Chapter 688 - 539: Filing a Complaint
"Chef Huang, is the Laba porridge ready to be taken off the stove?"
Aunt Li spoke while being irresistibly drawn by the thick, enticing aroma wafting from the pot. Curiously, she leaned over to look inside, and saw the Laba porridge bubbling away. The colors of various ingredients interwoven in the porridge were crystal clear and vibrant. It was so tempting that just looking at it made one's mouth water.
"Yes, almost there, almost there, it'll be ready soon..."
Huang Jun turned around with a warm smile on his face and said to Aunt Li, "Aunt Li, could you please find a few clean big bowls for us? Once the porridge is ready, we can enjoy a bowl while it's hot and savor the first taste of this year's Laba porridge, spreading the joy of the New Year."
"Ah, sure, that's something I'd be more than happy to do..."
Aunt Li replied cheerfully. She quickly turned around and rushed towards the kitchen cabinet where the kitchenware was stored.
Beside them, Qian Guo was moved by the sight of the Laba porridge and fell into memories of the past: "I remember those days when my parents were still alive, especially my mother, who would always get up early. No matter what time I woke up, even at six in the morning, the hot and fragrant porridge would already be set on the dining table. It was more than just a bowl of porridge; it was the meticulous and deep love my parents had for us."
What a pity...
He hadn't had a taste of his mother's Laba porridge for years now...
Just at the thought of it!
A hint of loneliness and nostalgia flickered in his eyes.
Hearing what Qian Guoxiang said, Aunt Li felt similarly and nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Yes, that taste and that sentiment are irreplaceable. Whenever I think of these things, a warmth fills my heart."
Just then.
The large doors of the operation room slowly opened, accompanied by a subtle yet distinct sliding sound...
Everyone was drawn by the sudden sound and looked up...
They saw Liu Suyu and Chu Qiweng, both clad in full protective gear, walking in gracefully.
Aunt Li, holding a bowl and spoon, smiled teasingly: "Oh, Manager Liu, Accountant Chu, did you two have a stopwatch and timed your arrival? Just as Chef Huang was about to serve the Laba porridge, you both showed up!"
"Aunt Li, you're wrongly accusing us..."
Chu Qiweng shook her head lightly, with a playful curve on her lips: "The aroma of the Laba porridge was so alluring that we could catch its scent from a hundred meters away. Just smelling it made my stomach rumble, so we ran over with Manager Liu."
Liu Suyu continued: "That's right, the aroma of the Laba porridge is better than any alarm clock; it woke us up from work instantly."
"True enough!"
Aunt Li nodded approvingly: "Chef Huang's Laba porridge certainly makes one's mouth water! I don't mind saying it out loud, just the smell made me crave it! I just fetched bowls and spoons, planning to enjoy a bowl first. Since you two are here, I'll go get more bowls and spoons so we can all have a taste together!"
With that, she placed the stack of bowls and spoons on the counter and turned to the kitchen cabinet to fetch more.
"Thank you, Aunt Li!"
Liu Suyu and Chu Qiweng thanked her in unison, their eyes inevitably drawn to the steaming pot.
The Laba porridge in the pot was crystal clear and invitingly colorful; they couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Chu Qiweng, rubbing her hands together with anticipation, complimented: "This aroma is simply irresistible."
"Don't worry, you'll get some right away!"
Huang Jun smiled slightly, picked up the ladle, and gently scooped up a spoonful of Laba porridge from the pot, poured it into a large bowl on the counter, and first handed it to Chu Qiweng, then turned to serve the others.
Chu Qiweng quickly grabbed the bowl and eagerly took a big spoonful.
The glistening rice grains and various ingredients shimmered under the light; the red beans were like bright jewels, the mung beans fresh with a hint of green, the lotus seeds pink and jade-like, the longan meat golden and tempting... each ingredient seemed like a carefully selected gift from nature, together forming this colorful masterpiece.
She blew on it to cool it down a bit before taking it into her mouth.
As soon as it touched her tongue, the porridge glided like silk, smooth and soft, and warmly comfortable.
Then, the taste of each ingredient emerged layer by layer: the red and mung beans were grainy and sweet with a bean aroma; the lotus seeds were sweet and carried a faint lotus fragrance, the red dates combined with peanuts were perfectly sweet and healthy.
Each ingredient had its own goodness.
Most unforgettable was how the Laba porridge slowly melted in her mouth, making her feel warm all over, as if the winter cold had been chased away, softening and warming her heart.
In that instant...
Her eyes shone brightly, her face beaming with satisfaction and surprise: "Wow, this is so delicious! Sweet but not too sweet, fragrant and rich, every mouthful bursts with the freshness of the ingredients and Chef Huang's meticulous effort. This Laba porridge is like a little sun in winter, warming one's heart."
"Chef Huang's skills naturally lead to deliciousness!"
Liu Suyu said as she moved closer, carefully taking the bowl of Laba porridge Huang Jun handed her.
She gently blew on the steaming surface of the porridge, then elegantly scooped up a spoonful and slowly brought it to her mouth.