Time flies by like a flash, and in the long period of longing for each other, Master Shen finally waits until the first day of the fifth lunar month, which is now midsummer.
This morning, the boats in the winding canal started to move early, and the smoke from cooking ignited the passion of the eternal canal. Looking at both sides of the canal, you can see green willows swaying in the wind, passionate catkins flying all over the sky, fish swimming in the crystal clear water of the canal, and groups of flying birds and dragonflies swooping in the water. What a gorgeous and colorful scenery in the south of the Yangtze River!
Mr. Shen never stops walking from Zhuxiang Street to Huzui Street every day. Along the way, he listens to the familiar cries and smells the aroma of steamed buns from street snack bars. Naturally, people’s favorite fried dough sticks, spicy soup, and steamed buns are indispensable. Waiting for the tangy aroma, he felt hungry and couldn't help but quicken his pace.
"Good morning, Mr. Shen." The person coming from the opposite side greeted him. He was pushing a wheelbarrow. The wheels of the wheel made a squeaking sound, like an invisible hand pressing on the keys of a piano, making a pleasant sound.
"Good morning, have you eaten?" Mr. Shen looked up and saw that it was Zhang Er, an old customer who often came to the store to take care of his business.
"After eating, see you later."
"Walk slowly."
Mr. Shen was walking on the traditional road. The sky was getting brighter and there was a huge flow of people in the streets and alleys. The men wore short-sleeved shirts and the women wore colorful skirts, dotting the thousand-year-old town in Hexia.
Vegetable farmers lined up automatically on both sides of the street, leaving a gap in the middle just big enough for two people to pass side by side. The large and small bamboo baskets or the green seasonal vegetables in the baskets attract the attention of women who have spent their time at home. They put down their skirts to bargain with the vegetable farmers.
"How to sell these rice dumpling leaves?"
"Twenty cents a handful."
"It's too expensive, fifteen cents." The woman stood up and wanted to leave.
The young lady selling rice dumpling leaves quickly stepped forward and grabbed the woman: "I think you really want to buy it, madam. How about sixteen cents? Look at these leaves, which were just harvested this morning. How fresh are they?"
"Forget it, it's up to you." The woman relaxed looking at the little eldest sister's pious expression.
"Good morning, Mr. Shen." Before he even arrived at the noodle shop, the waiter came up to him with a smile.
The Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon. After breakfast, he quickly went to the restaurant to finalize the banquet. Master Shen thought to himself. He entered the noodle shop and said: "Old rules."
"Okay, a bowl of Yangchun noodles and a fried egg."
In front of Mr. Shen, a white bowl of sea steaming steamed, and an alluring aroma made him salivate. The Yangchun noodles in the red soup, the color of soy sauce, were flat, with garlic flowers floating on the surface of the soup. He picked up the chopsticks and mixed it, then picked up the vinegar bottle and ordered some Zhenjiang balsamic vinegar. Mr. Shen, who preferred garlic, picked two garlic heads from the side and put them in the noodle soup.
After doing this, he picked up a chopstick, blew it with his mouth and put it into his mouth. The indescribable feeling of satisfaction passed through the mouth to every nerve ending in an instant...
"Boy, the money is on the table."
"Thank you for your patronage. Mr. Shen, please go slowly." The waiter said goodbye with a smile. He tossed the towel, put away the money, put away the dishes and chopsticks and walked to the kitchen.
"Brother Shen, are you ready?" Mr. Wu walked into the noodle shop and saw Mr. Shen.
"After you've eaten, Brother Wu, if something happens, I'll go first." Mr. Shen cupped his hand.
"Brother, walk slowly."
"See you."
Mr. Shen continued westward and came to the busiest and liveliest area of Hexia Street, where merchants gathered, and the largest and best restaurant was right in front of him.
"Is Boss Song here?" Mr. Shen was attracted by the smoke of fireworks before he entered the restaurant. Waves of fragrance filled his taste buds, making him look around.
The first floor of the restaurant is bustling with people. The restaurant sells spicy soup and fried dough sticks and pancakes in the morning. Because the prices are reasonable, there are a lot of guests every morning, attracting diners from all over the world.
What is worthy of praise is Song Ji Spicy Soup. Their soup is different from other restaurants. The soup is made of stock and thickened with edible powder. The soup is thick and unique.
The ingredients are very particular, including thick and thin kelp shreds, chicken shreds, dried shreds, gluten cubes of different shapes, and the thin egg skin, and of course the indispensable vermicelli.
Such rich ingredients are thickened with stock. The diners sprinkle some coriander, garlic leaves, and diced kohlrabi locally pickled in Hexia. Finally, they add a small spoonful of red chili sauce and two or three drops of finely ground sesame oil. , stir it up and down, and the fragrant spicy soup makes people salivate.
Boss Shen felt that Boss Song was a good businessman, and he had made another fortune just by relying on these bowls of fragrant spicy soup.
"Hey, boss Shen, I'm sorry for not being able to welcome you from afar!" Boss Song smiled and came down the stairs with his hands in hand, "How about we sit down on the second floor to drink tea and chat."
"Okay, my young master said when he got married and engaged, I won't go to other restaurants, so I will recognize you as Boss Song."
"Thanks to Boss Shen for your love, I will definitely show my special skills at the young master's wedding banquet, so that all the guests will never forget it." Boss Song's sharp tongue is indeed powerful, and he made Boss Shen smile.
"Longjing in the Ming Dynasty, please ask Boss Shen to grow your eyes." Boss Song personally brewed a cup of Longjing tea and placed it on the table in the private room on the second floor. In the white ceramic teacup, pieces of buds were swimming in the tea soup. The tea soup gradually became unknown. It turned into a warm green.
Mr. Shen picked up the teacup with his right hand and used the lid to gently push the tea leaves floating on the water. After blowing with his mouth, he lifted the teacup and took a small sip. He closed his eyes and slowly thought about it. Boss Song was waiting on the side, like a treasure waiting for the expert's appraisal.
Mr. Shen suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Well, it tastes pure and smooth, and has a long aftertaste. This tea is from West Lake Mingqian Longjing Tea. Judging from the taste, it should be a special grade. Am I right?"
If you want to know what happens next, listen to the explanation next time.
