Is the beginning of a catastrophe? The little farm cook is raising a family with a full warehouse.

The first light of dawn is like a silver thread cutting through an inky curtain. The sky and the earth gradually become brighter, and the fireworks of the city slowly rise.

After a while, some subtle noises could be heard from different houses in different alleys.

The first thing that broke the silence was a cough coming from a small courtyard. It seemed that an old man who got up early had his throat irritated by the coolness of the morning, followed by a series of nose-blowing sounds.

Then with a "creak", the door was opened. The old man, wearing an old cotton-padded jacket and holding a pipe in his hand, slowly stepped out of the threshold, sat down on the stone steps at the door, and began to smoke. The smoke slowly swirled in the morning light.

From the adjacent yard, the sound of a child crying was heard. The "wow" sound broke the tranquility of the early morning. It must be that the child was unwilling to crawl out of the warm bed.

Soon, a woman's voice sounded, coaxing softly: "My dear, get up quickly. Mother made you your favorite sugar cake."

The crying stopped abruptly and turned into soft sobbing, followed by the rustling sound of someone getting dressed.

The woman opened the door, holding a wooden basin in her hand, and went to the well in the yard to draw water. The windlass turned, and the "creaking" sound echoed in the alley. The bucket hit the wall of the well, making a crisp sound, and the splashing water sparkled in the sunlight.

The young scholar diagonally opposite had already sat upright in front of the window, reciting the books of sages. His clear voice floated through the window into the alley.

On the windowsill, a candle was still burning, with wax wax accumulated, which seemed a little redundant under the morning light.

As time went by, more and more people came to the alley. Women greeted each other and made appointments to go shopping for groceries; children ran and played in the alley, chasing each other; old people sat at the doorway to bask in the sun and chat about family matters.

Cheng Yuntao also appeared in the kitchen on time, wearing an apron and walking around.

This morning she planned to steam a pot of Poria cocos cake. Poria cocos helps to promote diuresis and eliminate dampness, strengthen the spleen and replenish the middle, and has an exceptionally soft texture, making it suitable for the elderly and children.

First, grind the prepared Poria cocos into powder, and then sieve it again until the powder is as fine as frost before use.

Then take an appropriate amount of glutinous rice flour and japonica rice flour, mix them according to the proportion, pour them into a wooden basin, add water and stir slowly. When the flour and water gradually blend and can be formed into a ball, it is ready.

Wipe the steamer carefully with a clean damp cloth to ensure that every part is clean and spotless. Then crush the dough and sieve it, pour it into the mold, and gently shake the mold to make the surface smooth and even.

Sprinkle the filling made of white sugar, dried osmanthus, fried white sesame seeds and lard, and then sprinkle a thin layer of flour on the surface to cover the filling completely.

Put the steamer on the pot, cover it with a lid, and light the firewood in the stove.

While the cakes were being steamed, Cheng Yuntao planned to go out and buy a pot of soy milk to eat with the Poria cocos cake.

She took off her apron, picked up the kettle, and gave some instructions before going out, asking her grandmother to help keep an eye on the fire under the stove. Then she quickened her pace and hurried out of the alley.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, but the market was already bustling with people.

The rented house is in a good location. As soon as you walk out of the alley, you will reach the market. The vegetable and fruit stalls are undoubtedly the brightest and most eye-catching. There is a wide variety of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. The stall owners arrange them neatly with quick hands and feet, and shout from time to time to attract passers-by.

Next to it is the butcher's shop. The pork and mutton hanging there are rosy in color, and the internal organs placed on the counter are cleanly processed. The butcher's knife makes a dull sound as he raises his hand and cuts.

The early morning in Beifang City may be the most popular place in Junhua City.

Cheng Yuntao quickly glanced at the surroundings without stopping, and soon found the soy milk stall on the corner of the street.

The stall was shrouded in mist, and it was a little hazy and unclear from the distance.

When Cheng Yuntao walked in, she found that the stall owner was a young woman with a slightly thin figure. She was wrapped in a coarse cloth dress that was a little pale from washing. Her black hair was casually tied up, and a few strands of hair were scattered messily around her cheeks.

There were young children in thick floral swaddling clothes on her back. The children might have been disturbed by the noise of the bustling market, or they might be hungry or sleepy, and they would cry from time to time.

The woman felt heartbroken when she heard the crying. Although she was busy, she immediately stopped stirring the soy milk, turned her head slightly, put her face close to the child, hummed an unknown nursery rhyme softly, and patted the child's back gently with one hand, her eyes full of pampering and anxiety.

The stall is not big, but it is kept very tidy.

A large, steaming pot sits steadily on a simple stovetop, simmering within it is the rich, fragrant soy milk. The snow-white milk seethes and surges in the pot, its aroma permeating the air amidst the steam, tantalizing the palate of passersby.

There are several wooden trays in front of the stall, on which various soy products are displayed in an orderly manner.

The tofu is a soft, mellow color, like white jade, trembling and tender, showing its freshness. On the shallow plate next to it is thinly sliced ​​bean curd sheets, golden and translucent, with clear textures. There are also various snacks made from dried bean curd, the aroma of the braised bean curd is mouth-watering...

Soybeans are a rare delicacy among foods.

Just beans can be transformed into endless possibilities. They can be made into soy milk to wake up the spleen and stomach, and they can also be turned into bean skin, tofu, tofu pudding, dried tofu and other delicious foods.

Bean curd skin is light and thin in texture, with strong flexibility. It can be rolled into various vegetables and diced meat to make wraps with different flavors. Tofu is soft, tender and delicate. It is refreshing and delicious when served cold, rich and flavorful when braised, and delicious and tender when used in soup. It can be cooked in a variety of ways. Tofu pudding is tender and refreshing. It is sweet and refreshing when paired with white sugar, and salty and appetizing when poured with marinade, meeting different taste requirements. Dried tofu is firm and square, with a strong chewy texture. It can be chewed slowly as a snack in your spare time to enjoy the aroma of the beans. It can be used in cooking to absorb the essence of the soup, adding flavor and color to the dishes.

Cheng Yuntao stared at these foods transformed from soybeans and couldn't help but marvel at their magic.

The stall owner, Dou Qiaohui, is very skillful. She watches the soy milk in the pot to prevent it from overflowing, while greeting passers-by with a smile.

After noticing Cheng Yuntao standing in front of the stall in a daze, she took the initiative to speak: "Girl, what do you want to order?"

Cheng Yuntao suddenly reacted, hurriedly handed over the kettle in his hand, and threw the copper coins into the coin basket.

"Excuse me, sister, please make me a pot of soy milk."

Perhaps because she thought Cheng Yuntao was sweet, or perhaps because she looked unfamiliar, after Dou Qiaohui made the soy milk, she stuffed a piece of braised tofu she had cooked herself into her hand.

"Girl, your soy milk is a little heavy, hold it steady."

"This dried tofu has been soaked in the marinade overnight, so it's incredibly flavorful! I'll give you some to try. If you like it, come back and buy some next time."