They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 162 The Tomatoes Are Ripe!

Aunt Zhu'er's eyes lit up, and she quickly smiled and said, "I've been wanting to ask you about this for a while, but I always remembered to ask when I was home. I forgot about it when I saw you. Eight out of my ten plants survived. They grew very tall after watering and fertilizing them, and they produced many flowers and fruits. There were so many fruits! They started out green, but now many of them are turning red. They look quite nice, and they're quite big. Some of the bigger ones are about the size of a fist. They're really pretty. I don't recognize them, so I didn't dare to touch them."

"Zhichun, is that fruit edible?"

Xu Zhichun laughed and said, "Perhaps I've fertilized my plants a bit more, and quite a few have already ripened. Look at them."

Xu Zhichun picked seventeen or eighteen of them and put them in a basket. They were of different sizes, round, and bright red, which looked very festive and tempting. They gave people a feeling that they were very lucky and auspicious.

"So lovely!"

"Yes, it looks really good, but I wonder if it's edible and if it tastes good."

Aunt Zhu and Zeng Xiaoyan took a liking to Xu Zhichun at first sight and looked at him longingly.

Xu Zhichun picked one up and weighed it in his hand. "We don't have this fruit here. I guess it came from a foreign land. Look at the stem end. Doesn't it look a bit like an eggplant? I named it Tomato. I picked several yesterday morning to feed the pigs and chickens. They looked fine last night, so I tried one. It was sweet and sour, not bad."

Another series of lies requiring countless more to cover up one lie.

"Really? Let's try some too."

"Ah."

Xu Zhichun gave one to each of them, and Liang Mingliang and Chunfen also received one.

She gave me tomatoes that were already ripe, naturally grown and ripened in their natural state, and the taste was absolutely authentic, full of tomato flavor.

All four people tasted it and said it was delicious.

"It's really sweet and sour, delicious."

"I never imagined this was a kind of fruit. I've never seen a fruit tree like this before."

"Who says it isn't?"

Xu Zhichun said, "I also think it doesn't look like a fruit tree. Cucumbers and tender broad beans can be eaten raw or cooked, so I was thinking that this tomato might be able to too. Last night I stir-fried one portion, made soup with another, stir-fried one with meat, and stir-fried one with eggs. And I must say, they all tasted pretty good. The soup and stir-fried eggs were especially delicious! If yours isn't ripe yet, bring a few back today to stir-fry and try them out. I'm planning to take some to the Lotus Restaurant today to see if Manager Tang wants them."

The weather is hot right now, and people tend to lose their appetite when it's hot. Sweet and sour tomatoes are a great way to whet the appetite.

Aunt Zhu'er laughed and said, "No need to bring them. I'll go to the field to check when I get back. Maybe some will be ripe. Zhichun, you can keep them to sell. I think they taste really good. You can eat them raw or cook them. Manager Tang will definitely want some. However, I don't know how to cook them. I'll have to ask you, Zhichun, when the time comes."

“I’m not bringing any,” Zeng Xiaoyan waved her hand. “To be honest, I’m too embarrassed to tell you, Sister-in-law Zhichun, that the seedlings I brought back were planted on the edge of the vegetable garden. My second sister-in-law mistook them for weeds and hoeed them out a long time ago. I was so angry when I asked her about it, but she blamed me for planting them in the wrong place. I didn’t tell her, so how would she know? Humph, how would she know? Mother and my eldest sister-in-law both know to avoid it, but she doesn’t. Who is she trying to fool? She’s still upset at home because of the konjac tofu incident, so I won’t bring these tomatoes back to avoid causing any more trouble. Sister-in-law Zhichun, if you cook anything, we can just try some at your house!”

Liang Mingliang nodded in agreement, indicating that this was absolutely right and that it was for the best.

Xu Zhichun smiled and agreed, "Let's have a get-together tonight, all at my place. We can also bring Sister Xiaojuan and Qiao'er over."

Everyone was even happier and smiled as they agreed.

Xu Zhichun felt a little sorry for those ten seedlings; ten seedlings could have produced so many tomatoes.

Not only can they eat it themselves, but they can also sell it in the city, which will bring in some income.

She picked about twenty in half a basket today and brought them into the city.

Aunt Zhu'er and Zeng Xiaoyan stayed there to watch the stall, while Liang Mingliang went to Lotus Restaurant to deliver ice jelly, and Xu Zhichun went with Tomato.

Shopkeeper Tang smiled as soon as he saw her, "Madam Xu, it's been a long time. Madam Xu's visit must mean something good. I'm really happy to see you."

Xu Zhichun laughed, "If Manager Tang says so, I won't dare come here unless it's something good. There is indeed something today, I wonder if Manager Tang is interested."

Manager Tang was naturally very interested, after all, Xu Zhichun had never disappointed him.

"What Madam Xu brought must be of good quality. Please come in, Madam Xu."

"Please, Manager Tang."

In the elegant room where guests were being entertained, Manager Tang immediately took a liking to the round, bright red, cute, and festive tomatoes. "These fruits look beautiful and auspicious!" he exclaimed.

As long as it's a good omen, there's no fear of not selling. Xu Zhichun smiled: "This is a fruit I obtained by chance, it must be from a foreign land, we call it a tomato. We've tried it at home, this tomato can be stir-fried or eaten raw, Manager Tang, would you like to try one first?"

"Oh? Okay, let me try it and see what it tastes like."

Shopkeeper Tang took a medium-sized one, wiped the skin off, and took a bite.

The abundant juice and sweet and sour pulp bring a pleasant experience. "Great, this taste is very special and delicious."

"If you slice it and drizzle it with a less thick honey, it's even more delicious with its sweet and sour flavor. Eating a few pieces in this kind of weather will immediately whet your appetite."

Shopkeeper Tang nodded. "What dishes can be made with this?"

"We've cooked stir-fries, soups, stir-fries with meat, and scrambled eggs at home, and I think they're all fine."

"That's easy. I'll call the kitchen to give it a try."

"Row."

"I would appreciate any guidance from Madam Xu."

“Okay.” Xu Zhichun then went to the hotel’s kitchen with Manager Tang.

Chef Fang devoured a bright red, round, and flavorful tomato in just a few bites, still wanting more.

Hearing that it could be used for cooking made me even more interested.

"Madam Xu, what do you suggest?"

Xu Zhichun had already prepared his speech in advance. He wanted to speak in a way that was both unprofessional and relevant, accurate yet leaving ample room for interpretation. He also wanted to subtly point out certain key points so that they could avoid some detours.
In short, I'm really worried sick.

Fortunately, she was prepared, otherwise it's hard to say she wouldn't have been exposed.

Chef Fang was in high spirits and full of energy.

Tomato and egg, tomato and egg soup, stir-fried tomatoes with green beans and eggplant, and cold tomato salad—several dishes were quickly cooked. I can also make stews, but I don't have time right now; I'll try them later.

I couldn't wait to taste the dishes after they were cooked.

"Madam Xu, please try it and see how it tastes. If you don't like it, please give me your feedback. Madam Xu, please don't be shy."

"This looks delicious, it must be good. Chef Fang's cooking skills are much better than mine."

"Haha, Madam Xu is too modest!"

Xu Zhichun wasn't being modest; it's true, Chef Fang's tomato and egg dish and stir-fried meat slices were incredibly delicious, with a sweet and sour flavor that instantly whetted one's appetite on a hot day.

In particular, the tomatoes release a lot of juice when cooked, and the tomato juice is very flavorful. It looks especially delicious when mixed with rice or noodles.

Chef Fang couldn't wait, so he immediately cooked a batch of noodles, and the three of them each ate a small half bowl.

They were still not satisfied.

"Delicious, really delicious!"

"It's good stuff, hehe!"

Chef Fang was very satisfied. Based on his kitchen experience, he knew that tomatoes were very versatile and could be used in countless ways. He would try them out one by one when he had some free time.

"Shopkeeper,"

Chef Fang looked at his boss, and the implication was clear.

He wants this tomato.

(End of this chapter)