During the filming process, not only did the camera capture every step of Yuan Tiantian's cooking of the braised pig's trotters in rock sugar syrup up close, but the three people standing outside the kitchen were also bombarded by the mouth - watering aroma. Bai Ying and Xiaojiu, in particular, had asked countless times when the dish would be ready. They kept swallowing their saliva from time to time; the fragrance was simply irresistible.
When the glistening and mouth - watering trotters were finally taken out of the pot, everyone was eager to have a taste. However, Jiang Shen was the first to sample the dish today.
"Actually, we can also have some. Jiang Shen can't finish it all by himself," Han Jun said.
By now, the filming had moved to the hall. The enticing braised pig's trotters had been placed on the dining table. Jiang Shen was sitting in front of the food, with the camera pointed at him. Hearing Han Jun's words, Jiang Shen instinctively reached out to cover the plate, making his possessiveness quite obvious.
"Don't worry. I can finish it!"
After saying this, ignoring the disappointed looks from Han Jun and the others, Jiang Shen began to introduce himself to the camera.
"Hello everyone, I'm Jiang Shen. Yes, the very same Jiang Shen you're thinking of. Before we start the live - broadcast today, I'd like to share with you the story of my departure five years ago..."
Jiang Shen briefly told the story of how he suffered from anorexia five years ago and had to quit the food - vlogging industry. He also mentioned that at Tiantian's Food Store, he finally managed to eat without vomiting, and his anorexia had improved significantly. Then he started to dig into the braised pig's trotters.
"I've been waiting so long to eat this. I actually wanted to eat first and then talk, but someone was jealous and set a 'hurdle' for me!"
After saying this, Jiang Shen looked in Han Jun's direction. The latter rolled his eyes at him. Yes, he was jealous!
Jiang Shen picked up the first piece. Yuan Tiantian had cooked the trotters to perfection, and it was easy for him to pick up a piece. As soon as the meat entered his mouth, his eyes lit up.
"The description 'melting in the mouth' is no exaggeration at all. As soon as it enters your mouth, you can feel the soft and slightly chewy texture of the meat. With just a gentle sip, it melts right away. The caramelized flavor of the rock sugar has blended well with the meat of the trotters. The sweetness is just right, and there's a hint of bitterness from the caramel, which perfectly offsets the greasiness of the trotters and the rock sugar. As for the taste, needless to say, there's nothing unappetizing at Tiantian's Food Store. It's just amazing!"
After this introduction, Jiang Shen stopped caring about the camera and gobbled up the two trotters Yuan Tiantian had made. It had to be said that Jiang Shen had a certain charm when it came to food - vlogging. He fully demonstrated the pleasure that food could bring. Even Yuan Tiantian felt a bit hungry when she saw him eating, and everyone except Sheng Jing, a cultivator who had little craving for food, was swallowing their saliva.
Yuan Tiantian felt the eager looks from all directions. She knew everyone was waiting for her to cook more. She had only made two trotters just now, and there were still four pairs left! Looking at Jiang Shen enjoying his meal, Yuan Tiantian thought for a while and then made a bold decision.
"For the remaining four pairs, three will be for the diners, and the other one will be shared among us!"
Bai Ying, Xiaojiu, and Han Jun cheered instantly. Just then, a clear female voice came from outside the door.
"What are you guys talking about? You all seem so happy!"
Yuan Tiantian and the others looked out and saw Yuan Lele, Yu Yongqing, and two other people they didn't recognize.
"Sis, Mr. Yu!"
Yuan Tiantian quickly stepped forward to greet them. As soon as Yuan Lele and the others entered, they smelled the delicious food. Seeing Jiang Shen feasting on the other side, even though they had already had breakfast, their stomachs started to growl.
"What's going on here?" Yu Yongqing asked curiously when he saw the camera filming a man eating. Yuan Tiantian explained it to him. Yuan Lele's smile widened when she heard the explanation.
"Not bad! You're already getting free promotion!"
Yuan Tiantian chuckled and led them to a part of the dining area where the camera couldn't reach. She then asked Bai Ying to serve them lemonade. Yuan Tiantian knew why Yuan Lele and the others were here; they had video - chatted last night, and she didn't expect them to come so early.
"Please wait a moment. The filming will be over soon. I'm going to cook the remaining braised pig's trotters. You can all have a taste and see how it is."
Hearing that there would be delicious food, Yuan Lele showed a happy smile. Yan Qing and Yu Yongqing's assistant, Lu Yong, had also seen the braised pig's trotters just now. Although they hadn't tasted it yet, it looked really good. Even Yu Yongqing, with his poker face, seemed to relax a bit. Seeing that Jiang Shen was about to finish, Yuan Tiantian greeted everyone and then went to the kitchen to get busy.
When the new batch of braised pig's trotters was served, everyone gathered around. They took pieces with the serving chopsticks; Yuan Tiantian was well - aware of such basic hygiene. Although no one was talking at that moment, the sparkle in their eyes showed how satisfied they were with the food.
"You're not getting any!"
While everyone was indulging in the food, Jiang Shen picked up his chopsticks, trying to secretly take a piece, but Bai Ying, who had sharp eyes and quick hands, stopped him!
Jiang Shen gave an awkward smile when he saw Bai Ying glaring at him, "Hehe, hehe..."
"Buddy, you can't be so unfair! You've already eaten two whole trotters by yourself! You can't grab any more from us!"
Jiang Shen scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. He didn't say a word, but in his heart, he was thinking sadly that he just didn't feel full!
Should he order another portion for lunch?
It seemed that Yuan Tiantian could read his mind. Just as he was about to make a reservation for lunch with Yuan Tiantian, she simply waved her hand.
"No. You don't have a portion for lunch!"
On the one hand, pig's trotters were high - fat food, and it wasn't good to eat too much at once. The intake needed to be controlled. But most importantly, Yuan Tiantian wanted to save some for other customers. She couldn't let Jiang Shen eat almost all of them, or it would be as if this dish wasn't available today.
"Alright..."
Jiang Shen sighed regretfully. The plate of braised pig's trotters was quickly finished. Yuan Tiantian had cut the meat into small pieces as much as possible to make sure everyone could have some, but everyone still seemed to want more. After they finished eating, Yuan Tiantian asked Bai Ying to clean up the restaurant. Then she took Sheng Jing and Xiaojiu and accompanied Yuan Lele and the others to the back mountain for Yu Yongqing's on - site inspection.
Just as they were about to leave the door, they ran into the uncle who delivered vegetables every day. He was from the village and a pitiful man. His wife had died of illness earlier, and his child had had an accident three years ago. Now he was all alone. It was said that he had worked outside before but had been cheated by a unscrupulous boss and hadn't received much money. He had just returned to the village some time ago. Qian Huashen had thought of him, and after observing him for a few days, Yuan Tiantian had officially hired him as the vegetable delivery man.
"Uncle Li."
"Little boss, you're going out?"
Li Qing was riding a tricycle with today's vegetables for Yuan Tiantian on the back. His face was full of excitement.
"I'm taking some friends to the back mountain."
"Oh, you've come to the right place. There are some good things growing there today!"