Just as Qiao Xiaoni was wondering whether she should pick some, she happened to see her neighbor coming over to pick vegetables. She decisively walked towards her.
"Sister-in-law, I'd like to ask you for some side dishes to make spicy hot pot."
"Malatang? What's that?" Lin Guifen asked, looking completely bewildered.
"How should I put it?" Qiao Xiaoni was at a loss for words, but then a brilliant idea struck her. "When it's done, I'll send a bowl to your family to try."
Lin Guifen waved her hand enthusiastically upon hearing that she could eat something delicious.
"You can pick as many vegetables as you want from the field. I originally came here to pick vegetables to cook dinner, but if you bring me vegetables, I won't cook tonight."
Qiao Xiaoni: "Okay, I'll make it and send it over to you in a bit."
Lin Guifen, satisfied with the assurance, left, leaving the two of them alone in the vegetable garden once again.
Qiao Xiaoni pointed to the garland chrysanthemum in the field, "We should get more of this vegetable to take home, it will taste better."
Without saying a word, Su Chenhao squatted down and started picking vegetables. He could tell that Qiao Xiaoni didn't know how to pick vegetables at all, otherwise she wouldn't have been directing him to do it.
He likes being bossed around; it makes him feel important.
Qiao Xiaoni had no idea what he was thinking. If she did, she would definitely thank God again for letting her meet Su Chenhao.
By the time they got home, it was almost dark. The vegetables were clean and simple, washed twice and set aside for later use.
Qiao Xiaoni then started preparing the other ingredients, wanting to make an authentic Mala Tang (spicy hot pot), with Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers being the most important ingredients.
Fortunately, when I went to the supply and marketing cooperative that day, I bought some authentic green Sichuan peppercorns and followed the steps in my memory.
Twenty minutes later, a pot of spicy hot pot was ready, its fragrant aroma filling the air. It seemed to have been successfully made. I ladled out a bowl first. "I'll take this bowl to my neighbor. I owe it all to her food that it turned out so well."
Li Meihua took the large basket from the shelf.
"Put the bowl here so it won't be too hot to handle. Go early and come back early."
Qiao Xiaoni nodded; she also wanted to come back for dinner early, as the spicy hot pot wouldn't taste good if it sat for too long.
As soon as I entered my neighbor's yard, my sister-in-law came out, followed by a small black dog. She was carrying a bowl with a few peaches in her hand.
Lin Guifen smiled broadly, "These are peaches from our own orchard. Take them home and eat them. Let me know if you want more."
The bright red peaches looked delicious, and Qiao Xiaoni wanted to eat some, so she took the bowl from her.
"Sister-in-law, then I won't stand on ceremony with you. This spicy hot pot is delicious right out of the pot, so hurry up and take it back inside to eat."
"Please return the bowl to us after you've poured it out."
"No problem." Lin Guifen picked up the large bowl from the basket. The bowl was overflowing, and the tempting aroma almost made her mouth water.
"You put chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns in here, how did you make it?"
"The soup is bone broth with my homemade base. The ingredients are added in order, not all at once. It might be a bit spicy, so please be careful when you eat it."
Lin Guifen said, "It's okay, I can handle spicy food. I'm the one in our village who can eat the spiciest food. Didn't you see how many chili peppers I grow in my yard? There might not even be enough for me!"
So that's how much spicy food she can handle! Qiao Xiaoni was relieved and eager to get home for dinner. "Sister-in-law, I won't say any more. I'm going home now. Come visit me sometime!"
Lin Guifen waved her hand, "Once I'm done with my work these next few days, I'll come visit you."
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