Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s
Chapter 147: Fierce hand destroys the pure flowers

Chapter 147: Fierce hand destroys the pure flowers

In order not to miss the timing, Tian Tian got up very early. She had to keep an eye on Tian Sangsang at all times to learn the secret formula for the skewers. To her, the skewers themselves were not difficult—they were just strung together with bamboo sticks, one by one, and the ingredients were quite easy to find. The challenge lay in the exceptionally fragrant recipe, which must have taken a lot of effort and undoubtedly involved a secret method.

When it comes to running a business, isn’t the secret formula what matters most?

Tian Sangsang could never sit and eat at the same table with Tian Tian, so Tian Tian brought her own bowls and chopsticks, as well as her daily ingredients. She had to prepare everything herself.

In short, food and accommodation are not provided here. One could say she is the stingiest boss in history.

Being friendly to Tian Tian? Impossible. Knowing someone has ulterior motives yet choosing to curry favor? What kind of fool would do that?

Tian Tian wore a white blouse with a matching white skirt, her hair flowing gracefully over her shoulders and down her back. She descended the stairs elegantly, her bright, doe-like eyes suddenly darting open.

Tian Sangsang heard the commotion and frowned: "You’re up? Have you eaten breakfast yet?" This is a workplace, not a school—what’s the point of dressing up like this? How can you work dressed like that? How can you be an assistant? Tian Sangsang was very displeased. Clearly, her cousin needed a reality check.

She was about to transform into the innkeeper from *Return of the Pearl Princess*, the one who mistreated Little Swallow. She couldn’t help feeling a mischievous itch in her hands, unable to stop herself.

Breaking the pristine flower... Just imagining it was exhilarating. Finally, she could understand why Chen Ming was smitten with Tian Tian while ignoring a beauty like Yao Fangfang. Ah, the allure of the pure lotus, practically begging to be trampled!

"I-I’ve eaten," Tian Tian stammered as she walked hesitantly towards her, shocked by what she held in her hands.

"Since you’ve eaten, you can start working now. On your first day, I won’t go easy on you. I’m going to be harsh."

Tian Tian clenched her teeth in frustration, her big eyes glaring at her.

"Don’t misunderstand—I mean that since we’re relatives on the surface, I’ll take special care of you," Tian Sangsang smirked wickedly. "I’ll give you some light tasks to help you adapt to the pace. See those things over there? That stove—replace the coal at the very top. Those ribs, pig stomachs, mushrooms, meatballs, and water spinach—you need to wash them clean, then chop them up one at a time and skewer them properly. I’ve already prepared the soup base; everything is ready except the ingredients from your side. Once that’s done, after we open for business, whatever the customers want, I’ll cook and you’ll serve the dishes. Once the customers are done eating, wipe down the tables and wash the dishes. At the end of the day, clean up the shop, sweep the floor, and dispose of the trash. Those are the general tasks, and I’ll notify you about anything specific as we go."

Tian Tian nodded dazedly, her mind preoccupied by something else. She didn’t catch most of what was said and instead asked, "When did you prepare the soup base?"

"Oh, while you were still sleeping." Tian Sangsang blinked playfully. "Lesson one in the art of soup base: always wake up earlier than the chickens. The longer the soup base simmers, the richer the flavor will be."

Tian Tian held her breath.

"I’m going to have breakfast now. The rest is up to you." Tian Sangsang stretched leisurely, giving her orders in a carefree tone: "Oh, and make sure to work quickly. You have to prepare everything before we open at eight, or it’ll affect business."

Tian Tian stared at her retreating figure resentfully. Waking up early, huh? Well, tomorrow she would get up even earlier. But it was barely six o’clock now. When exactly did Tian Sangsang wake up? Dawn? How early is "earlier than the chickens," anyway?

She walked to the back and was almost fainting at the sight of what looked like a small mountain of tasks waiting for her.

This much?!!!

Resigned, she fetched some water and placed the ribs into it. The ribs were greasy, and looking at her own pale, slender fingers, she didn’t want to put her hands into the oily water at all. Raising her head to glare at Tian Sangsang, she was startled and instinctively retreated multiple steps.

Standing right in front of her—was Tian Sangsang! When did she come back? Wasn’t she supposed to be having breakfast?

Tian Sangsang casually held a bowl in her hands, filled with fragrant and dazzling rose porridge. She sipped from the bowl indifferently, embodying the demeanor of a boss lady: "Don’t mind me, carry on."

Now there was no possible way for Tian Tian to slack off. Back at home, she had never needed to do such dirty and greasy tasks! Tian Sangsang was clearly doing this on purpose, bullying her!

She closed her eyes and plunged her hand straight into the water. The water splashed, staining her pristine skirt with droplets, though she didn’t notice. Her face carried an expression like she was facing execution, as if her hand were sinking into a toilet rather than water.

Tian Tian grabbed the ribs and placed them into a nearby basin.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Tian Sangsang put down her chopsticks, her tone sharp. When she was in a foul mood, anything could come out of her mouth.

"Well, after washing them, I put them in the basin," Tian Tian said innocently, a subtle glimmer of hidden mischief in her eyes.

"Unless I’m mistaken, you just dumped the ribs into the water, then fished them out. Where’s the actual washing? Why don’t you say you’re just throwing ribs in and pulling ribs out? What happened to the washing step?" Tian Sangsang looked disgusted. Is this how ribs are washed? Can they even be edible cooked this way?

"Cousin," Tian Tian’s eyes suddenly welled up, her expression on the verge of tears. "This is my first day washing ribs. I don’t quite understand yet. Why don’t you show me how it’s done? I’ll learn quickly, I promise."

"Fine," Tian Sangsang nodded.

A flash of triumph crossed Tian Tian’s eyes as she stepped aside expectantly.

"First, stretch your pale, delicate hands into the water..."

Tian Tian stared at her in shock.

"Why are you looking at me?" Tian Sangsang stared back, equally innocent. "Didn’t you ask me to teach you? I’m teaching you now. Quickly, put your hands in... Yes, just like that. After that, pick up a rib—not fish it out, but pick it up. You can’t grab multiple ribs at once—take just one at a time. With the rib in hand, gently scrub it, carefully cleaning off residual blood foam, debris, dark spots, and other impurities. Do this for each rib, one by one. Once finished, place them aside. That’s just the first round. Then, wash the ribs a second time, repeating this process four or five times until the ribs are reasonably clean."

"Reasonably clean?" Tian Tian raised her voice slightly, nearly exploding inside.

"Yep, reasonably clean. For food on the table, it’s days of effort behind the scenes. The saying goes: ’Sickness enters through the mouth,’ so you can never be too cautious. For the final step, blanch the ribs in boiling water. We’re in the food business, and food safety and hygiene come first, understand?" Tian Sangsang shifted from her casual tone to a more stern demeanor. "If I ever see you slacking like this again—washing ribs only once—I won’t hesitate to kick you out of the store."