The Next Day,
When Mo Shan went out, he returned in the evening carrying a large package filled with wild bull meat.
"I went to see old Zhao. He still had a lot left. No one was buying this meat, and he couldn't eat it either, so I brought it all back," he explained.
Liu Ruhua proceeded to soak the meat, draining the blood, and then marinating it with spicy and aromatic seasonings.
These seasonings were ones Liu Ruhua had picked from the mountains and dried herself, following methods learned from a neighbor's wife. These were common seasonings made by scattered cultivator families in Tongxian City, though Liu Ruhua's versions had a better fragrance.
After marinating the wild bull meat overnight, it was placed into the stove the next day, cooked over a fire for half a day. Liu Ruhua then removed the meat, poured out the water from the pot, and added fresh water and more spicy seasonings. First boiling it over high heat and then simmering it over low heat, the meat stewed for another day and night.
By the evening of the third day, the fire was finally extinguished, and the lid of the pot was lifted.
A rush of steam and the aroma of meat mixed with seasonings filled the entire room.
Liu Ruhua took a small knife, sliced off a piece of meat, cut it into thin slices, plated them, and placed them on the table. Then she waved to Mo Hua, "Hua, come and taste."
Mo Hua picked up his chopsticks, took a piece, chewed it, and felt the tender and flavorful meat, leaving a lingering taste in his mouth. Even the slight gamey flavor was balanced by the spicy seasoning, presenting a unique flavor.
"Mom, this is the most delicious meat I've ever had!"
Mo Shan also tried a piece, his eyes lighting up as he praised his wife, "Even better than what the chefs in the restaurants make."
Liu Ruhua smiled with satisfaction but still felt there was room for improvement, "The taste is still a bit off. The spices should be lighter, and the spicy flavor should be stronger. We also need to adjust the cooking time..."
Mo Hua thought it was already very delicious. In his ten years of life, he had never eaten such tasty meat. Whether he had eaten anything better in his past life, he couldn't remember.
The wild bull meat tasted excellent, giving them confidence in opening an eatery. Liu Ruhua sliced some of the beef from the pot, packed it into small food boxes, and had Mo Shan and Mo Hua share some with their neighbors and friends in the street.
Mo Shan distributed it to their neighbors and also to friends in the demonic beast hunting team.
Mo Hua carried the food boxes, first delivering one to Mr. Feng at the Wondrous Pavilion, thanking him for treating his mother's illness. Then he delivered one to Master Chen, considering that Chen had forged the stove. It was only right for him to taste the stewed beef.
Mr. Feng specialized in health through diet and usually didn't eat after a certain time. However, when he saw Mo Hua's beef, he couldn't resist trying a few slices and praised it endlessly.
As for Master Chen, he not only shared half of the beef with his disciples, like Da Zhu, but also kept the rest for himself to enjoy slowly with wine.
A few portions were also sent to the homes of Da Hu and his family.
The Da Hu family, all surnamed Meng, were related but not blood brothers.
The Meng family had been prosperous with three generations living together. The patriarch had three sons, each of whom had a son, making Da Hu, Shuang Hu, and Xiao Hu the three grandsons.
However, their good fortune didn't last. Shuang Hu's father died while hunting demonic beasts, and his mother succumbed to depression and illness shortly thereafter.
Xiao Hu's father got involved with another female cultivator while doing business and never returned. Meng, the eldest, tried to find out what happened, hearing rumors that he had changed his name and started a new family or worse, had fallen victim to a treacherous demonic woman who drained him of his essence and turned him into an elixir.
Regardless, he was never coming back. Xiao Hu's mother felt ashamed and remarried.
The Meng patriarch had hoped for many generations of descendants and a foundational cultivator to bring some fame to their modest family in Tongxian City. Unfortunately, within a blink of an eye, two of his sons were gone. Stricken with grief and stress, he fell ill and soon passed away.
Now, Meng, the eldest son, was the pillar of the family. He never complained and raised his brothers' children as his own, feeding them when there was food and enduring hunger together when there wasn't. When the children misbehaved, they were disciplined together.
However, as the children grew older and their appetites grew, the already modest family became even tighter with finances than before.
When Mo Hua brought over the beef, the Meng family was having dinner.
Da Hu, Shuang Hu, and Xiao Hu were gnawing on steamed buns and chewing on pickled vegetables. When they heard Mo Hua brought beef, their eyes widened. When Mo Hua opened the food box, the aroma wafted out, and all three of them couldn't help but salivate.
Auntie Meng glared at the three children and said sternly, "Before you eat someone else's food, say thank you first!"
Shuang Hu was the first to pat his chest and said, "Mo Hua! Between brothers, I won't say empty words. If anyone bullies you in the future, I'll beat them up for you!"
Da Hu and Xiao Hu also chimed in, "Me too! Me too!"
Auntie Meng picked up her chopsticks and tapped Xiao Hu's head, saying impatiently, "You three don't know anything but fighting every day. If the three of you had half of Mo Hua's understanding, I'd burn incense!"
After Auntie Meng finished speaking, seeing the three children staring hungrily at the meat, she softened a bit and said, "Go ahead, go ahead. Remember to help your Uncle Mo and Auntie Liu with something in the future, don't just eat others' food all the time."
The three little tigers nodded quickly, then each picked up a piece of meat and put it in Uncle Meng's and Auntie Meng's bowls before starting to eat the remaining meat.
Note: Hu means Tiger
As soon as the beef entered his mouth, Xiao Hu widened his eyes and said, "This meat is so delicious!"
Da Hu and Shuang Hu nodded continuously with their mouths full of meat.
Since his mother's cooking received praise, Mo Hua was also very happy.
Uncle Meng and Auntie Meng tasted a bite of the meat, nodded repeatedly, and then handed the remaining meat to the three boys.
Auntie Meng envied Mo Hua and said, "Your mother's cooking is really good!"
Mo Hua also praised, "Auntie Meng's cooking is also very good!"
Auntie Meng smiled, took Mo Hua's little hand, and said, "I really don't know how such a smart and sensible child was born."
Uncle Meng tasted a bite of beef, curious, and asked, "Is this wild beef? It doesn't taste like it."
"It's wild beef, it's been cooking for a long time."
"No wonder," Uncle Meng nodded, then said to Mo Hua, "I heard your family is going to open a restaurant. If there's anything I can help with, just tell your Uncle and Auntie, we'll definitely help."
"Thank you, Uncle Meng!"
After a few more pleasantries, Mo Hua got up and left. Auntie Meng took some freshly steamed buns and wild fruits and asked Mo Hua to take them home to eat.
"There's nothing good at home, take these steamed buns and fruits."
Mo Hua didn't refuse and put the steamed buns in the food box, nibbling on wild fruits as he walked home.
The wild beef was praised by everyone who ate it.
In addition, Liu Ruhua improved the seasoning of the cooking, adjusted the cooking time, and made a few bowls of beef noodles for Mo Hua to taste. The soup was rich, the noodles were chewy, and the beef was fragrant. Mo Hua squinted happily.
In addition to meals, there were also some pastries, fruits, pine nuts, and beef noodles.
With the help of neighbors and friends, the preparation was complete, and the restaurant opened on the first day of the lunar new year.
Originally following the naming customs on the street, it was called Mo Ji Restaurant, but at Mo Hua's suggestion and Mo Shan's approval, it was finally renamed "Liu Ji Restaurant".
Liu Ruhua couldn't resist the father and son, so she agreed.
Note: Ji here means 'Auspicious'
(End of this chapter)