“Wow!” Ji Rongxia hugged Gu Tangjin and said excitedly, “That was so fast! I didn’t expect it to go so smoothly! I thought I’d have to wait a long time.”

“Yeah, me too,” Gu Tangjin said, hugging Ji Rongxia back.

Ji Rongxia quickly let go of Gu Tangjin, tugged at his sleeve, and said, “Hurry up and look—what did he slip into your sleeve just now?”

Gu Tangjin pulled the pieces of paper out of his sleeve. When he unfolded them, he saw that two of them were drawings he’d made for Diao Kaipeng.

Another was a rough map Diao Kaipeng had drawn from memory.

“This is a map—Brother Diao is truly thoughtful,” Gu Tangjin remarked.

“He certainly is thoughtful. Just making him crystal shrimp dumplings and cold rice noodles seems a bit insufficient.” Ji Rongxia suddenly felt that preparing only two dishes as a return gift was a bit meager.

Gu Tangjin thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t we make him some crushed ice mountain as well? We’ll put them in the bottom layer of the food box. I’ll write him a note telling him the shaved ice is a rare treat, so he should enjoy it privately and not make a fuss about it. Even if someone finds out, it doesn’t matter—after all, we did make a crushed ice mountain yesterday. It makes sense that we’d have a few blocks of ice at home.”

“That’ll work, but we’re out of goat’s milk ghee—we only have cow’s milk ghee. Will that be okay?” Ji Rongxia was still a little uneasy.

Speaking of that, Gu Tangjin did hesitate a bit—goat’s milk ghee is harder to come by than cow’s milk ghee; even ice is easier to find than cow’s milk.

Using cow’s milk ghee would indeed be a bit odd—he wasn’t sure if Diao Kaipeng would be able to tell the difference.

【Ding, Eatery Renovation Quest: Fix the problem with the third wooden storage chest on the left that’s hard to open and close.】

【Quest Time Limit: One hour.】

【Quest Reward: One hidden tabletop cleaner, ten jin of white sugar, ten jin of goat’s milk, and five iron trays.】

“Tangjin, if you fix this wooden chest, the little chef will give us some goat’s milk.” Ji Rongxia quickly located the third wooden chest placed against the left-hand wall; inside were the small earthenware pots used for making soup in winter.

Ji Rongxia often helped his father and older brother with chores. After a quick inspection, he noticed that the hinges on this wooden box were a bit dry and difficult to open and close.

“It’s rusty and needs oil,” Ji Rongxia said with certainty.

Gu Tangjin immediately brought Ji Rongxia a small whetstone and an oil bottle.

Ji Rongxia first used the small whetstone to remove the rust, then dripped oil onto the hinges. After opening and closing it a few times, it indeed moved much more smoothly.

“Let’s submit the task,” Ji Rongxia said, clapping her hands.

【Submission successful.】

【Scanning…】

【Scan complete.】

【Ding, mission complete.】

【Reward being distributed…】

【Reward issued.】

Ji Rongxia opened the cabinet and, sure enough, saw a round, pancake-shaped machine inside, along with five metal trays, ten packets of sugar, and ten packets of goat milk.

Ji Rongxia clapped his hands and said, “All right, now we have goat’s milk. But since this was to help the little chef, let’s try not to let him cut corners in the future.”

Although the little chef said it was fine, it was better to err on the side of caution.

“Exactly,” Gu Tangjin nodded in agreement.

The Cooking God System felt a twinge of emotion: “Host, don’t worry. I’m fine. You are indeed helping me recharge, and my methods are reasonable and compliant. There won’t be any problems.”

Ji Rongxia wasn’t entirely convinced. He waved his hand and said, “All right, all right. Little Chef, go get some rest. Tangjin and I have work to do.”

Cooking God System: “……” I really am fine—no need to worry!

“Let’s start with the crystal shrimp dumplings—I’m familiar with those. Plus, the filling’s already prepared; we can just use the filling from the fresh shrimp patties to wrap them.” Ji Rongxia began giving instructions. “Tangjin, you knead the dough. I’ll figure out how to make these cold noodles.”

“Okay.” Gu Tangjin grabbed a bowl and began kneading the dough for the crystal shrimp dumplings.

The texture of wheat starch felt very different from regular dough, so Gu Tangjin was afraid of ruining it and was very careful about how much water she added.

While Gu Tangjin was busy kneading the dough, Ji Rongxia began studying the recipe for liangpi.

“Hmm, mixing starch with water to make a batter—I could just use the batter that’s still wet from washing the dough. Mixing starch with water is kind of redundant. But using starch does make it last longer, so I won’t have to go through the trouble of washing the dough every time I want to make liangpi.” Ji Rongxia understood immediately after reading the recipe.

The steps could easily be modified: after washing the gluten, let the starch settle, drain off the excess water, and then stir it directly into a batter.

The gluten washed this way would still be fresh and ready to steam.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to wash the dough to make liangpi, so Ji Rongxia had no choice but to take out the leftover gluten he’d stored in the fridge the previous day. He soaked it in water first; if left for too long, the water seeps out of the pores, causing them to shrink, and the gluten turns out hard after steaming—it’s much better when it’s fully saturated with water before steaming.

While the gluten was absorbing water, Ji Rongxia poured wheat starch into a bowl and slowly added water, stirring it into a batter.

He brushed oil on a flat pan, poured in the batter, and swirled the pan to coat the bottom evenly. Once the water in the steamer came to a boil, he placed the pan inside and steamed it until the batter set and large bubbles formed on the surface. After steaming, he placed the pan in a basin of cold water to cool the bottom slightly, then peeled off the sheet of liangpi. He brushed a little oil on each steamed sheet to prevent them from sticking together.

Stack the cooled sheets one on top of the other.

Steam the wheat gluten until cooked, then dice it into small cubes and set aside.

Next, julienne the cucumber and set it aside.

Next, prepare the seasoning broth: tie fennel seeds, cinnamon bark, cardamom, bay leaves, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and amomum into a spice pouch. Add the pouch to a pot of water with vinegar. Once the water comes to a boil, remove the spice pouch, then add a small amount of salt, soy sauce, and white sugar. The seasoning broth is now ready.

Mash the garlic into a paste, add water and a little oil, and mix it into a simple garlic water.

Gradually add water to the sesame paste and stir until smooth.

Cut the liangpi into strips about one finger wide, then add shredded cucumber, wheat gluten, the seasoning liquid, garlic water, a little chili oil, and the sesame paste, and toss to combine.

One serving of liangpi is ready.

“I wonder what it tastes like. I’d better make some more so Mom and Dad can try it too.”

As he kept working, Ji Rongxia ended up making too much. He steamed about twenty sheets of liangpi; two sheets fit into one large bowl, so he ended up making twelve large bowls of liangpi in total.

Meanwhile, Gu Tangjin had finished kneading the dough.

Ji Rongxia quickly wrapped some dumplings, placed them in the steamer, and set a pot of fruit syrup to simmer.

Then it was time to make the crushed ice mountain.

After the goat’s milk had boiled, he used a blender to churn it into ghee, added a drop of ghee, and poured in the cooled fruit sugar syrup. A beautiful “Sushan” appeared before Ji Rongxia.

“Let’s put it in this food box,” said Gu Tangjin, fetching an exquisitely crafted food box.

This multi-tiered food box was carved with floral patterns; it was rarely used in the restaurant, and such exquisite items were typically brought out only for banquet service.

“Okay, let’s put the flaky pastry at the very bottom. Then the cold noodles, and finally the shrimp dumplings—which are still a bit warm. These shrimp dumplings have to be eaten while they’re hot; otherwise, the wrappers won’t be chewy.” Ji Rongxia muttered to herself as she arranged the items.

Only after making sure everything was in place did Gu Tangjin open the door to the kitchen.

“I made some liangpi for you to take home. Just return this lunchbox next time you come to discuss the fragrant soap business.” Gu Tangjin placed the lunchbox in front of Diao Kaipeng.

Gu Tangjin immediately asked, “We’re about to open for business. Are you planning to go from our backyard to the restaurant out front, or will you go around?”

“I’ll just go around. Please wait here for a moment,” Diao Kaipeng said as he picked up the lunchbox and stood up.

Gu Tangjin secretly slipped him a note.

Diao Kaipeng was a little puzzled, but he didn’t let it show. He said a quick goodbye to Yao Tianlan and Gu Chuncai before leaving.

Once outside, he unfolded the note. It read: “We saw the map. As a thank-you, we made some food for you. Take it home first so it doesn’t go bad, and make sure to eat the shrimp dumplings while they’re still hot.”

Diao Kaipeng: “???”

What on earth had Xia-ger and Tangjin made for him? He couldn’t quite make sense of the note, but despite that, Diao Kaipeng heeded their advice and headed home first.

“This kid, really—he could’ve just gone through our backyard to the restaurant. Going all the way around like that is quite a walk.” Yao Tianlan put away the small stools and headed to the front to get ready to open for business.

“Mom, wait a minute. I made some liangpi—it’s kind of like liangfen, and it’s really delicious. You guys should try some first.” Ji Rongxia brought out a bowl of liangpi.

Good things should be enjoyed by family first.

Otherwise, it would be such a waste.

Ji Rongxia also brought a bowl to Gu Tangjin: “You should try some, too.”

“What about you?” Gu Tangjin picked up her chopsticks, ready to serve him a portion.

Ji Rongxia quickly waved his hand: “I just tasted it in the kitchen. This liangpi is smooth and refreshing, but I still think the wheat gluten soaked in the sauce tastes best!”

Gu Tangjin put the liangpi into his mouth. The smooth texture—almost unfamiliar—caught his attention. The sauce was perfectly prepared: tangy, spicy, and refreshing without being overpowering. He then tasted the wheat gluten. The cubes, soaked in sesame paste and sauce, were slightly soft yet chewy; with one bite, the juices burst out, and paired with the crisp cucumber strips, it was truly delicious.

“Let’s have this for lunch,” said Gu Tangjin, who rarely took the initiative to order.

Ji Rongxia whispered, “Oh, it seems Tangjin really likes this liangpi. Then let’s have that for lunch today. Don’t worry—I made plenty of it, so I guarantee you’ll have your fill.”

Of course, he was going to fulfill Tangjin’s little wish.

Gu Tangjin took a few bites and then stopped eating. Since he’d had the garlic water, he made a point of rinsing his mouth before heading out front.

When he opened the door, to his surprise, Diao Kaipeng wasn’t the first one to rush in.

The first one to burst in was Wu Baoquan!

“Quick, quick, quick—give me something to eat, give me something to eat,” Wu Baoquan said weakly.

Behind him were Zhu Pengyi, Peng Lecheng, Guan Feibai, Jia Qian, and Su Hanwei.

They were all close friends of Gu Tangjin, but at that moment, Gu Tangjin had no time for pleasantries.

He quickly helped Wu Baoquan sit down and asked, “What happened?”

“He’s suffering from seasickness and heatstroke. I told him to go back and rest, but he wouldn’t have it—he insisted on coming here to eat first,” Zhu Pengyi said helplessly.

Gu Tangjin: “……”

For once, he didn’t know how to respond.

The expressions on Su Hanwei and the others’ faces were also rather hard to describe.

Gu Tangjin thought for a moment and could only ask, “What would you like to eat?”

Wu Baoquan mustered his strength to place the order: “Bring two plates of each of the most expensive dishes, twenty shrimp meat patties, ten crumbly pancakes, twenty Pan-fried buns, and another jar of rice wine.”

“Alright, coming right up.” He walked over to Yao Tianlan and said, “Mom, I think Xia-ger made a bit too much liangpi. Ask him if he’d be willing to sell some.”

Seeing this, Yao Tianlan nodded repeatedly and hurried over to the kitchen.

Please, Your Honor, don’t pass out in their restaurant!!!

Yao Tianlan called out urgently, “Xia-ger, Old Man, hurry up and get the dishes ready! Bring two servings of each of the pricier dishes—twenty shrimp and pork patties, ten crumbly pancakes, and twenty Pan-fried buns.”

As soon as Gu Chuncai heard this, he asked, “Is Magistrate Wu coming by again?”

“It’s rare for customers to order this much.”

“That’s right. He even brought several people who look like scholars with him,” Yao Tianlan replied.

Ji Rongxia asked curiously, “Several scholars? How many in total?”

“Counting Magistrate Wu and his entourage, there are six in all.”

As soon as Ji Rongxia heard this, he guessed that it must be Wu Baoquan, accompanied by the people Tangjin had mentioned to him, coming over for a meal.

Yao Tianlan quickly added, “Magistrate Wu is feeling a bit overheated from the summer heat; he’s currently resting his head on the table. Tangjin asked me to check with you—would you be willing to sell them a few bowls of your liangpi?”

Upon hearing this, Ji Rongxia nodded and said, “Give them six bowls. I actually made a bit extra. Consider it a treat from me and Tangjin—I won’t charge them for the cold noodles.”

For one thing, Peng Lecheng and his friends—Tangjin’s close associates—were also at that table; for another, Ji Rongxia hadn’t yet decided what price to charge for the liangpi.

It was a bit of a hassle to make, and if he sold it too cheaply and too many people came to buy it, they certainly wouldn’t be able to keep up.

If he sold them too expensively, Ji Rongxia felt it wasn’t quite right—after all, it was just a bowl of liangpi with no meat. He planned to discuss it with Tangjin and the little chef first to decide whether to sell them at all, and if so, at what price.

“All right, I’ll bring it over first,” Yao Tianlan replied, and carried the liangpi over.

By the time Diao Kaipeng arrived, there were already a few people ordering at the front.

He understood what Gu Tangjin had said and took the food box home first. When he opened it, he was surprised to find a “crushed ice mountain” made of ice and ghee at the bottom!

He’d only ever seen things like this in the capital and a few other major cities!

There were also crystal-clear shrimp dumplings and a type of liangpi he didn’t recognize.

Diao Kaipeng was so taken aback that he wasted some time, which is why he arrived a little late.

While waiting, Diao Kaipeng idly scanned the restaurant and spotted Wu Baoquan’s table. A plump man was slumped over the table, looking as dejected as a frost-bitten eggplant.

Diao Kaipeng furrowed his brow. Could this man really be their new county magistrate?

He looked a bit… good-for-nothing.

Wu Baoquan remained slumped over the table, too lazy to look up; he couldn’t care less how others saw him.

A round-trip boat journey in the summer heat was really too much for a man of his age to handle.

The trip to the prefectural capital had been smooth sailing downstream, but on the way back, the boatman they hired steered the boat too erratically, and with the current running rather fast, Wu Baoquan—who hadn’t been on a boat in quite some time—got seasick.

On the other hand, people like Su Hanwei, who frequently traveled by boat, had no trouble at all.

“Here it is—liangpi. You all go ahead and eat. This dish is a treat from Tangjin and Xia-ger,” Yao Tianlan said before hurrying off.

Zhu Pengyi and the others didn’t even have time to ask what the dish was.

Wu Baoquan had already picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

After taking a bite of the liangpi, Wu Baoquan felt as if he’d come back to life!!!

Cool and refreshing, with a fragrant blend of spicy, sour, and savory flavors, it felt as though his summer heat illness had vanished.

Seeing this, Peng Lecheng and the others also picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.

As soon as they tasted it, they knew exactly why Wu Baoquan had reacted that way.

Guan Feibai thought to himself, “No wonder Wu Baoquan insisted on eating first—I’d been wondering if it really made a difference where we ate.”

But now, eating here really was a different experience!

Taking a bite of this when you’re feeling hot and parched is truly refreshing.

As the dishes were brought out one after another, they were so focused on the liangpi that they didn’t even think to try the other dishes at first. Only after finishing every last bit of the liangpi did they remember to sample the rest.

As soon as they tasted them, they discovered that every single dish was delicious!

“Brother Diao, you’re here. What would you like?” asked Gu Tangjin.

Diao Kaipeng pulled his gaze away from the county magistrate’s table and said, “Half a jin of braised pork, one jin of braised vegetarian dishes, a plate of pot-roasted pork, a plate of sweet-and-sour carp, and another serving of Koushui chicken—wrap it all up; I’m taking it home.”

As he spoke, he handed over the silver he’d prepared.

“Alright, have a seat and wait a moment,” said Gu Tangjin.

Diao Kaipeng acknowledged this and found an empty seat to sit down.

Then he realized he’d made a mistake, because the people at his table had already started eating.

Watching others eat and smelling the aroma of the dishes wafting right beside him made him even hungrier!

Seeing Wu Baoquan and his group eating liangpi at their table, quite a few people came over to ask how much it cost.

Gu Tangjin smiled at each person who asked and said, “That’s our family’s lunch for today. We offered it to them because the county magistrate had a heatstroke.”

Hearing this, no one asked any further questions—after all, they couldn’t possibly have heatstroke on the spot, and since it was a meal for Gu Tangjin and his family, there surely wasn’t much prepared.

Of course, these words reached Wu Baoquan and the others as well. Wu Baoquan felt a little embarrassed—he had, after all, eaten their lunch.

After he finished eating, he asked Zhu Pengyi to invite Old Su and the others to his residence to rest first, while he stayed behind. He walked over to the counter and said, “Xiucai, I’ll wait here for a bit. Once things calm down, I’d like to personally thank Xia-ger and your parents for treating us to this meal.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Tangjin brought him a small stool and a rush fan, inviting him to sit and wait: “Please have a seat, Your Honor.”

It just so happened that Gu Tangjin wanted to show this man the chili peppers.

Now he didn’t have to ask him to do so.

Wu Baoquan had no idea what Gu Tangjin was thinking; he sat down on the stool without a trace of pretension, fanning himself with the rush fan. Having eaten and drunk his fill, he was feeling drowsy.