Transmigrated into an Ancient ABO Fantasy World: A Culinary Comeback - Chapter 13

The two found the Xiang family in the northern part of the village. As Xie Xing approached, a look of delight spread across his face it seemed they had found the right place this time.

He gently knocked on the wooden door, which creaked open to reveal none other than Wang Xiaojin’s acquaintance Xiang Dazhuang. Dazhuang wasn’t working today, and it was pure coincidence that they all ended up meeting at once.

Familiarity made conversation easier. They entered the house and sat down. Xie Xing took a sip of tea and, without much small talk, immediately laid out the entire story clearly. He promised a high monthly salary of 20 taels of silver, hoping to recruit Xiang Dazhuang under his wing, though it would require her to disguise herself as a shop assistant in Wang Xiaojin’s store.

Xiang Dazhuang was quite tempted by the offer. She trusted Wang Xiaojin and, seeing that her wife didn’t object, agreed to it. After all, her work on the river project was nearly finished, so it wouldn’t interfere.

With Xiang Dazhuang as a capable addition to their team, Old Xie was in high spirits. Instead of rushing off to search in neighboring counties, he stayed at his residence, teaching the two how to cultivate their skills. This arrangement allowed Wang Xiaojin to free up time to sell her board noodles, while Fan Xi, though not possessing any special physique, was allowed to observe and train at the Xie residence due to his clever and adaptable nature.

Xie Xing practiced the water element, Wang Xiaojin the fire element, and Xiang Dazhuang the earth element. Though their attributes differed, the foundational techniques were largely the same. Xie Xing only taught them how to channel the power within their own bodies; the remaining martial techniques had to be explored through self-study.

As days passed, their natural talent shone through, and they gradually began to develop methods suited to themselves.

One day, beneath the Zhongle Pavilion in the Xie residence, Wang Xiaojin and Xiang Dazhuang stood facing each other in a tense standoff. A breeze rustled through the bamboo grove as Wang Xiaojin’s hands brimmed with restless fiery energy. “Braised Pork Knuckle!” she shouted in a low voice, and instantly, a massive, flame-constructed red pork knuckle materialized in the air before hurtling menacingly toward Xiang Dazhuang.

In such a tense and deadly serious situation, the spectators Xie Xing and Fan Xi couldn’t help but find it amusing. No matter how many times they watched Wang Xiaojin’s moves, seeing her execute them with such earnestness always made them shake their heads in speechless disbelief.

For Xiang Dazhuang, however, the situation was no laughing matter. She roared, “Embankment!” and, channeling her energy with both hands, conjured a several-zhang-high earthen-yellow energy wall in front of her, blocking the pork knuckle’s attack from all directions. This yellow wall not only provided excellent defense but could also refine the fiery energy and absorb it for her own use.

As the yellow wall grew increasingly solid and imposing, pressing closer to Wang Xiaojin, the red pork knuckle began to fade gradually, retreating step by step in defeat.

Wang Xiaojin braced herself on one leg, hands pushing forward, sweat beading on her forehead. Yet she remained calm, believing that although the yellow wall could absorb and transform energy, it must have a limit to what it could withstand.

She continued to pour out her energy, channeling almost all of her internal force. A long river of fiery energy surged through the air, relentlessly striking the earthen wall, which grew even taller and thicker. Xiang Dazhuang’s expression relaxed with confidence.

Xie Xing, watching from the side, shook his head and sighed. Xiaojin still needed more practice. Fan Xi, growing anxious, yelled, “Wang Xiaojin, are you stupid? You lost exactly like this last time, why are you doing it again?”

Ignoring him, Wang Xiaojin kept up her output. Then, something strange happened: the earthen wall stopped growing and advancing. Instead, it began to glow red right where it stood. Sensing danger, Xiang Dazhuang hurriedly increased her energy output.

But it was too late. The earthen wall had reached its critical point and could no longer withstand the intensifying fiery energy. It turned from red to black, completely charred, and was shattered by the pork knuckle’s impact. Blazing flames brushed past Xiang Dazhuang, reducing the bamboo grove behind her to black ash.

The outcome was decided. Xie Xing clapped his hands and laughed heartily, “Excellent, excellent, absolutely brilliant! It seems you’ve all improved greatly through the competition. As you can see, Da Zhuang, earth restrains fire it may seem like you have the upper hand over Xiao Jin, but fire can also scorch the earth. Everything in excess is harmful, and the same goes for cultivation techniques.”

“That’s enough for today. Let’s eat. Xiao Jin, what delicious food are we having today?”

At the mention of food, everyone perked up. Xiang Da Zhuang, a female Qian Yuan, was even larger in build than Fan Xi. She rushed over, wrapped an arm around Wang Xiao Jin, and spoke first, “We’re having braised pork knuckle. Your pork knuckle made me drool just looking at it.”

Wang Xiao Jin readily agreed, “Alright, let’s have pork knuckle rice. We’ll also have pan-fried tomatoes, crispy fried pork strips, and you two can help me out, especially you, Da Zhuang. The shop is about to open, so you should get some practice.”

“Sure thing!”

Wang Xiao Jin started by braising the pork knuckle. Then, she took a piece of pork, diced it, placed it in a bowl, added potato starch and water, and mixed it to coat the pieces. She fried them one by one until they formed a crispy shell, then removed them from the oil. She stir-fried them with bell peppers and onions, adding a pre-mixed sauce. Since Wang Xiao Jin was eating and drinking without spending her own money, she didn’t mind using a lot of meat and made a full pot. She also prepared pan-fried tomatoes and seaweed egg drop soup.

The three of them bustled about for a while before finally being able to sit down to eat. The large pork knuckle was ready, wobbling as it was lifted out of the braising pot. It was cut into three portions and placed over rice, the perfect mix of lean and fatty meat, glossy and enticing. Each bowl of rice was paired with some greens and pickles, drizzled with a ladle of braising sauce, and served alongside the other dishes.

The braised pork knuckle was tender and sticky, rich in collagen, fatty but not greasy. The rice grains were distinct, having turned brown from the sauce, and paired perfectly with the pork knuckle, making it incredibly satisfying.

Of course, the crispy fried pork strips also went well with the rice crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Paired with the pan-fried tomatoes, it offered a different flavor profile.

The group devoured the food ravenously, leaving nothing behind.

After rubbing their full bellies and resting for a while, the three bid farewell to Xie Xing. They still had to focus on preparing for the shop opening.

After much thought, Wang Xiao Jin decided that potato starch noodles in a clay pot would be the most suitable fast-food style, difficult to replicate, and with little competition since only she knew how to make the noodles. She planned to offer four flavors: original, spicy, three-delicacy, and sesame paste. To enrich the menu, she also added snacks like roujiamo, fried skewers, and spicy cucumber.

Thanks to their efforts over this period, they had ample funds for opening the shop, a total of thirty taels. A few days prior, the group had been busy scouting locations, especially Deng Shu, who was meticulous and skilled at bargaining. They had already settled on a spot near the bustling Daming Street in the heart of Dongyang County. Though the rent was expensive thirteen taels for six months the location was prime.

Now, they were busy with renovations. Once the interior was ready, they could officially open.

With the four of them united, their combined strength could break through metal. They worked together seamlessly. Deng Shu, who had a good eye for aesthetics, put in extra effort, and soon the small shop was completely transformed. It now had a quaint, classical charm, with a signboard that read “Wang’s Clay Pot Potato Starch Noodles,” officially open for business.

The process of making clay pot potato starch noodles was complex, and the ingredients were relatively expensive, so Wang Xiao Jin priced them at twelve wen per bowl, with free refills.

Fan Xi, who had wide connections, hired someone to print advertisements. The ad copy was exaggerated and distributed throughout the streets and alleys. Wang Xiao Jin was surprised to find that small flyer advertisements existed here as well.

The effect, however, was undeniable. Customers came in one after another to try the new food, and when they returned, they brought friends along, packing the small shop to the brim.

Those who couldn’t get a seat ordered “takeout,” with errand boys and idlers acting as deliverymen, earning a few coins for their efforts.

They were as busy as spinning tops, exhausted yet happy. Xiang Dazhuang was doing the work of two people, receiving not only Xie Lao’s share but also Wang Xiaojin’s portion. The workload wasn’t too heavy for her, and she felt delighted every day, often breaking into a simple, silly grin.

As the shop had been open for some time, the customer flow gradually stabilized, and the team became more adept at managing the business. By the end of the month, Deng Shu tallied the accounts, showing a profit of thirty taels. Wang Xiaojin kept half for herself and distributed the other half among the three of them.

Still, it wasn’t enough. If things continued smoothly here, Wang Xiaojin considered opening branches in other counties. She planned to hire people, draw up contracts, and pass on the methods to them. Fan Xi and Deng Shu wouldn’t be directly involved in the branch operations but would assist her in managing them.

By then, winter had arrived. The shop was bustling with noise and warmth. Wang Xiaojin stepped outside for some fresh air, mulling over various matters. Leaning against the doorway, she felt the chill wind and suddenly realized that it had been exactly three months since Xie Yu’an left.

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