Translated by Serena Love

Edited by Azure

Chapter 52: Pork Liver Mixed Chuan

"Pork liver mixed chuan!" After Tang Qiaoqiao said that they could order anything, Wu Lin and Cheng Biao called out a dish in unison.

"You have such a tacit understanding?" Tang Qiaoqiao narrowed her eyes.

Wu Lin and Cheng Biao looked at each other, both faces showing embarrassment.

Wu Lin paused and couldn't help but sneer, " I heard that your stomach is half-dead, and you can only drink porridge every day. Why do you still dare to eat other things? You are not afraid of piercing your stomach?"

Cheng Biao sneered, "You don't have to worry about my rotten intestines."

Mao Li said "tsk" twice before saying, "Director Wu, you still care about Director Cheng. You know his current situation so clearly."

"Who cares about him? Do I have too much free time? Someone sells his own gossip news all day long for fear that others may not know it." Wu Lin said.

Cheng Biao glared at him. "Did I hinder you from getting on the news? It's just that no one was looking at you."

Tang Qiaoqiao and Mao Li pursed their lips and laughed. They understood that these two great directors were completely hard-mouthed. In fact, there was no irreconcilable contradiction. It's just that no one could take the initiative to lower their heads.

"Two directors don't fight," Tang Qiaoqiao said, "I'm going to make pork liver mixed chuan for you now, but you have to do what you agreed. The guests in my restaurant will be the three of you."

Cheng Biao felt entangled for a long time. Finally, he had to fold his waist for the sake of his tongue.

This was Wu Lin's own play. No matter what, if Mao Li showed her face, the show would receive increased popularity. So he did not object, and he temporarily handed over the position of the director to his executive director.

The three of them changed into ‘80s clothing and took a seat in the corner.

Although Wu Lin and Cheng Biao had been pointing behind the camera, they didn't look strange when they were in front of the camera. It was all-natural.

"Chuan" was actually mixed noodles. Calling the noodles "Chuan'er" was the way around Hangzhou, where Wu Lin and Cheng Biao went to university.

Although it was not suitable to have authentic southern dishes in a restaurant set in the north, the three of them only showed their faces, so they didn’t need to care about so many details.

The pork liver and pork kidneys were fresh. Tang Qiaoqiao washed the blood repeatedly, cut the liver and kidneys into thin slices, and used salt, cooking wine, and dry starch to create a marinade.

The liver and kidneys must be stir-fried with high heat and hot oil so that the fried parts were oily and slightly sticky, and it was easier to form a "sauce."

She stir-fried the liver and kidneys in a hot pan for ten seconds, added a handful of garlic and bean sprouts, sprinkled with soy sauce, chicken powder, a little sugar, and other seasonings, and then continued to stir-fry a few times quickly and put it on the plate.

She rolled the noodles by hand. After being scalded in boiling water and taken out, Tang Qiaoqiao spread the greasy toppings on the noodles, and it was ready to be enjoyed.

Mao Li, Cheng Biao, and Wu Lin pretended to be customers. No one spoke, and the two directors were displeased with each other. The atmosphere was a bit stiff. However, when the three bowls of liver and kidneys mixed with thick oil and red sauce were served on the table, their spirits suddenly changed.

The big bowls of toppings spread all over and completely covered the noodles underneath. The steaming heat brought a tangy fragrance.

It was amazing at first bite, and it was very salty and fragrant, but it did not feel very oily. The pork liver and kidney were cooked just right, the texture was extremely tender, and there was no fishy smell.

Especially the kidneys, which are cut beautifully like a flower. After it was cooked, it was all rolled up like squid. It was crispy and refreshing.

The hand-rolled noodles were covered with sauce, the aroma was delicious, and the texture was very chewy.

They took a few bites of noodles, and then had a simple sip of seaweed and diced mustard soup. The faint umami taste was clear and greasy. It was a wonderful combination.

Wu Lin was eating pork liver mixed Chuan, and he couldn't help but think back to the days when he was in college when he often went out at night just to have such a bite of this noodle.

At that time, the two good brothers ordered two bowls of noodles when they had money, and they could also ask for extra toppings of intestines. When they didn't have any money, they were not afraid to share a bowl.

At that age, they were so innocent. Unlike now, he had to deal with producers and investors from time to time. Even the sumptuous banquet tables were filled with hypocrisy and the smell of copper.

But why did they become like this? When he thought about it carefully, they had no big hatred. It's just that they were young and vigorous.

Wu Lin glanced at Cheng Biao and happened to meet his gaze. Chang Biao seemed to think so too, and even his eyes were a little red.

Cheng Biao said awkwardly, "Why is it a bit spicy? This is not authentic. Why did she put so many peppers?"

Wu Lin hummed, "Don't blame the cook. Where are the peppers?"

Cheng Biao muttered, "It's so spicy to my eyes."

Mao Li sat opposite the two of them. Seeing that the atmosphere of the two of them was different, she understood and held up a teacup on the table.

"We used tea instead of wine to drink together. How about turning over the past from now on?"

Wu Lin and Cheng Biao hesitated for a few seconds, but with some movement on their faces, they held up their teacups, clinked Mao Li's cup, and then drank it all in one fell swoop.

The two men put down their teacups, looked at each other, and then ate their noodles until the bottom of the bowl was clean, without leaving any soup or even oil.

Two great directors and a movie queen had a cameo together. This was not often seen. Even if they were just sitting in the corner, the camera was firmly aimed at them.

Seeing that Wu Lin and Cheng Biao met each other, the staff on the set were also quite moved. They know more or less the entanglement between the two directors and how they had not been able to reconcile. But they did not expect that a bowl of pork liver noodles could deal with the two difficult thorns.

This woman Tang Qiaoqiao was really not easy.

Tang Qiaoqiao had been watching through the small window in the kitchen, and her heart was warm.

The power of food was infinite. It could pass through the tip of the tongue through the throat and reach the stomach. As it went all the way, it could awaken the truest emotion in the heart, and it was also the best medicine to heal the pain of the soul.

The next scene was the reunion of Zhao Xiaolian and Zhao Xiaoxiang. The filming of this scene made the surrounding staff tearful.

The love between sisters with a bowl of noodles and a plate of dishes was warming and vivid.

Human life in the world was nothing more than this.

From then on, Cheng Biao ran to the "Our Family" crew to freeload Tang Qiaoqiao's meal anytime he was free. Although he often quarreled with Wu Lin until his thick neck blushed, he was never driven out.

Cheng Biao even took the time to direct a few scenes. Of course, Wu Lin was disgusted by him. The staff members were almost blamed, but anyway, he still kept the cut in the end.

What's even more amazing was that Cheng Biao's stomach problems that had persisted for many years did not relapse during this time. He could have a taste in his mouth, and everything was fragrant to eat. Eating was no longer a dispensable thing for him.

The days in the crew were very regular, and time flew by quickly. The filming of the film was divided into three groups at the same time. The staff was working together, and the progress was rapid. Soon, the production would come to an end.

In the last scene, the three daughters of the Zhao family returned to the Zhao family's father and mother after experiencing various ups and downs in their lives.

At this time, their parents were full of gray hair, and the three daughters were also entering middle age. Their faces were no longer young, and they were more mature and responsible.

Finally, they had a reunion dinner together.

For this reunion dinner, Wu Lin and Cheng Biao directed the scene together. Starting from Tang Qiaoqiao wearing an apron, killing chickens, cutting fish, making dumplings, and steaming buns, until the meal was on the table.

The family was now rich, and there was no shortage of chicken, duck, or fish. But the noodle soup and pancakes that had been with the Zhao family were indispensable—symbolizing the Zhao family, no, the people of this era. No matter how much suffering they experienced, some things were rooted in the soul and would never change.

As a result, "Our Family" ended during the talking and laughing in that meal.

This is Tang Qiaoqiao's first real drama in the strict sense. When it was finished, she was very reluctant to say goodbye to everyone.

During this time in the crew, everyone got along like a family, but once they were separated, who knows when they would see each other again.

"Woooo, Qiaoqiao, I can't bear to leave you." Chen Qing came up and hugged Tang Qiaoqiao abruptly, crying with tears.

Tang Qiaoqiao's tears also burst out all of a sudden. Although her eldest sister in the play often took advantage of her, it was strangely uncomfortable to be separated.

"Woooo, Qiaoqiao, when can I eat your cooking?" Chen Qing cried even louder when it came to this.

Tang Qiaoqiao's tears stopped quickly, "Sister, are you reluctant to leave me because of this?"

Chen Qing cried and chirped, "Hmm."

Tang Qiaoqiao: '... After all this time, the love was paid wrongly.'

Tang Qiaoqiao had recently become famous, and there were more and more works for her. She didn't even have time to eat the final banquet before she had to fly back to the capital to attend a star charity dinner hosted by a well-known magazine.

"What is this charity dinner for?"

Tang Qiaoqiao got off the plane, got in the car that Brother Qian drove, and first went to the modeling studio. Directly afterward, they had to go to the dinner scene without a single moment of leisure.

Brother Qian looked at Tang Qiaoqiao from the mirror and explained, "This charity dinner is a stepping stone for you to open up your contacts in the entertainment circle. It's very helpful."

Tang Qiaoqiao frowned upon hearing his words, "Isn't the theme charity?"

"Charity must be done. But just donate some money, and it will be done. But the most important is the big business guys. The main role of the stars is to boost up the popularity of the dinner party."

"Isn't that vain?"

Brother Qian nodded, "They said it was a charity dinner, but who doesn't know the truth? For celebrities, the most interesting thing is what clothes they wear, whether they grab the attention of the camera and who you have met inside."

Tang Qiaoqiao curled her lips. "It sounds boring." Instead of attending this kind of fictitious dinner, it was better to go home and cook live for fans to earn more aura.

But the company had already signed a contract with the organizer.

Brother Qian said with a serious face, "This is the first fashion ceremony you attended. You must fight for your image and don't make trouble."

Tang Qiaoqiao calmly said, "Cross my heart. I, Tang Qiaoqiao, have always been able to hold it in such formal occasions."

However, when Brother Qian thought of the wonderful history of his artist, he couldn't help but sweat.

Brother Qian sent Tang Qiaoqiao to the meeting place and told her to behave several times before letting her get out of the car.

Walking on the red carpet is the first highlight of this fashion event. Generally, the more important people come out later. Tang Qiaoqiao was arranged in the middle.

—

Translator Note:

1. Pork Liver Mixed Chuan - "Chuan" is a kind of noodle popular in the Shanghai-Hangzhou region. It usually has various ingredients added to the noodle, including pork liver and kidney. https://cp1.douguo.com/upload/caiku/b/4/6/690x390_b4cee621f6d754219004f9eb10115a46.jpg 

2. "After all this time, the love was paid wrongly" is a meme. It’s from a line of the TV series "Legend of Zhen Huan" (or "Empresses in the Palace" on Netflix). It is Zhen Huan's famous line when she learned that the emperor used her as his first-love stand-in. It is used to express chills and disappointment towards people.

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