Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Innocently picking up some pickled cabbage on the side, He Xiang innocently raised his head and looked at Xu Yuqing, seeking help with his eyes.

Xu Yuqing glanced to the left and right; one was an adolescent boy, and the other was her lover.

Both were dear to her heart. She closed her mouth, silently lowered her head, and pretended not to know about the matter.

Xie Junli curled his lips, his eyes lifted, somewhat smug, "You don't need to do any work, take it off and give it to me."

He Xiang pursed his lips, somewhat resentful, but seeing Xie Junli, he could only take it off, causing him to handle the pickled cabbage carefully, afraid that the pickle juice might stain his clothes.

Xu Yuqing was cutting meat. Tonight, she had prepared six dishes, a smooth number of six, just right for three people.

One dish was stir-fried meat segments, another was pickled cabbage stewed with ribs, iron pot fish with attached cornbread, steamed sausage, smoked pork stir-fried with peppers, and a cold dish, cucumber salad.

She planned to prepare the meat for the ribs and stir-fried meat segments first, so as not to be in a rush later.

Xie Junli had chopped the ribs, which were quite a lot. After Xu Yuqing blanched them, she put them in the pan and fried them over low heat until they turned slightly yellow, with a slight char aroma at the edges. Then she added the pre-prepared seasonings.

Green onions, ginger, garlic, two dried chili peppers, and white wine were added to remove the fishy smell and enhance the fragrance. Once the dry ingredients in the pot were fragrant, Xu Yuqing began to add a small spoonful of salt for base flavoring, a little soy sauce, and sugar to enhance the freshness.

Hot water was poured in, the lid was placed on the pot, and the ribs would soon become tender.

Taking the pickled cabbage from He Xiang, "Just tear it into pieces, then cut each piece in half, and then into strips. If you can't cut them into strips, leave them; I'll do it later."

"Okay, I can do it."

He Xiang responded, taking the heavy kitchen knife from Xu Yuqing. This knife was too heavy for Xu Yuqing's usual use, but He Xiang could manage it, albeit clumsily, but still adequately.

Xie Junli was seriously tending the fire, heating two pots simultaneously: one for stewing the ribs, the other for boiling water.

After putting the ribs in to stew, it was time to handle the fish.

Although the fish had been gutted, Xu Yuqing meticulously cleaned the inner membranes and gills, making sure it was thoroughly washed. She made two incisions on the fish's body, stuffed green onions and ginger inside, and also inserted a few slices into its belly.

In addition, since the fish had been frozen for a day, Xu Yuqing was worried about the fishy smell and rubbed it with salt and wine to marinate it for a while.

The accompanying ingredients for stewing the fish included vermicelli noodles, Chinese cabbage, and frozen tofu, all of which absorbed the broth well.

After finishing these preparations, Xu Yuqing started handling the other ingredients.

"He Xiang, go help me soak this piece of smoked meat in hot water. After it softens, use a knife to scrape off the black skin." She handed him a section of sausage. It was already close to four o'clock, and she needed to speed up.

He Xiang had just finished slicing the pickled cabbage and put down the knife. Seeing this, he quickly took it, holding the dark smoked meat away from himself, fearing it might stain his clothes.

Xie Junli added a log to the stove, noticing this, stood up, "I'll do it, you tend the fire." Without waiting for He Xiang's reaction, he directly grabbed the smoked meat from He Xiang's hand.

He Xiang tried to grab it back, but he was no match for Xie Junli and had to sit down to tend the fire.

Pouting, he thought it was more comfortable to tend the fire, patting the ash off his sleeves and cherishing the shoes on his feet.

On the other side, Xu Yuqing's mind was racing as she carefully rinsed the pickled cabbage sliced by He Xiang, squeezed out the water, and set it aside for later use.

She asked He Xiang to switch the pot used for boiling water with the one for stir-frying, heating it until smoking, then adding oil and placing the fish in the pan.

Frying the fish over high heat helped it hold its shape. After both sides turned golden brown, she turned the heat down to make it more fragrant.

This way, when stewing later, it wouldn't fall apart easily.

The cold dish could also be prepared now. Without a cutting board for raw food, Xu Yuqing used a rolling pin and a plate.

She broke the cucumber into small pieces and pounded them with the rolling pin to better absorb the broth. Garlic and dried chili peppers were set aside, ready to be mixed with hot oil once the pan was clear.

Very quickly.

An hour passed in the kitchen, and the ribs became tender and soft. With a light poke of chopsticks, they were done.

She brought over a plate, carefully scooping the ribs into it. Without washing the pot, she added oil and stir-fried the pickled cabbage, releasing its aroma with the hot oil. Stir-frying it over high heat for two to three minutes, she then added the previously cooked ribs and broth.

A little soy sauce was sprinkled for flavoring. Xu Yuqing leaned close to the pot, sniffing lightly. The saltiness seemed insufficient, so she added half a spoonful of salt.

Cooking over high heat until it boiled, the pickled cabbage stewed with ribs was ready.

The first dish was out of the pot.

He Xiang carried the ribs out, and Xu Yuqing immediately started preparing the second dish in the kitchen.

Washing the pot, adding oil, and frying peanuts over low heat slowly, she took this opportunity to handle the fish.

Taking the fish out, she added a bit of fat and fried it until crispy. Chunks of garlic, chili peppers, green onions, and ginger were thrown in, stirring to release their aroma. Yellow bean sauce, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and vinegar were quickly mixed together, instantly releasing a rich aroma.

Placing the fish in the pot, she added enough boiling water to cover it. As the broth began to bubble, she added the previously prepared ingredients in order of how quickly they cooked.

Including the cornbread.

Xie Junli watched the peanuts, while Xu Yuqing earnestly kneaded the cornbread, slapping it onto the pot.

For three people, she didn't make many, only seven pieces.

She would eat one, while Xie Junli and He Xiang would each have three, showing a significant difference in appetite.

Xu Yuqing couldn't help but comment. After sticking the cornbread onto the pot, she added the frozen tofu first, covered the pot, and waited until it absorbed the broth before adding the vermicelli noodles and cabbage.

Once these were cooked, she opened the pot, reduced the broth, and the iron pot fish was ready.

In the other pot, the peanuts were now crispy and were scooped out into a bowl, with hot oil poured over them.

She asked Xie Junli to carry the dish out, while Xu Yuqing started seasoning the cold dish, making it lighter to relieve the greasiness.

Add more vinegar, soy sauce, roasted sesame seeds, and white sugar. Mix them vigorously until well combined, then pour in the bowl of fried peanuts.

The colors are vibrant and very appealing to the eye.

Xu Yuqing nodded in satisfaction. Three dishes are already done, and there are still three more to go.

Fortunately, the remaining three are relatively simple.

Slice the sausage diagonally into thick pieces and arrange them in a flower shape. Steam them in a pot. The other pot is the one used for frying the peanuts, which is perfect. Xu Yuqing pours oil into it and, while waiting for it to heat up, starts coating the marinated meat with flour.

She doesn't bother getting a spoon and grabs two handfuls of starch directly. "Xie Junli, help me pour half a bowl of water."

"Sure." Xie Junli quickly puts down the basin with the fish and swiftly fetches some water, pouring it in carefully. "Stop!"

Xu Yuqing nods in satisfaction and begins mixing with her hands.

At first, it's difficult to handle, but once thoroughly mixed, it becomes much easier. Add a bit more oil and mix again. Now it's ready to be deep-fried.

The meat must be coated with a thick layer of batter; it can't be too thin or it won't stick properly and won't taste good when fried.

Wash her hands clean, and using chopsticks, she quickly drops the pieces into the hot oil. The sizzling sound fills the air, and Xu Yuqing nods in satisfaction.

Don't stir immediately after dropping them in; wait until they set before flipping.

While waiting, Xu Yuqing takes a bell pepper and cuts it into chunks, setting it aside.

Once the meat pieces float to the surface, gently separate them. When they turn golden yellow, scoop them out and let them cool for a minute before refrying.

Refry for about a minute, then add the bell pepper and fry for another thirty seconds before scooping everything out.

There's still plenty of oil left in the pot. Xu Yuqing looks at He Xiang. "Do you want some meatballs? If so, ask your Uncle Xie to bring some over to fry."

He Xiang's eyes light up, and he goes to find Xie Junli, who is clearing the dining table. "Sister Xu asked you to get some meatballs to fry, Uncle Xie."

This is the first time he has called him Uncle Xie with such joy. Xie Junli's eyes darken as he looks at him. "Call her Aunt."

"Sister Xu told me to call her Sister Xu. Hurry up, Uncle, we're waiting."

With that, he turns around triumphantly and walks back.

Xie Junli restrains himself, veins popping on his forehead. This brat, if only he hadn't agreed to buy him new clothes.

Look at how smug he is.

When Xie Junli returns with the meatballs, Xu Yuqing chides him, "Why did you take so long?" She had already prepared the sauce and was about to put it in the pot, but now it might lose its crispness.

Fortunately, the sausage dish is ready, and she asks He Xiang to take it out.

"Wash that pot clean."

"Okay."

Xie Junli nods, picks up the brush, and quickly cleans the pot, putting it back in place. He sits down and watches Xu Yuqing, whose cheeks are flushed from the heat. Her sleeves are rolled up, and the buttons of her coat have been undone without her noticing.

Taking out a handkerchief from his pocket, he sees a drop of sweat on her nose and gently wipes it away, along with the sweat at her temples. "No rush, we can eat later."

He speaks tenderly.

But Xu Yuqing doesn't feel the warmth and waves his hand away impatiently. "Oh, your hands! The meatballs will burn!" She dodges the handkerchief and says anxiously.

Xie Junli: ...

He silently puts the handkerchief back in his pocket and sits down, watching her intently focus on the pot.

The other pot heats up quickly, and Xu Yuqing watches both pots, slightly flustered yet orderly.

Pour oil, add the bell pepper and scallions, and stir-fry over high heat. When almost cooked, pour in the sauce and heat until it thickens slightly. Quickly add the fried meat.

A little minced garlic, sprinkle it in, and toss a few times before serving.

As the meat segments are served, the fried meatballs are also nearly done, their outer shells crispy again. They are scooped out, leaving only one dish left.

Slice the cured meat and fry it to render the fat. Add minced garlic and dried chili peppers, stir-fry quickly, and add the meat. Cook until it develops a tiger-skin appearance and is fully cooked. Pour soy sauce along the edges of the pan, and the aroma intensifies. Xu Yuqing stirs quickly. "Time to eat!"

"Okay!"

The house is filled with delicious aromas. Unconsciously, it has turned dark outside, with only the warm lights of homes illuminating the night. If you step outside, you can smell all sorts of fragrances.

Everyone wears smiles on this day, using all their skills to prepare a feast, enjoying a happy reunion meal to celebrate the new year.

Xu Yuqing freshens up her appearance and returns to find the table laden with food. There are glasses of wine on the table for Xie Junli and herself, while He Xiang has a glass of hawthorn syrup water.

The three raise their glasses: "Happy New Year!"