TNIBFT -Chapter 61 The Ancient Person Eating Hotpot for the First Time

A tender voice made Xiao Xun’er turn her head in curiosity.

A cute little child with a pair of tiny buns on their head looked at her innocently. Xiao Xun’er retracted her small whip, feeling delighted, and said, “Child, what is hotpot?”

Xiao Jiang blinked his big, dark eyes, thought for a moment, then explained clearly, “It’s a special broth made with beef tallow and chili, combined with more than a dozen kinds of medicinal herbs. It tastes delicious, and you can cook whatever ingredients you want in it.”

Seeing that Xiao Xun’er didn’t seem particularly interested, Ye Yunting grew anxious. The woman on horseback clearly wasn’t ordinary; if they offended her, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He was about to step forward to explain.

Xiao Jiang continued, “Sister, you are the most beautiful and unique person I’ve ever seen in Sifang City. When I smell the aroma of hotpot, I think such a wonderful thing, you should try it.”

“There isn’t much hotpot in Sifang City, only one place, and it hasn’t opened yet. So, sister, you are probably the most special person to try it.”

“Hahaha…”

Xiao Xun’er felt delighted. It was the first time a child had complimented her, and it gave her a sense of accomplishment.

She sat on the horse, holding the reins tightly. The horse fidgeted impatiently in place, but she remained proud, tilting her fair, delicate face upward, and laughed, “Such a small kid, and such sweet words! How did your father teach you?”

“My father says, one should always speak the truth. Children should not lie.”

“Hahaha…” Seeing Xiao Jiang so earnest, Xiao Xun’er laughed again.

She dismounted, casually tossing the reins to the attendant behind her, and looked at Xiao Jiang with curiosity. “Come on, today, I’m going to be the very first person to try hotpot.”

Seeing the young lady holding Xiao Jiang’s small hand, Ye Yunting was stunned.

When did the boy learn this trick?

It must have been secretly taught by Ye Tian.

Ye Shuangxue also worriedly asked, “What now big brother?”

“I’ll go notify Ye Tian.”

With that, Ye Shuangxue ran off immediately.

The onlookers on the street were all amazed. The daughter of the city lord’s mansion often rode through the bustling streets, but this was the first time she looked so happy.

And… what exactly is this hotpot?

The daughter of the city lord’s mansion is going, so why should they wait?

“Let’s go try the hotpot too!”

“I want to go as well!”

Many people followed the trend.

At this time, Ye Tian was busy in the shop. The first day of business was unpredictable, but he was certain that once someone tasted the food, business on the second day would surely improve.

“Ye Tian!”

“Where’s Ye Tian?” Ye Shuangxue ran back, and the four employees in the shop were stunned.

The daughter is so bold, calling the boss by name directly?

The key point—Ye Tian wasn’t angry. He came out of the kitchen. Ye Shuangxue asked, “Xiao Jiang brought the daughter of the city lord’s mansion here, what should we do?”

“What if she’s not satisfied? What do we do?”

Everyone in the shop was shocked.

They didn’t know if this was good or bad, and were completely flustered. Ye Tian said, “A guest is a guest. What’s there to fear? We opened this hotpot shop to serve people. Make sure the ingredients are thoroughly cleaned—cleanliness is the first priority. Go get to work!”

Just after giving the instructions, Xiao Jiang led Xiao Xun’er into the shop.

Xiao Xun’er looked at the shop’s style, curiosity and amazement flashing in her big eyes. She had never seen a store like this before, and her anticipation for hotpot grew.

“Seat them at the most prominent spot on the second floor.”

Ye Tian instructed Yuan Heipang. The last time he had encountered Xiao Xun’er, the impression hadn’t been good. If she went upstairs now, she might leave immediately.

Yuan Heipang nodded and did as told. The three staff members circled around Xiao Xun’er, serving her with great enthusiasm. When the hotpot base arrived, the small, exquisite copper pot was filled with various spices and sauces.

Xiao Xun’er’s eyes lit up with curiosity as she looked at Yuan Heipang beside her. “What is this?”

“Miss, this is the hotpot broth. Inside, there are—” Yuan Heipang hadn’t finished speaking before Xiao Xun’er raised her hand to stop him. Disdainfully, she said, “What are you? So ugly… just looking at you makes me lose my appetite. Hurry up and get out of my sight.”

“Oh, and bring that little boy from before over here. What’s his relation to you?”

Yuan Heipang felt like crying but could only reply respectfully, “Miss, you mean Xiao Jiang?”

“He’s the youngest son of our master.”

Interesting.

Xiao Xun’er eagerly said, “Let Xiao Jiang come. I’ll eat with him.”

“Lamb slices.”

“Premium fatty beef.”

“Tripe.”

“Tender fish fillets.”

…

Dish after dish of exquisite ingredients was brought out. Xiao Xun’er stared blankly, her expression full of disdain. Raw… how is one supposed to eat this?

Xiao Jiang had already been instructed by Ye Tian in the kitchen.

When Xiao Jiang arrived, the broth in the small copper pot was already boiling. The rising heat was surprisingly comforting, and soon the air was filled with the numbing, spicy, and fragrant aroma of hotpot.

Xiao Xun’er stared at the copper pot, her mouth watering uncontrollably. Picking up her chopsticks, she asked, “Xiao Jiang, have you eaten hotpot before?”

“How do you eat this?”

“I… of course I have. Now you can put the meat slices in.”

Xiao Jiang sat next to Xiao Xun’er, calm and composed. Using clean chopsticks, he swished a piece of lamb in the boiling broth, then dipped it in the prepared sesame sauce. Eating lamb was really this complicated?

Xiao Xun’er watched intently. Xiao Jiang passed a slice of lamb to her plate. “Sister, you try it.”

“I… I’ll try.”

This strange way of eating made Xiao Xun’er hesitant. She picked up her chopsticks and put a slice into her mouth. Instantly, her eyes widened, and she looked at Xiao Jiang, excited: “Delicious!”

“So good!”

“This is the best lamb I’ve ever eaten.”

The first bite was rich with sesame aroma, combined with Ye Tian’s secret sauce—fragrant but not greasy, leaving an endless aftertaste.

The lamb was thinly sliced, cooked perfectly, tender and sweet, with a subtle onion flavor. Layers of taste blended together like a divine delicacy, and the spicy sensation made her tongue tingle.

Her mouth produced saliva uncontrollably. How had she never tasted such delicious food before?

Xiao Xun’er couldn’t stop herself. She started dipping lamb into the pot on her own, mimicking Xiao Jiang, counting “one, two, three.”

Her face was full of excitement.

It was delicious and fun. A seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl couldn’t resist, completely forgetting the dignity of a young lady.

“Did your father invent hotpot?”

“Your father is amazing. Does he want to become a chef at the City Lord’s Mansion? I’ll make sure he gets the highest pay.”

Xiao Xun’er ate while speaking incoherently.

By the time the first wave of customers entered the shop, they looked up to see Xiao Xun’er on the second floor. They didn’t dare take a breath while eating, only daring to sit on the first floor. The entire shop was filled with the aroma of delicious food.

At first, a spicy scent hit them, followed by a savory fragrance that made mouths water.

“Boss, I want a hotpot.”

“Me too, I want a hotpot.”

In less than half an hour, the hall was packed. Ye Yunting and Ye Shuangxue were still promoting outside on the street. The news that the City Lord’s young lady was eating hotpot at the shop spread across the city in less than thirty minutes.

Countless wealthy merchants rushed in…