sbdcsierra Chapter 223 Wonton Shop
Chapter 223 Wonton Shop
"That's right! This is the eighth one already!" The old man sighed. "This morning, Old Luo, who lives across the street from me, also couldn't get up. His eyes were dark circles, and his face was sallow..."
The crisp sound of a spoon tapping against the edge of the pot interrupted the conversation, and the owner scooped up a spoonful of broth and poured it into a bowl.
The owner called out, "The wontons are here! Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone."
Fresh pork wontons and three-delicacy wontons were served one after another. "Come on, be careful, it's hot."
"Wontons taste better with a little vinegar." Qingying lifted the lid of the vinegar jar on the table and added a small spoonful of vinegar to her bowl.
"People only dip dumplings in vinegar," said Qing Tong with disdain. "The main point of eating wontons is to savor the umami flavor of the broth."
As he spoke, he scooped up a mouthful of soup to taste: "Hmm, is the soup base made with pork bones, and then scallops and dried shrimp added for flavor?"
The shop owner turned around and chuckled, "Young master, you're quite something! This soup is our shop's specialty, and it keeps a lot of customers coming back!"
“Everyone has different tastes.” Qingying continued to insist on her way of eating: “I like to put vinegar in the soup. It’s sour and very appetizing.”
"Chu Qing, try my three-delicacy filling." Xiao Han scooped two wontons into Long Chu Qing's bowl with a spoon.
"Thank you." After a moment's thought, she scooped two wontons into Xiao Han's bowl as well: "Then you should try my fresh pork wontons too!"
Xiao Han smiled slightly: "Hmm..."
Qingying, who was standing to the side, thought for a moment, then turned to Qingtong and asked, "Would you like to try me too...?"
"No need, thank you, you can keep it for yourself." Before he could finish speaking, Qing Tong politely declined: "I don't like jealousy."
"I was just being polite with you." Qingying said casually while continuing to eat, muttering indistinctly, "I don't even have enough for myself!"
"Zhao Niang, bring out some wontons." The boss turned and called to the inner room behind him.
As the boss finished speaking, the rhythmic chopping sounds inside the room abruptly ceased, and a slightly rough, yet hearty, female voice came from behind the bamboo curtain. "Alright."
When Qingying raised her head again, she happened to see a woman gently lift the bamboo curtain and walk out of the inner room, carrying a bamboo basket of freshly wrapped wontons in her hand.
He found the woman somewhat familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place where.
So he squinted slightly and craned his neck to try to see clearly.
As the woman drew closer, Qingying finally remembered where he had seen her before, and his eyes widened in surprise.
With a slightly excited and gossipy heart, Qingying hurriedly reached out and forcefully pushed Qing Tong, who was sitting next to her and concentrating on eating wontons.
He lowered his voice and called out urgently, "Bronze, bronze..."
Bronze, who was interrupted from eating, turned his head and glanced at him, asking in an annoyed tone, "What... look, you've spilled my soup."
"Look over there." Qingying ignored Qing Tong's dissatisfaction and kept pointing to the woman who was standing in front of the stove, gesturing for him to look over.
"Look, isn't that the girl Qingshan's cousin we met before? The one who gave you the purse?"
Upon hearing Qingying's words, not only Qing Tong, but also Xiao Han and Long Chuqing became curious and all looked towards the stove.
The girl was putting the remaining wontons on the stove, along with the ones she had just brought out, back into a basket.
She carefully arranged the wontons neatly, then turned around and walked into the inner room.
She had only taken two steps when she keenly sensed several gazes falling on her.
She looked up in confusion and found several people staring at her curiously.
So she stared at them, carefully examining them, and then her gaze fell on the bronze.
After confirming, a delighted smile appeared on his face, and he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him warmly. "Oh... isn't this Brother Bronze! Long time no see!"
As he watched the woman approaching with enthusiasm, Qing Tong recalled the scene of having lunch at Qing Shan's house.
After lunch, this Miss Lü handed me a blue silk purse embroidered with a few slightly crooked plum blossom patterns.
Having previously declined the girl's advances, their reunion was somewhat awkward.
He subconsciously touched his nose, trying to appear as natural as possible, then smiled politely and said, "Hello, Miss Lü!"
Qingying waved from the side, a faint smile on her face, and greeted, "Me too!"
"Yes...you must be Brother Qingying! Oh...what a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here, and I didn't expect you to still remember a little girl like me."
Qingying smiled slightly and said humorously, "Haha, cousin Qingshan! You have a distinctive look, so it's easy to recognize you even if we haven't seen each other for a long time."
"Hmph... what's so special about me! I'm just a rough guy." She looked closely at the bronze statue beside her: "But you two gentlemen, it's been a long time since I've seen you, you're still as handsome as ever."
Qingying chuckled and said, "You flatter me... Miss Lü is too kind."
Bronze gave him a disgruntled look, muttering to himself: "He really can be so carefree when it doesn't concern him."
Qingying then introduced Xiao Han and Long Chuqing to her, saying that they came from her father's blacksmith shop.
Around noon, she went to the blacksmith's shop to deliver lunch to her father and brother. Perhaps because she had just left, they didn't run into each other at the blacksmith's shop.
"I haven't seen my cousin in a long time. I wonder how he is doing now."
"Haha..." Qingying laughed heartily, "I'm doing great! I can still eat as much as ever."
The chatter of the group caught the attention of the shopkeeper, who stopped fiddling with the copper spoon he was working on and walked toward them.
With a smile on his face, he asked curiously, "Zhaoniang, do you perhaps know these distinguished guests?"
“Yes, that’s right.” Zhao Niang nodded slightly. “These are all my cousin’s friends.”
She gently pulled the boss's arm, a blush rising on her not-so-fair cheeks.
She said with a hint of shyness, "Let me introduce you. This is Dajun, and he is now my husband."
As soon as she finished speaking, she unconsciously bit her lip, a shy expression appearing on her face. She slowly lowered her eyes, her gaze filled with the tenderness of a newlywed wife.
"Um, hello everyone!" The boss, who was originally calm and composed and handled things with ease, now showed a shy smile.
He smiled, revealing a shy yet happy smile: "Hehe, well, Zhao Niang and I got married last month."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but look at Zhao Niang, his eyes brimming with undisguised joy.
"Congratulations, congratulations..." Qing Tong was the first to react upon hearing this, and he smiled as he offered his congratulations. "Congratulations on your marriage, may you grow old together in happiness."
Upon seeing this, Xiao Hanlong, Chu Qing, and Qing Ying also offered their congratulations: "Congratulations, congratulations, happy marriage!" In an instant, blessings resounded throughout the small shop.