Chapter 541 - 541: Fish-Flavored Tofu

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Xiao Zongchao felt a warmth in his heart, grateful for the concern Chu Qingzhi showed him, something he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He continued to strip the wood, saying, “My parents said I am their son, raised by them, and everything I have comes from them. To go against their wishes would be unfilial and could lead to being denounced…”

As he spoke, a vision of a villager being denounced and kicked out of the village flashed through his mind, causing him to shiver and stop thinking further.

Here was a young man from ancient times, severely impacted by psychological manipulation!

Chu Qingzhi couldn’t bear to listen anymore, “When I said think more about yourself, 1 didn’t mean be disrespectful. It’s about choosing to be filial in a way that doesn’t harm you.”

Xiao Zongchao shook his head, “I can’t. If 1 go against my parents, my father will beat me, and my mother will scold me. Last time, my father almost broke my bones. It hurt for a long time…”

His eyes slowly reddened, and tears blurred his vision.

He wiped them away with his sleeve and quietly waited until he calmed down before continuing his work.

Chu Qingzhi didn’t know what to say.

Looking at the young man’s washed-out clothes and skin-bone body, she asked, “Are you sure you are your parents’ biological child?”

Xiao Zongchao gave a bitter smile, “After having my older brother, they had no need to pick up another child like me, right?”

Indeed, it wasn’t easy to adopt a son in ancient times; sons were considered treasures of the family, not easily discarded or given away.

“Do you want to escape this life?” Chu Qingzhi couldn’t help but feel bad for him.

She thought to herself. In the Chu family where she was wrapped in warmth and love, her originally cold heart had unknowingly softened.

“I…” A flicker of hope appeared in Xiao Zongchao’s heart, but thinking of his parents’ reaction, he suppressed it and shook his head, speaking desolately, “It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

Chu Qingzhi thought to herself that if the young man did not realize the need for change, no one else could help him. She decided to leave it at that for now and take things slowly.

After that, Chu Qingzhi didn’t say anything else and quietly watched the young man make paper.

Papermaking was complex – stripping the wood, pounding it into pulp, soaking and washing it with lye, scooping the pulp onto screens to form sheets, and drying the paper. Each step was meticulous, and any mistake could ruin a sheet of paper.

As Xiao Zongchao reached the second step, he staggered and suddenly collapsed.

Chu Qingzhi rushed to support him, checking his pulse.

He had fainted from hunger!

“Didn’t you eat breakfast?”

Xiao Zongchao’s face flushed with embarrassment. Trying to stand straight, he stammered, “1 gave all the money I had to my parents. I don’t have a single penny on me…”

Chu Qingzhi didn’t know what to say.

“Are you willing to sacrifice your life for your parents?”

Xiao Zongchao bowed his head deeply, not knowing how to respond to her question.

Seeing the time nearing noon, Chu Qingzhi said, “Pack up your things and come with me.”

Xiao Zongchao thought Chu Qingzhi was dismissing him from work and quickly knelt down, “I’m sorry, it’s my fault. 1 promise I won’t faint again. Please don’t send me away, I’ll work hard.”

Chu Qingzhi let out a sigh, wondering what this young man had gone through to be so easily frightened.

“I’m taking you to have lunch.”

Lunch? Xiao Zongchao looked up abruptly, his pale face flushing with excitement. He stared at Chu Qingzhi in disbelief, hardly able to trust his ears.

Chu Qingzhi, seeing Xiao Zongchao’s startled eyes, asked, “Don’t you want to eat?”

“I do…” Xiao Zongchao quickly packed his things, but just as he was about to leave, he retreated. “I… 1 don’t have money.”

“I’ll deduct it from your wages.” People with low self-esteem often have a particularly strong sense of pride, so it’s best to protect it as much as possible.

“Ok.” Xiao Zongchao followed with relief.

Chu Qingzhi took Xiao Zongchao to Hongyan Restaurant.

When Shopkeeper Qin saw her, he immediately came over with a smile, “Miss Chu, you’ve come. Please, this way.”

“Let’s go straight to the kitchen.” Chu Qingzhi, pressed for time, didn’t waste words.

Shopkeeper Qian’s face blossomed into a smile, “Of course, right this way.”

Chu Qingzhi beckoned the timid Xiao Zongchao, “Come and help me.”

“Uh-huh-” Xiao Zongchao, a little slow to react, hurriedly followed Chu Qingzhi. He thought to himself that this was one of the top restaurants in the county; eating here must cost a significant amount of silver.

The kitchen was tidy and well-organized, with everything in its place, making it easy to locate items.

At the moment, the chefs and helpers were busy preparing for the lunchtime rush.

Standing at the entrance, Chu Qingzhi scanned the kitchen, memorizing the layout. “Shopkeeper Qian, please give me the soybean paste that my brother gave you yesterday.”

“Right away.” Shopkeeper Qian opened the cabinet and handed her the soybean paste, which still smelled fragrant.

Shopkeeper Qian had already informed everyone yesterday that when Chu Qingzhi came to cook today, they should all watch and learn. Whoever could replicate the dish best would be assigned to cook it.

Chefs in the kitchen received a commission, so the more popular their dishes, the more money they made.

This method, not typically thought of by someone from ancient times, was actually suggested by Chu Qingzhi when Shopkeeper Qian had come to her for advice. This practice helped transform the restaurant, which was on the brink of closure, into a top-tier establishment in just over half a year.

Humans would only improve if they were motivated. In order to get a commission, all the chefs wanted to sell more of their dishes. If they became more motivated, the dishes would also taste better. If the dishes tasted good, wouldn’t there be more customers?!

Of course, in order to repay Chu Qingzhi, Shopkeeper Qian always supported Chu Qingzhi’s new products immediately. They complemented each other and the two families became better and better.

Chu Qingzhi prepared a seemingly simple dish – fish-flavored tofu – explaining as she cooked.

The tofu was common, but the soybean paste was new and had everyone intrigued by its aroma.

A chef earnestly asked, “Miss Chu, I noticed you didn’t use many seasonings, but why does it smell so fragrant?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “As long as you bring out the aroma of the seasonings, even one or two types can be very fragrant. To achieve this, you need to keep a few things in mind…”

Everyone looked enlightened, “I see…”

After she finished cooking, Chu Qingzhi handed the dish to Shopkeeper Qian. “Shopkeeper Qian, may I cook a bowl of noodles?”

Shopkeeper Qian said hurriedly, “Sure, sure. Just cook.”

Chu Qingzhi then prepared a bowl of noodles, using some tofu and sauce from the fish-flavored tofu dish. After adding these to the cooked noodles, a simple yet fragrant bowl of sauce noodles was ready.

She placed the bowl in front of Xiao Zongchao, “Eat.”

Xiao Zongchao stood up in surprise and delight, “For me?”