Chapter 525: Real and Fresh
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The two old ladies were neighbors who played together when they were young. Later, they got married and rarely saw each other. Moreover, their parents passed alway when the ladies got older.
They lived far from each other and had not seen each other for many years. Both of them did not expect to reunite after such a long time. They might not have met without going to Su Teng Market.
The duo was excited. “l never expected to see you here, Zhou.”
“How have you been, Lianhua?”
Wang Lianhua said smilingly, “I’ve been well. My son is working at the hotpot restaurant in town these days. The Su family gives him many benefits. His monthly bonus and salary are excellent, too. My family is living quite well now.
“My daughter is still young, but she’s learning embroidery. My daughter-in-law went to queue up to buy something, so I told her 1 would look around first. How have you been, Zhou?”
Old Madam Zhou immediately answered, “This is my daughter-in-law and grandson. My son works at the winery now, so our lives are good.”
She did not need to tell the mother-son duo anything, and they introduced themselves. Old Madam Zhou’s grandson asked, “Is this the lady you always talk about, Grandmother?”
“That’s right. We were such good friends when we were young. I never expected to see her now that we’re so old now.” Old Madam Zhou was genuinely happy to see her childhood friend.
Wang Lianhua looked at the older man beside Old Madam Zhou and asked, he your husband?”
“Yes, he is. He doesn’t talk much.’
Wang Lianhua greeted him with a smile, “Hello there.”
The older man was embarrassed and scratched his head.
The two older ladies had endless things to discuss. They shared their current address and even said they wanted to walk around the market together.
Wang Lianhua said, “My bones and body have improved since my check-up at the Su family’s residence and taking some medicine. Don’t look down on me just because I’m old. I can still walk a few miles without a problem.”
Old Madam Zhou sighed. “My legs used to hurt when it got cold, but they’re better after 1 took the medicine Miss Su prescribed me. I no longer tremble when I walk.”
The two friends were healthy, so they discussed how they should get together more often after returning to their villages.
Su Binglan brought Lan Ruozhu to the market. She first brought him to the tofu factory while Blue Eagle protected them from the shadows.
Since the brother and sister had only arrived in Su Teng Village late at night, they could not see much of the road. Lan Ruozhu did not even notice the factory.
However, they left the Su family’s house in the morning, and the sky was bright. When he and his sister left the house and looked north, Lan Ruozhu saw the large factory with a plaque hanging on it.
There was also a shed full of people in front of the factory. The people had a bowl of white food before them, but Lan Ruozhu did not know what it was. He curiously looked at everyone’s expressions and knew they were enjoying their food.
“So, those things must be delicious.”
Meanwhile, Su Binglan explained to him how she designed the factory and how everyone made tofu products inside. She did not hear Lan Ruozhu mutter as she spoke. Then she turned and saw his expression.
She followed his line of sight and saw people eating tofu pudding. “That’s tofu pudding, Brother. Would you like to try some?” Su Binglan smiled. “I’ll bring you over for a bowl.”
“So, that’s what it’s called.” Lan Ruozhu was eager to try it because he thought it was delicious after seeing everyone’s expressions. “But we’ve already had breakfast.’
His breakfast was delicious, and he had eaten a lot, so his stomach was still full. Lan Ruozhu also found it strange as he had never had such delicious food in the past.
The kitchen staff at the mansion always prepared a pile of food for him, but he never had much of an appetite, so he would only eat a few mouthfuls. However, he enjoyed eating after coming to Su Teng Village.
Lan Ruozhu felt his appetite had improved and increased. He could eat more than twice as much as before.
Su Binglan could not help but laugh when she saw her brother’s embarrassed expression. She had never seen him like this, even in her memories as Lan Ruobing. She felt dazed as if they had returned to their childhood.
“It’s okay, Brother. A bowl of tofu pudding doesn’t cost much and is easy to digest. It won’t overfill your stomach.”
Lan Ruozhu was relieved when he heard his sister’s words.
Su Binglan saw him nodding and brought him to the factory. Meamvhile, Liu Qiao was busy scooping tofu pudding for everyone. She was the factory’s manager, so she would be in charge whenever Shen Qiuhua was not around. Liu Qiao did not know much initially but slowly became familiar with her job after working there for a long time. She knew the ins and outs of the tofu factory.
She became happy when she saw Su Binglan approaching. “Hello, Miss Su.”
Su Binglan nodded. “Don’t tire yourself out too much, okay?”
Liu Qiao shook her head. “Oh, it’s okay. I feel energetic.”
She liked living in this village because it was lively and wealthy. Although the market was not like this in the past, things had changed for the better. Since she was on the morning shift today, she helped prepare the tofu pudding. Liu Qiao was delighted to see how much everyone enjoyed the tofu pudding.
“Give me two bowls.” Su Binglan gestured with her fingers.
“Yes, Miss Su.” Liu Qiao quickly scooped two bowls for her boss. Then she asked, “Do you want me to add chili for you, Miss Su?”
Su Binglan looked at Lan Ruozhu and said, “Let’s play it safe for now and not add chili.”
It was unsuitable for Lan Ruozhu to eat spicy food now, and Su Binglan did not know if Blue Eagle liked it. Blue Eagle had never eaten chili, so Su Binglan thought they should start with non-spicy ones.
Then she brought Lan Ruozhu into the factory and told Blue Eagle to come out from the shadows to follow them. The factory also had a stall for business with tables and chairs inside.
Lan Ruozhu and Blue Eagle sat there to eat their tofu pudding. Lan Ruozhu ate a spoonful, and his eyes lit up.
Su Binglan observed his expression and smiled lightly. “How is it, Brother?”
Lan Ruozhu nodded. “It’s delicious! The food here is better than all the delicacies I’ve eaten. It’s simple but tasty. Life here seems exceedingly relaxing, Sister.”
He had slept comfortably last night as he was on a warm brick bed for the entire night.
Blue Eagle devoured his tofu pudding, saying, “I-It’s too delicious, Princess.”
He knew Su Binglan was Lan Ruobing and had grown accustomed to calling her “Princess.’ Su Binglan reminded, “l)on’t call me that. Just call me Miss Su.”
“Yes, Miss Su.”
After that, Su binglan brought Lan Ruozhu deeper into the factory. “Brother, this is where the workers wash the tofu, that’s where they grind the beans, and here’s where we complete the process.
“Everyone here is responsible for their own sections. That way, no one will know the entire tofu-making process. That’s so we can keep our process a secret and not expose our methods.
“Also, the workers have already signed a contract and confidentiality agreement. No one can speak of what they do here..”