Su Xiaotian had prepared two hot pots today, one with a clear broth and the other with a spicy red broth, to cater to different tastes.
Qiao Guangyuan, who enjoyed spicy food, headed straight for the red broth pot.
"Let me see what delicious food is prepared today."
When he saw the dazzling array of ingredients on the table, he was astonished.
He had previously thought that this meal might consume a month's worth of meat for a family.
But now, looking closer, he realized it was far more than a month's supply of meat for a single family. Families with less fortunate circumstances might not be able to afford such a quantity of meat in two or three months.
They were deeply indebted for this meal.
"Company Commander, please try this. This broth was prepared by my grandmother. I wasn't sure about everyone's preferences, so I didn't make it too spicy," Su Wuliang greeted Qiao Guangyuan.
"Wuliang, I recall you're from the Northwest. How come you also like hot pot?"
Qiao Guangyuan asked with some confusion, looking at the hot pot before him.
The reason was simple: Qiao Guangyuan was from the Sichuan-Chongqing region, where people were adept at using chili peppers to create delicious dishes and were known for their ability to eat and love spicy food.
The most famous dish from the Sichuan-Chongqing region was hot pot, renowned throughout the land for its numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant flavors. The mere thought of it made one's mouth water.
However, in his years of traveling, Qiao Guangyuan had not encountered authentic Sichuan-Chongqing style hot pot.
At this moment, he saw countless red chilies floating on the spicy red broth, which was boiling, swirling, and emitting a fragrant aroma.
The spicy and fresh flavors mingled, creating a sensory stimulation.
This was the taste of home, and it was incredibly authentic.
Smelling the familiar fragrance and watching the chilies appear and disappear like fish in the churning red broth, Qiao Guangyuan's mouth began to water.
Apart from people from the Sichuan-Chongqing region, one could not produce such an authentic Sichuan-Chongqing style broth.
"My family is from the Northwest, but my grandmother is skilled in cooking and knows a bit about cuisines from various regions."
Su Wuliang had actually never tasted authentic Sichuan-Chongqing hot pot. He simply believed it was a recipe his grandmother had developed.
In Su Wuliang's mind, his grandmother's cooking was top-notch.
"It's truly authentic. The hot pot my mother made when I was a child tasted just like this. One bite leaves a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth." A grown man was suddenly moved at this moment.
Su Wuliang looked at Qiao Guangyuan, who had suddenly become teary-eyed, and was momentarily confused about what was happening.
"Wuliang, does your family have this kind of base?"
Qiao Guangyuan suddenly asked.
Su Wuliang had no idea. He had spent very little time at home, so he was completely unaware of what his family currently had.
Helplessly, Su Wuliang could only turn his gaze to Su Xiaotian.
Su Xiaotian had also heard Qiao Guangyuan's question. She smiled and asked, "Company Commander Qiao, are you from Sichuan-Chongqing?"
"Yes, my hometown is in the Sichuan-Chongqing region. This hot pot tastes like home. I'd like to know where you bought this base."
Although Su Wuliang had introduced it as a red broth base simmered by his grandmother, Qiao Guangyuan subconsciously felt that the base must have come from the Sichuan-Chongqing area.
"This is the base my grandmother simmered. If Company Commander Qiao likes it, I'll pack two bottles for you later."
In fact, Su Xiaotian had also considered producing hot pot base. When she read books, she came across several different recipes for hot pot base.
However, the current technology was not mature, and producing hot pot base was difficult.
Otherwise, this would indeed be a profitable business.
For the next few decades, hot pot would be an enduring and popular delicacy throughout China.
Qiao Guangyuan heard Su Xiaotian say this, his joy tinged with a hint of disappointment.
If this was simmered by Grandma Su, then even if it tasted like home, it wouldn't truly be from home. Yet, he had been away from home for so long and was particularly attached to this taste.
"Thank you very much. How much did your family spend to simmer the base? I'll pay," Qiao Guangyuan said, reaching for his jacket pocket to get money.
Su Xiaotian quickly stopped him, saying, "This is for our own use. If Company Commander Qiao insists on paying, then I really can't give you this base."
Seeing Qiao Guangyuan still hesitating, Su Xiaotian added, "Company Commander Qiao, simmering the base just uses some seasonings; it's not worth much."
Qiao Guangyuan looked down at the bubbling red broth in the pot. The familiar aroma spread, filling the small courtyard with the scent of hot pot.
More than ten bowls were placed on the table, already containing chopped scallions, vinegar, and soy sauce.
Su Xiaotian picked up a ladle, scooped out some boiling red broth, and poured it over the rice. The emanating fragrance made Qiao Guangyuan's eyes widen.
"Alright, I, Qiao Guangyuan, accept this favor!"
Su Xiaotian smiled and used serving chopsticks to pick up the ingredients on the table, one by one, and place them into the boiling red hot pot broth.
"Eating it like this isn't ideal. It's best to cook it by dipping," Qiao Guangyuan said, deciding to accept the favor and letting go.
After all, he had to eat first. If he didn't, Su Wuliang might have other thoughts.
"Brothers, Wuliang has prepared such a lavish meal today. Let's not be polite. Let's dig in!"
Qiao Guangyuan said, picking up his chopsticks and starting first.
The chopsticks used for hot pot at the Su family's home were also specially made, two inches longer than ordinary chopsticks, to make eating hot pot more convenient.
Qiao Guangyuan picked up a slice of tender tripe and said, "There's a technique to eating hot pot. Tripe should be dipped seven times up and eight times down, meaning it shouldn't go in and out of the pot more than fifteen times. Eat it within twelve to thirteen seconds for the best flavor."
As he spoke, he actually began to dip it in the boiling pot, and the tripe started to curl in the scalding broth.
"See, it's done like this. It tastes best eaten hot. Although many say that eating it too hot can damage your mouth, when faced with delicious food, who can worry about that!"
After Qiao Guangyuan finished speaking, the slice of tripe on his chopsticks had already rolled in the bowl and was then brought to his mouth.
Qiao Guangyuan's eyes were half-closed, looking extremely content.
The hot and spicy taste stimulated Qiao Guangyuan, making him feel more alive.
The numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant flavors made one want to eat more and more, especially for someone like Qiao Guangyuan, who was far from home and tasting the flavors of his hometown.
The aroma, accompanied by intense homesickness, made him unable to stop.
The others, seeing Qiao Guangyuan eat several mouthfuls, finally reacted and realized they had to start quickly. If they didn't, the Company Commander would eat it all.
"Company Commander, slow down! If you finish it, what will we eat?" someone shouted and rushed forward to start eating.
The atmosphere thus became lively.
The few girls were a little reserved at first, but after taking a bite of the hot and spicy hot pot, the exquisite taste flowed through their mouths. The more they ate, the more they enjoyed it. Even though they were sweating profusely, they couldn't stop.
The spicy sensation and fragrant taste made them want to eat more and more.
In contrast, the delicacies carefully prepared by Grandma Qiao were left aside.
More than thirty people, gathered around two tables, standing to eat, created a spectacular scene!