MMB Chapter 49 Educated Youth from Other Provinces Can't Handle the Spicy Food of Sichuan and Chong
Chapter 49 Educated Youth from Other Provinces Can't Handle the Spicy Food of Sichuan and Chong
Xu Liang had been busy for most of the day, and his midday rush was already mostly over.
The previously bustling restaurant gradually quieted down.
Only a few tables of diners remained, slowly eating their rice and chatting about trivial matters at the factory.
At this moment, Xu Liang leaned against the stove in the kitchen and let out a long sigh of relief.
He lifted and took down the towel that was hanging behind the kitchen door and draped next to another apron.
Xu Liang wiped the sweat from his forehead and neck with a towel.
His shirt was completely soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to his body, causing him considerable discomfort.
Even so, Xu Liangshang did not seem tired; on the contrary, he could not hide his smile.
This newly launched spicy boiled pork slices dish has become incredibly popular.
From the initial attempt by regular customer Master Du, to the subsequent rave reviews from the young workers at the machinery factory, and then to the arrival of neighbors and passersby drawn by the aroma, the small shop was packed to capacity in just one or two hours.
Bowls of boiled pork slices, glistening with bright red oil and savory with spicy aroma, are served on the table.
Almost no one in the small restaurant said the food was bad.
Even the discerning old worker praised his sliced meat for being tender and having an authentic spicy flavor.
Aunt Hua, who usually prefers light flavors, said the spiciness was just right.
Even people who don't like strong flavors can accept it, which shows just how delicious it must be.
Everyone praised him, which made Xu Liang feel incredibly reassured, more than anything else.
He originally planned to test the market for the first three days without expecting to make a profit.
They only wanted to build a good reputation, and now it seems they made the right move.
The simplest flavors are indeed the most touching.
Xu Liang looked down at the food bowl next to the cutting board, which was already more than half empty; the pork tenderloin had been cut down to almost nothing.
Shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, and enoki mushrooms were also consumed very quickly, and even the Sichuan peppercorns from Hanyuan and the Erjingtiao chili peppers were reduced by more than half.
He cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks on the stove, washed the used enamel basins and iron pots, and wiped them all shiny.
After finishing all this, Xu Liang picked up the broom again.
Clean up the scattered vegetable leaves and rice grains on the ground.
Xiao Liangzi Restaurant isn't big, but it's easy to clean up.
In an instant, the messy shop was restored to its original state, becoming very clean and tidy.
Xu Liang straightened up, just about to pour himself a glass of cold tea to catch his breath.
Just then, he heard the outermost glass door of the small restaurant being gently pushed open.
A soft creaking sound.
Xu Liang subconsciously looked up and saw a strange young girl standing at the door.
Xu Liang guessed.
She should only be in her early twenties.
She was wearing a light blue polyester shirt and dark trousers, with her long hair simply tied back, revealing her forehead and eyebrows.
The girl wasn't particularly pretty, but she wasn't ugly either; she just had an average appearance.
She was not only slim, but also had fair and delicate skin, and looked quite refined overall.
However, this was completely different from the town's workers who did manual labor all year round and had slightly dark skin, as well as the neighbors.
Xu Liang didn't need to guess anymore; he could tell at a glance that the person was an outsider.
The girl stood at the door, seemingly a little reserved.
First, he looked around the inside of the small shop, his gaze landing on the price list posted on the wall.
He glanced lightly at the clean dining table, his eyes filled with unfamiliarity.
Upon seeing this, Xu Liang quickly put down his teacup and went to greet him with a smile.
"Hello, please come in, make yourself at home!"
The girl was slightly taken aback by Xu Liang's greeting.
She nodded slightly and stepped inside.
Choose an empty table in the corner and sit down.
She sat upright, her hands gently resting on her knees, every movement exuding an air of elegance.
They don't seem like ordinary people from a small town.
Xu Liang picked up a clean porcelain teacup from the table, walked over quickly, and poured her a cup of warm tea.
He placed it in front of the girl and said, "Comrade, have some water and rest for a bit."
"What would you like to eat? We have Mapo Tofu, Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce, and Twice-Cooked Pork. Today we've just launched a new dish, Spicy Boiled Sliced Pork, which is selling really well. Would you like to try it?"
The girl raised her head, looked at Xu Liang, and spoke softly.
Speaking Mandarin with a distinct accent from that of Sichuan and Chongqing.
Her voice was soft and gentle.
"Boss, hello. I was just passing by and came in because I saw the archway."
"I...I'm an educated youth who came here from another province to work in the countryside. I help with some clerical work in the town's government office, and I'm not very familiar with the local food."
Upon hearing this, Xu Liang immediately understood.
No wonder he seemed so aloof; he was an educated youth from another province who worked in the town's government office. No wonder he was so refined and polite.
Over the years, many educated youth have come to the town, most of whom came from Chengdu.
On the other hand, it comes from large cities outside of Chengdu.
At first, everyone was the same; none of us were quite used to the food and lifestyle here.
Xu Liang had seen many people like this before, so he was no longer surprised.
He simply smiled politely and nodded, then spoke in Mandarin with a Sichuan-Chongqing accent.
Xu Liang was worried that the young woman, who had come all this way, wouldn't understand his Sichuan-Chongqing accent.
Not only that, he also deliberately slowed down his speech.
"So you're a former educated youth. No wonder you look unfamiliar."
"By the way, where is your hometown?"
"Oh, my hometown is Changchun?"
"Changchun? The region in the three northeastern provinces of China."
The girl smiled and said, "That's right!"
Xu Liang only asked for this information; he didn't mention anything else about her.
"Our little restaurant serves only home-style Sichuan cuisine. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable, so you can order with confidence."
The girl took a sip of tea and looked at the price list on the wall again, her gaze lingering for a moment on the line "Spicy Boiled Sliced Pork 4 yuan".
She smelled the aroma of fireworks coming from across the street when she was walking across the street.
The aroma was so enticing that it made you want to stop and linger; it was unique and irresistible.
Out of curiosity, she pushed the door open and came in.
However, she grew up in the north and usually eats a light diet. She rarely eats spicy food, let alone anything with a hint of spice.
Moreover, she is not from North China, but from Northeast China, a native Northeastern girl.
Having only been in Sichuan and Chongqing for a short time, the girl already found the spicy smell wafting from the restaurants on the street a bit pungent, let alone actually eating it.
Before, when the girl ate at the company cafeteria, she always had to specifically tell the chef to put less chili in.
Even so, the spiciness of those dishes still made her sweat from her nose, feel uncomfortable in her throat, and find them difficult to get used to.
At this moment, I see the words "spicy" prominently displayed on the price list.
The girl couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive.
She hesitated for a moment, then asked softly.
"Boss, is this boiled pork slices you mentioned... very spicy?"
Xu Liang understood immediately and explained with a smile.
"Don't worry, the spiciness of my boiled pork slices is already seasoned. You can also choose mild spiciness, which should be to your liking."
The girl was still somewhat hesitant, but nodded firmly.
"Yes, I can't eat spicy food. I can't handle any spice at all. It makes my stomach uncomfortable and gives me a sore throat."
"I feel like even the mildest spicy version here in Chengdu is spicy."
"Um, do you... do you have any non-spicy dishes?"
In the end, she became embarrassed.
I felt a little out of place ordering a non-spicy dish in a Sichuan restaurant.
Xu Liang didn't feel impatient at all; on the contrary, he understood the girl very well.
It's common for people from other places to not be used to spicy food when they first come to Sichuan and Chongqing; he had encountered many such customers in his previous life.
Xu Liang quickly replied, "Yes, yes, of course we have it!"
"Our shop not only has spicy dishes, but also mild ones. It's just that our workers usually prefer strong flavors, so they don't order them often."
"We have a vegetable and meatball soup, would you like to try it?"
"It's not easy for people from out of town to come all this way to eat Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine. How about this, it's on me today!"
Upon hearing this, the girl's eyes widened in surprise.