Chapter 67: Bone Broth Hot Pot p2
Yang Lianyi didn’t understand Qiao Rubai’s subtle cues. She thought Qiao Rubai was asking her to speak, so she answered directly, “We discussed this in the car. We had someone investigate the magazine. That article wasn’t written by their staff, it was submitted directly, and they published it after being paid. We haven’t found out who submitted it yet. But there’s something strange about it. That magazine, ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly,’ is known for publishing paid articles, anything scandalous, anything defamatory, anything that can’t be published in normal magazines. People’s living standards have improved, they love gossip, as long as the story is interesting, they don’t care if it’s true or not. Even though everyone knows that most of what’s published in ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly’ is fake, and the magazine seems to have some backing, it’s still quite successful. But this article, although it’s trying to smear Mi Hongdou, it’s based on the fact that the actors were replaced. The fact that actors were replaced in ‘Imperial Secrets’ is already big news, there’s no need to pay ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly’ to publish it. Any entertainment magazine would gladly publish it for free. So, the content itself is indeed smearing Mi Hongdou. But the fact that it was published in ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly’ makes it unclear whether it’s truly an attack or not.”
“Regardless of where it was published, it’s out now, and everyone knows. And the article is so suggestive, before people even know Mi Hongdou or her acting, they already have the impression that she got the role through connections, not through her skills. For a newcomer, the first impression is very important. If people have this misunderstanding from the start, then no matter how successful she becomes later, they will still bring this up. So, regardless of whether it’s a real attack or not, it ultimately harms Mi Hongdou.” Ji Junxin, having thought about it all afternoon, explained clearly.
Yang Lianyi smiled and looked at Qiao Rubai. “Your Ji Junxin doesn’t seem like someone who only focuses on acting. She seems to know quite a bit about the industry. And she looks so cute when she’s serious~”
So, in the middle of a serious discussion, suddenly throwing a flirtatious glance, what was that about? Everyone was speechless.
Only Qiao Rubai, the recipient of the glance, remained unfazed and even glared back at Yang Lianyi. “She’s signed with Qiong Yu, a long-term contract. Even if she’s cute, it has nothing to do with you.”
“It’s okay~” Yang Lianyi took a sip of water nonchalantly and smiled at Qiao Rubai, her eyes sparkling. “You’ll be signed with me sooner or later, and then, what’s yours is mine.”
If Jiang Lingling hadn’t gone to the kitchen, she wouldn’t need to stay for dinner, she would have to go treat her blinded eyes.
Pan Xiang, also a single dog, watched their interaction intently, her mind already crafting a story about two entertainment CEOs, rivals in love and business, “what’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is still mine.” But that was another story.
Although she knew that Yang Lianyi’s flirting was just a habit, Qiao Rubai still felt her heart flutter. She was such a menace… Qiao Rubai didn’t respond, took two large gulps of water, and then explained to Ji Junxin, “The current misunderstanding about Mi Hongdou is based on the article in ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly.’ But precisely because it’s ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly,’ a magazine known for publishing paid articles, it’s easy to clarify. Since ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly’ lacks credibility, we just need to release some official information, put some pressure on them, and have them issue an apology. That magazine has no integrity, it’s not their first time publishing something and then apologizing. They even wrote a false report about ‘Imperial Secrets’ a few months ago and had to issue an apology. The question now is, do we want to clarify it so quickly? Should we do it gradually, or all at once?”
“All at once, of course,” Ji Junxin immediately replied.
So eager… Qiao Rubai frowned. Ji Junxin usually wasn’t interested in anything besides acting. When Ji Junxin first entered the industry, and Qiao Rubai hadn’t yet established herself at Qiong Yu, they had also been targeted by the media, but Ji Junxin had always been indifferent, leaving everything to Qiao Rubai. Qiao Rubai had become accustomed to Ji Junxin’s calm demeanor in the face of industry gossip. This anxious Ji Junxin was a new sight…
Actually, both Qiao Rubai and Yang Lianyi also preferred clarifying it all at once. After all, Mi Hongdou was talented and didn’t need to rely on hype. As long as she was given time and released a few works, she would naturally become famous. But seeing Ji Junxin so concerned about Mi Hongdou, Qiao Rubai felt like a parent who had painstakingly raised their daughter, only to have her heart stolen by the boy next door.
Had she been this concerned about Jiang Duo in her previous life? Qiao Rubai narrowed her eyes. Ji Junxin seemed a little too protective of Mi Hongdou, could it be that… Although Qiao Rubai had initially intended to use Mi Hongdou to deter Jiang Duo, seeing Ji Junxin’s concern, she was now a little worried. After all, in her previous life, Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou were just friends.
Looking at Ji Junxin, who was waiting for her response, Qiao Rubai couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve been eating a lot of Mi Hongdou’s cooking recently, haven’t you?” Speaking up for her so readily after such a short time, could it be a budding romance? Or more likely, just feeling obligated after all the free food!
Ji Junxin paused and pursed her lips, the sweet taste of crème brûlée still lingering…
Seeing Ji Junxin blush and look away, Qiao Rubai was relieved. It was indeed because of the food.
Qiao Rubai was conflicted. She initially thought that Mi Hongdou was better than Jiang Duo in every way, and if Ji Junxin wanted to be with a girl, Mi Hongdou was clearly a better choice. But now, seeing Ji Junxin’s concern for Mi Hongdou, she was worried that it might be one-sided, after all, in her previous life, Mi Hongdou had only been her food buddy. Qiao Rubai didn’t even realize that although they were the same age, she was now acting like a mother worried about her daughter’s love life, afraid of her being taken advantage of.
So, when Mi Hongdou and Jiang Lingling returned to the private room, Mi Hongdou immediately felt Qiao Rubai’s gaze, different from her usual indifference, today it was… scrutinizing, appraising, and even slightly worried.
Mi Hongdou, feeling slightly guilty, quickly sat down next to Ji Junxin, avoiding Qiao Rubai’s gaze.
Fortunately, just then, the chefs arrived with the large hot pot. Two pots, one with red broth, one with white, both filled with pork bones, corn, and potatoes. The other chefs followed with carts laden with plates of meat rolls, meatballs, seafood, and various vegetables. As they were setting the table, the diners quickly divided themselves into two groups.
Director Pan, Pan Xiang, Jiang Lingling, and Yang Lianyi went for the red broth. Mi Hongdou, Ji Junxin, and Qiao Rubai, holding Yang Miemie, chose the white broth.
Yang Lianyi waved at Qiao Rubai: “Come to this side.”
Qiao Rubai, her face expressionless, held up the little girl: “Can she eat spicy food? Can she even eat hot pot by herself?”
“…” Yang Lianyi dejectedly took two steps towards the white broth pot, then stopped and resolutely returned to the red broth.
Qiao Rubai: “…”
Ji Junxin: “…”
Mi Hongdou: “…”
Yang Miemie: (My bad?)
Having just questioned Mi Hongdou’s reliability, and now eating her food, even demanding a separate pot, Qiao Rubai felt a little embarrassed. Fortunately, they were sitting in a row, with Ji Junxin between them…
The broth bubbled merrily on the induction cooktop, the rich aroma of pork bones filling the air. Plates of ingredients covered the table, with more on the side carts. A variety of sauces were already prepared on a separate table, with small bowls, just waiting for them to mix their own.
Normally, it was the waiters who served the food, but with the owner, Jiang Lingling, present, the chefs all wanted to show off, so they were the ones busily serving.
The pork bones in the bubbling broth looked and smelled delicious… but with the chefs piling so many dishes on the table, they couldn’t start eating yet.
Finally, after the thin chef placed a large stainless steel bowl, a pair of disposable gloves, a long, thin spoon, and a straw in front of each person, they felt that they could finally start.
They were all experienced eaters. As soon as the thin chef left, no one bothered with the sauces or the other ingredients. They all reached for the coveted pork bones.
They picked up the hot bones with their chopsticks, placed them in their stainless steel bowls to cool, and Jiang Lingling, putting on her gloves, impatiently poked the bones, waiting for them to cool down.
Mi Hongdou gave Ji Junxin a bone, then took one for herself. As for Qiao Rubai… she was too far away.
Qiao Rubai, just one person away from Mi Hongdou, put Yang Miemie in her high chair, briefly lamenting the fact that the little girl might soon be too big to fit, and then also took two bones.
After everyone took a bone, the two pots were almost empty, only a few pieces of corn and potatoes bobbing in the broth.
“What’s this?” After taking two bones, Qiao Rubai saw something floating in the pot and instinctively scooped it out, only to find a stainless steel ball with holes.
Mi Hongdou looked up. “That’s a spice ball. You put the things you don’t want to eat, like scallions, ginger, garlic, goji berries, inside, so you won’t accidentally pick them up.”
Who would be so stupid as to eat scallions, ginger, and garlic… Qiao Rubai was thinking this when Ji Junxin spoke, “That’s a good idea, let’s get one for our hotel room too?”
Only you would be so foolish, and why did it sound like she was planning to move in? Qiao Rubai’s face was full of black lines.
“We already have one, but we’ve been too busy to cook. Now that we’re filming the estate scenes, we might have more free time. We can make chicken soup sometime?” Mi Hongdou’s voice was soft, and even without seeing her expression, Qiao Rubai could imagine the gentle look in her eyes.
Why did she feel like she had lost without even fighting? Qiao Rubai put the spice ball back into the pot, feeling frustrated.
The bones in the two pots earlier were the middle sections, but most of the meat had been removed by the chefs before cooking, at Mi Hongdou’s request, leaving only the thin, most flavorful layer closest to the bone. So, the bones cooled down quickly.
Jiang Lingling was the first to lose her patience. After checking the temperature again, she picked up a bone, blew on it, and started gnawing on the meat.
And then, everyone started eating.
Table manners? What were those?
Compared to the eager diners at the red broth pot, those at the white broth pot were much more refined.
Mi Hongdou made sure the bone was cool enough before letting Ji Junxin eat. Qiao Rubai, seeing this, felt slightly better. It wasn’t just Ji Junxin who was being considerate.
When it came to food, Ji Junxin had been completely conquered by Mi Hongdou. She waited for Mi Hongdou’s approval before taking a bite. The meat closest to the bone, no matter how long it was stewed, wouldn’t be too soft. She had to tear at it, slightly compromising her image, to get the meat off the bone. It wasn’t very convenient, but once she tasted it, she felt that it was worth it. It was indeed the most flavorful part. Firm, chewy, fragrant, and flavorful, the bone from the plain broth retained its original taste, highlighting the aroma of the meat. Ji Junxin couldn’t stop eating.
Qiao Rubai tore off a piece of meat for Yang Miemie, then took a bite herself, and finally, couldn’t resist teasing Yang Lianyi, who had chosen the red broth: “Bone broth hot pot should be eaten with the plain broth, the original flavor, the bones are so fragrant.”
Yang Lianyi, without even looking up, her mouth full of bone, mumbled, “The red broth is more fragrant, you don’t understand.” She continued gnawing on the bone, ignoring Qiao Rubai.
Yang Miemie finished the meat and patted Qiao Rubai’s arm, whining for more.
Qiao Rubai glanced at Yang Lianyi, who was pretending not to hear the little girl’s cries. She was so tired… This child must have been born in a dream.
For a while, the room was filled with the sound of gnawing on bones, until Jiang Lingling started slurping. Everyone looked at her… Jiang Lingling, oblivious, had just tasted the bone marrow, it was so delicious, she didn’t have time for other people.
Soon, another slurping sound joined in… until everyone was slurping.
Mi Hongdou patiently scooped out the marrow that Ji Junxin couldn’t reach, feeding her spoonful by spoonful, even more attentive than Qiao Rubai, who was feeding Yang Miemie.
Egg fried rice without scallions… dishes without scallions, ginger, or garlic… even the hot pot had all the spices contained in a spice ball, Qiao Rubai thought as she scooped marrow for the little girl.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. A cart with a large styrofoam box was pushed in. The thin chef, pushing the cart, saw a circle of people with bones in their mouths looking at him and, with an awkward smile, quickly left.
Mi Hongdou, after feeding Ji Junxin the last bit of marrow, took off her glove and opened the styrofoam box.
Inside was a huge stockpot.
Mi Hongdou looked around the table, took a slotted spoon and a stainless steel bowl, and then, one by one, transferred the bones from the stockpot to the two hot pots on the table.
The red broth group immediately abandoned the bones they had gnawed clean and reached for the new arrivals.
Qiao Rubai, who had been about to tease Yang Lianyi about how she found the red broth more fragrant, yet snatched a bone from the white broth pot as soon as it was added, glanced at Yang Lianyi, who was now engrossed in gnawing on the new bone, and decided not to bother. What “cute”? What “signing her to Mengguan”? In front of food, she forgot everything.
“Ahem… Mi Hongdou… this incident, it’s not difficult to resolve. We have two options. One, clarify it directly, but then the hype will die down quickly. The other, take it slow, don’t clarify it yet, wait for the hype to build, then gradually reveal the truth, to maintain the buzz. Which do you prefer?” After finishing a bone, Qiao Rubai was no longer as conflicted. But she still wanted to test Mi Hongdou.
Leave a Reply