Setting Up Stalls – Chapter 159
by Little PandaA Comparison
Sun Miao finally returned home before eleven o’clock. Su Ruixi had not left yet and was waiting for her at the house. Sun Miao helped take the zongzi, the mini wontons she had wrapped herself, and the packaged chicken soup out of the refrigerator. She placed them one by one into a foam box and tucked in a few ice packs.
“Susu-jie, these are all quite simple to prepare; your family’s auntie should know what to do. But they need to be put in the fridge promptly, so don’t you forget. This stuff is pretty heavy. I’ll help you move it to the trunk, and later, have your family help you move it out.”
At the mention of this, Su Ruixi became a little annoyed.
They were both girls, and around the same age. Why was she all sore and weak, while Sun Miao was full of vigor? Su Ruixi nodded and just grunted, “En.”
Sun Miao knew Su Ruixi was sulking1. After she finished moving the box, she even comforted Su Ruixi. She took Su Ruixi’s hand, brought it to her lips, and kissed her fingers. “Susu-jie, come back early tonight. I’ll miss you.”
As she spoke, she lowered her head and looked up at Su Ruixi. That look was really like what people on the internet often call “doggy eyes2.”
Seeing such an expression, no matter how angry Su Ruixi was, her anger dissipated. But while she was no longer angry, she still had to be difficult. She “hmphed” and said, “I’ll try my best.” From those three words, Sun Miao knew that no matter what, Su Ruixi would definitely come back tonight.
“Susu-jie, do you want me to go with you?”
“No.” Su Ruixi refused bluntly. But then she thought of what she had read online: “Couples must talk things out; a small misunderstanding can easily create a rift between two people.” She pursed her lips and explained in a small voice, “If you go back with me now, my parents will definitely give you a hard time. Let’s wait a while, until I’ve gotten them both sorted out, then I’ll take you back.”
Sun Miao smiled. “Okay.”
The two of them hadn’t been lovey-dovey for long when Mother Su’s life-or-death chain of calls3 came again. Su Ruixi answered, said “en” several times, and then said, “I’m already on my way,” before hanging up. She said to Sun Miao, “I’m leaving now.”
“Okay, Susu-jie. Be careful on the road.”
After saying goodbye, Su Ruixi got in the car, rolled down the window to wave at Sun Miao, and then opened the garage door and drove out.
After Sun Miao watched her leave, she entered the house through the side door. Sun Miao said plainly to the System, “Today’s task wasn’t completed. Come on, I’m ready for my punishment.” But to Sun Miao’s surprise, the System actually chose to let her off: 【Never mind. The host can just sell three more tomorrow.】
Sun Miao blinked her eyes. It’s that easy to talk to?
In reality, she had never really been punished much. Only back when she first transmigrated and was selling egg fried rice, did she fail to complete a task and get punished by having to wash dishes. Hearing about this punishment did sound a bit terrifying—washing dishes for three days and nights without rest. But in reality, compared to the rewards, this punishment was simply not worth mentioning.
Besides, Sun Miao had read so many novels where the systems would mete out punishments like “obliteration” or “electric shocks” at the drop of a hat. Hers, which was just washing dishes, simply couldn’t compare to those. And even with the dishwashing, Sun Miao could still slack off.
She would chat with the System while washing dishes, her dishwashing speed incredibly slow, and the System never said anything about it.
Sun Miao unhesitatingly gave the System a good person card4. “System, thank you so much. You’re truly a good person~”
At noon, Sun Miao just ate something simple to take care of lunch.
Su Ruixi arrived at the old family home5 at 12:45. The traffic on the road today was really quite congested; you really couldn’t blame her. After she arrived, she didn’t try to be strong on her own but instead called her dad over to help her move the things.
The first thing Father Su blurted out upon seeing the box was, “What’s in here?”
“It’s zongzi and wontons.”
Hearing that it wasn’t lion’s head meatballs with crab roe, Father Su was visibly relieved. With his business being so big, he was certainly no fool. One moment his daughter was asking for his help, and the next, when he went to Yuanfu Lou, he saw a young girl selling lion’s head meatballs crab roe at a stall by the entrance. After returning, Father Su had become a bit suspicious about whether that person was his daughter’s partner.
But then he thought, his daughter’s partner was someone who made shaobing (beef pancakes)6. No matter how delicious they were, she was still a shaobing maker. How could she possibly switch careers and sell lion’s head meatballs crab roe at the entrance of Yuanfu Lou? As just a shaobing maker, would she even know how to make lion’s head meatballs crab roe?
Now, hearing that there were no lion’s head meatballs crab roe inside at all, and it was still just some small snacks, Father Su was clearly relieved.
At the time, he had even nodded to that little lass, his expression gentle and refined. If that little girl had been his daughter’s partner, and he later had to be stern and lecture her, wouldn’t that be too much of a disconnect7!
He helped Su Ruixi carry it directly into the kitchen. When Mother Su heard that the zongzi were from her daughter’s partner, her expression also became a bit awkward. But after hesitating for a moment, she still steamed a few. She placed Sun Miao’s zongzi, together with the zongzi Father Su had bought.
She refused to believe it. How could the zongzi Father Su had spent a great deal of money on, made by a state banquet chef, possibly be inferior to those from a little girl!
It was already past 1:00 when the family of three sat down at the dining table, ready to eat. Father Su certainly wasn’t going to give Sun Miao any face, so he first ate the zongzi he had bought himself. The difference between the zongzi he bought and the ones Sun Miao made was obvious at a glance.
Those zongzi were particularly small and exquisite, looking very cute stacked together. They were even tied with a strip of Malu8, also a strip torn from a palm leaf, making them look delicate, delicious, and with a kind of rustic feel. Compared to the emerald-green zongzi next to them…
Huh, how come in terms of appearance9, they seemed inferior to the zongzi next to them?
Sun Miao’s zongzi were a verdant green, each as large as a palm, one of them the size of several of the small zongzi. Moreover, they were perfectly formed, without any ties to hold them together. Because they had just been taken out of the steamer, water vapor condensed on them, forming little droplets that slid down the outer leaves.
They looked just like lotus leaves beaded with water, a sight that was pleasing to the heart.
“…”
Father Su fell silent. But he didn’t admit defeat. Instead, he commented with sharp sarcasm, “This zongzi leaf your little partner made, don’t tell me she added some kind of food coloring. For it to be this green, there must be something wrong with it.”
Su Ruixi was calm and composed, completely unshaken by Father Su’s caustic remarks. She could be so calm entirely because what Father Su said was utter nonsense, and she also knew clearly that her father’s temperament was somewhat similar to her own. He had long dared to be angry but not to speak out10 about Mother Su’s usual cooking, and he was completely unable to resist or argue when faced with delicious food.
The more enthusiastically he nitpicked11 now, the faster his mouth would be chewing when the time came.
At first, Father Su did not choose the zongzi Sun Miao had made, but picked one he had bought himself.
He had bought a gift box set. There were only ten in a box, and the gift box was priced at 1888, and it also had to be pre-ordered to be purchased. The zongzi inside had different flavors—ten zongzi, ten flavors—and used exquisite ingredients. There were black truffle, black gold abalone, chilled durian…
Mother Su was even chiming in from the side, introducing them to Father Su. Who would have thought that Su Ruixi, upon hearing this, would say instead, “This sounds like it’s all just some trendy internet ingredients. Dad, don’t you get fooled by someone who hangs a sheep’s head but sells dog meat12.”
“How is that possible? This is a master chef’s creation, it’s guaranteed!”
Indignantly, he picked one up and started eating. This one was the black gold abalone flavor. Just one bite, and Father Su knew he definitely hadn’t bought the wrong thing. The outer layer of glutinous rice had been soaked in a rich broth. With one bite, he could feel how Q-springy13 the broth-soaked rice was and could even taste the sensation of the broth bursting in his mouth.
Because the zongzi was very small, he quickly got to the black gold abalone inside. The abalone had locked in the rich broth while also maintaining its own springy, resilient texture.
As expected of a master chef; even his innovative dishes were this delicious.
But Su Ruixi, beside him, was completely unmoved. She didn’t even glance at the super-expensive zongzi her father had bought. Instead, she reached out, took one made by Sun Miao, and right in front of her parents, began to eat.
With a gentle movement, the outer layer of verdant Ruozhu leaf unfurled, like a lotus bud blooming after the rain, revealing the body of the zongzi inside. At the same time, the clear fragrance of glutinous rice wafted directly to Father and Mother Su, who were sitting opposite her.
It was the aroma of glutinous rice, carrying a hint of the Ruozhu leaf’s clear fragrance, as well as a savory note. But the most impactful element was the scent of the glutinous rice itself.
This was completely different from the master chef’s zongzi from before.
When eating the master’s zongzi, the first thing Father Su smelled was the fragrance of the rich broth. The aroma of fish maw and chicken soup was particularly distinct. At first, he didn’t think there was any problem, but as the aroma of glutinous rice from Su Ruixi’s zongzi was revealed, Father Su discovered the issue.
His zongzi was good in every way, and the taste was definitely not bad, but there was little of the glutinous rice’s fragrance left. The master chef had played with fancy tricks on the glutinous rice, but the original character of the rice itself had faded. In that case, what he was eating… was it still a zongzi?
Father Su was silent for a moment, watching Su Ruixi eat the zongzi. His own daughter—how could he not know her? Su Ruixi was absolutely the pickiest eater among all the people he had ever met. Yet, as she ate this plain and unremarkable zongzi, her face was a picture of pure satisfaction.
Father Su’s heart stirred, and a question bubbled up from the bottom of his heart: Is it really that delicious?
He hesitated for a long time. Finally, while his wife and child weren’t looking, he reached out and took one. He undid the outer layer of leaves as easily as Su Ruixi had just done. He held the leaf and the zongzi in the middle as if he were holding a rare treasure.
When the zongzi was in front of him, the intensity of the fragrance he smelled was different from when it was in front of Su Ruixi. He took a deep breath, and the subtle, elegant fragrance of the glutinous rice wafted insistently into his nostrils.
Father Su couldn’t resist. He opened his mouth and took a bite of the glutinous rice. This taste was completely different from the small, one-bite zongzi he had eaten before. It was purely the taste of glutinous rice. The rice instantly burst with flavor in his mouth; its soft, sticky, and clear sweetness was exceptionally distinct. Taking another bite, he reached the distinctly layered and uniquely textured piece of meat.
Sun Miao’s zongzi didn’t show off techniques like the master chef’s. There was no rich broth, no expensive ingredients—just ordinary glutinous rice and ordinary pork. But Sun Miao’s zongzi had taken the theme of “zongzi” itself and developed it to its ultimate potential.
It was as if zongzi were originally meant to taste like this, and should never take any other form.
With three downs and five divided by two14, Father Su finished the entire zongzi. But when he looked up, he was met with a derisive laugh15 from Su Ruixi.
Footnotes
- 犯别扭 | fàn bièniu | A colloquial phrase. 犯 (fàn) means to commit or to have a relapse of. 别扭 (bièniu) means awkward, difficult, or contrary. Together, it means to be deliberately difficult, contrary, sulky, or to get into a huff.
- 狗狗眼 | gǒugou yǎn | Literally “doggy eyes.” A modern internet slang term used to describe a cute, innocent, and pleading look, similar to that of a puppy, often used to win sympathy or affection.
- 夺命连环call | duómìng liánhuán call | A vivid and hyperbolic modern slang phrase. 夺命 (duómìng) means “life-snatching” or “fatal.” 连环 (liánhuán) means “linked-chain” or “continuous.” “Call” is the English word. The phrase describes a relentless series of phone calls, as if one’s life depends on answering them.
- 好人卡 | hǎorén kǎ | Literally “good person card.” A popular internet slang term originating from a scenario where someone confesses their romantic feelings, only to be rejected with a phrase like, “You’re a really good person, but…” It has since become a meme representing a gentle but firm rejection, effectively placing the admirer in the “friend zone.”
- 老宅 | lǎozhái | Literally “old residence.” This term refers to an old family home, often the ancestral house or a residence that has been in the family for generations. It carries connotations of family history, tradition, and roots.
- 烧饼 | shāobǐng | A type of baked, unleavened or leavened flatbread in Chinese cuisine. It can be made with various fillings or left plain, and is often coated with sesame seeds. The texture can range from chewy to crispy depending on the style.
- 割裂 | gēliè | Literally “to cut apart” or “to sever.” In modern usage, it often metaphorically describes a sense of disconnect, dissonance, or internal conflict between one’s actions, words, or identity. It can imply a feeling of being fragmented or “out of character.”
- 马笠 | mǎ lì | The text identifies this as a strip torn from a palm leaf (棕榈叶 | zōnglǘyè). While “马笠” is not a standard term for this, it may be a regional or specific name for the type of leaf or the tying strip itself.
- 卖相 | màixiàng | A colloquial term that literally means “selling appearance.” It refers to the visual appeal or presentation of a product, especially food. Good 卖相 means the food looks appetizing and attractive.
- 敢怒不敢言 | gǎn nù bù gǎn yán | A Chinese idiom (chengyu). Literally: “to dare to be angry but not dare to speak.” It describes a situation where someone is inwardly furious but is too intimidated or powerless to express their anger verbally.
- 挑刺 | tiāo cì | A colloquial phrase that literally means “to pick out thorns.” It is used metaphorically to mean finding fault, nitpicking, or being deliberately critical about minor details.
- 挂羊头卖狗肉 | guà yáng tóu mài gǒu ròu | A Chinese idiom (chengyu). Literally: “to hang a sheep’s head but sell dog meat.” It means to engage in false advertising, offering something of good quality publicly while selling something inferior. It describes fraudulent or deceptive practices where the appearance is much better than the reality.
- Q弹 | Q tán | A food texture descriptor, originating from Taiwanese Mandarin, that has become widely used. The letter “Q” is used to represent a texture that is springy, chewy, bouncy, and resilient, similar to the Italian “al dente” but for a broader range of foods. It is a highly desirable texture in many Asian cuisines, especially for things like noodles, tapioca pearls, and fish balls.
- 三下五除二 | sān xià wǔ chú èr | An idiom that literally translates to “three downs and five divided by two.” It originates from an abacus calculation term meaning to perform a simple division quickly. Metaphorically, it means to do something quickly, efficiently, and decisively; to make short work of a task.
- 嗤笑 | chīxiào | To laugh at scornfully; to sneer or scoff. It’s a laugh that contains contempt, mockery, or derision.
Lol, he’s smitten with Sun Miao’s cooking.