Chapter 49: Hot Pot

About ten minutes later, Bi Qiao’an finished chopping the vegetables and arranging them on plates. 

Meanwhile, Shen Yanming set up the induction cooker on the living room coffee table and retrieved a yin-yang pot from the kitchen. He prepared the hot pot seasoning he’d brought from Qing City in Southern Province, adding water and bringing it to a boil. The aroma was incredible, filling the room with the promise of a delicious meal.

Bi Qiao’an placed the vegetables near the cooker: crown daisy, Indian lettuce, round lettuce, potato and sweet potato slices, lotus root, yam, and more. Shen Yanming also brought out taro powder, tofu skin, lamb rolls, shrimp, and crab roe dumplings from the space, adding to the already impressive spread.

For dipping sauces, Bi Qiao’an brought out bowls and ingredients: sesame paste, leek sauce, crushed sesame and peanuts, chili oil, fermented tofu, vinegar, and light soy sauce. 

“I’m not sure what sauces they like, so they can mix their own when they get here!” she said, mixing herself a spoonful of sesame paste, leek sauce, chili oil, and crushed peanuts.

“Mix me one too, just like that!” Shen Yanming said, opening a bottle of red wine.

“Sure!” Bi Qiao’an prepared another bowl. “Do you think Zhang Heping’s girlfriend will come?”

“Probably not, they didn’t mention her,” Shen Yanming replied, raising his eyebrows.

Bi Qiao’an giggled mischievously. “We saw her only once during the New Year. It’s nice living on the upper floors – you have privacy.”

“I thought you’d complain about living on the upper floors!”

“Not at all! We close our door, and no one has any idea what we’re up to. Even if we cook something delicious, the smell stays inside, and no one barges in unexpectedly! And those secrets we have? At least here, they’re safe,” Bi Qiao’an said, nodding with conviction.

Shen Yanming chuckled. “It’s convenient for now, but living in an apartment building will be deadly when things start to change later this year.”

“Why bring up something so unpleasant? Ugh!” Bi Qiao’an instantly caught his meaning and shot him a playful glare. “Besides, think of the stairs when the power goes out! We’re on the sixteenth floor!”

“There’s always a trade-off. Our building will be better insulated in the winter,” Bi Qiao’an countered as the doorbell rang. She stopped abruptly.  “I’ll get the door.”

As expected, three men stood at the door. After Zhang Heping, Ji Kangyong, and Li Zhaozhao changed into slippers, they settled in without needing direction.

Shen Yanming poured red wine for his guests. “What brings you here today? Try this, I got it from France.”

Zhang Heping eyed the table laden with food, impressed. “Old Shen, you’re amazing! I called half an hour ago, and you’ve got all this ready?”

“I have it stocked in the fridge. And haven’t you noticed?” Shen Yanming gestured to the TV. “All the major media are suddenly teaching people how to farm. That implies we might all need those skills!”

He pointed to his guest room. “Take a look, I’ve turned the bedrooms into vegetable gardens.”

Ji Kangyong glanced at the farming show playing on TV. “So the higher-ups are aware?”

“Definitely. I suspect the Zhang family is the source,” Li Zhaozhao said, his face jiggling. “I heard two martial artists, from the imperial capital no less, moved in with the Zhangs. They seem to be protecting their young miss. It’s likely Zhang Chenjun is the one who alerted them.”

“Let’s play dumb. The Zhang family has protected us, in a way,” Ji Kangyong sighed.

Zhang Heping shook his head. “Not exactly. We’ve been careful, but the Zhangs… they’re not exactly subtle. They’ll be fine if no one investigates, but if they do, it’s over.”

“Technically, the Zhangs did nothing unethical. You could even call them heroes. Their information will save countless lives. Compared to them, we’re just a few cowards worried about getting caught.”

Li Zhaozhao aimed for objectivity. “I think our Qinghua has been quite fair. They only asked the Zhang family to report information, and the supplies still belong to them. Those two people left behind are just there to protect Zhang Chenjun and relay any updates.”

“Alright, let’s drop that topic. How about we check out Yanming’s flower room… oh, I mean vegetable room?” Ji Kangyong interjected with a smile, standing up to head toward the guest room.

“Yanming, what are you growing here? Give us the tour!” Li Zhaozhao eyed the neatly arranged pots in the guest room. Some were bare, while others were full of green leaves.

“The empty ones have freshly-sown vegetable seeds. The leafy ones are fruit seedlings from last year,” Shen Yanming said and reached out to lift a leaf. “See? They’re already fruiting.”

“Damn, didn’t think you had this in you! I claim this strawberry pot!” Li Zhaozhao shook his chubby frame and reached for the strawberries.

Shen Yanming chuckled. “Sure, each of you can pick a pot to take home when you leave. Let’s eat first, the pot’s been simmering for a while.”

As they settled around the table, Shen Yanming encouraged them to mix their own dipping sauces. Seeing the others were back, Bi Qiao’an began adding vegetables and lamb to the pot. She turned to Zhang Heping, “Where’s your little partner? Didn’t she come today?”

“She went back to her hometown. Said she hasn’t visited in a while,” Zhang Heping replied casually.

Ji Kangyong exclaimed, “Wait, Zhang Heping, you have a girlfriend too? Why haven’t you told us?”

“I bought a house, right? My uncle’s wife heard about it and insisted on playing matchmaker. I refused, but she straight-up brought the girl to me. Couldn’t get out of it, so I went along. Hey, not like I lose anything!” Zhang Heping said with a shrug.

Shen Yanming inquired, “So what’s the deal with the girl?”

“Some distant relative of my aunt. I don’t get why she’s so pushy about it,” Zhang Heping grumbled.

Li Zhaozhao patted Zhang Heping’s back in concern. “If you’re unhappy, just say no firmly! Don’t let her think she can cling to you.”

“How can she cling? Right now, yeah, I have a house and job, but will that matter in the apocalypse? Plus, society still has order now. She can’t force me to marry her, right?”

Zhang Heping paused, then added, “If she gets annoying, once the food runs out, she’ll figure things out. I’m definitely not telling her about my supplies.”

Bi Qiao’an swallowed a bite of lamb, and said, “Don’t be so negative. Maybe the girl’s actually nice.”