Chapter 15

Heat the oil in a pan and Ning He imitated Qianlin’s steps to light a fire. After several attempts, he finally got the fire started.

She scooped a spoonful of lard refined yesterday, put the wrapped buns into the pan, and fried them for five or six minutes.

Pour half a bowl of diluted flour water into the pot, cover the pot, fry until the bottom of the buns is golden brown, sprinkle with chopped green onions and white sesame seeds and serve.

Qianlin was awakened by the fragrance.

He followed the source of the fragrance and walked to the kitchen door in a daze.

“Mom, what are you cooking? It smells so good!” Qianlin rubbed his eyes.

Ning He brought out two large plates of fried buns and she smiled as she stretched the plates in front of Qian Lin.

He opened his eyes and took a quick look, then couldn’t look away.

There are small buns on the plate. The bottom of the buns is golden and crispy, and the buns are sprinkled with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, which looks very appetizing.

Qianlin asked: “Mom, is this a bun? I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a small bun.”

Ning He smiled and said to him, “This is a thumb-sized fried bun. One bite each, easy to eat. Go brush your teeth and have breakfast.”

Qianlin responded, and when he turned around to brush his teeth, he bumped into something hard.

He covered his forehead in pain and looked up at the person in front of him: “Dad, why are you walking without making any sound?”

He Shaochuan had already finished washing up.

He stood behind Qianlin and looked through Qianlin at Ninghe.

Ning He changed into a light green floral dress today, holding two plates in her hands, which were still hot and smelled fragrant.

This was the first time He Shaochuan slept late.

It’s also strange. In the past, his sleep quality was very poor and it was difficult for him to fall asleep. Or he would wake up at the slightest noise. Every day, he would get up before the horn sounded.

But today he was awakened by the sound of a horn.

Over the years, there was one exception.

He Shaochuan naturally knew the reason.

He looked at Ning He who was standing at the kitchen door and asked her naturally, “What are you doing?”

“Thumb-shaped fried buns, I wonder if you like them.” Ning He was about to come out with two plates of fried buns.

He Shaochuan strode towards her, and before Ning He took a step, he reached out and took the two plates of fried buns from Ning He’s hand.

“Go sit down and rest for a while, I’ll take care of the rest.”

After He Shaochuan finished speaking, he carried two plates of fried buns into the main room.

Ning He took Qian Lin to wash and brush his teeth.

After finishing everything, she took Qianlin’s hand back to the main room. As soon as she stepped in, she saw the dishes and chopsticks neatly arranged on the table.

As soon as Ning He sat down, He Shaochuan came in with two enamel cups and placed the cups in front of Ning He and Qian Lin.

“Drink some water first.” With that, He Shaochuan went out again.

Soon he seemed to be holding something in his hand again.

It was not until he came closer that Ning He could see clearly what was in his hand.

They are two small eggs!

As usual, He Shaochuan gave the eggs to Ning He and Qian Lin respectively.

Ning He looked at He Shaochuan’s desk. It was empty, without an enamel cup or eggs.

“There are no eggs at home?” Ning He asked.

He Shaochuan said: “I don’t like eating eggs. You are too thin. Eat more eggs to make up for it. Qianlin is growing up, so he needs an egg every day.”

Ning He couldn’t quite understand He Shaochuan. How could he, a grown man, be so picky about food?

Or was he reluctant to eat it and left the eggs for them to eat?

Ning He couldn’t stand this, so she peeled the eggshell, broke the egg open, took out the golden yolk inside, and handed it to He Shaochuan.

He Shaochuan frowned and looked at Ning He in confusion.

Ning He put the egg white into his mouth and said vaguely: “I don’t like egg yolks. Either you eat it or I throw it away.”

Qianlin quickly realized something, and he followed suit, peeling the eggshell as well. Finally, he separated the egg and handed the egg white halves to He Shaochuan.

“Dad, I don’t like egg whites. Please help me eat them.”

Ning He looked at Qian Lin in surprise. Not bad, he really is her baby. He understood what she meant so quickly.

He Shaochuan took the egg white from Qianlin’s hand and handed it to Ninghe, then handed Ninghe’s egg yolk to Qianlin.

“This way you can all eat what you like and nothing will go to waste.”

Ning He said nonsense in a serious tone: “No matter how good something is, if you eat too much, it will do you no good but only harm. It is the best choice to give it to you.”

Qianlin nodded quickly and agreed: “Yes, Dad, you can eat it for us.”

Ning He put the egg whites and yolks into He Shaochuan’s bowl, then stood up and shared the whole plate of fried buns.

There was still one plate left, and Ning He didn’t plan to continue eating at noon.

She then asked He Shaochuan: “There is another plate of fried buns. Do you want to take them to the army to eat? They won’t taste good if they get cold.”

He Shaochuan nodded: “Okay, leave it there, I’ll put it up myself later, come over and have breakfast first.”

Ning He’s sudden change was so drastic that he couldn’t adapt for a while.

Ning He ignored him. She took an aluminum box, put the fried buns in place one by one, covered it with a lid and sealed it.

Then she sat back on the stool and enjoyed her delicious food.

The fried buns sprinkled with chopped green onions and white sesame seeds are fragrant.

Ning He ate one bite at a time. The bottom was fried until golden and crispy. When he took a bite, the burnt aroma hit his nose and the gravy instantly filled his mouth.

Ning He had never eaten fried food like this in his previous life, but now every bite of it tasted delicious.

One bite was not enough, so she picked up another one with chopsticks and stuffed it into her mouth.

When she finished eating two fried buns, she looked up and saw the father and son looking at her without touching any of the buns in the bowl.

Ning He had something stuffed in his mouth and urged them incoherently: “Eat quickly, it’s delicious.”

The two, one big and one small, then picked up the chopsticks, picked up the fried buns and started eating.

When your teeth bite through the thin bun skin, the warm gravy will overflow from the gap.

The meat has a rich aroma, and the fresh fragrance lingers in the mouth and nose.

“Delicious! It’s so delicious made by my mother!” Qianlin couldn’t help but praise as soon as he swallowed it.

Ning He’s face was filled with smiles. She raised her eyebrows and looked at He Shaochuan: “How does it taste?”

Men’s appetites are naturally bigger than women’s and children’s. A small thumb-sized fried bun will be gone before you can even taste it.

The only thing he tasted was the broth inside the filling, which was more delicious than any soup he had ever tasted.

“Very good!” He Shaochuan raised his eyes and met Ning He’s smiling eyes.

He was distracted for a moment, and Ning He continued to eat his buns with his head down.

He Shaochuan quickly regained his composure and finished all the fried buns in the bowl in just a few bites.

“Leave the dishes here and I’ll come back to wash them together in the evening.” He Shaochuan said to Ning He.

Ning He nodded. She really didn’t like washing dishes.

He Shaochuan stood up and said to Ning He, “Come inside for a moment.”

Ning He stood up politely and followed He Shaochuan into the room. He Shaochuan handed a fifty-dollar bill to Ning He.

“After breakfast, take Qianlin out to buy some clothes.”