Zhou Yue spent the whole afternoon embroidering handkerchiefs with Fang Xiaoxiao. Several times she tried to steer the conversation toward braised food, but Fang Xiaoxiao changed the subject each time. Meanwhile, the Fang father and son finished processing the meat.

"What smells so good?"

Suddenly, a strange aroma wafted out; it was the fragrance of simmering braising spices.

"They're simmering braised food."

“I’m going to help my aunt prepare dinner. I’ve received such a great favor today, I can’t just do nothing, otherwise my father will definitely scold me for being impolite when he finds out tomorrow.”

Zhou Yue could no longer sit still. She quickly put down the embroidery frame in her hand and ran out of the main room.

The kitchen was located in a corner of the yard, which Zhou Yue had already seen.

Fang Xiaoxiao didn't stop her. Zhou Yue's words made sense, and besides, she was going to help with the cooking anyway.

So she followed Zhou Yue into the kitchen.

The kitchen has two earthen stoves; one is used to simmer braised dishes, and the other is used for cooking.

"It smells so good, Auntie. Let me help you make dinner."

"Fine, you can help me start the fire."

Wu was not polite at all. It was just a matter of lighting a fire. Even if Zhou Yue had ulterior motives, it was no big deal for her to ask Zhou Yue to light a fire.

They're all ordinary people, and none of them are unfamiliar with the ways of doing things.

It's not like the Fang family saved her once and suddenly she became a young lady.

It's good to be busy, so you don't have to stand on the side and keep trying to crane your neck towards the stove for the braised food.

Fang Xiaoxiao also came in, and Madam Wu treated them both equally, directing them to do their work.

Three people are more than enough to prepare a meal.

It was ready in no time, and Wu told them to take the dishes out.

Zhou Yue pointed to the braised food that was still simmering.

"Auntie, shouldn't we keep an eye on this?"

Ms. Wu laughed heartily, "No need to look, we just have to endure it."

Zhou Yue seemed lost in thought as she carried the dishes outside.

Does that mean the longer it's cooked, the more flavorful it becomes?

"Sit down, sit down."

All four members of the Fang family sat down at the table. Fang Xiaoxiao pulled Zhou Yue to sit next to her, while Wu Shi sat on the other side, and Fang Xiang and Fang Da sat together.

"Miss Zhou, please don't be shy, have some food."

Fang Da started eating first, and everyone else followed suit.

"Thank you, Uncle Fang. We are truly grateful to Brother Fang for today. I would like to offer you a cup of tea instead of wine."

Zhou Yue took the initiative to offer a toast, glancing shyly in the direction of the other person as she drank.

The direction is a bit off. It's not that Zhou Yue is unattractive, it's just that this girl's behavior is too obvious.

He couldn't fool himself, especially the mocking looks from his family, which made him feel utterly ashamed.

The Fang family didn't want to expose Zhou Yue; they just wanted to see if Zhou Yue had any other tricks up her sleeve, so they could follow the trail and find out more.

It's often said that high-level business battles are always conducted using simple methods, but this is far too crude.

A honey trap?

The plan was quite brilliant, but the person who carried it out looked down on them too much. They were too blatant in their words and actions, treating them like ordinary villagers who had only gotten rich by sheer luck and had no real ability.

"Heh, no need to thank me. It was only thanks to my dad that things were settled. If you want to thank me, then toast my dad again."

You idiot, you have no sense of romance!

Zhou Yue was filled with resentment, and she could no longer maintain the shyness on her face.

"Brother Fang is right, we should toast Uncle Fang again."

Zhou Yue then served tea to Fang Da in the direction he was speaking, making it seem like a harmonious couple.

"Haha, I'll drink. Miss Zhou, please rest assured tonight. I already had someone pass on a message to your family, and I believe your father will come to pick you up tomorrow."

"Uh-huh!"

Zhou Yue appeared pleased, but inwardly she was becoming anxious.

In the afternoon, I accompanied Fang Xiaoxiao to do needlework, and I also tried to subtly eavesdrop on her to get some information out of her, but Fang Xiaoxiao didn't understand this or that, so the whole afternoon was wasted and we didn't get anything out of her. Time was running out.

Zhou Yue's mind raced; if all else failed, she'd have to watch something tonight.

"Uncle Fang, I heard that your family's braised food is made with medicinal herbs. My family also goes to the mountains to collect herbs. I wonder which herbs your family uses the most? In the future, I can go to the mountains to collect them for your family as a way of repaying your family for saving my life."

Seeing the astonished expressions on the faces of the Fang family members, Zhou Yue blushed and hurriedly waved her hands.

"I'm not asking for your family's recipe, I just want to help."

Mrs. Wu laughed heartily.

“Miss Zhou, we would never misunderstand you. But you don’t need to go looking for medicinal herbs. If you have any eggs, chickens, or ducks at home, you can send them over. We accept them all.”

"Hehe, okay."

Zhou Yue then inquired about the purchase price of chickens and ducks, saying she would help promote them back in the village. While speaking, she also stole glances in the direction of the conversation, determined to create the persona of a devoted woman who fell in love at first sight.

If we can't find a prescription at night, at least we'll have a way to continue working with the Fang family in the future.

The meal was quite pleasant, with both sides working to create a good atmosphere, so the underlying tensions were not important.

After the meal, Zhou Yue and Fang Xiaoxiao washed the dishes together.

While Fang Xiaoxiao wasn't looking, Zhou Yue lifted the lid of the pot of braised food to take a look.

"Hey, the braised food has changed color."

"Yes, it seems to be because of the soy sauce."

Zhou Yue was secretly pleased; she had finally managed to extract some information from her, but—

"It seems so? You don't know?"

"I don't know. I'm a woman, and I'm going to get married in the future."

Where can I find this recipe? It probably includes soy sauce, though; we go through soy sauce very quickly at home.

Zhou Yue thought Fang Xiaoxiao's words made sense. What family would give their family recipe to a girl who was about to get married? However, she also agreed with Fang Xiaoxiao's guess. After all, Fang Xiaoxiao lived at home. How could she not know if there was too little soy sauce?

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