Chapter 99 Corn Mountain, Need Help?

Thanks to the hard work of many, big and small, tonight's dinner is exceptionally sumptuous:

At first glance, there were not only novel staple foods, a wide variety of dishes, and enticing aromas, but also kitchen helpers looking exhausted and listless (not really).

The coffee table was overflowing with bowls and plates of all different kinds, piled high with dishes, and long, thin noodles served in each small dish, all of which made the little ones beam with joy, as if it were Chinese New Year.

"What new tricks is Ning Jia up to this time?"

"Let's go take a look first."

With great interest, Canglan pulled Zelan, Baizhi, and Muxi along, and through the densely packed bowls and plates arranged in a square shape, they found an "entrance" about the width of a little person and entered the food area.

"Wow, this smells amazing!"

Bai Zhi was no longer as surprised by the food at the Ning family canteen as she had been at the beginning.

But at this moment, looking at the golden egg pieces coated in sauce in the large bowl and smelling the rich aroma emanating from it, she couldn't help but swallow, her appetite successfully whetted.

I just ate ice cream not long ago, so why do I suddenly feel hungry again?

Canglan and the others were the same.

Looking at the large bowl filled with the fragrant minced meat sauce, scallion oil sauce, tomato sauce, and onion sauce, all lovingly prepared by Chef Ning, everyone suddenly didn't want to watch anymore.

They exchanged knowing glances and hurriedly turned around, heading towards the main course.

At the main course area, Ning Jia, who had just ladled noodles into small dishes, showed no signs of fatigue and explained in detail:

"We're having mixed noodles tonight."

"The noodles are all served. After you take your noodles, go over there to choose your favorite sauce and side dishes, then mix them well with your chopsticks and you can eat."

The chopsticks she was referring to weren't the toothpicks that kids usually use, but rather newly bought small bamboo skewers, which are more durable and sturdy than toothpicks, making them perfect for slurping noodles.

After hearing Ning Jia's words, the little people couldn't wait to take their staple food.

However, when they stood in front of all kinds of sauces and side dishes, dragging small plates of dried noodles and holding small bamboo skewers, they were dazzled and didn't know what to choose first.

Besides the various noodle sauces that look delicious, the side dishes on the plate also look incredibly tasty!

Vegetables such as cucumber, carrot, and cabbage, which are cut into thin strips, will appear brighter in color after being blanched.

Finely chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro are mixed in a white bowl, creating a fresh and bright color that is very appetizing.

There was also cold shredded chicken salad, cumin potato chunks, corn with pine nuts, stir-fried zucchini, fried peanuts, chopped cilantro, chopped scallions...

There are just too many side dishes! The little ones are going to have decision paralysis again!

...

Faced with a wide variety of noodle toppings, the little ones were caught in a sweet dilemma, their faces contorted as they looked at the dishes before them, unsure of where to begin.

Others instinctively looked at Quartz and Rice Sprout, who were usually the most enthusiastic about eating, to see how they would eat.

Unexpectedly, Quartz, Inoya, and the other young people served the food much slower than usual today.

From pouncing like a hungry wolf, it suddenly regressed to crawling like a tortoise...

Quartz slowly raised his spoon, scooped up a little egg sauce, paused for a moment, and then slowly lifted the spoon to put it into his plate.

Throughout the entire process, he didn't show any happiness at all, and even grimaced from time to time.

"Haha, I told you so! I told them not to use so much force all at once, but they wouldn't listen!"

Not far away, He Meng casually held up a large ladle, scooping up a lot of scallion oil sauce, and couldn't help but laugh.

Dongkui quietly tugged at her arm, "He Meng, don't say it."

"Besides, there won't be anyone to help in the kitchen anymore."

...That makes sense!

He Meng immediately shut her mouth and ran to Shi Ying's side in a very friendly manner, asking:

"Quartz, do you need help?"

Shi Ying subconsciously shook his head, wanting to say no, but the faint soreness in his arm made him reluctantly change his mind:

"Okay! Thank you!"

Seeing the listless looks on the little kitchen helpers, He Meng unconsciously puffed out her little chest, radiating friendliness everywhere:

"Does anyone else need help?"

Soon, with the help of He Meng and Dong Kui, the little ones had all their dishes filled with various ingredients, and they carefully stirred them with two small bamboo skewers.

As they stirred the noodles, they whispered among themselves:

"Will this taste good?"

"How long do I have to stir this? My hands are getting sore..."

"Just stir it around a bit, this dish smells so good, it would taste good even if it were mashed into a paste!"

"...That makes sense!"

After the little ones finished mixing, they solemnly began to taste the noodles they had prepared, while Ning Jia quickly replied to WeChat messages on her phone.

The first reply was from Ms. Ning:

I was cooking and didn't check my phone. Don't worry, I've prepared for wind and rain and stocked up on plenty of food. I'm just waiting for the typhoon.

[Ning Fang: Don't stay near the window, it's not safe. Is the kettle filled with hot water? Is there water in the toilet...?]

[Ning Jia: Okay, everything's done. Don't worry, I'll let you know I'm safe on time!]

The next reply came from Liu Yue:

I was cooking and didn't check my phone. Are you home already?

[Liu Yue: We arrived a long time ago. Our company released them early. While other companies were still observing, we were already home. They even gave us typhoon preparedness kits. [Thumbs up]]

[Ning Jia: They're even distributing supplies! This company's pretty good, worth getting along with! Did you put tape on your windows, and the balcony too...?]

I had just finished talking to Liu Yue when Zhou Chi's message came in:

[By the way, aren't you guys really considering coming here to take shelter? I can come pick you up before the typhoon makes landfall, there's still time.]

[Ning Jia: Thank you. I asked them, and they all said they'd stay with me.]

[Ning Jia: Besides, I think it's quite dangerous over there too. Are all the doors and windows sealed up? If the wind blows in, all those valuable ornaments could become weapons...]

[Zhou Chi: Okay, thanks for the reminder. But I've already packed up those ornaments and some small pieces of furniture and sent them to my aunt. She'll take care of them for me.]

[Zhou Chi: Seriously, you guys really aren't considering it...]

Next came a message from Song Ling:

【Mr. Ning, the sachet blind box arrived! [heart] Next time the weather is like this, please don't send it, it's quite dangerous!】

[Ning Jia: I'm glad to receive it. You guys must be working hard out there. Please stay safe!]

[Song Ling: Yes, definitely! Be careful while you're home alone, and contact me anytime if anything happens!]

Ning Jia replied with an "okay" emoji, then turned around and saw the little figures sitting on the coffee table, clumsily using "little chopsticks" to pick up noodles, slurping them down with gusto!

Some of the little figures mumbled incoherently while eating:

"If you order too many times, you won't be able to cook tomorrow!"

The young people, including Shi Ying, Dao Ya, and Bai Su, had their little hands trembling slightly as they held their chopsticks, but they persisted in slurping up large mouthfuls of noodles, eating with great gusto!

Occasionally, one of the little figures would suddenly cry out "Ouch!" and stop to rub its aching arm, while still slurping noodles...

Seeing this heartwarming and lovely scene before her, Ning Jia couldn't help but smile slightly:

Who says she's alone? She clearly has so many family members with her.

...

After dinner, and once the children had washed the dishes, Ning Jia, having rested, stood up from the sofa, looking refreshed.

She went into the kitchen and quickly collected all the small bowls, plates, chopsticks, knives, and other utensils into a cardboard box, which she then piled up in a corner of the kitchen.

As for the ingredients...

Cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, white radishes, cherry radishes, endive, and okra—these are all ready to eat after peeling or blanching in hot water, so set them aside for now.

What troubles her most is...

Ning Jia stood in front of the refrigerator, staring blankly at the last few eggs and a pile of corn.

Eggs are consumed quickly, so she buys dozens at a time. As for corn, she buys so much, of course, because it's cheap...

She has just read the latest official announcement, which advises local residents:

After 9 p.m., try not to turn on the air conditioner or gas, and turn off most electrical appliances. In other words, it's best to turn off the refrigerator before 9 p.m.

Then these eggs and corn definitely can't be kept.

Ning Jia looked at the abundance of eggs and corn, which seemed ill-timed, and suddenly made a decision:

Since that's the case, let's go all the way and cook them all into ready-to-eat snacks!

...

Before long, an irresistible aroma wafted from the kitchen...

The little ones, who were lying idly on the sofa, even though their little bellies were already full, still followed the aroma and curiously looked towards the kitchen.

Bai Su said in bewilderment:

"Didn't Ning Jia say she was going to put everything away in the kitchen? Why is she cooking again!"

"Yeah, yeah, why are you cooking again?"

Daoya inhaled the eggy aroma deeply, "I think I can smell eggs!"

The others also sniffed their little noses hard:

"It really does taste like eggs!"

"What is Ning Jia doing? It must be something delicious!"

The little ones were buzzing with discussion. He Meng, who had finally stopped burping, was about to lie down on the sofa when her friends sent her to the "kitchen front" to gather intelligence.

He Meng reluctantly toddled to the kitchen with her short legs, and as soon as she climbed onto the counter, her eyes widened:

"Wow, are these mini cream pancakes?"

No, that's not it.

Ning Jia stood in front of the electric griddle and, before the round "pancake" in the pan hardened, quickly rolled it up with her hands. Rolling and rolling, she transformed the flat round pancake into a yellow cylindrical roll.

At this moment, He Meng realized that Ning Jia was no longer making small pancakes, but she still took a deep, blissful breath of the unique aroma of eggs:

"It smells so good!"

"Doesn't it smell delicious? This egg roll was one of my favorite snacks when I was a child."

As she spoke, Ning Jia poured more egg mixture onto the empty electric griddle, then picked up a knife and cut the rolled egg roll into many small pieces.

Seeing He Meng staring longingly at the egg roll in her hand, Ning Jia smiled:

"Don't rush, this egg roll tastes better when it's cooled down and hardened."

"……All right."

He Meng crouched by the kitchen counter, her face in her hands, and waited patiently for a while. She was almost asleep when she suddenly heard Ning Jia say:

"He Meng, since you're just waiting here anyway, why don't you do me a favor?"

"Oh, okay."

Completely unprepared, He Meng immediately nodded in agreement, and then watched as a golden mountain of corn suddenly rose from the empty kitchen counter!

"Ning, Ning Jia, these corns won't..."

He Meng stared in shock at the towering pile of corn cobs in front of her, speechless with astonishment.

Ning Jia chuckled and continued pouring the egg mixture as she spoke:

"I'm planning to make popcorn from this corn later. If you're here to help, you can have some first!"

What? Popcorn?

He Meng's eyes lit up, and she suddenly perked up. Then, she turned around decisively and scurried off the counter.

"I'll go find other people to help."

Before long, the little people who had been lured there by He Meng using the same tactic of "you can eat popcorn first if you help" were also stunned when they saw the huge mountain of corn.

There's way too much corn!

Is it too late to run now?

Just as some of the petty people were secretly considering giving up, Ning Jia brought over a small dish of egg rolls, each the size of a pencil stub, with a smile:

"The egg rolls have cooled down, would you like to try some?"

"...Oh, okay."

When the little ones tasted the egg rolls without any suspicion, they were captivated by their crisp, crunchy, fragrant, and sweet flavor, and none of them wanted to leave.

When Ning Jia said that she would use the leftover rice from lunch to make a snack they had never tried before, everyone's eyes lit up and they rushed to the corn mountain!

Let's go for these delicious new snacks!