Chapter 220

Zhao Hexi squatted down beside them and said, "These lotus roots are really good. Should we transplant them to the company's other ponds next year?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Great! This year, when we're digging for lotus roots, we can clear two ponds."

Last year, they transplanted some lotus shoots, and the transplanted lotus shoots just filled a pond.

The lotus shoots have grown even more this year, so transplanting them into the two ponds shouldn't be a problem.

Zhao Hexi: "Okay, we can include it in the members' vegetable packs. The week before last, we included lotus root in the members' vegetable packs, and they really liked it and gave it rave reviews."

Qing Mengzhu suddenly remembered, "There are so many ponds in the company, how are these lotus roots allocated? Are they randomly assigned? I remember the lotus roots grown from my family's lotus seedlings were of better quality."

Zhao Hexi took out his phone and showed it to Qing Mengzhu: "The lotus roots from that pond weren't included in the vegetable package; they were sold directly online for 99 yuan per jin (500g), and they're selling quite well."

Looking at the row of positive reviews, Qing Mengzhu nodded. "That's good. Selling them separately means neither we nor the customers lose out."

Zhao Hexi: "Yes, the lotus roots from this pond are of particularly high quality, and the soup made from them is especially fragrant. We discovered this when we sent them for testing, and then we started selling them separately. We didn't originally intend to set such a high price, but then Maike said, 'Our white fungus and lotus seed soup is already so expensive, it wouldn't be appropriate to sell the lotus roots cheaply.'"

Qing Mengzhu agreed, "The appeal of these expensive vegetables lies in their taste; customers will be willing to pay a premium, so there's no need to lower the price."

Qing Mengzhu originally just wanted to dig up a lotus root, but the conversation turned to work, so she had no choice but to go to work at the company with Zhao Hexi.

When Ming Chunxi returned home after work, Zhou Yan had already come over and started braising the goose. Ming Chunxi opened the door for him.

It was cold, Ming Chunxi went home to work from home, and Chu Yanhuan, her little tagalong, followed her along.

Chu Yanhuan grinned and said to Qing Mengzhu, "I heard there was something delicious, so I came over to freeload."

Qing Mengzhu laughed, "Just tag along. He Xi and the others will be here later, and we'll all have dinner together tonight."

Chu Yanhuan: "That's great! I was worried about disturbing your time together. My senior brother will fire me tomorrow because my left foot stepped into the company first."

Ming Chunxi kicked his foot. "Go help."

The goose is already braised, and the whole yard smells delicious. They're going to braise vegetables next, so they need help washing and chopping them.

Although Zhou Yan didn't like people crowding into the kitchen with him, he was too busy today and needed someone to help him.

In addition to the radishes, potatoes, and lotus roots that Qing Mengzhu mentioned earlier, everyone also prepared wood ear mushrooms and wild mushrooms.

The wild mushrooms were picked and dried by Qing Mengzhu in the summer. Because they needed to be dried for storage, it was inconvenient to wash them, so they just picked out some impurities before drying them. Now that washing them would be more time-consuming and laborious, Zhou Yan handed the washing work over to Zhao Hexi and Chu Yanhuan.

Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi peeled and sliced radishes, potatoes, lotus roots, and winter bamboo shoots. Their cooking skills were quite good, making them more suited to these tasks that required some technical expertise.

At least if these tasks are done by them, they won't cut their hands.

Everyone was busy. After Qing Mengzhu finished cutting the last radish and tidied up the cutting board, she suddenly remembered something and asked Ming Chunxi, "Would you like some asparagus? I specially saved some."

Before Ming Chunxi could speak, Zhao Hexi, with her very sharp ears, exclaimed from the side, "Yes, yes, yes!!! How come there are still asparagus this season?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Chunxi likes to eat it. A few days ago, when it was a little warmer, I saw asparagus sprouting, so I covered it with straw to keep it warm. The asparagus should have grown by now."

Zhao Hexi: "Everyone who sees it gets a share; we also want to eat fresh, tender asparagus in winter."

Chu Yanhuan shouted from the side, "That's right! We want to eat too!"

Zhou Yan laughed beside him.

Qing Mengzhu had no choice but to pull Ming Chunxi to her feet. "Then let's go to the backyard to pick some."

Chapter 220

After more than a year of growth, the cypress under the fence has grown very lushly. In the autumn, it grew into a large clump, turning the fence into a green hedge.

As the weather grew colder, most of the branches and leaves of the asparagus cypress withered, so Qing Mengzhu found a sunny day to clear away the dead branches.

Now that they've arrived, they can no longer see the ground; the place where the cypress trees used to grow has been covered with a thick layer of straw by Qing Mengzhu.

They parted the straw, revealing plump, tender yellow asparagus underneath.

After observing for a moment, Ming Chunxi said, "These are much bigger than the asparagus that grew this spring."

Qing Mengzhu: "The quality has also improved. It was only 'Good Grade+' back then, but now it's 'Fine Grade-'. Next spring, we should have a chance to upgrade to 'Fine Grade' quality."

Ming Chunxi: "I hope our wish will come true."

The two picked the asparagus, put it in a small basket, and took it back to the yard.

The freshly picked asparagus has a delicate fragrance that smells especially pleasant in this snowy winter.

Zhou Yan took the asparagus, examined it closely, and said, "That's the joy of growing your own food—you can eat good things all year round."

Qing Mengzhu: "Who says otherwise? Brother Zhou, why don't you blanch the asparagus and bamboo shoots? We can peel the eggs."

Zhou Yan: "I'll be done peeling soon. I've cooked some of the shrimp and goose meat. Can you take some to feed the little guys? The Little Fox and the Little Otter are still in their den, not hibernating yet, right?"

Qing Mengzhu looked up and smiled, "No, they don't hibernate. Brother Zhou, do you want to go take a look? They grow new fur in winter, and their fur is so thick."

Zhou Yan's eyes lit up. "Is it okay?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Of course! They've eaten so much of your special treats, what's wrong with petting them? Chunxi, I'll take Brother Zhou to pet the Little Fox and the Little Otter."

Ming Chunxi nodded from the side. "Leave this to us."

So, Qing Mengzhu took Zhou Yan to the back of the courtyard, called out the red fox and otter, and fed them shrimp and goose meat while petting them.

This time, both the red fox and the otter were very cooperative, especially the red fox, which even lay down on the ground and exposed its belly.

The Dharma Protector and Guard somehow got the news and came running back, barking. When they saw Qing Mengzhu, they rushed over and nuzzled him with their heads, rubbing against him affectionately until they were done before going over to Zhou Yan to beg for food.

Zhou Yan stroked every thick-fuzzed furry creature, from dogs to red foxes to otters, before finally washing his hands and preparing braised vegetables with great enthusiasm.

Around 7 p. m., everyone lit a brazier in the courtyard and ate dinner while warming themselves by the fire.

Tonight's dinner is braised vegetables and braised goose. To keep it warm, Zhou Yan specially put charcoal underneath so it wouldn't get cold by the end.

Otherwise, in this weather, if they eat slowly, the oil will solidify and they might feel uncomfortable after eating it.

Zhou Yan's approach to making braised dishes differs from others. In addition to the various vegetables on the table, he also prepares two dipping sauces: one based on chili oil for a fragrant and spicy flavor, and the other based on fresh chili peppers for a fresh and spicy flavor.

Dip whichever you like, or don't dip any of them if you don't like any of them.

Today's main dish, braised goose, is in the pot.

Zhou Yan's knife skills were superb; he chopped a goose into pieces while still maintaining its shape, making it look and smell delicious.

Everyone looked up at each other, and without saying a word, they all reached out their chopsticks to pick up goose and eat it.

Qing Mengzhu picked up a piece of goose breast with the skin on, and as soon as it entered her mouth, the deliciousness of the goose meat was immediately released on her tongue.

The goose skin is firm and smooth, and the goose meat is tender and juicy, making it very delicious. The braising liquid is also very fragrant.

After finishing one piece, he couldn't resist taking a second one.

As he tasted it again, he glanced at Zhou Yan beside him and thought, "As expected of the head chef, his skills are truly superb."

Zhou Yan's braised goose is delicious, and the side dishes are also delicious.

Winter bamboo shoots and asparagus each had their own unique freshness and crispness, various kinds of mushrooms had a stronger flavor than fresh mushrooms, the soft and tender radishes and the soft and glutinous potatoes each had their own characteristics, and the other side dishes were also very delicious. They couldn't stop eating.