stonecrandall Chapter 88 This is what humans should eat.
Chapter 88 This is what humans should eat.
The midday sun shines through the crisscrossing power lines above the old street, casting dappled patterns on the bluestone pavement.
The air was filled with a thick and overpowering aroma of soy sauce, which wafted into people's nostrils.
"Old Wu, hurry up! Is your leg filled with lead or something?"
Zhang Weiguo walked ahead in a hurry, wiping the sweat from his forehead while turning back to urge him on.
His blue work uniform had its collar wide open, and he walked with a brisk pace, looking exactly like a stragglers who had just retreated from the battlefield, anxiously searching for supplies.
Wu Deshun jogged after him, panting, and replied, "Old Zhang, slow down... It's only 11:40, how could Boss Chen have left already?"
"Can't we stop running?" Zhang Weiguo asked without turning his head, his pace quickening even further.
"Have you forgotten what we suffered at that lousy seafood private kitchen yesterday? Was that a meal? That was torture!"
I dreamt about that plate of shredded pork with garlic sauce all night, and when I woke up this morning, I was chewing on those dry bread slices, and my tongue was almost numb.
If I don't get this hot food today, I won't be able to work this afternoon!
The two hurried and finally turned the corner of that familiar alley.
The wooden door of "Human Fireworks" was open, and several diners were already standing at the door, looking around.
As soon as Wu Deshun entered the room, he took a deep breath. A rich aroma of beef brisket instantly slid down his esophagus, causing his nerves, which had been tense all morning, to vibrate with pleasure.
But when his gaze fell on the small blackboard next to the cashier, his movements suddenly froze.
"Stewed beef brisket with potatoes... fifty-eight yuan a serving?"
Wu Deshun muttered something under his breath, his brows instantly furrowing into a tight knot.
He subconsciously touched the crumpled banknotes in his pocket, which was his allowance for the week.
In Wu Deshun's consumption philosophy, 38 yuan for shredded pork with garlic sauce is already the "limit" for improving his life.
This 58-yuan meal was like a sudden economic crisis for him.
"Old Zhang, this..." Wu Deshun tugged at Zhang Weiguo's sleeve, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear.
"This price increase is a bit too drastic. How about we go somewhere else? The noodle shop across the street, we can just grab something there..."
When Zhang Weiguo saw Wu Deshun's stingy attitude returning, he knew that his old friend was worried about money.
He shoved away Wu Deshun's outstretched hand, raising his voice several decibels:
"Change what? You're the kind of person who never learns from a bad experience!"
Yesterday at that seafood private kitchen, I poured all my money into it, did you hear the sound?
Did you enjoy your meal?
Answer me!
He took out his phone from his pocket and scanned the QR code on the cashier with remarkable speed.
"Mengmeng, give Uncle two servings! Both should have big chunks of meat!"
Mengmeng was sitting on a high stool behind the cashier, nodding like a professional little accountant, and replying in her childish voice:
"Okay, Uncle! Dad said the beef brisket is really tender today, and the potatoes are all soft and fluffy."
Wu Deshun quickly stepped forward, trying to stop Zhang Weiguo: "Old Zhang, this won't do, it's agreed that it's my treat today..."
"Why are you inviting me? If you have that spare money, you should save more for your wife and kids."
As Zhang Weiguo put away his phone, he glanced sideways at Wu Deshun and casually made up a reason.
"Besides, you need to come and help me with those heavy tasks at the construction site this afternoon."
Wouldn't it be a waste of my back strength to do this all by myself? I need to be well-fed to have the energy to work!
Hurry up and find a seat, stop dawdling there!
Wu Deshun opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only let out a long sigh.
He knew that Zhang Weiguo was trying to protect his self-esteem, and his heart warmed. He silently followed Zhang Weiguo and found an empty seat by the window.
The store was already about 70-80% full.
Su Chen was carrying a tray and moving between the tables and chairs, her movements much more agile.
"Your braised beef brisket with potatoes, please enjoy."
Su Chen placed a steaming hot meal on the next table.
Wu Deshun stared intently at the large porcelain bowl.
In that bowl, the bright red broth was bubbling away, tiny bubbles rising to the surface. The fibers of the beef brisket were clearly visible in the thick sauce, and the potato chunks had slightly loose edges, giving them a soft and powdery texture.
Suddenly, Wu Deshun felt that the teacup in his hand had become superfluous.
"Old Zhang, look at that color..." Wu Deshun lowered his voice, his Adam's apple bobbing violently.
"Stop looking, it's making me hungrier." Zhang Weiguo also looked eagerly waiting, rubbing the disposable chopsticks repeatedly in his hands.
"Yesterday at that private kitchen, the cheese-baked lobster looked delicious, but it tasted like chewing wax."
I'm wondering, do chefs these days focus all their attention on plating?
"Can't you just make a dish that tastes good?"
"It still has to be me, Boss Chen," Wu Deshun remarked with emotion.
"Boss Chen's place, the taste is truly unmistakable."
"Smell this beef brisket. It's made with the same high-quality ingredients, so how come it's so much better than that so-called private chef's?"
Just as the two were talking, Su Chen walked over carrying a tray.
"Your beef brisket has arrived, be careful it's hot."
Two heavy, large white porcelain bowls were placed steadily on the table.
An overpowering aroma of beef brisket suddenly exploded out, weaving into an impenetrable net that instantly captivated both of their senses.
Zhang Weiguo didn't even have time to say anything. He picked up a spoon and scooped up a mouthful of thick, reddish-brown broth, putting it into his mouth.
His eyes widened instantly, the pent-up frustration from yesterday's "mediocre seafood" being instantly dispelled by this warm current.
"Whoosh—ha!"
Zhang Weiguo let out a long sigh of relief, his voice carrying a sense of exhilaration from escaping death:
"That's it! That's the taste! This is what food should be like!"
Old Wu, you should try this soup. This is the kind of food a human should eat!
Those people who run home-style kitchens should all come and learn from them!
Wu Deshun also shakily picked up a piece of beef brisket with tendons.
The beef brisket was stewed until extremely tender; with just a little pressure from the chopsticks, you could feel the meat fibers slowly breaking along the grain.
He blew on it to warm it up and then put it directly into his mouth.
Soft and mushy.
Extremely soft and mushy.
The tendons had already turned into a translucent gelatinous substance, sticking thickly to the tip of the tongue—the result of stir-frying over high heat and then simmering over low heat for a full hour. The beef, on the other hand, had absorbed the sauce and melted in the mouth with a gentle touch, releasing a deep and rich meaty aroma.
"Hmm..." Wu Deshun closed his eyes, his cheeks moved slowly twice, and his eyes were slightly moist.
Yesterday, in that glittering seafood restaurant, he was calculating the cost with every bite he took, and doubting his own sense of taste with every bite.
The absurd feeling that "eating money is not the same as eating" tormented him for an entire night.
Now, with this 58-yuan piece of beef brisket in his stomach, he felt his soul, which had been weary all morning, finally being safely returned to his body.
"Old Zhang," Wu Deshun put down his chopsticks and looked at Zhang Weiguo seriously, "this fifty-eight yuan... was really worth it."
"Nonsense, how could it not be worth it?" Zhang Weiguo was looking down, shoveling mouthfuls of rice mixed with meat gravy into his mouth.
Every grain of rice was dyed an enticing amber color, wrapped in soft mashed potatoes, and the ultimate satisfaction made him feel like he was radiating light.
"That grouper yesterday tasted like cotton. And look at this potato, it's almost more fragrant than meat!" Zhang Weiguo pointed to a half-melted potato in the bowl.
"Old Chen's cooking is amazing! How does he manage to stew these potatoes so deliciously?"
"Indeed, it's absolutely amazing." Wu Deshun scooped up another spoonful of mashed potatoes. The texture was like a piece of mousse with a meaty aroma, melting gently in his mouth.
The atmosphere in the store became increasingly lively.
The joyful atmosphere of everyday life made Zhang Weiguo and Wu Deshun feel extremely relaxed.
"Cool!"
After shoveling the last mouthful of rice into his mouth, Zhang Weiguo leaned back in his chair, still feeling unsatisfied, wiped the grease from his mouth, and let out an extremely loud burp.
"Old Wu, I've made up my mind." Zhang Weiguo patted his bulging belly, his eyes turning serious.
"Decid what?" Wu Deshun asked, savoring the spoonful of food.
"From now on, this will be our canteen." Zhang Weiguo pointed to the floor tiles under his feet, and then to the kitchen where Chen Feng was busy working.
"From now on, if we need to have a get-together, we won't go to fancy restaurants or private kitchens anymore."
As long as Boss Chen opens the door, we'll come here.
Even if it means waiting in line for an extra half hour, I have to get this.
Wu Deshun stopped what he was doing, looked at Zhang Weiguo, and then at the warm little shop.
"Okay." Wu Deshun solemnly uttered a single word, a smile playing on his lips. "I'll do as you say. From now on, this will be our canteen. As long as Boss Chen stays open, we'll eat here until we retire!"
The two exchanged a glance, and the annoyance and discomfort brought about by the "high-end meal" last night had completely vanished.
"Let's go back to work!"
Zhang Weiguo was the first to stand up, his movements light and quick, as if his body was filled with boundless energy.
The two stepped out of the "human touch" gate, and the midday sun shone on them.
The air in the old street was still filled with that alluring fragrance. Wu Deshun walked beside Zhang Weiguo, his steps noticeably lighter than when they had arrived.
"Old Zhang, I'll help you carry the bulk of that job this afternoon," Wu Deshun suddenly blurted out.
"Hey, you old rascal, a bowl of beef brisket bought you off? Fine, you said it yourself, so I won't hold back!"
"That's not beef." Wu Deshun turned around, took one last look at the signboard shining in the sunlight, and murmured, "That's our lifeline."
"Yes, that's his lifeline!"
The two looked at each other and then burst into laughter.
A burst of hearty laughter echoed through the narrow old street, attracting the attention of many passersby.