txolops Chapter 106 Reducing the Amount of Broth: Finding Relief in Summer
Chapter 106 Reducing the Amount of Broth: Finding Relief in Summer
"Brother Chen, with those words from you, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief!"
Upon hearing Lin Chen say that he would personally make something to cool him down, Wang Hai's earlier frustration about not being able to sell soda vanished instantly, and he perked up again.
He had personally witnessed Lin Chen's craftsmanship.
From the amazing fried rice with broken gold filling at the beginning, to the daily secret-recipe chilled crispy radish.
Anything that Lin Chen decides to make personally is absolutely extraordinary!
"Hehe, Brother Chen, when you make a move, it's absolutely a game-changer!"
Wang Hai rubbed his hands together, grinning expectantly, "I'm just waiting to see what other best-selling item we have at our stall tomorrow!"
Lin Chen shook his head helplessly as he looked at Wang Hai's greedy appearance.
He walked to the water dispenser, filled a glass with warm water, and said calmly, "Alright, stop overthinking."
Whether we can make suitable food accompaniments depends on whether there are any fresh ingredients that suit our tastes at the farmers' market tomorrow morning.
"Got it! Brother Chen, you set the tone, I'll follow your instructions!"
Wang Hai downed the glass of cold boiled water in one gulp and wiped his mouth with a satisfied air.
He stood up, picked up his coat from the sofa, and walked out: "Brother Chen, you must be tired after flipping the spoon all night. Get some rest."
I'll be downstairs to pick you and Tangtang up at 7:00 AM tomorrow!
"Okay, drive carefully on the road."
Lin Chen escorted Wang Hai to the door and nodded slightly.
"Alright! See you later!"
Wang Hai closed the door behind him, humming a tune off-key, and went downstairs with light steps.
After Wang Hai left, the rented room became completely quiet.
Lin Chen tidied up the living room briefly, checked the doors and windows, and then quietly walked into the bedroom.
Tangtang was sleeping soundly in her little bed.
The little girl smacked her lips, seemingly lost in a dream, and gripped the edge of the thin summer blanket tightly with both hands.
Lin Chen stood by the bed for a while, his deep eyes filled with the tenderness of a father.
He reached out and tucked the blanket around his daughter before turning to wash up and rest.
……
The next morning.
Lin Chen got up on time at 6:30 in the morning.
After washing up, he went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the father and daughter.
Soon, a pot of thick white rice porridge, topped with two fried eggs that were golden brown on both sides, and a small dish of refreshing chilled radish cubes left over from last night, was served on the table.
It's simple, yet it exudes the most down-to-earth, everyday charm.
"Tangtang, wake up."
Lin Chen walked back to the bedroom and gently patted the bulging summer quilt.
"Well……"
A soft, childlike murmur came from under the covers.
Immediately afterwards, Tangtang, with her messy short hair and sleepy eyes, sat up.
"Good morning, Daddy..."
Tangtang greeted them in a soft, sweet voice.
Good morning. Get up, get dressed, wash your face, and eat breakfast before going to kindergarten.
Lin Chen urged gently.
Upon hearing that she was going to kindergarten and that she could wait for the pretty auntie at the stall in the afternoon, Tangtang instantly woke up.
The little girl put on her school uniform by herself, ran to the bathroom, and stood on a small stool, brushing her two little tiger teeth very seriously.
After breakfast, Lin Chen helped Tangtang tie her hair into two neat low ponytails and picked up her small schoolbag.
As soon as I came downstairs, I saw Wang Hai leaning against the bread cart, happily munching on a meat bun.
"Good morning, Chen-ge and Tang-tang!"
Wang Hai swallowed the steamed bun in a few bites and quickly opened the back door of the car.
Good morning, Uncle Fatty!
Tangtang called out in a clear voice and obediently climbed into the pink car seat.
Lin Chen got into the passenger seat and closed the door.
"Hold on tight, we're going to take the little boss to school first!"
Wang Hai started the car.
At 7:30 a.m., the bread truck stopped outside the gate of Sunshine Kindergarten.
This is the peak time for dropping off children.
Lin Chen opened the car door and took Tangtang out.
"Daddy, you and Uncle Fatty are going grocery shopping. Make sure you buy something delicious!"
Tangtang, carrying her little schoolbag and holding Lin Chen's big hand, earnestly gave him instructions as they walked.
"it is good."
Lin Chen smiled slightly, "Dad will pick you up after school this afternoon."
The two walked to the large iron gate, where Ms. Liu, the teacher in charge of the class, was standing at the door to greet the children.
"Good morning, Teacher Liu."
Lin Chen nodded slightly in greeting.
"Good morning, Mr. Lin. Tangtang is here very early today."
With a smile, Teacher Liu looked down at Tangtang and said, "Good morning, Tangtang."
Good morning, Teacher Liu!
Tangtang bowed very politely.
Teacher Liu smiled and patted Tangtang's little head, then looked up at Lin Chen and said, "Mr. Lin, Tangtang was quite the little star in class yesterday."
She told the other children that she had drawn a really beautiful windmill and given it to someone, and this morning several little girls surrounded her asking about it.
Hearing Teacher Liu's words, a hint of tenderness flashed in Lin Chen's eyes.
"Children value the gifts they prepare themselves, so let her play with her friends at kindergarten more."
Lin Chen said gently, "Yes, Tangtang is a very sentimental and good child."
Teacher Liu took Tangtang's little hand and said, "Okay, Tangtang, say goodbye to your dad. We're going into the classroom now."
Tangtang turned around and waved her little hand vigorously at Lin Chen.
"Goodbye, Daddy! Remember to pick me up early this afternoon!"
I'm going to wait for the pretty auntie!
The little girl shouted loudly.
"Okay, I'll listen to the teacher."
Watching Tangtang follow Teacher Liu into the teaching building, Lin Chen finally looked away, turned around, and got into the bread cart.
"Brother Chen, shall we go? To the farmers' market?"
Wang Hai asked from the driver's seat.
"Okay, let's go."
The bread truck merged into the morning rush hour traffic and headed towards the farmers' market in the south of the city.
In the car, Wang Hai gripped the steering wheel while seemingly remembering something.
"By the way, Brother Chen, since we're going to buy ingredients for making cold drinks today, should we still make that free old hen broth we got today?"
It's so hot today, I'm afraid even if I cook it, no one will be able to drink it, and it'll all be left over."
Lin Chen looked out the window at the receding street scene and nodded.
"You're right. Catering must follow the seasons; forcing diners to eat things that are unsuitable will only backfire."
After a moment's thought, Lin Chen made a decision: "Starting today, reduce the amount of old hen broth made by two-thirds."
Keep only a small bucket for regular customers with sensitive stomachs or those who like to drink hot soup to soothe their throats.
The remaining majority of energy will be focused on developing new refreshing drinks.
"Great idea! Brother Chen's move is brilliant; it saves money and caters to everyone's tastes!"
"We can use the money we saved from that old hen to buy ingredients for our cold drinks!"
More than half an hour later.
The bread truck found a spot in the open-air parking lot outside the market and parked.
As the two got out of the car, a fragrant aroma of vegetables and various ingredients immediately wafted towards them.
Under the huge steel-structured shed, countless stalls are densely packed together.
The sounds of hawking and bargaining mingled together, creating a rich atmosphere of everyday life.
"Brother Chen, what should we buy first?"
Should we just go to the fruit section to find ingredients for cold drinks?
Wang Hai looked at the sea of people in front of him and asked.
Lin Chen shook his head and scanned the various areas.
"No rush. The quality of staple foods is the bottom line and must always be the top priority."
Lin Chen strode steadily toward the market.
"First, go to the poultry section and pick out the free-range eggs you'll be using for today's fried rice."
Then go to the vegetable section to buy the freshest scallions.
Once we've decided on these two main ingredients, we'll look into the cold drinks business.
"Okay, Brother Chen, I'll listen to you!"
This fried rice with bits of egg won't do without the pure aroma of free-range eggs!
Wang Hai immediately followed Lin Chen's footsteps, and the two walked into the bustling farmers' market one after the other.