I got home after buying groceries, and it wasn't even 9:30 yet.
There is plenty of time.
Since Aman had cooking experience, Ningwan decided that the two of them would divide the work and cooperate.
Aman was in charge of washing and preparing the vegetables, while Ningwan was in charge of cooking and preparing the dishes.
For today's lunchbox, Ning Wan plans to make braised chicken with shiitake mushrooms, pan-fried small yellow croaker, and stir-fried snow peas with wood ear mushrooms.
The method for making braised chicken is very similar to that for braised pork.
Heat oil in a wok, add chicken pieces, stir-fry until caramelized, then add seasonings and simmer. When it's almost done, add green peppers, carrots, and other side dishes to the wok.
The preparation of small yellow croaker is relatively more complicated.
Ning Wan spent a lot of time just removing the scales and internal organs.
The morning chill gradually faded, and the temperature climbed higher and higher.
Ning Wan focused all her attention on killing the fish.
Before long, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Because her hands were stained with fishy grime, Ning Wan had to raise her arm to wipe her sweat, a difficult movement.
Suddenly, a large hand landed on her forehead, gently wiping away the sweat.
Ning Wan only slightly raised her head and saw Aman squatting beside her after washing the vegetables.
Seeing Ning Wan looking at her, Aman seemed a little flustered.
He explained in a low voice, "I'm sweating. Let me wipe it off..."
Ning Wan smiled: "Thank you, Aman~"
Aman tried hard to suppress the curve of her lips, but she just couldn't.
He turned his head away somewhat embarrassedly, his gaze falling elsewhere.
But he couldn't help but steal glances at Ning Wan out of the corner of his eye...
...
After cleaning and draining the fish, Ning Wan then started heating the oil in a wok.
"Do you know how to fry fish so that the skin stays intact and crispy?" Ning Wan asked Aman, who was standing next to her.
Aman shook his head honestly.
"The secret is—this!~"
Ning Wan took out a piece of absorbent paper, carefully wiped the water off the fish, and then made a cut with a knife.
"This way, the fish skin can be preserved intact, and the fish can absorb the flavor more quickly."
"Wanwan is so smart!"
When the oil was heated to about 70-80% of its maximum temperature, Ning Wan arranged the small yellow croakers neatly in the pot.
"When the fish is first put into the pan, remember not to flip it over in time. Use medium-low heat to bake it and let the skin set."
"Wanwan is amazing!~"
When the time was almost up, Ning Wan gently shook the iron pot and then slowly flipped the meat over with a spatula.
Soon, the first batch of fish was ready.
The fish remains intact, with a golden and crispy skin.
Ning Wan was quite satisfied with her finished product.
Aman clapped enthusiastically, "Wanwan is amazing!!!"
Ning Wan listened, feeling somewhat bewildered.
It gives off a feeling of excessive blind obedience...
...
Ning Wan divided the fish into 7 pots before frying it, which was enough for 50 portions.
With the time to set up the stall fast approaching, Ning Wan quickly stir-fried the snow peas. She and Aman packed all the vegetables into airtight containers, ready to set up their stall.
To prevent Chen Limin from taking her spot again yesterday, Ning Wan set off particularly early this time.
The narrow paths in urban villages are mostly made of gravel, making the roads bumpy.
The stall was large and wobbly.
In addition, there were many boxed meals today, and they were heavy, so Ning Wan had a great deal of trouble pushing them.
The food cart is useful, but it's definitely a bit strenuous for someone as small as her.
But soon, Ning Wan realized something was wrong.
The once heavy food cart gradually became lighter.
The speed of progress also gradually increased significantly.
Ning Wan peeked out and, sure enough, spotted Aman at the front of the car.
Aman found a thick rope from somewhere, fixed one end to the front of the car, and wrapped the other end around himself several times.
Because he was exerting force, the veins on Ah Man's arms bulged.
The area where the rope was tightly bound looked grotesque and terrifying.
His already strong muscles bulged hard, making him look like he could knock a child away with a single punch.
He frowned, his face grim, and pulled forward with all his might.
The intense sunlight fell on his eyebrows and eyes, casting a faint shadow that clearly defined the contours of his profile.
However, he looked somewhat fierce and cold.
She's a little different from Aman, whom she's met these past few days...
...
Suddenly, those eyes turned and looked at her.
His previously cold gaze suddenly relaxed, and the coldness in his eyes faded.
Aman once again turned back into the silly, foolish Aman.
He looked at Ning Wan with a silly, awkward smile: "...Wanwan."
Ning Wanyi gave Aman a sweet smile: "Thank you, Aman. Aman really helped me a lot."
Aman lowered her head shyly, but she put even more force into her hands.
The cart moved faster and faster, and Ning Wan no longer needed to help it.
Upon arriving outside the construction site, there was indeed no one under the big tree.
Ning Wan quickly told Aman to push the stall to the open space.
The cool shade beneath the giant banyan tree, when a gentle breeze blows, temporarily soothes the late summer heat.
By the time Ning Wan had hung up the sign and set out the boxed lunches, it was just time for the construction site to close for the day.
One by one, the workers slowly walked out.
Before long, a long queue formed in front of the stall.
When Zhou Kai came out of the construction site, he saw Ning Wan's stall from afar.
He jogged over to join the queue with cheerful steps.
When it was finally his turn in line, Zhou Kai scratched his ear shyly: "Xiao Wan, you're here really early today."
"Yeah, I was worried that the good spots would be taken, so I came over as soon as I finished my work early this morning."
Ning Wan answered while her hands continued packing lunchboxes.
"Huh?" Zhou Kai, with his sharp eyes, immediately noticed the sign Ning Wan had fixed next to her stall: "【食来食往】, is that Xiao Wan's shop name?"
"What a nice name. From now on, when people buy boxed lunches, they can look for this name and won't make a mistake."
Zhou Kai and Ning Wan only spend a limited amount of time together each day, just a short while selling boxed lunches at noon.
So he always tried his best to strike up conversations with Ning Wan.
Compared to Zhou Kai's excessive enthusiasm, Ning Wan always remained indifferent: "Thank you. How many boxed lunches do you want?"
"Five servings, please... no, no, ten servings, please!"
Although he can't finish it all by himself, he can pack it up and take it back to Lin Wei.
As long as I can make a good impression on Xiaowan, this little bit of money is worth it.
Ning Wan looked at the few remaining boxed meals in the insulated box at her feet, turned around and shouted to the back of the stall, "Aman, bring out the other white styrofoam box."
Zhou Kai was a little curious about who Ning Wan had talked to.
He craned his neck and peered out, and saw a figure moving behind the stall.
Immediately afterwards, a tall man slowly walked out from behind.
The man was carrying a huge styrofoam box in his arms, which looked very heavy.
But he seemed oblivious to it, walking with effortless grace.
The arms holding the box were strong and powerful, with well-developed biceps—a physique that every man envies.
He's really tall.
Even before he got close, Zhou Kai spontaneously felt an immense sense of oppression.
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