CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 48: QINGSHAN VILLAGE – THE ELDEST COUSIN WANTS TO BUILD A HOUSE

The one asking questions was the eldest cousin. Jiang Mingyue briefly explained the situation.

Then she saw the village leader coming over with some people, and a group of them went to the back of her house’s yard. At first, it wasn’t clear why, but when she saw the accountant holding a steel ruler, she understood. Was her eldest cousin going to allocate land for building a house?

Wow! The efficiency! That’s quick action!

It was that gentleman known as trouble, really having too much time on his hands. Was he ready to help the eldest cousin build a house with his entourage? Quite a sense of loyalty!

Jiang Mingyue didn’t know why meeting the trouble gentleman made her a bit sarcastic. Thinking about it, it seemed so inexplicable.

"Xiao Ran, take a break. Let’s not carry on. Go play with Coal. Sister is going to cook, and after your nap this afternoon, I’ll teach you to write."

Xiao Ran was a sensible and well-behaved child. As long as Jiang Mingyue told him, he would nod and do as he was told.

Simply adorable.

Jiang Mingyue first went to the vegetable garden in the backyard to pick some vegetables. There were chives, fennel, eggplant... that was it.

When Jiang Mingyue first arrived, she couldn’t understand why they couldn’t eat enough when they could grow vegetables, and furthermore, why they would rather go up the mountain to find wild vegetables instead of growing more.

Actually, it was because of the problem with oil and salt. With oil and salt, any dish could be delicious, but without them, homegrown vegetables were far less tasty than wild ones.

Gradually, fewer people put effort into gardening.

They thought it more practical to grow potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Jiang Mingyue planned to ask Pan Zhoucong to get some vegetable seeds next time she met him because the variety of vegetables still needed to be increased.

After washing and cutting the vegetables, she found the water had run out. Jiang Mingyue grabbed a wooden bucket and quickly filled the storage tank in her space.

Then she went to her room, intending to stay in her space longer this time.

Once inside, her grains were indeed ripe again. Releasing her spiritual power, she harvested, threshed, and processed them into flour and rice seamlessly.

Additionally, she had a new method for sweet potatoes this time, processing them into sweet potato vermicelli.

In the future, there would be another dish. She just needed to think of a reason for it. Right, let her elder brother take the blame. Isn’t a department store supposed to have everything? What’s a small sweet potato vermicelli?

Thinking that there would be more people for lunch, Jiang Mingyue grabbed two chickens, processed them by the stream, and then brought them out of the space.

At the same time, she acquired some more eggs and a large piece of meat.

Jiang Mingyue first divided the meat into two portions. One portion was put with green onions, ginger, and garlic and boiled for half an hour, while the other portion was chopped into minced meat and mixed with a small amount of sweet potato starch to make meatballs.

Xiao Jiang Ran’s nose, it seemed, was extraordinary. Even before the aroma of the meat in the pot became apparent, he followed the scent over.

"Sister, what are you making? It smells so good! Sister, I’ll help you with the fire. I won’t play with Coal anymore. You’re too busy; I want to help you."

The little one said such a long list. It seemed he didn’t need her to answer!

But who wouldn’t love such a gentle, sensible child? She could use a dozen more like him.

"Sister is making delicious twice-cooked pork. Just wait to eat."

From then on, Jiang Mingyue didn’t hear the little guy speak to her again. Curious, she turned to look at the person at the stove and found him mumbling to himself, his small hands not forgetting to add firewood to the stove.

What’s he mumbling?

Jiang Mingyue leaned closer and this time heard clearly.

"Everyone must love. The sky covers, the earth carries..."

Jiang Mingyue: "..." How shocking.

In the times of poverty, a poor village, poor families, subjected to so much bullying, they couldn’t even eat or dress warmly.

Yet, once the little one could eat and dress warmly, he never clung to it. As you can see when he had the opportunity to learn, he grasped it tightly, unafraid of hardship or suffering.

Jiang Mingyue now desperately wanted to buy some educational books, but she also knew it probably wasn’t possible.

It was around this time nationwide that schools were being closed one after another, societal order was chaotic, everyone reporting one another. Bookstores in big cities all shut down, let alone the small bookstores in places like Nanxi City.

Well, ask the eldest cousin for help.

Since the little one was so hardworking, Jiang Mingyue would also lend a helping hand to make his learning enjoyable. So she cooked while explaining, adding story-like fun to it. Indeed, the little one was captivated, looking at her as if she were the sun and moon.

The meat in the pot was ready, Jiang Mingyue took it out to cool, sliced it, and since there were no garlic shoots, she used green peppers as a substitute. The seasonings were all ready, and she quickly stir-fried a plate of beautifully colored, fragrant, and tasty twice-cooked pork.

Jiang Mingyue didn’t forget to let Xiao Jiang Ran have a taste first.

The little one was entranced by the aroma, eating until his mouth was oily, his eyes sparkling.

"Sister, your cooking is simply too delicious. You are amazing! Even better than the moon!"

Jiang Mingyue: "..."

Next, she cooked meatball and wild vegetable soup, made two chickens into a big dish of chicken mixed with pieces of potatoes, which smelled absolutely divine.

Then there were scrambled eggs with chives, fish-flavored eggplant, and made some ample portions of fennel cakes.

It seemed timed perfectly, as Mrs. Jiang returned from work to the yard, and her last dish was ready. The rice had also been steamed.

Big brother, second brother, and third sister didn’t even bother washing their hands, first drawn by the aroma, rushed into the kitchen.

"I have to see what delicious food the moon has made. Heaven knows when I was working, just thinking about Ming Yue’s cooking, I was drooling, so embarrassing."

Mrs. Jiang glared: "You know embarrassment. Hurry up, go wash your hands and face, don’t bring dust into the kitchen."

"By the way, yesterday I asked Jin Zhi to come over for dinner. Jian Guo, go call them over."

Then a voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Third aunt, no need. Jin Zhi is helping me. Is the food ready? Then I’ll bring them over together."

Jiang Mingyue pursed her lips: really not being very polite.

Jiang Ming’an came right over, and besides bringing Yan Jinzhi and Qiao Mingtang, today there was also the great uncle.

Mrs. Jiang was very pleased to see such esteemed people arriving and quickly invited him to take the seat of honor, but Yan Jinzhi was very clever, giving the seat of honor to the great uncle.

The great uncle initially pouted because he felt Mrs. Jiang overlooked him, but he was immediately appeased by Yan Jinzhi.

He really liked this young man a lot.

Erudite, knowledgeable about astronomy and geography alike, always able to find a topic to talk about, and a marvelous chess player, yet humble. He had never seen such a remarkable and modest young man. In just one evening, they became fast friends despite the age difference.

Qiao Mingtang exclaimed: "Little Yueyue, it’s so abundant, and it smells so good! Completely satisfied!"

When a daughter is praised, naturally it gives the mother a sense of pride. Mrs. Jiang happily served everyone more food, "Then eat more, don’t be shy. Young people use a lot of energy quickly, so you need to eat more, or you’ll get hungry fast."

The bowl already mound-like, Qiao Mingtang cheerfully flattered Mrs. Jiang.

Meanwhile, Yan Jinzhi openly served Jiang Mingyue more food.

Jiang Mingyue: "..." She wanted to glare, but the next second he sincerely said, "You’ve worked hard!"

What could she say to that?

The meal was thoroughly enjoyed by both guests and hosts. Of course, all the food was devoured cleanly, not even a single piece of chili was left.

Jiang Mingyue marveled at their appetite.

Even the eighty-five-year-old great uncle ate two bowls of rice and lots and lots of dishes. Turns out, he was in great health, no illnesses or ailments, his teeth still strong, his bright white teeth when he smiled made even the young people feel ashamed.