Three Yamen Runners, clad in Zhenfu Division black uniforms and carrying sabers, walked impressively down Baishi Alley, occasionally receiving gazes of awe from passersby.
Since ancient times, commoners do not contend with officials!
For ordinary people, even temporary Yamen Runners not on the official roster were figures to be revered!
"The temporary Yamen Runners who came before never received such a grand introduction! What introduction? It was just publicly stating his identity and revealing his background!"
"Also, the Yamen Runners accompanying the Chief Constable are basically all official Yamen Runners. Monkey Head, I've been mixed up in the Zhenfu Division for over two years and haven't enjoyed such treatment. This Zheng Shiyong is a newcomer who just joined today, and he's already receiving this treatment. It's clear they're paving the way for his future development!"
"To be honest, if it weren't for Chief Constable Zheng's connections, how could this newcomer, Zheng Shiyong, have today's opportunity!"
"Comparing oneself to others just makes one angry! So angry!"
"......"
Monkey Head shook his head and grumbled all the way, his face full of indignation.
Among the few of them, he had the most seniority in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office! If he had a background like Zheng Shiyong's, perhaps he would already be an official Yamen Runner on the roster by now.
"Alright, Monkey Head, say a little less. If someone with ill intent overhears, you'll inevitably suffer for it!"
Chen Ping'an advised.
"Hmph! Let them hear it. What I, Monkey Head, said isn't wrong, what does it matter if it spreads!"
Monkey Head spoke with a tough tone. However, whether it was Chen Ping'an's persuasion that took effect, or some other reason, he later changed the subject and no longer complained about Zheng Shiyong's matter.
Chen Ping'an shook his head slightly at this.
This Monkey Head, he really is...
To be honest, Chen Ping'an was naturally envious of Zheng Shiyong receiving such a grand introduction upon his arrival.
However, he knew that envy was useless!
In this world, status ultimately had to be earned by oneself!
Whether by fists or by background!
Old Chen was already dead; the only one he could rely on was himself!
Chen Er'ya could only rely on him too!
During the patrol, Chen Ping'an's thoughts churned. Each shift in his thoughts made his heart grow firmer! The firmness of his conviction made a completely different spirit emanate from him!
This day's patrol was still peaceful and uneventful!
After eating and drinking to their fill at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office at noon, they, as usual, found a place to rest well for a while. Since Baishi Alley mostly consisted of residential houses and had no important locations, this time, the few of them had more time to rest and slack off than usual.
Among the many streets and alleys of Nanquan Lane, Baishi Alley was undoubtedly one of the more relaxed ones.
......
"Nannan, big brother is back!"
As soon as Chen Ping'an entered the door, he smelled the fragrant aroma of food.
"Big brother is back!"
Chen Er'ya was busy in the kitchen and did not come out to greet him.
Chen Ping'an walked into the kitchen and found the milky white beef bone soup bubbling in the pot, emitting an enticing aroma!
Having just returned from his shift, he was famished. Smelling such a fragrant and rich beef bone soup, how could he resist?
Chen Ping'an was about to say he wanted to try a bowl first, when Chen Er'ya, while stir-frying, spoke up.
"Big brother must be hungry. I made some wheat cakes this afternoon. Big brother can eat some first to fill his stomach. They're in the cupboard."
During a break in stir-frying, Chen Er'ya gestured towards the cupboard nearby.
"Nannan is so good!"
Chen Ping'an was beaming.
Where could one find such a thoughtful and considerate younger sister!
If it were in his previous life, a girl Nannan's age would probably still be the treasure of every family, pampered and doted upon. How could she be so considerate!
This world...
As he thought about it, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but feel a little heartache.
"Big brother, why are you standing there stunned? They're on the third shelf of the cupboard!"
Seeing Chen Ping'an rooted to the spot, Chen Er'ya urged.
Chen Ping'an responded and then took out a plate of wheat cakes from the cupboard.
These wheat cakes were a common dish in every household. They were essentially a mixture of egg liquid and wheat flour, stirred evenly, with a little salt added during the process. Then, an appropriate amount of sesame oil was added to the pan. Once the sesame oil emitted a slight wisp of smoke, the egg and wheat flour mixture could be poured into the pan and stir-fried.
Finally, a small handful of chopped green onions was added for aroma, and the wheat cakes were done.
"It smells so good!"
Chen Ping'an looked at the golden, crispy wheat cakes in front of him and exclaimed.
"It truly is Nannan's craftsmanship!"
The wheat cakes still had some residual warmth, clearly Chen Er'ya had estimated his off-duty time and made them in advance. Her thoughtfulness was truly meticulous.
Chen Ping'an ate the wheat cakes, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
Since he began practicing Iron Cloth, his appetite had grown even larger.
During the day, he had eaten very full at the Zhenfu Division, but now he was extremely hungry.
Clearly, his martial Dao cultivation had entered the Qi Blood First Realm, and his Qi and blood surged more intensely than before, leading to greater consumption.
This is only the beginning of the Qi Blood First Realm. If I reach Perfection in the First Realm, I'm afraid I'll be starving halfway through my shift!
Chen Ping'an thought to himself.
That's right!
Although he ate a lot of rice now, most of it was ordinary vegetarian dishes, with not much oil. To truly allow his body to absorb sufficient nutrients and Qi and blood, he probably needed large portions of meat!
No wonder the Chief Constables' meals were differentiated from the Yamen Runners'!
Now, Chen Ping'an could understand some of the rules set by the Zhenfu Division.
If he, at Qi Blood First Realm, was already like this, how could those Chief Constables in the Zhenfu Division, who often had Qi Blood Third Stage cultivation, maintain their hunger if they ate the same small meat and vegetable dishes as the Yamen Runners!?
Sizzle!
Oil splattered as a plate of raw beef was poured into the pan by Chen Er'ya.
After the beef entered the pan, Chen Er'ya skillfully stir-fried it.
Adding green peppers, adding salt, adding auxiliary ingredients...
A plate of fragrant, slightly spicy stir-fried beef with green peppers was ready to be served.
"Big brother, dinner's ready ~"
Chen Er'ya called out.
"Alright."
Chen Ping'an responded. Immediately, the siblings carried the dishes out one by one.
Tonight's dinner: a plate of stir-fried beef with green peppers, a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a large bowl of beef bone soup, half a plate of wheat cakes, and two bowls of fragrant white rice.
"Nannan, there's not enough water in the water Cylinder. I'll go fetch some."
After dinner, Chen Ping'an patted his stomach contentedly.
"I'll fetch the water tomorrow during the day. Big brother, you just focus on practicing your martial arts!"
Chen Er'ya advised.
For her, these were things she could do to help her big brother, within her capabilities. She would avoid troubling her big brother if possible.
There was still enough water in the Cylinder for two days, so she hadn't gone to fetch it today.
"It's alright, it'll help digest dinner!"
Chen Ping'an said with a smile.
If he went to fetch water, it would be at most ten round trips. If Chen Er'ya went, the number of round trips would probably more than double. And with her small arms and legs, she would probably be half-dead from exhaustion after fetching water.
With that, Chen Ping'an took the carrying pole and two wooden buckets and walked out.