VFGRC Chapter 67

Today, among the customers who came to Yu Bai’s shop, a higher proportion were young people.

Many of the young individuals were holding smartphones – some were taking pictures of the interior decoration of Yu Bai’s shop, some were taking selfies, and others were capturing various snacks available in the shop.

The atmosphere inside the shop was becoming lively, and both Yu Bai and Yun He were busy beyond measure.

Many of the diners had learned about the new chef, Yun He, who had come to Yu Bai’s shop from online sources. Although he was handsome in appearance, he exuded an aloof and reserved demeanor, resembling a cold refrigeration unit. As a result, those who preferred a quiet enjoyment of delicacies would go to Yun He’s counter to purchase snacks.

Of course, the majority of the customers enjoyed the bustling ambiance. Consequently, compared to Yun He’s snack counter, where he had a gentle and conversational temperament, Yu Bai’s counter, known for its freshly made snacks, had a greater number of surrounding customers.

“Boss, can you add an extra spoonful of sweet wine rice balls for me? Your sweet wine rice balls are so delicious!”

“Sure.” Yu Bai added a small spoonful of sweet wine rice balls to the customer’s bowl. “But if I add more, the rice balls will start overflowing from your bowl, so I can only add a little.”

“Alright, thank you, Boss!”

Some discerning customers immediately noticed the distinctive flavor of the sweet wine rice balls made by Yu Bai.

“Boss! Did you add peach blossom jam to your sticky rice balls? The sweetness carries a hint of slight acidity… it’s incredibly delicious!”

Another customer astutely revealed one of the exquisite designs of the sweet wine rice balls: “Boss, did you blend peach blossom sticky rice to create this sweet wine?”

Yu Bai chuckled and replied, “Yes, you all are truly amazing to be able to discern that…”

From the very beginning of conceptualizing the snacks, Yu Bai had intended to incorporate seasonal elements that could evolve along with the changing seasons, continually creating new innovations and variations in the snacks.

The sweet wine rice balls are one of Yu Bai’s seasonal snack creations.

To infuse the sweet wine rice balls with the flavor of peach blossoms, Yu Bai incorporated elements of peach blossoms right from the start when making the sweet wine.

“So, sweet wine is also brewed together with peach blossoms? No wonder the aroma of peach blossoms is so strong in the sweet wine rice balls…”

“Boss, the sweet wine rice balls from your shop are the most creative and delicious ones I’ve ever had in J City!”

“I agree! Incorporating seasonal flowers into snacks like this is a first I’ve seen!”

Everyone present was a resident of J City. Sweet wine rice balls were a snack that most J City locals had tasted to varying degrees since childhood.

However, to make a bowl of sweet wine rice balls that satisfied and amazed the majority of J City residents was truly a rarity.

The creatively designed peach blossom sweet wine rice balls, although slightly different from the traditional taste, were not only tasty and visually appealing but also brimming with innovation. This particularly attracted many young people who were open to trying new things.

Sitting leisurely to the side, savoring the sweet wine rice balls, Tan Shuyi carefully tasted the rice balls while listening to the casual conversation between the diners and Yu Bai. He couldn’t help but have some thoughts stirring in his mind.

The flavor of the sweet wine soup retained the sweet and slightly sour essence of peach blossom sweet wine, giving the sensation of drinking a floral-infused, alcoholic beverage.

And those chewy rice balls made from glutinous rice, emitting a delicate aroma of peach blossom jam, became even more fragrant and intense between Tan Shuyi’s lips and teeth as he savored them carefully.

After tasting the peach blossom sweet wine rice balls made by Yu Bai, Tan Shuyi finally understood why his father had specifically named this shop for their sweet wine rice balls.

However…

Tan Shuyi glanced at the bustling crowd in the shop and then at the small bowl of sweet wine rice balls in his hand, which was hardly enough to fill the gaps between his teeth. He pursed his lips.

Not only did you have to wait in line before entering the shop, but each person was only allowed to order a maximum of two bowls of sweet wine rice balls at a time. Apart from the sweet wine rice balls, the other freshly made snacks were also available in limited quantities per person.

If…

Tan Shuyi slowly finished a bowl of sweet wine rice balls, yet the number of customers in the shop continued to increase.

Tan Shuyi: “Boss.”

Hearing Tan Shuyi call him, Yu Bai responded.

“Do you want to order more snacks?”

Tan Shuyi: “Hmm…”

The sweet wine rice balls were delicious, and naturally, Tan Shuyi became interested in the other freshly made snacks in the shop. However, his father was still waiting for him to bring back the sweet wine rice balls, so Tan Shuyi couldn’t stay in the snack shop for too long.

Tan Shuyi looked at the menu and ordered a few more items to take away.

“Oh, by the way, Boss,” Tan Shuyi said, “the flavor of your sweet wine rice balls is really good.”

Yu Bai smiled.

Tan Shuyi continued, “It’s just… could you pack some of your sweet wine for me?”

Yu Bai was momentarily taken aback, “Pack?”

Tan Shuyi explained, “Here’s the thing, I want to pay for your sweet wine. Because your sweet wine rice balls are so delicious, my father at home is quite old and can’t usually drink alcohol, so he can only enjoy the sweet wine rice balls for some satisfaction. Therefore, I want to buy some sweet wine to take back and make sweet wine rice balls for him anytime.”

A customer with such a unique request, like Tan Shuyi, was something Yu Bai had never encountered before.

Yu Bai hesitated, a hint of difficulty showing on his face.

It wasn’t that he was unwilling to provide the sweet wine, but the peach blossom sweet wine produced in the shop was a seasonal snack with limited quantities.

If he gave sweet wine to Tan Shuyi and other customers saw it, they would inevitably ask for some as well.

This could lead to a situation where Yu Bai’s supply of sweet wine would quickly run out.

Seeing the troubled expression on Yu Bai’s face, Tan Shuyi said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to trouble you. You don’t have to give it to me, it’s alright. I was just asking casually.”

Although he tried to play it off, Tan Shuyi felt somewhat disappointed at not being able to get the sweet wine.

Because if he or his father wanted to eat sweet wine rice balls next time, they would have to wait in line again.

After a moment, Yu Bai handed over the packed snacks to Tan Shuyi.

Tan Shuyi left with the snacks.

Watching Tan Shuyi’s departing figure, Yu Bai furrowed his brows slightly, his eyes filled with contemplation.

He thought that customers like Tan Shuyi probably weren’t in the minority.

Just then, the cries of other customers broke Yu Bai’s reverie.

After acknowledging them, Yu Bai resumed making a fresh batch of snacks.

—

Tan Shuyi joyfully returned home with the sweet wine rice balls he had purchased from the “Galaxy Snack Shop” as assigned by his father.

However, upon entering the house, he was greeted by the sight of two kindly elderly people sitting on the living room sofa.

Weren’t his grandparents out traveling with their old comrades? When did they return to J City?

Tan Shuyi’s grandparents were retired soldiers who had endured all sorts of hardships and done all kinds of work. Despite their advanced age, they were still in good health. Tan Shuyi’s grandfather even rode his bicycle to the park for walks every day.

As for Tan Shuyi’s father, he inherited the sturdy physique of his own parents, which is why he had a robust build even after crossing the age of fifty.

Tan Shuyi greeted, “Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma.”

“Xiao Yi, why did you just come back?”

Seeing Tan Shuyi carrying a bag filled with snacks, Tan Shuyi’s grandfather squinted his eyes in curiosity.

“What you’re holding in your hand…”

Tan Shuyi: “These are snacks I bought from a newly opened snack shop. I thought the taste was good, would you like to try some, Grandpa and Grandma?”

Initially, Tan Shuyi’s grandfather and grandmother were about to decline. However, when Tan Shuyi unpacked the packed snacks in front of them, both of them involuntarily swallowed their saliva.

With age, taste buds tend to diminish, making elderly people inclined to enjoy foods rich in oil and salt.

Moreover, Tan Shuyi’s grandparents had grown accustomed to hardship in their earlier years. As they aged and their lives improved, they became more childlike in their preferences, enjoying things that children liked – precisely because these were things they had never had the chance to eat before or had refrained from eating.

The variety of snacks and pastries spread across the table instantly touched the hearts of Tan Shuyi’s grandfather and grandmother.

Having just returned home after disembarking from the car and finding some free time, they hadn’t even had lunch yet!

“It’s rare for you to show a bit of filial piety towards us,” Tan Shuyi’s grandfather quipped, then his tone shifted, “Let me taste the pastries you bought!”

With that, he reached for a greasy scallion pancake.

Though in his seventies, Tan Shuyi’s grandfather still had strong teeth.

Accompanied by the crisp sound of bites, Tan Shuyi’s grandfather relished the scallion pancake with delight.

“Oh dear! I could tell as soon as I tasted it – this pancake is fried in lard!” Tan Shuyi’s grandfather closed his eyes as he savored the wonderful savory aroma, “Young people these days love eating soybean oil, peanut oil, olive oil… but me, I’ve always thought dishes made with those oils lack flavor! Tsk, things made with lard are still the most fragrant! Grandma, you should try…”

Tan Shuyi’s grandmother chimed in, “I can tell just by smelling it. This pancake is fried in lard! Look, the surface of the pancake is shimmering with oil… the owner of this shop is really generous with oil!”

Tan Shuyi’s grandmother had poor teeth, and she particularly favored tender and soft foods.

Items like braised chicken feet and braised pig’s trotters that practically melted in the mouth were her favorites!

Tan Shuyi’s grandmother clicked her tongue and remarked, “These braised pig’s trotters are so tender, they practically melt in your mouth… clearly they were stewed until they turned into a mush! It’s been a while since I’ve had pig’s trotters that are this tender and carry such a strong pork aroma!”

Tan Shuyi’s grandfather chimed in, “What’s the matter? Can these pig’s trotters match the fragrance of the ones we used to stew in a big pot?”

Tan Shuyi’s grandmother beamed with a bright smile, her face creasing into folds, “It’s got a taste reminiscent of those times… truly delicious.”

When Old Tan hurriedly returned home, he found his parents and his son all sitting happily on the sofa, enjoying the snacks.

Old Tan: “Dad! Mom! Why did you come back so soon? I just made a reservation for a table of dishes outside for you…”

Tan Shuyi’s grandfather waved his hand, “A whole table of dishes? The few of us can’t possibly finish that. Don’t waste the money, just cancel the order! My wife and I can be satisfied with eating these snacks.”

Old Tan: “Snacks?”

Tan Shuyi’s grandfather grinned, his eyes squinting, “Exactly, these are fresh snacks that Xiao Yi specially bought from outside. My wife and I have been enjoying them for quite a while. Not to mention, the taste of this shop is really good…”

In an instant, Old Tan seemed to suddenly realize something. He looked at the table, searching for the “figure” of the sweet wine rice balls that his son had bought for him.

After searching for a while and not finding the sweet wine rice balls, Old Tan’s heart sank, “Sweet wine, sweet wine rice balls…”

Tan Shuyi’s grandfather’s smile grew even brighter, “Sweet wine rice balls? Your mom and I shared them, and they were really delicious too!”