Sludge suction system

The innkeeper carefully and steadily carried the plate of "Golden Jade Plate and Emerald Soup" in both hands, fine beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, but he seemed oblivious, his eyes filled with tension and anticipation. He hurriedly and carefully straightened his somewhat disheveled clothes, his chest heaving, taking several deep breaths to calm himself before quickly leading the waiter towards the private room. Along the way, he kept muttering to himself, repeatedly instructing the waiter to be extra alert.

As soon as they reached the door of the private room, they heard voices coming from inside. The owner immediately stopped and put on a bright, ingratiating smile. He knocked gently on the door, and after receiving permission, he bowed and tiptoed open the door, his face beaming with a fawning smile and his voice full of obsequiousness: "Master Yan, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting! You are our honored guest. Today, our humble establishment has specially sought out a young lady with extraordinary culinary skills to prepare this 'Golden Jade Plate Emerald Soup' just for you. The ingredients are all carefully selected, and the cooking technique is absolutely superb. Please try it; I guarantee it will suit your taste and satisfy you." As he spoke, he had already strode quickly to the table, slowly placed the dish down, and then slightly turned to the side, his fingers unconsciously clenching the hem of his clothes until his knuckles turned white. In his heart, he silently prayed to all the gods and immortals, hoping that this dish would pry open Master Yan's mouth, win his favor, and help the inn escape its current predicament of poor management.

The waiter, well-trained, quickly stepped forward and deftly set out the bowls and chopsticks, wiping them thoroughly as he did so. His eyes, however, seemed to be constantly glancing at the dish, his mind filled with anticipation for Master Yan's reaction after he tasted it. Even if the sky were to fall, he dared not utter a sound, hoping this dish would be a lifeline, helping the inn get through this crisis.

At this moment, Master Yan, seated at the head of the table, put down his teacup and let out a soft "humph," acknowledging his boss's attentiveness. He was dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, the jade pendant at his waist swaying gently with his movements, and the large jade thumb ring on his finger gleaming with a warm luster. His square face exuded an air of authority without anger. He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the soup on the table. Initially, his eyes showed no emotion; he simply picked up a spoon with a casual gesture.

The moment the spoon touched the soup, the emerald green broth, adorned with golden ham strips and black shiitake mushroom shreds, swayed slightly, its color becoming even more enticing. Master Yan gently scooped up a spoonful, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly. In an instant, his expression changed; his previously relaxed eyelids tightened slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected such a delicious meal to be prepared in this unassuming inn. As the broth spread across his taste buds, Master Yan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He took a few more sips, a barely perceptible look of satisfaction appearing on his face. After putting down his spoon, he nodded slightly: "Hmm, this soup is quite flavorful. The combination of ingredients is exquisite. The emerald-green vegetables are fresh and crisp, crunching with every bite, bursting with freshness; the ham strips are savory and rich, with a firm texture, complementing the vegetables perfectly without being greasy at all; and the shiitake mushroom strips, soaked in the broth, release a burst of mushroom aroma with every bite, adding a touch of richness to the entire soup. The cooking technique is also superb. The heat is perfectly controlled, keeping the vegetables crisp and tender, and the ham retaining its freshness. The use of spices is a stroke of genius; the initial aroma is enticing, and the lingering aftertaste is delightful, neither overpowering nor detracting from the natural flavors of the ingredients. Such a delicacy is rare, not only in this small inn, but even in the famous restaurants of the capital!"

After speaking, Master Yan, still not satisfied, turned his gaze to the boss with a hint of inquiry: "Who is this girl who cooks? I'd like to meet her. With such culinary skills, she must be no ordinary person."

Upon hearing this, the innkeeper's smile could no longer be concealed; it was as radiant as a lake breaking through the ice in spring. He hurriedly agreed, "I'm glad you like it, sir! As long as you're satisfied, our little shop hasn't been in vain. The girl is in the kitchen; I'll go get her for you right away." The waiter nodded vigorously in agreement, secretly nudging the owner with his elbow, his eyes practically overflowing with joy, as if he could already see the inn's future prosperity.

Fang Xiaobei stepped gracefully into the private room, her movements light and airy, like a colorful butterfly fluttering in. Upon entering, she first gave a graceful, elegant bow, her skirt swaying gently like ripples spreading outwards. Then she straightened up and said in a clear, melodious voice, "This humble woman, Fang Xiaobei, greets Master Yan." Her voice was clear and pleasant, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, echoing softly in the private room.

Master Yan, who had been reclining in his carved armchair, gently toying with a pair of smooth jade walnuts, put them down upon hearing the sound. His gaze, filled with scrutiny and inquiry, turned to Fang Xiaobei. After a moment, he slowly spoke, “Miss, your ‘Golden Thread Jade Plate Emerald Soup’ is truly exquisite. I pride myself on having tasted countless delicacies within this hundred-mile radius, yet today I am utterly captivated by this soup. I am filled with curiosity; tell me, what secrets lie behind the ingredients used?”

Fang Xiaobei's lips curved slightly upward, blossoming into a gentle smile like a spring flower. She replied calmly, "Sir, you flatter me. I am truly humbled by your praise. The spinach used in this soup must be carefully selected from the tender, pointed leaves of the wild outside the city, picked just before dawn, while the glistening dew still clings to the leaves. Only spinach harvested in this way can yield a vibrant green juice, like the tender willow shoots just sprouting in spring—the most important base color for this soup, establishing its fresh and elegant tone. As for the tofu, it must be firm yet tender. I will finely slice it into strands the thickness of hair, so it won't disintegrate in water, remaining soft and tender to the touch. It will fully absorb the delicious flavors of the other ingredients while maintaining its own smooth texture. The eggs must be..." Fresh, free-range eggs, gently beaten, are slowly cooked over low heat into a paper-thin crepe, then sliced ​​into fine strips, adding a bright golden hue to the soup, like warm spring sunshine falling on the plate. Jinhua ham, of course, must be selected from aged hams that have been cured for many years, their meat reddish-brown and translucent; the sliced ​​ham is rich and savory, the finishing touch to the soup instantly elevating its flavor. The shiitake mushrooms must be wild mushrooms from deep in the mountains, imbued with the wildness of the forest; sliced ​​thinly, their unique flavor is brought out to its fullest. And then there are the dried scallops, the finest of the best, carefully soaked beforehand, then slowly simmered until soft and tender, then gently shredded, infusing the soup with a rich and mellow seafood flavor, making the taste even more complex and diverse.

Master Yan listened intently, as if savoring Fang Xiaobei's words. After Fang Xiaobei finished speaking, he continued to inquire, "I've heard that the use of spices is the key to making this soup so delicious. Please tell me more about it, young lady."

Fang Xiaobei gently raised her delicate hand, brushed a few stray hairs behind her ear, and said with a charming smile, "Sir, you are truly an expert! The key lies in a rather unique spice—geranium. Unlike ordinary spices that are merely used for flavoring, it is practically the soul of the dish. When cooking, I pick a few geranium leaves, wash them, and then finely crush them with a small rolling pin. I add them to chicken broth that has been simmered for hours by an old hen, and then slowly cook it over a low flame. In an instant, a unique aroma..." A delicate, refreshing aroma wafts through the air, carrying the fragrance of blooming spring flowers and the gentle scent of lush mountain vegetation, subtly infusing the soup. This aroma is never overpowering; it's like a gentle, graceful woman, softly enveloping the flavors of spinach, tofu, ham, and other ingredients, allowing them to blend and complement each other perfectly. Too much of it would make the soup cloyingly thick and greasy, losing its original crispness; too little would leave it bland and tasteless, lacking its essence.

Master Yan couldn't help but pat the armrest several times, his eyes full of admiration. He exclaimed, "Young lady, you are so young, yet your cooking skills are so extraordinary, and your mind is so clever and ingenious. You are truly remarkable! Such cooking skills, let alone in our small place, would be outstanding even in the capital city where chefs gather and hidden talents abound."

Fang Xiaobei bowed slightly, her figure graceful, and said softly, "Thank you for the compliment, sir!"

"Miss Fang, I have a favor to ask!" Master Yan looked troubled.