Du Yuhan stuck some cornbread next to the meat pot in the kitchen, as both pots were occupied. The cornbread dipped in the meat broth, and everyone liked to eat the cornbread dipped in the broth.
While the meat was stewing, Du Yuhan washed some tender wild vegetables and mixed them with sesame oil, vinegar and other seasonings. There was a plate of wild vegetables on the table to cut through the greasiness.
The meat was finally ready to serve, much to Liu Gang and Yuan Qiwen's delight. The two of them quickly helped set out the bowls and chopsticks and served the dishes, showing great enthusiasm.
After the pot was ready, Luo Qingyan made Kung Pao Chicken. Han Yixian loved this dish, and she made it for him.
It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early; the food had just been served when Yuan Qiliang arrived.
Upon seeing the large bowl of meat and stir-fried vegetables on the table, he laughed and said, "Wow, I'm so lucky to have meat on the table. Luckily, I had nothing to do today and came here for a stroll, otherwise I would have missed this good thing."
Du Yuhan quickly said, "Brother Yuan, please sit down. I'll get you a bowl and chopsticks. We stewed a lot of meat today, so please help yourselves."
Without any ceremony, Yuan Qiliang grabbed a chair and sat down at the dining table, saying to Yuan Qiwen, "I heard you've been learning archery with your cousin and the others lately? How's it going? Any progress?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Qiwen quickly boasted, "Of course! We've already achieved results. The pheasant we're using to make chicken soup today was one I shot. This pheasant must weigh several pounds."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Qiliang praised him without reservation, saying, "Well done, kid, you've really mastered it."
Yuan Qiwen scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "Not good enough yet, I need to keep practicing. I only managed to shoot one pheasant today, the rest all ran away."
Liu Gang picked up on Yuan Qiwen's story, saying, "He shot it quite accurately, right through the chicken's rear end. The pheasant even dragged the arrow for a while."
Upon hearing Liu Gang's description, Yuan Qiliang imagined the scene and burst into laughter.
Yuan Qiwen rolled his eyes at Liu Gang and said, "No matter what, I hit the target, while you didn't even get a single hair on it. Yuhan had to finish you off before we caught the prey, otherwise we wouldn't have any meat to eat today."
Du Yuhan brought Yuan Qiliang a bowl and chopsticks and sat him down, saying, "You two are already doing quite well. Just practice more and you'll get better. With more practice and experience, you'll know which angle is best for shooting. Everyone, hurry up and eat, or the food will get cold."
Han Yi picked up some food first before everyone else started eating.
Du Yuhan first served Han Yi a large bowl of chicken soup and said, "Brother Han, I put several kinds of herbs in this chicken soup, it's very nourishing, please drink more."
Then, using serving chopsticks, he placed a rabbit leg into Han Yixian's bowl and lowered his head to eat.
If someone wants chicken soup, they can serve it themselves.
Han Yixian also picked up a rabbit leg and put it into Du Yuhan's bowl.
Neither of them said anything; they just ate in silence.
Liu Gang was already used to it. He knew that the regimental commander was a germaphobe, but he would never complain about the food that Du Yuhan served him, especially since Du Yuhan was using serving chopsticks.
However, these actions of the two surprised Yuan Qiliang.
He knew his cousin was a germaphobe and would never eat food that others served him, including his own family members; even using serving chopsticks was unacceptable.
His family knew about his germaphobia, so they never served him food. Unexpectedly, this taboo was broken by a little girl.
Moreover, when had he ever seen his cousin serve food to someone else? Seeing his cousin serving food to Du Yuhan here was like the sun rising in the west.
Yuan Qiwen had eaten here several times and was already used to it, having been shocked several times before. Only Yuan Qiliang was somewhat dumbfounded when he first saw it.
However, after being glanced at by Han Yi, Yuan Qiliang quickly lowered his head and started eating voraciously. Didn't he see how fast Liu Gang and his younger brother were eating? If he didn't eat soon, there would only be soup left.
As Yuan Qiliang ate, he secretly thought to himself that his older cousin's feelings for Du Yuhan were quite special. Moreover, the way the two of them were picking food for each other seemed to have a lot in common.
Yuan Qiliang chuckled to himself, "Could my cousin really like someone like Du Yuhan, who's like a bean sprout?"
But looking at Du Yuhan's small stature and thin frame, it seemed impossible. Perhaps her older cousin was only kind to her because he pitied her situation; that must be it.
Du Yuhan's cooking skills are undoubtedly superb; diners unconsciously eat more because it's so delicious.
The chicken soup, in particular, tasted especially delicious, perhaps because Du Yuhan added a few herbs to it.
Han Yixian drank two large bowls of soup. Not a drop of the last pot of chicken soup was left, and all the chicken meat in it was eaten clean.
After the meal, Liu Gang and Yuan Qiwen were both rubbing their bellies, leaning back in their chairs, and burping. They were clearly stuffed.
Yuan Qiliang wasn't much better, though he was a little better than the two younger ones.
Yuan Qiwen patted his belly and said, "How wonderful it would be if we could eat such delicious food every day."
Yuan Qiliang rolled his eyes at his younger brother and said, "You think you can eat like this every day? You're dreaming. There are so many people who can't even afford to eat. You're incredibly lucky to be able to have a meal like this once in a while."
Stop thinking about food all the time. Don't neglect your studies. If I find out you're skipping class and not studying properly, I'll teach you a lesson.
Yuan Qiwen argued, "When have I ever stopped studying? I can study just as well with my older cousin. I complete my homework very well, and I can ask him questions if I don't understand something. With my cousin's level, what I'm learning is a piece of cake for him."
Yuan Qiliang said, "Just know what you're doing, and don't get a zero on the exam."
Yuan Qiliang knew that his younger brother had little interest in studying, and that his ability to get into high school was only the result of his family's high-pressure tactics of coaxing and forcing him.
Even in high school, this kid is still too playful and doesn't care much about his studies.
Yuan Qiwen said with a grin, "That's definitely not the case."
Han Yixian was naturally aware of Yuan Qiwen's situation. Forcing him was useless; he had to make Yuan Qiwen take his studies to heart on his own.
If someone less capable than him were to pass him by, it might motivate him to take his studies more seriously.
Han Yi glanced at Du Yuhan and said, "Qiliang, go back and borrow two sets of textbooks from elementary to high school for me. I want to teach Gangzi and Yuhan to learn cultural knowledge."
Du Yuhan was taken aback upon hearing this. In her previous life, she saw Yuan Qiwen bring his homework here. She longed to learn to read and to acquire knowledge, so she borrowed Yuan Qiwen's elementary school textbooks and secretly studied on her own.
Later, after Han Yixian discovered her, he began to teach her cultural knowledge, and the two of them happily learned from each other. She herself benefited immensely from learning culture from Han Yixian.
Unexpectedly, Han Yixian took the initiative to offer to teach her cultural knowledge.
Yuan Qiliang readily agreed to his cousin's suggestion; it wasn't a difficult task. Besides, it would be better to give his cousin something to do, lest he become discouraged.
After dinner, the two Yuan brothers took a cleaned wild rabbit home.
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