Chapter 107: Shopkeeper Wang's Visit
Then she trotted over to open the door. When she did, she saw a middle-aged man standing outside the gate.
Zhao Zhitong was startled, then exclaimed with joy, "Shopkeeper Uncle is here!"
Seeing the adorable little girl, Wang Fuhai immediately laughed and asked, "Little girl, are your parents home?"
Zhao Zhitong nodded at once. "Yes, yes, Shopkeeper Uncle, please come in."
At this moment, Zhao Dong had already walked over. He was quite surprised to see Wang Fuhai. "Shopkeeper Wang? What favorable wind brings you here today?"
Wang Fuhai smiled. "Now what kind of talk is that? Can't I come visit even if I have nothing in particular to do?"
Actually, he wasn't here just for a casual visit. The cold noodle recipe Sun Mei had sold him was incredibly popular, and he'd heard from her that the wheat gluten could be used in other delicious dishes. That's why he had come again, hoping to capitalize on the fresh ingredients and develop more culinary creations.
Hearing this, Zhao Dong immediately laughed. This Shopkeeper Wang is a major future customer! he thought, then said, "Of course, you can! Our home welcomes you anytime."
After some pleasantries, Zhao Dong invited Wang Fuhai into the house.
Meanwhile, Wang Fuhai had noticed their courtyard seemed quite lively and asked, "Do you have guests?"
If they have guests, it might be inconvenient for me to discuss business, Wang Fuhai mused.
Zhao Dong smiled. "Just a few of the children's friends are over to play. Shopkeeper Wang, please come in."
At this time, Sun Mei emerged, carrying a bowl of Liuzhou river snails rice noodle, and was quite surprised to see Wang Fuhai.
Wang Fuhai, however, was immediately captivated by the Liuzhou river snails rice noodle in Sun Mei's hands and the fried snails on the table.
Previously, the recipes Sun Mei had sold him had brought considerable profit to Guang Ju Restaurant.
As the one who introduced them, he had successfully earned the owner's appreciation and was now highly favored by him.
Seeing that Sun Mei seemed to have developed yet another new recipe, he was thrilled, his eyes lighting up. Coming here today was definitely the right decision!
Therefore, at Zhao Dong's invitation, Wang Fuhai didn't hesitate to sit down with the children and begin eating.
He first tried the fried snails and found them so delicious he couldn't stop, devouring several in one go before exclaiming, "I never expected such a humble little thing could be so tasty when fried!"
Zhao Dong replied, "Yes, these fried snails pair wonderfully with alcoholic drinks."
Wang Fuhai's mind raced with possibilities. He looked at the bowl of Liuzhou river snails rice noodle and asked, "What is this? Some kind of noodles?"
Sun Mei laughed and explained, "No, this is called Liuzhou river snails rice noodle. The aroma might be a bit strong, but it's incredibly delicious."
Wang Fuhai had already noticed the smell, which was even more potent than Stinky Tofu. However, given his experience with Stinky Tofu, he still believed Sun Mei when she said it was delicious.
Our Guang Ju Restaurant's Stinky Tofu stall is about to get some new offerings! he thought excitedly.
He had already ladled a small bowl for himself. After one bite, he was stunned. Then, in just a few mouthfuls, he devoured all the Liuzhou river snails rice noodle in his bowl.
He found himself wanting more and said to Zhao Dong with a laugh, "Brother Zhao! You truly are fortunate! Hahaha."
Zhao Dong placed the roasted cabbage on the table. "Shopkeeper Wang, try this cabbage. I made it. See what you think."
Wang Fuhai thanked him warmly. "Brother Zhao, from now on, let's address each other as brothers. Calling me Shopkeeper Wang feels too formal between us."
Zhao Dong smiled at once. "Alright, Brother Wang."
Wang Fuhai beamed. "Ah, that's much better!"
Wang Fuhai accepted the roasted cabbage from Zhao Dong, his curiosity piqued. "I've never seen cabbage prepared this way before."
Zhao Dong explained, "This cooking method is called grilling. Please, try it."
Coming here to buy the tofu recipe was an excellent decision! Wang Fuhai thought. This Zhao family is a goldmine! I must cultivate a good relationship with them.
With this in mind, he took a bite of the cabbage.
Then, he was momentarily stunned.
It wasn't just that the grilled cabbage was delicious; the texture of the cabbage itself was simply marvelous.
As a restaurant manager, Wang Fuhai was highly attuned to ingredients. This cabbage was exceptionally crisp and sweet. He wondered if it was his imagination, but after eating it, he felt a refreshing clarity spread through his entire body.
Worried it was merely an illusion, he went over to Zhao Dong, picked up a raw cabbage leaf from the basket, took a small bite, and his eyes lit up.
Indeed, the cabbage tasted superb, and the sensation of clarity and invigoration was even more pronounced.
At this point, he took a few deep breaths and realized his nose had cleared!
When he arrived, he'd had a slight cold, and his nose had been a bit stuffy. However, since it wasn't a serious issue, he hadn't paid it much mind.
Now, he discovered his nose was completely clear. Still, he worried it might just be a coincidence.
So he asked, "Brother Zhao, where did you get this cabbage?"
Just then, Zhao Zhitong piped up, "Uncle, this is cabbage we grew ourselves! My daddy tilled the soil, my mommy planted the seeds, and I watered them."
Then, she added mysteriously, "Our cabbage can also make you stronger and healthier, you know. It's really amazing!"
Grandpa Bai had recently told her that if vegetables were irrigated multiple times with water from the space, they would absorb some of the spiritual essence of the Spiritual Spring water, making them capable of strengthening the body.
"Oh, that's incredible!" Wang Fuhai's eyes lit up as he nodded. "This cabbage is truly top-grade!"
He then chatted with Zhao Zhitong for a bit, hoping to gather some useful details. To his surprise, though the little girl appeared young, she was remarkably astute, and he couldn't coax any secrets out of her.
This meal, which could be considered a feast, ended with everyone thoroughly satisfied. Zhao Zhitong stood at the door, seeing Qiao Muchen and the others off.
Qiao Muchen held Zhao Zhitong's hand, comforting her, "Don't be sad. The fried snails and Liuzhou river snails rice noodle were amazing! It's their loss for not coming."
Zhao Zhitong, who had already put the matter out of her mind, laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not bothered at all! I'm perfectly happy having wonderful friends like you!"
She then handed Qiao Muchen the portions of Liuzhou river snails rice noodle and fried snails that Sun Mei had packed, instructing, "This is for Aunt Chu, so don't you dare sneak any!"
Qiao Muchen waved his hand dismissively. "Relax, I won't sneak any!"
He planned to share it with his mother.
It was Qiao Muchen's first encounter with Liuzhou river snails rice noodle. Initially, he'd been very reluctant to try it due to its strong smell.
In the end, Zhao Zhitong had practically forced a bite into his mouth.
But after that first forced bite, he was completely won over.
Zhao Yue and Wei Shulan also received their own packed portions of the delicacies from Sun Mei.
The children waved goodbye with lingering reluctance. Zhao Zhitong only turned and ran back home after their figures had vanished from view.
Meanwhile, Wang Fuhai was deep in conversation with Zhao Dong, having just purchased the recipes for the fried snails and Liuzhou river snails rice noodle.
He paid them two hundred taels in silver banknotes for the recipes.
His attention then shifted, his gaze fixed on the vegetables growing in Zhao Dong's vegetable garden.
Zhao Dong looked puzzled. "You want to buy our vegetables?"
Wang Fuhai nodded eagerly. "Yes! Your vegetables are the best I've ever tasted. And I feel so invigorated after eating them."