Chapter 441: If It Is Not Fated, Don’t Force It (1)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Zhao Chuchu said, “Da Lang is more experienced than I am at making douchi. Why don’t I ask him to take a look to see what the problem is after he returns from the academy? Otherwise, if I went over, I would not be much help since I don’t know much myself.”
“Either way works fine. Then let’s wait for Da Lang to return from the academy. I will instruct someone to bring him over,” said Mrs. Yuan as she nodded. “Everyone in the household loved the douchi you gave us last time. Your grandmother is urging me to make more as soon as possible.”
“I still have some here. Godmother, take some home with you.”
“There is no need. I was just making small talk with you. I did not come to ask you for more.”
“You don’t need to be so polite with me. We are family, after all. Wait a moment.”
Zhao Chuchu got up and entered her room. She took out five catties of douchi from her carry-on space and placed them in earthen jars. She then carried them out to give to Mrs. Yuan.
“Are you actually giving me some? Spare some for yourselves to eat.”
“It is rare for Grandmother to find something she likes. Giving her more is just a display of my filial piety.”
“You are a good child. Our Yuan clan has been blessed to have a goddaughter like you. Now, the Yuan clan is riding off your fame. Since this is for your grandmother, I will graciously accept them on her behalf.”
Mrs. Yuan accepted the douchi and instructed her maids to take them.
The two of them exchanged pleasantries for a while longer before she left.
Zhao Chuc.hu recalled that the kitchen was out of douchi. She then took out another two catties for Chang Hong.
“I have been so busy lately that I forgot to give you the douchi that I had placed in my room. If my godmother had not brought it up today, I would have forgotten about them.”
“Douchi? This is the first time I have seen this. How should I cook this for the best taste? You will need to teach me.’
Zhao Chuchu explained, “Douchi is considered a seasoning. You can mix it with sesame oil and serve it as a side dish or use it in stir-frying or steaming. There’re plenty of ways to prepare it. You’re excellent at cooking. I’m sure you’ll figure out how to incorporate douchi into your cooking in no time. Just to name a few dishes, you can cook douchi with steamed ribs, stir-fried pork belly, stir-fried radish, or baked fish.”
“Sounds interesting. Shall I try cooking some douchi for dinner?
‘Go ahead and be creative.”
“I hope my attempt will not disappoint.”
“Don’t forget, the principal had high praise for your cooking.” “You’re making me blush. I’ll go ahead and prepare dinner.”
Chang Hong took the douchi and went to the kitchen.
Xie Jun’s current routine was studying in the morning and practicing martial arts in the afternoon. His instructor was Chai Le.
Zhao Chuchu was glad to have some free time to herself. Her plan was to teach Xie Jun some practical combat tips to steal a march from his rivals in the future after he had mastered basic martial arts.
She observed Xie Jun’s practice for a while under the eaves before she went to do some work in the medicine room.
At dusk, the Yuan clan sent someone over to inform Zhao Chuchu that Mrs. Yuan had sent someone to pick up Xie Heng from the academy. He was at the douchi workshop now and would not make it back in time for dinner. Therefore, Zhao Chuchu should not wait for him.
Chang Hong prepared a scrumptious dinner with a table full of douchi-related dishes. Since Xie Heng was not around, Zhao Chuchu asked Chang Hong and Chai Le to join her for dinner.
Zhao Chuchu said, “Leftovers are not tasty. Why don’t the four of us finish everything tonight? It’ll be a waste to keep them until tomorrow.” Chai Le declined her offer, saying, “This is not right. We are servants.”
Zhao Chuchu was speechless.
Why were they so stubborn?
No matter what she and Xie Jun said, Chai Le and Chang Hong refused to sit at a table with them.
Left with no choice, Zhao Chuchu could only scoop out half of each dish and pass the food to them. She instructed, “You must finish all these. This is an order.”
Chai Le replied helplessly, “Mrs. Xie, there’s no need for you to share your food with us.”
“If you don’t want to eat it, then just dispose of it.” Zhao Chuchu did not say much. She turned around and went back into the dining area.
Chang Hong quickly replied, “Thank you, Mrs. Xie.”
Zhao Chuc.hu waved her hand as a sign of acknowledgment.
Xie Jun was already drooling from looking at all the aromatic and delightful dishes.
“Sis, can we eat now? My stomach has been grumbling.”
“Little glutton, you may eat now.”
Zhao Chuchu could not help but grin.
Ever since Xie Jun had gotten rid of the poison in his body, his appetite grew larger and larger. Moreover, he had grown visibly taller over the past few months.
Zhao Chuchu was very generous to him when it came to food. She instructed Chang Hong to prepare three meals a day for Xie Jun diligently.
Children at his age were growing their physiques. They needed to have sufficient nutrients to thrive.
When Zhao Chuchu saw Xie Jun devouring the food happily, she felt her appetite had also doubled. In the end, the two of them finished everything on the table.
“The dishes made by Sister Hong are also super delicious,” exclaimed Xie Jun as he leaned against the chair and rubbed his stomach in satisfaction. “Dishes cooked with douchi go really well with rice.”
“I’m glad that you enjoyed the food.”
Chang Hong smiled radiantly when she heard Xie Jun’s praise.
“Of course, I enjoyed them. Can we have douchi tomorrow as well?”
“Sure. I can try cooking it in some other ways.”
“Sister Hong is the best!”
Chang Hong’s heart melted when she saw Xie Jun.
She and Chai Le had been married for quite some years, yet they could not conceive. They visited many physicians but to no avail. Chang Hong felt it was a shame they could not have their own offspring..
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