Chapter 130

Chapter 130

Only then did Yu Tongtong notice Xiao Yuanping. Surprised, she asked, "Little brother, are you talking to me?"

"Yes, yes," Xiao Yuanping replied with a smile, sweetly saying, "Sister, you were picking peaches."

Yu Tongtong, always generous and warm, immediately asked, "Would you like some?"

Xiao Yuanping nodded.

Yu Tongtong handed one to Xiao Yuanping.

Xiao Yuanping joyfully accepted it, saying, "Thank you, sister."

"You're welcome," Yu Tongtong headed towards her house.

Xiao Yuanping hurried after her, "Sister!"

Yu Tongtong stopped and asked, "What is it?"

Xiao Yuanping said with hopeful eyes, "Sister, since you gave me a peach, we're friends now, right?"

"No way!" Ming He's voice rang out.

Yu Tongtong looked up and saw Ming He, "Ming He! You're here!"

Ming He and Danzi ran up to them.

"Tongtong, do you remember me?" Danzi asked, looking at Yu Tongtong.

Yu Tongtong blinked twice, "Danzi?"

Danzi smiled, "Yes, it's me!"

Xiao Yuanping exclaimed in surprise, "Sister, so you're Tongtong!"

Ming He stepped forward, shielding Xiao Yuanping behind him.

Xiao Yuanping, now unable to see anything, complained, "Ming He, what are you doing? Why are you blocking me?"

Danzi frowned and said, "Little brother, you're always bothering sister, it's annoying."

Xiao Yuanping was at a loss for words.

Ming He said, "Tongtong, let me help you with the peaches."

Yu Tongtong replied, "Sure, Danzi, come help too."

Danzi said, "Okay."

The three children walked towards the courtyard with peaches in their hands.

"Brother, Ming He, sister, wait for me!" Xiao Yuanping ran after them.

Although Ming He and Danzi verbally disapproved of Xiao Yuanping "seeking out sister," they soon were all playing together with Yu Tongtong. Xiao Yu and the others didn't disturb them, instead thoroughly inspecting the Yu family's courtyard.

"It's very comfortable and tidy," Xiao Yu commented.

Grandma Yu said, "It's mainly because the house is nice." Much better than in Qingshi Town.

Seeing the satisfaction on the faces of Grandma Yu and Chef Yu, Xiao Yu knew they liked the capital and felt relieved. He looked around and asked, "Where's Cong'er?"

"He hasn't woken up yet."

Just as Grandma Yu finished speaking, a milky voice called out, "Granny! Granny!"

Turning around, they saw a chubby baby in a red bellyband crawling out of the room.

Danzi and Xiao Yuanping exclaimed in surprise, "Is this Cong'er?" He's really chubby!

Yu Tongtong and Ming He nodded.

Danzi and Xiao Yuanping hurried over to look.

Xiao Yu said, "It seems Cong'er has adapted well too."

Chef Yu said, "He eats well and sleeps well."

"That's good." Assured that all members of the Yu family were doing well, Xiao Yu felt at ease and then asked Chef Yu, "Chef Yu, have you bought the glutinous rice?"

"Yes, it's been bought," Chef Yu replied.

"Then let's get started," Xiao Yu said.

Pei Yanli asked in confusion, "Start what?"

Chef Yu replied, "Steaming rice."

"Didn't we agree to open in three days?" Grandma Yu came over, holding Cong'er.

"Three days is too rushed. We'll open in eight days instead, but some things need to be prepared in advance," Xiao Yu said as he followed Chef Yu into the kitchen.

Chef Yu said, "We've reserved a special iron pot here. Since it was set up, it hasn't touched any oil or salt, and we've laid cheesecloth on the steamer racks."

Xiao Yu added, "The basins and jars must be free of oil and water."

"They haven't been touched," Chef Yu confirmed.

Xiao Yu, trusting Chef Yu's work, said, "Then let's start washing the rice."

Pei Yanli and Grandma Yu didn't understand what they were doing and watched them pour half a bag of glutinous rice into a basin, repeatedly scrubbing and rinsing it until the water ran clear.

Grandma Yu said, "If you wash it too clean, the rice won't taste good when steamed."

Xiao Yu smiled, "But it makes for delicious wine."

"You're brewing wine?"

"Rice wine."

"I can make that too," Grandma Yu said.

Chef Yu replied, "But yours is different from Xiao Yu's."

Not convinced and thinking rice wine is brewed the same way everywhere, Grandma Yu stayed to watch.

Xiao Yu placed the steamers in the pot and, together with Chef Yu, spread the washed glutinous rice in each layer. They steamed it over high heat for two quarters of an hour, and soon, several baskets of fragrant rice were ready.

"It smells so good!" Ming He and the others ran over, drawn by the aroma.

Xiao Yu and Chef Yu took the steamed glutinous rice out to the courtyard to cool down.

Cong'er, without a word, crawled up to the stone table, stood up holding it, and reached out to grab some rice.

"No, you can't!" Xiao Yu quickly stopped him.

"Eat! Eat!" Cong'er expressed his desire.

"This rice is dry and hard, not suitable for eating," Xiao Yu said, pulling out a peanut candy from his pocket and offering it to Cong'er, "Eat this instead."

Cong'er then lost interest in the glutinous rice.

Ming He observed the rice in the steamer, "It's really dry and hard."

Xiao Yu smiled, "Yes, it's not for eating. We're going to make wine with it soon."

"Okay," Ming He and the others refrained from eating it as well.

After a while, when the rice cooled down enough, Xiao Yu and Chef Yu poured the rice into four jars, each mixed with the right amount of yeast and cold boiled water, stirring it evenly. Using a wooden spatula, they flattened the rice and then dug a hole in the middle of each.

"Why are you digging a hole?" Danzi asked, puzzled.

"It helps the wine flow out and lets us monitor the fermentation process," Xiao Yu explained.

Watching Xiao Yu and Chef Yu cover the jars with a layer of cloth and then a layer of oil paper, securing it around the jar's mouth with string and finally placing the lid on top.

Ming He curiously asked, "Uncle, why are you sealing it so tightly?"

"To prevent air from entering," Xiao Yu explained.

"What happens if air gets in?" Yu Tongtong asked, puzzled.

"If air gets in, it can cause mold, fuzz, and change the taste. Then it can't be drunk or eaten. So, don't touch these jars. Let them ferment properly. In three days, the wine will be ready." Since it's summer, three days is enough for complete fermentation.

Yu Tongtong assured, "Uncle, don't worry, I won't let my brother touch them."

Cong'er let out a sound, uncertain if it was a protest or an agreement.

"So, that's how wine is made," Xiao Yuanping said, fascinated. "It's amazing."

Xiao Yu said, "It's magical, right? When it's ready, you all can have a taste." Rice wine has a low alcohol content, sweet and fragrant. By adding a bit more water during the second fermentation, it becomes suitable for children.

"Then I'll come back in three days!" Xiao Yuanping declared.

Ming He complained, "You're coming back?"

"If you don't let me, I'll make a fuss!" Xiao Yuanping said fiercely.

Xiao Yu couldn't help but chuckle, "In three days, it won't be ready for you."

"Then when can I drink it?"

"In eight days."

Xiao Yuanping assertively said, "Then I'll come back in eight days, otherwise, I'll be upset!"

Xiao Yu and Pei Yanli couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. After placing the jars in a cool place, they returned three days later. Upon opening the jars with Chef Yu, a sweet aroma of rice and wine instantly filled the air.

"This fragrance is so rich," Grandma Yu couldn't help but comment.

Xiao Yu and Chef Yu glanced inside the jars and both smiled.

Following their gaze, Grandma Yu observed, "There's so much wine, it's spilling over the pits."

Xiao Yu nodded, "Steaming the rice dry and hard increases the quantity and sweetness of the wine."

"Shall we taste it?" Pei Yanli, having witnessed the wine-making process, was very curious about the flavor of the freshly brewed rice wine.

"Then I'll cook a few dishes, and we can all taste it together," Chef Yu said.

That noon, everyone enjoyed dishes cooked by Chef Yu, accompanied by the newly brewed rice wine.

"Sweet, aromatic, refreshing, with a mild taste of alcohol, suitable for all ages," Pei Yanli remarked, holding his wine glass.

"There's just a little too little of it," Grandma Yu said.

"There will be more after the second fermentation," Xiao Yu replied.

As a cook, whether in a restaurant or at home, Chef Yu always loved cooking, so Grandma Yu's knowledge of cooking was somewhat limited.

After the meal, Xiao Yu used a spatula to divide the sticky rice in the jars into several portions, added the right amount of cold boiled water, and resealed the jars.

"Is that all?" Grandma Yu asked.

"Yes, by the time we open for business, there will be plenty of rice wine," Xiao Yu assured.

"Then I'll have to wait and see," Grandma Yu said.

Xiao Yu, however, couldn't wait, as he had to return to the Eastern Palace from the southeastern district and then work with Pei Yanli on drawing up the menu.

That's right.

Drawing it.

In this era, many people were illiterate, so he wanted to create a menu like the one at Little River Breakfast Shop, using simple drawings to depict different dishes.

However, his artistic skills were limited, and he soon found himself at a loss. Turning around, he saw how Pei Yanli simply used a few colors to perfectly depict eggplants, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

They looked incredibly lifelike.

He immediately put down his pen and said, "Yanli, you draw the rest."

Xiao Yu was smart, independent, and adept at solving problems. Pei Yanli often had to rush to offer help. It was rare for Xiao Yu to encounter something he couldn't do. Pei Yanli, with a smile, said, "You want me to do all the drawing?"

Xiao Yu nodded.

"Kiss me first," Pei Yanli said.

Xiao Yu scolded, "In broad daylight, have you no shame?"

"Then I won't draw," Pei Yanli playfully refused.

Xiao Yu immediately leaned towards Pei Yanli, intending to kiss his cheek.

Pei Yanli turned his head and kissed Xiao Yu on the lips.

"Ah, you're kissing!" Xiao Yuanping exclaimed, having entered at some unknown moment.

Xiao Yu and Pei Yanli quickly sprang apart.

"Uncle Yan, you're so old and still kissing, how embarrassing!" Xiao Yuanping expressed his disdain.

Xiao Yu covered his mouth to hide his laughter.

Pei Yanli, face darkening, asked, "What are you doing here?"

Xiao Yuanping crisply replied, "I came to play with Xiao Ziqing."

"Not playing with you," Pei Yanli said, promptly escorting Xiao Yuanping out and slamming the door shut.

Xiao Yu laughed, "He's like a loudspeaker. Soon the whole palace will know you wanted a kiss from me."

Pei Yanli then reopened the door and brought Xiao Yuanping back in.

The three of them resumed working on the menu together.

Soon, the opening day arrived.

Riverside Restaurant No. 2 served lunch and dinner, so Xiao Yu, Ming He, Pei Yanli, Pei Yiyang, Danzi, and Xiao Yuanping went early in the morning to start the preparations.

However, the manager and waitstaff sent by the Princess were very efficient, so Xiao Yu and the others mainly just had to put the menu up on the wall.

Chef Yu was extremely nervous, "We're serving Southern cuisine, I'm not sure if the locals will be accustomed to it."

"They will," Xiao Yu reassured.

As if he hadn't heard, Chef Yu continued, "There are so many restaurants and taverns in the capital, far more than in Qingshi Town. Plus, this place is out of the way, I wonder if we can attract customers."

"Chef Yu," Xiao Yu called out.

Only then did Chef Yu turn to look at Xiao Yu.

"Don't worry, our restaurant's quality will draw customers despite its location," Xiao Yu reassured.

Hearing this, Chef Yu felt somewhat relieved.

Noon approached quickly.

Riverside Restaurant No. 2 set off firecrackers, signifying its official opening.

Previously, Ming He and Danzi freely hawked on the streets to attract customers. Now, two years older and having spent time in the palace, they were a bit more self-conscious and didn't dare to shout out. So, they encouraged Xiao Yuanping to call out instead.

Xiao Yuanping, still naive, repeated whatever his brothers said, standing at the doorway and boldly shouting, "Grandpas, grandmas, uncles, aunties, older brothers, older sisters, don't miss out as you pass by. Come and try our delicious food. Everything at 20% off, and we also have tasty wine, come on, everyone come!"

"Right!" Ming He, Danzi, and Yu Tongtong echoed.

Xiao Yuanping continued calling out.

Ming He and the others just echoed his calls.

Passersby, used to new restaurants opening in the capital and seeing many in the southeast district come and go, didn't pay much attention to the firecrackers. However, it was the first time they heard a child hawking, which piqued their curiosity.

Just then, they smelled a refreshing sweet aroma that added a cool touch to the summer air, making them look towards Riverside Restaurant No. 2.