Chapter 287 Winemaking Experience

The kitchen was bustling with activity and Ning Xiyue was also busy as usual.

She thought that after she came here, she would be like the apprentices in the TV shows in later generations, who would start out doing odd jobs and then be taught the basics slowly.

After she came here, she realized that it was not what she had imagined at all. As soon as she arrived, they started teaching her how to make sorghum wine.

It just so happened that I had some fermented sorghum wine on hand, so I could teach her while I was making the wine, and pass on relevant knowledge to her during the process.

This old man is teaching her seriously.

The old man told her everything word for word, from the tools needed for brewing to the brewing techniques, and from the fermentation of sorghum wine to the distillation of the wine.

He explained in detail and told her everything he knew without hesitation, and it can be said that he gave her a detailed explanation of the recipe for brewing sorghum wine.

Ning Xiyue took a pen and a notebook and wrote everything down, especially when the old man talked about what was added in a certain place or what was his exclusive secret method, Ning Xiyue listened and recorded with great concentration, highlighting the key points in red.

These points to pay attention to are why the wine brewed by Mr. Zhang tastes better than that of others.

Old Master Zhang watched Ning Xiyue writing with the pen in her hand at such a fast speed that the tip of the pen made a rustling sound when it touched the notebook.

The old man smiled and nodded with satisfaction, then walked to a cabinet at the side and took out an old notebook in the style of an account book.

He walked to Ning Xiyue who was taking notes with a thick notebook, handed the notebook to her and motioned her to open it.

Ning Xiyue stopped writing, took the notebook, and opened the first page that the old man handed to her.

Mr. Zhang watched her flipping through the notebook and then began to tell the story.

"Doctor Xiao Ning, this is the fruit of an old man's life. It contains my own experience in brewing wine, as well as the methods and steps for brewing various wines. The wine recipes are also included. The recipes for various grain wines such as glutinous rice wine and sorghum wine are all included. The parts I improved later are also marked on it."

Ning Xiyue didn't continue flipping through the book after hearing about such an important one. She closed the book and raised it, looking at Mr. Zhang inquiringly: "What is this?"

Mr. Zhang laughed a few times. "Don't be so nervous. I'll lend you this book. You can copy those words down and return them to me when you're done. This is my treasure. I can't bear to give it to you."

"Okay, thank you, Grandpa Zhang."

Ning Xiyue did not refuse. This thing was indeed what she needed right now. Others had already put the thing in front of her and said this. If she refused again, it would seem fake. It would be better for her to accept it frankly and repay her later.

The old man saw her continue to read and said with a smile: "If you can memorize all the contents here, then you have learned half of the winemaking process. If you follow me to go through the entire winemaking process twice, you will be close to becoming a master."

"Then I will go back and memorize it seriously, and try to memorize it as soon as possible. I will finish this notebook in a day or two. Grandpa Zhang, you just wait to drink the wine I brew." Ning Xiyue patted the notebook and said jokingly.

In fact, this was no joke at all. She would go back and memorize all the content in this book tonight. After going through the book once, she would engrave the images in her mind. She would not be able to forget it even if she wanted to. She could use it whenever she wanted. It was more useful than a computer.

If a computer is not working properly, data can be easily lost, but her brain won't be like that. Once something is remembered in her brain, it cannot be deleted and no one can steal it. When she needs it at a critical moment, the picture will appear automatically and she doesn't have to spend time looking for it. It is so easy to use.

"You have a smart brain. I believe you can learn it quickly." Old Master Zhang pointed at Zhang Jianguo who was brewing wine nearby, and then tapped his own head with his finger. "You are much smarter than my Jianguo. I am looking forward to drinking the wine you brew."

"Master, you can't be like this. Why are you praising one and criticizing another? Although my brain is not as smart as Sister Yue's, it's not bad either. Apart from the educated youths in the Youth Academy, the only person in the whole team who can compare with me is Zhang Jianjun who went to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University. He is just lucky and has one more vote than me, otherwise I would have gone to that university."

Zhang Jianguo shook his head confidently. It was not that he was narcissistic. He and Zhang Jianjun were the only ones in the team who went to high school.

Although he only studied in high school for a few months and did not get a diploma, he is still a veritable junior high school student on the team. When Uncle An Guo retires, he can become the accountant of the team. He is very smart.

"Comrade Jianguo is very smart and quick-witted. He will definitely have a great future." Ning Xiyue looked at Zhang Jianguo, who was holding his head proudly like a fighting cock, and praised him.

This kid is a little clever, smart, and grateful. When he talked about Zhang Jianjun who was studying at the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University, a hint of envy flashed in his eyes. Ning Xiyue knew how to repay the family for teaching her how to make wine.

It’s just going to college, she can help.

"Look at my sister Yue, my sister Yue is still the best. I will be a person with great prospects, don't say I am stupid." Zhang Jianguo immediately climbed up the pole: "Master, you should praise me more."

Old Master Zhang glared at him and said, "You little brat, you're getting too cocky. Go get angry."

After talking about his grandson, he turned to look at Ning Xiyue, took her to see the sorghum steaming in the pot, and told her the steps involved and the precautions.

One taught seriously, the other learned seriously, and the two hours of study time passed quickly. Mr. Zhang’s lecture today also ended here.

"Go back and digest what I told you today. It's all in this notebook. When you come to brew wine tomorrow, I'll ask you to recite what I said today."

Old Master Zhang spoke to Ning Xiyue earnestly, and seeing his grandson dawdling beside him, he raised his voice and said mercilessly: "Zhang Jianguo, you have to carry the load too. I'll carry you too."

Zhang Jianguo muttered to himself, "Let her carry it. My sister Yue can carry it, so of course I have to carry it as her younger brother, and I will not fall behind."

Ning Xiyue sneered: "Grandpa Zhang, I'll come again tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay." Grandpa Zhang nodded, then looked at his grandson and shouted, "Jianguo, go see your sister Yue off."

"Okay, here I come."

Zhang Jianguo immediately put down the work in his hands, let his mother take over, and ran to Ning Xiyue to lead the way.

When they reached the gate, Ning Xiyue looked back at Zhang Jianguo and asked, "Are your high school textbooks still there?"

"ah?"

Zhang Jianguo didn't react.

Ning Xiyue asked again, looking serious: "Do you still have those books you used to read in high school?"

"There are only one or two books left. Many of them were used by my mother to provoke trouble." Zhang Jianguo laughed dryly with an embarrassed look on his face. He held his head with one hand and looked a little nervous, but his inner thoughts were rich.

It's over. He has left a bad impression on Sister Yue. Will Sister Yue think that he doesn't like to study, doesn't cherish books, and is not that smart, and won't want him as her little brother anymore?

"Then take some time to go to the town's scrap yard and buy back all the missing books. It won't cost you much to buy back all the books for two years of high school."

Ning Xiyue didn't laugh, nor did she have any other reaction. Her expression was indifferent and she spoke very calmly.

"When people know more, they can speak more rationally. My brother and I never stopped studying for this reason. The person who can be my brother must know a lot, be knowledgeable and cultured, and keep learning. He must follow my steps. Otherwise, if I say something complicated in the future, you won't understand. How can we communicate and have fun together?"

Zhang Jianguo caught the point of the words when he heard this, and asked in surprise: "Sister Yue, are you acknowledging me as your brother? I will go and collect the books tomorrow to catch up with Sister Yue. I will study hard, and you can check on me at any time, Sister Yue."

Ning Xiyue nodded: "Well, that's it. Get the book back and read it. If you don't understand something, ask me or my brother. If you learn high school knowledge, it means that our thoughts are at the same level. Then I will become your sworn brother."

After saying that, he walked out.

Zhang Jianguo showed a delighted expression and shouted, "Sister Yue, I must become your sworn brother. Just wait."

Ning Xiyue smiled brightly when she heard this loud and excited shout.

Whether Zhang Jianguo can seize the opportunity to change his destiny depends on himself. She only said this once.

Walking on the road and seeing the smoke rising from every household, Ning Xiyue seemed to see the garlic-flavored spicy crayfish, tasty drunken duck, fresh and fragrant river clams, spicy snails, and tender drunken shrimps waving at her. She quickened her pace and walked quickly towards the Youth League Home.