Chapter 37: May Day

Chapter 37: May Day

Ming Yue returned home as promised on May Day. This time, she discovered that the road had been repaired, with concrete paths reaching every household in the village, making travel remarkably convenient.

They had also moved into their new home.

Her room featured a balcony facing south, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows. Pulling back the curtains revealed distant mountains and nearby vegetable sprouts.

The bed was already covered with warm quilts, which her mother had pre-sun-dried.

Ming Yue brought back quite a few clothes in her suitcase this time, but it was merely a cover-up.

She had just acquired a portable space and intended to make good use of it.

She bought clothes for herself and her parents, hanging many of them in her room's wardrobe. From now on, she wouldn't need to bring luggage when returning home; she'd have clothes waiting for her.

Ming Yue's return was met with warmth at home. It was May Day, so children were on holiday. The hotel was busier during holidays, so Auntie Xiao came back, but Uncle Xiao didn't.

Ming Yue drove to town to purchase a substantial amount of ingredients. It was already May, and crayfish were available, so she bought plenty, along with a chicken and a sea bass. She spent quite some time browsing the market.

"Grandma, everyone will be eating at our place this afternoon."

Ming Yue parked the car and carried the groceries inside before notifying the families that they didn't need to prepare meals that afternoon.

This could be considered the housewarming meal for Ming Yue's family in their new home.

"Mom, I'll cook today."

Ming Yue hadn't neglected her culinary skills. With the system's assistance, learning any skill was twice as effective with half the effort.

She was now at an intermediate level in cooking, comparable to an excellent chef at a restaurant. Once she reached the advanced level, she would be on par with a five-star hotel's head chef.

"Alright, alright. Let you show off your skills today," said Mother Ming with a smile.

Ming Chen and Ming Zhao washed the crayfish in a large basin. Surprisingly, they did a thorough job cleaning them.

Ming Yue started by smashing a cucumber and preparing a few cold dishes.

Then, she heated oil in a wok and tossed in the cleaned crayfish, removing the intestinal veins. When the crayfish turned red, she added hot pot base.

After stir-frying, the crayfish emitted a fragrant aroma. She added scallions, ginger, and garlic, then beer to simmer.

A dish of braised crayfish was ready.

The aroma filled the air.

"What delicious food do we have today? I could smell it from outside," said Uncle Da and Auntie Da as they entered with smiles.

"Ming Yue bought some crayfish. Kids these days love eating such things," said Mother Ming with a smile. Even though Ming Yue was about to graduate from university and was in her twenties, she was still a child in her mother's eyes.

The sea bass had been steaming for about ten minutes, and the flesh at the incisions had bloomed open. Ming Yue prepared the sauce and poured it over the fish, instantly infusing it.

She sliced green onions and poured hot oil over them, creating a sizzling sound. Perfect.

Ming Yue cooked quickly, preparing scallops, stir-fried shredded pork with green peppers, dry-fried potato shreds, and lifting the lid on the old hen soup that had been stewing since early morning. The rich aroma of the soup spread out.

"It's still better to have a girl, a caring little cotton-padded jacket," said Auntie Xiao with a smile, glancing at Ming Zhao playing outside. The amusement in her eyes revealed her satisfaction with her own son.

"But that's not entirely true. We should also cultivate Ming Chen, teaching him to cook. Boys should learn household chores too," the adults' conversation soon shifted to raising children.

In May, a gentle breeze blew outside, neither cold nor hot, making it comfortable to eat outdoors.

When Ming Yue called out that the food was ready, Ming Chen hurriedly served the dishes. The table in the courtyard was already set up, and it quickly filled up.

"Today, Ming Yue has worked hard. She really has the makings of a master chef," said Uncle Da with a smile, opening drinks and pouring them for everyone.

Grandpa and Grandma wore full smiles; nothing could make one happier than having all the children gathered at home.

Ming Yue first served the chicken soup to Grandpa and Grandma. Elderly people couldn't eat crayfish, but drinking soup provided nutrition.

Everyone enjoyed the meal heartily, breaking a slight sweat. A cool breeze blew, giving them a chill.

The sun was setting, casting a soft red glow over the earth.

The red sunset illuminated the mountains, painting a picturesque scene.

The family was harmonious and happy. A yellow dog from an unknown household wandered over, attracted by the scent.

It paused at the door, its large, eager eyes gazing inside, yet hesitant to step in. Its round, black eyes looked innocent and pitiful.

"Big Yellow, come in."

Indeed, Chinese countryside dogs often bore this simple and rustic name.

Ming Chen waved his hand toward the outside, and the little yellow dog eagerly entered, wagging its tail joyfully, almost like a propeller.

Big Yellow approached the table, crouched down without moving, and only looked up at Ming Chen.

"The dog is pretty obedient," Auntie remarked.

Ming's mother gathered the chicken bones from the table into a disposable bowl and placed it under the tree in the courtyard. This tree, transplanted from elsewhere, was thriving with lush foliage.

Big Yellow knew this was for him and promptly switched his attention, following Ming's mother eagerly.

Once the bowl hit the ground, he happily dug in.

"This is your Cousin Gangzi's dog. It's grown so fast; when it first came here, it was just a little pup," Ming's father mused.

After dinner, Ming's mother and Aunt pushed Ming Yue out of the kitchen, vying to do the dishes.

Big Yellow, having had his fill, stayed in the yard, chasing his own tail.

"Hahaha, silly dog!" Ming Chen found it hilarious.

"Uncle Liang, I heard Yueyue is back."

Before seeing the person, they heard the voice. News spread quickly in the village, where everyone lived close by and were old acquaintances. They all knew about Ming Yue's return soon after it happened.

Ming Gang had made several ten thousand at the start of the year due to road construction, and he owed it all to Ming Yue. If not for her leaving the job to him, he wouldn't have had such good fortune.

"Cousin Gangzi,"

Ming Yue brought out some fruit.

Ming Gang carried milk and fruit in his hands.

"This Big Yellow is faster than me, lured by the scent."

Seeing the little local dog digging under the tree with its butt up, he chuckled and gently kicked its small behind with his foot.

"Au au~"

The puppy, a few months old, face-planted after being kicked by its unscrupulous owner, rubbing its face in the dirt under the tree. It adorably whined, baring its teeth in a fierce manner when it turned around, only to immediately behave upon recognizing its owner. It stood up, wagging its tail as it circled its master, submitting quickly.

Everyone found it amusing; the ungrown pups were quite endearing.