Chapter 132: Facts Speak Louder Than Words

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Facts Speak Louder Than Words

"Why on earth did you buy so much flour at once? I still have some left that we haven’t finished." Wen Xiu couldn’t help but sigh when she saw her eldest son, Zhang Wei Qiang, carry a huge fifty-jin sack of flour into her kitchen. "Your dad and I aren’t big fans of steamed buns. How long will it take us to get through all this flour? If the weather gets any warmer, it won’t keep. What a waste it would be if it gets infested with bugs."

"Mom, it was Little Sis who asked me to buy this. She plans to try making some meat buns, vegetable buns, and plain steamed buns to sell. This much flour won’t even last a few days," Zhang Wei Qiang explained with a smile.

"Selling steamed buns?" Wen Xiu was dumbfounded. "That’s just ridiculous. Homemade buns are passable enough for us to eat, but who would actually pay for them if you try to sell them?"

"Grandma, but you have me! I know how to make the filling," Gu Nuan Nuan said, walking in with a large piece of pork and various seasonings in her hands. She grinned and held up her haul for Wen Xiu to see. "Look, Grandma, I have everything ready. In a bit, you can help me knead the dough, and I’ll mix the filling. We’re having meat buns for dinner tonight!"

"You know how to mix meat filling? Sweetheart, you shouldn’t get involved in kitchen work. Just wait for your mom to get back and let her handle it." Wen Xiu was startled, her expression clearly showing she was terrified Gu Nuan Nuan would waste such a nice, big piece of meat.

"Grandma, please trust me. I was the one who suggested selling buns to Mom. I really do know how to make the filling. We bought all this stuff today so everyone could help taste-test the filling I make."

"Alright, alright, Grandma trusts you. Good girl. Why don’t you go do your homework first? When your mom gets back, you can come help then. I promise I won’t stop you, okay?" Wen Xiu nodded repeatedly, placating Gu Nuan Nuan in a tone clearly meant for a child.

"We don’t need to wait for my mom. If we wait until she gets home to start, we’ll never have them ready for dinner." Gu Nuan Nuan felt a little helpless seeing her grandmother’s obvious distrust. ’It seems not all elders are willing to trust kids and let them try things for themselves.’

"Mom, just let Nuannuan try. What’s the worst that can happen? The flavor will just be a little off?" Zhang Wei Qiang, who had been standing by listening, also tried to persuade Wen Xiu. "Little Sis specifically told me today to help Nuannuan chop the meat for the filling."

"Minzhen really said that? Ugh, how could she be so reckless? Isn’t she spoiling the child a bit too much? This is perfectly good meat. Does she really want to see it ruined before she’s satisfied?" Wen Xiu looked at the fatty cut of pork in Gu Nuan Nuan’s hand, shaking her head and sighing, wincing at the thought of the potential waste.

’What did she mean, I’d have to ruin the good meat before she’s satisfied? That was so discouraging to hear from my grandmother.’

Gu Nuan Nuan’s face flushed red as she looked at her grandmother with indignation. She clenched her fists, secretly deciding she wouldn’t hold back anymore. No more playing games, trying to gradually show everyone her improving cooking skills. She was going to blow them all away and show her grandmother the true meaning of "you can’t judge a book by its cover." Hmph!

"Mom, that’s enough. Any more and Nuannuan will get genuinely angry," Zhang Wei Qiang said, amused, as he helped persuade Wen Xiu. "It’s not a big deal. Don’t crush the kid’s good intentions over this."

"So small, but such a big temper. Who else besides your mother would spoil you like this?" Wen Xiu looked at Gu Nuan Nuan’s indignant face and playfully poked her on the forehead, half-scolding, half-laughing. "Fine, if your mother wants to spoil you, it’s not my place to say anything. I’ll just have a word with her later. Go on, do what you want. I’m not going to stay here and knead the dough. I’ll do it outside, so I don’t have to watch you two fool around. I can’t bear it."

"Grandma, you’re underestimating me! Tonight, I’ll definitely show you what the most delicious meat buns taste like—the kind that are just as good as, if not better than, the ones from He Ji!"

"Listen to you, little one, talking so big without a hint of hesitation. Heh, fine, fine, go ahead and try. Just don’t compare yourself to He Ji. As long as it doesn’t taste bizarre and is actually edible, Grandma will admit you’ve got skills."

Wen Xiu shot a disdainful glance at the seasonings in Gu Nuan Nuan’s hands, then looked away and delivered a mock threat to Zhang Wei Qiang: "You go right ahead and be her accomplice. But let me warn you, if that meat filling turns out terrible and no one eats it, don’t blame me when I save all the buns for you and your sister. You two will be eating them for every meal until they’re gone."

With that, Wen Xiu grabbed a clean basin, tore open the flour sack, scooped some out, and took it right outside. Out of sight, out of mind.

"So, chop the meat into a filling, right? That’s heavy lifting, so let your uncle handle it. You’d better live up to expectations and not let your grandma really look down on you," Zhang Wei Qiang said. He found it amusing, seeing one of them storm off in a huff and the other on the verge of stomping her feet in the kitchen.

"Exactly. Actions speak louder than words."

’Grandma will definitely change her tune tonight once my meat buns are ready.’ Gu Nuan Nuan rolled up her sleeves and started directing her uncle to first wash the meat and then chop it into a filling. Meanwhile, she began to process the seasonings she had on hand, many of which she had to go to a traditional Chinese medicine shop to find.

That evening, as Zhang Minzhen arrived home alone on her bicycle, the distinct aroma of meat buns filled the air before she even reached the gate. Waves of laughter and praise drifted out from the courtyard. A knowing smile appeared on her face. ’Looks like Nuannuan’s buns were a huge success.’

Filled with anticipation, she pushed her bicycle through the gate and saw her three older brothers and sisters-in-law, along with her nephews and nieces, all gathered. Each of them was holding a steamed bun and eating with great relish. Upon seeing her, her second sister-in-law, Fang Juxian—who had been giving her the cold shoulder for the past two days—darted forward with a smile. "Little Sis, you’re back! The filling your Nuannuan made for these meat buns is to die for! It’s even better than those what’s-it-called-Ji buns you bought last time. You haven’t tried one yet, have you? Quick, go grab one and you’ll see. I swear, in all my life, I’ve never eaten such a delicious meat bun."

"It’s ’He Ji.’" Since her sister-in-law was making an effort to be friendly, Zhang Minzhen couldn’t just ignore her.

"Right, that’s the one, ’He Ji’! Nuannuan is really something else. She only had to taste it once or twice to steal their recipe." Fang Juxian nodded repeatedly, hovering happily beside Zhang Minzhen as she parked her bicycle, not moving away. Her face showed she had something to say but was hesitating.

"Is the filling Nuannuan made identical to He Ji’s?" Zhang Minzhen felt a pang of displeasure hearing her sister-in-law accuse her daughter of stealing a recipe. At the same time, seeing her sister-in-law’s behavior and knowing full well that she was the type who never did anything without a motive, Zhang Minzhen was already on high alert.

"Not at all. I think it’s even better than theirs."

"You gave me a scare. If it’s not the same, how can you call it stealing their recipe? If Nuannuan’s buns were really identical to He Ji’s, people might misunderstand and think we actually stole their formula. That would be a huge problem." After saying her piece, Zhang Minzhen ignored her sister-in-law, locked her bike, and headed for the kitchen her parents were using.