Chapter 129 The Cold Noodles I've Been Longing For
With this thought in mind, Xie Yunze felt a surge of secret joy. He couldn't help but grin and nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling.
Seeing his undisguised joy, Xu Zhili felt both amused and puzzled: What could have made him so happy?
Before she knew it, it was noon. Suddenly, she remembered that she still had the wild boar she had hunted a few days ago stored in her space. Several days had passed, and she hadn't had time to deal with it. She hoped it wouldn't ruin her money-making plans.
She pondered: "Isn't I supposed to report to the county bureau's logistics department tomorrow to do procurement? This wild boar meat... maybe I can ask if they buy it there? I can pay the internal price; it would be a way to support their work."
If all else fails...
That black market...
She frowned. The black market price was high, but the risks were too great; she couldn't afford to touch it lightly.
Just then, my stomach growled. Time to cook.
It's so hot, let's have cold noodles!
In the summer of Beidahuang, a bowl of refreshing cold noodles is the most comforting thing.
There were wheat noodles and side dishes ready at home...
Xu Zhili looked at the vegetable basket: the cucumbers were fresh and crisp, there were carrots too, and the green beans were tender, but unfortunately there were no bean sprouts.
She can use the Fruit of Life to transform it into magical spring water.
When bean sprouts are placed in this sacred spring water, as if by magic, they sprout rapidly at an astonishing speed.
The fruit of life endows bean sprouts with such magical power, greatly accelerating their growth process.
The secret to making cold noodles a memorable delicacy lies in the bean sprouts and cucumbers.
With the essence of these two ingredients, the cold noodles instantly come alive and become incredibly delicious.
Every bite is a heartfelt recollection of the unique flavors of that era.
She quickly got to work, boiling the noodles and rinsing them in water. Once the noodles were cooked, she scooped them out and immediately immersed them in the cold water she had just drawn from her spatial dimension, which made the noodles even more chewy.
Drain the water, add a few drops of sesame oil and mix well to prevent sticking. Prepare the bottom of the bowl by putting two tablespoons of soy sauce, one and a half tablespoons of vinegar (add more if you like it sour), a pinch of salt, half a tablespoon of sugar to enhance the flavor, and then add some minced garlic and mix well.
Place the noodles in a bowl, top with finely shredded cucumber and carrot, add a few slices of boiled egg, and sprinkle with some blanched green bean segments for a crunchy texture.
Finally, drizzle on the freshly prepared sauce, add a spoonful of sesame paste diluted with warm water, and if she likes it spicy, add some chili oil, and sprinkle with a handful of bright green scallions.
All done!
Xu Zhian, her little nose twitching, ran out of the house and asked eagerly, "Sister, what did you make? It smells so good."
"An'an, I made cold noodles, rinsed them with cold water, they're so refreshing," Xu Zhili replied with a smile.
"Cold noodles?"
Xu Zhian blinked her big eyes, full of curiosity, "Noodles can be cold? Aren't they always hot?"
He couldn't imagine what cold noodles would taste like, and his little face was full of anticipation.
“Yes, it’s perfect to eat in the summer,” Xu Zhili affirmed, reaching out to rub her younger brother’s head.
"Great! We can eat cold noodles!" Xu Zhian clapped her hands happily.
Xu Zhili looked at him with doting eyes: "Then An'an, be a good boy and wait, I'll serve it right away."
Xu Zhian nodded vigorously, moved a small stool to sit by the stove, and stared intently at her sister's movements.
Soon, six bowls of refreshing and tempting cold noodles were ready.
Xu Zhili planned to send two bowls to her mother, grandparents and maternal grandparents in the cowshed, leave one bowl for Xie Yunce to try, and let the siblings eat the rest.
"An'an, come on, try the cold noodles your sister made." Xu Zhili handed the bowl to her younger brother.
Xu Zhian took a big slurp, her cheeks puffed out, and mumbled, "Mmm! Delicious, so delicious, make it again next time."
Xu Zhian's face was full of satisfaction.
“Okay, An’an loves it, so I’ll make it for you often,” Xu Zhili replied gently.
Xu Zhian finished the bowl of noodles and patted his belly contentedly: "Sis, I'm full, my belly is round and chubby."
Xu Zhili smiled and gently flicked his little nose: "You can't lie down right away after eating. Take a stroll in the yard to digest, or your stomach will feel uncomfortable."
Xu Zhian tilted her head, a little puzzled: "Why does my stomach stop hurting after taking a walk?"
Xu Zhili patiently explained, "Because walking around helps the food in your stomach move around and go down smoothly, so it's less likely to cause bloating and discomfort."
Xu Zhian nodded as if she understood, then reached out her little hand to tug at Xu Zhili's clothes and said in a soft, coquettish voice, "Then come with me for a walk, sister. I'm a little scared to be alone in the yard."
Seeing the reliance in her younger brother's eyes, Xu Zhili's heart softened: "Okay, I'll stay with you."
The siblings walked hand in hand into the yard.
The afternoon sun shone warmly on me, and inconspicuous little flowers bloomed along the edge of the vegetable garden in the yard, swaying gently in the breeze, with the fresh scent of grass and trees in the air.
After walking slowly around the yard with An'an for a few laps, Xu Zhili asked softly, "An'an, are you sleepy? Do you want to take a nap?"
"No, sis, stay with me a little longer." Xu Zhian held onto his sister's hand tightly.
"An'an, take a nap so you'll have the energy to play in the afternoon and grow taller and stronger," Xu Zhili coaxed softly.
"Well... alright then." Xu Zhian was finally persuaded and obediently went back to her room and lay down.
Seeing her younger brother's breathing gradually stabilize, Xu Zhili gently tucked him in and carefully checked that all the doors and windows were closed.
Then she whispered to herself, "An'an, be good. I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back soon."
She was thinking about her relatives next door and also wanted to deliver the cold noodles to them before going to work in the afternoon.
She whispered in her heart, asking Ya Ya to carefully guard this little courtyard.
At midday, most villagers are at home resting and eating, so there are few people on the road.
Xu Zhili carried a basket of cold noodles on her back and walked quickly to the cowshed.
I barely exchanged a few words with my mother, grandparents, and other relatives. I was worried about the time and also afraid of being seen and causing them trouble, so I hurriedly returned home after putting down my things.
Back home, Xu Zhili glanced at the sun and guessed that it was almost time to meet Xie Yunce, so she prepared to pack her basket and head up the mountain.
Just then, Xu Zhian's tearful voice came from inside the house: "Sister... Sister, where are you?" Her voice was full of panic.
Xu Zhili's heart tightened, and she quickly ran into the house.
Xu Zhian was sitting on the bed, her face pale and her eyes red, clearly having just cried. She was rubbing her eyes, looking like she was still in shock.
"An'an, your sister is here, don't be afraid."
Xu Zhili immediately stepped forward and hugged her younger brother tightly, patting his back tenderly, "Did you have a nightmare? Don't be afraid, dreams are all fake. Sister is here. Sister won't leave An'an alone."
Her heart ached with bitterness and pain. She knew that An'an's lack of security and her fear of being alone were all due to the trauma she suffered at the Lin family's house. That family had done too much to the child.
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