Chapter 324

Tong Xuelu started making her malatang after she had returned to her restaurant.

As this was their first day, she wouldn’t make too much of them.It’s something novel and also that people had not yet completely warmed back up to the restaurant just yet.She was not expecting a lot of patrons.Tong Xuelu had Meng Qingqing and Guo Chunyu helped with rinsing of the vegetables then everyone skewered the meat and the vegetables together.She had prepared fried tofu, an assortment of mushrooms, black fungus, internal pig organs like the liver, etc., and vegetables.She would introduce other items such a meatballs and fishballs etc. after people had warmed up to the idea.After all those were done, Tong Xuelu started preparing the red soup required for malatang.She didn’t have any one assist her in this step.There weren’t a lot of technique involved in malatang. The only trick is the ingredients of the soup.It wasn’t so much that she didn’t trust Guo Weiping, but it couldn’t hurt to be too safe.To avoid any potential hassles, she had no plans to share that with anyone for the time being.Many ingredients were required to make the red soup and not all of them could be acquired from the CSMC. She had asked Wei Guozhi ahead of time for assistance.Wei Guozhi had a friend who used to be a traditional herbalist in the past. He was no long practicing but still had a lot of herbs at his place.Tong Xuelu had bought quite a bit of herbs, amomum and cinnamon for example, privately from them through Wei Guozhi.After lunch, Tong Xuelu had Guo Weiping and the others moved the stove and the kitchen utensils outside their front door.When everything was in place, Tong Xuelu started making her malatang.She placed the large pot over the stove and amazing aroma came from the pot as it started to boil.The smell was both domineering and enticing. It made the pedestrians on the street gulped.“What are they making there? That smells so good.”“Look at all the skewers on the able. They look so strange. I have never seen anything like that before.”“Me neither. But we can’t go there even if it smells amazing. What’s more important? Good food or your life?”They would hear words like that from time to time.Meng Qingqing were very anxious when they heard that and only wished to go up and clarify the situation to these people.Tong Xuelu was nonchalant. She was not bothered by them.This was normal. All they need to do was to wait for a few more days.After a little while, 5 to 6 bicycles stopped in front of the restaurant and a group of young and pretty girls got off from the bicycles.Fang Jingyuan was the one at the very front. “Xuelu, we came to give you support!”Tong Xuelu saw the group from the Cultural Troupe and smiled. “Perfect timing. I’ve made a new dish today. Come and try it.”Fang Jingyuan smelled the aroma a while ago already. Her eyes were sparkling. “Is this what you are talking about? They are eaten on a skewer?”Tong Xuelu nodded. “This is malatang. Pick and choose what you would like and I’ll cook them for you. You can also choose between spicy and not spicy.”With the aroma coming straight at her, Fang Jingyuan’s stomach grumbled. “I want this, this, and this. Can I have one of everything?”Tong Xuelu nodded. “Of course you can. I have noodles as well. We can cook some noodles with it if you worried there won’t be enough food.”Fang Jingyuan ordered one of everything plus noodles. “I want it spicy, with scallions.”The others, too, joined in and placed their orders.Meng Qingqing smiled from ear to ear when she saw that. Finally they have patrons!Those from the Cultural Troupe only came for the same of Fang Jingyuan and thought they would give this new dish a try.They never expected this malatang to be so delicious!It was spicy, numbing, and aromatic. The soup was rich in flavoring.Everyone’s hands were frozen on their way over on their bicycles but they started to sweat after having the malatang and their body was toasty.Normally, one would need to order meats by the plates and that was too much food for just one or two people. More importantly, it was expensive!They could now spend a faction of what it would normally cost and sample many different types of meats and vegetables.That was such a good deal!Those who didn’t order a lot at the beginning ordered some more.Those who watched the Cultural Troupe going inside and devouring their food was tempted to follow suit.Some hesitated for a long time before finally making the decision to give it a try but they were already out.Tong Xuelu did not prepare a lot to begin with and Fang Jingyuan and her group ordered quite a sizeable amount. All the food was sold out.Once they were done, Tong Xuelu had Guo Weiping and the others start packing up.And those who hesitated regretted instantly.Fang Jingyuan, who had so much that her stomach was rounded, smacked her lips on her way out and said, “I’ll be back tomorrow. Be sure to save some for me.”The others followed her lead and also wanted food to be put aside for them.Tong Xuelu did not prepare malatang that night.It would make those who didn’t have it want it more when it was sparce.Nobody visited on the first day but some asked about the pricing. That was an improvement in and of itself.Many at the restaurant were excited like it was New Year Day.