Chef Hua
Chapter 46: Episode 38 Chicken Floss

Chapter 46: Episode 38 Chicken Floss

Pan Ping’an, the renowned son of Grandpa Pan, was always more than forty years old. When mentioning the generational hierarchy, Hua Erniang and Jing Taihe, upon meeting him, needed to address him as ’uncle.’ He usually conducted business in the Provincial City and seldom returned to Fire Knife Village, having very little contact with Jing Taihe. Thus, their sudden visit with Grandpa Pan somewhat startled Hua Erniang, who hastily exchanged greetings and invited them into the courtyard, quickly calling Jing Taihe out to meet them.

The sun was particularly bright that day, and as they all sat in the courtyard with tea in hand, Pan Ping’an cheerfully said to Jing Taihe and Hua Erniang, "I’m rarely at home but have heard from my parents how much you both look after everything. I thought I should personally come and express my thanks. I would have come two days earlier, but I heard you both fell ill with stomach problems on Chinese New Year’s Eve and were still recovering, so I didn’t want to disturb you."

Although the business Pan Ping’an conducted in the Provincial City wasn’t anything extraordinary, perhaps due to his long immersion in the commercial world, his eyes and brows hinted at shrewdness; he always greeted others with a smile, yet how much sincerity was in that smile remained uncertain. As Jing Taihe was not familiar with him, he somewhat awkwardly responded with a smile, "Uncle, you’re too polite. It’s us who should be grateful to Grandpa and Grandma. Ever since we moved here, we’ve received nothing but kindness from the elderly couple. I..."

Pan Ping’an waved his hands repeatedly, and Grandpa Pan also smiled and said, "No need to mention it again." Just then, two little heads peeked in through the courtyard door, looked around tentatively, and quickly withdrew.

"Who are those..." Hua Erniang glanced towards the door, Pan Ping’an followed her gaze and then chuckled.

"Haha, those are my two worthless little ones." He spoke dismissively, but his eyes brimmed with indulgent affection. He turned and beckoned towards the yard, softly saying, "What’s the point in hiding? Since you’re here, why not greet Jing Big Brother and Jing Big Sister-In-Law?"

The sudden rustling outside, like the children nudging each other, took a while before they finally came in hand in hand, their heads down and cheeks flushed, as they greeted Hua Erniang and her husband.

"These two are called Big Tiger and Second Tiger. Their mother spoils them too much. They’re mischievous at home, but shy in front of strangers. Forgive us!" Pan Ping’an tapped the foreheads of the two children, half-jokingly, then turned to Jing Taihe and Hua Erniang with an apologetic shake of his head.

Although Hua Erniang had a fierce temperament, she was still very polite with outsiders. She quickly pulled the children to her side, patted their heads, and said with pursed lips, "They are quite clever-looking! All children are like this, aren’t they? I was just like them at their age, always hiding from people!"

Then she took the hands of the two little boys and softly asked, "Would you like something to eat? We don’t keep many snacks at home, but there are a couple of fruits. How about I bring some out for you to try, would that be alright?"

The two boys looked at each other, with Big Tiger finally gathering the courage. He licked his lips and timidly said, "Sister-in-law... Grandpa said the Orange Cake and the snacks coated with Hazelnut Powder were made by your family. Do you still have any?"

Hua Erniang paused, then clapped her hands in regret. "You liked those, did you? My little sister specifically made them for your grandpa, and alas, we have none left."

The corners of the children’s mouths drooped, their disappointment clear.

As Hua Xiaomai did not recognize Pan Ping’an, she had not come out earlier and instead stayed in the west room, catching snippets of conversation from outside. Hearing that the two children still craved her preserves and pastries pleased her, and she decided to come out, exchanged greetings with Grandpa Pan and Pan Ping’an, then pulled Big Tiger and Second Tiger in front of her and cheerfully asked, "The Orange Cake and Crispy Yellow Turnip were indeed made by me. Did you two like them?"

Second Tiger hurriedly nodded, "We loved them! The Orange Cake was cool and sweet, and those crispy snacks were fragrant with every bite. Even the pastries from ’Baohua Zhai’ aren’t as tasty as yours!"

He shyly took Hua Xiaomai’s hand, "Sister, could you make them again for me and my brother?" he said, then glanced at Pan Ping’an, who only smiled silently, before lowering his eyes and softly adding, "Thank you, sister."

"Hmm... Normally it wouldn’t be a problem, but we are currently out of oranges and both beech nuts and hazelnuts!" Hua Xiaomai smiled and twinkled her eyes, then spun them around, "However, I can still make many other treats. How about I make something different for you to try, would that be alright?"

The two children, already utterly disappointed, suddenly heard these words, which sounded like music from heaven. They were so delighted that they nearly jumped, each grabbing an arm of Hua Xiaomai and nodding vigorously while repeatedly saying "Yes."

However, Hua Xiaomai didn’t rush to the kitchen. Instead, she led the children to Hua Ermother and whispered a few words to her.

"Do you really think I’m that stingy?" Hua Ermother glanced up at her, "Go ahead, it’s Chinese New Year’s Eve; what’s the big deal about making a couple of dishes for the kids?"

Hua Xiaomai smiled and stuck out her tongue, then grabbed Da Hu and Er Hu and ran into the kitchen.

The day before, the family had made a cold chicken dish and half of the chicken, which had been stewed until tender with rice wine, green onions, and various spices, was left. Hua Xiaomai carefully shredded the cooked chicken into fine strands, chopped it with a knife, and put it into a hot oil pan. She then added some soy sauce, salt, and sugar and slowly fried it over low heat. The originally pale chicken gradually turned golden and fluffy. Just before taking it out of the pan, she sprinkled a few pieces of fragrant mushrooms, diced winter bamboo shoots, and a few drops of sesame oil, and then it was ready to be served on a plate.

The fried chicken, against the backdrop of a white porcelain plate, looked even more dazzling, gleaming as if it were sunnier than the winter sun itself. At that moment, Da Hu and Er Hu couldn’t care less about manners and simultaneously reached into the plate to grab a handful and stuffed it into their mouths.

"Careful, it’s hot!" Hua Xiaomai was both amused and exasperated, unable to resist asking, "Is it tasty?"

"Mmm..." The children were too busy eating to speak, just nodding continuously. They hadn’t even swallowed what was in their mouths before grabbing another handful. Between chews, they managed to mumble, "So delicious, so delicious, so fragrant!"

Da Hu looked up at Hua Xiaomai, "Sister, it would be even tastier without the fragrant mushrooms and winter bamboo shoots!"

Children always dislike vegetables. Hua Xiaomai smiled gently, shaking her head, "That won’t do. Let me tell you; this shredded chicken is most fragrant just like this, nothing can be left out!"

"Alright then..." Da Hu didn’t argue, nodding eagerly before stuffing another big mouthful.

Hua Xiaomai quickly pushed him, "Go and let your grandpa and dad try some, too. How can you eat all by yourselves?"

True to her word, the kids ran out with the plate, straight to where Jing Taihe and Hua Ermother were idly chatting with Grandpa Pan and politely said, "Grandpa, dad, the shredded chicken Sister made is very fragrant. Please, have some too."

Pan Ping’an took a bit from Er Hu’s hand, tasted it carefully, and looking at Hua Xiaomai standing nearby, he smiled, "To create such flavor with just a bit of chicken, I’ve really opened my eyes today! Were the Orange Cake and Crispy Yellow Turnip you made the other day also yours? Indeed, appearances can be deceiving. For such a young girl, you are truly skilled! Like my sons said, even the top snack shops in Provincial City don’t have such good stuff to sell!"

After saying this, he looked at Jing Taihe and Hua Ermother, then spoke earnestly, "Little Sister Hua, as you might know, I do business in Provincial City... well, I haven’t made a name for myself, just barely making a living, but fortunately, I’ve met quite a few people and built a good network. If I say I want to take your candied fruits and various pastries to sell in Provincial City, would you be willing?"

********

*Cough cough*, asking for support and votes, just rambling~