Chapter 1, Fried Wontons and Fire Sticks

"Girl, to be honest with you, I have invited a distinguished guest to my residence for a banquet today," the old man said with a spoon in hand. "This guest is someone we absolutely cannot offend, and he has a particular fondness for unique dishes... I am quite troubled in finding a chef for this occasion. If this guest is not well attended to, the old man's life will be at stake"

The old man lowered his head, rolled his eyes, and then raised his gaze to say, "As long as you can cook!"

... ...

"I didn't call for food," the old man said somewhat embarrassedly, "I just rushed out without bringing a single coin."

However, she did not think much of it; a meal costing five hundred taels of silver was quite a bargain. She needed to showcase her skills! Saving this money would allow her to open a restaurant in the future and live a good life.

"Is it that serious?" Fang Yishao was somewhat surprised, thinking to himself, who is it? So domineering.

She was busily occupied with her hands, and her mouth was not idle either, humming a tune in a peculiar tone

"Can you help me?" The old man seemed quite anxious. "My surname is Fang, and my name is Fang Shou. I am the owner of the mansion at the back." As he spoke, he pointed to the mansion at the north street corner, which was even more imposing than the county office. "I am not lying; people from ten miles around know that I, Fang Shou, am the wealthiest in this East Alley!"

Place the wontons in the tray, then use a ladle to scoop two bowls of clear meat bone soup for boiling the wontons, and quickly prepare a sweet and sour dipping sauce. All of this is placed in the tray and brought to the table in front of the old man.

Three Delicacies: Mushrooms, Pork, and Bamboo Shoots

The Tianshan Mountains curve like a melody, and the clouds envelop the dumplings

Fang Yishao pondered for a moment, feeling somewhat troubled, "I can do nothing but cook, and I have neither wealth nor power. How do you expect me to help you, old sir?"

The girl answered briskly, "I made it up myself. The wontons you have in your hands are called 'ququ' in the Tianshan region, and they are all filled with lamb; when you get to the South Guangdong area, they are called 'wonton', with fillings of pork and seafood, often cooked together with noodles; in the Sichuan region, they are called 'chaoshou', with various ingredients for the filling, and sometimes they are deep-fried and eaten with dipping sauce; in the Ezhou area, they are referred to as 'baomian', with fillings of donkey meat and beef. However, the most exquisite wontons are still found in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, with fillings of three delicacies: mushrooms, pork, and bamboo shoots."

Before me, there is an abundance of pots, bowls, and pans, and all the ingredients are fresh and just purchased

Before the old man went out, he was filled with melancholy and had no appetite at all, but as soon as he caught a whiff of the wonton aroma, he felt as if he were somewhat faint from hunger

The one engaging in trade is a young girl, merely around sixteen or seventeen years old, who is quite attractive, with large eyes, dressed in a well-fitted pale yellow coat, with her sleeves rolled up, giving off a capable appearance

Fang Miao glanced at Fang Yishao on the ground again and murmured softly, "Isn't this a bit too cruel? This girl hasn't provoked us at all"

Fang Yi was even more puzzled, so he asked, "What is the big deal? Can I help?"

Many merchants and street vendors were taken aback and asked, "Little girl, what is your name? How do you know so much about this wonton?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Yuanwai reached out to lift Fang Yishao's shoulder and said to the butler and his son, "Come! Quickly carry him out!"

When the pot was heated to an appropriate temperature, Fang took a spoon and gently placed the several wontons into the hot pot. Without using a spatula, he simply held the handle of the pot and skillfully flipped them. In a short while, the wontons transformed from white to a uniform golden yellow, with a layer of green scallions clinging to the top.

... ...

The girl reached out quite nimbly, quickly stepping aside to avoid the old man, who was now heading straight for a table. Fang Yi hurriedly supported him and said, "Be careful!"

The old man looked up and down at Fang Yishao, thinking that this girl was truly remarkable. He reached out and picked up a wonton, placing it into his mouth. In an instant, the flavors lingered on his lips and teeth

Fang nodded slightly, indicating his belief. He had only been in the East Alley Mansion for two days, yet he had already heard people mention it. They also said that Fang Yuanwai was generous and charitable, so he must be a good person.

Noodles are eaten on the summer solstice, while dumplings are enjoyed in winter

Fang glanced around with a spoon in hand and noticed that there was no one to assist him. He thought to himself that this Fang Yuanwai was quite stingy; with so much money, why didn't he hire a few more servants?

The old man wore a face full of sorrow, yet he couldn't help but lift his face to take a glance...! ... How delightful it is!

Upon hearing the girl's name, many people laughed and asked, "Miss, why did you choose such an unpleasant name?"

After finishing the meal, Fang Yishao continued to tidy up. The old man sat in the chair, examining her up and down, seemingly deep in thought, with a face that was also fluctuating between different expressions.

Fang Yishao looked at him and smiled, saying, "Old man, a bowl of soup and a delicious meal can make you forget all your worries!"

Hmm! The old man hurriedly stuffed the second one into his mouth, mumbling in admiration, "Delicious! A taste beyond compare!"

... ...

Hmm... The old man pinched the divination sticks with his index and middle fingers a few more times, then looked up at Fang Yishao and said, "Today I encountered a great calamity. This morning, I consulted the oracle, and the Buddha said that if I go out with my eyes closed and walk straight ahead, the first person I bump into will be a noble person who can save my life"

Suddenly, the old man opened his eyes, grabbed Fang Yishao, and without even seeing the person clearly, shouted, "It's you!"

"Will you accompany me for a while?" the old man asked, "I have an urgent matter to attend to"

Just as he was speaking, the butler rushed in from outside, saying, "Sir, they have arrived, they have arrived!"

Using a ladle, lift the wontons from the pot and place them onto a plate, revealing the golden stir-fried wontons. The bottom layer of the wrappers has formed a crust, while the top layer is thin, crispy, and translucent, adorned with green and white scallions and sesame seeds, creating an appealing presentation

Ah? Fang Yi was taken aback for a moment, "You can cook, and then what?"

Fang Miao lowered his head and shook it, saying, "Still alive, Father... Is this feasible?"

The old man seemed a bit dazed and asked, "Is this for me?"

"Old man, do you need help with something?" Fang Yishao turned around and saw the old man still wearing a worried expression, so he simply asked him.

Half an hour later, Fang Yishao stood in the kitchen of the Fang residence, holding a spatula.

With a long sigh, the old man released Fang Yishao's wrist, sat down on the nearby stool, and wore a face full of dejection

Fang Yishao found it amusing and asked, "Is it me who is not capable?"

Fang Yishao sat down, took a dipping sauce dish for himself, and pushed another one to the old man, saying, "Old sir, let's eat!"

The old man raised his eyes to look at Fang Yishao, with a mournful expression, and said, "There is something, something, a great disaster has befallen us!"

Sichuan-style dumplings with a rich filling

Upon thinking of this, Fang Yi rolled up her sleeves, preparing to heat the pan and cook a splendid feast for the master. However, just as she crouched down to ignite the stove, she felt a sharp pain at the back of her head, followed by a loud "thud". Subsequently, she felt dazed and fainted.

The person opened their eyes wide and extended five fingers, saying, "Five hundred taels? That would be enough for me to live well for several lifetimes, old man."

Oh dear. The old man waved his hand at him and said, "What does it matter whether it works or not? This is a matter of either her death or my demise; at this moment, can we afford to think any further?"

East Lane Mansion, North Street Morning Market

Indeed. The old man nodded seriously and asked, "Girl, if you are a good person, could you help me out, please?"

Do not! The old man reached out to pull her and said, "I will send someone to help you tidy up shortly, just come with me first, we are running out of time!"

In the early morning, the most bustling business undoubtedly belongs to the breakfast stalls. However, the porridge shop and bun stand, which are usually crowded with people on ordinary days, are surprisingly quiet today

Fang Yi scooped up the bowls and chopsticks, preparing to close the stall

Oh, good! Fang Yi followed the old man in a daze.

On the entire North Street, there is only one small tea stall, which is surrounded by people both inside and outside. It is so crowded inside that many people are holding their bowls and squatting at the entrance to eat

Hmm. The old man nodded, sipping soup and eating super wontons, only able to say two words—delicious!

The old man looked on with a silly grin, somewhat dazed, and instinctively swallowed a mouthful of saliva, thinking to himself...! ... This is simply too fragrant!

Fang Yi was startled by the old man's shout, and he opened his eyes wide to look at him

Those eating wontons listened to the folk tune, all finding it amusing. They asked her, "Ah, little boss, what are you singing?"

The girl, not being picky, smiled and said, "I think it's quite good, one spoonful, neither more nor less, just one spoonful is just right"

The old man continued to ask, "Girl, I see you are quite capable... uh, could you help me prepare a banquet at my residence? I will give you five hundred taels!"

At that moment, she heard hurried footsteps behind her, as if someone was quickly approaching her.

Fang Yi smiled and said, "Old sir, please eat. It is lively when two people have a meal together"

Fang Yishao was taken aback and thought to herself... Oh, this must be someone in trouble, so she did not ask further. She let the old man sit alone with his thoughts. Fang Yishao glanced at the stove beside her, where there were about ten leftover wontons from earlier sales. She walked over, took a dry pot, scooped a small piece of lard from the bowl into the pot, and mixed it. Before long, a thin layer of oil was spread across the hot pot. As the oil heated up, she grabbed a handful of chopped green onions and sprinkled them into the pot, flipping them a couple of times with a spatula. In an instant... the aroma wafted through the air.

... ...

In early spring, the branches of the trees are budding green, the snow on the eaves has yet to melt, and the scene is filled with vibrant hues of green and white, exuding a sense of vitality

It is no wonder that this is a wonton shop, run by an outsider who rents this tea shed to sell wontons every morning, having just opened yesterday. The wontons contain unknown seasonings, but in any case, the aroma wafts down the entire street, attracting diners from all directions, much to the chagrin of the staff at the surrounding shops who can only grit their teeth in frustration

Oh..." Fang Yishao nodded slightly, as she was also short on silver. This deal was just right, so she said, "Old man, please wait a moment while I tidy up the wonton stall."

The old man also looked at Fang Yishao, and after a moment of daze, a look of disappointment appeared on his face

Fang Yishao looked up and saw an elderly man around fifty years old, with gray hair, dressed respectably, clearly a wealthy individual. He was counting on his fingers and muttering something incomprehensible, and most alarmingly, he kept his eyes closed, charging straight towards Fang Yishao.

It was not until around noon that there were truly few people in front of the wonton shop. Not many chose to have wontons for lunch; those with money went to restaurants, while those without opted for pancakes or steamed buns, as wontons were not filling.

Fang Shou was holding a fire stick, standing and looking at Fang Yishao on the ground, and asked his son Fang Miao beside him, "See how she is doing, make sure I don't kill her!"

Hmm. Fang Yishao nodded, scooping a small spoonful of chili powder from the jar on the table and placing it on a small dish. He picked up a fried wonton, dipped it in sweet and sour sauce, then in chili, and brought it to his mouth. With a crisp "crunch," the sound was gentle and crisp. The skin was thin and crispy, and the filling was steaming hot, oozing with rich, oily broth. Fang Yishao chewed a couple of bites, squinting his eyes in delight, "Hmm... delicious!" The skin was thin and crispy, and the filling was steaming hot, oozing with rich, oily broth. Fang Yishao chewed a couple of bites, squinting his eyes in delight, "Hmm... delicious!"

"Do you think I want this?" The old man glared at his son, "Isn't it urgent? What can I do?"

Sigh... It would have been better if you hadn't asked. Now that you have, the old man looks even more troubled. He waves his hand at her and says, "Don't worry about me, let me think alone for a while. It seems that whether there is hope or not depends on fate. At worst, I can jump into the Dongbo River outside the city and end it all.

With just a few flips of the spatula, she immediately removed the pot from the heat and set it aside. After covering the pot, the sound of sizzling hot oil could be heard. Moments later, she grabbed a handful of white sesame seeds, lifted the lid of the pot, and tossed them into the steaming pot. With a flick of her wrist, the sesame seeds were evenly sprinkled over each dumpling

Fang Yishao looked at him and noticed that he appeared quite normal at that moment, not like someone who was ill, so he quietly asked, "Old man, is there something wrong?"

Sigh. The girl waved her hand and smiled, saying, "I am not only knowledgeable about wontons; I understand all the delicacies in the world. My name is Fang Yishao"