Grandpa Cai did not know that mulberry leaves had great medicinal value. They had to be harvested after the frost had fallen for the medicinal effects to be at their best.
For Grandpa Cai, who had only attended literacy classes and was barely literate, it was a big deal to know that mulberry leaves could be used to cook and treat illnesses.
Yuan Zhou naturally knew what was going on. Seeing that Grandpa Cai had specially sent it over, he was very touched. He said directly, "I happen to be in need of some mulberry leaves to cook and was planning to buy some. Coincidentally, you sent it over. It's like sending charcoal in the snow. It's perfect."
"There's no need to buy it. My mulberry leaves are very good." Grandpa Cai secretly puffed out his chest and smiled. "As long as it's useful."
Grandpa Cai was very happy to see that it was useful. Previously, it was Yuan Zhou who had helped him buy so many mulberries. Although he was not educated, he knew that he had to repay those who were good to him.
"This time, I'm not just here to give you mulberry leaves. Boss Yuan wants to show you something good," said Grandpa Cai.
As he spoke, he pretended to be mysterious and slowly removed the white gauze covering the other basket, revealing mulberry leaves. However, compared to the exquisite mulberry leaves from before, the color of the leaves here was darker. It was obvious that they were old leaves.
Grandpa Cai peeled off a few large leaves, revealing the contents inside. It was a milky white color, but it wasn't a pure color. There was a hint of pink in it, and it was a type of white bayberry. Although it hadn't reached the level of crystal bayberry, it wasn't far from it. It was also a rare species.
Yuan Zhou recognized it at a glance. "Grandpa Cai, your fruit trees have borne fruit?"
"Yes, yes, yes. This is the first year that they bear fruit. Coincidentally, there's a crystal variety hidden inside. It's edible today and it's fresh. You have to try it. The other bayberries don't have anything special," said Grandpa Cai.
There was a look of joy on his face as he reaped the harvest. It was so simple that it made people feel better.
There was basically half a basket inside. For a tree, it was likely that all the fruits were here. Yuan Zhou said in embarrassment, "Grandpa Cai, you've brought all this. What are you and Auntie eating? You should bring some back. Have you set a price for this bayberry?"
Yuan Zhou knew that a good variety of red bayberries would normally cost at least a few tens of dollars. He didn't want Grandpa Cai to lose out. It wasn't easy.
The smile on Grandpa Cai's face immediately turned fierce as he said, "Little Boss Yuan, I don't like your words. What price are you talking about? I'm here to let you have a taste. If you like it, just accept it. You don't need money."
After saying that, he looked at Yuan Zhou angrily. Obviously, Yuan Zhou had just mentioned money, and Grandpa Cai was very unhappy.
"Alright, since it's Sir's kind intentions, I'll accept it. But I've made some preserved meat from Xiangxi, and I'll bring some back for you and Auntie to have a taste. And the mulberry jam that I've made before, you have to take it back and boil it in water. It's just right now, so you can't reject it. It's also my kind intentions." Yuan Zhou thought for a while and suggested a compromise.
Previously, Yuan Zhou had always wanted to give something to Grandpa Cai. However, Grandpa Cai was indeed worthy of being called Grandpa Cai. Every time, Grandpa Cai would reject him sternly, leaving Yuan Zhou speechless. Now that he had the chance, he naturally wouldn't let it go.
"Alright, but just take a little. Boss Yuan still needs to keep it for his business." Grandpa Cai thought for a while and relented.
Yuan Zhou went back and took out two baskets to store the mulberry leaves and bayberries. Then, he quickly stuffed a chicken, a fish, a duck, and a few pieces of preserved meat and sausages into Grandpa Cai's basket. He didn't even let Grandpa Cai touch them.
After settling everything, Grandpa Cai planned to leave. He didn't want to disturb Yuan Zhou's business.
Yuan Zhou didn't stay for long. He knew that he couldn't keep Grandpa Cai any longer. Hence, he called for a taxi and told the driver the destination before sending Grandpa Cai off.
Before Grandpa Cai left, he told Yuan Zhou to eat the white bayberries well, saying that eating them was good for his stomach. He knew that Yuan Zhou didn't have a regular meal schedule and was afraid that it would spoil his stomach. That was also the reason why Grandpa Cai was in a hurry to send them over.
It seems that Grandpa Cai's small orchard is quite successful. That's good. In the future, with these sources of income, the old couple will definitely have a better life, Yuan Zhou thought.
Yuan Zhou also enjoyed Grandpa Cai's concern. Just like the old lady, she would send Glutinous Rice Balls to him every year.
After tidying up the bayberries, he tasted one. Compared to ordinary red bayberries, the white bayberry was sweeter and less sour. It tasted pretty good.
Although there were a lot of white bayberries, they were easy to handle. They could be used to brew wine or make fruit sauce. However, it was a bit difficult to deal with a basket of mulberry leaves. Generally speaking, it was better to dry them and use them to make tea.
However, these mulberry leaves hadn't gone through the frost, so their medicinal value was low. It wasn't cost-effective to use them to make tea. Normally, Yuan Zhou would only soak the wolfberries in a thermos flask. Even if the mulberry leaves were dried, it wouldn't be easy to make tea.
Since it can't be dried, I can only use it fresh. It should be fine to use it for cooking. Yuan Zhou thought for a while and had an idea in his heart.
For the past two days, the weather forecast had been warning of an orange high temperature. The weather was hot. Even without the sun, the temperature was still high. Therefore, it was necessary to disinfect and prevent heatstroke.
For this reason, Yuan Zhou specially prepared a lot of sour plum soup and other things. He also specially told them to add some ice cubes to prevent the customers from suffering from heatstroke.
It seemed that the fifth anniversary celebration would have to be held in the scorching summer.
Little Ya will be back tomorrow. The mulberry leaves should be just nice to use tomorrow after I clean them today.
After making up his mind, Yuan Zhou began to wash the mulberry leaves one by one. He planned to wash them clean and drain the water before putting them into the pot to cook. That way, the mulberry leaves could be kept intact.
Time passed even faster when he was busy. Very soon, it was dinnertime.
During dinnertime, Mark finally met up with Ju Man Li and the others. Then, a group of people sat together. It was not hard to imagine how boisterous it was. In addition, Mark would turn around from time to time, which made the restaurant even more of a scene.
However, in front of delicacies, everyone only glanced at him. For the rest of the time, they were still focused on the delicacies.
After Mark finished his meal, he didn't leave. Instead, he found a place that could neither block the customers nor allow him to see Yuan Zhou's actions clearly. Then, he began to watch Yuan Zhou cook.
Coincidentally, that place used to be the exclusive territory of Cheng Zhao Mei. As long as he was in the restaurant, that place would belong to him, no matter before or after the apprenticeship.
Now, it had been commandeered by Mark. He had offended two great chefs at once. It was unknown whether his martial arts skills were good or not.
Nothing special happened. The Kitchen God had been continuing as usual. Very soon, the day of Yin Ya's return arrived.
As she was going back with her colleagues, Yin Ya didn't let Yuan Zhou pick her up. She didn't even tell him the flight time.
Yuan Zhou found a way to get some time from Yin Ya's colleague and best friend. Then, he began to make preparations secretly.
Yuan Zhou knew Yin Ya well. After returning to China, she would first hand over her work in the company and then go home. Therefore, Yuan Zhou planned to wait for her at the entrance of the company. Otherwise, if he really waited at the airport, it would make Yin Ya feel special, which was not good for her to integrate into the group life.
In order to welcome Yin Ya, Yuan Zhou specially prepared a super big bento box.
"If you get fat, don't run anymore. Even if you want to run, you can't run anymore," Yuan Zhou humphed in a low voice.
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