Watching Bao Guiyou's Yufengxiang thriving day by day, the Drunken Fairy Residence and the Exquisite Flavor Workshop couldn't hold back any longer.
When Lian Ji came to persuade them that day, they were hesitant. Although they didn't switch sides, they did have the thought of sitting on the fence and watching the tigers fight.
Now, seeing that Li Ying had easily snatched most of Lian Ji's business just by using the unappreciated pigskin, the two shopkeepers were not fools. They couldn't help but feel tempted.
They also heard that some envious food stalls, seeing the low price of pigskin, had the idea of imitating Li Ying to get a share of the profit.
However, the pigskin jelly they made either couldn't solidify or was cloudy and ugly. The steamed buns with soup inside fell apart before they were out of the steamer. Only then did they finally understand that Li Ying really had some unique designs and was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Song Heng, the shopkeeper of the Exquisite Flavor Workshop, made up his mind and didn't hesitate any longer. He picked up a few gifts and rushed to visit Li Ying.
As soon as he was welcomed into the house by Granny Sun, he felt a bit embarrassed for coming with a specific purpose. But he immediately saw another gift in the corner with a visiting card from the Drunken Fairy Residence on it.
Soon after, Li Ying came out of the kitchen with Qi Lebang, the shopkeeper of the Drunken Fairy Residence.
"Remember, when making this crystal bound pig's trotter, you must remove the bones cleanly. Don't color the brine. After tying it tightly with cotton rope, let it cool and cut it into thin slices. Serve it as a cold dish with mashed garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar."
Seeing Song Heng, she wasn't surprised. She just greeted him with a smile, "Are you also here for the beauty recipe? Don't worry. The hot pig's trotter soup has just been made. Why don't you join us for a meal and then we can talk slowly?"
Granny Sun had already set out the chopsticks. He couldn't decline, so he had to sit down obediently.
The pig's trotter soup had been simmered for two whole hours. The meat was so tender that it fell off the bone. The soup was as white as milk. All the fat had been boiled out, and the rich aroma forcefully got into his throat.
He picked up the wobbly pig's trotter with bamboo chopsticks, rolled it in the dipping sauce, and put it into his mouth. The skin and meat melted instantly, wrapped in the fragrance of sesame and spicy red oil. The gelatin was soft and glutinous, lingering on his lips and teeth.
He only knew that pig's trotters were used to promote lactation for women after childbirth. People just stewed them casually with some soybeans. They were fishy, greasy, and not really delicious.
He never thought that this bowl of pig's trotter soup could be so delicious!
Seeing that he was staring blankly, Qi Lebang protectively pulled the pig's trotter and the bound pig's trotter towards himself.
"Old Song, everything should be in order. These two dishes were taught to me by Boss Li. Don't even think about stealing the recipe!"
Li Ying smiled and said, "Don't worry, Shopkeeper Song. After the meal, I have a special recipe prepared for you."
Only then did Song Heng beam with joy and eat in peace.
After seeing Qi Lebang off, Li Ying calmly took out two strange golden and crispy things and placed them on the table.
Song Heng looked at them in confusion. Li Ying explained slowly, "Shopkeeper Song, this is called pigskin belly. It's also made from pigskin."
Wash the dried pigskin belly and soak it in water. While waiting, slice the washed pig liver, make a herringbone cut on the pig kidney, and cut the pork tenderloin into shreds. Season them with fine salt, soy sauce, and starch, and mix well for marinating.
Cut the tomatoes into pieces. Stir - fry them until the red oil comes out, then add bone broth and bring it to a boil. Put in the marinated shredded meat, liver, kidney, and pigskin belly. After seasoning, blanch a few small green vegetables.
Boil some alkaline noodles in another pot of water. Scoop them up and pour them into the cooked soup. Finally, put a poached egg on top.
Looking at this ordinary - looking three - delicacy pigskin belly noodles, Song Heng couldn't help but have some doubts.
Li Ying didn't rush to explain. She just looked at him confidently.
Song Heng took a tentative bite. Suddenly, his eyes widened.
The vegetables were fragrant, the meat was tender, the noodles were chewy, and the soup had gathered the essence of all the ingredients. It was delicious.
The most amazing thing was the "pigskin belly". It was porous, and every bite was filled with soup. It was crispy and delicious, with a wonderful taste!
Seeing his shocked expression, Li Ying explained with a smile, "This pigskin belly is my secret weapon for you. It's made from pigskin, rich in nutrition, and not greasy at all."
"You can add various ingredients such as shrimps, fish balls, squid, and sausage to the pigskin belly noodles. If you need them, Shopkeeper Song, you can come to my fishing village to buy them. What do you think?"
How could Song Heng say no? He quickly agreed.
Finally, after seeing off the shopkeepers of the three food stores, Li Ying was hoarse from talking. Seeing this, Granny Sun lovingly poured her a cup of hot tea.
"A Ying, I'm not greedy. I'm just worried that if you're so generous in teaching others your unique skills, you might end up starving yourself!"
Li Ying naturally knew that she meant well. She gulped down the tea in a few sips and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Granny. I know that the Drunken Fairy Residence and the Exquisite Flavor Workshop still need to be tested. I didn't tell them the secret dipping sauce for the pig's trotter or the way to make the pigskin belly. I only gave them the finished products. They won't be able to figure it out in a short time!"
The usual way to make pigskin belly is to dry the pigskin and then deep - fry it. But cooking oil was precious in the small town. How could they be so extravagant?
Li Ying had tried many times in private and finally developed a method of brushing oil and baking the pigskin belly. It wouldn't be easy for the Exquisite Flavor Workshop to steal the recipe.
Hearing her words, Granny Sun finally felt relieved. She cut a plate of wild fruits for Li Ying as snacks.
But Li Ying was a restless person. After eating a few pieces of fruit, her bright eyes started to wander again.
"Lu Xunguang, Lu Xunguang!"
She put on her shoes and quietly knocked on the door of the wood - shed.
Lu Xunguang didn't want to disturb her "business negotiation" just now. He found an excuse and quietly left.
After a while, there was no answer.
Li Ying felt a pang of panic in her heart.
Before Shopkeeper Bao came, the two of them were looking at the notebook left by Lu Xunguang's mother.
He... wouldn't he be feeling sad and locking himself up again?
Li Ying didn't dare to delay. The wooden door of the wood - shed wasn't very strong anyway. She summoned all her strength and rammed it hard.
"Ouch!"
Suddenly, she fell into a warm and strong embrace.
"A Ying?"
Lu Xunguang was bare - chested, with water still dripping from his hair. Obviously, he was taking a bath. Now he was only wearing a loose outer robe and looking at her in confusion.
No wonder he hadn't answered the door for so long.
Li Ying's face hit his chest, and her nose hurt.
She rubbed her nose, but her eyes subconsciously fell on the man's strong body.
Biceps, pectorals, abs...
Wait a minute! Stop looking! Li Ying, you're an ancient woman now. Be reserved!
Li Ying swallowed dryly. With great difficulty, she pretended to be calm and said awkwardly, "Ha... So you were taking a bath... I... uh..."
Even though she was usually quick - witted and articulate, in front of this male beauty, Li Ying couldn't help but stumble. Her eyes uncontrollably drifted to Lu Xunguang's bronze - colored skin.
Amitabha, male Bodhisattva, you have a really good figure!
Lu Xunguang didn't understand her intention, but he said calmly, "A Ying, if you like to look, you might as well be more straightforward."
Li Ying's face instantly flushed red to her neck. All the blood in her body rushed to her head.
She was both shy and anxious. Stared at by Lu Xunguang, she blurted out, "Your life was saved by me. Aren't you mine? Well, can't I take a look?"
Lu Xunguang looked at her as if she was a rabbit cornered by a fox, running around in a panic. She was really cute. He said seriously, "Yes."
Yes?
What did that mean?
Li Ying raised her eyebrows, really not understanding what kind of answer this was.
Lu Xunguang pressed her against the wall, closed the door, blocking the sunlight from outside.
He bent down and whispered in her ear, "Naturally, I'm yours. Both my body and my heart are yours."
"A Ying, do as you please."