate, drank, and made merry until 8 o'clock before it ended. They really enjoyed the food!

Wild boar meat is naturally firm and chewy, and with Zhang Dabiao's rich variety of seasonings, the roasted meat they made almost made them swallow their tongues!

Zhang Dabiao was also very satisfied because it was freshly made, and he no longer needed to eat pre-made dishes.

Unfortunately, we can't bring out Coke at this time, and it's not easy to buy beer, plus it's not comfortable to drink beer in the middle of winter.

Waiting for summer so we can have a barbecue every now and then, that would be the best life!

Zhang Dabiao didn't have to worry about washing dishes or cleaning at all; Yan Jiecheng took care of everything, and several young girls did it all for him.

The leftover food, along with the oil, had long been taken home by Yan Jiecheng.

In addition, Zhang Dabiao noticed that Qin Jingru was very efficient and clean when she did her work.

Moreover, while tidying up, Qin Huairu tried several times to get closer to Qin Jingru while holding Xiaodang, but Qin Jingru ignored her completely.

After tidying up, Qin Jingru said goodbye to Zhang Dabiao and then followed Yushui back to her room to rest. There wasn't much entertainment at night these days.

Zhang Dabiao went back inside, bolted the door, processed the remaining 10 jin of meat, simply rubbed it with salt, and hung it on the roof beam. It wouldn't spoil easily in the winter temperature, since the refrigerator and freezer in his small apartment wouldn't fit.

After a quick treatment, I went to sleep.

How about we make some soup tomorrow?

But wouldn't it be inappropriate to stew wild boar meat in soup?

------------

February 2nd, 60th year, the sixth day of the first lunar month;

Suitable for: visiting relatives and friends, house cleaning, job hunting and school enrollment, marriage and engagement, buying clothes, making alliances, etc.

Avoid: getting married, praying for blessings, setting up a bed, thanking the earth, and building a temple.

Zhang Dabiao didn't get out of bed until after nine o'clock in the morning, and he felt incredibly comfortable.

Still half asleep, I came out of the courtyard to wash my face and brush my teeth, only to find that Qin Jingru had already gotten up and went straight into Zhang Dabiao's room to start making the bed and cleaning.

but……

Is the bed cold?

Qin Jingru didn't ask, assuming that Zhang Dabiao had gotten up long ago and the warmth from the bed had dissipated.

Looking at Qin Jingru, who was busy as a bee, Zhang Dabiao didn't know what to say.

Putting aside the issue of whether she's a wife or not, Qin Jingru is so busy with all this, and she's still just a 12-year-old girl!

What am I compared to a landlord employing child laborers?

No, this matter has to be resolved today.

After washing up, Zhang Dabiao carried the coal stove outside under the eaves, preparing to cook noodles. There was still some cured meat and cabbage that Xu Damao and the others had given them, which would be just enough to cook in the noodles. Qin Jingru naturally took the noodles and vegetables from his hands.

They didn't say anything, as if serving Zhang Dabiao was their duty.

"Have you got a meal yet?"

"Yes, I ate. Sister Yushui and I had cornbread for breakfast."

"Then eat some more, make more noodles, and bring a bowl to Yushui later. She stayed at their place for the night, so she should thank them."

"Sister Yushui left this morning, saying she's going to school today."

Zhang Dabiao then remembered that today was the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, and he had to go to school to clean up and then collect the books to cover them!

No wonder there weren't many people in the yard this morning; they must have all gone to work or school.

I'm already late!

So he quickly stopped Qin Jingru: "You make some noodles for yourself, I won't eat, I have to rush to school."

As he spoke, Zhang Dabiao went inside, dressed, tidied himself up, slung a military green satchel over his shoulder, and then went out.

"I won't lock the door. You can stay inside when you're done with your work."

"Let's go to the neighborhood office together when I get back."

As he spoke, he hurriedly ran out of the courtyard.

[That little brat Yan Jiekuang! He never called me to school!]

Don't run away after school!