Chapter 52: Afraid This Might Smell So Good It Knocks Out a Few Old Ladies!

The brigade’s kitchen was bustling with activity, filled with laughter and warmth.

Meanwhile, the people who had been by the river had now moved to the wheat threshing ground.

After assigning tasks, Fang Rou sat on a small stool, slicing radishes with a knife. Her hands were red from the cold, and several small cuts marked her fingers.

Her left index finger, in particular, had suffered the worst—a piece of her nail had been sliced off, and the pain brought tears to her eyes.

Despite that, she didn’t dare ask for a break. Aunt Luo had already muttered more than once about how delicate she was, saying that she was nothing like Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming again. Always Xiao Ming.

Aunt Luo had praised her more than once.

In fact, it wasn’t just Aunt Luo. The entire village of Liujiawan had a great impression of Ming Dai. Compared to the other new educated youths, she stood out even more.

After all, not just anyone could arrive and immediately provide them with meat.

Fang Rou felt utterly wronged. She endured the pain in her hands as she continued slicing radishes, only to be scolded by Sister-in-law Luo for being too slow. Her frustration only deepened.

Sister-in-law Luo rolled her eyes. How can someone be this useless? It’s just slicing radishes, and she’s already cutting her own hands to pieces?

Qi Zhijun, who was in charge of carrying the radish baskets, happened to pass by to deliver more radishes.

Seeing the girl he adored in such a pitiful state, his heart ached. “Xiao Rou, why don’t you take a break?”

Fang Rou shook her head silently and continued working.

Sister-in-law Luo glanced back and forth between the two, watching the drama unfold with great interest.

On the other side, Liu Yan, who was also slicing radishes, was faring much better. Though it was tiring, it was still far better than standing in the freezing river to wash radishes.

Seeing Qi Zhijun fussing over Fang Rou, Liu Yan felt bitter. She had always taken care of Qi Zhijun, yet his eyes were only on Fang Rou, completely ignoring her.

Biting her lip, she swallowed her resentment and pulled out a towel she had deliberately brought with her. “Brother Qi, does your shoulder hurt? I have a towel here—if you place it on your shoulder, it’ll feel much better.”

Qi Zhijun shifted his sore, swollen shoulders. The carrying pole had indeed pressed down hard on them. After hesitating for a moment, he accepted the towel. “Thank you, Comrade Liu.”

Liu Yan smiled gently. “Brother Qi, don’t push yourself too hard. You’re not used to this kind of work yet—take it slow.”

Qi Zhijun was touched by her concern. But when he glanced at Fang Rou—who hadn’t even lifted her head—he felt a pang of disappointment. With a sigh, he picked up the baskets and walked away.

Liu Yan gazed longingly at his departing figure, not hiding her feelings in the slightest.

Meanwhile, Fang Rou’s lips curled into a cold smirk. A pair of shameless fools.

Her knife moved faster, each slice growing heavier.

Sister-in-law Luo observed everything with amusement.

City folks sure know how to play games.

As noon approached, an overwhelming aroma began wafting from the brigade’s kitchen, spreading through the entire village entrance. The scent was so strong and rich that half the village’s dogs had gathered outside, lying on the ground, drooling in anticipation.

On the threshing ground, everyone inhaled deeply, their hands working even faster. The clever ones had already sent their children running home to grab bowls and line up.

Inside the brigade’s kitchen, Aunt Huang and Huang Dalian clung to the kitchen door, unable to tear themselves away. Their mouths watered uncontrollably, swallowing hard as the irresistible scent filled the air.

Zhou Sinian paced anxiously beside the stove, his eyes fixed on the steaming iron pot. If Ming Dai hadn’t explicitly forbidden him, he would have already reached in to grab a piece.

“Oh my heavens! This smell alone could send a few grannies straight to their graves from sheer bliss!”

Aunt Huang stared at Ming Dai, who barely stood taller than the stove, and immediately dismissed any thoughts of matchmaking her with her youngest son. No way, he doesn’t stand a chance! She’s completely out of his league!

Just by her cooking skills alone, she could have her pick of any young man within a ten-mile radius!

Huang Dalian swallowed hard, resisting the urge to drool. “Ming Dai, your cooking smells way better than anything I’ve ever had at a state-run restaurant!”

Aunt Huang nodded in agreement. Her husband had once attended a meeting in the commune with his boss and brought back food from a state-owned restaurant. She had thought that was already top-tier, but compared to Ming Dai’s cooking, it didn’t even come close.

Ming Dai smiled modestly. “Auntie, you’re exaggerating! It’s almost ready—just waiting for everyone to finish work and come eat.”

With that, she picked up a small bowl containing a golden-red mixture—her carefully rendered mutton fat infused with chili.

“Auntie, this is for you. When serving, add it for those who like spicy food. I won’t put it in the main pot so the kids can enjoy the soup too.”

Aunt Huang quickly took the bowl. “You really think of everything! Don’t worry, I’ll handle it properly.”

Ming Dai then uncovered another large basin, revealing a fresh radish salad. “Sister Dalian, please help distribute this. I made a huge bowl—should be enough for everyone. This will help cut through the richness of the meat.”

Huang Dalian grinned. “Alright, alright, leave it to me!”

Aunt Huang was even more pleased now. Ming Dai had specifically entrusted her and her daughter-in-law with serving the food, showing them great respect. Naturally, she was overjoyed.

As the workday ended, people rushed to the brigade headquarters in droves. The place quickly became chaotic, filled with the chatter of voices, the shrill cries of children, and the excited barking of dogs. The noise was enough to give anyone a headache.

Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin stepped into the kitchen.

“Xiao Ming, your cooking skills are incredible!” Liu Dazhu exclaimed. “I could smell the aroma all the way from the riverbank!”

Ming Dai smiled shyly. “Brigade Leader, Secretary, the soup is ready. We can start serving now.”

Liu Dazhu eagerly rubbed his hands together. “Great, great! I’ll get some people to help ladle it out!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a few young men carried in large iron basins.

A whole pot of lamb soup filled two large iron basins. Since Ming Dai had added plenty of cabbage and fine vermicelli, the soup wasn’t thin and watery but rather thick and hearty.

As the basins were carried outside, the rich aroma drifted through the air, reaching the crowd waiting in line. Immediately, the scent overwhelmed them, making their mouths water.

Excited, people began pushing forward, while those at the back banged on their bowls and basins, making a ruckus.

Liu Dazhu stood behind the table and struck the work gong, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Ahem! Let me say a few words!” he announced loudly. “The lamb was provided by Zhou Sinian and Xiao Ming, our educated youths! And the soup was cooked by Xiao Ming! So! The first servings go to them! No objections, right?”

“No objections!”

“No objections! Hurry up, Brigade Leader!”

“Exactly! Quit dawdling already!”

“Hahahaha!”

The crowd instantly erupted into good-natured laughter.

Liu Dazhu wasn’t the least bit annoyed. Instead, he chuckled and gestured for Xiao Ming to step forward.

Before Ming Dai could move, Zhou Sinian had already shoved his way to the front, thrusting his large enamel tea mug right in front of Liu Dazhu.

Liu Dazhu still remembered the terrifying three-edged knife from the night before. His hands trembled as he tried to suppress his fear, scooping up a hefty ladleful of solid lamb soup for Zhou Sinian.

But—

His hands shook so much that by the time the ladleful of soup reached Zhou Sinian’s mug, only half of it remained.

Zhou Sinian glared at the fallen chunks of meat and meatballs, looking as if he was about to throw a punch. Fortunately, Ming Dai reacted quickly and held him back. Liu Dazhu, sensing the urgency of the situation, immediately scooped up another ladleful and filled Zhou Sinian’s mug to the brim.

Satisfied at last, Zhou Sinian carried his mug over to Aunt Huang.

With just a single glance from him, Aunt Huang promptly scooped up a generous spoonful of spicy lamb oil and dropped it onto his soup.

Zhou Sinian looked at the vibrant red oil floating on top and nodded approvingly, giving Aunt Huang an appreciative look.

Aunt Huang: Why do I feel a little proud about this?

Meanwhile, Huang Dalian was completely ignored. Ming Dai had already made pickled radishes at home before, so Zhou Sinian no longer cared for them.