"Jade Belt and Embroidered Ball," the jade belt is made from sliced lettuce, but the key to this dish lies in the preparation of the "embroidered ball."

Zhao Juan expertly diced the ingredients for the ball stuffing into tiny cubes, showcasing her exceptional knife skills. She had nearly finished when she noticed Yu An Tong already mixing his ingredients with cooking wine, egg, and starch, stirring until everything was well-combined.

Impossible! She couldn’t believe that Yu An Tong’s knife skills were so much faster than her own.

Zhao Juan’s chief apprentice couldn’t resist stepping forward. After one glance, he laughed, “Young man, I don’t think you should bother competing with my master. Those diced mushrooms and meat chunks you cut are almost as large as a fist. Perhaps you should go practice your knife skills for a few more years.”

Obviously, the size comparison to a fist was an exaggeration. Yu An Tong's pieces were merely half the size of Zhao Juan’s, which explained his swiftness.

Yu An Tong smiled calmly, “Let’s wait until we taste it before passing judgment.”

By now, Zhao Juan disregarded Yu An Tong entirely. She marinated the ingredients she just sliced, then mixed glutinous rice flour with yellow pea paste and water to make the dough.

Yu An Tong, having finished dicing earlier, continued to leisurely knead his dough. After a while, he asked a young apprentice beside him, “Could you fetch me two bags of milk? I’m a bit thirsty.”

"So demanding,” the apprentice muttered, begrudgingly heading to get the milk.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks!” Yu An Tong received the milk with a bright smile and handed the mixing bowl to the apprentice, “Continue stirring clockwise for me.”

The apprentice, dazed by Yu An Tong’s radiant smile, obeyed without thinking. It was only when he realized his mistake and met the disdainful gazes of his peers.

Traitor! Aiding the outsider!

The apprentice: I didn't! I swear!

Yu An Tong drank one bag of milk to quench his thirst, then poured the remaining bag into the glutinous rice flour and pea paste mixture, replacing water.

Zhao Juan paid him no mind. She rolled out the dough thinly, added the marinated filling, and shaped it into a yellow ball before steaming.

Moments later, Yu An Tong, trailing behind, rounded his last “embroidered ball” and placed it in the steamer on high heat.

The apprentice who had fetched the milk warned, “You shouldn’t use high heat.”

Immediately after speaking, he was met with stern glares from his fellow apprentices and quickly covered his mouth.

Zhao Juan shook her head silently. Youngsters were so impulsive. The key to this dish was to control the heat and allow it to steam on low.

Zhao Juan’s apprentices shared her sentiment.

The young man, initially unhurried when mixing the filling, seemed to have panicked quite quickly.

Minutes later, Yu An Tong reduced the flame to low.

An apprentice whispered, “Look, he’s switched to low heat now. Trying to copy our techniques?”

Yu An Tong pulled out a chair and sat down, leisurely taking out his phone to tease Xing Li Xuan.

Yu An Tong: poke →

Yu An Tong: Hubby, are you there~?

Yu An Tong: [KittyNuzzleFace.jpg]

Yu Antong: Missing your little treasure?

After signing the last document, Xing Lixuan finally picks up his incessantly vibrating phone.

Without even looking, he knows who it is. Others usually call him directly when they need something, only Yu Antong would spam him with a series of nonsensical messages.

He checks and, as expected, it's Yu Antong. He throws the phone aside, neither replying nor silencing it.

Without a response from Xing Lixuan and considering the time, Yu Antong determines it's time to finish up the Jade-Strap Embroidered Balls. He quickly sends another message before washing his hands.

Yu Antong: If you don't reply within 10 minutes, you're on your own for dinner tonight.

The completed Jade-Strap Embroidered Balls are arranged on a white porcelain plate. After being steamed at high temperatures, the yellow pea-paste glutinous rice surface displays an unevenly cracked texture, resembling a delicate yellow hydrangea flower in bloom.

Due to the sticky nature of the glutinous rice, the very center remains intact, encasing the filling without any leaks.

Both dishes of the Jade-Strap Embroidered Balls look indistinguishable from the outside. Yu Antong signals Zhao Juan to have a taste.

Zhao Juan picks up one of Yu Antong's creations with chopsticks and takes a bite.

Her plump face, with its normally squinted eyes, suddenly widens in surprise.

Seeing his master's reaction, the senior disciple inquires, "Master, how is it?"

Zhao Juan doesn't reply, but despite the heat, she eagerly takes another bite.

Unable to wait for her response, the impatient senior disciple immediately grabs one to taste for himself.

The glutinous rice mixed with pea paste is slightly sweet and chewy with a unique milky aroma. The encased filling, steamed to perfection, dissolves effortlessly upon a gentle press of the tongue. And then...

The exterior is soft and tender, while the innermost filling is exquisitely delicate.

The senior disciple's eyes light up, and he slaps his thigh, "This is absolutely incredible!"

Finally speaking, Zhao Juan comments, "The large chunks of filling amplify the meat's flavor, enriching the taste. Starting with high heat softens the exterior, then switching to low heat ensures the inside is cooked perfectly. The layered textures reveal ingenious craftsmanship."

"I admit defeat."

Hearing their master's concession, the disciples exclaim in shock, "Master!"

Zhao Juan, ever magnanimous, believes there's no shame in conceding to a superior talent. Her face regains its smile, "You all should try it too."

The skeptical disciples gather around the steaming pot, while Zhao Juan addresses Yu Antong, "In the future, please continue to enlighten us with your culinary expertise."

A young prodigy indeed. Yu Antong may be young, but he certainly has the talent. With him leading the way in culinary innovation, Zhao Juan is thoroughly impressed.

Yu Antong responds with a smile, "You're too kind, Sister Zhao. Let's work together and make our restaurant flourish."

Those disciples fortunate enough to taste Yu Antong's creation couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Those who didn't get a spot due to the crowd looked on with evident envy.

Without uttering another word, everyone had genuinely acknowledged the new boss.

Yu Antong held a brief meeting, "Starting tomorrow, the shop will close for renovations. Everyone should take a break and head home. You will receive your salaries during the closure..."

After the meeting, Yu Antong pulled out his phone. As expected, threats did prove effective.

Xing Lixuan: How did it go? Need me to pick you up after work?

Before Yu Antong could reply, he received a call from Han Lele.

"A friend of mine just opened a new bar," Han Lele exclaimed cheerfully, "Wanna check it out?"

Yu Antong had been curious about what bars looked like for a while. As an adult, it's almost embarrassing to admit he's never been to one.

He promptly replied, "Sure, I'm at Phoenix Street. Come get me."

Not having a car is indeed inconvenient. He needs to find time to get his driver's license.

After hanging up, Yu Antong remembered he had forgotten about Xing Lixuan.

Going to a bar without informing his husband did stir a faint sense of guilt.

It's just a visit to a bar, not cheating. Besides, their marriage with Xing Lixuan was just on paper. Why overthink?

slkslk.com

Yu Antong persuaded himself and then called Xing Lixuan.

Xing Lixuan: "Where are you? I'll come get you."

Hearing Xing Lixuan's voice made Yu Antong feel guilty again.

Xing Lixuan is the type to mind even if he unbuttons just one more button. He definitely wouldn't approve of the bar.

Yu Antong spoke hastily, "Honey, I just remembered it's my roommate's birthday today. We all promised to celebrate with him. Have dinner without me, I'll be home later."

Yu Antong quickly hung up after speaking.

He was clearly not accustomed to lying.

After being hung up on, Xing Lixuan dialed Qi Jingyao, "Send me the location of your bar."

"Thought you weren't coming," Qi Jingyao commented, "Changed your mind?"

Xing Lixuan: "Yeah, just to do you a favor."

"Much appreciated," Qi Jingyao chuckled, thinking of something. "If I were to spread the news that you're at my bar, my sales for the day would double."

Previously, when Xing Lixuan grew tired of his family pressuring him to marry, he came out to them. Somehow, the news leaked, and while the number of female admirers diminished, a new wave of male admirers surged.

The gay scene in Jiangcheng is peculiarly overflowing with 'bottoms', scarcely any 'tops'. The demand outweighs the supply. The appearance of Xing Lixuan, an epitome of wealth and beauty, certainly does not go unnoticed.

Every time friends invite him to a bar, there's always a flock of men trying to strike up a conversation, much to Xing Lixuan's annoyance.

The bar owned by Qi Jingyao is specifically a gay bar. If the word spreads, a swarm of admirers will undoubtedly gather for Xing Lixuan.

Had it not been for the grand opening of Qi Jingyao's bar, a perfect opportunity for close friends to reunite, Xing Lixuan wouldn't have considered attending.

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