Chapter 127 Chestnut Chicken Has a Bit of a Cleanliness Obsession
That morning, Ning Jia felt unwell as soon as she woke up.
A long-lost warm energy quickly spread throughout my body, giving me energy, clearing my mind, and making me feel better overall.
She immediately realized:
The illness has been gradually cured; it seems I am now completely healed.
Ning Jia habitually picked up her phone, wanting to share the good news with the little ones in her family, but before she could even open it, she looked at the notification on the lock screen with a puzzled expression:
Why did Zhou Chi suddenly send a message so early in the morning?
Could it be... that something happened to the dwarfs?!
Startled, she sat bolt upright, quickly unlocked her phone, and opened her WeChat chat page to see:
[Zhou Chi: [Serious Ugly Cat Head.jpg]]
[Zhou Chi: Why didn't you tell me you were sick?]
Ning Jia breathed a sigh of relief: Oh, so that's what it was all about...
However, the sending time was three hours ago? That means... it's only a little past four o'clock?!
Goodness, is this culinary training course Zhou Chi signed up for really that tough? They have to get up before dawn to learn to cook? That's grueling training...
It seems this guy's cooking skills are definitely going to improve this time!
Ning Jia sighed for a moment, then lay back down in the soft blankets, propped herself up with a cushion, and comfortably picked up her phone to start typing:
Sorry...
She typed the sentence and then suddenly paused. "Excuse me?" Hmm, why did she say "excuse me"? That's so strange. Delete it, delete it.
She deleted the first sentence and started typing again:
Hey, don't be angry, the thing is actually like this...
I was planning to tell you about this a couple of days ago and ask you to help deliver some groceries, but my whole family said it wasn't necessary and that they would contact you themselves if they needed anything, so I didn't tell you.
After sending the message, Zhou Chi remained silent for a full minute, constantly typing, before finally replying:
That's not what I meant.
What does that mean?
Ning Jia looked at the sentence with a puzzled expression and typed a question mark.
Zhou Chi remained silent for a full minute, then kept typing, finally sending a message:
I text you every day; you could have just told me you were sick.
Although there wasn't a single exclamation mark, question mark, or emoji in the sentence, Ning Jia inexplicably sensed through the screen that Zhou Chi seemed a little unhappy.
Tsk, they're still young, getting angry over such a small thing?
Ning Jia smiled helplessly, first sending an emoji to ease the tension, then continued typing:
[[A large hand quickly rubs an ugly cat's head.jpg]]
[There's no point in telling you anyway. Will telling you cure my illness immediately? [Ugly dog head staring stupidly.jpg]]
Zhou Chi's silence lasted even longer this time. He didn't just keep typing "typing," and after a long while—long enough for Ning Jia to have switched to the game "Happy Match" and completed several game tasks—he finally replied:
Sorry, this place is the middle of nowhere. The internet signal dropped a bit, and I just got back online.
Are you feeling better now?
Ning Jia was already getting restless in bed and was wondering whether she should go downstairs for some exercise when Zhou Chi asked. She immediately replied:
[She's almost fully recovered. Your sister is as strong as an ox now, she can flip a wok without even panting [grinning face]]
Zhou Chi replied instantly this time:
That's good, but you still need to rest. Don't rush back; I'll take care of things at home, so don't worry. P.S.: I don't have an older sister.
Ning Jia considered the temperament of the dwarf race and quickly replied:
"Okay, thank you for your help. However, it's best not to act on your own. Talk to your family first, and go only after they give their approval."
After replying, she finally saw the last "ps" message and was both amused and exasperated.
Do college students these days spend too much time online? Why do they like to nitpick over words?
Being too serious can easily make you unhappy.
Thinking this, she sent another emoji: "[Ugly Cat CEO Orders You to Be Happy.jpg]".
Zhou Chi paused for a moment again, then replied with an emoji:
[[Ugly dog says it received.jpg]]
Ning Jia smiled and patted the dog's head through the phone screen:
That's right, that's how you behave!
...
Ning Jia prepared lunch all by herself that day.
Ning Fang and Wang Lin were initially worried about her cooking alone, but Ning Jia said:
"I've been eating your cooking since I was a child, which makes it seem like I'm terrible at cooking. It's time to show off my skills."
Hearing this, Ning Fang and the other woman burst out laughing, and then let Ning Jia go to the kitchen to fuss over.
Considering that two of the three were recovering from serious illnesses, Ning Jia refrained from making anything fried or spicy, and instead prepared a rather light meal.
Steamed fish, braised chicken with chestnuts, stewed beef brisket with radish, stir-fried shredded pork with celery, and lotus root and pork rib soup are arranged together, making a perfect four dishes and one soup.
Ning Jia placed three bowls of rice on the table and invited Ning Fang and Wang Lin to start eating.
"Come on, everyone, try my cooking and see how it tastes!"
Ning Fang and Wang Lin exchanged a glance, one picked up a piece of beef brisket and the other a piece of chicken, and both lowered their heads to eat carefully.
Although Ning Jia was somewhat confident in her cooking skills, she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about the two people in front of her, one who could cook and the other who could eat.
Fortunately, Ning Fang quickly gave feedback: "It tastes good."
Over there, Wang Lin slowly finished her chicken without saying a word. She then quietly picked up a piece of beef brisket, ate it without making a sound, and only after she had tasted all the dishes on the table did she put down her chopsticks and give Ning Jia a thumbs up.
"This skill level might be a little lacking for a head chef in a restaurant, but it's definitely enough to open your own restaurant."
Upon hearing the word "restaurant," Ning Fang paused, her hand holding the soup spoon pausing. She looked up at her daughter, who was beaming with joy after receiving Wang Lin's affirmation.
Ning Jia seemed somewhat surprised and asked Wang Lin for confirmation:
"Aunt Lin, with my current skill level, am I really capable of opening my own restaurant?"
Wang Lin nodded:
"Well, although she's still a little bit inferior to Sister Fang back then, it's enough."
"Then I'm relieved!"
As Ning Jia spoke, she noticed Ning Fang looking at her nervously, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to open a restaurant. Even if you wanted to follow in my footsteps, it's impossible."
Caught off guard by having her thoughts exposed, Ning Fang blurted out instinctively:
"Why? Don't you really enjoy cooking?"
Ning Jia helplessly shrugged:
"Although I enjoy cooking, I don't know why, but I seem to be a bit of a germaphobe in some aspects. Opening a restaurant might be a dilemma for me, so I've already decided that I will only cook for people I like or respect in the future."
What kind of strange obsessive-compulsive disorder is this?
Ning Fang and her companion looked at each other, as if they were hearing about this for the first time.
But upon closer reflection, Ning Jia's "germaphobia" might actually be a good thing.
Ning Fang thought that if she didn't want to cook for strangers, then she definitely wouldn't work in the catering industry, which suited her perfectly. After all, only those who have worked in the catering industry know how tough it is, and she didn't want her daughter to have such a hard life.
So she nodded, "It's nothing, as long as you're happy."
Wang Lin thought that Jiajia's "quirk" was quite interesting.
A woman who can cook is likely to use this skill to do some unpaid work, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. Since Jiajia is only willing to cook for people she likes, she has the initiative in cooking and will not be easily taken advantage of.
Therefore, she nodded and said, "I think it's fine. Unrelated people don't deserve to eat Jiajia's cooking anyway."
Although she was used to being pampered by the two without any limits, Ning Jia was still a little surprised to hear them say that. However, she didn't say anything, just smiled slightly, picked up the serving chopsticks, and put some food on their plates.
"It's rare for the two ladies to eat my cooking, so please enjoy it today!"
Ning Fang and Wang Lin also laughed, and they both said in unison:
"Jiajia, you should eat more too. Look how thin you've become."
I've lost weight? Really?
Ning Jia touched her face with some suspicion.
No, could these two be any more blatant in their lies? She just weighed herself this morning and she's clearly gained two pounds at home!
She turned to look at Ning Fang's thin face:
“I think my mom should eat more and gain weight. Once she gains ten or so pounds, we can pack up and go out to play.”
She knew that Ning Fang had two great hobbies: cooking and traveling. Since she couldn't open a restaurant anymore, traveling was all that was left.
Ning Jia had already planned this out.
She planned to let Ning Fang rest at home for a while to get herself stronger, and then she would take on some part-time jobs to save up some money.
Then, the mother and daughter boarded a high-speed train bound for all corners of the country. They could get off at whichever station they wanted and embark on a spontaneous trip, wandering slowly through unfamiliar cities for a leisurely and in-depth tour.
Ning Jia's words surprised both Ning Fang and Wang Lin. They exchanged glances, and then Wang Lin suddenly said:
"Jiajia, I forgot to tell you before, I recently completed the early retirement procedures and I won't have to go to work starting next month."
"Over the years, Fangjie and I have traveled to many places together, and we will continue to do so in the future. We have already planned our travel route for next year. Jiajia, you don't need to worry about these things. Just focus on your own life."
What? Ning Jia was momentarily stunned:
She suddenly remembered that when she was a child, Aunt Lin and Ning Fang had made a promise to travel all over the beautiful land of their motherland together before they died.
The trip was cancelled because Ning Fang suddenly fell ill.
Then, Ning Fang said with a smile that she had agreed to work as a catering consultant at a newly opened restaurant for a former regular customer, returning to the catering industry as a side job.
Seeing her mother regain some of her former competence, Ning Jia felt a strange mix of emotions. Besides relief, a sense of inexplicable melancholy welled up inside her.
But she said nothing, only looked at the two equally gentle female faces, and nodded with a smile.
"Fine, then I won't participate..."
"How about... I participate in spirit and generously sponsor your transportation expenses or something?"
...
On the day Ning Jia returned to H City, a light drizzle began to fall.
They say that every autumn rain brings a chill. She wrapped her coat tighter, slung her bag over her shoulder, and opened the long-unused door to her home. Just as she was wondering if she would have to turn on the air conditioner soon, she was startled by the little person who suddenly jumped onto her shoulder.
Ning Jia! You're back!
He Meng said with delight.
"Yes, I'm back."
Ning Jia looked at the familiar and cozy courtyard and the people around her, and said with a smile.
As soon as she changed her shoes and entered the living room, she was immediately surrounded by a small group of tiny people who rushed over like a whirlwind, making it difficult for her to move.
Everyone's little faces lit up with surprise and delight as they eagerly shared their stories with her.
Although, this morning she clearly told the little people in her family that she would be home around this time.
But everyone was still incredibly excited to be reunited after so long!
After exchanging pleasantries, Ning Jia immediately changed her clothes and prepared to return to her comfort zone—the kitchen—to cook a big meal for everyone.
After eating so many healthy meals for so many days, everyone's stomach must be feeling pretty bland, and they definitely need a good meal to heal themselves.
Unexpectedly, Daoya stopped Ning Jia and said loudly:
"Ning Jia, please don't go to the kitchen. Sit down and rest. We'll cook you something delicious for lunch today!"
"oh?"
Ning Jia glanced at the kitchen, where something seemed to be going on, but the little people were too small to see anything clearly.
"Aren't we running out of food at home? Why are you making me a big meal?"
Ning Jia muttered something in confusion, then suddenly asked, "Has Zhou Chi been here?"
Rice Sprout: ! !
Unexpectedly, Ning Jia guessed it so quickly, so she could only nod:
"Yes, but we didn't ask for help; we contacted him to prepare today's big meal."
Ning Jia couldn't help but chuckle, "I know, I know, you guys are amazing. You don't need Zhou Chi's help at all, and you can live just fine."
Daoya chuckled, "Of course!"
But Ning Jia didn't actually sit down to rest.
Using the excuse that she needed to store the ingredients she brought back as soon as possible, she quickly slipped into the kitchen while Daoya wasn't looking, and then she saw a group of tiny apron-clad figures busily working away.
"Ah, it's Ning Jia!" "Ning Jia, what brings you here?"
Upon seeing Ning Jia enter, everyone blushed instantly, and their movements became even more chaotic.
Oh no, what am I going to do? Being stared at like that by Ning Jia, I suddenly feel so nervous and embarrassed!
As the "head chef," Dongkui was alright, because he was so busy that he wished he had more eyes to watch over him. He was constantly teaching this person and reminding that person, running around the kitchen counter without even a chance to stop, so he didn't have time to be shy.
Ning Jia, being sensible, didn't step forward to help. She merely glanced at the scene from the side and exclaimed in surprise:
Are you... making dumplings?
"Um."
With flour smeared on her face, Bai Su dealt with the unruly little dough ball in her hands as she said:
"The filling and dumpling wrappers are all made by ourselves."
Ning Jia was shocked: "Wow, that's really amazing."
Seeing this, the other villains also boasted and showed Ning Jia their work, as if trying to take credit:
"Ningjia, Ningjia, I'm making dumpling wrappers!"
"Ning Jia, look, this is the dumpling filling I made. It smells so good!"
"Ning Jia, look how cute the dumplings I made are..."
"Ning Jia, these are my dumplings! Are they delicious?"
Seeing this adorable scene, Ning Jia's heart melted like a cotton candy, and she couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Keep it up! Everyone's awesome!"
Dumplings for welcoming guests and noodles for farewell—it turns out the little people wanted to welcome them back in the same way as before.
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