Chapter 114: Zhou~~~Si~~~Nian~~~~!!!!!!!

After leaving the space, Ming Dai found the soybean paste given to her by Aunt Huang.

She heated oil in the pot, then added pork belly and fried it until the fat was rendered. Next, she tossed in scallions, ginger, garlic, and the soybean paste. As the fragrance filled the air, she poured in boiling water and carefully placed the entire fish into the pot.

Luckily, the pot outside was large enough; otherwise, it wouldn’t have fit!

She layered slices of garlic over the fish and poured soy sauce and vinegar along the edges of the pot before covering it with a lid to let it simmer.

The two of them sat by the stove, tending the fire while roasting chestnuts.

As the aroma from the pot grew richer, Zhou Sinian couldn’t help but ask repeatedly.

“Ming Dai, is it ready?”

“No, not yet.”

“Ming Dai, is it done now?”

“Wait a little longer!”

“Ming Dai, I think it’s ready!”

Ming Dai: ……

Alright, she had to admit, it did seem ready.

Lifting the lid, a burst of fragrant steam filled the air, making both of their stomachs growl at the same time.

The fish was too big to fit on a plate. Ming Dai took a new enamel basin, washed it thoroughly, and poured the fish and broth into it until it was full.

They didn’t even bother washing the pot, quickly extinguishing the fire before heading into the space.

Without wasting time, they scooped rice into their bowls. Ming Dai picked up a piece of the fish’s tender belly meat with her chopsticks and put it into her mouth.

It was soft, smooth, and infused with the rich aroma of the soybean paste—absolutely delicious!

Zhou Sinian scooped up a spoonful of broth, mixed it with boneless fish belly, and took a bite. He was instantly hooked!

“Ming Dai! We should catch more fish. This won’t be enough!”

Ming Dai nodded in agreement.

Freshly cooked iron-pot fish stew was simply too good!

Next time, she had to try sticking some flatbreads to the side of the pot to soak up the broth—it would definitely taste even better!

The fish was too big for them to finish in one sitting, and half of it was still left.

Ming Dai took the basin of fish out of the space and placed it in the cupboard outside. This way, the fish would turn into a jelly-like consistency, giving it a unique texture and flavor.

That night, as usual, they followed the routine of acupuncture and a medicinal bath. After finishing, Zhou Sinian suggested sleeping outside the space.

“Ming Dai, I’m going out tonight to find some dogs.”

Ming Dai asked, “Is their home far?”

Zhou Sinian thought for a moment. “Not far.”

Ming Dai nodded. “Alright. Make sure to wear your anti-slip boots and don’t forget the sheepskin knee guards, okay?”

Zhou Sinian nodded in agreement.

In the middle of the night, when everyone was asleep, he dressed properly and set out after informing Ming Dai.

Ming Dai didn’t sleep either—she stayed awake, waiting for his return.

Three hours later, the door creaked open. Ming Dai called out from the window, “Zhou Sinian?”

Hearing his response, she finally relaxed.

A moment later, Zhou Sinian entered the house. Ming Dai led him into the space, raised the temperature, and let him change into dry clothes.

When Zhou Sinian came out in his sleepwear, his eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly waiting for Ming Dai to praise him.

Ming Dai handed him a cup of ginger tea with sugar and curiously asked, “Why didn’t the dogs bark? How many did you bring back?”

Zhou Sinian took a sip of the tea and was pleased with the sweetness. “They don’t like to bark. I got six in total. The sled only has six harnesses.”

Ming Dai was a little surprised. So, if there had been more harnesses, would he have brought back even more dogs?

“Is their family well-off? They have so many dogs.”

Zhou Sinian blinked, showing that he had no idea.

Ming Dai yawned. She was exhausted, too.

“Alright, let’s sleep for another two hours. We have to leave before the villagers wake up. Make sure to wake me up later.”

Zhou Sinian was more reliable than an alarm clock—such a fascinating talent!

He nodded, washed his teacup, and then went to sleep.

When Zhou Sinian woke Ming Dai up, she was still groggy. Urged by him, she quickly got dressed and stepped out of the space.

While she was still inside the house, carefully putting on her scarf and hat, Zhou Sinian went outside in the dark to harness the dogs.

By the time Ming Dai came out, he was already waiting outside with the sled dogs securely fastened.

The sky was still dark. Ming Dai fumbled her way onto the sled, and as soon as Zhou Sinian flicked the reins, the dogs started running. The sled glided smoothly through the village, moving swiftly until they were beyond its borders.

As she held on tightly, Ming Dai couldn’t help but be amazed. These dogs were incredibly well-trained—they didn’t make a single sound.

Once they left the village, the sled suddenly picked up speed.

Ming Dai felt that these dogs were much faster than the ones in the village!

By the time they reached yesterday’s fishing spot, dawn had only just begun to break, casting a faint white glow on the horizon.

Zhou Sinian drove the sled directly onto the frozen lake.

When it finally came to a stop, Ming Dai let out a sigh of relief.

Although Zhou Sinian had driven a horse-drawn sled before, this was his first time handling a dog sled.

Fortunately, he was reliable as always, and they had arrived without any accidents.

Zhou Sinian grabbed his tools and went to break open the fishing holes they had used the day before.

Meanwhile, Ming Dai was curious about the sled dogs.

In her past life, she had always wanted to own an Alaskan Malamute, but when she was young, her family didn’t allow pets. Then, as she grew older, she fell in love with traveling and never got the chance to raise one.

Dogs were so adorable—this time, she was definitely going to have one of her own!

With that thought in mind, she walked over to the resting dogs, ready to give them a good pat.

However, the moment she got a clear look at them, she froze.

The dogs didn’t seem to like her either. As soon as she approached, they all stood up in unison. Their front legs lowered, hind legs bent, teeth bared, and deep, threatening growls rumbled from their throats as they began advancing toward her.

Terrified, Ming Dai immediately collapsed onto the ice, scrambling backward on all fours, completely forgetting that she had a space to escape into.

“Zhou~~~Si~~~Nian~~~~!!!!!”

She trembled as she cried out for Zhou Sinian, her voice filled with panic. In front of her, pairs of eerie, ice-blue beastly eyes crept closer, closing in on her!

That damn Zhou Sinian!!!

These were NOT dogs!!!

They were clearly wolves!!!