Fortunately, Yan Qiushu cooked too much and reacted quickly.
Although it is not ripe yet, its shape has already been determined.
She quickly took the chopsticks and spatula and flipped the egg roll over.
"Hiss..." The familiar sound appeared again. This time Yan Qiushu did not wait long. After about thirty seconds, she picked it up, put it on a round plate, pinched the outside of the egg roll with two chopsticks, and rolled it with a little force. The egg roll, which was still warm and soft, was shaped.
"Success!" Yan Qiushu wiped her sweat and said, "It didn't fail. Come and try it."
She handed over the egg roll.
Dongdong accepts everyone who comes. Although he was a little skeptical at first, the egg rolls that were successfully shaped still look good. They are round circles of light yellow rolls, decorated with black sesame seeds, and they exude the aroma of milk and heat.
You know, the one that had the same milky sweetness as it did before was this cake, but it’s the best!
Dongdong held the egg roll in both hands and took a big bite. There was a "crunch, crunch" sound as the crispy egg roll was bitten off.
"Ugh!" Dongdong felt the food fall, and anxiously stretched out his little hand to hold it, catching some random fragments.
And this bite also allowed him to taste the flavor.
The texture is completely different from cake, a bit hard, but not too hard, because it is too crispy. The hardness will break between the lips and teeth with a little force, leaving the mouth full of sweetness and milky flavor.
After finishing this bite, Dongdong quickly stuffed the rest into his mouth. The sound of "crunching" was endless. At the end of the meal, he also put the leftovers in his little hand into his mouth.
According to the teachings of the Xiao family, food should not be wasted. Dongdong also loves to eat. When he comes across something delicious, he would not want to miss out on any of it.
After he finished eating, he only felt sweet, and said in a childish voice: "It's delicious! Sister Shu, this is delicious. Is this for my classmate?"
Yan Qiushu kept her hands busy and smiled when she heard it: "Yes."
Dongdong's smile suddenly became even sweeter.
Until Shen Pingyu in the restaurant said: "Dongdong!"
Dongdong shrank his neck and went back reluctantly. He actually wanted to stay here and eat a few more bites.
Yan Qiushu smiled and said, "You've almost finished eating, right? Now it's time to start chatting and share your true thoughts."
Dongdong paused, looking hesitant.
Yan Qiushu looked at him encouragingly: "Tell him a little, what if he listens to you?"
Dongdong thought about it, came over and pulled Yan Qiushu: "Sister Shu, come with me!"
Yan Qiushu's heart softened when she saw his eager look, and she smiled and said, "Okay, wait a moment."
She had just finished the egg roll in her hand.
I picked up the iron sheet, the surface was a little rough, but when I turned it over, it immediately became smooth again, just like a beauty treatment. I picked it up again, pinched a section with chopsticks in both hands, and rolled up the egg roll with force with both hands.
Yan Qiushu quickly cut the egg roll into two pieces with a knife while it was still hot and took it into the restaurant.
At this time, Wan'er had almost finished eating and was drinking sour plum soup. The young man Chen Pingyu was still eating, but his speed was slow. Aunt Xu was resting, and only Shui Yu was grilling.
Yan Qiushu took over the work in her hands, handed them two egg rolls, and said with a smile: "What else do you want to eat?"
"That's enough." Shen Pingyu shook his head and took the egg roll: "Thank you, Sister Shu."
Wan'er naturally followed suit and behaved in a dignified manner.
Only Dongdong felt a little embarrassed because he had to tell his brother what he was thinking. He fidgeted like a nail on a stool, which made Chen Pingyu frown. He took a bite of the egg roll and didn't realize that it would fall apart.
"Crack, crack..." He heard the sound of the egg roll breaking, and he hurriedly reached out to catch it, but at this time some small fragments also fell on the table.
Just as he was feeling frustrated, Dongdong's voice timidly rang out, "Brother Pingyu, I want to be a general in the future, not a scholar."
Shen Pingyu frowned and wanted to scold, but the egg roll in his mouth was a little dry, which successfully choked him. He was unable to refute immediately and chewed quickly.
Dongdong thought it was a tacit agreement for him to continue, so he secretly relaxed a bit and began to say, "Don't worry, my uncle said that if I still want to learn martial arts when I'm seven, he'll be willing to teach me..."
Shen Pingyu took a sip of water and finally swallowed what was in his mouth. He interrupted him and said in a deep voice: "The second emperor's grandson wants to find a study partner. Do you want to be one?"
Mentioning this, Dongdong subconsciously shook his head: "No."
Shen Pingyu said: "I have arranged everything for you. As long as you pass my second grandfather's exam, he will accept you as his last disciple. Even if you become a companion, they will have to let you go if my second grandfather wants you."
"...But my uncle won't let me be his study partner!" Dongdong said unconvinced.
Shen Pingyu told him rationally and calmly: "Impossible, the Xiao family holds military power, and the Third Prince is now determined to pull the Xiao family onto his own ship. If my uncle keeps refusing, he will directly ask His Majesty."
Dongdong's face was filled with grief and anger when he heard this: "How can this be?!"
Shen Pingyu looked at him steadily without saying much.
He believed Dongdong could understand.
Although Dongdong was only five years old, he knew a lot about these things because of what he saw and heard, and because of his natural intelligence, especially the situation of the Xiao family. With the emperor getting older, the princes getting older, and the crown prince being deposed, it was inevitable to seize power.
The Great Zhou Dynasty valued civil officials over military officials, and there were not many military generals who could handle the situation. The Xiao family was one of the best. If they could not be won over, they would be useless.
The third prince naturally couldn't bear to discard such a capable general, so he decided to use force.
As long as the emperor issues an order, everything will be set.
But if Dongdong becomes the apprentice of the second master of the Shen family, then it will be a different situation. The Shen family is full of famous people, and the second master of the Shen family is the most famous one among the people alive. Although he is not an official, he is comparable to a prime minister. If he follows him, even if the emperor issues an order, there is nothing he can do.
Shen Pingyu's analysis was so clear and logical that Dongdong lowered his head.
Yan Qiushu was stunned watching from the side. Is this what a kid from ancient times would look like?!
Too precocious!
But on second thought, Yan Qiushu felt that it was not difficult to understand. In ancient times, there were many children who became fathers at the age of twelve or thirteen, and Shen Pingyu was already nine years old!
Wan'er, who was standing next to him, smiled with pride and admiration. She held her face in her hands, staring at her brother infatuatedly, and whispered, "Sister Shu, isn't my brother amazing?! My mom said he looks a lot like dad! My dad is amazing too~"
Yan Qiushu narrowed her eyes and nodded vigorously. It was really amazing!
The little girl covered her mouth with her hands in satisfaction and continued to watch.
This voice interrupted the confrontation between the two. Dongdong came to his senses and looked at Yan Qiushu pitifully.
He didn't want to be a companion, as this would damage the Xiao family's standing, but he also didn't want to really become a disciple of a famous scholar.
Yan Qiushu coughed lightly, attracting the children's attention. She smiled slightly and said softly, "Pingyu, I know you are thoughtful and this is for Dongdong's own good, but there is one thing I want to tell you. Dongdong should not be able to be the second grandson's study companion."
The young boy looked at her in confusion: "Why?"
Yan Qiushu blinked: "Please forgive me for only being able to tell you this much for now. You'll know in a few days, so don't worry, okay?"
Chen Pingyu pursed his lips, and Dongdong looked at him expectantly.
After a long moment, he slowly nodded: "Okay."
Dongdong exhaled.
Shen Pingyu sighed: "My second master can make an exception and accept a disciple because of the loyalty and sacrifice of many people in the Xiao family. Dongdong, I still don't want you to follow the path of a military commander."
Dongdong said firmly: "I'm not afraid!"
Shen Pingyu gave him a complicated look, then stood up and left.
Probably because he was shocked by his brother's determination, he even forgot to say goodbye politely.
Wan'er quickly stood up and followed. The young boy heard the noise, waited for her for a while, and then took his sister's hand.
Yan Qiushu watched from behind, wondering if this child also had a lot of things in his heart? Nine-year-old children, in modern times, are still the treasures of their parents. She suddenly said, "Pingyu, you still haven't told me, are today's barbecue and egg rolls delicious?"
When Shen Pingyu turned around, he met Yan Qiushu's bright and toothy smile. His little face flushed and he nodded implicitly: "Excellent, thank you Aunt Yan for your hospitality."
Wan'er also looked over, blinked, and said crisply, "Hmm! Excellent!"
He slightly raised his chin and imitated his brother's movements, but his movements were as lively and naive as a cat imitating a tiger.
Yan Qiushu covered her lips and smiled, saying goodbye to them.
Dongdong looked at Yan Qiushu in a panic: "Sister Shu, Brother Pingyu won't be angry, right?"
"No!" Yan Qiushu shook her head affirmatively: "He even secretly rubbed his belly when he left~"
Dongdong's expression changed, seeming relieved, yet also a little nervous. Finally, he pouted, a little person with a hint of worry that he hadn't had before. After a long moment, he looked at the remaining food and asked, "Why hasn't Ah Heng come yet?"
Just as he finished speaking, a clear voice came from the gate of the courtyard: "Dongdong! Sister Ashu, I'm here!"
This time, the person who brought him here was no longer Xiao Huaiting, but a strange man. After sending him here, he bowed and left silently.
Dongdong heard the voice and ran out happily: "Ah Heng!"
Yan Qiushu looked at the happy children, shook her head and smiled, asked Aunt Xu to put the charcoal stove back on to start the second round of barbecue, and went to the kitchen to continue making egg rolls.
She hasn't eaten yet!
Shui Xikong took action and quickly followed to help.
Soon, the fragrant egg rolls were made one by one, exuding a strong milky aroma. Because of the addition of white sugar, the fragrance was sweet. As Yan Qiushu made more, the fragrance in the air became stronger. There was a gravel road between the kitchen and the restaurant, but this did not stop the fragrance from wafting over.
Originally, Zhou Zhaoheng was contentedly eating the barbecued meat with a strong aroma, but after smelling this smell, he felt that the barbecued meat was a bit greasy.
Thanks to Dongdong, he can now eat delicious meat every day at noon, and his craving for meat has been reduced a lot. But when he smells this smell now, he rarely eats it.
Cakes are difficult to make, and Yan Qiushu makes less, so he naturally eats less, especially those with so much sugar. His brain seems to have started to get excited and looking forward to it.
So when the meat was brought to his plate, Zhou Zhaoheng stared at it for a few seconds and ate it without tasting it.
Dongdong was full, so he was talking to Zhou Zhaoheng. As they were talking, the other party fell silent, but he didn't notice because his mind was full of the sweet egg rolls.
Dongdong sniffed and drooled, "It smells so good! Do you want to eat it?"
Zhou Zhaoheng blushed and nodded: "...I do."
Dongdong said decisively: "I'll go and act like a spoiled child and get two!"
Zhou Zhaoheng nodded rapidly and looked at him expectantly.
But before Dongdong could take any action, Shui Yan came over with a plate full of egg rolls, piled up in rows to form a small pale yellow hill.
Dongdong's eyes were wide open.
Zhou Zhaoheng also stared intently.
Shui Yu put down the plates, picked up one from the top and handed it to Dong Dong: "This is what the girl told you, but Dong Dong can only eat one, and Ah Heng can eat the rest. If you can't finish it, you can pack it up and take it home to eat slowly."
"Wow! Sister Shu is biased!" Dongdong complained.
Zhou Zhaoheng smiled shyly: "Thank you, Sister Ashu, thank you, Sister Shuiyu." He looked at Dongdong, pushed the plate towards him, and said softly: "You eat it, I definitely can't finish it."
"No, this is for you. It's okay, I can eat it tomorrow!" Dongdong pushed it back again, then bit the egg roll in his hand fiercely.
The crispy texture with a sweet and milky taste melted in his mouth. The black sesame seeds were like a little surprise, bursting in his mouth when he accidentally bit them. After chewing, the egg roll turned into a sweet taste, which made him feel a little better, and the disappointment of not being able to eat enough disappeared.
Zhou Zhaoheng also picked up one and ate it. After only two bites, he once again expressed his envy for his good friend: "Dongdong, you are so lucky!"
Dongdong scratched his face, chuckled, and nodded: "Yeah!"
Zhou Zhaoheng finished his envy and chuckled. He leaned close to his friend's ear and said with a blushing face, "I'm so happy now too!"
The last time he wanted to go out, his father locked himself in the house for a long time before agreeing, but it took a long time before someone came to pick him up.
He was handed over to someone else, who carefully avoided being tracked down, causing him to be terrified all the way, and the same was true when he returned.
This time, he asked to go out again, and his father agreed without hesitation. There was no need for him to hide in the palace for a long time like last time.
Before it got dark, someone came to pick him up. When he walked out, he felt more confident than before, no longer acting like a thief.
Zhou Zhaoheng was very satisfied with this. Being able to occasionally come out of that little world and eat the food sent by Dongdong was already the most wonderful thing!
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