Chapter 36: Custom Order

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

She wanted to eat wontons first and go to the doctor, but the waiter brought them to a private room upstairs.

Erniang was a little nervous. “Hu, what’s going on?”

Jiang Hu carried Xiaomi over and gestured for Erniang not to worry. “It’s fine. Shopkeeper Liu must have taken a fancy to our vegetables. Let’s wait for a while. Don’t be anxious.”

At this moment, the waiter brought a pot of hot tea and two snacks.

“Brother Jiang, I went to the backyard to get hot water just now and happened to hear Master Zhang say that the vegetables are very good. He asked the shopkeeper where they came from. Please wait patiently here. The shopkeeper will be here in a while.”

Jiang Hu thanked him quickly. Erniang was both a little nervous and happy, but the two older children kept staring at the two snacks.

The waiter said, “Have something to eat and drink first. I’ll go downstairs and get busy.”

After the waiter left, Dawa looked at the snacks and gulped. “Daddy, Mommy, may we eat them?”

Although he really wanted to eat them, he did not dare to eat without his parents’ permission.

The snacks were red bean cakes and osmanthus barley rice cakes. Just looking at them made one drool.

Jiang Hu hesitated. “Then you and your sister can have one each.”

Although they could only eat one piece, the two children were still especially happy. They cheered and took a piece each. Moreover, they took different pieces. They divided their pieces into two and exchanged half of them.

This way, they could both eat two types of snacks!

Jiang Hu saw this and his heart ached. “When Daddy earns more money in the future, I’ll buy snacks for you.”

Although these snacks were given to them by Shopkeeper Liu, they must not be too rude. They would just let the children try them.

The two children smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Daddy.”

Jiang Hu poured a few cups of hot tea and placed one in front of everyone. Seeing that Erniang was a little more relaxed than before, he hugged Bruiser and coaxed him.

“Erniang, why don’t you have a piece too?”

Erniang shook her head. “I don’t need it. When the shopkeeper comes later, we’ll leave after we’re done.”

They waited for nearly half an hour. When Jiang Hu was getting a little restless, Shopkeeper Liu finally pushed open the door and entered.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Brother Jiang. I was delayed by something.”

Shopkeeper Liu sat beside Jiang Hu with a smile and looked at Xiaomi in his arms. “You’re so obedient. You’re not crying at all.”

As Shopkeeper Liu sat down, a waiter came in with a long tray and placed a few side dishes on the table.

Jiang Hu patted Xiaomi’s back. “Xiaomi and Bruiser have always been very obedient. It saved us a lot of trouble.”

Then he looked at the table. “Shopkeeper Liu, what are you doing?”

Braised fish, cold tofu, stir-fried eggs with chives, a portion of braised pork, and a portion of stewed pork trotters.

They were all common side dishes, but together, they were better than what their family usually had during the New Year!

In addition to these, there was also a plate of stir-fried vegetables and a basin of polished rice!

Shopkeeper Liu laughed out loud. “Didn’t I say just now? It’s my treat today. Brother Jiang and Sister-in-law, make yourselves comfortable. Let’s talk about the vegetables while eating.”

As he spoke, he took the initiative to take two pairs of chopsticks and handed them to Dawa and Erni who were swallowing their saliva. “You must be the eldest son and second daughter. You must be tired after walking for so long. Hurry up and eat. After eating, you can rest slowly.”

The two children took the chopsticks but they looked at their parents for approval. Only when Jiang Hu nodded did they cheer and start eating.

Shopkeeper Liu called out to the two adults, “Brother Jiang and Sister-in-law, don’t stand on ceremony. It’s time for lunch. Hurry up and eat. Thanks to Brother Jiang, the restaurant’s business has been very good lately. You have to eat this meal with a clear conscience.”

Jiang Hu hurriedly stood on ceremony and did not refuse. He invited Erniang to eat together. After all, they were really hungry.

The adults were fine and knew how to be polite. However, the two children were clearly very greedy, but they did not fight over food. At most, they ate quickly, which surprised Shopkeeper Liu.

“It seems that Brother Jiang is quite good at educating children. No wonder you’re so popular in the village.”

Shopkeeper Liu chatted as he ate. He had found someone downstairs to help, so he was not in a hurry.

Jiang Hu said, “Shopkeeper Liu, you’re too polite. I’m ashamed to say that Erniang is usually the one teaching the children. I just work in the fields.”

Shopkeeper Liu: “Oh? So Sister-in-law is so virtuous. That’s good. Brother Jiang, just focus on earning money to support the family.”

Jiang Hu nodded repeatedly. Erniang was the best.

On the other hand, Erniang was a little embarrassed by the praises.

When he ate the vegetables, Jiang Hu could clearly tell that these were his own vegetables. They were cooked by a special chef and were much more delicious than theirs. Even Jiang Hu couldn’t help but take a few more bites.

In particular, Jiang Hu also noticed that this plate of vegetables was the dish that Shopkeeper Liu ate the most!

After lunch, Shopkeeper Liu asked the waiter to remove the plates, bowls, and chopsticks and serve another pot of tea.

“Brother Jiang, we’re old acquaintances. During this period of time, many people in Fu’an Village have sent game meat to me. They all said that you recommended them. I think highly of you. Thank you.”

Jiang Hu waved his hand repeatedly. “Shopkeeper Liu, you’re welcome. When I went to the other two restaurants back then, I was chased out before I could enter. You were the only one who was willing to acknowledge me and even taught me not to show off my wealth. I remember everything.”

Shopkeeper Liu: “Haha, let’s not stand on ceremony with each other. Let’s get straight to the point. I asked Master Zhang to stir-fry the vegetables you brought over just now.

“Brother Jiang, you’re right. This dish is indeed delicious. How about this? Send me 20 catties a day. The price of this green market is three copper coins a catty. I’ll give you five copper coins for this. How about that?”

Jiang Hu was first delighted, then shocked. He waved his hand repeatedly. “No, no. There’s no need to be so expensive. Just follow the market price.”

Shopkeeper Liu raised his hand and interrupted, “Brother Jiang, don’t be anxious. I have a request for this price.”

Jiang Hu quickly calmed down. “Shopkeeper Liu, go ahead.”

“It’s like this. Your dish is indeed better. After eating it, the fragrance lingers in the mouth. It’s refreshing.”

Shopkeeper Liu took a sip of tea and continued, “We’ll set up a contract. Five copper coins a catty, but it has to be vegetables of the same quality. As long as you send them over, I’ll accept them, but on the condition that you can’t sell them to anyone else. How about that?”

Shopkeeper Liu was straightforward. Jiang Hu understood and quickly nodded. “That’s not a problem. Thank you for this. But I have a small request.”

Shopkeeper Liu raised his eyebrows. “Tell me.”

He thought that Jiang Hu would make some request, but he did not expect him to say hesitatingly, “I just want to ask Shopkeeper Liu for a favor. If anyone asks how much my vegetables cost a catty, can you say less?”

Shopkeeper Liu was a little surprised, but on second thought, he understood. “That’s not a problem. You’re the only breadwinner in your family. You really can’t say anything when you earn money, lest others have ill intentions.”

Then he pondered for a moment. “How about this? Let’s tell people that it’s two copper coins a catty. If anyone asks, let’s say that, okay?”

Jiang Hu nodded repeatedly. “Alright, alright. Thank you, Shopkeeper Liu.”

Shopkeeper Liu chuckled. “Then let’s sign the contract first. Starting tomorrow, send 20 catties every day and settle the bill on the same day.”