"Let's dig out some of the densely growing bamboo shoots first. This way, we can not only eat them, but also help the bamboo grow better."
After Xu Han finished speaking, she started to work. It has to be said that there were a lot of bamboo shoots. In no time, the two of them had dug up a basketful.
The bamboo shoots here are all very large moso bamboo shoots, the kind where one is enough for a meal.
After filling one basket, Xu Han took out a new one.
They dug until they got hungry, and then they stopped.
"These bamboo shoots are growing really densely. Let's dig up a lot today and make some pickled bamboo shoots and pickled pepper bamboo shoots when we get home," Xu Han said.
"If there's any left, we'll dry some bamboo shoots; they're delicious with braised pork."
"Okay, if it's not enough, we'll dig more. But if the bamboo shoots grow too densely, they won't grow big."
“Okay, I just saw bamboo fungus eggs. Should we look for bamboo fungus later?” Lu Chuan asked.
"That works too. After lunch, let's look around in the bamboo forest and then make chicken soup for Mu'er when we get back."
After Xu Han finished speaking, she took out the food from her spatial storage. The two of them then found a clean spot and sat down to eat lunch.
After lunch, Xu Han rested for a while before heading into the bamboo forest with her basket. Lu Chuan, on the other hand, continued digging for bamboo shoots.
Sure enough, although mushrooms don't grow this season, it's the season for bamboo fungus to grow. After walking around, Xu Han actually picked up quite a few bamboo shoots.
"Lu Chuan, look! I've picked so many bamboo fungus, enough for several meals."
"There really is a lot. If we can't finish it, we'll dry it and save it for later."
"We've eaten all the bamboo fungus we picked before, and Mu'er hasn't had a chance to eat it much. Now she can finally eat it," Xu Han said with a smile as she looked at the bamboo fungus she had picked.
“I’ve dug up quite a few bamboo shoots here too. You can gather them up and let’s go home. It’s getting late,” Lu Chuan said with a smile.
"Okay, I'll collect them." Xu Han quickly put the bamboo shoots that Lu Chuan had placed into her spatial storage...
On the way home, the dogs ran freely, following the two of them for a whole day in the mountains, but they didn't catch a single prey.
However, there was prey in the mountains, and Lu Chuan stopped the dogs when they went to chase after it.
There's already a shortage of prey in the mountains, and spring is the breeding season. Since the family isn't short of meat, Lu Chuan didn't let the dogs hunt.
Let's wait until they're bigger before catching and eating them; it won't make a difference if we wait a little longer.
When the two arrived home, Grandpa Zhao was holding Ze'er in the yard, looking at the flowers.
As soon as Ze'er saw Xu Han come in, he immediately struggled to move closer to her, wanting her to hug him.
Xu Han ignored him, put down the basket first, kissed Mu'er who was standing next to her, and then kissed Ze'er.
"Mommy's hands are dirty. Wait for me to change my clothes and wash my hands before I hug you." Xu Han said, ignoring Ze'er's reaction, and turned to go to the bathroom to wash her hands.
Then he changed into clean clothes and took Ze'er from Grandpa Zhao's hands.
"Didn't you say you were going to find mushrooms? Where are the mushrooms? Bring some out so I can wash them and stir-fry some later," Grandpa Zhao said.
"The mushrooms haven't sprouted yet! Today I only found a little bit of wood ear fungus, enough for one meal, but I did pick a lot of bamboo fungus and dig up a lot of bamboo shoots," Lu Chuan said.
"Then let's make a chicken soup with bamboo shoots, and stir-fry bamboo shoots with cured pork."
"Hahaha, that's what I think too," Xu Han laughed.
Then she placed Ze'er in Lu Chuan's arms and went into the kitchen herself.
First, I took out a few bamboo shoots, then some more, and put the rest in the space to keep them fresh.
Grandpa Zhao took the ingredients handed over by Xu Han, cleaned them first, and then, under Xu Han's direction, started cooking the chicken soup and blanched the bamboo shoots and set them aside for later use.
Xu Han took this time to spend with her child whom she hadn't seen all day.
After Grandpa Zhao finished dealing with things, Xu Han went to the kitchen to start cooking.
Everyone loves stir-fried bamboo shoots with cured pork. Xu Han added some green and red peppers, which made the dish taste even better and look more appealing.
After the meal, all three of them, satisfied, patted their bellies and lay motionless in their chairs.
"I'm so full. This cured beef is so fragrant. The meat is a beautiful reddish-brown when stir-fried, and it tastes even better if it's cooked for a long time."
"Haha, luckily we made a lot back then, otherwise we would have finished it all by now. There are still about 30 kilograms left in the space, enough for us to eat through this year."
"Let's see if we can catch a few more in winter, then we can make some more; everyone likes to eat these. And sausages too, those are delicious."
"We've finished the sausages, but there's still some beef in the space. We can make some more if you want."
"Then let's make some more. Mu'er likes the original flavor," Lu Chuan said.
"I think you just want to eat it yourself, and you're using your son as an excuse," Grandpa Zhao teased.
Lu Chuan, having been exposed, didn't say anything, but just chuckled.
"I'll make some tomorrow. The temperature isn't too high yet, so it should be okay to do it."
"Then I'll cut the branches back for you as soon as I get up tomorrow morning."
"Okay, go cut some branches as soon as possible. Cypress branches are hard to find these days. If you can't find any, it's okay, you can just dry them in the sun."
"I understand, I'll go look for it first."
After chatting for a while, the group went back to their rooms to rest.
The next day, when Xu Han woke up, Lu Chuan had already found the tree branches, but not many, just enough to be used.
“Let’s go outside and tidy up the vegetable garden. Can you stay home and take care of the child?” Lu Chuan asked.
“Okay, you guys go ahead and do your work. I’ll get the building blocks out for Mu’er in a bit so he can play by himself. I’ll also put Ze’er next to him so the two brothers can stay together. They’re still young and won’t fight, it’ll be fine,” Xu Han said as she tidied the table.
"Okay, just call out if you need anything, we can hear you," Grandpa Zhao instructed.
Because a new house was built in the backyard, taking up a lot of space, the vegetable garden in the backyard is now much smaller.
After removing areas for raising chickens, ducks, and geese, and areas for washing vegetables, the actual space available for growing vegetables becomes much smaller.
This year's vegetable garden is planned to be moved outside. Last year, Lu Chuan and Grandpa Zhao had already tidied up the area in front of the yard.
The areas where pumpkins and winter melons used to be planted have now been cleared out and are now used entirely for growing vegetables.
We'll fence it off, and the animals outside won't be able to get in. Besides, we have so many dogs at home, so most small animals won't dare to come here.
It's also very convenient to put the vegetable garden outside, as it's close to home and just a short walk away, making harvesting easy.
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