diskusbooks Chapter 11 Reporting, sir, the little bunny buns are attacking!
Chapter 11 Reporting, sir, the little bunny buns are attacking!
At 4:30 a.m., the old street was still shrouded in darkness.
Chen Feng quietly closed the door to the second-floor room without disturbing Mengmeng, who was still fast asleep.
He went into the bathroom, turned on the tap, and first splashed cold water on his face.
The icy water completely jolted him awake from his drowsiness.
He hadn't gotten up this early in a long time; today was the first day of business, and he wanted to be well-prepared.
Soon, he finished washing up and went downstairs. He picked up a wicker basket from the corner of the kitchen and gently pushed open the walnut-colored wooden gate.
At this moment, the old street outside the gate was very quiet and deserted, with only the occasional chirping of early birds in the distance.
Chen Feng started the black sedan, its headlights piercing the night, and drove towards the suburban farmers' market thirty kilometers away.
When Chen Feng arrived, it was already past 5:30, and the morning market was at its busiest.
Chen Feng didn't go to the large stalls, but instead wandered through the corners of the market.
He stopped in front of an old woman wearing a headscarf.
The basket in front of me contained unshelled red beans, the pods still damp with the scent of soil, looking very fresh.
"Grandma, are these red beans grown in our own garden?"
Chen Feng squatted down, grabbed a handful of beans, brought them to his nose and smelled them; the aroma of beans filled the air.
"Young man, you know your stuff. This is the last batch. It'll be soft and fragrant when cooked."
Chen Feng gently pinched the bean skin with his fingertips, breaking it open to reveal the plump flesh inside.
He nodded: "Grandma, I'll take them all." Then, he selected the best wheat flour and freshly pressed pork fat.
Then, he picked out a bag of "Northeast Little Golden Beans" from the stall next door.
These soybeans are round and golden in color, making them excellent for grinding into soy milk.
Chen Feng grabbed a handful and brought it close to his nose. It didn't smell of rancid oil; instead, it had a fresh fragrance, indicating that it was new soybeans.
Finally, he turned and went to the butcher's stall, picking out a piece of pork foreleg with distinct marbling.
When you press your finger down, the flesh is firm and springs back quickly, with a bright red color.
"Boss, I'll take this piece of meat back and process it myself."
Back at the shop, he didn't rest for a moment, picking up the piece of foreleg meat and placing it on the cutting board.
In the kitchen, he swiftly removed excess fascia with his boning knife.
"Da da da da..."
Immediately afterwards, the heavy sound of chopping meat rang out in the quiet morning.
The minced meat was almost chopped up quickly.
He added a tiny bit of soaked dried shrimp, homemade scallion and ginger water, and a few drops of light soy sauce to enhance the flavor.
The minced meat was kneaded and pounded continuously, gradually becoming sticky and emitting a very subtle yet authentic meaty aroma.
After finishing the minced meat, he turned to look at the bowl of kneaded wheat flour dough on the cutting board.
He mixed it with warm water and yeast.
He reached out and pressed down on the round dough, which slowly bounced back.
"The heat is just right."
Chen Feng muttered to himself.
He covered the dough with a warm, damp cloth and placed it next to the stove where the temperature was just right.
If the dough ferments properly during this time, it will be fluffy by the time Mengmeng wakes up.
Immediately afterwards, Chen Feng poured the bag of soybeans into a large basin and repeatedly rubbed and washed them to remove the surface dust.
Then pour the beans into the small stone mill left by Grandpa in the backyard.
Soy milk made with a small stone mill has a rich and mellow flavor.
As the stone mill turned, soy milk flowed out along the stone trough, and a rich aroma of raw soybeans filled the air.
Then Chen Feng poured the soy milk into a large pot and simmered it over low heat, constantly skimming off the foam with a long spoon.
As the pot began to bubble gently, a rich aroma of soybeans wafted out.
At 6:40 a.m., the sky was beginning to brighten.
There were light footsteps at the door.
Master Zhou, along with Da Zhuang and Xiao Deng, each carrying a large, festive flower basket, were carefully placing them at the door.
"Uncle Zhou, so early?" Chen Feng pushed open the door and came out, his hands still covered in a smear of white flour.
"Fengzi, congratulations on your opening!" Old Zhou smiled warmly. "We just happened to be passing by and wanted to offer our congratulations. This flower basket is a small token of our appreciation; please accept it."
Dazhuang chuckled beside him, "Brother Feng, we're in a rush here, we have to head to the next town after we finish delivering. When we have some free time, we brothers definitely have to come and try your cooking."
"Of course, take care, everyone." Chen Feng watched the three leave, feeling a warmth in his heart.
Chen Feng turned around, pulled out a folding solid wood blackboard from under the bar counter, and placed it horizontally on one side of the wooden gate.
He picked up a piece of white chalk and wrote a few lines with a steady wrist:
"Human Fireworks" officially opens for trial operation today:
Today's featured item: Bunny-shaped steamed buns (with fresh pork filling)
Price: 12 yuan/serving (3 pieces/serving)
Supply: Limited to 100 units, while supplies last.
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. (Reservations are not accepted. Please take care of the rabbit artwork on the wall.)
After he finished writing, he turned around and saw Zhang Qiang rushing over in a flurry of activity, carrying a pot of brightly blooming anthuriums.
"Fengzi! Congratulations on your grand opening!"
"Oh my god, what's written on this blackboard?"
Zhang Qiang placed the red palm on the doorway, pointed at the blackboard, and looked at it with disbelief.
"Three steamed buns for 12 yuan? You're black-hearted! And you're closing at 5 pm? How can you even sell all 100 servings?"
"Qiangzi, this shop isn't about getting rich quick." Chen Feng straightened the last flower basket, his tone calm yet resolute.
"I can't handle it all by myself. If I make too much, the taste will change."
We close promptly at five o'clock because Mengmeng will be going to kindergarten in town after summer vacation, and I need to make time to pick her up from school and have dinner with her.
Zhang Qiang was stunned for a moment, and all the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.
Looking at Chen Feng's serious expression, he sighed heavily and rolled up his sleeves.
"Fine, you have your reasons."
"Today is my first day, I'm not going anywhere else, I'll just stay here and be your waiter!"
At seven o'clock sharp, a faint thumping sound came from the second floor.
Mengmeng rubbed her eyes and carried her shed teddy bear down the stairs.
When she saw the row of flower baskets at the door and her father dressed in a chef's uniform, her eyes lit up instantly.
"Dad! Are we going to do a magic trick?"
"Yes, the magic show is about to begin." Chen Feng bent down, picked up his daughter, and gently placed her on the high stool behind the bar.
"Do you remember our promise? Our first dish will be bunny-shaped steamed buns."
Mengmeng cheered and clapped her little hands excitedly.
Chen Feng turned around and went into the kitchen. The fermented dough had risen just right.
"Qiangzi, don't just stand there, wash your hands."
"Coming!" Zhang Qiang rushed into the kitchen like a big bear, rubbing his hands until they were red and raw by the sink.
Chen Feng took out a piece of dough, kneaded it into a long strip in his hand, held the dough in his left hand, and took a small scraper in his right hand. With a gentle twist, a round and plump bun skin was formed.
He picked up a spoonful of the glistening, firm meat filling, and with nimble fingers, a plump, round bun nestled in his palm.
Then, he picked up the scissors and made two diagonal cuts at the front of the bun.
"Look closely, these are rabbit's long ears."
Chen Feng turned around and waved to Mengmeng: "Mengmeng, it's your turn. Dot their eyes."
Mengmeng held her breath and carefully took the small bowl that Chen Feng handed her.
It contained red beans that I just bought this morning.
The little girl picked up a red bean with her fingertips, aimed it at the top of the bun, and gently pressed it down.
Press one more.
The once lifeless dough seemed to come alive the moment those two ruby-like red beans fell.
A fair-skinned, chubby little rabbit with bright, lively eyes appeared on the cutting board.
"Wow! It's looking at me! It's really looking at me!" Mengmeng jumped up happily, then quickly covered her mouth, afraid of disturbing these "little elves".
Zhang Qiang, on the other hand, seemed a bit clumsy.
His hands, which were used to carrying buckets of putty all year round, were now kneading a lump of dough, but he couldn't roll it into the light, graceful curve that Chen Feng had.
"Hey Fengzi, why does my rabbit look like a pig?"
Zhang Qiang looked at the flat, round thing in his hand, scratched his head, and got a bit of white flour on his nose.
Chen Feng smiled and gently touched him, saying, "Take it easy, don't press too hard. Qiangzi, don't rush."
Zhang Qiang chuckled and, imitating Chen Feng, performed each movement with utmost seriousness, albeit slowly.
Sunlight streamed through the wooden lattice gate, gradually entering the room.
On the cutting board, hundreds of little rabbit-shaped buns were neatly arranged in a square formation.
It was a clean and pure white, dotted with pairs of crystal-clear red.
Chen Feng looked at the hard work he had put into the cutting board, then at his daughter who was carefully marking the red beans, and at Zhang Qiang who was clumsily working beside her.
It was as if his world at that moment could only accommodate these two people who were very important to him.
"Dad, can we put them in the 'sauna' now?"
Mengmeng pointed to the steaming hot steamer next to her, her eyes full of anticipation.
"That's fine."
Chen Feng picked up the first basket of steamed buns and placed it steadily on the stove: "Once the steam rises, our 'Human Fireworks' will officially be open to customers."