Chapter 120.2

Zhao Xianfeng, who had originally planned to bring Han Cheng’s children over to liven up the atmosphere, ended up gaining nothing and even losing his own son, who was taken away by four other kids. With only him and Zhou Yuhua left at home, it became even quieter. However, when the couple fought, it added a different kind of liveliness.

Before leaving, Zhou Yuhua stuffed four red envelopes into Xiao Doubao’s little chicken-like schoolbag, claiming they were from her and Uncle Zhao for the twins, requesting Xiao Doubao to help deliver them back.

The custom here is generally like this; if a family has several children and one of them receives red envelopes during the New Year, they are expected to take them back home to share with their siblings. Otherwise, it might be considered favoritism.

Following the custom of Qingfeng Town, unless there’s an exceptionally close relationship, it’s generally not allowed to visit other households for a meal on the first day of the lunar new year. For instance, Dun Dun and Ya Ya’s grandmother forbade them from eating elsewhere. Yet, due to the strong bond between Han Cheng’s and Zhao Xianfeng’s families, it didn’t matter where the children ate; there would be no fuss over such matters.

Xiao Yu imitated Fantuan’s manner and wished Su Xiaoxiao a Happy New Year. Su Xiaoxiao handed him a big red envelope. Her six children received theirs, and naturally, she had to give Xiao Yu a big red envelope too. Although Zhao Xianfeng and his wife wouldn’t mind, this was the proper thing to do.

In fact, Buddha’s delight wasn’t just the radish and cabbage Zhou Yuhua mentioned; it was a mixed vegetarian dish. Any available vegetables could be combined together. Hence, every household’s dish was unique, depending on what was available or preferred.

Su Xiaoxiao was prepared in advance by soaking dried mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, dried lily flowers, and tofu skin the night before. She soaked dried bean curd sticks in the morning and also picked some snow peas. These six ingredients were cooked together for lunch. Additionally, she used wood ear mushrooms, carrots, vermicelli, Chinese cabbage, water chestnuts, and lotus roots for another dish to be consumed in the evening.

Su Xiaoxiao first used a little oil to stir-fry and remove moisture from the soaked mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and dried lily flowers. Meanwhile, she stir-fried the snow peas separately in another pan.

The essence of the traditional Buddha’s delight dish lies in red fermented bean curd. Oil was heated in a pan, and the red fermented bean curd was sautéed to release its aroma, followed by adding the soaked mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and dried lily flowers and stir-frying them. Then, add enough boiling water to cover the ingredients, and simmer for ten minutes before adding the soaked bean curd sticks. Later, season with soy sauce, salt, and sugar, covering and simmering for a few more minutes. Finally, the vibrant green snow peas were added, thickened slightly with a starch-water mixture, stirred evenly, and cooked until the sauce thickened before serving.

Eating vegetarian doesn’t mean enduring hunger; Su Xiaoxiao generously used extra oil and cooked a large plate full of food.

Han Cheng arrived home just in time for the meal. This new dish greeted him in the kitchen, and seeing the varied and colorful combinations made him involuntarily drool.

Xiao Yu wasn’t able to see Uncle Han in the morning, so he greeted Uncle Han first and received a big red envelope.

At lunchtime, the delicious and aromatic Buddha’s delight captured the taste buds of all the children, as expected. They couldn’t help but praise Su Xiaoxiao!

Fantuan said, “Mom, you’re amazing. This dish is even better than meat! Can we have it often in the future?”

Su Xiaoxiao replied, “That’s because you had too much meat last night, so today this dish feels refreshing.”
Xiaobao disagreed and said, “No, Auntie. This is really delicious; I won’t even exchange it for meat!”

Xiao Yu took big bites, puffing his cheeks. “Aunt Su, my mom’s vegetarian dishes aren’t tasty. She’s lying, saying Luohan vegetarian is just radishes and cabbage, but it’s not at all.”

Xiao Doubao said, “Xiao Yu, I was right, right? My mom’s cooking is the most delicious! I knew it even before I tasted it!”

Su Xiaoxiao tousled Xiao Doubao’s head and said, “Radishes and cabbage are correct. What we plan to have for dinner will indeed use radishes and cabbage. Xiao Yu, stay for dinner tonight and you’ll find out.”

Xiao Yu, who has always wished to live with Su Xiaoxiao, kept nodding and said, “Hmm, I want to stay for dinner tonight!”

Han Cheng realized that Su Xiaoxiao had spoiled his palate. This wasn’t the first time he had eaten Buddha’s delight, but it was the best combination he’d tasted. Previously, he’d eaten dry mountain goods with soft vegetables, differing in texture and taste. Leaving the taste aside, the texture wasn’t great.

When they had the combination of wood ear mushrooms, carrots, vermicelli, Chinese cabbage, and lotus roots for dinner, Han Cheng’s perceptions were completely overturned. It wasn’t that dry and moist combinations were inherently bad; it depended on how they were combined and who did the cooking. Su Xiaoxiao’s dishes were delicious regardless.

Actually, Su Xiaoxiao had said a long time ago that the key to delicious cooking was how ingredients were sensibly combined. As long as the flavors complemented each other, no matter how they were cooked, they wouldn’t go wrong. But if you cook together ingredients that don’t complement each other, it won’t taste good, no matter who makes it.

Xiao Yu’s beautiful wish to stay for dinner at night was shattered. Zhao Xianfeng came to catch someone after lunch and directly carried his son back.

Before Zhao Xianfeng took Xiao Yu away, he looked at the increasingly good-looking twins, he envied them and wished to take them home. He didn’t want to take another child, nor did he expect to have twins, but having another son or daughter would also be good. Unfortunately, his wife at home was too hard to handle.