Cooking Snake 

The pork was placed in a small wooden bucket and hung in the well to keep cool. The flour and eggs were properly stored in the cabinet, and the seasonings were packed separately. By noon, Lin Miaoyin began preparing to cook. 

The snake meat had been cleaned by Meng Yuanzheng. It looked like a large eel, so she was not afraid of it anymore. She asked Meng Yuanzheng to prepare the ingredients while she cut the snake meat into small pieces, added some white wine, old ginger, green onions, and salt, and marinated it all evenly. 

Meng Yuanzheng found some potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, eggplants, and beans, all of which were grown in the Lin family’s private plot. Lin Miaojun sent them to his sister two days ago. 

After washing them at the well and putting them in a basin, she brought it inside. Lin Miaoyin quickly chopped them into chunks, prepared the spices, and cleaned the pot. 

Meng Yuanzheng had already lit the fire, and once the pot was hot, she put a large amount of oil into it without hesitation. 

Being stingy with the oil wouldn’t work—she’d figure out how to get more once it was used up.  

When the oil is hot enough and it starts releasing smoke, she prepares to add the snake meat. 

This is what Lin Miaoyin is most nervous about: cold water will explode when it meets hot oil.  

Meng Yuanzheng stood up and said, “How about I do it?” 

“No need, I’ve already mastered this,” Lin Miaoyin said, then poured all the snake meat in the bowl into the pot and quickly grabbed the lid to cover it. 

There was a sizzling sound in the pot. After about ten seconds, she lifted the lid to find the splattering had stopped. She stirred it with a spatula and fried it until the surface was golden brown, then removed it from the pot. Once the oil temperature rose again, she added the snake pieces for a second fry, then took them out to drain the excess oil. 

Then she added the minced ginger, garlic, chili peppers, and peppercorns into the hot oil. Once they released a fragrant aroma, she added the vegetables and stir-fried them until they were half-cooked, added some water, and then laid the snake meat on top, covered the pot, and simmered. 

On the other side, a small stove was heating up the porridge, which was making a soft gurgling sound. 

She sat on the firewood pile. Cooking in this summer was really a pain. 

Just as she was about to bring the apron to her face to wipe he sweat, someone handed her a white handkerchief.  

“Use this to wipe.”  

She glanced at him, took it, and said with a smile, “Let me see this handkerchief. It’s still new. Did you buy it?” 

Meng Yuanzheng shook his head. 

Looking closer, she realized, “Isn’t this from my dowry?”  

Meng Yuanzheng showed a puzzled look and said very innocently, “I took it from my box.” 

“Oh, I remember now! A few days ago, you stole some cloth from my dowry and gave it to that educated youth named Hui! This handkerchief must have been stolen from me at that time!” 

If she hadn’t mentioned it, she would’ve forgotten about Zhang Hui. Between the female protagonist and the other woman from the village, it seemed that Meng Yuanzheng has pretty good luck with women. 

Meng Yuanzheng frowned, clenched his fists, and placed them on his knees. “Did that happen?” 

“Yes! But it’s a pity you’ve forgotten. If Zhang Hui found out, she’d be heartbroken.” She fanned herself with the edge of her clothing, sneaking a glance at him.  

Meng Yuanzheng lowered his head with an unhappy look on his face and did not answer. 

Suddenly, they heard footsteps in the yard. Looking outside, she saw a woman in a green military uniform with braided hair, walking directly to the house. 

“Cousin, cousin, cousin-in-law, what delicious food are you making? It smells so good!” 

Lin Miaoyin finally remembered that this was the original owner’s cousin, Yan Hongyue, another minor character in the book. She had been engaged to the male protagonist as a child, but she despised the poor and loved the rich, so she started dating a richer man from town, leaving him behind. Her role was mainly to add to the male protagonist tragic backstory. 

“What are you doing here?” Lin Miaoyin moved, leaving half of the bench for her to sit on. 

“I heard that my cousin-in-law was injured, so I came to see him.” Yan Hongyue sniffed and smelled the delicious aroma in the air. 

“Empty-handed?” 

“Oh, come on, we’re like sisters. Do we really need to worry about such formalities?” Yan Hongyue laughed. 

Lin Miaoyin didn’t buy it. She got up, lifted the lid, stirred the meat and vegetables in the pot, and covered it again.  

“It smells so good. Sister, can I stay and have a meal today?” Yan Hongyue almost drooled. Her cousin-in-law was from the city, and he really knew how to enjoy life. She thought about how she’d also marry a city dweller someday. As for her old fiancé, who was her childhood sweetheart and still working in a coal mine, it would be foolish to marry him. 

“No. I spent half the night catching those eels. If you want to eat, go catch some yourself.” 

The two sisters had an average relationship, both being from the same village, so refusing a meal wasn’t a big deal. 

Yan Hongyue pouted and gave her a complaining look. “How stingy!”  

“Tell me, why did you really come?” Lin Miaoyin asked, nudging Meng Yuanzheng to move so she could sit on the bench’s other end. 

“I’m going to the town to watch a movie with my friends tomorrow. Can you lend me the pair of leather shoes you wore for your wedding? I only have cloth shoes, and it would be so embarrassing to go to the city.” Yan Hongyue pleaded, clasping her hands together. 

Lin Miaoyin thought for a moment and considered how the plot had developed. It was almost at the point where the poor male protagonist would be abandoned by his fiancée, the same person standing before her. 

And if Yan Hongyue didn’t leave him, he wouldn’t end up with the female protagonist, so she couldn’t meddle with the story. 

Besides, other than breaking up with the male protagonist, Yan Hongyue hadn’t done anything too wrong and the original story didn’t go into detail about her character. 

“Fine, but don’t damage them.” 

“You’re the best, Cousin! I love you!” Yan Hongyue exclaimed with excitement. 

“Come with me.” She stood up, brushed off the dust, and told Meng Yuanzheng to keep an eye on the pot. She then took Yan Hongyue into the house to get the leather shoes wrapped in newspaper.  

“Don’t worry, cousin. I’ll only wear them for one day. After that, I’ll make sure to clean them up and return them to you.” Yan Hongyue held the shoes carefully. 

Lin Miaoyin didn’t care much for a pair of shoes, especially an ugly one, but knowing that Yan Hongyue was meeting her new partner, she reminded her of a few things and sent her off. 

When she returned to the kitchen, the snake meat was almost ready. She sprinkled it with a handful of chopped green onions and served it in two full bowls. The colors, aroma, and flavor were so rich that even on Chinese New Year, this kind of meal would be rare. 

She covered it with another large bowl, placed it in the basket, and covered it with a layer of cloth. Seeing that it was still early and not yet time for lunch at the Lin family, she carried the basket to her family. 

The Lin family was busy cooking, and she briefly explained the origin of the meat, which caused Mother Lin and Cui Fen to sigh and praise Meng Yuanzheng for his skills. Lin Miaojun even patted his chest and promised to find some realgar to drive away the snakes. 

Before leaving, Mother Lin filled her basket with vegetables and even included a few freshly made steamed buns, making sure she left with more than she had brought. 

When she got home, Meng Yuanzheng was sitting under the eaves with his eyes closed. When he heard the yard door open, he opened his eyes, strode over, took the heavy basket from Lin Miaoyin’s hand, “I’ve got some water from the well. Go wash your hands.” 

After Lin Miaoyin washed her hands, Meng Yuanzheng put away the vegetable basket, “The porridge is served and cooling; it’s ready to eat.” 

Sitting down at the table, she found that the porridge was just the right temperature, not as hot as when it was just out of the pot. The chopsticks were already set out, the steamed bun was also served on a plate, and he even brought out some pickled vegetables. 

Meng Yuanzheng sat down and uncovered the large bowl that served as a lid for the snake meat. Seeing Lin Miaoyin looking at him strangely, he asked what was wrong. 

“What is it?” 

Lin Miaoyin grinned, “You’re quite skilled at managing the house!” 

Author’s Note:  

Our dear Zheng Zheng is really caring! 🥰