Chen Yuping knew very well how delicious the homemade shrimp paste was, so he specifically cooked extra rice.

Fortunately, there was plenty, and the rice and dishes were eaten clean. Despite the simple variety, the portions were substantial.

Feeling very full, Chen Yuanqiu still felt unsatisfied: “Third Brother, is there any shrimp paste left? Tomorrow, I’ll trade the small fish from the trap for some shrimp. The shrimp paste is just too delicious!”

“There’s a little left, we can have it with steamed buns tomorrow morning.”

“What about tonight?”

Seeing his younger brother’s disappointed face, Chen Yuping smiled: “We can fry some eggs.”

Old Chen, holding a bowl of strong tea, looked satisfied: “The dishes made with this shrimp paste are delicious.”

“I’ve eaten at the restaurants in town a few times, but the dishes they make are nowhere near as good as what Ping has made. Adding shrimp paste really makes a big difference.”

Liu Guixiang chimed in: “That’s because Ping’s cooking skills are good.”

Dinner was also made by Chen Yuping, who stir-fried some eggs with shrimp paste. The remaining two dishes did not have shrimp paste in them, as he wanted to save some for the morning.

Naturally, he didn’t forget to send half a bowl of shrimp paste stir-fried eggs to his second brother’s house, and Liu Guixiang returned with a bowl of stewed squash.

The squash from the garden was fresh and juicy, but not suitable for stewing. Last year’s squash is very sweet and tender, perfect for stewing.

Chen Yuping stir-fried some tender squash and brought over a bowl of stewed squash, along with a vegetable soup and shrimp paste stir-fried eggs.

Once again, the rice and dishes were cleaned out.

Old Chen smiled: “We need Ping to take charge of the cooking.”

“Dad, I’m already quite capable now. From now on, let me handle the cooking. I can manage the household chores too.”

Chen Yuping wasn’t worried about giving himself away, the original owner was quite good at cooking. Due to his poor health, he hadn’t done much fieldwork, mostly taking care of household chores while Old Chen would help in the fields whenever he had time.

Thinking of the delicious shrimp paste, Chen Yuanqiu’s mouth watered. The next morning, while following his father to work in the fields, he first went to check the trap in the river.

Today, their luck wasn’t great, there weren’t many small fish or shrimp.

“This is bad, it’s not even enough to fill the gaps between my teeth.”

Old Chen glared at his youngest son: “You’re always so impatient. We can check the trap on the way back, there will definitely be more then.”

“I’m just thinking about the shrimp paste!” Chen Yuanqiu was reluctant to give up and thought about checking his second brother’s trap.

Old Chen saw through his son’s thoughts: “Hurry up and get to work.”

“If you want shrimp paste, you should work hard and take the trap to the mountains.”

“Father is really quick-witted.” Chen Yuanqiu said excitedly, “There are fewer traps in the mountains, so we’ll definitely catch a lot of shrimp. Father, after breakfast, I’ll head to the mountains and bring back some firewood too.”

“Make sure to take your second brother’s trap as well.”

Shrimp paste with steamed buns.

Chen Yuanqiu had never liked eating mantou, preferring buns instead, as he thought steamed mantou were dry and tasteless.

But today was different, he had never found steamed mantou so delicious! They were incredibly tasty!

“Really fragrant, they’re so filling.” Chen Yuanqiu eagerly asked: “Third Brother, is our shrimp paste really gone?”

“It’s gone.” Chen Yuping pointed at the clean bowl that didn’t need rinsing: “You ate the last bit clean.”

“In a bit, second brother and I will go to the mountains to check the traps, we should catch quite a few shrimp tomorrow.”

“You’re going to the mountains? I want to go with you.”

Old Chen was a bit worried: “It’s a bit far.”

“It’s fine, I’ll be with second brother and fourth brother, and we can take it slow.”

“Go on then, a little movement is good.” Old Chen had no objections.

The three brothers headed to the mountains to set traps, which took about an hour for the round trip.

After returning to the village, Chen Yuandong and Chen Yuanqiu went straight to the fields, as they had a lot of farm work left to do that morning.

Chen Yuping was indeed a bit tired and walked slowly on his own.

Having been in this world for almost ten days, he hadn’t properly explored the village.

Passing by the pork stall, there wasn’t much good meat left at this hour, just some leftover scraps.

The pork stall belonged to third uncle’s family.

Chen Yuping called out and bought two pig trotters and two pieces of bones, with the meat trimmed very cleanly, and he didn’t even have to pay.

The family had no spices, but they did have some peppercorns, and they had green onions, ginger, and garlic at home. He could manage making some braised pig trotters.

Chen Yuping also asked his second brother’s family if they had any star anise or cinnamon.

“There’s still a little star anise.”

“Second Sister-in-law, I’ll bring over some braised pig trotters for lunch.”

This dish takes time to prepare.

Chen Yuping glanced at the sun, took the star anise home, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work.

Braised pig trotters are a strong-flavored dish that needs to be spicy enough to be enjoyable.

At this time, the chili peppers weren’t too spicy, and the dried chilies couldn’t compare to modern dried chilies, but at least the peppercorns added some flavor.

Compared to the dishes made with shrimp paste yesterday, today’s braised pig trotters had a more intense aroma.

Many people passed by Chen’s house, and upon catching a whiff of the rich fragrance, they felt momentarily dazed, almost enchanted.

What dish was Ping making? Why was it so fragrant? It smelled like meat, but they had never smelled meat this fragrant before. It was hard to resist drooling as they walked away. They glanced back repeatedly, feeling a strong craving in their hearts.

What exactly was this dish? It was so fragrant, truly fragrant.

“Third Brother!!!” Chen Yuanqiu rushed into the kitchen like a gust of wind, his eyes scanning the room eagerly: “Third Brother, Third Brother, what are you cooking?”

Having just returned from delivering the braised pig trotters, Chen Yuping replied: “It’s in the cupboard.”

Besides the braised pig trotters, there were also the fish and shrimp from the trap this morning, which were not many. He chopped some pickled vegetables to make a spicy and sour fish and shrimp soup, fresh and appetizing, along with dry-fried potato strips and stir-fried greens.

Chen Yuanqiu held the bowl of braised pig trotters, the rich aroma hitting him hard, making his head spin. He stared at it blankly, swallowing hard.

“This kid is really out of it.” Old Chen worried he might drool into the bowl, quickly snatched it away and placed it on the dining table.

Old Chen took a look: “Is this pig trotter?” It looked really good, fatty and shiny, and smelled incredibly fragrant. Just looking at it made him crave it.

“Yes, third uncle gave me two bones, and we’ll have mung bean soup for dinner.” Chen Yuping told his rushing brother: “One for each of you, I don’t have any more.”

The two pig trotters were cut into six large pieces, and two pieces were sent to second brother’s family, leaving four pieces in the bowl.

Chen Yuanqiu cautiously took a bite, feeling the numbing spiciness and soft, fragrant texture: “So delicious! I don’t want to finish it. Third Brother, why didn’t you make more? Tomorrow I’ll go buy four pig trotters.”

“They only had two left at the stall.”

“I’ll go early tomorrow.”

“This dish requires a lot of firewood,” Chen Yuping teased him.

Chen Yuanqiu quickly replied: “Tomorrow, after buying the pig trotters, I’ll go to the mountains to get some firewood.”

“These pig trotters taste more satisfying than meat,” Old Chen couldn’t help but take out the wine he had been hiding at home, sipping slowly while eating. “So good! Life is so comfortable.” He poured a glass for Old Chen as well: “You should drink some, we haven’t had any in a long time. Ping’s cooking is getting better and better.”

“Dad, I want some too.”

“Go away!” Old Chen wasn’t willing to share, that wine wasn’t cheap: “If you want some, go buy it yourself.”

“Father…”

Old Chen laughed heartily, sipping his wine while enjoying the pig trotters, and said nothing more.