Chapter 114: The World of Top Students, Ordinary Folks Just Don’t Get It

Chapter 114: The World of Top Students, Ordinary Folks Just Don't Get It

If you pass by Su Taotao's door during dinner time, most folks would find it hard to walk away. Today was even more so, as the smell of garlic-baked lobster was downright irresistible. People passing by couldn't resist stopping for a sniff.

Even Mo Gong, who came back from work with Fu Zhengtu, couldn't resist. He sniffed the air and couldn't help but drool: "What tasty dish has your Little Su whipped up today? The aroma is just too tempting."

Fu Zhengtu noticed smoke from the oven chimney and knew she must have baked something unusual today. He replied casually: "I don't know, but whatever she makes is always fragrant."

Mo Gong, Auntie Zhong's family member and culinary rival, thought: "..." This chat is going in circles.

Following closely behind them were Fu Yuanhang and Uncle Mu, who had just finished playing basketball.

Uncle Mu was usually immune to the aroma of Fu Yuanhang's family meals, but today he still couldn't help but drool. He clapped Fu Yuanhang on the shoulder and sighed: "Man, do you have any idea how jealous I am of you?"

Fu Yuanhang nodded honestly: "I know."

Uncle Mu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and wagged his finger: "No, you don't."

Mo Gong's big hand clasped the back of his son's head: "Kid, don't go spouting nonsense when we get home. If you tick off your mom, I'll be in hot water too."

Uncle Mu sighed: "Hey Old Mo, is my bro coming back tomorrow?"

Mo Gong nodded: "Yes, he should be here tomorrow morning. I have to work overtime tomorrow. You and your mom haven't hit the town in ages, so go and have fun with your brother."

Uncle Mu pouted: "Overtime again," then he stretched out his hand to Mo Gong, "Spot me some cash. Ms. Zhong's being a real tightwad. Ah Hang gets one yuan of pocket money every month, but I don't get a single cent. It's not like I'm asking for the moon, just some snack money, right?"

Mo Gong hugged his son and sighed: "Son, it's not that I don't want to give you money, but all my money is with your mom. Not just you, I don't have any pocket money either."

The poor father and son, both in the same boat, sighed for a while before finally entering the house.

The moment Fu Zhengtu stepped inside, Su Taotao greeted him with a smile and asked: "Did you bring back my recommendation letter?"

Fu Zhengtu nodded: "I brought it back. What did you make today? Why does it smell so good?"

Even little Chenchen was drawn in by the delicious smell today. He didn't play with his toy and kept circling around his mom.

Chenchen hugged his dad's leg and looked up: "Daddy, it's a big shrimp~~" After thinking for a moment, he added, "Lobster~~ Chenchen picked it~~"

His small, chubby hand gestured: "A claw this big~~"

Fu Zhengtu curved his lips, bent down to pick up the child, and asked him: "What did you learn at school with your little uncle today?"

Su Taotao: "..." Fu, have you forgotten that your son is only two years old?

Chenchen: "Reciting~~"

Before Fu Zhengtu could ask, the child had already started swaying his head: "The sun~~ sets behind the mountains..."

It was truly a case of one daring to ask, one daring to answer, one thinking he really went to school, and one thinking he really went to school.

Fu Zhengtu's bony hand rubbed the child's small head: "Very impressive. Remember to tell Daddy what you learn at school when you come back. Daddy wants to know too."

Chenchen smiled with his eyes closed: "Okay, Daddy~~"

Su Taotao: "..." Forget it, the world of top students is something ordinary folks just don't get.

Fu Yuanhang put down his bag and came down to help Su Taotao serve the meal.

"It smells amazing, sis. Uncle Mu was practically drooling earlier."

Su Taotao smiled and said, "Next time, let's buy more oysters and share some with Uncle Mu."

Fu Yuanhang nodded, "Okay."

The clay oven couldn't rotate, so the heat wasn't as evenly distributed as in an electric oven, but the flavor from charcoal grilling was unmatched by that of an electric oven. Plus, the ingredients from this era were free from technological enhancements and additives. As soon as the oven door was opened, the combined aroma of seafood and garlic was many times more intense than before.

Not only would it make the neighboring kids drool, but even their own kids were on the verge of tears from craving.

Fu Yuanhang swallowed hard and reached for the dish, but Su Taotao stopped him, "Yuanhang, don't touch it, it's very hot."

Fu Zhengtu had already put down the child and grabbed a cloth, "I'll do it."

In addition to grilling lobster, Su Taotao also used the leftover garlic sauce to grill a plate of loofah. The garlic sauce and loofah were a perfect match, incredibly aromatic.

She also grilled a few small sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, and served a side dish of winter melon, kelp, and lobster scraps soup with white rice. This meal was quite a feast.

"Come on, let's toast to the oven's successful debut. The oven can grill everything, and it will make cooking much easier for me in the future."

Fu Zhengtu cut the half lobster with the least garlic into smaller pieces and placed them in Chenchen's bowl. This was clearly a special preparation by Su Taotao for Chenchen, with a milder flavor than the rest.

Two of the halves were topped with a bit of chili. Both Fu Zhengtu and Su Taotao could handle some spice, while Fu Yuanhang's half was of normal flavor.

This meal not only won over the taste buds of the three men at home but also Su Taotao herself, who hadn't eaten so heartily in a long time.

"Seafood is still the best, but most of it can't be kept until evening, or else we could enjoy it more often."

Fu Zhengtu's taste buds had been completely spoiled by Su Taotao's cooking. What used to be quite tasty at the small canteen now seemed bland, merely enough to fill his stomach.

Noticing Bai Bai's "new nest," Fu Zhengtu asked Su Taotao, "Did you see Dong Shengping today?"

Su Taotao was taken aback, "How did you know?"

Fu Zhengtu gestured towards Bai Bai, "Dong Shengping's rattan baskets—he only gives them away, never sells them."

Su Taotao glanced at him, "Fu, the police were right last time. Your observational skills are a loss to the police force. Dong Shengping will be the guard at our factory from now on."

Fu Zhengtu asked, "He agreed?"

Su Taotao retorted, "Do you think he wouldn't agree?"

Fu Zhengtu smiled faintly and shook his head, "No, good call. With him guarding the base, you can rest easy wherever you go."

Su Taotao was even more astonished, "Is he that capable?"

Fu Zhengtu's eyes darkened slightly, "The top graduate from the military academy, the best soldier after enlisting, with the highest honor being a first-class merit. He possesses exceptional military skills. If he had stayed in the army, he would at least be a deputy division commander or a full-fledged colonel by now."

This was the first time Su Taotao had heard Fu Zhengtu speak so highly of someone. Even though she knew some of it, hearing Fu Zhengtu's words made her feel even more regretful.

"It's a bit of a waste for him to come to my uncertain small workshop as a guard. What should we do?"

Fu Zhengtu shook his head, "He is determined. If he agreed to come, it must be what he wanted. There will always be a more suitable position for him in the future."

Su Taotao understood Fu Zhengtu's meaning. When her factory grows bigger and stronger, Dong Shengping would certainly not remain just a guard. In fact, Su Taotao's current positioning of him was more than just a guard, which is why she also entrusted him with attendance duties. Such a talented and heroic individual must have received many offers, and his decision to come must have been well-considered. She didn't need to feel burdened.

Actually, she hadn't thought that much at first, only wanting to provide a job for such a great hero. In any case, she was the one who benefited.