Chapter 02: The Big Pot and the Small Pot

Jian Fan squatted down to look at a basin of small fish, each about an inch long, likely caught by his father's drinking buddy. He fumbled around his body and took a curved small knife from his keychain, a handmade knife with a blade one inch wide and over three inches long. The blade was sharpened from a steel saw blade, designed for three strokes to scale the fish and one stroke to gut them, executed with remarkable skill. He had enjoyed doing these kitchen tasks since he was young, and before long, the large basin was filled with an increasing number of small fish.

As he stirred the vegetables, Jianfan secretly observed his father. The tall figure had begun to stoop slightly, and the wrinkles on his face were deeper than a few years ago. With a standard square face, upon closer inspection, he indeed bore some resemblance to a tough man. Jianfan had always felt ashamed of his own delicate appearance, resembling his mother too much, and lacking the imposing demeanor of his father. However, emotionally, he felt closer to his dad; every time his mother scolded him with a feather duster or broom, it was his father who spoke up for him, protectively hiding behind him. In his childhood, he did not think much of it, but after graduating from university, having spent over a hundred thousand on a third-tier degree, he found himself at a loss for what he had actually learned, and immediately faced unemployment. Jianfan always felt a sense of guilt towards his family, as if he had incurred a significant debt to them.

The father remained indifferent, and from this statement, it is clear without even asking that the exam results were not satisfactory

Upon entering, one is greeted by the unique aroma of stewed dishes wafting through the air, and the flavor is quite rich

My mother has a professional ailment, and I certainly do not want to be like her

I didn't ask you to go; your mother asked you to go

You, young man, are simply not cut out for this. If you wanted to perform well in the exam, you should have informed me earlier.

Son, come here, come here, and tidy up that pot of little fish

... ...

Not a local car, not a local person. Jian Fan turned her eyes around and, upon looking back, was dumbfounded. Her cousin, with a thick finger dipped in saliva, was counting a pile of money and said, "Peach Blossom, take a look... a group of fat sheep has come, waiting to be slaughtered. I'll take care of this table."

More surprising than the woman was the car, an Audi and a Thunderbird, both bearing license plates starting with 'O', clearly indicating they were vehicles from a government department

Today, having performed so poorly on the exam, Jian Fan felt embarrassed as she looked at her busy father. She cautiously asked, "Dad, why don't you ask me how I did on the exam?"

"Oh, son, this little knife works well!" Dad turned around and casually glanced, offering a compliment.

A typical family-run old shop, and the liquor sold in the store is the corn liquor and sweet potato liquor brewed at Grandpa's distillery in Maple Forest Town, transported to the county town once a month

Five men and two women were present, with the first man being even fatter than Fei Shiqing. His arms were thick and white, resembling high-quality streaky pork. The five men were all similarly rotund, clearly preoccupied with indulgent thoughts. Surprisingly, the two accompanying women were strikingly beautiful. The younger one, in her early twenties, wore a white sun hat and a white dress that was snug around her chest, leaving much to the imagination despite her face being obscured. The slightly older woman carried a bag and wore sunglasses, and she was not unattractive either. The five men were all similarly rotund, clearly preoccupied with indulgent thoughts. Surprisingly, the two accompanying women were strikingly beautiful. The younger one, in her early twenties, wore a white sun hat and a white dress that was snug around her chest, leaving much to the imagination despite her face being obscured. The slightly older woman carried a bag and wore sunglasses, and she was not unattractive either

Is she coming back for lunch?

Although I may be a bit impatient, after a few years of hard work, it should be no problem to pass on the brand of the first pot of Wulong to my son

Oh... Sir, please have a seat and try some of these little black melon seeds, a specialty of Maple Forest Town, they are particularly fragrant... What shall we eat today

"Then you know I can't do it, yet you still want me to take the exam," Jian Fan pouted, speaking resentfully.

Dad, then I might as well follow you to open a restaurant, since this job has no prospects for the time being

Outside the kitchen, in the backyard, there are four large soup pots, capable of holding eighteen loads of water. One pot is filled with braised pork belly, while the other two contain broth made from lamb and beef bones. The final large pot is truly impressive, stacked with twelve layers of bamboo steamer walls, emitting white steam like a steam engine. The steam is a mixture of vapor and the light smoke from firewood, carrying the scent of rural cooking. Lifting the walls made of straw reveals large, white, tender, and chewy steamed buns. These buns, steamed using traditional methods, possess the natural fragrance of straw and the aroma of wheat. From the time the fire is lit in the morning until the pots are lifted at noon, it takes over six hours, continuously releasing steam like a steam engine, with the same delightful rural scent. Although they are delicious, they are indeed time-consuming and labor-intensive. Moreover, they are in short supply. Jianfan has advised his father more than once to switch to a mechanized bun steamer, but sometimes his father is even more stubborn than his mother, insisting on sticking to this traditional method.

The kitchen does not resemble a kitchen; it is merely a standard rural stove. A row of mud stoves holds four, seven, and twenty-eight small double-handled pots, simmering slowly on one side, while on the other side, there is a complete row of coarse porcelain square bowls, white flour with a blue base, which can be considered a specialty of Wulong. On the counter, several large basins are piled high with chopped cabbage, tofu, green vegetables, mountain mushrooms, soaked vermicelli, boiled cloud beans, and fried potato slices, creating a substantial heap.

During meal times, one is generally busy from around noon until two or three in the afternoon, when the guests start to dwindle. While bustling about, one is also scrubbing pots and washing dishes, and those outside are busy settling bills and clearing tables, leaving no time to rest. After more than two hours of this, the guests gradually disperse, and the heaps of vegetables turn into either complete or partial receipts in the cabinet. At this point, one can finally take a moment to drink some water and rest. Just as Jian Fan has barely sat down, he catches sight of two cars pulling up outside; more guests are arriving!

Dad, can't you just come home for once? Why do you have to ask Mom?

Jianfan demonstrated it quite arrogantly. His father also laughed, patted his son's head, and said with a smile: "My son is indeed clever! Hehe, I have been a chef for so many years and never figured this out."

Hey! Don't let them find out!

The exact duration for which this sign has been hanging remains unclear even to the present day. Since I can remember, whenever my father's acquaintances meet him, they call him "Jian Tie Guo" (Jian Iron Pot), and I have inevitably become the one and only "Jian Xiao Guo" (Little Pot). From kindergarten onwards, this nickname has followed me to this day. Occasionally, some girls flirtatiously call out "Handsome!" with the "ge" (brother) sound noticeably elongated and infused with an "OU" tone, making it sound like "Handsome Pot!" My childhood friends directly address me as "Guo Ge" (Pot Brother) or "Guo Di" (Pot Younger Brother), and even my girlfriend, Xiang Xiang, has earned the title of "Guo Sao" (Pot Sister-in-law)!

Jian Shi Zhong smiled, a knowing smile. At this moment, regardless of how many people arrived or their status, his son would certainly handle everything with grace and ease. As soon as his son appeared, the chaotic restaurant would be orderly in just a few minutes. Those who complained about slow service, inattentive staff, or minor issues with the food would soon be persuaded.

With her cheeks puffed out, my cousin nodded repeatedly with a smile as she looked at her older cousin. In the eyes of this cousin, who had dropped out of middle school, this older cousin, who was handsome, clever, and intelligent, was undoubtedly an idol. The two of them... exchanged smiles...

In Wulong County, the ubiquitous iron pot stew is a well-known and beloved dish among families. If you casually ask an elderly man or woman, or a young man or uncle in the village, they will surely know how to prepare it. With just a few basic seasonings, a handful of firewood stuffed into the stove to stoke the flames, and six or seven types of vegetables tossed into the pot, the process begins. After a quick stir-fry and a few ladles of well water added for a long simmer, the result is always delicious. When the dish is ready, steam rises and fills the air with a fragrant aroma, drawing the family around the table. They enjoy the steaming pot alongside fluffy white buns, complemented by chili oil made from lard and sweet potato liquor. During festivals or on lucky days, the pot may occasionally contain a wild rabbit, a mountain chicken, or slices of fatty pork, which are considered the ultimate delicacies for the rural folk.

Watching Jianfan leave, a barely perceptible smile crossed the father's face. This was truly the son's forte. After four years of studying at m.hetushu.com, Jianzhong felt that his son had not wasted his time at all. At the very least, that little child who could not sit still was now capable of standing on his own. This smile was soon validated. The son's clear voice was heard distinctly. At the very least, that little child who could not sit still was now capable of standing on his own. This smile was soon validated. The son's clear voice was heard distinctly.

What can be done? A couple, one is a master chef and the other a poor teacher. If it weren't for the restaurant business, supporting these two university students would be a problem. Now, finding a job costs tens of thousands, which is frightening to hear. Fortunately, the son is understanding and does not pressure his parents to do this or that; otherwise, it would truly put the father in a difficult position

... ...

The father and son chatted casually, with the father always calm and unperturbed, while Jianfan was perpetually cheerful and playful. Their conversations were typically very relaxed and easygoing

Upon entering the restaurant, several people greeted Jian Fan in succession. At the bar, a robust black woman, who was Jian Fan's cousin Jian Tao Hua, was working part-time as a cashier after dropping out of middle school. The ones wiping the tables and washing dishes at the sink in the kitchen were two waiters, one named San Qiang and the other Shui Sheng, both from the same hometown and sharing the surname Jian. Jian Fan's father was busy in the backyard; having graduated a year ago, he had comfortably begun to treat Jian Fan as a waiter to be commanded. Not only did he command her, but he also did so without any compensation.

Dad, you know your stuff. Tomorrow, I will make you one, a fish gutting knife that I invented. Do you see it?" Jianfan smiled as he turned the small knife in his hand and explained, "One side is the blade and the other side is the serrated edge. It only takes one cut to gut a fish and three cuts to scale it. Look...

There should be no issues, yet there are significant problems. The wife will certainly not agree. Even Jian Zhongshi feels that after studying for over ten years and graduating from university through numerous hardships, it is truly unfair to confine his son to such a small county and a small shop. It is indeed a bit discontenting.

Oh

Oh, I ran into you

"Hey... this! I said, Dad, how come you are even less accomplished than I am?" Jian Fan chuckled softly. Dad never concealed his lowly status; even the name of the head of the household was Mei Yu Yun. With Mom being so domineering, Jian Fan felt that a part of it was indeed cultivated by Dad.

Xiao Fan, you have returned

It was just a few words; it seemed as if Dad was merely asking casually. His attention was always focused on those few pots. Jianfan had heard Dad ramble on more than once, stating that the dish was merely superficial. Regardless of what vegetables were cooked, as long as the broth was added and simmered over high heat, it would immediately transform into a fragrant spread of dishes.

As noon approached, guests began to arrive at the tables one after another. The two waitstaff busily moved about like busy bees. My father rolled up his sleeves, listening attentively to the menus brought in by the waitstaff or my cousin at the bar, skillfully wielding a large ladle. He added ingredients, scooped vegetables, drained oil, and seasoned, placing each dish into the double-ear pot over a fierce flame: clear soup hotpot, pork stewed with cabbage, earthen pot rabbit, earthen pot chicken, winter melon with spare ribs and cloud beans, potato noodle cakes...! With the large ladle in hand, he continued to add ingredients, scoop vegetables, drain oil, and season, placing each dish into the double-ear pot over a fierce flame: clear soup hotpot, pork stewed with cabbage, earthen pot rabbit, earthen pot chicken, winter melon with spare ribs and cloud beans, potato noodle cakes...! The father and son worked busily in succession, adding broth pot by pot, flowing like a stream to the restaurant tables

The first pot of Oolong tea, with its large golden characters and lacquered sign, is prominently displayed at the intersection of the secondary road and the highway leading into the county town

"What are you talking about? I see you're getting a bit restless." The father casually tossed a rag, which landed nearby. Jianfan did not even look up and effortlessly caught it. The tacit understanding between the father and son was profound. With a smile, he listened to his father's affectionate words: "Don't blame your mother; she means well. She doesn't want you to end up like me, spending your life around the stove without any prospects. If you really want to be a chef, why spend over 100,000 to send you to university? ... This routine of Dad's isn't anything strange; you've almost learned it all."

Did not say

What foreigners find mysterious is quite ordinary in Jianfan's eyes. Growing up surrounded by it, he feels confident that taking over the cooking from his father should pose no problem. The first pot of stew, to put it plainly, is nothing extraordinary; it simply has a few more variations than others. As for the flavor, it is more fragrant and fresh; the broth is richer and more refined; and the price is more affordable and value for money. Jianfan does not think his father's skills are particularly high, and since no one is striving for excellence in this area, the ingredients for the stew are merely common vegetables like radishes, cabbages, tofu, and bean sprouts, with the occasional addition of pork, beef, or lamb. A table full of dishes cannot compare to a single dish in a large restaurant. The business has always operated on thin margins, achieving modest wealth but never the possibility of striking it rich.

Jian Fan knows that the admiration from this group of childhood friends is largely related to their shared meals and drinks. However, Jian Fan subtly does not dislike this nickname. The first pot of stew, which has been enjoyed since childhood, never becomes tiresome. Moreover, over the years, the siblings have relied on their father, who works tirelessly from dawn to dusk, to support the family through the first pot. Not only does Jian Fan not feel any aversion, but there is also a special fondness for the four large iron pots in the restaurant's backyard, which are older than he is.

You are mistaken. You are capable of selecting materials, preparing ingredients, and handling the knife, but not everyone can brew this pot of soup. Your temperament is just as impatient as your mother's; you easily get worked up. You are still a bit inexperienced for this task.

This elder brother, come, let me first serve you a cold dish. You two enjoy this while I offer you three cups of our homemade corn liquor on behalf of my father

Dad, with your two skills, I could master them by the time I was ten

Oh, aunt, your son looks really smart... How old is he... What's his name... Just a moment, please wait a moment, both of you...

At the serving window, my cousin was stretching her head and shouting, while outside it was bustling with noise. Jianfan responded and rushed out.

... ...

I have no objections, go ask your mother

The first pot of Wulong is well-known as the signature restaurant for iron pot stewed dishes in Wulong County

Cousin, you have returned!

When it comes to my son, he truly has the makings of a restaurant owner. He is sweet-tongued and skilled in his craft, addressing customers as uncles, aunts, sisters, and brothers, which is a fundamental skill in the restaurant business. He is diligent and loves to think creatively when cooking. When serving dishes, he is meticulous and far superior to clumsy waitstaff. If one were to say he does not excel in academics, he can recall the names of dishes without needing a pen, accurately remembering eighteen or nineteen dishes from three tables without a single mistake. However, he struggles with mathematics and is not very clear when calculating bills. Nevertheless, this is not a significant issue, as my son tends to calculate on the higher side and has never undercharged!

Apart from cooking at home, everything else is managed by your mother

Jian Fan smiled awkwardly, lowering his head to busy himself. He was preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming exam, noticing that his father did not mention anything. His heart raced as if he were a thief, feeling guilty every time he performed poorly or made mistakes. He worked twice as hard here, partly to alleviate his guilt and partly to silence his mother if she happened to notice. No matter how mischievous or troublesome he was outside, he would always be the obedient child at home

Sigh... In the kitchen, Jing Zhongshi sighed, his manner of sighing strikingly similar to that of his son when he performed poorly on an exam

And these delicious scenes, the first pot is something we see every day

The iron pots produced in Wulong County are renowned throughout the province, and the reputation of Wulong's iron pot dishes surpasses that of the pots themselves. Whenever restaurants in various regions serve dishes cooked in iron pots, they invariably emphasize to their guests, "Our chef is from Wulong County!"

At this moment, my father said not a word, at most just a few phrases like adding broth, heating up, and serving the dish. My father, wielding a large ladle, and my son, bringing the pot to the table, the two of them shared an unspoken understanding

Sister, please wait a moment. There are many people today, so the dishes will be a little slower, just a little bit. We must ensure that the colors, aroma, and taste are all perfect; we cannot ruin the first signature dish of the Jian family, can we

Cousin, cousin... come outside to help, there are many people today...

The man does not think much of it, but those two women clearly do not resemble the products of Wulong County. The women from Wulong County generally have arms as thick as those of a cousin and do not look much better than a cabbage.

Dad dipped a small spoon into the soup pot to taste it and casually asked, "Xiaofan, have you seen your mom?"