Chapter 63: A Pungent Aroma

Sister-in-law Liu was still immersed in the dream that Zhao Mengcheng would come to propose marriage the next day. She imagined that by marrying off her sister, she could reap all the benefits for herself. However, Old Lady Liu sensed that something was wrong.

No one knew a daughter better than her mother. Old Lady Liu knew that although her third daughter appeared dull and obedient, she actually possessed a stubborn streak.

In the evening, fearing that her daughter might do something drastic, Old Lady Liu entered the room. She found that Liu Muniang had already gone to sleep, her expression quite calm.

Old Lady Liu reached out and touched her cheek, sighing inwardly. If only her youngest daughter were as beautiful as her eldest, she wouldn’t have to worry about finding her a good family. Unfortunately, this girl took after her father, with a coarse and plain appearance that was not very pleasing to the eye.

She sat for a moment and was about to get up to leave when Liu Muniang woke up.

“Mother?”

Old Lady Liu patted the quilt. “It’s nothing. I just came to see if you were asleep yet.”

In the darkness, Liu Muniang looked at her mother with a hollow gaze. “Mother, if you have something to say, just say it.”

Old Lady Liu sighed and asked her, “Muniang, if you really are unwilling, just say so. We won’t force you to marry him.”

“If I don’t marry my brother-in-law, will I be married off to that old widower in town instead?” Liu Muniang asked back flatly.

Old Lady Liu paused, then hurriedly said, “You are my own flesh and blood. How could I bear to see you marry someone like that?”

“Then why didn’t you scold Sister-in-law?” Liu Muniang pressed.

A look of embarrassment crossed Old Lady Liu’s face. “Muniang, your father and I are old. In the future, we will have to rely on your brother and sister-in-law. Your eldest brother is incompetent, and the household depends entirely on your sister-in-law’s management. Even if we don’t agree with this matter, we have to speak slowly. It wouldn’t be good to make her lose face.”

“Besides, she didn’t actually intend for you to marry that old widower. It was just a suggestion.”

Liu Muniang looked at her mother’s face and exhaled a breath of suppressed anger. “I know. Sister-in-law has always wanted me to marry my brother-in-law.”

Old Lady Liu heard a hint of a sob in her voice and sighed. “What she said isn’t wrong. Mengcheng has a good family background and good character. The children are your sister’s own flesh and blood. You would only enjoy a good life if you married there.”

“If you marry someone in our village, even if you could choose a young man, you would still have to work in the fields every day after marriage. It wouldn’t be as comfortable as your life as an unmarried girl.”

Old Lady Liu tried her best to persuade her. “Look at me, and then look at your sister-in-law. Which of us doesn’t have to manage everything inside and outside the house? Such a life is very exhausting.”

“For a woman, marriage is like a second rebirth. If you marry the wrong person, your whole life is ruined.”

Liu Muniang couldn’t tell how much her family truly cared for her future, but she knew the most important thing was that the villagers couldn’t afford a large dowry, nor would they allow her to constantly provide for her parents’ home.

“Mother, but my brother-in-law is unwilling,” Liu Muniang said in a muffled voice. “Have you never considered that I might not have a good life even if I marry him?”

Old Lady Liu stroked her hair. “No matter how nicely a man speaks, he will eventually remarry. Didn’t he relent today? Even if only for your sister’s sake, he will treat you well in the future.”

Liu Muniang fell silent.

Old Lady Liu sighed. Fearing her daughter was stuck in a dead end, she comforted her further. “If you are truly unwilling, then forget it. I will help you refuse tomorrow. But you must think it through. Once you miss this opportunity, there won’t be another like it.”

“Mother, I like my three nephews and I’m willing to take care of them. I also know that my brother-in-law is a good man, but I just can’t do it.”

Liu Muniang’s voice grew heavy. “Whenever I see my brother-in-law, I think of my sister. I cannot marry him.”

“Didn’t you say you were willing before? Now that he’s about to come and propose, you say you’re unwilling.” Old Lady Liu fell silent, wanting to say that it was common for sisters to marry the same man, so why was it impossible?

But she couldn’t help but think of her deceased eldest daughter, and she found herself unable to say such words as if they were natural.

Liu Muniang choked out, “Back then, I couldn’t say I was unwilling. But you know, in my heart, I didn’t want to.”

“Mother, have you forgotten? Sister died because of us.”

In the darkness, Liu Muniang suddenly grabbed her hand. “Brother-in-law lost his job, but the Zhao Family still had some savings. Life wasn’t that difficult. But back then, when our nephew got sick, Sister-in-law asked Sister for money. Sister lent her all their savings, which is why she ignored her health and went to work in the fields.”

A chill ran through Old Lady Liu as guilt and regret washed over her.

Before leaving, Old Lady Liu heard her daughter say, “Mother, if you still care for me as your daughter, let me get married tomorrow.”

Old Lady Liu was confused. She wondered if her daughter was willing or unwilling. She said she was unwilling, yet she asked to be married off.

It wasn’t until the matchmaker arrived the next day that Old Lady Liu understood. Muniang was unwilling to marry her brother-in-law, but she was willing to marry a young man whose only family was a widowed mother.

Because of Liu Muniang’s marriage arrangements, the Liu Clan was in an uproar.

Zhao Mengcheng knew nothing of this. His mind was entirely focused on his pickled wild amaranth.

The next morning, Zhao Mengcheng headed toward the old house.

Zhao Xin pulled Tang Tang along to follow him, asking curiously, “Dad, Uncle Shuiqing said you pickled some amaranth. Is pickled amaranth delicious? I’ve never had it before.”

In the Mount Qingshan area, people usually picked the most tender amaranth leaves to stir-fry.

Zhao Mengcheng simply took one child in each hand and explained, “It’s not just pickled wild amaranth. I plan to use the amaranth to make a delicious food.”

“That’s great! Daddy is going to make something delicious again,” Zhao Xin cheered happily.

Zhao Mengcheng teased, “What if it’s not delicious?”

Zhao Xin replied, “How could anything Dad makes not be delicious? It will definitely be good, right, Xiao Tang?”

Tang Tang had also become quite the flatterer and nodded vigorously. “Everything Uncle Zhao makes is delicious.”

Zhao Mengcheng laughed and led the two little ones to the old house. Before they even entered, they smelled a peculiar odor.

Zhao Xin sniffed. “Is it because the weather is too hot and the pickles turned stinky? Dad, can we still eat this?”

Zhao Mengcheng opened the lid of the wooden basin. The wild amaranth had been soaking in the sun for a day and a night. By now, white bubbles were rising in the soaking water, and the smell was not very pleasant.

“It looks just right.”

Zhao Mengcheng carried the bubbly water into the house, took out the prepared tofu, crushed it, and poured the bubbly water directly into it.

Zhao Xin’s eyes widened. “Dad, can we really eat this?”

For the first time, she felt a seed of doubt toward her father. The water was sour and full of bubbles. No matter how she looked at it, she felt like eating it would cause a stomachache.

“I’ll show you another magic trick.” Thinking of the delicious result, Zhao Mengcheng continued his work happily. He mixed the amaranth water with the crushed tofu, using the tofu as a natural culture medium.

Once mixed, Zhao Mengcheng covered the wooden bucket again. “We have to wait another two days.”

Zhao Xin and Tang Tang looked at each other. Xiao Tang couldn’t help but ask, “Uncle Zhao, in such hot weather, won’t it go bad if we leave it for two more days?”

Zhao Xin slapped her forehead. “Dad, are you planning to make fermented tofu? Is that why it’s okay if it grows mold?”

“It is tofu, but it’s not fermented tofu.” Zhao Mengcheng kept them in suspense.

The two children were as curious as kittens, wishing they could stick their heads into the wooden basin to look, but they had to restrain themselves for fear of ruining Zhao Mengcheng’s work.

That evening, as soon as Zhao Chun and Zhao Mao returned, Zhao Xin pulled them aside. “Big Brother, Second Brother, Dad is making a new food again. Did you know?”

Zhao Chun was immediately delighted. “Really? What is it this time? Is it made of tofu again? Is it delicious? Is it better than yuba¹? Cold yuba salad is the best in summer. I love it the most.”

Zhao Mao covered his mouth. “Stop blabbering and let Little Sister finish.”

Zhao Xin shook her head. “I don’t know yet. It’s not finished.”

“Then why did you even mention it?” Zhao Chun ran into the house and asked loudly, “Dad, what delicious food are you planning to make?”

Zhao Mengcheng knew about the children’s little schemes and only said cheerfully, “You’ll know when it’s done. You might not be used to the taste, though.”

Zhao Chun patted his chest and promised, “Impossible! I love everything Dad makes. I’ll definitely be used to it.”

Zhao Mengcheng gave him a half-smile. “You’d better remember those words.”

At this moment, Zhao Chun did not yet know his father’s “sinister” intentions and nodded vigorously. “Of course.”

Zhao Xin pulled her two brothers again. “Dad only finished half of it. Let me take you to see.”

“Alright, let’s go quickly,” Zhao Chun agreed immediately.

Zhao Mao felt something was wrong and looked at his sister. “What kind of trick are you playing?”

“Second Brother, how could you think that of me? I just wanted to show you,” Zhao Xin said innocently.

Zhao Chun urged them on, “Let’s go, don’t delay. We have to eat soon.”

With her hands behind her back, Zhao Xin walked with a swaggering gait, leading her two brothers to the old house.

Tang Tang sat on a small stool by the door picking vegetables, looking at the two brothers with sympathy.

Zhao Xin had already brought her brothers to the front of the old house. “It’s inside. Follow me.”

Soon, Zhao Chun saw the large wooden basin. “Is it this? Why do I feel like there’s a strange smell in the room?”

Zhao Mao covered his nose and mouth, squinting his eyes at Zhao Xin.

Zhao Xin smiled and tucked her hands away. “This is it. Brother, take a sniff and see if it’s fragrant.”

Zhao Mao lowered his hand but didn’t stop him.

The next moment, Zhao Chun let out a roar. “What is this smell? Why is it so stinky!”

He immediately realized what was happening. “Zhao Xin, you did this on purpose!”

Zhao Xin laughed as she ran outside. “You’re the one who wanted to smell it, so you can’t blame me!”

Zhao Chun chased after her huffily, scooped his sister up onto his shoulder, and ran back while she shrieked. “You little brat, how dare you play tricks on me!”

Zhao Mao followed slowly with his hands behind his back. In this sweltering heat, only those two had the energy to mess around.

By the time they returned to the courtyard, Zhao Xin’s clothes were a mess and her hair was disheveled, making her look like a little wild woman. Zhao Chun wasn’t satisfied yet and kept carrying her around the yard. “Do you dare do it again? Hurry up and say you won’t!”

Zhao Xin laughed uncontrollably, not afraid at all. “Big Brother, you’re so silly. You could smell that weird scent just by entering the room, yet you insisted on leaning in for a sniff.”

The two of them didn’t stop even though they were drenched in sweat, their energy levels truly astonishing.

Zhao Mao strolled back and sat down beside Tang Tang, who gave him an uneasy glance.

“Why are you so nervous? Does your conscience feel uneasy after doing something bad?” Zhao Mao asked without even turning his head.

Tang Tang glanced at him and huffed. “I did no such thing.”

“Is it that you didn’t do anything bad, or that you don’t have a guilty conscience?” Zhao Mao asked again.

Tang Tang looked at him indignantly, feeling a bit disgruntled. It was just a bit of fun, yet this guy was making such a big deal out of it.

He was just about to retort and leave the guy speechless when he suddenly felt a warmth on his head.

Zhao Mao had reached out to pat the top of his head, saying with a smile, “There’s no need to be so nervous. Even if you’re just playing around with us, I’m not going to eat you.”

With that, he headed straight into the kitchen to help out.

Tang Tang stood there dazed, reflexively touching the top of his head as the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curled upward.

At the dinner table, Zhao Chun couldn’t help but ask, “Dad, why does the batch you made this time smell a bit stinky? Did it go bad?”

“The Tofu I made this time smells stinky but tastes fragrant,” Zhao Mengcheng said with a chuckle. “I guarantee that once you try it, you’ll be addicted and keep wanting more.”

Zhao Chun couldn’t imagine himself enjoying something that smelled so foul, and his expression became rather conflicted.

Zhao Mao tried to smooth things over for his father. “Pickled vegetables don’t smell great either, but they taste delicious. What Dad made should be the same way.”

Zhao Mengcheng burst out laughing and patted his shoulder. “A-Mao understands me best. Once it’s ready, A-Mao should eat plenty of it.”

For the first time, Zhao Mao felt that his father’s affection was a bit more than he could handle.

No one could stop Zhao Mengcheng from continuing. Two days later, the smell in the old house grew increasingly pungent, to the point where even He Shuiqing couldn’t help but speak up.

“Brother, is it… is it spoiled?” Fermented Tofu had a scent, but it was never as unpleasant as this.

Zhao Mengcheng smiled. “This smell is very authentic.”

He Shuiqing’s brow furrowed as he wondered how it could be authentic. Was it an authentic stink?

Zhao Mengcheng changed the subject. “I heard your family has received a marriage proposal. Have the discussions finished? Has a date been set?”

At the mention of the wedding, He Shuiqing’s face turned red with bashfulness. He stammered, “It’s… it’s set for the end of the year. Brother, in the future, I… I should call you Brother-in-law.”

Zhao Mengcheng was amused by him. “We can each use our own terms. You call me Brother, and Mu Niang can call me Brother-in-law. Either way works.”

After a moment of thought, he added, “Yunniang was always worried about her younger sister. When Mu Niang gets married, I’ll provide a dowry gift for her.”

He Shuiqing’s face turned even redder. “No, there’s no need, really.”

“It’s necessary. I’m giving it on behalf of Yunniang, not to you. It’s a dowry gift for the bride,” Zhao Mengcheng said, cutting off his refusal.

However, while the He family had settled on a time, the Liu Clan hadn’t sent any word yet, and no one knew why.

Zhao Mengcheng’s thoughts flickered for a moment, but he didn’t take it to heart. He turned back to continue tinkering with his Stinky Tofu².

When it was time to open the lid, all the children were present. Every one of them hid far away, except for Zhao Mao, who plugged his nose and stood by his father’s side, offering to help.

Zhao Mengcheng waved him off, not wanting to make things hard for the boy, and told him to stand to the side.

After fermenting for two days, the liquid that had been soaking the amaranth stalks³ had turned from red to a pale green. The water looked quite clear, but the smell was incredibly foul.

“It looks about ready.” Zhao Mengcheng was very satisfied. He placed the prepared pressed Tofu into the basin to soak.

Once they finished and left the courtyard, the four children all gasped for air in unison, each more exaggerated than the last.

Zhao Mengcheng asked with a smile, “Is it really that stinky?”

Zhao Xin walked over, took a sniff, and covered her little nose. “Dad, you’re stinky now too, but I won’t hold it against you.”

Zhao Mengcheng laughed and pulled the child into a hug. “Xin’er, it would be more convincing if you put your hand down first.”

Zhao Xin forced herself to lower her hand, and then her entire face scrunched up.

Zhao Chun also expressed deep doubt. “Dad, actually, the yuba is already delicious. We should just eat things that smell good. There’s no need to eat something so stinky.”

Zhao Mengcheng raised an eyebrow. “Do you really not want to eat it?”

Zhao Chun’s head shook like a rattle.

Zhao Mengcheng shrugged. “I won’t force you to eat it. If you like it, eat more, and if you don’t, it’s fine if you don’t touch it.”

The four children couldn’t imagine how Tofu soaked in something so foul could possibly be tasty.

Zhao Mengcheng wasn’t worried at all. The fact that Chinese Stinky Tofu had endured through the ages to become a culinary legend was a status earned through its genuine flavor.

Not to mention, this Stinky Tofu soaked in Wild Amaranth brine⁴ was the real deal, pure and natural with no additives. The flavor would definitely be on another level.

The more he thought about it, the more Zhao Mengcheng craved it. He decided he would start frying the Stinky Tofu the next morning.

Seeing the change in his expression, Zhao Mao thought his father was sad. He tugged at his father’s sleeve and said, “Dad, Big Brother doesn’t know what’s good. I’ll eat it with you when the time comes.”

Zhao Mengcheng burst out laughing and rubbed the boy’s hair without saying a word.

Zhao Chun bared his teeth and turned to Tang Tang. “My little brother is a lost cause. He’d probably say Dad’s poop tasted good if Dad told him so.”

Tang Tang couldn’t stand him. “Big Brother, can you stop being so disgusting?”

Being rejected made Zhao Chun feel very wronged. They hadn’t complained about that awful smell just now, yet now they were calling him disgusting. It made him look like the only bad person who wasn’t cooperating with their father.

Zhao Chun grew disgruntled and shouted, “Dad, I love it too! I’ll eat whatever you make!”

Naturally, they couldn’t eat Stinky Tofu that night. Instead, they ate melons that had been chilled in well water.

The melons, thoroughly chilled by the well water, carried a hint of coolness. Each bite was icy, sweet, and crisp, so delicious that no one could lift their heads from their food.

The melons smoothed over the trauma the children had suffered from the stench. The four children sat in a row in the courtyard, competing to see who could spit their melon seeds the farthest.

At this time, only Zhao Mengcheng was still thinking about the deliciousness of Stinky Tofu. He even dreamed about eating it that night, the fragrance so vivid he could hardly sleep.

Early the next morning, before the sun had even risen, Zhao Mengcheng climbed out of bed and headed to the old house. Under the cover of darkness, he fished out the first batch of Stinky Tofu and let it drain.

He kept the Brine for future use and brought the flavorful Stinky Tofu back home, cutting it into small cubes.

Zhao Mengcheng used a generous amount of oil in the wok. As soon as the Tofu cubes hit the hot oil, they quickly expanded, changing from flat and shriveled pieces into little puffed-up pouches that bobbed and crowded together in the oil.

He fished out a piece of fried Stinky Tofu and popped it into his mouth. The deliciousness spread instantly.

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it had an inviting fragrance. It was delicious even without dipping sauce, and with the sauce, it had an even more unique flavor. Zhao Mengcheng fried and ate at the same time, enjoying himself thoroughly.

While he was eating his fill, the sleeping children sniffed the air, awakened by the scent.

Zhao Chun smacked his lips and ran toward the kitchen before he was even fully awake. “Dad, what’s that smell? It’s both fragrant and stinky.”

“Stinky Tofu. Do you want to try some?” Zhao Mengcheng asked.

Zhao Chun gave a start and finally woke up completely, looking a bit hesitant. The golden Tofu cubes before him looked delicious, but as he got closer, he could smell a familiar stench. It didn’t seem as bad as yesterday, but it was still very strange.

The peculiar blend of fragrance and stench made him unsure of how to even take a bite.

“Dad, I’ll eat it,” Zhao Mao said, having also woken up and run into the kitchen.

Zhao Mengcheng laughed. He simply picked up a freshly fried piece, dipped it in sauce, and stuffed it directly into his son’s mouth. Zhao Mao had originally summoned his courage just to give it a taste, but his eyes widened the moment he took a bite. “It’s delicious!”

There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in his voice. Although it smelled strange, it tasted fresh and savory, uniquely enticing. That specific sensation of being both stinky and fragrant added even more depth to the flavor.

Seeing that his younger brother wasn’t forcing it and that his praise definitely wasn’t just flattery, Zhao Chun was no longer afraid of the smell. He opened his mouth and hollered, “Dad, I want to eat it too! Give me a bite!”

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t hold his earlier hesitation against him and stuffed a piece into his mouth as well.

Zhao Chun’s eyes lit up, and he jumped up and down, shouting, “That’s so weird! It smells so stinky, but it tastes so good!”

“I told you whatever Dad makes would be delicious, but you didn’t believe me,” Zhao Mao huffed, not mentioning at all that he had been just as worried before today.

The father and his two sons huddled around the stove, eating and praising the food at the same time.

A moment later, Tang Tang also came running in. As soon as he entered, he asked, “What are you all eating? Is this the Stinky Tofu? It looks delicious. Uncle Zhao, can I have a taste?”

“Of course you can,” Zhao Mengcheng laughed, thinking this child really knew how to speak pleasantly.

Tang Tang carefully took a bite, and his eyes also shone brightly. “It’s so good! Uncle Zhao, are you an immortal descended from the heavens? You have the Midas touch⁵, everything you make is incredibly delicious!”

Zhao Mengcheng was amused by him and burst out laughing, feeding him another bite.

Zhao Chun chuckled and leaned toward his younger brother. “A-Mao, you’ve met your match. This guy is even better at sucking up than you are.”

Zhao Mao shot him a glare and said flatly, “I am Dad’s own son. No one can replace me.”

As he spoke, he leaned forward. Instead of doing it himself, he waited for his father to feed him.

Zhao Mengcheng indulged the children, giving them each a bite like he was feeding a nest of hungry little sparrows.

Zhao Chun huffed to himself, “And you said you didn’t care.”

After that, he quickly leaned in to ask for a bite too.

When Zhao Xin finally managed to wake up and was lured to the kitchen by the scent, she was absolutely livid at the sight.

“Dad! Big Brother, Second Brother, Xiao Tang! You’re eating something delicious behind my back! Why didn’t you call me?”

The little girl was so upset she was crying. There had been so much Stinky Tofu, but now only half a small bowl remained. She even heard her eldest brother let out a satisfied burp.

While she had been sound asleep, they must have eaten a huge amount of Stinky Tofu, yet not a single person had come to wake her up.

Zhao Chun immediately said, “You’re the one who slept in. Don’t blame others.”

Zhao Mao tried to be reasonable. “You always cry when you don’t get enough sleep, so we didn’t call you.”

Tang Tang quickly swallowed the Stinky Tofu in his mouth and stammered, “I… I just forgot while I was eating.”

“Hmph! I see how it is! In the future, if I have something good to eat, I won’t call any of you either!” Zhao Xin was truly angry.

Zhao Mengcheng felt a bit guilty. He had indeed been enjoying the food so much that he’d forgotten his daughter.

He made a quick decision and scooped all the remaining Stinky Tofu into a large bowl. “Don’t be mad, Xin’er. Look, Dad saved this specifically for you. What kind of dipping sauce do you want? Spicy or non-spicy?”

Zhao Xin cheered up as she held the large bowl. “I want both! Dad is the one who loves me most after all.”

Zhao Mengcheng prepared both sauces for her, ignoring the accusing glares from the other three children.

Zhao Xin finally got her Stinky Tofu. Food always tasted better when others were competing for it, especially since she got to sit and eat while her brothers and Xiao Tang could only watch. She savored every bite, too busy eating to say a word.

The little girl had quite an appetite. She managed to finish the entire large bowl of Stinky Tofu, leaving not even a single crumb for her brothers.

After finishing, she huffed at the three of them, making it clear she wouldn’t forgive them unless they promised to remember to call her first whenever there was something good to eat.

Having tasted the Stinky Tofu, Zhao Mengcheng now had a good sense of its potential. However, this was different from Dried Tofu or Fermented Tofu. Its peculiar smell meant he would need to find a way to market it.

The next day, Zhao Mengcheng packed up the Stinky Tofu and rode his little donkey toward Shanghe Town.

Translator’s Notes