Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 137: What’s wrong with the cured fish and dried fish? They are not ready to eat yet.

The faint light of morning light shines through the thin mist and falls on the eaves of Zuixian Tower in Chang'an City.

The backyard of Zuixianlou is filled with a faint scent of fireworks.

Xiaoyu got up early. The fire in the wood stove was already burning brightly, and the water in the pot was bubbling.

She skillfully put the white dumplings into the pot one by one, her eyes focused.

Yuyu rubbed her sleepy eyes and walked into the kitchen yawning like a lazy kitten: "Mom, it smells so good."

She leaned over to the pot and looked at the dumplings rolling in the water, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Xiaoyu smiled and patted Yuyu's head. "Go wash up quickly. You can eat soon."

Li Hao was busy in the yard, checking the cured fish and dried fish hanging on the racks for drying.

The morning dew was still hanging on the fish, and in the sunlight, it looked like crystal pearls.

He pinched the dried fish with his hands, feeling how dry they were. He frowned slightly and said to himself, "The sun has been shining brightly these past few days, and the dried fish are drying very well. They should be ready to eat soon."

At this time, in front of Zuixian Tower, Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao were guarding the door as usual.

Cheng Chumo held a spear in his hand, his posture straight, his eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Qin Huaidao leaned against the door frame and yawned: "Chu Mo, it's so early in the morning, what's going on? I haven't even had breakfast yet."

Cheng Chumo rolled his eyes at him and said, "It's better to be safe than sorry. There are so many diners at Zuixianlou, so you have to be careful."

Inside Zuixianlou, Ah Fu was already busy in the kitchen. He was cutting vegetables skillfully, and the knife made a rhythmic sound on the chopping board.

Acai took a rag and carefully wiped the tables and chairs, not leaving out any corner.

Chef Mi was busy in front of the wood stove, preparing the ingredients for today.

After washing up, Yu Yu skipped to the dining table. Xiao Yu had already put the cooked dumplings in a bowl.

Yuyu couldn't wait to scoop one up. It was so hot that she turned it over and over in her mouth, but she couldn't bear to spit it out. She mumbled, "Mom, this dumpling is so sweet."

Xiaoyu smiled and said, "Eat slowly, don't burn yourself."

Li Hao also walked in, sat down and ate the glutinous rice balls with big mouthfuls: "Mom, the filling of these glutinous rice balls is really well prepared."

Xiaoyu looked smug: "That's right, don't you see who did it?"

After eating the dumplings, there was still a little sesame filling on the corner of Yu Yu's mouth. She excitedly pulled Xiao Yu's hand and ran to the yard.

Yu Yu was wearing a light yellow skirt, the hem of which danced like a cheerful butterfly as she ran, and the ribbon tied around her waist swayed gently in the wind.

Xiaoyu was wearing a plain dress embroidered with elegant patterns. Her hair was simply tied up, revealing a gentle temperament.

"Mom, look at these cured fish and dried fish, they look so delicious!" Yuyu stared at the cured fish on the shelf with shining eyes.

Xiaoyu smiled and nodded, looking at the cured fish with gentle eyes: "Yes, these are all carefully prepared by us. We can keep these cured fish and dried fish for ourselves, they are delicious."

She reached out and gently stroked a salted fish, her movements gentle, as if she was caressing a beloved object.

Yu Yu came closer and looked at the cured fish carefully. The skin of the cured fish was slightly oily due to being exposed to the sun, and the body of the fish was firm.

"Mom, look at this salted fish. I feel like its meat must be very chewy."

As Yu Yu spoke, her eyes were full of anticipation, as if she had already tasted the flavor of the cured fish, and she swallowed unconsciously.

The light yellow skirt she wore swayed gently in the breeze, creating a warm picture with the fragrance of wax filling the yard.

Xiaoyu gently pinched Yuyu's nose and said, "Little greedy cat, I'll make some for you later. We can steam the cured fish. Wash and cut it into pieces, add onions, ginger, and garlic, and drizzle some sesame oil on it. Then steam it in a pot. The fragrance will fill the whole yard."

Xiaoyu gestured as she spoke, and her hands seemed to be preparing this delicacy.

Yuyu listened and jumped up happily, "Okay, okay, Mom, I want to eat fried dried fish too. Fried until golden brown and crunchy."

There was a twinkle in her eyes, and she looked so adorable.

She held Xiaoyu's hand and kept shaking it, saying coquettishly, "Mom, do it now."

Xiaoyu smiled helplessly, "You are always so impatient, kid. Let's pick out a few good ones first, and then mom will cook."

As they spoke, Xiaoyu and Yuyu began to select cured and dried fish. Xiaoyu picked up a cured fish and examined it carefully: "This cured fish has been dried just right, the meat should be very tender."

Yu Yu was selecting cured fish from the shelf, her eyes full of anticipation. Her fingers gently touched the fish, trying to find the ones that were most suitable for consumption.

Just then, Li Hao strode over. He was wearing a neat green shirt and had a sturdy figure.

"Mom, Yu Yu, it's not time to prepare these cured fish yet." Li Hao said with a frown, his eyes scanning the cured fish with a serious and solemn expression.

Yuyu pouted, looking reluctant: "Brother, why? They look so good. I can already imagine how delicious they will taste."

The cured fish exudes a faint cured aroma.

Xiaoyu stopped what she was doing and looked at Li Hao, "Hao'er, why do you say that? Look at this dried fish, it's almost done, and the cured fish has reached the desired quality."

There was a hint of doubt in Xiaoyu's tone. She reached out and gently touched the cured fish in her hand, and the texture of the cured fish passed through her fingertips.

Li Hao approached, picked up a cured fish, pointed at the fish and said, "Mom, look, although this cured fish looks good on the surface, if you look closely, the belly is not firm enough and tastes fishy. Also, the fat in this cured fish hasn't fully penetrated, and the fragrance hasn't been fully released."

As he spoke, he turned the cured fish over to show Xiaoyu, his eyes focused and confident.

He walked over to the dried fish, picked up a piece, and held it up to the sun. "This dried fish is the same. It's not dried enough. If you eat it now, it won't be crispy. Instead, it will be a bit soft, and it will lose its flavor."

"We have to wait a little longer until the cured fish has a more mellow flavor and is dried more thoroughly. Only then will it taste truly delicious."

Li Hao's voice was steady and powerful, and his explanation made Xiaoyu fall into deep thought.

Xiaoyu nodded: "That's right."

Although Yuyu felt a little disappointed, she understood what her brother said: "Okay, brother, let's wait a little longer. But when we get there, I want to eat a lot."

She reluctantly put the cured fish in her arms back on the shelf, her eyes still fixed on them, as if she was making an appointment with them for the next time to taste them.

Li Hao smiled and said, "Don't worry, when the time comes, I'll let you eat as much as you want."