It really was deep-fried.
Ge Dongfang had just wanted to test out whether her idea would work, so she hadn’t bought that much Termitomyces.
She’d never cooked it before, but fortunately, there were tutorials online for everything.
At the moment, business was slow; her husband could handle it alone, so she carefully worked in the back kitchen—after all, it was 200 yuan per jin.
With Torch Termitomyces, the cap and stem are processed separately.
The part of the stem buried underground, in particular, must be scrubbed clean with a brush.
In the end, the mushroom is shredded into fine strips; the texture of the torn stem is very similar to shredded chicken breast.
The quality of these Torch Termitomyces was truly good—the stem was dense and not hollow at all.
Then it was time to heat the oil.
First, she deep-fried the caps over high heat. When the caps were softened, she added the stems. Once the stems had softened and the moisture had evaporated, she turned down the heat and added seasonings. Locals loved spicy food, so besides salt, Ge Dongfang tossed in plenty of Sichuan peppercorns and dried chili peppers.
Neither of them expected the aroma to be so incredibly tempting!
Even before the seasonings were added, the fragrance was wafting out.
Ge Dongfang, focused and nervous, kept a close watch—one wrong move and her 200-yuan Termitomyces would go to waste. She hadn’t noticed how strong the smell had become, but her husband, after checking in, was shooed away, “If you’re free, go wipe down the tables!”
Once the seasonings went in, the fragrance leaped up another notch. Her husband simply stood there, unwilling to leave.
Ge Dongfang became more annoyed: “What now? Why are you standing here like a Doorman Deity?”
Her husband shrugged helplessly, “…There are too many Ke Ren out there. I’m hiding in here.”
Ge Dongfang: ?
Isn’t having a lot of Ke Ren a good thing?
Then why? No one’s placing orders?
Seeing the gentle simmer of the oil, she was curious and went out to take a look. As soon as she poked her head out, she was greeted by a room full of Ke Ren, eyes bright with anticipation, “Boss, is the Chicken Fungus Oil ready?!”
Ge Dongfang: “Ah?”
One Ke Ren pleaded eagerly, “Weren’t you about to launch a new item? We’re here to try it!”
The speaker had lined up with Ge Dongfang earlier for mushrooms.
She’d bought some Termitomyces first, planned to shop for groceries, then head home to cook.
After some shopping, her hands full, she didn’t want to take the bus and asked her mother to pick her up after work.
So, she’d ended up back near the mushroom stall.
Suddenly, she smelled the most amazing aroma. Looking closer, wasn’t it the very noodle shop whose boss had said she’d be frying Chicken Fungus Oil?
Was the Chicken Fungus Oil ready?!
She wanted to try it for sure.
Without hesitation, she lugged her bags over to place an order.
But the Shop Owner said, “It’s not ready yet. You can’t order Chicken Fungus Oil Noodles now.”
Ke Ren: ?
How is that possible?!
The aroma alone was enough to keep her rooted to the spot, so she simply said, “Can I wait then? It smells so good—I won’t be able to sleep tonight if I can’t try it!”
The Shop Owner hesitated, thinking it was just one Ke Ren, and replied, “It’ll still take a while. If you don’t mind, just wait.”
Ke Ren: “No problem, no problem!”
The next moment, two more Ke Ren, drawn by the smell, approached, “Boss, what are you frying? Smells incredible!”
The Shop Owner explained, “It’s Chicken Fungus Oil, made from Termitomyces I bought at the mushroom stall next door.”
Immediately, the two wanted to buy some themselves, but first asked, “How much does this mushroom cost? Seems really pricey?”
The Shop Owner nodded with a pained expression, muttering, “Yeah, 200 a jin.”
The two sat down at once, “Let’s just eat here instead.”
Way too expensive to buy, but tasting a bit here was enough.
Shop Owner: “………………?”
Feeling awkward, he said tactfully, “We were planning to start selling this tomorrow morning.”
Ke Ren: “Come on, since we’re here, it’s the same selling it now or tomorrow. Anyway, your place closes at eight. Plus, we’re regulars.”
The Shop Owner was at a loss for words, especially since he’d already promised one Ke Ren.
He hesitated his way back to the kitchen to tell his wife, but when he saw her concentrating, he didn’t dare interrupt, afraid she’d scold him for breaking her focus.
But it wasn’t over. Soon, the fourth, fifth… more Ke Ren arrived, lured by the fragrance.
Some left after asking about the situation, but others couldn’t resist the smell and stayed.
The already-small shop quickly filled up, with more waiting outside.
The Shop Owner couldn’t keep calm anymore, fled to the back kitchen, and that was when Ge Dongfang saw him.
Ge Dongfang:
She felt both happy and troubled.
What to do now?!
So many Ke Ren!
Would her batch of Chicken Fungus Oil even make a whole jin?!
So should she sell or not?
She made up her mind in just a second—of course she should sell! Most of these Ke Ren were loyal breakfast customers; how could she turn them away?
If she was going to do it, she wouldn’t skimp on quality.
Back in the kitchen, she told her husband, “This Chicken Fungus Oil can make at most twenty bowls, but we should save some for tomorrow morning. Go tell them: there’s only fifteen portions, make a list for queuing, and once it’s gone, that’s it. And as for the price…”
Ge Dongfang thought for a moment and settled on a price: “Thirty yuan per serving. Termitomyces is expensive, so the Chicken Fungus Oil Noodles won’t be cheap either. Let everyone know up front, so they don’t complain.”
“Got it!” The Shop Owner, seeing a solution, was about to rush out.
Ge Dongfang quickly stopped him, “Wait, before that, check if the Mushroom Vendor still has any Termitomyces. If so, buy it all! Then we can make more.”
The Shop Owner nodded blankly, squeezed past the waiting customers to the mushroom stall, but saw a slightly plump middle-aged woman buy up the last Bud Termitomyces. Disappointed, he went back and announced there were only fifteen servings.
The Ke Ren looked at each other and saw there were just about a dozen of them—relieved, they eagerly paid upfront, “No problem, Boss, take your time.”
“I’ll have one, but make it with rice noodles.”
“……”
For a while, it was all order after order.
The Shop Owner took note of everyone’s preferences, returned to the kitchen, and saw his wife was already portioning things out. He hurried to cook the noodles and rice noodles.
Ge Dongfang packed up the Chicken Fungus Oil, first setting aside a small bowl—eighty percent oil, twenty percent crispy shredded Termitomyces—for five portions to chill and wrap for tomorrow.
The rest she filled into fifteen bowls. As her husband approached, she asked without looking up, “How many want it?”
“Twelve,” he answered.
Ge Dongfang smiled, “Perfect, we’ll get to eat, too.”
The Shop Owner was excited, “It smells amazing—can’t wait to try it!”
Cooking the noodles was simple, just a minute or two in boiling water, then scooped out.
Working together, the Shop Owner portioned the noodles and rice noodles into bowls, added a few green vegetables, thought it looked a little plain, so topped it with some shredded pork, making it look more substantial.
All in all, just two or three minutes per batch.
Ge Dongfang carried out three bowls at a time on a tray, “Chicken Fungus Oil Noodles are ready—whose is this?”
Instantly, several Ke Ren, already dizzy with anticipation, raised their hands, “Mine! Mine!”
Another called, “I ordered noodles, too!”
“My order is for rice noodles.” The Ke Ren sitting in front said regretfully.
Ge Dongfang smiled, “Don’t worry, it’s coming right up.”
After delivering three servings, she went back for more, brought out three rice noodle bowls, and asked, “Who ordered Chicken Fungus Oil Rice Noodles?”
“Me!”
“Me!”
“Boss, can I order another rice noodle?” someone behind asked.
Ge Dongfang turned and was about to answer, only to see that person’s bowl already empty, the Ke Ren licking oil from his lips, looking unsatisfied.
Ge Dongfang: “………………You finished already?”
The Ke Ren slapped his thigh, sighing, “Yeah, it’s too good! I couldn’t help but eat it in three bites!”
He’d eaten noodles countless times—just ordinary alkaline noodles, with regular pork and greens—but the Chicken Fungus Oil coating the noodles was so fragrant that, with just one bite, he thought: My goodness! He couldn’t stop at all!
With a big appetite, he ate quickly—mixed the noodles, let them cool, then slurped them down in a few gulps.
In the end, he even swiped the bowl with the greens and meat, making it even tastier.
Perfect.
Ge Dongfang’s mouth twitched. Seeing the other Ke Ren who just got their food, she suddenly felt the remaining three servings might be gone soon.
As that Ke Ren ordered, the others also chimed in, “Yeah, I feel like I haven’t had enough—Boss, another bowl of noodles!”
The first girl who’d waited piped up, “I’ll have another rice noodle!”
The third one, mouth still full, quickly called, “Me too—rice noodles!”
The two who’d just wandered in, drawn by the aroma, also said, “Boss, me too—rice noodles and noodles!”
“Boss, I want—”
Ge Dongfang was getting dizzy, meekly saying:
“………………There are only three servings left.”
That Ke Ren: “!”
Seeing his shock, Ge Dongfang explained helplessly, “Really! I made this Chicken Fungus Oil myself, haven’t even had a taste yet!”
Everyone laughed, and some enthusiastic Ke Ren said, “Boss, with enough of this new dish, your business would never slow down!”
“Right, right…”
Hearing this, Ge Dongfang beamed and didn’t mind not getting any herself. She kindly negotiated with the Ke Ren, and though those who’d already eaten were reluctant, they agreed to let the last three servings go to the new arrivals. Good things should be shared.
And truly, this Chicken Fungus Oil was so fragrant—just as she thought there might be leftovers, more Ke Ren arrived.
Not enough at all.
No way there’d be leftovers!
When all fifteen bowls were gone, Ge Dongfang insisted there was no more Chicken Fungus Oil.
The Ke Ren, still licking their lips, reluctantly left, not forgetting to say as they went, “Boss, make more tomorrow! This Chicken Fungus Oil is amazing!”
Ge Dongfang agreed at once. In just a short while, her 200 yuan spent on Torch Termitomyces, plus a bit of noodles, greens, and pork, had turned into 550 yuan—a net profit of over 300! There were still five servings in the fridge for tomorrow, which would earn her another 150.
The profits were amazing.
And she wasn’t worried about sales!
Once the aroma drifted out, the Ke Ren came on their own!
After sending off the last Ke Ren, Ge Dongfang checked the time, closed the shop, and went back to the kitchen, where her husband was eyeing the pan that had just fried the Chicken Fungus Oil.
When he saw her return, he immediately said, “Wife, can I toss some noodles in the leftover Chicken Fungus Oil?”
Ge Dongfang:
Why does that sound so pitiful?!
She couldn’t bear it, so she said, “Don’t be so shabby. Let’s split the rest and make fried rice.”
The Shop Owner’s eyes lit up and he got up right away, “Alright, I’ll go buy rice!”
There was a familiar fast-food place nearby, so he quickly brought back two boxes of rice.
Ge Dongfang nodded and, while waiting, cleaned the remaining mushrooms for tomorrow’s toppings, also dicing some up for the fried rice. Soon, her husband returned with rice.
The two worked in sync: first adding Chicken Fungus Oil, then the rest of the oil from the pan, then tossing in the mushroom bits.
The kitchen, already fragrant, became almost intoxicating.
Once the mushrooms softened, they added the rice.
The loose grains took on a golden sheen from the Chicken Fungus Oil. Halfway through, they added a chopstick-full of shredded Termitomyces, and the aroma intensified.
Ge Dongfang and her husband both gulped at the smell.
Ge Dongfang hesitated, “Isn’t there too little oil? The rice looks a bit dry.”
The Shop Owner agreed instantly, “Right! Not enough. Zhang Boss really stuffed the box, so maybe add more Chicken Fungus Oil?”
Without a word, Ge Dongfang scooped in two more spoonfuls.
Finally, they added other seasonings.
When the Chicken Fungus Oil Mushroom Fried Rice was done, neither could wait—each took a bowl and dug in.
The first bite—
Delicious!
The rice was infused with the Chicken Fungus Oil, mixed with mushroom bits, just a hint of salt and pepper, plus the freshness from the chopped scallions sprinkled on top.
Everything was just right—rich but not greasy, incredibly savory. Ordinary white rice, yet an extraordinary delicacy!
No time to talk—husband and wife exchanged a glance and focused on their bowls, wolfing it down.
So good!
Just wanted another bite!
“Ah!” Suddenly, Ge Dongfang stomped her foot in regret.
The Shop Owner jumped, thinking she regretted it, and was about to comfort her.
But then he heard her, mouth full of rice, sigh, “I got so distracted by the smell, I forgot to add eggs. Just imagine how good it’d be as egg fried rice!”
The Shop Owner glanced at the nearly empty Chicken Fungus Oil bowl, suggesting hopefully, “Should I buy another box of rice and we try with egg?”
Ge Dongfang sighed, “But there’s only a bit of Chicken Fungus Oil left…”
He got her meaning and pushed, “We can’t sell just a little bit anyway, and we have other mushrooms for toppings.”
“Alright!” Ge Dongfang grinned, ran out to buy more rice, and the Shop Owner fired up the stove again, cracked three eggs—imagine how good a mouthful of that will be!
Tomorrow, she’d definitely buy more Termitomyces!
She thought so.
For the rest of the day at the stall, Jiang Heng was surrounded by the aroma of that Chicken Fungus Oil.
Even Song Ming couldn’t resist the smell.
At first, she was worried someone was poaching Jiang Heng’s business.
Turns out, they were poaching hers! She barely had time to feel upset before the aroma got her mouth watering, so she ran over to ask if she could buy some, but she was too late—just a few servings, all sold out.
She could only drag herself back to keep working.
Luckily, by 7:30, both had finished selling out and packed up.
As usual, Jiang Heng finished first.
She only had two Grass Carp left, each three jin, unsold.
She simply took them home to raise—enough to eat for days.
At home, her first task was to tally the day’s earnings.
She’d known from the announcements that today’s profits would be high.
When she totaled it up, the earnings once again exceeded her expectations.
All accounts together: 7,165 yuan!
Mulberry Fruit: over 1,500. Fish: over 2,000. Mushrooms: over 3,000. In total, more than 7,000!
Add the 560 yuan Song Ming spent on the second-grade mushrooms, and that was 7,725 yuan.
At this rate, she could pay off the remaining debt in a week, then rest for a couple days!
Too bad, the day after tomorrow she’d be busy.
She probably wouldn’t have as much time to sell mushrooms for a while.
If only she had someone to sell for her.
Jiang Heng considered it briefly, but didn’t know whom to choose. She knew everyone in the village fairly well, but only because of her parents. Most were older, and not suited to running around.
Forget it—just a few days’ lost profit.
Jiang Heng gave up and decided to clear her mind and rest.
The next day, she went out to pick mushrooms as usual.
This time, she found a mound of Termitomyces in her usual patch!
All freshly pulled, with dirt still clinging—though not as pristine as when she picked them, but for wild animals, this was already impressive.
Oh.
As Jiang Heng approached, a swift shadow darted out—it was the Yellow-throated Marten!