Nuomi usually ate the same meals as her young mistress, and she had eaten plenty of steamed buns, most of which came from Zhang’s Steamed Bun Shop.
Now, after one bite, she was shocked to discover that the taste of this inconspicuous cabbage and meat bun before her was actually better than Zhang’s, instantly outshining the century-old brand.
She did not know how this filling was seasoned; it managed to preserve both the sweetness of the cabbage and the savory deliciousness of the pork. It tasted plump, juicy, fresh, and fragrant without being greasy.
The more she ate, the more flavorful it became; she found she couldn’t stop.
Nuomi couldn’t help but feel a moment of bewilderment. “Is… is this cabbage and pork filling?”
Iris took a look and confirmed it. “It is cabbage and pork.”
“But…”
Noticing her strange expression, Iris worriedly asked, “Miss, is there a problem with the buns? Or is the taste not to your liking?”
Today was the first day of business, and she didn’t want anything to go wrong.
Nuomi’s expression was grave. “There is.”
Iris’s heart suddenly jumped into her throat, pounding wildly.
Nuomi said, “This bun… is just too delicious!!!!”
She couldn’t believe it. “This cabbage and pork of yours is nothing like cabbage and pork! How can cabbage and pork filling be this delicious?”
Iris’s heart dropped back down.
How could this girl say only half of what she meant? She had scared her to death.
She immediately decided not to stay there anymore, otherwise, she would eventually be scared into a medical condition.
Nuomi crunched through one bun and picked up a “Signature Three-Delicacy Bun.”
Three-Delicacy Bun—it sounded like a filling made from three types of vegetables or meats. What could it be?
With the cabbage and pork bun having set the bar, Nuomi had high expectations for this three-delicacy bun.
She took a slow bite.
A flow of fresh, savory soup entered her mouth; the faint scent of chives mingled with the aroma of meat flooded her taste buds, instantly striking her soul.
Nuomi: “!!!”
Nuomi carefully savored it for a long while but couldn’t identify what kind of meat this filling was.
It seemed like pork, yet it wasn’t entirely.
It had a bit of a chew, and it was even fresher than pork. The three flavors mixed together were unlike anything she had ever eaten before.
But it was truly addictive.
She called Iris over and pointed to the Signature Three-Delicacy Bun. “This three-delicacy bun—what are the three delicacies?”
Iris had known this for a long time and replied skillfully, “Chives, pork, and shrimp.”
“Shrimp?” Nuomi was stunned.
That was something she hadn’t expected.
There were indeed river shrimp sold at the morning market every day, and they were certainly fresh when boiled, but no one had ever thought to put shrimp into a steamed bun.
The owner’s idea was absolutely brilliant!
“Delicious!!” she exclaimed without hesitation, immediately adding, “Pack up two bamboo steamers of this three-delicacy bun and the pork and cabbage bun for me; I want to take them back for my young mistress to try!”
Since these were better than Zhang’s, her mistress would definitely like them!
Iris nodded with a smile. “No problem! Do you need any porridge?”
Nuomi looked at the Century Egg and Lean Meat Porridge on the table.
That’s right, she hadn’t tasted this yet.
Nuomi picked up her spoon and stirred the thick porridge. It contained chopped dark green century egg and diced lean meat, and it smelled very rich and savory.
She didn’t hesitate for a second and scooped a spoonful into her mouth.
The porridge was boiled until soft and mushy, as smooth as silk. As it slid down her tongue and into her throat, the rich, savory flavor of the century egg instantly spread, covering the freshness of the bun she had just eaten.
If Nuomi had to describe it, the taste was unique, yet exceptionally delicious.
This owner is truly too amazing! There were so many delicious things she had never eaten before, especially the candied haws!
“Yes, yes, yes! I want all of these!” Nuomi said immediately. “And two bowls of this porridge!”
Iris agreed with a smile.
No sooner had she left than another customer arrived—an elderly couple.
The couple entered and sat at the table behind Nuomi.
Madam Cheng, whose hair was silver-white, grumbled reproachfully, “I told you to go to Zhang’s, but you insisted on coming to this newly opened shop. What’s so good about this place? How can it possibly be better than the century-old Zhang’s?”
Old Master Cheng coaxed her with a smile, “It’s just out of curiosity. Look at the plaque—’Taoyuan Residence.’ One look and you know the owner is an educated person; how elegant. If it’s not good, we just won’t come back again.”
It was just a meal, after all.
Old Master Cheng beckoned Iris to order. Hearing that they could draw lots, he pushed the bamboo tube to his wife with great interest.
“Madam, you draw. Whatever you draw, I shall eat.”
Madam Cheng knew he was trying to coax her and purposely laughed, “Then if I draw the chive filling, will you eat it all, too?”
Old Master Cheng was a picky eater, and what he disliked most was chives. Once, he had accidentally eaten some and felt so nauseous that his stomach was in an uproar; he felt sickly all day long. From then on, chives were never bought for the kitchen.
“I will. Whatever you draw, I will eat. I certainly won’t leave a single bite,” Old Master Cheng said dismissively.
It wasn’t that there were no chive-filled buns, but they were rare. Even Zhang’s didn’t sell them, and since this was a newly opened shop, the odds were slim.
Madam Cheng glanced at him and didn’t take it to heart.
The possibility was indeed small.
She casually pulled out two sticks and handed them to Iris.
Iris turned them over and read, “Signature Sauce Meat Bun… Signature Three-Delicacy Bun.”
“Sauce Meat Bun… Three-Delicacy Bun?” Old Master Cheng pondered, then grinned and said triumphantly in a low voice, “See? No chive filling.”
Iris couldn’t bear to crush him, but she still pursed her lips and said, “Dear guests, one of the three delicacies in the three-delicacy bun is chives… would you like me to help you swap it out?”
Old Master Cheng: “…”
Madam Cheng perked up, happy and amused. “No need to swap! Just this! And two bowls of porridge!”
Old Master Cheng: “…How about we don’t eat here, Madam? Let’s go to Zhang’s.”
Madam Cheng huffed, “I said to go to Zhang’s from the start, but you insisted on coming here. Since we’re here, we’ll eat here.”
She wanted to teach the old man a lesson so he wouldn’t go around eating at these new restaurants all the time—what if he got an upset stomach?
Previously, their little grandson had gotten sick from eating at a newly opened place because he was greedy, and it took days of fussing before he recovered. This old man simply refused to learn his lesson.
Iris looked at Old Master Cheng hesitatingly.
Old Master Cheng sighed helplessly, “Listen to Madam.”
At worst, he would just eat a few bites and drink the porridge. When his wife wasn’t looking, he would sneak something else; his wife would never notice anyway.
Hehehe.
In no time at all, Jiang Mo brought over two steamers of buns and two bowls of porridge, along with a side dish.
Madam Cheng looked at Jiang Mo, feeling quite surprised.
Such an outstanding girl was working as a waitress in a restaurant?
“Your meal is complete.”
Taking advantage of Madam Cheng not paying attention, Old Master Cheng snuck the steamer of sauce meat buns in front of her over to his own side, and moved his own three-delicacy buns over to hers.
Madam Cheng acted as if she hadn’t seen a thing.
Old Master Cheng was delighted. He picked up a bun and took a bite; the rich, savory juice burst out.
Old Master Cheng’s eyes widened. “Mmph, mmph, mmph, mmph…”
This bun! It actually contained chives!!
Eh?
Why didn’t he feel nauseous?