The Game of Life

In the culinary world, it’s often said that the South prefers sweet while the North favors salty. Tan Family Cuisine, being an official’s cuisine, theoretically belongs to the Northern style. However, Tan Family Cuisine often uses equal parts sugar and salt in its cooking, using sweetness to enhance umami and saltiness to enrich the fragrance. The resulting dishes have a moderate flavor that is welcomed in both the North and the South.

The founder of Tan Family Cuisine was an imperial exam runner-up during the thirteenth year of the Tongzhi Emperor, who later entered the Hanlin Academy to serve as an official. Hence, Tan Family Cuisine is also known as Runner-Up Cuisine. It is a fusion of Canton and Beijing cuisines, featuring careful selection of ingredients, meticulous knifework, and a signature clear soup that’s exquisite—clear as water, pale as tea. The seasoning is also meticulously crafted.

Master Peng selected a good piece of ingredient and steamed it until done, then rearranged it on the plate.

When serving, the duck meat was placed skin-side down, with ham and winter mushrooms alternately arranged in a circular form in the middle, slightly raised, showcasing a tricolor pattern reminiscent of a sunflower.

After arranging, chicken broth, salt, soy sauce, and white sugar were added for seasoning before the dish was steamed again in the steamer until the flavors were fully infused.

While the Sunflower Duck was steaming, Master Peng went to check on the fire control for Braised Big Black Sea Cucumber, turning the heat down slightly.

Next, Master Peng fried the fish that Cao Guixiang had marinated earlier. He heated the oil until it was 80-90% hot, added the fish to the wok, and fried it until golden brown before removing it.

Almost the moment the fish was out of the wok, the Sunflower Duck on the other side was also nearly done steaming. Master Peng asked Peng Changping to stir-fry the fried Five-Spiced Fish while he made the sauce for Sunflower Duck.

The sauce for Sunflower Duck was somewhat similar to Eight Treasures Chestnut Fragrant Pigeon, both made with the original stock, thickened with starch mixed with white water, and then poured over the Sunflower Duck alongside the steaming juices.

Finally, Master Peng did something very interesting.

He cut cooked carrots into small rectangular pieces, seasoned them with salt, wine, and chicken fat, and then arranged them crosswise into an ‘X’ shape around the Sunflower Duck on the plate.

This made the dish indeed resemble a sunflower.

“Master, why are you seasoning the carrots if they’re just for decoration?” Qin Guisheng asked, puzzled.

“Anything that’s served to the guests is not just for decoration. The carrots have been mixed with chicken fat and wine, and they’ll taste just right with the Sunflower Duck,” explained Master Peng.

“Don’t just stand there, there are oranges over there. Go practice with your sister. It just so happens there’s one for each of you; you can taste what you make,” Master Peng instructed.

Qin Guisheng had no interest in Stuffed Orange with Crab. He neither liked eating it nor cared for making it. He always preferred not to learn dishes that were time-consuming, labor-intensive, and not profitable.

“I remember Manager Zhang saying he wanted to move that cabinet downstairs. I’ll go help him move it. I’ll come back when there are guests,” said Qin Guisheng, making a quick escape.

“What a lazybones,” Master Peng shook his head helplessly.

Cao Guixiang was wholeheartedly preparing the oranges. Hearing her master’s words, she looked up and spoke in defense of Qin Guisheng.

“Master, aren’t you aware? My second senior brother has never liked making such dishes. If it were Buddhas Jumping Over the Wall, he’d be willing to do even the most troublesome tasks. But for these kinds of dishes, he’d rather not bother,” Cao Guixiang said.

“If I asked him to make Buddhas Jumping Over the Wall, does he have the skill? Always aiming too high, he’s bound to have a great fall sooner or later,” sighed Master Peng as he went to handle the Steamed Sea Cucumber.

The way Master Peng prepared the Braised Big Black Sea Cucumber was exactly the same as Jiang Feng had seen in Xue Shaoheng’s memories. He could only marvel that Cao Guixiang had truly inherited her master’s craft without any difference.

Compared to Sunflower Duck and Braised Big Black Sea Cucumber, Stuffed Orange with Crab was not difficult at all; it was just that the process was a bit tedious.

Cao Guixiang had plenty of patience and was doing it properly, virtually indistinguishable from how Master Peng made it.

While Master Peng was focussed on the Braised Big Black Sea Cucumber, Peng Changping’s Five-Spiced Fish was almost ready to come out of the wok. Cao Guixiang went to check on the Five Flowers Tea, and the rest of the chefs and assistants were busy with their own tasks, making the kitchen very quiet.

“Master Peng, Manager Yin and his group have arrived, they said the dishes can be served now,” Manager Zhang came in and said.

“Alright, the dishes will be served immediately,” Master Peng replied, pouring the sauce over the big black sea cucumber as Braised Big Black Sea Cucumber was taken out of the wok.

Without needing further instruction, Peng Changping carried the dishes out.

Jiang Feng followed Peng Changping out, curious to see if the handsome young apprentice from Golden Carpenter was indeed Zhang Chu, as he suspected.

Before they had even reached the dining area, from behind the screen, Jiang Feng heard Manager Yin’s voice.

“Master Jin, I heard you enjoy Stuffed Orange with Crab. We’ve especially arranged for oranges and crabs, and Master Peng has personally prepared it. It will soon be served,” Manager Yin said enthusiastically.

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Manager Yin,” responded Master Jin with composure.

“As long as you like it, that’s good. Come on, Zhang, don’t be shy, take a seat! You’ve grown even more handsome in the time since I last saw you,” Manager Yin said.

Jiang Feng passed through the screen and saw the youthful Zhang Chu.

Manager Yin had not exaggerated at all; the young Zhang Chu was truly handsome, and his handsomeness bore the distinct traits of the era.

With an air of integrity and a visage that easily conveyed his good nature. Fair-skinned, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, his features were deep and distinct, compelling onlookers to exclaim in surprise,

Wow, he is so handsome.

The Zhang Chu seated on the second floor now was youthful and handsome, with an air of elegance and a dashing spirit.

In memory, Jiang Feng had seen Zhang Chu as middle-aged with a fuller figure, thinning hair, and signs that hinted at a future balding pattern.

Time indeed was like a rolling pin, sometimes rolling sideways, sometimes lengthwise.

“Braised Big Black Sea Cucumber,” Peng Changping announced as he placed the dish on the table.

“Master Peng Changping, if the dishes are ready, please serve them all together,” Manager Yin said.

“Okay,” Peng Changping nodded and went downstairs.

Jiang Feng stayed upstairs, listening to the conversation among the three.

Manager Yin had a favor to ask of Golden Carpenter, wishing for him to craft a fine Qian Gong Bed for his daughter. He was exceedingly enthusiastic, continually offering food to Golden Carpenter and also remembering to serve Zhang Chu a couple of chopstickfuls.

Before long, Peng Changping returned with a tray, on which lay sunflower duck, five-spice fish, and three stuffed orange crabs. Cao Guixiang followed behind absently, carrying a tray with chilled tea, her mind seemingly elsewhere.

“Ah, Master Peng has already prepared the stuffed orange crabs. He truly lives up to his reputation!” Manager Yin helped Peng Changping place the dishes on the table, “Since we don’t have many people, I didn’t order too much. These are all Master Peng’s specialties. Come on, Zhang, eat up.”

“Thank you, Manager Yin,” Zhang Chu said, a bit reserved, eating with his head down.

“Manager Yin, this Five Flowers Tea has just been brewed and it’s still warm. It’s hot today, so my master sent me to bring you three cups of Five Flowers Tea to cool down,” said Cao Guixiang, setting the chilled tea on the table.

“Well, that’s very kind of Master Peng, he’s so thoughtful,” said Manager Yin.

As she turned her head, she caught sight of Zhang Chu.

Cao Guixiang halted her movements abruptly. In just a few short seconds, Jiang Feng observed the rapid play of shock, confusion, joy, shyness, and panic across her face. During this flurry of expressions, Cao Guixiang’s gaze never left Zhang Chu’s face.

“It’s… it’s the least I can do,” Cao Guixiang picked up the tray and slipped away as if greased on the soles of her shoes.

After taking only a few steps, she couldn’t help but turn back for another glance.

Zhang Chu kept his head down and continued eating, never once lifting his head or looking at her.

Cao Guixiang turned her head back somewhat disappointedly, walked a couple of steps forward, yet again couldn’t resist turning back for another look at Zhang Chu before continuing on.

Zhang Chu was still immersed in his meal.

“Golden Carpenter, how is young Zhang doing with his craftsmanship these days?” asked Manager Yin.

“Him? He’s just a beginner. He learned how to repair window frames recently but hasn’t had a chance to practice. I’ve been worried about it. Manager Yin, if you hear of anyone needing their window frames repaired, let me know. I won’t charge—young Zhang can get some practice on the job,” replied Golden Carpenter.

“You can count on me to keep an eye out for you,” Manager Yin quickly promised.

Cao Guixiang stood as if frozen in place. Even though she couldn’t see Zhang Chu behind the screen, she’d rather stare at the screen than go downstairs.

“Little sister, what are you doing standing around foolishly? I thought you got lost. We have guests, master is calling you,” said Qin Guisheng at the first floor stairway.

“Oh, right,” Cao Guixiang snapped out of her reverie and went downstairs.

“Second Senior Brother, do you know the name of Golden Carpenter’s apprentice?” asked Cao Guixiang.

“How would I know? I don’t even know him, and I don’t even know Golden Carpenter’s real name,” Qin Guisheng replied, clearly confused, “Why are you asking about that boy? Let me tell you, these good-looking kids are no good!” “You’re the one who’s no good!” Cao Guixiang retorted, angry, and turned to enter the kitchen.

“Master, you wanted to see me?”

“You girl, I sent you to deliver some chilled tea and you disappeared—did you learn that from your second senior brother?” Master Peng said helplessly, “Do you still remember you have stuffed orange crabs steaming in the pot?”

“Oh no!” Cao Guixiang gasped, realizing she’d forgotten all about it, and hurriedly went to check on the stuffed orange crabs in the pot.

“Master, why are you blaming her laziness on me?” Qin Guisheng started complaining once again, “What do you mean she learned it from me? She’s definitely self-taught!”

Cao Guixiang fumbled as she hastily took the stuffed orange crabs out of the pot; she made two, one for herself and one for Qin Guisheng.

“Here, for you,” she said, handing a stuffed orange crab to Qin Guisheng.

Qin Guisheng looked pleasantly surprised, “Being so nice to me? You must need something.”

She pulled Qin Guisheng aside and whispered, “I didn’t need anything, but now I do.”

“What do you need? Borrow money? You know I don’t have any money, right? I spent all my salary last month on a dress for Amin,” he said, guarded.

“Have some shame. The money you used to buy Amin’s dress last month, part of it was even borrowed from me,” Cao Guixiang glared at him, “Can you help me figure out which window frame in our shop would be the best to break?” Qin Guisheng: ???

Jiang Feng: ???

“Break? Our shop’s windows are in good condition, all made by Master Qiu from the Southern City. You know that. What are you up to?”

“I’m not up to anything. I just think, you see, it rained cats and dogs last month, there should be at least a couple broken, right? If not two, then at least one needs to be broken, it should happen today,” insisted Cao Guixiang, urging Qin Guisheng, “Please help me out, Second Senior Brother, help me break one.”

Qin Guisheng felt as if the stuffed orange crab in his hand weighed a ton.

“Eat, eat, this thing won’t taste good if it gets cold,” Qin Guisheng changed the subject.

Cao Guixiang scooped up a small spoonful of the stuffed orange crab and tasted it.

She smiled like a cat that had just snatched a taste of fish.

Joy was evident on her brows..