Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 828: Chapter 72: Giving You the Best

Elder Song is a traditional person, but it seems this doesn’t mean he can’t accept new trends.

A strict parent would probably find it hard to accept their child dyeing their hair like Song Ying did—and yes, she even dyed her long eyebrows the same color.

“Have they met? When?” Elder Song was curious about the meeting between Song Ying and Luo Qiu.

Song Ying sat down at this time. The eight immortals table had only four stools, but there were five sets of bowls and chopsticks.

Song Ying’s stool was arranged to the right of Luo Qiu, while Song Haoran sat to Luo Qiu’s left—of course, the eight immortals table was spacious enough that those seated didn’t feel crowded.

Song Ying calmly said after sitting down, “I heard that a distinguished guest arrived at the Han Residence, so I took some tea leaves from you, Grandpa, to welcome them.”

Luo Qiu smiled at this time and said, “Miss Song even told me about the legend of Junshan Silver Needle.”

“Oh? Really?” Elder Song chuckled while looking at Luo Qiu and said, “Don’t be fooled by this child’s rebellious appearance, but she’s quite adept at the art of tea brewing.”

“It’s a pity that someone chews peonies like a cow and doesn’t know how to appreciate them.” Song Ying smiled faintly.

Luo Qiu wasn’t really upset—he indeed didn’t know how to appreciate it, and this Song Family Miss, though slightly confrontational during this first meeting, was much better than a certain true dragon from the pet hospital who wanted to resort to force at first sight.

“Yes, it is a bit of a waste.” Luo Qiu nodded, “I cannot savor it, only feel the taste is decent. Besides, Miss Song’s tea-making process is quite pleasing to the eye.”

“Thank you.” Song Ying graciously thanked, then gave a light smile and said, “I’ll take that as a compliment, then.”

Song Haoran readily noticed the hint of hostility Song Ying displayed at this moment, and he glanced back and forth between Luo Qiu and Song Ying with some embarrassment, then turned helplessly towards Elder Song.

The palm and back of the hands are both flesh, even though Luo Qiu was newly found as the Song Family’s direct descendant, but he also doted on the child of his deceased sister from the bottom of his heart—naturally, Song Haoran was not much older in age than Song Ying.

Though technically uncle and niece, their mode of interaction felt more like that between siblings.

Elder Song chuckled again at this time, looking at Luo Qiu, and asked, “Luo Qiu, do you think Little Ying is beautiful?”

Luo Qiu thought for a while and casually said, “Miss Ying should completely meet the public’s aesthetic standards for beauty.”

Elder Song squinted his eyes and said, “I was asking about you.”

Luo Qiu looked towards Song Ying; in the Black and White world, the brilliance hiding the life radiance was changeable, and Luo Qiu softly said, “Very special, radiating a kind of mesmerizing light.”

Song Haoran was stunned upon hearing this, as if he was seeing Luo Qiu for the first time. Song Ying raised her eyebrows, feeling that under Luo Qiu’s gaze, she instinctively wanted to find a place to hide.

But… she suddenly felt uneasy; Elder Song’s questions were really too sensitive, and it was almost obvious to anyone the calculations in Elder Song’s mind.

“Is that to say you like her?” Elder Song’s eyes lit up, and he promptly pursued the topic.

Song Ying suddenly became nervous… her nervousness not exposed outwardly, but she was also focusing her hearing intently.

“I like beautiful things,” Luo Qiu softly replied, “but not the kind of liking between men and women.”

You’ll never have a girlfriend… Song Haoran instinctively rubbed his brow.

Elder Song nodded, then said, “Everybody has an appreciation for beauty. Appreciation is a good thing… It’s not early anymore, Fifth Elder, serve the dishes.”

“Yes, Old Zhong.”

Uncle Wu lightly clapped his hands a few times, then a group of maids, lining up on both sides, each carrying different dishes to be served.

Uncle Wu introduced each dish, “Ham bamboo shoot soup, using premium Jinhua ham and dry bamboo shoots, its base is made with old hen, cabbage, dried scallops, and ginseng. The flavor is rich and smooth, while the dried bamboo shoot is fresh. Decisions on Broth also states, ‘Solo ginseng has excellent fame, blood depleted, weak pulse can be revived; one taste of concentrated ginseng juice, its power should be broad’…”

“This is ‘Eggplant in Sauce’, using eggplant dried into slices and pickled in vinegar, complemented by various mushrooms, chicken essence, five-spice bean curd, winter bamboo shoots, and dried fruits, mixed with sesame oil and seasoning; ‘Eggplant in Sauce’ has a salty fresh taste, thick fermented fragrance, and a slight sweet aftertaste.”

“It is described in Dream of the Red Chamber when visiting the Garden of Prosperity, as one of the most meticulously detailed dishes.”

“This is…”

Nine dishes, it took a full ten minutes to introduce them one by one… Perhaps this preparation is essential before enjoying the feast. The Song Family seemed accustomed to this tradition, and Luo Qiu couldn’t help but think of Ren Ziling.

If she was here, she probably wouldn’t bother with all these formalities and would immediately grab a bite after every dish was served.

As the last dish was served, Elder Song suddenly stood, personally taking a jar from the maid’s hands and placing it in the center of the eight immortals table; he looked at Luo Qiu and said, “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, exactly ten dishes, implying perfection in everything.”

Luo Qiu nodded.

Song Haoran then remarked, “Luo Qiu, do you know? Everyone in the Song Family must eat the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall personally made by their elders at least once.”

Luo Qiu curiously asked, “An ancestral tradition?”

Elder Song nodded and said, “Let me tell you a story. During the Ming Dynasty, there was a family, impoverished beyond measure. Only a mother and her son relied on one another. The mother worked as a helper in a teahouse. Due to their poverty, the child never enjoyed anything and was often bullied. On his tenth birthday, the child’s mother returned home late but brought back a jar filled with Buddha Jumps Over the Wall made of various expensive ingredients. Can you guess how the child’s mother obtained these rare ingredients?”

Luo Qiu thought for a moment, “From the teahouse—is it leftover dishes?”

Elder Song nodded, “Yes, leftover dishes indeed. That day, a wealthy family hosted a grand birthday feast for an elderly person, extremely luxurious. Each table had many leftover dishes. So, this mother took a bit from different tables, put it in a jar, and brought it home.”

Elder Song continued watching Luo Qiu’s expression, “This mother never concealed the origins of the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. She told her child: the cooks have tasted these dishes when they were made, so the first person to eat them also ate what others left behind. You are no different from other children; you are also a person of wealth.”

“This child later achieved scholarly honors, and the family gradually prospered. He established a family rule: no matter how future generations live, whether poor or rich, the elders must personally prepare Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for their descendants. Do you know the reason for this?”

Luo Qiu said, “To recall sweetness amidst bitterness?”

Elder Song shook his head and then earnestly said, “It’s to let the descendants know, we will give you the best. No matter how it’s obtained, it is what we give, our utmost effort to provide. I have eaten it, your grandfather ate it, Haoran has eaten it, and Song Ying has eaten it. Everyone in the Song Family has. Only you and your father have not eaten yet.”

Speaking of which, Song Tianyou stood up, quietly picked up the fifth set of bowl and chopsticks, scooped a spoonful into the bowl, and placed it beside Luo Qiu, then added another spoonful to Luo Qiu’s bowl.

“Today, I personally make it for you to eat with him.”

Luo Qiu nodded, picked up the bowl, tasted a bite, then closed his eyes. The emotion poured in easily unfolded on the taste buds, perhaps owing to Elder Song’s storytelling, or perhaps the extra bowl added beside him.

The rich and intense broth glided over, the taste brought back memories, as if the mother and child appeared before his eyes from a distant time and space.

Under the dim yellow candlelight, in front of the wooden table, the mother also personally served a bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

She continued sewing clothes for the child, while he savored each bite with relish.

Wealth is far away, but the warmth the candlelight brings is right here.

Luo Qiu suddenly understood; his grandfather’s feelings when diverting enemies for Song Tianyou years ago, and the relentless search by Elder Song for relatives over the decades.

It’s an inheritance.

Hundreds of years condensed into the spirit of this dish, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

The previous generation leaves a mark on the next through taste.

Give the best to you.

“A heartwarming taste.” Luo Qiu put down the bowl, smiling, as a teardrop fell.

The Han Residence is not cold.

…

…

“Clothes, bedding, everything has been newly changed. I don’t know if you’re used to it, but just stay for now.”

After dinner, Elder Song left early. He had been busy for two whole days, preparing tonight’s meal, which was quite exhausting for someone his age, so he went to rest early.

Perhaps he needed a quiet private space to calm his mood.

Song Haoran brought Luo Qiu to a quaint room, stretching his back and saying, “I’m tired too, let’s call it a day. Rest well, tomorrow morning someone will take you on a proper tour of this place.”

Luo Qiu nodded, spending the time in the room alone.

He sat at the desk, opened a book that Elder Song had Uncle Wu deliver. Saying it’s a book isn’t quite right; it’s just a few simple pages, containing the recipe for tonight’s Buddha Jumps Over The Wall. It’s said that it’s been passed down through generations, and every Song family member must learn to make this dish.

It’s a unique book, handed down from generation to generation, with the handwriting slightly faded.

Luo Qiu thought for a moment, then took out paper and pen, slowly transcribing it.

Soon after, there was a sudden knock on the door outside. Luo Qiu put away the freshly copied recipe, then opened the door to see Song Ying.

“Does Miss Song have any other matters for me?”

No longer wearing the cheongsam that outlines her body curves, her hair casually draped behind, and there was the clean fragrance from her shower.

In a denim short skirt and short-sleeved shirt, she looked cool and refreshing. At this moment, she was leaning against the door of Luo Qiu’s room, looking him up and down as he opened the door to step out. Only then did she calmly say, “Quite the actor, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

Song Ying sneered, “My grandfather is particularly sentimental, especially towards his family. But don’t think that by saying a few nice words to my grandfather, shedding a few tears, and pretending to be obedient, you can get your way in the Song family and gain benefits.”

“Rest assured, I’m not interested in the Song family’s wealth.” Luo Qiu smiled slightly, “I’m just here to learn about my grandfather, that’s why I came.”

“Really?” Song Ying said casually, “I wonder if you can still say such lovely words after truly understanding the wealth and power of the Song family?”

“It’s so late, seeing Miss Song’s attire, are you planning to go out? Then I won’t disturb you.” Luo Qiu said abruptly.

Ignoring Song Ying’s expression, Luo Qiu clasped the door with both hands.

But just as the door was about to close, a white palm was placed in the door slit. Luo Qiu asked, “Is there anything else?”

Song Ying said calmly, “Grandfather asked me to be your guide tomorrow, for you to have a proper tour. But there’s nothing good to look at during the day; now is the time.”

“Now?”

Song Ying blinked and said, “Why, afraid I’ll eat you? At night, you can see more things… But if you’re not willing, it’s no problem. Tomorrow I’ll still find a guide for you at the travel agency, don’t expect me, because I have lots of work on hand.”

“Alright, then I’ll trouble Miss Song.” Luo Qiu nodded.

“Call me Song Ying.” Song Ying said indifferently, “After all, you also have Song family blood in you. Calling me that way will make my grandfather displeased.”

“So where are we going?” Luo Qiu smiled slightly.

“Follow me.”

…

…

Song Haoran had just washed and come out when Uncle Wu, the butler, knocked and entered. Song Haoran draped a towel over himself and sat down, pouring himself a glass of tequila, “Uncle Wu, what’s going on?”

“Young master, Miss Ying just took Young Master Qiu out.”

“Little Ying?” Song Haoran paused, then frowned, “Did Father know?”

Uncle Wu shook his head, “Old Zhong was exhausted for two days and fell asleep as soon as he returned to his room. I didn’t wake him. However, I’ve called Team One to follow, and there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Song Haoran shook the glass of tequila in his hand and sighed, “I’m not worried about any danger finding them; I’m worried Little Ying might suffer a bit.”

“Miss Ying?” Uncle Wu was surprised, “How is that possible.”

Song Haoran smiled and said, “Don’t underestimate this newly found nephew with no temper, easy to get along with. But actually, this kind of person is truly indifferent to influence. We understood what Father said today, so it’s normal for Little Ying to have some reactions…”

Uncle Wu said, “Young master, there’s something I want to ask you… What do you think about Young Master Qiu?”

“So you and Little Ying have different thoughts, worried about different things, huh?” Song Haoran said casually.

Uncle Wu frowned, “A legitimate first son’s grandson, that’s what Old Zhong personally said… Also, Old Zhong seems to have the intent to tie the knot more closely…”

Song Haoran shook his head, watching the tequila swirling in the glass, and said calmly, “As Song Haoran, would I have no way to build another Song family without this Song family’s estate?”

“I don’t mean to deny the young master’s abilities.”

Song Haoran smiled and then looked out at the night through the window, “Life feels a bit more challenging and interesting… Besides, he might not even fancy anything from the Song family.”

“Doesn’t fancy?” Uncle Wu said in disbelief, “The Song family is…”

“Probably just a gut feeling.” Song Haoran suddenly said, “What he sees might be different from what we see…”

Song Haoran suddenly took a sip of tequila from the glass, while fiddling with the ‘Sun God Badge’ he was wearing, muttering to himself, “That gaze, really like that black-horned giant python…”

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PS1: There was a delay, only just saw it, thank you to the book friend ‘Yu Yan丶’ for the reward of the cuteness master.

PS2: Bowing to the capitalist forces…

PS3: There will be more updates, definitely more updates… These days, Qingming for ancestor worship, so quite busy, therefore not today, maybe tomorrow, the day after tomorrow (no way), the day after (should be doable)…

PS4: Don’t throw big bananas (head down to defend)…