After a brief pause, Lu Xunguang said, "Since we're going to carry out the 'Swallow Returns to the Nest' plan, the event venue should definitely prepare some delicate, inexpensive snacks. Do you have any ideas, A Ying?"
Li Ying naturally nodded.
The seasonal tea snacks she made had amazed all the diners who had tasted them. Back then, she had already secretly planned to open a snack shop in the capital.
The customers of the Lu Family Tea House were diverse, including many newly - appointed officials who might one day rise to high positions. Although these officials claimed to serve the people and treat all with equality, in reality, how many could truly stay true to their original intentions?
During the "Swallow Returns to the Nest" event, the guests would come from all walks of life. It was likely that these pedantic scholars would criticize the event for being against the rules.
Li Ying thought that if the event was held in a snack shop, the ladies who liked these little things and desserts would also enjoy the bustling atmosphere. It might even become a sight in the capital.
Moreover, once the guests were there, they would surely buy some of the new tea snacks to take home. This way, the bamboo - sealed tea business and the snack shop could attract customers to each other, achieving a virtuous cycle and prosperity.
Hearing her confident tone, Lu Xunguang smiled and said, "Just as I expected."
"A Ying has great ambitions and surely won't be satisfied with just opening a branch of a restaurant."
"There's an empty shop for sale opposite the Lu Family Tea House. The location is excellent. It used to be a snack shop, but the decoration might not meet your taste. You'll have to redecorate it. I've negotiated a good price with the middleman. We're just waiting for you to take a look and see if you like it, then we can finalize the deal."
Li Ying was naturally overjoyed. Even Ruyi couldn't help but praise, "No one knows Sister Ying better than Brother - in - law Lu! You two are so in sync. It's really enviable!"
These words pleased Lu Xunguang, and he looked at Ruyi with more approval.
Without further delay, they went to check out the shop. Just as Lu Xunguang had said, the shop was extremely well - ventilated from north to south. The winter sun cast golden grids on the mahogany floor. Li Ying could almost imagine that if they set up neat snack shelves and with the warm sunlight acting as a natural filter, combined with the sweet aroma of freshly baked tea snacks, it would be such a blissful experience.
The shop owner was eager to sell the shop, and Li Ying was in a hurry to open her business. They hit it off immediately and signed the deed on the spot.
As Li Ying signed her name, the shop owner showed a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
"Boss Li, I've run this shop with great effort for most of my life. It's like my own child... Boss Li, I just hope your business will thrive. I have a few old customers who've been with me for decades. Please take care of them..."
Li Ying nodded and said, "Naturally."
But she couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. Since this snack shop had been in business for many years and already had a loyal customer base, and now that the Lu Family Tea House was making a comeback, customers who bought tea would surely want some tea snacks. He was in a prime position and should seize this opportunity. Why did he want to sell the shop?
When she asked this question, the shop owner showed a helpless smile and sighed, "Alas... It's all because I wasn't careful enough and offended a noble person..."
He didn't want to talk more. Afraid that Li Ying might misunderstand something, he quickly added, "Boss Li, you can rest assured! There's nothing wrong with the shop. It won't cause any trouble! I just have no place to stay in this capital anymore..."
He looked dejected, waiting for the shop to be sold so that he could pack his belongings and return to his hometown in disgrace.
Li Ying raised her eyebrows, calmly exchanged a glance with Lu Xunguang, and then gently comforted the shop owner.
Both of them were neither trouble - makers nor afraid of trouble. If that so - called "noble person" was really unreasonable and came to cause trouble, they would deal with it accordingly.
Rather than worrying about the potential trouble that might come someday, it was better to focus on preparing the pastries to be sold in the snack shop.
The tea snacks in the capital were different from those in Yucun Town. There were all kinds of snacks like spiced beef tongue cookies, princess red bean cakes, and Ruyi date - paste rolls. The taste was excellent. Just the flaky pastry, as thin as rice paper, showed that the pastry chef's skills were as good as Li Ying's.
Ruyi and A Man were a bit worried, but Li Ying was confident and had already come up with a plan.
She mixed milk and the tea soup of Jinhuo dark tea into the dough until it became smooth and delicate. She could even easily stretch out a thin, translucent white film with her palm.
This white film was a sign that the dough had fully developed gluten. Only then could the baked bread be soft, pullable, and have a fine texture.
The fermented dough had dense air holes, like a delicate honeycomb, and had a faint aroma of fermented rice. Then she added softened butter, deflated the dough, and kneaded it until smooth again. All the oil was absorbed by the gluten, and the air was filled with a pleasant sweet aroma.
While the dough was fermenting for the second time, she prepared the filling.
She mixed melted butter, strong cinnamon powder, and brown sugar, then sifted a thin layer of tea powder. After spreading it evenly on the dough, she sprinkled a layer of raisins and walnuts. She rolled up the dough tightly, cut it into segments, and baked the dark - tea cinnamon rolls. After sifting a layer of powdered sugar on them, under the oily and flaky pastry was a soft and layered core. The warm aroma of cinnamon and tea filled the room, making people intoxicated.
Li Ying also made green - tangerine dark - tea cheese cakes. The rich cheese, caramel, and dark tea complemented each other perfectly. She spread a layer of snow - white sour cream on the surface and decorated it with sliced green tangerines. The refreshing fragrance neutralized the heavy sweetness of the cheese. Paired with a cup of strong tea, it was truly a pleasure.
She also prepared some simple daily baked goods, such as dark - tea bagels and black - tea chiffon cakes, decorated with seasonal fresh fruits. They were extremely delicate and cute, cut into small pieces and neatly arranged, looking like a delicate makeup box. Just one look from A Man and Ruyi made their eyes pop out.
She also baked some soft and delicious dark - tea cloud cookies. Using a customized piping tip, she squeezed the batter into a layered flower shape. The shape was as fluffy and cute as a cloud, melting in the mouth with a sweet aroma lingering on the tongue. The taste was as light and pleasant as a cloud.
These small cookies were the most suitable gifts for the "Swallow Returns to the Nest" event. A small cookie could open the guests' taste buds, and then when they saw the delicate snacks on the shelves, the business would surely thrive.