Chapter 12: Fighting
Early the next morning, Su Tao got up and washed before dawn.
"Taotao, why are you getting up so early?" Hu Xiao was awakened by the sound of Su Tao getting up. She looked at him in surprise, as she had to ask him to get up several times yesterday. Today, he got up even earlier than her without her having to ask him.
"Ah, I'll get up early and make something to eat." Su Tao wanted to make more food to bring to work so he wouldn't have to come back to make food at noon. He also wanted to bring some for the boss to earn some points.
Su Tao planned to make scallion pancakes. First, he poured flour into an enamel bowl and added warm water to knead the dough until it was soft and non-sticky. Then, he covered the dough and let it rest for about half an hour. The dough needed to rise before making the pancakes.
While waiting for the dough to rise, Su Tao took out the pork that had been hung in the refrigerator at the bottom of the well yesterday. She planned to braise the remaining pork into jerky, which would be convenient to eat and could be stored for a longer time. In the future, she could add a few slices of braised pork to noodles or steamed buns.
First put oil in the pot, add sugar and stir-fry over low heat, then add cinnamon, bay leaves, star anise and other spices, add soy sauce and simmer for ten minutes, finally add pork and simmer for half an hour until the juice is dry.
Su Tao didn't have a clock, so it was inconvenient to tell the time. He could only rely on his experience. While Su Tao put the pork into the slow cooker and waited, the dough was rising.
There were scallions growing in the educated youth's yard, so Su Tao picked a handful, washed them, and set them aside. First, divide the dough into smaller pieces, roll them out with a rolling pin, grease them with oil, and sprinkle with scallions, a pinch of salt, and cumin. Then, stretch the dough, fold it in half repeatedly, and finally roll it into small flower rolls, flatten it with a rolling pin, and pan-fry.
Soon the scallion pancakes were ready. Su Tao tasted one and found it crispy on the outside, tender and with a strong scallion aroma. He loved it.
The braised meat was also ready. Su Tao cut half of it, cut it into thin slices and put it in his own tin lunch box, and kept the rest for next time.
The educated youth had already gotten up one after another, and some of them rushed to the kitchen without even smelling the food.
"Su Taotao, what do you want to eat?" The educated youth looked at Su Tao with longing on his face.
"Would you like to try some scallion pancakes?" Su Tao didn't make many, as she had to save some for He Chuan. She took out one and cut it into several pieces with a knife, giving them to everyone to try.
The rich aroma of onions made everyone eager to pick it up and taste it. It was too crispy and crunchy. After finishing it, I wanted to eat another piece, but it was already shared, and I looked regretful.
"Taotao, how come you are so skillful with your hands? How did you make this pancake? It's so crispy, I've never eaten anything so delicious." The educated youth asked enviously.
"It's a family craft. My father is the manager of a state-owned restaurant. His skills are at the pinnacle. I have only learned the basics." Su Tao could only use his father as a cover, but he had no way to explain why his cooking skills were so good.
When Shen Ziqian came out, it was already late. Everyone had finished eating and was praising Su Tao's cooking skills.
"Taotao, I didn't expect your cooking skills to be so great. I never had the chance to taste your cooking before." Shen Ziqian looked at Su Tao with a self-proclaimed impeccable smile, waiting for Su Tao to give him the pancake.
"Yeah." Seeing that Su Tao just replied lightly, thinking that Su Tao didn't understand, he added, "I haven't had breakfast yet."
"You haven't had breakfast yet, go make it yourself. Why are you telling me this?" Su Tao frowned, speechless. It was he who broke up with Qian Yu in the first place, so why was he clinging to her again now?
Shen Ziqian didn't expect Su Tao to react like this. He expected Su Tao to offer him the pancakes as attentively as before. Su Tao's words made him feel a little embarrassed. He smiled awkwardly twice and turned around awkwardly to make breakfast for himself.
Su Tao left one for Hu Xiao, and wrapped the rest of the pancakes in banana leaves and took them to eat with He Chuan at noon.
Su Tao packed his things and arrived at the village entrance, where he found He Chuan already waiting. He was wearing a white shirt with his sleeves slightly rolled up. On his stern face, a pair of narrow, dark eyes gleamed brightly beneath thick brows. His nose was high, and his profile was three-dimensional and profound.
Su Tao ran over in small steps, "I'm sorry, I kept you waiting for a long time." Su Tao said apologetically, but his face showed an expression that said, "If you dare to admit it, I'll let you see it."
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