C15 A Humble and Honest Person

This snack street mainly caters to students, and ever since the new management took over, word spread quickly around the school that their tofu wasn't as good. The news traveled fast, and soon enough, students were avoiding the place altogether.

Mrs. Wang hesitated, then said timidly, "It's just that my sense of taste isn't very sharp. I'm afraid what I make might not suit you, but I'll sell it for three dollars less than others."

Making money is important, but you have to have a conscience and not deceive people.

Young lady?

Xue Ning was momentarily taken aback. Having lived two lifetimes, her combined age was over forty, and she felt much older at heart. Being called a young lady reminded her that she was only twenty, still in the prime of her youth.

She smiled and said honestly, "Ma'am, to be frank, I don't have a dime on me. But I'm pretty good at cooking. If you're willing, you could hire me for half a day in exchange for two servings of tofu."

Mrs. Wang's eyes dimmed at this, and she couldn't help but feel skeptical. The young woman in front of her, with her demeanor and attire, didn't seem like a cook. Claiming to be good at cooking probably meant she could make some basic home-cooked meals.

While grilled tofu isn't exactly gourmet, there are three other vendors on the street selling it, each with their own special tricks. Without some real skills, how could anyone keep customers coming back?

Mrs. Wang assumed Xue Ning just wanted a free meal and didn't take her seriously. However, seeing that Xue Ning looked about the same age as her daughter, she forced a smile. "Young lady, thank you for your kindness. If you're really short on cash, it's okay. I'll give you some food. You remind me of my daughter; you must be around her age."

Xue Ning knew Mrs. Wang didn't believe her, but she didn't argue. Instead, she washed her hands thoroughly and took the spatula from Mrs. Wang. "Thank you, ma'am. Please, have a seat. I can handle this myself. It's not right for me to eat your food and let you do all the work."

Cooking tofu requires the right amount of heat and timing. Too much, and it burns; too little, and it's too soft. The secret to success lies in the seasoning, oil, and spicy sauce.

There was a pre-mixed sauce on the stand. Xue Ning tasted it and found it lacking in character, so she tweaked it a bit and added some lard to the oil.

She cut the tofu into one-inch cubes, heated the griddle, and arranged the tofu evenly. Turning the heat to medium, she waited until the tofu sizzled in the oil, releasing a delicious aroma.

Once the bottom layer turned golden brown, Xue Ning used a soft brush to apply her special sauce evenly on top. When it was just right, she finished with a sprinkle of seasoning and chopped green onions.

A sizzling plate of tofu with sauce was finally ready. Xue Ning speared a piece with her fork and tasted it. It was both crispy and tender, with the unique aroma of scallions. The flavor was spicy with a hint of sweetness—not bad at all.

[Score: 5 points. Total points: 10. Redemption not available. Keep up the good work, host.]

[Review: The color is unremarkable, and the smell is pungent and unpleasant. It's a dish among dishes. The only notable improvement is that the host prepared the ingredients one minute faster than last time.]

"021, sometimes silence is golden."

021: [Hehe...]

This system is really annoying. Can I file a complaint?

Mrs. Wang was initially feeling down, but as she watched Xue Ning's smooth and skillful cooking, her eyes widened in surprise.

The aroma was quite appealing, and the presentation looked even better than what her husband usually made. Could this young woman really have a knack for cooking?

The enticing smell also caught the attention of four guys across the way, sipping on their sodas.