Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Gourmet Food Conquers His Stomach
Translator: 549690339
Yes, overbearing.
lie wasn’t a glutton whatsoever, but the smell that now filled his nostrils was enough to make his mouth water and his stomach growl longing for food. He couldn’t help but want to imitate Qiao Dami, who was bustling around the three stoves.
Only a smell this overpowering could provoke such an irresistible burst of appetite in him.
This Qiao Xiaomai…
He knew she was a good cook, but he hadn’t expected her to be this exceptional.
Earlier on his trek up the mountain with Qiao Dami, he had quietly gathered all the trivial details of Qiao Xiaomai’s daily life.
He thought he had achieved some preliminary understanding of her. However, looking back now, everything he had learned only scratched the surface.
This woman, he was sure she would continue to surprise him in the future.
“Brother Tong, don’t just stand there, come join us!” After bustling around the three stoves, Qiao Dami was so content she felt like floating away. Seeing Tong Sanlang just standing around, she hurriedly called him over.
At her words, Tong Sanlang took a deep breath, stepped under the awning, and set down the firewood from his back.
He looked at Qiao Xiaomai, his voice deep as he asked, “Do you need my help?”
“Just sit down, you can rest.” Qiao Xiaomai decided she didn’t need his assistance.
The pig trotter soup was done, the braised pork just needed the addition of sugar for glazing, and the sauce-braised pork knuckles were about to be ready. The busiest time had already passed.
While thinking this, she scooped the braised pork out of the pot. She had used five taels of pork belly, filling an entire bowl. The aroma was captivating and the color irresistible.
She took a clean bowl, scooped half of it with braised pork, and handed it to Tong Sanlang, “Brother Tong, have a taste.”
Tong Sanlang accepted the large crude porcelain bowl.
The smell now seemed to drill into his nose more intensely. He glanced at Qiao Dami, “Dami, come join us.”
Qiao Dami crisply agreed and grabbed a pair of chopsticks. She seated herself next to Tong Sanlang under the willow tree and took a piece of meat, blew on it half-heartedly, and then eagerly placed it into her mouth.
It was fragrant and tender with a mild sweetness—absolutely not greasy.
Qiao Dami closed her eyes in bliss, wishing she could swallow her tongue as well because of how delicious it was!
Tong Sanlang was more restrained, his expression revealing no notable changes. Having swallowed the meat, his gaze involuntarily shifted toward Qiao Xiaomai.
Qiao Xiaomai had entered the kitchen and was currently removing the pork knuckles from the pot.
The pork knuckles were now a vivid red, and with a light press of her chopsticks, she could easily penetrate the skin and touch the bone within.
She scooped out four pork knuckles into a bowl, cleaned the pot, and began to stir-fry pork intestines.
After completing that dish, she started stir-frying pig’s ears.
Although she preferred pig’s ear salad, she didn’t have enough time now and had to settle with a simple stir-fry.
When the pig’s ear was done, she had finished cooking everything Tong Sanlang had bought today.
She filled a bowl with braised pork for Qiao Changshun and handed it to him to taste her culinary skills while she moved under the willow tree.
“Um…Brother Tong, everything’s ready. You should take it home. Hurry before the food cools off, as it won’t taste as good.”
Tong Sanlang swallowed the last bite of braised pork, “Alright.”
Given the quantity of food he purchased, it was only fitting that he took some home.
However, he insisted on leaving some for the three members of the Qiao family as a token of appreciation for their hard work.
Furthermore, after witnessing Qiao Xiaomai’s cooking skills, he, who had seen the grandeur of the world, felt inexplicably humble.
He had always considered Qiao Xiaomai to be a village girl. But looking around now, the real bumpkin might just be him…
His so-called insights were utterly negligible in front of Qiao Xiaomai….
