Chapter 37 CASEFILE·4: Night Bandit (4)
After the initial surprise, Nasha was the one who calmed down the fastest. She still looked as indifferent as usual, as if all fame, fortune and interpersonal relationships had nothing to do with her.
"My father usually manages the family business. I've heard that he's been gradually training Kirsina in recent years, allowing her to gradually participate in the family business. But Mammy might know more about this aspect than I do." Naxia lit the oil lamp to illuminate the room and swept away the broken pieces of the teapot. "When I work in the workshop during the day, Mammy is at home with nothing to do. Sometimes she'll go to the old house to help out and earn some money."
The old woman sighed. "I don't know much, but I recently heard from the servants in the master's house that Master Barrow has used Chirsina to establish a relationship with the city lord, Baron Neumann. Not long ago, Miss Chirsina and the city lord, Master Victor, got along very well, and the two families clearly have the intention of forming a marriage.
"But unexpectedly, Master Victor died young simply by attending a party. However, the Neumann family did not sever ties with the two families. The Baroness still invites Miss Chirsna to have afternoon tea every day, and the Baron often asks Master Barrow to work for him. I heard that Master Barrow made a lot of money because of his relationship with the Baron."
Jiangyou and Andre looked at each other and felt that what the nanny said might be related to the case that happened tonight.
Andrei thought of the information that Baron Neumann had been frequently transferring money recently... Barrow Ho Chena sent a convoy to transport goods in the middle of the night. Could it be that they were transporting Baron Neumann's money?
"This place is not far from the scene of the accident, and we don't know whether the suspect intends to target the Chena family. For the sake of your safety, why don't you move to the workshop to stay temporarily tonight." Andre said.
"Let's go to my house!" Aunt Wolf offered. "I have several spare rooms, and Nasha can help prepare for tomorrow night's reading club."
"Okay." Naxia didn't refuse. "I'll go pack my luggage now."
Andrei escorted everyone back to the workshop. The screams and the noise of the knights' searching had nearly all of the nearby neighbors awake, and every house inhabited was brightly lit. Many opened their windows and chatted remotely, asking each other what had happened; others went downstairs to gather gossip, and the streets were bustling with activity.
Jiangyou glanced at the silent and dark bookstore across from the workshop and tilted his head in confusion.
Andre watched Aunt Wolf, Nasha, and the old lady return to the house before turning to Jiangyou and saying, "I have to go to Master Chena's house. This matter needs to be investigated as soon as possible. If we delay for too long, the clues will easily disappear. Jericho and Leodore will stay at the workshop to protect your safety."
"Ah? Don't you want me to go with you?" Jiang You suggested, "I should be able to help!"
"Not yet." Andre shook his head. "At this stage of the investigation, it's just physical labor: investigating the scene, collecting evidence, examining the body, and running around asking questions. It's not certain we'll get any results. You have to open the store tomorrow, so get some rest tonight."
"Oh, alright then." Jiang You said with a hint of regret, "Then be careful."
"Lock the doors and windows." Andre turned to Jericho worriedly and said, "Don't let her run out and join in the fun again. The murderer might still be hanging around. It's very dangerous."
"Yes! Master!"
Andre's attitude was serious and solemn. Jiangyou couldn't help but think of the stereotypes of a certain profession that his friends had when playing online games in his previous life: He is really worthy of being a knight, so tough that makes people feel at ease.
Although she was an undead lich, Jiangyou did not take life and death so lightly that she had to run to the most dangerous place. Since Andre said so, she obediently settled the little dragon, closed the doors and windows, and went upstairs to sleep.
Leo, a newly-adult, might not understand many complex principles, but he knew that if he wanted to eat delicious food every day, he had to protect the chef. So he brought a small stool, leaned his back against the door and stood guard. After a while, his head tilted and he began to snore.
Jericho: "...That's fine. Anyway, there's a dragon here, even if it's sleeping."
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Andre was gone all night, and when he returned to the brewing workshop with a tired face, the sun had already risen.
He sent Diego to the stable, yawned as he entered the house through the back door, and smelled the familiar aroma of soy milk and fried dough sticks.
——Hmm, there seems to be a more overbearing fragrance.
He peeked into the kitchen and saw Little Bone, wearing an apron and humming a song, standing in front of a wok with a large spoon in hand, frying something. The oil drainer next to him was filled to the brim with fried dough sticks and round, golden, greasy pancakes with bulging bellies like small hills.
"It smells so good, what kind of cake is this?" Andre couldn't help but ask.
"Hey! You're back!" Jiang You turned around and gave him a big skull-shaped smile. "This is an oyster pancake. Xiaolong got the oysters this morning. They're super fresh and big! I also put cabbage, peanuts, and pork in it. It's so filling!"
This oyster pancake, a classic snack from the provincial capital of the southeastern coast, is made by first spreading a layer of rice and soybean paste on a large round spoon, then adding the filling and sealing it with a layer of rice paste. It's then deep-fried in oil to set. When the surface is golden brown, the oyster pancake automatically falls off the spoon and slides into the pan.
Oysters are an essential component of the filling, and the remaining ingredients vary depending on the price. Prices range from 1 yuan to over 10 yuan. The cheapest is just a batter-wrapped pancake with a few, almost non-existent oysters, while the most expensive deluxe version is filled with cabbage, pork slices, seaweed, oysters, dried shrimp, and peanuts, piled high like a small, pointed mountain with a round bottom.
It's a calorie-dense energy bomb of sugar and oil, but the taste is undeniably delicious. Especially when piping hot from the wok, paired with fried dough sticks or the local specialty, guobianhu (pot-side porridge), every bite is a sizzling, greasy delight.
To complement the oyster pancakes, Jiangyou also made pot-side porridge today. This dish is made in a large iron pot. A delicious seafood broth simmers in the pot, and a thin layer of prepared rice slurry is poured onto the sides of the pot. After the lid is closed for five to ten seconds, you can see the rice slurry bubbling from the heat. This is the pot-side porridge.
Use a spatula to scoop the oyster pancake into the soup, add some vegetables, and simmer briefly before serving. The soup is fragrant with rice, and the thin oyster pancake is tender and smooth. A bite of oyster pancake and a bite of oyster pancake are the most blissful breakfast.
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