Qi Jiao rolled up her sleeves, washed her hands, and pitted and chopped the cherries. She marinated them in sugarcane syrup, then put them in a pot and simmered them over low heat until the pectin was cooked out and the juice thickened.
She scooped out the cooked jam and let it cool. Then she took the sifted white flour and mixed it in. She pressed the dough into cakes one by one, flattened them, and shaped them into thick, stuffed crescent - shaped pastries with a translucent outer skin.
Then she put them into the oven to bake. Before long, the sweet aroma filled the whole house.
The crispy - on - the - outside and soft - on - the - inside cherry biro was ready.
Everyone who tasted it said it was delicious!
Pei Jin sat under the wisteria trellis in the yard, eyes slightly closed. "I can taste the fresh cherries. It's sweet and not greasy at all."
Pei Xia, who usually didn't like sweet food, surprisingly ate two.
Needless to say, Pei Li, who thought everything was delicious.
Qi Jiao packed some more and sent them to the Ye family and several neighboring families.
Everyone who ate the cherry biro praised it.
The cherries were red, and the plantains were green.
Qi Jiao's eyes were fixed on the cherry grove on Xiaofeng Mountain. She was planning to launch new cherry - themed dishes in the second half of the month.
She counted the seasonal delicacies on her fingers: cherry biro, cherry cold cake, cherry wine, and cherry rose drink...
As expected, Jiao Niang Restaurant welcomed a new wave of customers in the midsummer.
Although it was hot during the day and people didn't like to go out, those who came in the afternoon were true fans.
But as evening approached and the wind turned cool, more and more people came out for a stroll.
Qi Jiao simply changed the business hours, focusing on dinner and night - market snacks.
She could also sleep in the morning and have a good rest.
One day, Qi Jiao woke up hungry.
She didn't want to get up and tugged at Pei Xia, who was hugging her tightly from behind.
After a passionate night, Pei Xia was sleeping soundly.
Suddenly, a soft voice came to his ear, "My lord, I want to eat custard buns." She sounded as if she hadn't eaten for three days and three nights.
Jiao Niang was hungry!
Jiao Niang called him her husband!
Pei Xia was jolted awake. Happiness shone from his eyes and the corners of his mouth. He opened his eyes, kissed Jiao Niang's pink earlobe, and said, "You sleep a bit more. I'll go buy them."
Pei Xia quickly got out of bed and dressed. Qi Jiao watched him walk out of the bedroom with a smile, and sleepiness welled up again...
On this side, Pei Xia got dressed and rushed out the door to buy buns next door.
"One basket of custard buns, one basket of spiced meat buns, and two bowls of hot soy milk."
"Sure! Please wait a moment. I'll get them right away."
Pei Xia twitched the corner of his mouth. Wasn't that Ye Yun's voice?
He looked inside and, sure enough, it was Ye Yun, helping out at the Leng's Bun Shop.
The bun shop was small but deep.
There were two rows of large steamers at the door, emitting hot white steam.
When it wasn't busy, the workers were inside. When a customer came, they just needed to shout.
Ye Yun was stretching and rolling out dough on the white - flour table, showing his strong bare arms and chest. He replied loudly.
It was obvious that he wasn't very skilled. He was so focused on his work that he didn't even look up and didn't recognize Pei Xia's voice.
Next to him, Miss Leng was quickly stuffing and wrapping buns with her ten fingers.
Miss Leng was a smart and capable woman.
She quickly wrapped the buns, noted down what Pei Xia wanted, turned around, picked out the items smoothly, packed them up in a flash, and didn't forget to take a cloth towel to wipe Ye Yun's sweat.
Pei Xia: "..."
Miss Leng rushed out with the buns and soy milk.
When she saw Pei Xia, her sweet and sassy smile froze, and an embarrassed look appeared on her face.
What should she do?
She had lured the waiter from the neighboring shop here, and now the husband of the neighboring shop's owner had come!
They were all in business and neighbors.
Although Pei Xia and Jiao Niang were busy, they had a good relationship with the neighboring families. Pei Xia and Leng Yao were also acquaintances.
Leng Yao felt a bit guilty but quickly regained her composure as the mistress of the bun shop. She shouted crisply, "Ye Er! Come out quickly!"
Pei Xia understood Leng Yao's embarrassment and whispered, "Miss Leng, there's no need to call him. I came to buy breakfast for my wife. I didn't know Brother Ye was here."
Ye Yun was the same age as him. It was not easy for him to meet a girl he liked.
If he messed up Ye Yun's good thing, Ye Yun would tear him apart!
Hearing Pei Xia call Ye Yun Brother Ye, Leng Yao's face flushed even redder.
Was the amazing Jiao Niang next door actually Ye Er's younger sister?
Pei Xia couldn't help but smile. He quickly paid the money and carried the paper bag back.
Just as he slipped into the courtyard gate, Ye Yun, with his hands covered in white flour, rushed out.
"What's wrong, A Yao?"
Ye Yun was puzzled when he saw there were no customers outside. He turned to look at her in confusion.
At this moment, Leng Yao was annoyed when she saw Ye Yun. She threw her sleeve covers at him and walked inside alone.
"Who told you to climb over the wall to help me so early in the morning! Now it's good. Your brother - in - law came out to buy buns for your sister and saw you."
Ye Yun was stunned.
A Yao was usually so capable and efficient. Since her parents were old, she almost single - handedly supported the bun shop.
Since Jiao Niang Restaurant opened, he had gradually noticed A Yao.
He noticed this smart and strong woman.
He didn't know when he developed the habit of quietly watching her from the second - floor window.
Her bright and sassy smile had lit up his ordinary and uneventful life.
He wanted to do something for her.
He had bought buns for three months in a row, eaten buns for three months, and came every day.
Just like this, A Yao got to know him.
A Yao didn't reject his help.
A Yao would secretly open the door for him.
He didn't dare to cross the line.
He just diligently helped her knead the dough and wrap the buns from dawn to daybreak. After an hour, he had to go back to work as a waiter.
For so many days, no one had noticed.
Until today.
Ye Yun watched the annoyed A Yao, who had completely lost her usual calm. She paced back and forth in the small room, muttering over and over again, "You should take off your apron and go back quickly. Your family has seen you... Alas, I'm so ashamed..."
For some reason, a sudden intuition welled up in his heart - A Yao must have feelings for him.
All considerations of pros and cons flew out of the window. A man in love almost loses his ability to think.
The usually shrewd Ye Yun didn't even think and blurted out, "Let's get married."
After saying that, he added, "If we get married, we don't have to be afraid of others seeing us together. I can also help you do more work."
He turned Leng Yao's shoulders, forgetting what he had just said. He only felt that his wish had come true and he could die without regret.
He stared firmly into her eyes, his fingers cold and trembling.
Leng Yao looked at Ye Yun.
This fool.
Her eyes were moist. She smiled and said, "Okay."
*
Qi Jiao had never seen Ye Yun so energetic before.
In her impression, Brother Ye had always been smart and shrewd.
He was different from the eldest brother, Ye Geng, who was content with a wife and children and a stable life.
Nor was he like the third brother, Ye Pa, who was always talkative and cheerful.
Although Ye Yun was just a small waiter now, Qi Jiao thought he was actually the most ambitious and action - oriented among the three brothers.
Before Qi Jiao had finished a basket of buns, Ye Geng came back to tell everyone the news.
He was going to get married, and the bride was Miss Leng from next door.
Qi Jiao almost dropped the custard bun in her hand.
Ye Yun was really efficient.
Ye Pa should really learn from his elder brother!