CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: JUST A LITTLE TASTE

The four bowls of shaved ice were quickly prepared. In the meantime, Xiao Ding came in carrying a few ice pops. He forcefully pulled out a bamboo tube, then dipped it in hot water, and easily took out the ice pop inside.

Xiaomi also saw that these pops weren’t just simple sugar water; there were some dried peach blossoms and chrysanthemums inside the ice, which looked particularly beautiful!

It seems everyone is quite business-minded here. These ice pops must sell better than just plain sugar water!

"Dawa, Erni, come quickly, use a spoon to stir it, you can eat it just like that. It’s much tastier than the ice pops."

Master Zhang directly brought the shaved ice to the center of the courtyard, where there was a small pavilion. Sitting inside, the sun still shone on their backs. It wasn’t really cool, actually more suitable for sheltering from rain.

However, Master Zhang said, "You all stayed inside a bit long just now, and now you’re eating ice. Eating it in the sun keeps you from getting too cold, especially the children."

Just a moment ago, Dawa was already shivering a bit in the end because he was dressed lightly. He was just holding on to finish watching, unwilling to come out.

Now, being led into the sunlight by Master Zhang, he let out a comfortable sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Master Zhang," Jiang Hu immediately said, giving Dawa a pat on the shoulder. Dawa then realized and hurriedly thanked Master Zhang too.

At this time, Xiao Ding came again to get shaved ice and pops, but Master Zhang didn’t have to busy himself with it, as he had apprentices under him to handle these things.

Tiedan was not in the mood, while Xiaomi was more anxious than Dawa and Erni, holding onto the table with both hands, her father holding her stomach, standing on her father’s leg, speaking constantly.

"Eat, eat, eat!"

Just give her a bite, one bite is enough, she just wants to taste it!

She didn’t care for pops, there were so many flavors of ice cream in her space.

But she had a craving for shaved ice!

It had been such a long time since she had eaten shaved ice. If she hadn’t seen it, she’d have forgotten what it tasted like!

Jiang Hu had deliberately pushed the bowl far away, stretching out his other arm, holding a spoon, mixing the nuts and honey with the shaved ice as Master Zhang instructed, comforting Xiaomi.

"Good Xiaomi, you’re still small. You can’t eat anything so cold. Next year, I’ll bring you to eat, okay?"

Xiaomi was so anxious she began beating the table with her hand. "A bit, just a bit!"

A little is enough, Daddy, she won’t be greedy!

Master Zhang, who wasn’t busy, hadn’t left and was surprised to see this: "Did Xiaomi say she only wants a little bit?"

Jiang Hu nodded helplessly: "Probably, but I’m afraid if she gets a taste, she’ll want more."

Xiaomi immediately shook her head: "No!"

She wouldn’t! She absolutely wouldn’t!

Master Zhang smiled at Xiaomi: "Really only a little bit, and no more?"

Xiaomi quickly shook her head, promising she wouldn’t!

"This is amazing. I’ve never seen such a smart child before," Master Zhang said, full of amazement, then looked at Jiang Hu.

"Brother Jiang, why don’t you give Xiaomi a little bit? A little bit won’t be too cold, it’ll melt as soon as it touches the mouth."

Xiaomi continued nodding, yes, yes, Master Zhang really knows her, she knew she couldn’t eat much, just to taste.

Jiang Hu had no choice but to scoop a tiny amount, mixing the honey with the shaved ice, about the size of a peanut.

Xiaomi quickly opened her mouth wide; she didn’t mind if it was small!

The honey-flavored shaved ice entered her mouth, was cold, then quickly melted. By the time she swallowed, she almost didn’t feel the cold anymore.

The honey flavor, the coolness, aside from that, there was nothing particularly special.

After all, Xiaomi was still small, and nuts and dried fruits were things she couldn’t try.

Xiaomi was satisfied with just a taste of that sweet flavor. She was quite cautious, even with the Spiritual Spring water to rely on, she didn’t dare to act recklessly.

But Dawa didn’t worry. As soon as he got his father’s signal, he eagerly started stirring it, and after mixing well, he scooped a big spoonful into his mouth.

The next second, his eyes widened: "Delicious!"

The honey was sweet, the nuts were crunchy, the dried fruits were sweet and sour. With each mouthful, all the flavors combined, especially the icy coolness. It was his first time eating something so cold.

Master Zhang reminded him: "Eat slowly, don’t eat too fast, or your stomach will hurt."

Dawa kept nodding: "Thank you, Uncle Zhang."

Xiaomi smacked her lips, savoring the taste and feeling from earlier. Forget it, she decided not to eat anymore. When her dad ate, she’d take a few deep breaths and just smell the aroma.

With that thought, she really took a few exaggerated sniffs. The mix of sweet scents made her appetite grow.

Jiang Hu noticed and quickly turned his head slightly, still reminding Xiaomi after tasting: "It’s too cold, Xiaomi can’t eat anymore, okay?"

Xiaomi didn’t feel like talking to her dad, not believing in her, hmph!

Hearing Xiaomi’s humph, Jiang Hu found her adorably cute but didn’t dare laugh out loud. Xiaomi was so particular, if she knew she was being laughed at, she wouldn’t speak to him for the whole day.

Turning his head, he saw Erni imitating her brother’s ice-eating style, quickly reminding: "Erni and Erni’s mom should eat slowly too, this is too cold, eat slowly."

Girls usually have a cooler body constitution. If the family situation wasn’t so harsh, they should touch cold water as little as possible. Erni’s mom used to have monthly stomachaches, and that’s what the doctor said.

Master Zhang, having just finished speaking with Dawa, turned and laughed: "Your wife just had a child less than half a year ago, and Erni is a girl too, so I didn’t prepare too much for you. Today, just sample the flavor, and next time you come to town, have some more."

Xiaomi then noticed that her dad’s bowl held the most, her brother’s a bit less, her mom’s even less, and Erni’s the least!

But when Erni saw it, she didn’t say anything.

However, Xiaomi really craved Erni’s bowl! Though there was less ice, the honey and dried fruits and nuts weren’t lacking at all! A mouthful was simply delightful!

Oh, hopefully, in a couple of years, when she can eat shaved ice by herself, Master Zhang would make her a bowl like Erni’s.

After the shaved ice, it was still early, but the restaurant started getting busy, as guests began arriving to reserve seats.

Jiang Hu wanted to pay for the shaved ice, but the Shopkeeper refused, saying it was rare for Jiang Hu to bring his wife and children to town, and treating them to some shaved ice was nothing.

Jiang Hu was about to insist, but someone came by to ask if there were any special vegetables, the kind provided by Jiang Hu.

The Shopkeeper gestured for him to leave first, and though Jiang Hu hesitated for a moment, he didn’t dwell.

So far, only people from Fuan Village knew Jiang Hu was supplying vegetables to the restaurant, and those from Fuan Village rarely came to town, mainly because it was too far.

Jiang Hu always arrived in town very early, and no one actively inquired about where the vegetables came from, thus avoiding trouble for Jiang Hu from those with ill intentions.