valley
"Ha ha ha ha--"
Zheng Nanle couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Although she called herself "the magical Nanle baby," it was so funny when Lu Guangbai called her that so seriously.
Lu Guangbai looked down at her, her clear laughter ringing in his ears. This laughter was like a sharp sword, piercing through the troubles and burdens of life, making his mood light and bright as well.
His lips curled slightly, and his eyes and brows seemed to be moistened by a stream.
Xie Ronghua trembled and tugged at Lu Guangbai's sleeve in a panic. "This female ghost," he paused, noticing how sunny and righteous her laughter sounded.
He slowly lowered his head.
I saw Zheng Nanle squatting on the ground, laughing heartily.
Fear and apprehension vanished.
He pointed at Zheng Nanle and shouted angrily, "Er Ya, is it fun to hide here and scare people?"
Zheng Nanle shook her dry, yellow hair, stood up, then took Lu Guangbai's arm and stomped her foot.
I squatted for too long, and my muscles went numb.
She lowered her head and focused on stomping her feet, replying, "Who was hiding here to scare you? You two were so engrossed in your conversation that I didn't even notice you coming over."
whee.
She did indeed deliberately bend over and tiptoe over.
But she wouldn't admit it.
"Is it just you? Is anyone else eavesdropping?" Xie Ronghua was still worried, so he left to check the rice stacks.
If someone discovers that you're raising so many chickens and pigs on the mountain, you'll definitely be sent to a farm.
"No," Zheng Nanle replied. Seeing Xie Ronghua leave, she looked away, tilted her head to look up at Lu Guangbai, and said with a grin, "Dr. Lu, do you need any help?"
Lu Guangbai chuckled and repeated, "That amazing Nanle baby, what brilliant insights do you have?"
Zheng Nanle covered her face, unable to hold back her laughter.
It's so funny.
She was the one who initially claimed to be herself, but when people addressed her so formally, she was the one who felt embarrassed.
“Don’t shout like that,” Zheng Nanle protested. “I know a place that’s perfect for raising chickens and pigs, and no one will find out.”
"Deep in the mountains?" Lu Guangbai was overjoyed and immediately agreed.
“No, it’s not deep in the mountains, it’s a valley, you have to go through a narrow crevice.” Zheng Nanle frowned as he said this, “Chickens can manage, but pigs probably can’t get in, though piglets can.”
We discovered this place by following Xie Jianhua. Xie Jianhua has broad shoulders and a fleshy body, so he would get stuck in that gap, but Xie Ronghua is thin and can squeeze through.
The place is a good place, but if it's really used to raise chickens and pigs, there will be all sorts of minor problems.
"Let's go take a look first." Lu Guangbai wouldn't make a decision easily based on what others said.
Only through on-site investigation can a sound judgment be made.
"Is it far? How long does it take to walk there?"
During the day, we have to work, and we have limited time to rest at noon. Going up the mountain at night is dangerous, so we need to plan our time carefully if we go.
"It's not far, about half an hour."
Noon was too late, so Lu Guangbai asked, "How about tonight?"
“Okay.” Zheng Nanle nodded. “After it’s done, I want to eat chicken, chicken wrapped in lotus leaves with sticky rice.”
Zheng Nanle had only ever tasted the porridge made by Lu Guangbai, but his medicinal porridge was fragrant, soft, and perfectly seasoned, making people want to drink three large bowls. He was sure that his other dishes would be just as delicious.
Her face was full of anticipation.
A smile appeared in Lu Guangbai's eyes. He was about to say that glutinous rice wouldn't work, but lotus leaf chicken would, when Xie Ronghua jumped out from the rice stack. Hearing this, she ran over and looked at Lu Guangbai, "No, no, no, braised chicken is even better. I want to eat braised chicken."
Lu Guangbai ignored Xie Ronghua and said to Zheng Nanle, "Come over for chicken at eight o'clock tonight. Xie Ronghua, kill a chicken at seven o'clock and pick a tender young hen."
“No, the hen needs to lay eggs, and it has to be a male.” Xie Ronghua was reluctant. “Fine, a male hen it is.”
I don't even know if I can keep it, but I'll just eat it anyway.
The night sky was a deep blue, dotted with a few stars.
Zheng Nanle jumped out of the back window, crossed the vegetable garden, and left the yard. The Zheng family members were still awake and were enjoying the cool air in the front yard. Zheng Nanle didn't want to disturb them. Although she wasn't afraid, it was still annoying to hear them gossiping behind her back.
Avoiding people, they arrived at the cowshed. The evening breeze carried a sweet fragrance, and Zheng Nanle took a deep breath, his mouth automatically watering.
It smells amazing, so delicious! I can almost imagine the lingering fragrance in my mouth.
She rushed towards the cowshed, but before she had taken two steps, Xie Ronghua waved from the side, "Come here, over here."
Zheng Nanle jogged over and found Lu Guangbai stirring a small pot of vegetables with chopsticks in an open space on the other side of the rice stack, far from it.
In front of him was a small stove, about the size of two palms, with a small iron pot on it. Inside the pot were bright red dried chilies and tender chicken chopped into small pieces.
A gust of wind brings a pungent, spicy aroma that instantly awakens the taste buds, making it impossible to stop drooling.
"It smells so good." Zheng Nanle squatted down next to Lu Guangbai, looking at the glistening chicken pieces in the small pot, feeling a surge of emotion.
A month has passed since she transmigrated, and she can finally eat a normal meal.
Seeing her swallowing hard, Lu Guangbai picked up a bowl and chopsticks from the side, put a few pieces of chicken into the bowl, and handed it to Zheng Nanle.
Zheng Nanle couldn't wait to take a bite.
His eyes squinted in enjoyment.
tasty.
hot.
I can't bear to spit it out.
Spicy, salty, fresh, tender, and juicy, offering a rich and layered taste experience.
It tasted even better than what she ate at the Imperial Family Restaurant in her previous life.
This was probably the first time this body had ever tasted something delicious, and with the added bonus of deliciousness, it was no exaggeration to say that it was so delicious that it moved people to tears.
"Waaaaah—"
There really are people crying.
Zheng Nanle turned his head away, while Er Ya licked her lips and sobbed.
Zheng Nanle found it amusing.
It's not like it's from the TV show "Cooking Master Boy," is it really that exaggerated?
I completely forgot what I had just done, and for a moment I almost burst into tears.
"Sister, it's so delicious." Er Ya kept licking her lips and tongue, a blissful intoxication on her face. "So this is what chicken tastes like."
Zheng Nanle felt a pang of sadness in her heart again.
Although the family was poor in the 1970s, they weren't so poor that they couldn't afford to eat chicken. The Zheng family would still kill chickens during festivals.
Er Ya had never eaten it before; it was only because the Zheng family wouldn't let her eat it, and they wouldn't take her to other people's wedding banquets.
She was a human-shaped beast of burden, rejected by the Zheng family.
She didn't say anything, she just kept eating chicken.
Xie Ronghua walked over and said sourly, "If I eat a few pieces in advance, I won't get any, but Er Ya gets some. Guang Bai, you're so unfair."
Lu Guangbai didn't even look up, replying, "Look at your physique, then look at Er Ya's physique, before you speak."
Xie Ronghua: "..."
Okay, Er Ya's small frame needs some nourishment.
Without taking the small wok off the stove, Lu Guangbai simply removed the firewood from the stove, leaving the glowing embers to keep it warm.
"Eat." Lu Guangbai opened the bamboo steamer next to him and handed the food wrapped in lotus leaves to Zheng Nanle. "Lotus leaf chicken. There's no glutinous rice, so just make do with white rice."
Zheng Nanle took the steamer, held it to her nose and smelled it. The aroma was delightful, and she said happily, "This is the smell."
Parting the lotus leaf reveals a third of a chicken wrapped inside. The chicken skin is tender and yellow, glistening with oil, looking delicate and light, a stark contrast to the rich and vibrant colors of the spicy chicken.
It's Cantonese style.
Zheng Nanle was somewhat disappointed.
She loves spicy food.
Lu Guangbai explained, "Due to time constraints, I made steamed chicken wrapped in lotus leaves."
"Okay." Zheng Nanle replied, picking up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth.
His eyes lit up again.
The chicken is tender and juicy, smooth and flavorful, infused with the subtle fragrance of lotus leaves. Unlike spicy chicken, which directly hits the taste buds and instantly ignites the appetite, it has a different kind of elegant beauty, like a secluded orchid in a valley, with a fresh and mellow taste that lingers on the palate.
Er Ya next to her started sobbing again.
The voice was soft, fragmented, sobbing, and intermittent, as if it was being forcefully suppressed but couldn't be held back.
Zheng Nanle felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
Well, I guess I'll just have to apologize to Lu Guangbai.
While she's still around, make Lu Guangbai cook more often.
She didn't think that even after she left, Er Ya could still get Lu Guangbai to help her.
"It doesn't taste good?" Lu Guangbai asked nervously.
"No, it's delicious." Zheng Nanle took a big bite, the juices of the tender chicken bursting in her mouth. The special seasoning was refreshing and the sweetness lingered in her mouth, leaving her wanting more.
She gave Lu Guangbai a thumbs up.
Lu Guangbai gave a slight smile.
It's a joyful thing to have your cooking skills recognized by others.
Xie Ronghua was eating heartily, devouring meat, when he exclaimed, "Er Ya, you're so lucky."
It should be noted that although Lu Guangbai is a skilled cook, he rarely cooks meat dishes, let alone cooks for his friends.
Even he, who had known Lu Guangbai for three years and had been relentlessly pursuing him for two years, couldn't count the number of times he had eaten meat dishes cooked by Lu Guangbai on two fingers.
This time, it was all thanks to Er Ya.
Is it that difficult?
Zheng Nanle began to ponder how to coerce and entice Lu Guangbai.
After finishing their meal, the three packed their things and started climbing the mountain.
Zheng Nanle led the way, with Lu Guangbai and Xie Ronghua following behind. Xie Ronghua's gaze swept over Er Ya, and he thought to himself, if Lu Guangbai hadn't said that Er Ya suffered from schizophrenia, he would have thought that Er Ya was possessed by a ghost.
Seriously, her walking posture, speech, temperament, and how she treats people are all different. Even her appearance is different from before.
Of course, appearance has little to do with Zheng Nanle. It's just that Zheng Nanle didn't work for a month, his stomach was full, and he drank Chinese medicine to nourish his body. He gained weight under his skin, grew a few centimeters taller, and his skin color changed from dark yellow to a normal yellow with a hint of white. The original appearance of this body slowly emerged.
Her appearance wasn't exactly delicate and pretty, but her cheekbones and forehead were no longer high and prominent, her cheeks were no longer deeply sunken, and her facial lines were round and full, like a lotus just emerging from the water, with the delicate beauty of a young girl just beginning to bloom. She couldn't be called a beauty, but she was at least presentable.
Xie Ronghua thought to himself, "Er Ya is doing quite well now."
After circling around the back of the mountain to the foot of another mountain, Zheng Nanle pushed aside the wild grass five meters away from the cave and the vines climbing on the mountain wall, revealing a stone about the height of a calf and a small archway about half a meter high on the stone.
“Move this stone away,” Zheng Nanle said.
"Me? Me?" Xie Ronghua pointed to himself, not very confident. Did he really have that power?
Lu Guangbai glanced at him, snatched the flashlight from his hand, shone it around, found a thick stick, and then found a small stone about the size of a palm. Using the principle of leverage, he lifted the stone and moved it to the side.
Xie Ronghua: "..."
It makes me feel silly for wanting to move the stone.
Zheng Nanle: "..."
She seemed to have been hit by the gunfire as well.
In any case, the knee-high stone was moved aside, revealing a hole about half a person's height.
Zheng Nanle went in first, followed closely by Lu Guangbai, with Xie Ronghua bringing up the rear with a flashlight. The passage was only wide enough for one person to pass through, and in some places they had to crouch and walk sideways. There were also various poisonous insects lurking around, but fortunately, the insect and wild animal repellent powder that Lu Guangbai had prepared was very effective. Moreover, the passage was less than two hundred meters long, and the three of them crossed it without much effort and arrived at a valley.
The valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with only a gentle slope in the middle, through which a babbling brook flows, shimmering with silver waves under the light of a flashlight.
Beside the stream, rows of green bamboo stand tall, like a retreat for hermits and sages, where the air is filled with the fragrance of bamboo, a scent often associated with scholars and poets.
Zheng Nanle asked, "This place would be good for raising chickens and pigs, wouldn't it?"
She pointed to the bamboo forest and said, "The free-range bamboo forest chickens grow up eating bamboo worms and grass seeds. They're all natural, and the taste is absolutely amazing."
It's only because people don't care about using organic ingredients now that she's in her previous life. A chicken like that would cost thousands of dollars, and there would be a lot of people vying for it.
Xie Ronghua was wandering around the valley when he heard this and laughed, "Er Ya, what are you saying? Which free-range chicken in our countryside hasn't eaten bamboo worms and grass seeds? They all taste the same."
Zheng Nanle pursed his lips.
That's because he hadn't tasted the feed-fed chickens of later generations.
Having only used his mental power to scan the area before, Zheng Nanle knew that the end of the passageway was a valley. Now, with his hands behind his back, he was looking around the valley.
Halfway through her search, she stared at the exposed corner of the sandalwood box, took a deep breath, and called out to Xie Ronghua and Lu Guangbai, "No need to look anymore, this can't be used."
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