A New Goal
After the overwhelming success at the market, Li Qingyun knew that selling high-quality crops was just the first step. If she wanted to elevate her family's status and secure their future, she needed to create something truly unique—something that no one else could replicate.
Food.
Not just any food, but delicious, mouthwatering dishes that could make nobles, merchants, and even royalty seek her out.
In her past life, she had struggled just to survive, never having the time or resources to develop her cooking skills. This time, she wouldn't waste the opportunity.
She would learn to cook—starting immediately.
The Challenge of Cooking
Late at night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Qingyun snuck into the kitchen.
She lit a small lantern and placed it on the wooden counter, casting a dim glow over the neatly arranged ingredients.
Her mother, Madam Zhao, was a wonderful cook, but Qingyun wanted to learn on her own first. She wanted to surprise her family with something special.
She stared at the fresh radishes, cabbages, and spring onions from their farm. These were already the best ingredients in town, but how could she make them even better?
Her stomach rumbled slightly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten much during the busy market day.
"Alright," she whispered to herself. "Let's start simple."
She decided to make a dish using stir-fried radishes and spring onions.
Her First Attempt
Following her memory of her mother's cooking, she heated the pan and added a bit of oil. The moment the oil sizzled, she tossed in the chopped radishes. A satisfying hiss filled the air as the vegetables hit the heat.
She added salt, a pinch of sugar, and a splash of soy sauce—ingredients her mother always used.
The fragrance immediately filled the kitchen.
Excited, she gave it a few stirs and tasted a small piece.
Her smile faded.
It was… bland. The seasoning was there, but the radish still tasted too raw and hard.
Frowning, she tried again.
This time, she sliced the radishes thinner before cooking, allowing them to absorb the flavors better. She also let them cook longer before adding the sauce.
Another taste.
Her eyes widened.
Much better! The radishes were now slightly crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, coated with a perfect balance of salty and sweet flavors.
Excitement filled her heart.
She had just taken her first step.
An Unexpected Guest
Just as she was about to try another dish, a sleepy voice spoke behind her.
"Jiejie… what are you doing?"
Qingyun nearly dropped the spoon.
Turning around, she saw Li Jun rubbing his eyes, his small face full of curiosity.
"I… I was just trying something," she admitted.
Li Jun sniffed the air, his drowsiness instantly disappearing. "It smells so good! Can I try?"
Qingyun hesitated, but then grinned. "Alright, tell me what you think."
She handed him a small bowl, watching as he took a bite.
His face lit up. "Jiejie! This is delicious!"
Qingyun chuckled. "It's not perfect yet, but I'll keep improving."
A Secret Practice
From that night on, Qingyun practiced in secret.
Every night, after her family was asleep, she experimented with new cooking techniques, spices, and flavors.
She learned how to balance sweet and savory flavors, how to make soups rich and fragrant, and how to turn simple ingredients into mouthwatering dishes.
She even started using vegetables from her farming space, finding that they had a deeper, more natural flavor compared to regular crops.
With each dish she mastered, her confidence grew.
A Plan Begins to Form
One night, after successfully making a perfectly seasoned vegetable pancake, Qingyun sat at the table, deep in thought.
Selling vegetables at the market had been profitable, but there was a limit to how much they could earn.
But what if… they opened a small food stall instead?
With her unique crops and delicious cooking, she could create dishes that no other stall could compete with.
She clenched her fists, determination filling her heart.
It was time to take the next step.
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