Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 827: Give You the Best

Grandpa Song is a traditional person, but that doesn’t mean he can't accept new things.

It must be difficult for old-fashioned parents to accept their children dyeing their hair colors like Song Ying's—after all, she even dyed her long eyebrows the same color. “You two have met? When?” Grandpa Song is very curious about the meeting between Song Ying and Luo Qiu. At this time, Song Ying sat down. The Eight Immortals table has only four stools but five sets of tableware. Song Ying's stool was arranged on Luo Qiu's right side, while Song Haoran was on Luo Qiu's left—of course, the Eight Immortals table is wide enough that the seated people wouldn’t feel crowded. After sitting down, Song Ying calmly said, “I heard that a distinguished guest has come to Cold Residence, so I took some tea leaves from you, Grandpa, to serve.” Luo Qiu smiled and said, “Miss Song also told me the story of Junshan Yinzhen.” “Oh? Is that so?” Grandpa Song chuckled and looked at Luo Qiu, saying, “Don’t be fooled by this child’s rebellious appearance; she has learned quite a bit about brewing tea.” “It’s just a pity that some people chew on peonies and do not know how to appreciate them,” Song Ying said with a slight smile. Luo Qiu wasn't really angry—he indeed didn’t know how to appreciate it. Moreover, although this Miss Song, whom he was meeting for the first time, had a somewhat confrontational vibe, it was much better than the situation when he first met a certain true dragon who intended to use violence right away at a pet hospital. “Yes, it’s a bit wasted,” Luo Qiu nodded. “I can’t really taste it, but I feel the flavor is okay. Also, Miss Song is very pleasing to the eye when brewing tea.” “Thank you,” Song Ying graciously thanked him and then smiled lightly, “Then I’ll take that as a compliment.” Song Haoran easily sensed the hint of hostility that Song Ying was displaying at this moment. He awkwardly glanced back and forth between Luo Qiu and Song Ying, then looked helplessly at Grandpa Song. The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh; although Luo Qiu is the direct descendant of the Song family that was just found, he has always doted on his deceased sister's child from the bottom of his heart—after all, Song Haoran is not much older than Song Ying. Although their relationship is one of uncle and niece in terms of seniority, their interaction feels more like that of siblings. At this moment, Grandpa Song chuckled again and asked Luo Qiu, “Luo Qiu, do you think Xiao Ying is pretty?” Luo Qiu thought for a moment and casually said, “Miss Ying should be a beauty that completely conforms to popular aesthetics.” Grandpa Song narrowed his eyes and said, “I’m asking about you.” Luo Qiu looked at Song Ying. In the black-and-white world, the light concealed in her being flickered unpredictably. Luo Qiu softly said, “Very special, radiating a captivating brilliance.” After hearing this, Song Haoran was momentarily speechless, as if he was meeting Luo Qiu for the first time. Song Ying frowned slightly, feeling that under Luo Qiu's gaze, she instinctively wanted to find a place to hide. However… she suddenly felt a bit uneasy. Grandpa Song's questions were too sensitive; almost anyone could see the kind of calculation in his heart. “Then does that mean you like her?” Grandpa Song's eyes lit up, and he immediately followed up with questions. Song Ying became nervous all of a sudden… nervous but without showing it, while also focusing intensely on her hearing. “I like beautiful things,” Luo Qiu said softly, “but not in the romantic sense between men and women.” You’ll have no girlfriend… Song Haoran instinctively rubbed his brow. Grandpa Song nodded and said, “Everyone has a love for beauty. Appreciation is a good thing... It’s getting late. Uncle Wu, serve the dishes.” “Okay, sir.” Uncle Wu lightly clapped his hands a few times, and then a group of maids, lined up on either side, each holding a different dish, began to serve the food. Uncle Wu introduced each dish, “Ham and bamboo shoot soup, made with premium Jinhua ham and dried bamboo shoots, the soup base is prepared with old hen, cabbage, dried scallops, and old ginseng. The flavor of the ham is rich and mellow, and the dried bamboo shoots are fresh. The ‘Soup Head Song’ also says, ‘Only ginseng can achieve a good name, blood is thin but can return to life; one type of ginseng has a concentrated essence, it should be known that its strength is great’…” “This is ‘Eggplant,’ made with sliced pickled eggplant, paired with various chicken mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and seven kinds of fungus, five-spice dried tofu, winter bamboo shoots, and nuts tossed with sesame oil and seasonings. ‘Eggplant’ has a salty and fresh taste, with a rich aroma and a hint of sweetness, and a bright color. Additionally, this dish comes from ‘A Dream of Red Mansions,’ when Grandma Liu visits the Grand View Garden, it is the most detailed dish described.” “This is…” There were nine dishes, and it took a full ten minutes to introduce them one by one... This seems to be a necessary preparation before enjoying the meal. The Song family seems to be accustomed to such traditions; at this time, Luo Qiu couldn't help but think of Ren Ziling. If she were here, she probably wouldn’t care so much and would just pick up a dish and shove a bite into her mouth. As the last dish was served, Grandpa Song suddenly stood up, personally took a jar from the maid's hands, and placed it in the center of the Eight Immortals table. He looked at Luo Qiu and said, “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, just ten dishes, taking the meaning of perfection.” Luo Qiu nodded. At this time, Song Haoran said, “Luo Qiu, do you know? Our Song family members must eat a bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall personally made by their elders.” Luo Qiu curiously asked, “Is it an ancestral rule?” Grandpa Song nodded and said, “Let me tell you a story. During the Ming Dynasty, there was a family living in poverty. Only a mother and child depended on each other for survival. The mother worked as a helper in a restaurant, serving tea and water. Due to their poor circumstances, the child had never enjoyed anything and was often bullied. On his tenth birthday, the child’s mother came home late, but when she returned, she brought back a jar of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall made from various precious ingredients. Can you guess how this child’s mother got these precious ingredients?” Luo Qiu thought for a moment and said, “At the restaurant, were they leftovers?” Grandpa Song nodded: “That’s right, they were leftovers. That day, a wealthy family held a grand birthday banquet for an elder, extravagantly. However, each table had quite a bit of leftovers. So, this mother went around to different tables, taking a little from each, putting it into a jar, and then bringing it home.” Grandpa Song kept watching Luo Qiu’s expression, “This mother did not hide the origin of this jar of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. She told the child: when these dishes were made, the chef had tasted them, so the first person to eat was actually eating what others had left behind. You and other children are not different; you are also a person of wealth and privilege.” “This child later passed the imperial examination, and the family gradually improved their situation. He later established a family rule that no matter how the descendants fare, whether poor or rich, the elders must personally make a bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for their descendants. Do you know why?” Luo Qiu said, “To remember the sweet and bitter past?” Grandpa Song shook his head, then said seriously: “This is to let the descendants know that we will give you the best. No matter how this thing was obtained, it is what we have given you, the greatest effort put forth. I have eaten it, your grandfather has eaten it, Haoran has eaten it, and Song Ying has eaten it. Everyone in the Song family has eaten it. The only ones who haven’t are you and your father.” As he spoke, Song Tianyou stood up silently, picked up the fifth set of chopsticks, filled a spoonful of soup into a bowl, and placed it next to Luo Qiu before adding another spoonful to Luo Qiu's bowl. “Today, I made this for you all; you should eat together with him.” Luo Qiu nodded, picked up the bowl, took a sip, and then closed his eyes. The emotions poured into it easily melted on his taste buds. Perhaps it was the influence of Grandpa Song's story or simply the presence of an extra bowl beside him. The rich and thick soup flowed smoothly, and the memories brought by the taste also flashed through his mind. It was as if the mother and child from a distant time and space were right in front of him. Under the dim yellow candlelight, at the wooden table, that mother also personally served a bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. She then mended her child's clothes as he ate contentedly. Wealth felt so distant, but the warmth brought by the candlelight was right beside him. Suddenly, Luo Qiu understood the feelings of his grandfather when he drew the enemy away for Song Tianyou, and he understood the persistence that Grandpa Song had in searching for his family all these years. It was a legacy. For hundreds of years, it had been condensed into the spirit embodied in this dish of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. The previous generation left its mark on the next generation through taste. Giving you the best. “It’s a warm and heartwarming taste,” Luo Qiu put down the bowl, smiling, while a tear fell. The Cold Residence was not cold. ... “Clothes and bedding have all been replaced; I don’t know if you’ll get used to it. Just stay for now.” After dinner, Grandpa Song left early. He had been busy for two full days preparing the meal for the night, which was quite taxing for someone his age, so he went to rest early. Perhaps he needed a quieter private space to calm his emotions. Song Haoran brought Luo Qiu to a uniquely decorated room, stretched lazily, and said, “I’m tired too. Let’s call it a day; rest well. Someone will take you to explore this place tomorrow morning.” Luo Qiu nodded and spent some time in the room by himself. He sat at the desk and opened a book that Grandpa Song had asked Uncle Wu to send over. Although it was called a book, it contained only a few simple pages. It described the recipe for the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall that they had eaten tonight, which was said to be passed down through generations; every member of the Song family had to learn how to make this dish. It was a unique copy, handed down from generation to generation, and the handwriting had become somewhat blurry. Luo Qiu thought for a moment and then took out some paper and a pen, slowly copying it down. Not long after, there was a sudden knock at the door. After putting away the newly copied recipe, Luo Qiu opened the door to find Song Ying. “Miss Song, do you need something from me?” She was no longer wearing the qipao that accentuated her curves, and her hair was simply let down casually behind her, carrying the scent of a recent bath. Dressed in a denim mini skirt and a short-sleeved shirt, she looked cool and refreshing. She was leaning against the door of Luo Qiu's room. When she saw Luo Qiu open the door, she gave him an up-and-down look and then said nonchalantly, “You really know how to act.” “What do you mean?” Song Ying scoffed, “My grandpa is a particularly sentimental person, especially toward his relatives. But don’t think that you can say a few sweet words in front of him, shed a few tears, and pretend to be obedient, and then do whatever you want in the Song family and gain any benefits.” “Don’t worry, I’m not interested in the wealth of the Song family,” Luo Qiu replied with a slight smile. “I just came to learn about my grandfather's affairs.” “Is that so?” Song Ying said indifferently. “I wonder if you can still say such pretty words after you truly understand our Song family's financial power and influence.” “It’s late, and from the looks of Miss Song, are you planning to go out? I won’t keep you.” Luo Qiu said suddenly. Ignoring Song Ying’s expression, Luo Qiu started to close the door. But just as the door was about to shut, a delicate white hand slipped into the gap, and Luo Qiu asked, “Is there something else?” Song Ying replied calmly, “My grandpa asked me to be your tour guide tomorrow and show you around. But there’s nothing much to see during the day, so let’s go now.” “Now?” Song Ying blinked and said, “What, are you afraid I’ll eat you? You can see more things at night… But if you’re unwilling, that’s fine. I’ll still find you a tour guide through a travel agency tomorrow. You can’t count on me because I have a lot of work to do.” “Alright, then I’ll trouble Miss Song.” Luo Qiu nodded. “Just call me Song Ying,” she said lightly. “After all, you share the blood of the Song family. This way of addressing me might not please my grandpa.” “So, where are we going?” Luo Qiu smiled slightly. “Follow me.” ... ... Song Haoran had just finished rinsing off when Butler Wu knocked and entered. Song Haoran wrapped a towel around himself, sat down, and poured himself a glass of tequila. “Uncle Wu, what’s going on?” “Second Young Master, Miss Ying just took Young Master Qiu out.” “Song Ying?” Song Haoran paused, then frowned. “Does Grandpa know?” Uncle Wu shook his head. “The old master was tired after two days of work and fell asleep as soon as he got back to his room. I didn’t wake him. But I’ve already sent a team to follow them; there shouldn’t be any problems.” Song Haoran shook his glass, sighed, and said, “I’m not afraid of any danger befalling them; I just worry that Song Ying might suffer a loss.” “Miss Ying?” Uncle Wu was surprised. “How is that possible?” Song Haoran smiled and said, “Don’t be fooled by my newly found nephew's calm demeanor; he’s actually quite difficult to deal with. We know exactly what Grandpa said today, and it’s normal for Song Ying to have some reactions…” Uncle Wu said, “Second Young Master, there’s something I’d like to ask you… What do you think of Young Master Qiu?” “So you and Song Ying have different concerns; you’re worried about different things?” Song Haoran replied casually. Uncle Wu furrowed his brow and said, “He’s the eldest grandson, and this is what the old master personally said… Moreover, it seems the old master is also interested in arranging a marriage…” Song Haoran shook his head, watching the swirling tequila in his glass, and said calmly, “Am I, Song Haoran, unable to create a new Song family without this family fortune?” “I’m not denying your capabilities,” Uncle Wu replied. Song Haoran chuckled, then looked out at the night sky. “Life is a bit more interesting with challenges… Besides, he might not care much for the Song family anyway.” “Not care?” Uncle Wu said in surprise. “But the Song family is…” “It’s probably an instinct,” Song Haoran suddenly said. “What he sees might not be what we see…” Song Haoran suddenly took a sip of his tequila, playing with the ‘Sun God Medallion’ he wore, and muttered to himself, “That gaze is just like that of a black horned python…”