Chapter 36: Braised Lion’s Head

Successfully getting the university quota, both of them were very happy.

“Zecheng Ge, let’s celebrate tonight with a delicious meal.”

“Okay, let’s stew all the meat that Lei Zi and the others brought yesterday.”

“How about we make some sour fish?”

“I’ll go kill the fish.”

He said, rolling up his sleeves and going to the kitchen.

“An’an, do you want to try the dish I made?” Lu Zecheng said as he scraped the fish scales.

“Okay, I’ll help you build the fire.”

Dinner was completed with their cooperation.

Xia Changhai and Li Fang had heard about Xia Ning’an receiving the county’s reward in the afternoon. They came back immediately after the people building the house went back. Now, the whole family was celebrating by having a delicious meal.

During dinner, Xia Mu suddenly said, “The educated youth from the educated youth point, Xiao Zhiqing, is a good person. She sent a bucket of brown sugar water to the construction site this afternoon. She said it was to thank Lao Er for his help.”

Everyone looked at Xia Ninghao at the same time. What was going on?

Xia Ninghao hadn’t swallowed the braised pork in his mouth yet. Seeing everyone’s inquisitive gazes, he quickly swallowed and said, “I don’t know her well. It was just this morning on the way to the oil mill. She was carrying a bundle of firewood, and it suddenly fell to the ground when I passed by. I helped her pick it up, tied it up, and sent it back for her.”

Everyone looked at each other, then at Xia Ninghao. He had grown taller, his face was more handsome, and he was fairer. Now, he was the factory director of the oil mill. Except for Xia Ninghao himself, who was oblivious, everyone else sensed something different.

This Xiao Zhiqing had been in the countryside for less than a year. She usually worked poorly, only getting 5 or 6 work points a day. Her family hadn’t heard of any financial support. She was said to be quiet at the educated youth point. She was an educated youth from Jiang Province, not very tall, and originally quite pretty. After one autumn harvest, she had become dark and thin.

“Second Brother, do you have someone you like now?”

“No, why are you asking?”

“Then, would you be willing to have Xiao Zhiqing as your wife?”

“Of course not.” Xia Ninghao immediately rejected the idea, his braised pork suddenly losing its appeal.

“Second Brother, you should be considered the most sought-after bachelor in the village now. In the future, when you go out, try to find a companion. If you see a girl alone, make sure to walk around her. Don’t get close. What if she twists her ankle and falls on you? You won’t be able to explain yourself. Also, if you hear someone falling into the water, and it’s a girl, don’t go into the water to save her. Stay away. If you don’t want to be forced to marry someone you don’t like, remember what I said. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have no choice, call the police and let them clear your name. Don’t be afraid of hooliganism. If you didn’t do it, the police won’t wrong you. Don’t touch anything that people give you to eat or drink.”

Xia Ning’an remembered the stories in the time travel novels. There were too many forced marriages because of falling into the water. Either the man was scheming against the woman, or the woman was scheming against the man. The key was that this method was particularly effective in this era. For the sake of her family’s peace of mind, Xia Ning’an didn’t want a sister-in-law like that to enter their home.

Xia Ninghao was stunned. “There can’t be girls who are so shameless.”

“You’ve already been targeted.”

“Damn, no way,” Xia Ninghao jumped up when he heard this.

“Don’t believe me? Just wait for the next two days. You’ll definitely encounter her alone again. Remember to leave when you see her. Don’t even acknowledge her, especially any tricks like falling or fainting. Don’t believe them.”

Xia Ninghao stared at Lu Zecheng with wide eyes. Seeing Lu Zecheng nod, he couldn’t believe it. It completely overturned his worldview.

“Mother will definitely encounter girls trying to flirt with you outside. Remember to reject them all.”

Xia Changhai said, “Why don’t we find a matchmaker after the house is built and see if there are any suitable girls to look at? You’re not too young anymore.”

Xia Ninghao shook his head like a rattle.

“I don’t want to. I want to work hard now, see more of the world, and I don’t want to stay in this small mountain village for the rest of my life. I don’t want to get married so early either.”

Li Fang was about to say something else, but Xia Ning’an interrupted, “Since Second Brother doesn’t want to find someone, then don’t. In the future, if you meet someone you like, you don’t need Father and Mother to urge you. You’ll be the one who’s anxious. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Let him decide for himself.”

After dinner, Xia Ning’an washed up and went into the space. Bond was washing white wine bottles. After the crops in the farm matured a few days ago, Xia Ning’an thought that brewing wine with these grains would definitely be delicious. To brew delicious wine, besides the quality of the grain, a good water source was essential. She believed that the wine brewed with the water from the farm spring would be absolutely delicious. So, she bought five winemaking machines from the foodie system and started brewing wine when Bond was free.

Little Meow said, “An Jie, can you change your recipes? You won’t get tired of eating the same few dishes every day?”

Xia Ning’an awkwardly retracted her hand that was reaching for the pork belly. She really should change the dishes. Maybe she should go find the descendant of the imperial chef tomorrow and learn a new dish. That’s settled.

The next day,

Xia Ning’an rode her tricycle to the county. When she was close to her destination, she took out 10 jin of flour, 5 jin of hind leg meat (30% fat, 70% lean), and some seasonings and side dishes needed for this dish from the space.

A piece of yam, 10 eggs, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rock sugar, cooking wine, tangerine peel, star anise, fennel, scallions, ginger, and garlic.

After filling the tricycle with firewood, she knocked on the door of Tong Dawei’s courtyard. His son, Fengfeng, opened the door.

Seeing that it was a child, Xia Ning’an bent down and gave the boy a handful of candy. “Take this and eat it with your sister. Where’s your father?”

Just as she was speaking, Tong Dawei came out. Seeing her, he said, “Xia Tongzhi, you’re here? Come in quickly.”

He shouted into the house, “Huifang, come out quickly. Our savior is here.”

A woman with fair skin, a beautiful face, and a slightly haggard look came out.

Seeing Xia Ning’an, she quickly walked over. “Thanks to you, I had money to see a doctor.”

“Don’t be so polite. I really like those things too. I came here today to learn a dish from Uncle, braised lion’s head. I brought all the ingredients.” She said, starting to unload things from the car.

Tong Dawei was stunned when he saw the firewood on the tricycle. So much firewood! It would last them half a month if they saved it. They didn’t have coal coupons and had nowhere to collect firewood. Now that the weather was cold, they didn’t dare to light a fire, afraid that they wouldn’t have enough firewood. Xia Ning’an came to learn how to cook and even brought firewood. He had to admire her thoughtfulness. Naturally, he didn’t hold back when teaching her how to cook. Xia Ning’an was a fast learner. After trying it once, the taste was already very good. He believed that with more practice, she would master this dish soon.

Xia Ning’an had lunch at Tong Dawei’s house and then went to the yard she rented to put away her goods. She took out the same goods as last time and went to the black market to trade with Zhang Dagang. She got five large boxes of antiques and 2,000 yuan in cash.