CH 42.2

The Chen family also had no choice but they became impatient with the mother and daughter of the Xu family who wouldn’t save them. It really was that distant relatives were not as good as close neighbors. She also thought that although Zhang Fangyuan was a jerk in the past, no matter what happened in the past, he never cheated their family, and this time he helped a lot, so she gritted her teeth and said: " He ge’er, I will trouble you, can you do it?"

Xu He saw that her husband had said that, and his cousin kept asking him again and again, regardless of Xu Shaochun and Liu Xianglan, he had to worry about Zhang Fangyuan's face, so he agreed.

Seeing this, Mother Chen hurriedly and happily went to get a brand new apron for Xu He. This was something that could be used everyday, and it was given to the cook.

With the new apron tied around his waist, Xu He secretly took a deep breath.

He was used to do his own things in obscurity. The last time he acted in the eyes of everyone was the day he got married, but there was a big difference between today and that day.

Seeing that there was a cook, everyone was also slightly relieved, today's banquet must be held.

Looking back, everyone saw that Xu's mother and mother looked a little subtle this time, but everyone was together, and no one said anything in front of them.

Fei's mother was not deaf and blind, she was also a powerful person in the village, she could see something was wrong, she smiled and pulled Xu Shaochun and said in a low voice: "How can I not know that shaochun caught wind and cold? Summer is coming soon, the weather is changing, you have to take good care of yourself."

Xu Shaochun smiled awkwardly: "It's just that I was a little uncomfortable on the day when I returned home, I didn't expect my mother to remember it."

Liu Xianglan had always been thick-skinned: "Yes, look, that day the child coughed a bit, and wedding banquet is  a happy event, so it’s not good for Shaochun to cook with a her illness.”

Fei’s mother smiled bitterly, her tone was a bit yin and yang: “It’s been a long time since you came back, and you are still not good, you have to drink medicines when you get home.”

Xu Shaochun said sweetly, “Okay. I didn’t want my mother-in-law to worry.”

Everyone got busy again one after another. After lunch, Xu He started cooking the big dishes. In such a big banquet, usually there was a fixed main course, chicken, duck, fish, braised pork. Xu He could cook all these, it was nothing more than changing from a table of meals to dozens of tables.

In fact, there were people who helped to stew and steam the dishes. The most important thing was to stir-fry, and the vegetables were already cut and ready to use. He only needed to stand in front of the stove and be responsible for cooking and frying. It really depended on whether the taste was good or bad. With some talent and practice made perfect.

When the gongs and drums were beating outside, Xu He knew that the newcomer had been picked up. While the host family was doing ceremony, the helping woman and ge’er would clean up the yard and set up the tables, put the bowls and chopsticks. First, two plates of cold dishes and a stack of peanuts and pumpkin seeds would be served. After the worship, those who came to the banquet could enter the table and prepare to eat.

Served two appetizers first, followed by stir-fried vegetables with big dishes, and finally ended with soup and pickle, which meant that Xu He could start to stir-fry when the guests were seated.

"Mrs. Chen, hurry up, the brazier is broken, it's time for you to go to the middle hall to look at the ceremony and receive the bow from the newcomer!"

Chen's mother was very worried about the kitchen, for fear that Xu He would be stage fright. Worried at one end, at the other end she could only thank others for their help. The people in the room came to urge her several times, but she was still guarding this place, finally Xu He still said: "Auntie, don't worry."

Then she said a few words to Xu He and went back to the middle hall.

It wasn't just Chen's mother who was worried, but the women and fulangs who came to help were muttering that the tables were not good-looking, and it would take a long time for someone to set them.

After the ceremony, the courtyard became lively and firecrackers were set off again.

Xu He resolutely poured oil into the wok, threw in seasonings and sautéed it until it was fragrant. Immediately, there was delicious smell came from the wok. The woman who set the fire under the stove stood up first and stretched her neck.

Chen's mother came in a hurry, before she entered the kitchen, she breathed a sigh of relief, when she passed by, Xu He was frying lean meat with celery. Mother Chen didn't care about anything else, she took a sip straight out of the wok, the meat was delicious and tender, and the spice juice flowed, her heart immediately returned to her stomach.

"Okay! That's great! He ge’er, your skills are suitable for being a cook! It also saves our village from going to other villages to ask for cooks."

Mother Chen had a festive smile on her face, and she immediately went out from the kitchen. People were joking, and they all said that He ge'er had a good handicraft.

Xu He responded without saying much, and continued to work. Zhang Fangyuan leaned against the door of the kitchen and took a look. Seeing that everyone was watching Xu He cooking, he didn't go in, but turned his head and went out to help refill the big pot.