Chapter 27 The Hundred-Year-Old Ginseng, fearing Chen Gengnian would ask again, he…
Fearing that Chen Gengnian would ask again, he quickly changed the subject and went to get the self-heating rice.
"Brother Nian, dinner is ready."
Lin Qingan opened the self-heating rice, poured the braised pork into the vegetables, and then mixed it with simple chopsticks. The braised pork and vegetables were all mixed with the rice, and the aroma filled his nostrils.
One serving was green pepper and beef rice, and the other was beef brisket rice.
Lin Qingan asked Chen Gengnian which portion he wanted, and Chen Gengnian randomly pointed to one.
Chen Gengnian ate with great relish, praising the food several times. The two of them enjoyed their meal and beer immensely.
Lin Qing'an rarely ate these things back then. He stocked them up because his master only ate two meals a day, and Lin Qing'an felt it was troublesome to cook for himself, so he just stocked up on some self-heating meals and snacks.
I never expected that coming into this world would taste so delicious.
Lin Qingan didn't finish his beer, but Chen Gengnian drank a bottle and a half by himself.
After a satisfying meal, Lin Qing'an took out a Coke and chatted with Chen Gengnian, each taking a sip.
"Aqing, let's go down the mountain tomorrow!" Chen Gengnian looked up at the sky, which was almost completely blocked by trees. "We've hunted enough today. Let's sell them while they're still fresh so we can get a good price."
Lin Qing'an knew what Chen Gengnian was worried about, and quickly said, "Don't worry, the treasure bag will automatically preserve the freshness of the food according to its own properties. It won't spoil even if it lasts for a year or two, let alone half a month."
"Really?" Chen Gengnian looked incredulous.
“Of course it’s true.” Lin Qingan patted Chen Gengnian. “So you can go hunting. It’s not easy for us to come up the mountain. The more you hunt, the less we’ll have to come up here. After all, this place is full of dangers, and I don’t want you to come in.”
Lin Qing'an knew that what he had seen today was just the tip of the iceberg of Chen Gengnian's abilities over the years. Although Chen Gengnian was indeed very skilled, he was still very worried.
In the past, people had to risk their lives just to have enough to eat and wear, but now they don't have to risk their lives like that anymore.
Chen Gengnian gently took Lin Qing'an's hand and said tenderly, "I know you feel sorry for me, but Qing, although you have everything in your bag, I am your husband. I need to have the skills to survive on my own and the ability to support you. Although I married into your family, I can't rely on you to support the family alone, can I?"
"So, since your bag can store food, I'll continue hunting tomorrow. Promise me you won't come with me; I don't want you to take that risk."
Chen Gengnian's words were sincere and reasonable, and Lin Qingan did not utter a single word of rebuttal.
He knew that from Chen Gengnian's perspective, he should use his skills to defend the dignity that belonged to her husband.
Lin Qing'an shook his hand back and nodded, saying, "Okay, go hunting. A-Meng and I will wait for you in the cabin."
The two reached an agreement and got up to go back to their room to rest.
Everything in the hut was very simple. Chen Gengnian couldn't bear to let Lin Qing'an suffer with him, so he urged him to go into the bag to rest. But Lin Qing'an refused and pulled Chen Gengnian to lie down on the bed made of bamboo, holding Chen Gengnian's arm tightly and refusing to let go.
Chen Gengnian had no choice but to hold the person tightly in his arms in a doting manner.
The fire outside was burning very brightly. Before going to bed, Chen Gengnian placed several thick pieces of firewood on the ground to prevent attacks from wild animals.
Nestled in Chen Gengnian's arms, Lin Qing'an felt an indescribable sense of peace and contentment.
They had only been married a short time, hadn't even shared a room yet, and didn't have a passionate love affair, but they lived as happily as an old married couple.
Lin Qing'an shifted her body, raised her head and moved it up along Chen Gengnian's chin, gently touching his nose, and then spoke in an awkward but gentle manner.
"Chen Gengnian, you are so kind."
Chen Gengnian's body suddenly stiffened. He gently nuzzled Lin Qing'an's nose and responded softly.
"You are fine too."
When it comes to love, neither of them is good at expressing it in words; the simplest and most sincere words are enough for them to understand each other's feelings.
Lin Qing'an suddenly remembered a sentence.
Love arises without warning, and deepens with unwavering devotion.
Having lived for over thirty years in his previous life without ever experiencing love, he met Chen Gengnian here in this life. He has never really had any aversion to his own physical structure; he's fine with anything as long as the right person is right for him.
Lin Qing'an even had some hopes for the future.
What would it feel like to be surrounded by children and have your loved one by your side?
That's a story for another time.
Who couldn't resist crossing the line first remains unknown in this dark night.
Their lips and tongues intertwined, filled with endless love and restraint. Lin Qingan and Chen Gengnian shared a long and tender kiss before falling into a deep sleep.
The next day, when Lin Qing'an woke up, Chen Gengnian had cooked a pot of hot porridge and steamed some steamed buns that Chen Yuetao had prepared. Only then did Lin Qing'an open the door and come out, yawning.
Good morning, Brother Nian.
"Good morning." Chen Gengnian responded with a smile, saying to Lin Qingan, "Come and have breakfast."
Seeing that A-Meng was already drinking porridge, Lin Qing'an was in a good mood, so he went over to tease the eagle.
After rubbing Ah Meng's fluffy fur several times, Ah Meng got so angry that he refused to eat and chased Lin Qing'an all over the yard, flapping his wings.
As Chen Gengnian ate, he watched the man and the eagle. The usually serious and unsmiling man couldn't stop smiling.
After Chen Gengnian finished eating, he gave Lin Qingan several more instructions before heading into the depths of the forest under A Meng's guidance.
Ah Meng said there were lots of wild rabbits and pheasants over there, so Chen Gengnian carried a big basket on his back.
As soon as Chen Gengnian set off, Lin Qingan ate a few bites hastily and also prepared to leave.
"Where are you going?" A-Meng asked.
Lin Qingan dusted off his bottom, picked up A Meng, and walked out.
"Find something more valuable than the prey."
"Wow, this ginseng must be at least a few years old!"
Ah Meng said leisurely, "Over a hundred years..."
Ah Meng was speechless at Lin Qing'an's shallow knowledge. Despite following his master for so many years, he only cared about eating, drinking and having fun, without learning any real skills.
It couldn't help but wonder if Lin Qing'an would have been stupid enough to die here if it hadn't followed and Lin Qing'an hadn't encountered Chen Geng'nian.
However, it only dared to say these words in its heart, after all, this junior brother was easy to break through its defenses.
"Wow! I've struck it rich!" Lin Qing'an put the ginseng into his treasure bag and asked A Meng excitedly, "Quickly use your clairvoyance to see where there are any other valuable herbs. I want to get rich, I want to become a millionaire!"
Ah Meng couldn't bear to look. It really didn't know what Lin Qing'an needed so much money for, when he had no worries about food or clothing.
Lin Qing'an was naturally unaware of Ah Meng's constant internal complaints about him; he was only focused on counting the valuable items he had found after leaving the house.
Two top-grade Ganoderma lucidum, one century-old ginseng, and a large bundle of premium Dendrobium officinale.
Lin Qing'an was overjoyed and muttered, "All these odds and ends should fetch at least a hundred taels of silver!"
Ah Meng lazily chimed in, "I did a rough calculation, and it's at least this many."
Lin Qing'an looked at its slowly raised paw. "Three hundred taels?"
Ah Meng then remembered that he only had three claws. He coughed twice, shook his head, and said, "Five hundred taels."
"Five...five hundred taels?" Lin Qing'an was so shocked that he opened his mouth wide and forgot to put it down.
"This is just a rough estimate, based on our local calculation method. The exact amount will depend on what the buyer is willing to pay, but I don't think it will be too little, unless..."
A Meng suddenly stopped.
"Unless what?" Lin Qingan asked.
Ah Meng leaned closer to Lin Qing'an and whispered, "Unless you're brainless."
Lin Qing'an then realized that he had been tricked by his eagle senior brother again. He raised his hand to scratch it, but A Meng had already flown high into the air and Lin Qing'an couldn't reach it at all.
Finally, he gave up while cursing.
Later, A Meng led Lin Qing'an over two more mountains. Although the journey was long, their hard work paid off, and they found a few more ginseng roots.
In order not to worry Chen Gengnian, I decided to stop and return to the cabin.
When she got home, Lin Qingan hadn't returned yet. She washed the dishes and then took out meat and vegetables from the bag to start cooking.
The stove was a simple platform that Chen Gengnian made out of mud, and there was only one pot, so cooking was quite difficult.
Fortunately, Lin Qing'an had his own lighter, otherwise he would not have been able to figure out the tinder left by Chen Gengnian at all.
He poured out all the murky, stagnant water he had accumulated, and only felt a sense of peace after filling a bucket full from the bag.
I took out a few pork ribs from the refrigerator, washed them, blanched them, and drained them to make braised pork ribs. Then I washed some potatoes and soaked some bean curd sheets. This dish is quite a lot, so it's enough for them and A-Meng to eat.
Keep things simple when you're out and about.
After everything was prepared, Chen Gengnian still hadn't returned, and Lin Qingan was a little worried.
He glanced at A Meng, but before he could speak, A Meng said, "He's on his way back."
"About how much longer?" Lin Qingan asked.
Ah Meng squatted on the roof and looked in one direction again, saying, "It might take some time."
It flew down and said, "Your husband has had quite a haul this time too."
"Huh? What did he hunt?" Lin Qing'an asked, putting down the firewood, still somewhat worried. "I'll go get him."
Ah Meng quickly stopped him, "No need, he has his own methods, and they're not difficult for him. As for what he hunted, you'll find out soon enough."
Ah Meng gestured towards the stove, urging Lin Qing'an, "Hurry up and cook, we can eat as soon as we get home!"
Hearing what A-Meng said, Lin Qing'an became even more puzzled. Could it be that Chen Gengnian had hunted another wild boar today?
"Are you sure you don't need to go?" Lin Qing'an asked A Meng.
A-Meng rolled his eyes at him and taught him like an elder: "Before you came, people couldn't do anything. Having to do everything will make your man doubt his own abilities."
Since A-Meng had said so, Lin Qing'an naturally couldn't be stubborn anymore. What it said was right; one shouldn't interfere in other people's affairs. A-Meng could see Chen Gengnian's every move, so nothing should happen.
After figuring it out, I started cooking.
Heat the pot and add oil, then add a handful of rock sugar and stir-fry until it turns golden brown and bubbles. Next, add the drained ribs and stir-fry until the oil is released. Then, pour in a can of beer, and finally add some spices such as cinnamon and star anise before covering the pot and simmering over low heat.
Soon, a rich aroma filled the courtyard. A Meng squatted on the wall, looking at Chen Gengnian. The long-lost smell made his mouth water.
Only at this moment did it acknowledge that Lin Qing'an was actually somewhat useful, at least for his good cooking.
After stewing for about half an hour, Lin Qingan finally lifted the lid and put the bean curd sheets in.
Just then, a rustling sound and footsteps came from outside.
Lin Qingan ran over to open the door, and the moment he saw Chen Gengnian, he felt both heartache and excitement.
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