"Then I'll toast you with tea instead of wine, wishing you a prosperous business and abundant wealth," Huo Jian Sheng raised his cup and said.
Li Man quickly picked up her cup and lightly tapped it against his, smiling as she replied, "Thank you! When I open my shop, I'll treat you to barbecue."
"Great, I'll definitely come then."
"Welcome, welcome!"
"When will you open? Where will you set up your stall?"
"At Tianyan Street," Li Man said.
At that moment, the dishes were gradually served, and the red hotpot bubbled and boiled with the dry chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns dancing joyfully in the soup base. The steam rose, filling the air with a tantalizing aroma, making Li Man's mouth water and her appetite soar.
Unable to resist, Li Man picked up a goose intestine and gently dipped it into the lively red hotpot. After a few seconds, she put it in her mouth.
The spicy and fragrant taste made her close her eyes in satisfaction and let out a contented sigh, "So delicious!"
Huo Jian Sheng looked at the woman who was eating with a satisfied expression, and his lips unconsciously curled up.
"Why are you looking at me? Hurry up and eat, it really tastes amazing."
Seeing that Huo Jian Sheng hadn't touched his chopsticks, Li Man picked up another goose intestine and put it into the hotpot, instructing Huo Jian Sheng, "You have to do it like me. Don't cook it for too long, or it will become tough and lose its flavor. After a few seconds, you can eat it. Come on, give it a try."
Li Man put the blanched goose intestine into Huo Jian Sheng's bowl.
Huo Jian Sheng looked at the goose intestine wrapped in red oil in his bowl, his eyes flickering.
"Go ahead and eat!" Li Man urged eagerly, her face filled with anticipation.
Huo Jian Sheng picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the duck intestine.
"Is it delicious?"
Looking at the woman who was eagerly awaiting his response, Huo Jian Sheng couldn't help but smile and nodded repeatedly, "It's delicious!"
"It's delicious, right? Eat more, I ordered a lot."
Li Man added some ingredients that took longer to cook into the pot and then put the cooked beef into Huo Jian Sheng's bowl using a ladle.
"I can do it myself."
Huo Jian Sheng quickly protected his bowl. It was the first time someone had taken care of him like this, and he felt a bit uncomfortable.
"No need to be polite with me. I'm treating you today, so eat more," Li Man said as she scooped some pig brain for Huo Jian Sheng.
Huo Jian Sheng quickly said, "That's enough, that's enough. You should eat too."
Li Man smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll eat."
Huo Jian Sheng picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth, then asked, "By the way, where were we talking about earlier?"
Li Man also picked up a piece of beef and put it in her mouth, speaking unclearly, "We were talking about where I'll set up my stall."
"Right, where will you set up your stall?"
"At Tianyan Street."
"Well, that's a good location with a lot of foot traffic," Huo Jian Sheng nodded as he ate.
"Yes, the stalls there all have great business... Ah, it's so spicy!" Li Man gasped from the spiciness and quickly grabbed a bottle of sour plum juice, taking a few sips.
Huo Jian Sheng chuckled, "So have you secured the stall yet?"
Li Man's face fell, "Not yet, I'm still looking."
"Oh, do you know how to barbecue?"
"I do, it's not a problem for me," Li Man confidently replied.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Huo Jian Sheng asked.
Li Man waved the chopsticks in her hand. "No, thanks."
"If you need anything, just let me know. No need to be polite with me," Huo Jian Sheng insisted.
Li Man smiled. "Don't worry, if I really need your help, I will ask."
"That's good to hear. Don't be shy with me," Huo Jian Sheng said.
Being with Li Man, Huo Jian Sheng didn't realize that he was speaking more than usual.
