Free Web NovelChapter 27: Chapter 27 The True Use of Strong Liquor Grass
Chen Ze was in a dilemma, after all, the Drunken Ribs that Chen Xingchen had made amounted to only one plate; and looking at the many customers outside, Chen Ze felt that even a single piece of meat per person might not be enough.
But it wasn’t possible to say it wasn’t ready yet and ask these liquor-loving customers to go home and wait, Chen Ze didn’t want to invite any trouble over something like this.
"Sir, I’m not brewing alcohol, the scent of liquor you’re smelling is from a new experimental dish from our restaurant," Chen Ze thought that if he said it was a dish, maybe not so many people would want to drink.
"What? You used such fine alcohol to cook?" The old man’s eyes went wide with shock.
"What a waste!" The uncle who had been listening to the two of them talk was so angry he started stomping his foot.
This kind of alluring aroma of liquor, he had only ever smelled in the cellared wines of time-honored brands.
"Young man, let me tell you, this is where you’re wrong, fine liquors like this should be savored individually. Adding anything else is a desecration of such liquor," another old man, donning glasses and appearing rather cultured, couldn’t help but reprimand Chen Ze.
Chen Ze, looking at the white hair on these elders’ heads, didn’t even have the courage to retort; any mishap with any one of them would spell trouble. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"Everyone, I’m sorry, but now that it’s turned into a dish, if you gentlemen wish to drink, you’ll have to wait for another time. How about I bring out the finished dish for all of you to try today?" Chen Ze felt truly troubled, he owned the place and yet even making a dish had to be considerate of passersby’s feelings.
"Sigh, such fine liquor gone to waste, then bring it out for us to try," the crowd conceded. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"If we can’t drink the liquor, trying a dish made with it is also a fine thing."
"Plus one."
Chen Ze glanced sideways at the uncle who had said ’plus one’, it was the first time he had heard someone use that phrase in a real-life conversation.
Chen Ze then retreated through the small door, keeping some of the Drunken Ribs aside; he planned to let Chen Xingchen try it later, as it would be too sad for him not to taste his own new dish.
Then, Chen Ze brought out a plate of Drunken Ribs, emitting a rich scent of liquor, which incited a scramble among the crowd of alcohol enthusiasts. In the end, every person had to pay 100 RMB to taste just a single piece of rib.
Those who tasted the Drunken Ribs expressed praise for Chen Ze’s culinary skills but also showed disdain for his idea of using such beautiful liquor in cooking.
However, a few of the elders agreed more with Chen Ze’s Drunken Ribs as, given their age and weaker teeth, their desire for good food was even stronger.
Having finally dealt with the enthusiastic liquor enthusiasts, Chen Ze finally returned to the restaurant, feeling that cooking had never been as exhausting.
"I think I need to hire a server or something; it’s somewhat more comfortable to serve these customers from other worlds inside the store, but it’s truly troublesome dealing with them outside," Chen Ze took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
But after feeling the banknotes in his pocket, Chen Ze didn’t feel so weary anymore—the last plate of Drunken Ribs had brought in over 3000 in revenue.
"Tonight I still have to sell Storm Roast Meat; I reckon it’ll all be sold out by nightfall too. I wonder when Stan will come," Chen Ze opened the refrigerator and took a peek. The last wing was already cut and ready to turn into his RMB.
But there was another issue, Chen Ze needed more ingredients; otherwise, the Drunken Ribs and Storm Roast Meat could only turn into fleeting wonders.
"&＃." That sounded like a familiar female voice.
Chen Ze poked his head out and recognized the newcomer as the woman who had eaten the chive pocket last time.
Chen Ze pressed his hand against the slate, and Arcane Wisdom flickered past.
"Manager, have you prepared even more delicious dishes this time?" Alisa looked a bit pale.
"Customer, our store currently offers light cheesecake, sundae, chive pockets, braised pork meal, and hot pot," Chen Ze said, slightly pleased. He hadn’t seen this picky woman for a few days.
As long as this woman ate his cooking, Chen Ze could then make targeted improvements to his dishes, which was far more valuable than a box of useless gold coins.
"Hot pot? What’s that?" Alisa sniffed, she detected a familiar scent in the air.
"That is..."
"Wait, you used Strong Liquor Grass?" Alisa looked at Chen Ze with surprise. As a duke’s daughter, Alisa certainly knew of this precious ingredient.
It was a specialty of the negative plane, with a single plant exchangeable for a Swift Land Dragon, an expensive trade.
"Yes, I made Drunken Pork Ribs with Strong Liquor Grass," Chen Ze replied, surprised that she could smell it but still answered her question.
"Drunken Pork Ribs? Whatever it is, give me a serving of Drunken Pork Ribs. I haven’t had a dish made with Strong Liquor Grass in a long time," Alisa said with some anticipation. The last time she had a dish prepared with Strong Liquor Grass was at her 17th birthday banquet.
"Sorry, Drunken Pork Ribs cannot be provided at the moment." After all, he had run out, and he still needed to save some for Star.
"Hm? Do you know who I am? I am the daughter of Duke Rose!" Alisa said angrily, banging on the table. No one had ever dared to refuse her request.
Chen Ze rolled his eyes; he hadn’t even heard of any Duke Rose, especially since this was Earth.
"My lady, the Feudal Era is over."
Alisa didn’t respond, and Chen Ze glanced over, only to see her motionless, face down on the table.
Chen Ze walked out with furrowed brows, he really hadn’t anticipated such a situation. Could this woman be dead?
Chen Ze reached out to check her breathing; thankfully, she was still alive.
Chen Ze gently pushed the daughter of Duke Rose, and Alisa opened her eyes, her lips moving slightly.
Chen Ze leaned in a bit closer, finally hearing her words.
"Hungry... so hungry..."
Only then did Chen Ze realize why her face had been so pale when she came in; turns out she was starving.
"Sigh, just wait, I’ll make you a serving of braised pork," Chen Ze sighed, propped her up, and handed her a glass of ice water.
Then he tied on his headscarf and went into the kitchen.
A serving of braised pork didn’t take much time to prepare, and Chen Ze soon brought out a steaming plate of braised pork and rice drizzled with a little Drunken Pork Ribs sauce.
Chen Ze kindly placed a spoon beside her, then returned to the kitchen; he did not have the habit of watching others eat.
Alisa smelled the aroma in the air, trembling as she reached for the spoon, scooped a spoonful of braised pork, and put it in her mouth.
The meat was tender, resembling that of the Pruo Pig, with unique spices and a thick sauce, making it extremely delicious.
Alisa ate with increasing speed, spooning up mouthful after mouthful, and spoonful after spoonful of rice. For the first time, she thought the Pruo Pig could be a tasty ingredient.
In the past, the Pruo Pig meat was food for dogs and never appeared on her dining table.
"This is... the flavor of Strong Liquor Grass," Alisa tasted the distinct flavor in the dish, which was unique.
"What a pity, the meat in this dish was cooked too tender, the skin wasn’t handled properly, and the spices were too heavy, spoiling the whole dish," Alisa shook her head, although it was much better than the previous leek dumplings, there were still some issues.
"Strong Liquor Grass..." Alisa pondered for a moment, not understanding why Chen Ze gave her this bowl of white stuff.
"It seems like tonight, I’ll have to face my inner self again," Alisa’s lips curled up a bit, she still remembered the words Duke Rose said to her on her last birthday.
"Alisa, this dish is made with Strong Liquor Grass, remember, the reason why Strong Liquor Grass is expensive is because..."
