Tian Sangui placed the washed corn on the cutting board and cut it into four sections, piling them into the draining basket.
Next, take the half-cooked pork belly, cut it into thick slices, and put it in a basket for later use.
Put chili powder, five-spice powder, cumin powder, and salt and pepper into a bowl, and pour hot oil into the bowl to release the aroma.
Prepare scallions, ginger, and garlic, cut them into large sections, and stir-fry them in a pan until fragrant.
Add potato slices, onion slices, corn, and pork belly, stir-fry evenly, add a bowl of hot water to the pot, cover and cook until the water evaporates.
Open the lid, pour in the seasonings, stir-fry again to infuse the flavors, sprinkle with salt, stir-fry evenly, and it's ready to serve.
Xiao Wu's mouth watered so much that it dripped onto the stove. Zhang laughed and pulled him out to wash his face.
Once the last dish of sour soup was ready, Tian Sangui announced, "You can eat now!"
Tian Da, Tian Er, and Xiao Si and Xiao Wu all ran into the kitchen to serve dishes.
Taking advantage of the moment when no one was around, Tian Laosi quickly filled the wine cup. When Zhang Shi came in with the rice bowl, she glanced at the wine on the table and gave Tian Laosi a disgruntled look.
Tian Sangui smiled and smoothed things over: "Mom, please sit down and try my spicy hot pot."
"I don't even need to taste it, just smelling it makes my mouth water!"
Xiao Wu, the little foodie, sweetly praised Tian Sangui, making everyone laugh continuously.
Xiao Si was the first to pick up a piece of corn and put it in his bowl, nibbling on it in small bites, displaying the demeanor of a refined scholar.
Compared to Xiao Wu's hearty devouring of meat, it lacked the refined elegance of a scholar.
"Oh, right, your grandma made you a set of clothes. She brought them over not long after you left. I almost forgot about it. Come to my room to try them on after dinner!"
While eating potatoes, Zhang suddenly remembered this incident.
When Tian Sangui, who was busy eating meat, heard this, he almost choked.
"Milk?"
"Why did you suddenly decide to make clothes for me?"
The sun must have risen in the west! The old lady who used to hate him so much has suddenly changed her attitude, making Tian Sangui feel a chill down his spine and unable to accept it.
Tian Laosi took a sip of liquor and answered Tian Sangui with a happy expression.
"Your grandma has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She's about to go and enjoy a life of luxury with your fifth uncle. Before she left, she even made a set of clothes for Sangui. It's clear that your grandma still cares about Sangui!"
Tian Laosi saw the changes in Yun Shi and was delighted. Even the previous unpleasantness disappeared because of Yun Shi's attitude towards him.
Tian Sangui disagreed with Tian Laosi's words, saying that one should not visit the temple without a reason.
"Huh? I remember Uncle Wu said he would take Grandpa and Grandma to enjoy their retirement in three months. Now it's almost the end of March, why haven't we heard anything from Uncle Wu yet?"
While munching on corn, Tian Er suddenly looked at Tian Lao Si, who was drinking, with a puzzled expression.
Hearing her son's words, Zhang was also puzzled and stared at Tian Laosi with the same confusion.
After a porcelain bowl slammed onto the table, Tian Laosi explained, hiccuping as he boldly poured himself another bowl of liquor.
Zhang listened attentively and didn't notice Tian Laosi's actions for a moment.
"Do you think it's so easy to get by in officialdom? With a family like ours, we have no connections, no network, and we rely entirely on your fifth uncle to work hard outside in a place where we don't know anyone. It's not that easy."
Tian Laosi spoke eloquently, and Zhang Shi and the children nodded in agreement. Tian Laosi then picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth to chew.
"Don't even mention three months, a year would be a fast time to bring your grandparents away!"
Tian Sangui understood: "According to Father, Grandpa and Grandma will have to wait several more months?"
"No need for that. With your fifth uncle's abilities, I reckon waiting another three months should be enough!"
Mrs. Zhang shook her head and sighed: "The old couple has been looking forward to this day, their eyes are red with anticipation. They hope that the fifth son will act quickly and fulfill their wish as soon as possible!"
Tian Sangui shrugged. She was too lazy to care about the old house and just wanted to focus on doing her own thing.
"Mom, I've bought both of Aunt Zhang's mountains. Tomorrow I'll ask the villagers to help me climb them. I'll pay the original price. I'm going to my aunt's house tomorrow to discuss some things!"
While eating, Tian Sangui also arranged the work for tomorrow.
As her own daughter's affairs were her affairs, Zhang quickly nodded in agreement.
Tian Laosi nodded in agreement, saying he would lead a group up the mountain tomorrow, as he was familiar with the task.
After a delicious meal, Zhang was in charge of clearing the dishes. Tian Sangui wanted to help, but Zhang wouldn't let him do it no matter what she said.
Tian Sangui had no choice but to go stay in his younger brothers' courtyard for a while.
Tian Sangui held Xiao Wu's hand, and the two siblings sat in the courtyard chatting.
"Little Wu has been having a good appetite lately. What would you like to eat tomorrow? Tell me and Third Sister will make it for you!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu immediately grabbed Tian Sangui's hand with delight, his round, big eyes instantly turning into starry-eyed ones.
"I want to eat my third sister's fried red bean paste-filled sugar pancakes, salt and pepper meatballs, natural potato chips, hot and sour potato noodles, and so much more..."
Tian Sangui and Xiao Si, standing to the side, covered their mouths and chuckled as they listened.
"There's so much, can you finish it all?"
Xiao Wu suddenly looked downcast and depressed.
"I just miss the days when my third sister was at home so much."
After returning home from school that day, he thought that, as usual, his third sister would have prepared a big table of delicious food and be waiting for him at home.
Who knew...
Several months have passed, and there is still no news of my third sister's return.
He missed the taste of Tian Sangui's cooking and spent all his money on it, but in the end he still couldn't find any dishes that were similar to hers, not even his older brother's.
"So, you've turned yourself into a little foodie and aren't paying attention to your studies anymore, are you?"
Xiao Wu's thoughts were immediately seen through by Tian Sangui, and he lowered his head in embarrassment without saying a word.
He realized early on that he had done something wrong, and that not studying hard was letting down his third sister who had worked so hard.
But he couldn't control his heart, and the feeling was too painful, so he could only indulge in eating and drinking to his heart's content.
"Sigh!" Tian Sangui knew he had guessed right when he saw Xiao Wu's expression.
He pulled Xiao Wu closer and gently helped her resolve her inner conflict.
"Xiao Wu, there is no one in this world who will always be by your side and never leave you. Everyone has to experience the pain of separation."
What we need to do is try our best to control our emotions, turn our sadness into motivation, and strive for the opportunity to meet again next time.
Instead of letting our evil thoughts run rampant within us, causing us to become self-destructive and never see our families again!
"I don't want this, I want to see Third Sister forever!" Xiao Wu looked up at Tian Sangui with tears streaming down her face.
"Therefore, the first step we need to take is to learn to control it, let a sense of justice take over our bodies, let us embrace the light and strive upwards, and ultimately reunite with our families!"
Xiao Wu wiped away her tears with both hands and sobbed, "I understand, Third Sister. I will learn to control my bad thoughts, listen carefully to the teacher's lectures, and strive to reunite with my family and eat the dishes you cook!"
Tian Sangui was relieved. He exchanged a glance with Xiao Si, and the two of them comforted Xiao Wu.
Fortunately, even though Xiao Wu's bad habits were discovered, they were corrected in time before they became deeply ingrained.
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