Regarding the decoration design of the store, Wen Xinya called Gu Junlin. As expected, he had connections in this area and introduced a designer who was experienced in ancient building design. After many communications and revisions, it was finally decided that the decoration style of the store would imitate the Tang Dynasty, combining nobility and luxury, truly creating a palace feast.
Gu Junlin also introduced the original decoration team of Jiuchongtian to Wen Xinya. Wen Xinya was naturally overjoyed and entrusted the store decoration to them entirely. The decoration of the store is proceeding non-stop and it is understood that it is estimated to be completed in three months.
This matter was done, and Wen Xinya decided to treat Gu Junlin to a meal to express her gratitude. Of course, she also invited Zhou Tianyu, Xu Tongxuan and Ling Qingxuan. It was a pity that Han Mofeng’s military academy had strict management and they could not be together.
Of course, if you invite Gu Junlin to dinner, you can't go to Jiuchongtian, otherwise it would seem too insincere. After all, Jiuchongtian is his family's property, and he has tasted all the food and wine there.
Wen Xinya happened to hear her grandfather mention a private restaurant, so she made an appointment with Gu Junlin to go over and try the dishes.
After school, a group of people came to a small alley in the southern district of Beijing. The alley still retains the ancient buildings, with a deep and quiet after experiencing vicissitudes of life. The walls with slightly peeling paint are mottled with traces of time, but there is an unexpectedly heavy and simple atmosphere.
Wen Xinya led them to the gate of a courtyard and gently knocked on the copper ring on the door twice. Soon the door was opened. A middle-aged woman in her forties, wearing a blue printed cotton dress, had her hair tied up behind her head, combed meticulously, and her nails were trimmed very neatly. She gave her a simple and clean feeling.
"Are you guys here to dine? We only accept reservations!" Although the woman said no, she had a friendly smile on her round face that didn't make people feel disgusted.
Wen Xinya smiled and said, "Mr. Mo introduced us here."
The woman quickly opened the door with a smile and said, "Dear guests, please come in."
The courtyard is a quadrangle courtyard which was popular in the old capital. In the center of the courtyard is an artificial lake with a rockery in it. A group of four-colored koi fish are kept in the lake, wagging their tails and playing leisurely. A clump of green bamboo is elegant, with the rustling of bamboo leaves, adding a bit of tranquility to the courtyard.
The woman led Wen Xinya and the others into a private room. There was a painting of bamboo in the room. Wen Xinya could tell at a glance that it was her grandfather's work and couldn't help feeling a little surprised.
After a few people sat down, the woman smiled and said, "What would you like to drink? We only have tea here."
Wen Xinya said: "Give me a pot of Biluochun and some snacks."
After the woman left, Gu Junlin couldn't help but laugh and said, "This place is quite nice. I claim to have traveled all over the capital, but I didn't know there was such an elegant place hidden in the capital."
The furnishings in the private room have an antique charm, especially the bamboo painting, which adds a sense of freshness and elegance to the entire room.
Wen Xinya smiled and said, "I only knew about this from my grandfather. Look! The bamboo painting above was painted by my grandfather. It seems that my grandfather has a good relationship with the owner of this place."
My grandfather's paintings are sought after by many people, but rarely circulated outside. This private restaurant can get my grandfather's handwriting, which must be the result of a close relationship with my grandfather.
Gu Junlin said, "So it was Mr. Mo's work. Most of Mr. Mo's paintings are majestic and heavy in brushwork. This is the first time I've seen such a leisurely and elegant painting. From this point of view, Mr. Mo's indifferent state of mind is more suitable for such leisurely and elegant tastes."
Zhou Tianyu looked at the paintings on the wall with shining eyes: "Last time on my birthday, Mr. Mo wrote me an article about not giving up on oneself. My grandfather was amazed and said that Mr. Mo's calligraphy and paintings are unique in the world. He also said that I am blessed to be able to catch Mr. Mo's eye and receive his guidance, which I should cherish."
Xu Tongxuan said, "My family has a painting of eight horses by Mr. Mo, which my grandfather has always treasured."
Ling Qingxuan smiled and said, "I once saw a painting of Jiang Shan Duo Jiao by Mo Gong at an auction abroad. It was so magnificent and breathtaking. It was finally bought by a foreign businessman for 8.5 million. Among contemporary painters, only Mo Gong's paintings can be sold at such a high price."
A few people were chatting and laughing, and the bamboo door between the gates was pushed open. Another woman in her forties, also wearing a blue printed cotton dress, walked in with tea and snacks.
The woman had a gentle appearance. Her face was not pretty, but very attractive. There was a scholarly air between her eyebrows and eyes: "The young lady and the young lady look very similar, but her temperament is more like the old man. She is indeed worthy of being a child of the Mo family."
Wen Xinya was stunned. From the tone of her voice, she knew that this woman might have once been a servant of the Mo family.
The woman smiled and explained: "I used to serve your grandmother. You can call me Bai Ma. After I got married, I left the Mo family and opened this private restaurant."
"Hello, Aunt Bai!" Wen Xinya also called out readily.
Bai Ma seemed very happy: "Young lady, what would you like to eat with these guests?"
"This is our first time here, Aunt Bai, just arrange some special dishes for us." Wen Xinya became more friendly towards this woman.
"Okay! I'll go right away!" Without saying much, Bai's mother turned around and left the private room.
Several people were eating dim sum. Xu Tongxuan was amazed at the dim sum here again and again: "Xinya, you are really amazing, this is the first time I have eaten such delicious dim sum. When I leave later, I must pack some to take back."
Zhou Tianyu brought the chestnut cake in front of Xu Tongxuan to himself and said, "Eat less. You won't be able to eat it when the dishes are served later." Then he picked up the chestnut cake and started eating.
Wen Xinya could tell from the food that He Ma probably learned her pastry-making skills from Bai Ma.
The dishes were served very quickly, and the table was soon filled with a variety of steamed, boiled, fried and braised dishes. The main dishes were braised white rice, yellow flower tofu fish, fried meatballs, steamed spare ribs, and some other dishes, which all amazed Wen Xinya and the others.
Gu Junlin is well-informed and could not help but praise: "These dishes may seem ordinary, but if you smell them carefully, you will know that they are made with exclusive secret methods. Not only are they delicious, but what is even more rare is that they retain the rustic flavor of home-cooked dishes."
"No matter how good it tastes, I'll start eating first!" Xu Tongxuan picked up the chopsticks and picked up a piece of fish tofu. The fresh tofu with the fresh taste of fish made her eyes widen suddenly: "It's really delicious."
Wen Xinya likes spicy food, so she ordered a piece of braised white meat. The tender white meat with the authentic Huzhou spicy flavor made Wen Xinya very happy.