Chapter 100 The Strange Old Man
The voice came from behind them. Everyone froze and turned around to see an elderly man with a slightly plump figure, white hair, and a youthful face.
He had a head of messy white hair with a few duck feathers stuck in it, a short white beard, and wore tattered black clothes. He carried a basket on his back, a duck in his left hand, and the wooden bucket that had disappeared before Fan's eyes in his right hand.
"!" When did this person appear?! Fan Xiaoxiao was startled, her eyes filled with vigilance.
"Hey! Little kid! Don't look at me like that! I just happened to be passing by and smelled your food, so I came in to ask for some."
The old man frowned as if he was somewhat displeased, and then nimbly landed on the ground.
Uncle Wang instinctively shielded Fan Xiaoxiao and the others, taking a step back: "There's nothing left! If you need food, senior, then what we have left is already in your hands."
"Tsk, buddy, I'm just an old man, why are you all so terrified! I just want something good to eat! I want that little girl to make it for me!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the old man's stomach rumbled loudly, perfectly timed with the occasion.
However, no one dared to move. Seeing this, the old man pursed his lips and began to howl while clutching his stomach.
"Oh no!! This old man is starving to death! You young people are so heartless! Are you just going to watch this old man starve to death?!"
Although the old man's voice was filled with a sense of misery, he was unwilling to let go of the duck and the bucket in his hands while making this gesture, making him look particularly comical.
Fan Xiaoxiao's lips twitched. It seemed this old man was really sticking with them. She thought for a moment, then patted Uncle Wang, signaling him to let her come forward.
"Sir, you said you wanted me to cook for you, but I'm still injured... I'm afraid I can't..."
As she said this, Fan Xiaoxiao was also a little apprehensive. She was actually just trying to appease the old man; her injuries had improved considerably after using the medicine given by Madam Ye, though she was still slightly in pain.
"Injured?" The old man smacked his lips and leaned closer to Fan Xiaoxiao to sniff her.
Uncle Wang was startled and was about to make a move when he saw the old man's finger quickly tap on his body. Immediately, he felt his body go numb and he couldn't move!
"Uncle Wang!" "Old man!"
Everyone was startled by the old man, and Fan immediately pulled out a wood-chopping knife from her basket and pointed it at him.
"What...what are you going to do!"
When Aunt Wang saw that the old man had actually pinned her husband down, she immediately flew into a rage, grabbed a wooden stick, and pointed it at the old man.
"Let go of my old man!"
"Waaaaaah!!!" Xiao Bao was so frightened by this sudden turn of events that he burst into tears, and the scene instantly became extremely chaotic.
"Ugh, what are you all yelling about? It's so annoying! I just acupunctured him! I haven't even poisoned him yet! If you keep yelling, I'll kill this little girl first, then the older one!"
The old man's voice was ruthless in the last two sentences, and everyone was stunned by his aura. Fan gritted her teeth and stepped forward, but the old man shot her a sharp look and pointed a thin silver needle at Fan Xiaoxiao's neck at the same time!
Fan Shi paused, too afraid to move. Fan Xiaoxiao trembled; this person wasn't joking!
"And you little brat, your injuries are almost healed, yet you still try to fool this old man? Ha, you're quite cunning."
How did he know?! Who exactly is this old man?! Fan Xiaoxiao was filled with doubt and surprise. Just as she was about to open her mouth to explain, her vision blurred.
"Quack quack quack!" The big fat duck was handed to Fan Xiaoxiao with its throat being pinched, and it was kicking and flapping its wings desperately.
"Alright, put your things down. Little girl, I'm hungry, cook for me! I'll get you some more medicine after I've eaten."
“My uncle…” Fan Xiaoxiao glanced at Uncle Wang, her expression hesitant.
"Heh, let this guy stand there for a bit! Let me tell you, his internal organs are damaged, but I've pressed his pressure points, so he's not in as much pain yet! Time to cook! This old man's starving!!"
"!!!! My old man!???" Upon hearing that her husband's internal organs were injured, Aunt Wang was so frightened that she almost lost her mind.
The old man frowned impatiently: "What the hell are you yelling about! Eat first! He's not dead yet!"
Grandma Wang opened and closed her mouth, but in the end she closed it, and could only stare at the old man with her eyes.
Fan Xiaoxiao reached out and took the big, fat duck: "Grandpa, I'll cook for you. Show it to my uncle."
She didn't ask anything else, but just stared intently at the old man. Uncle Wang was probably injured on the boat earlier, and this man must know medicine from his words. As long as he agreed, it was just a meal, so what was the harm in doing it?
If the other party doesn't agree...
"Hey? What are you dawdling for! Alright, hurry up and cook! I'll keep an eye on that little brother for you!"
"I agree!" Fan Xiaoxiao was overjoyed and, without any hesitation, started boiling water to prepare to kill the duck.
"Sister, go find a cleaner jar to catch this duck blood."
"Yes!" Fan responded, and in no time she quickly prepared a clean jar and a small handful of wild ginger that she had found in the backyard.
"Girl, let me help you." Aunt Wang walked to Fan Xiaoxiao's side with a furrowed brow and grabbed the fat duck that was practically dripping with oil.
With a swift stroke, a cut appeared on the duck's neck. After collecting the duck blood in a jar, it was then boiled in water to remove the feathers.
By the time everything was cleaned up, it was completely dark.
Fan Xiaoxiao chopped the duck into pieces, put some duck fat and water in a pot, and after simmering over low heat to render the fat, she added chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and wild ginger in that order. After stirring slightly and releasing the aroma, she added the duck meat.
Oil splattered and burst everywhere, and Fan Xiaoxiao managed to stir it in the earthenware pot with her long bamboo chopsticks. When the duck had almost changed color, she poured in some boiling water, covered it, and waited for it to absorb the flavor.
"Hey, hey, hey! Little girl! Why didn't you put the konjac in?" The old man jumped up and asked Fan Xiaoxiao as soon as he saw her putting the lid on.
"Didn't you say this stuff tastes great in duck soup?!"
"Huh?" Fan Xiaoxiao's expression went blank for a moment. Did this old man hear what she said and that's why he came looking for her?
"Kid! I want to eat this konjac tofu!" The old man's rascal temper flared up again, and he angrily pointed at the small half-bucket of konjac, insisting that Fan Xiaoxiao make it for him.
"Uh..." Fan Xiaoxiao looked at the duck that took up almost half of the pot, then looked at the old man, unsure if he could eat all of this.
"Little one! What are you looking at! I want to eat!"
"Alright, alright!" Seeing that the old man was about to lose his temper again, Fan Xiaoxiao quickly took out the konjac, chopped it up, and threw it into the pot, adding some salt and soy sauce for seasoning.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the aroma of stewed duck filled the air. Fan Xiaoxiao lifted the lid to take a look; the duck meat was already tender and soft, and the broth had turned it a reddish-brown color. It smelled spicy and fragrant.
The old man swallowed hard; he had already gathered around the fire, waiting for dinner to be served.
"Can we eat now? Can we eat now?"
Fan Xiaoxiao turned down the fire and made room for her: "That's fine, you can just take some from the pot."
"bowl……"
Aunt Wang found a bowl and handed it to him: "Here, use this."
The old man thanked him, but he was already so engrossed in the aroma that he sat down in front of the campfire and began to feast.
"Mmm! Delicious! Delicious! The duck meat is tender and flavorful with oil, and this konjac! Mmm! It's soaked up all the broth! It's spicy and numbing! This is the first time I've ever had this!"
Seeing that he was eating happily, Fan Xiaoxiao cautiously leaned over and asked, "Senior, do you think it's time to release my uncle's pressure points?"
The old man chewed on his duck meat, glanced at her, and said nothing. Just as Fan Xiaoxiao was wondering if she had asked the wrong question, the old man smiled at her and then flicked his hand toward Uncle Wang.
After a slight "snap" sound, Uncle Wang collapsed to the ground, surprisingly able to move again.
Everyone rushed over to help him. By the light of the campfire, Fan Xiaoxiao could see what the old man had thrown at her.
That was actually a small, cleanly gnawed duck bone!
(End of this chapter)
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