An Integrated Banquet Arrangement Blending Ancient and Modern Elements
"Hey, you didn't do it on purpose. Who hasn't been sick before? Your return is our greatest blessing. Even heaven pities our Southern Master for not having a mother. Isn't that why you're sent back? In the future, please spoil me a bit more so I can fulfill my filial duties for two years," Xiaobei skillfully dug a small pit for Miss Hou.
"Yes, Xiaobei, stay at home with Mother, don't go anywhere, don't marry anyone. Let's cherish our time together as a family. Your brother says he misses you every day and can't bear to be without you," Lady Huo willingly jumped into the pit Xiaobei prepared.
"All right, let's settle it like this. Xiaobei will stay with Mother and Father to help Southern Master grow up. We'll make up for these lost years!" Xiaobei quickly sealed the deal, steering the conversation back into the lively discussion of welcoming Lady Huo's family.
"I suggest a banquet menu. What do you think, everyone?" Xiaobei stood up and picked a beef meatball from the pot for Old Medicine Master. "Let's start eating, and discuss while we enjoy the meal. Tong Xi will take care of Grandfather's food, and I'll record the results of our discussion." Saying this, she took out parchment and a pencil from her sleeve pocket, ready to record.
"As for the banquet outside, I assume Uncle has attended many. We, being a family from the mountains, haven't seen those grand scenes. It's not easy to learn, and we might end up making a mess. So, I propose we stick to the unique features of our mountains. What do you think?"
"Yeah, we have many innovative dishes unique to Fuhai Tower that outsiders might not have tried."
"Let me propose an idea. We can organize the banquet with a structure based on eight cold dishes, eight hot dishes, eight varieties of main courses and pastries, with a soup before and a dessert after. As for drinks, besides the relatively mild honey wine and the home-made glutinous rice sweet wine, I'll guide everyone to refine the distilled liquor after dinner, creating a blend with an aged and spicy taste." Xiaobei, seeing the chaotic suggestions, decided to present her own plan.
"With our daily cold dishes, we have quite a variety. Which ones should we include?" Aunt Li was from a farming family below the mountain, skilled in marinating and cold tossing. With her suggestion, everyone's ideas started flowing, and they ended up with a list of around fifty to sixty dishes. Xiaobei quickly glanced through the recorded dishes.
"No wonder Fuhai Tower wanted to sign a cooperation agreement with Xiaobei. This is amazing; just from this place alone, we have dozens of dishes."
"Okay, I'll consolidate and confirm the list later and inform everyone. If there's time, we can start making various meatballs and minced meat patties. Grandfather is tired, so let Tong Xi accompany him to rest for a while," Xiaobei said as everyone started to get busy.
Once the others left the table and were occupied with their tasks, Xiaobei pulled Miss Hou aside to share some private words.
Upon hearing Xiaobei's words, Miss Hou's eyes widened, unable to contain her excitement. "Really?! If what you say is true, do you think he will agree?"