Chapter 138: Chopping Peppers Without Worries

  Not only was he stunned, but also the driver he brought with him. The two of them looked at each other in dismay until someone asked them out of curiosity, and they replied: "Is this... the Zhong family?!"

  "Right...". The villagers were very enthusiastic and proud of outsiders, "It's our village's Zhong family, only his family is surnamed Zhong. What do you want to find them for? I'll help you call someone..."

  One side was already enthusiastically shouting, "Gen Sheng, there's a guest outside your house... hurry up and come out to see if you recognize them?!"

  Zhong Gen Sheng put down his bowl and chopsticks and came out to see the shopkeeper and several villagers watching the commotion, so he smiled and said: "It's someone I know, trouble you to call..."

  Those people wanted to ask what was going on, but seeing that the shopkeeper wasn't dressed in ordinary clothes, they didn't dare open their mouths. They suppressed their curiosity and left, but kept turning back to take a look, marveling at the sight. The Zhong family had become prosperous, even the people coming and going were impressive. Just look at this person dressed like a noble, with attendants and a horse-drawn carriage...

  A horse-drawn carriage! Which family in this rural area has a horse-drawn carriage? Only a genuinely wealthy family can afford to buy such livestock.

  Although curious, he didn't want to offend the Zhong family.

  Zhong Gensheng smiled and said: "Boss, how did you come? Please come in..." As expected by Tuniu, he was more and more admiring of his daughter.

  The shopkeeper felt a bit sentimental, the last time he saw the father and daughter, they were still wearing tattered clothes, thinking that they would be from a humble family with a thatched cottage. Who would have thought that although their clothes weren't impressive, their home was so luxurious? This kind of house, even if it were in the city, would be quite impressive. After all, this is just a remote county town, and wealthy families are still few and far between, let alone extremely rich ones.

  It's really true that you can't judge a person by appearance. The shopkeeper couldn't help but steal glances at the large courtyard, and then looked at Zhong Gen Sheng and the people eating around the table in the courtyard, wearing clothes that weren't expensive, but were extremely clean and new, without any patches. His heart skipped a beat as he thought to himself, "It seems I really underestimated them." Suddenly, he hastily put away his slightly disdainful thoughts.

  I originally wanted to bring some gifts to shock these country bumpkins, but it seems this time I made a wrong move... they may not even bother to look at them.

  As he walked closer and looked at the dishes on the table again, he felt even more depressed. It seemed that he had thought things were too simple, someone who could make braised pork and such delicious food, how could his family's meals be bad?! Look at these dishes, they're even better than those in his restaurant!

  The shopkeeper's heart was even more distressed, could it be... that the price couldn't be lowered no matter what?! It seems like this is going to be a difficult negotiation indeed.

  Thinking to himself, his face already had a hint of a smile, he said: "Sorry to disturb you, I didn't know you were having lunch. This morning I was busy with some matters and lost track of time, so I ended up arriving at this hour, how embarrassing...". As he spoke, he instructed the driver to quickly take out the gifts from the car, smiling: "A small gift, not worth much, please accept it..."

  If there was still a bit of underestimation at first, now it's somewhat apprehensive, especially since formal visits usually take place in the morning, and it's absolutely impossible to visit someone else's home at this time. Of course, acquaintances don't mind this, but for a formal first visit, being late would seem insincere. The shopkeeper is anxious, not knowing if the other person minds these things...

  Shen Sisi didn't mind, she was a straightforward person, just smiled faintly and didn't take it to heart. When you're poor, you get bullied, that's the truth of the world. They were poor people anyway, there wasn't much to be concerned about, as long as the other party could make money for her...

  Zhong Gen Sheng smiled and accepted it, saying: "You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble."

  The actions and tone were quite generous, the shopkeeper was even more collected, but in his heart, he was slightly sinking. This Zhong family... Looking at that little girl's face again, with a calm and composed expression, her heart was even more tangled. Is it really... The ones who are in charge are all this kid?! This is... The key is this kid, who seems to be very difficult to negotiate with. The shopkeeper already had a plan in mind, but he was afraid that it would be hard to get any discounts, and he estimated that he wouldn't be able to get much of a bargain.

  It's actually imaginable, that day Da Bao and the others didn't take advantage of the free food and drink at the wine house, with such a calm demeanor, Shen Si Si's composure that day, and today's Zhong family's magnanimity. The shopkeeper couldn't help but reveal a wry smile, forcing a laugh: "On my way here, I heard that your family had a big event yesterday, so I should also bring some gifts..."

  As he spoke, he took out ten taels of silver from his bosom and handed them to Zhong Gen's hand, saying: "Let's make friends, I hope the Zhong family can look up to me, a small businessman, and cooperate with me in the long term..."

  She smiled to herself, this shopkeeper was indeed a clever one, knowing that the timing wasn't right and had already changed his mind. Fortunately so, otherwise she would have had to continue to deal with him, but she probably wouldn't have had the patience for it. Since he was being so understanding, the rest of their conversation would be easy.

  Zhong Gen Sheng smiled and accepted it, knowing that he was asking a favor of his own family, so naturally he wouldn't be polite. If he had accepted ten taels, he would have let him make some profit, but in the long run, the Zhong family would have been at a loss.

  "The shopkeeper hasn't eaten yet, has he? If not, then sit down and have a meal...” Zhong Gensheng smiled warmly and said: “It's just plain food, don't be picky..."

  The shopkeeper nodded in agreement. Is this tea and rice still considered coarse? What about his Fu Man Lou then?! He sat down, as if he had finally gotten what he had been seeking.

  Shen Sisi put down the bowl and stood up, smiling: "Since the boss is here, I'll make a few dishes. These dishes are yesterday's leftovers, how can we use this to entertain guests? Father, please ask them to sit at another table, and serve some tea..."

  "Let's...". Zhong Gensheng hurriedly invited the shopkeeper and the cart driver to sit down. The shopkeeper was also born into an ordinary family, so he naturally wouldn't look down on his own cart driver who followed him around. He was just a merchant, nothing special or noble about him. In this regard, his status wasn't even as high as that of a farmer like the cart driver. Moreover, the cart driver had been following him since childhood, and when they were out, he never made a fuss about eating at separate tables with him. Now, it was impossible to sit at separate tables anyway.

  Zhong Gensheng made tea and said with a smile: "My daughter will make some new dishes soon, you can drink some tea first..." He smiled and said: "Axiu, take the kids to finish eating and clear the table early..."

  "Ah..." He Qiu knew they had something to discuss, so she responded with a sound, quickly finished eating, cleaned the table, washed the bowls and chopsticks, and then went into the house with Niu Xiaohua.

  Dabao and Sibao stayed behind, but also sat down at that table. They all knew what was coming next was the main event, which would affect their future income in the Zhong family.

  The dishes were quickly served, and the first one was naturally yesterday's sour vegetable fish hot pot. As soon as it came up, it caught the boss's eye. Especially with this bubbling and aromatic flavor that hit their noses, their originally empty stomachs had already started growling, and they couldn't help but drool and pounce on it. Just smelling it was unbearable...

  The second dish is steamed fish with chopped chili peppers.

  The third dish is braised pork intestines in sauce.

  Only three dishes, but with a large bowl of bone soup wontons.

  Shen Sisi wiped away her sweat and came out of the kitchen, sitting down at the table with a smile: "Boss, try some..."

  The shopkeeper was taken aback and said: "Did you make all these dishes?!"

  "Of course, including all the recipes, only I know at home, so it's better to talk to me directly...” Shen Sisi smiled and said: "This sour fish hot pot is made by stir-frying old sour vegetables with my special seasoning, then adding sliced fish meat. Try the taste, but this fish isn't very fresh, if we use live fish to slice the meat and cook it, it's the best, tender and refreshing. The flavor of this fish might not be too good..."

  This is not just good, it's absolutely delicious! Even if the fish isn't fresh, it's still cooked to perfection. If they used extremely fresh meat, how amazing would that taste?!

  He almost swallowed his own tongue, "...... Is this fish meat?!" With the sourness of sauerkraut and spiciness, this flavor is really making people love and hate it at the same time. The boss was drooling while eating.

  He took another bite of the steamed fish with chili peppers, and these chili peppers were also extremely delicious. The fresh flavor after pickling was all steamed into the fish meat, it's really an indescribable wonderful taste.

  Finally, there was a dish of braised pork intestines, which I thought would be very smelly, but...

  The shopkeeper was really convinced this time. Suddenly, he furrowed his brow and then relaxed it, clearly knowing that as soon as the dish was served, it would be an absolute hit with customers.

  Shen Sisi watched him eat while thinking, not disturbing him, until he was almost done eating. She smiled and said: "The base of this sour fish hot pot is different from the one I gave you last time. This base is specially made for fish, whereas that base is for mutton hot pot, beef hot pot, pork hot pot or vegetarian hot pot..."

  The shopkeeper nodded and said, "What seasoning is this?!"

  He pointed at the chili pepper.

  Shen Sisi smiled and said, "This flavor is the same as what's in this pot, but the latter is dried, while the former is chopped up and pickled. This thing is called chili pepper, it's not available on the market, our family has a monopoly on it, I accidentally got it from the mountain last year, next year we will plant it on a large scale, but this year you can eat fresh ones, you can sell them in limited quantities, this is also a way to attract people... I didn't pickle much of this chopped pepper, so it's only available in limited quantities, but next year when the chili peppers are on the market, you can sell them at a low price..."

  The shopkeeper's eyes turned green with envy, and he didn't move his mouth for half a day, just staring at Shen Sisi.

  "Don't worry, I've asked the doctor about this thing and it's absolutely fine. In fact, eating more of it can even cure wind and cold because it induces sweating..."

  The shopkeeper wiped the sweat that had appeared on his nose and forehead, finally ate his fill, let out a belch, and began to get down to business. He put down his chopsticks and said: "Please tell me, how do you want to sell it?"