Chapter 235: What An Expensive Wine
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The man who spoke had a square face and a neat buzz cut, he appeared very stern. His facial features were small, and closely spaced. Which seemed abit crowded on his broad face, as if a special effect had been activated to gather his facial features towards the center.
Jiang Xia noticed the man’s nose was significantly reddened, showing signs of rosacea, suggesting he loved drinking alcohol. Continual drinking over time had likely led to this condition.
On the table were a plate of peanuts and cold cucumber slices, simple and economical food choices. However, the wine was premium Five Grain Liquor. It seemed this man not only loved drinking but also had a taste for the finer drinks.
The liquor, priced at two yuan a bottle, wasn’t cheap. Jiang Chuan felt a pinch in his wallet. Yet, considering the importance tied to his eldest daughter’s status, it was a necessary expense.
With resolve, Jiang Chuan picked up two bottles of the Five Grain Liquor, replaced them with two kilograms of meat, thanked the man with the rosacea nose, and then left with his wife and daughter.
Jiang Xia had originally planned to go to the cotton mill to exchange some cotton to make quilts and cotton-padded jackets at home. But the cotton mill was to the east of the town. To get there, they would have to traverse the entire county, so they decided to purchase cotton on their next visit.
The group made a quick trip to a nearby mall, bought a few imported chocolates for Jiang Gu, and didn’t waste more time. They exited the town, hopped into their SUV, and drove home.
By the time they got home, It was only four o’clock in the afternoon. Since it was still early and convenient, Jiang Chuan drove the car to the foot of the mountain. There, he gathered a bunch of sturdy dried branches and tossed them into the trunk, planning to use them for Jiang Xia’s fence later.
When they arrived home and brought the ingredients to Xiao Wu’s place, the sun had already set.
Xiao Wu was a straightforward person. Even though Jiang Chuan had told him not to prepare anything, Xiao Wu had still washed a basin of wild vegetables and specifically bought a small piece of marinated pig liver, which he had sliced and arranged on a plate.
Seeing this, Jiang Chuan expressed his gratitude, “Xiao Wu, thank you so much for everything. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know, and 1’11 be there to help!”
“Third Brother, there’s no need for formalities. You’ve helped me plenty in the past. You and sister-in-law can get busy in the kitchen. I’ll step out and tidy things up so 1 don’t get in your way.”
Zhou Lan was already very familiar with cooking. She started the pot and heated the oil to cook the dishes in one go. After a while, the aromas of the dishes wafted from the kitchen.
Smelling the delicious scent, Jiang Gu sneaked into the kitchen and asked, “Mom, what are you cooking? It smells so good and it’s a little choking.”
Zhou Lan, looking at her daughter’s adorable expression, she picked up a piece of pork liver and blew on it to cool it before stuffing it into her hand, “This is called stir-fried pork liver with chili. The choking smell you smell is from the chili.”
Jiang Gu had never eaten chili before, so she didn’t know how spicy it felt. She picked up the pig liver and stuffed it into her mouth. At first, she tasted only the meat’s flavor, but as she chewed, the spiciness hit, making her eyes tear up.
Both Jiang Chuan and Zhou Lan laughed at her reaction. Jiang Gu looked at them with tears in her eyes.
Zhou Lan wiped her daughter’s face with her sleeve, “You’re too young for spicy food. Don’t pick up this dish later. Go and get your sister to clear the table and prepare to serve the dishes.”
Just as the dishes were served, someone entered from outside. The person accidentally bumped the wooden door as he came in, letting out a muffled grunt.
Upon seeing the table filled with dishes, he exclaimed loudly, “Wow, such a feast!”
With limited ingredients, Zhou Lan could only make a few different dishes. Stir-fried pork liver with chili, stir-fried pork with shepherd’s purse, stir-fried egg with shepherd’s purse, grilled bread slices dipped in meat sauce, and wild vegetable porridge. The smell was so good that it made people’s stomachs growl.
The person appearing slightly unsteady on his feet, swayed a bit before sitting down. “Xiao Wu,” he said, “why go to such lengths for a simple meal?”
He seemed a bit incoherent, continuing to talk to himself even as others had left the room to get bowls and chopsticks.
Xiao Wu entered with a glass and liquor and, seeing the man, greeted him with a wide grin, “Oh, Captain Chen, you should’ve announced your arrival! We didn’t even hear you come in while we were in the courtyard..”
