Chapter 51: There Are People Looking Outside The Main Gate

There was a Sichuan peppercorn tree in the space. Luo Qiao picked some leaves, pre-blanched two portions of corn flour dough, putting Sichuan peppercorn leaves, Sichuan peppercorn powder, salt, and two eggs into one portion.

The eggs were from the wild chickens she had caught in the mountains before and kept in the space to lay eggs. It was enough for her to satisfy her cravings. Once the chicks she was raising started laying eggs, she could eat them freely.

Just thinking about it made her happy, and she couldn’t help but hum a song while cooking.

After marinating the cut fish chunks, she would braise them along with the flatbread, just like she had eaten at a farmhouse with her classmates before—the taste was excellent.

When the side ingredients were ready and the fish had marinated enough, she would braise the fish first before re-preparing the flatbread dough.

One portion was made salty and fragrant, and the other was plain. Patting the breads onto the pan, she just waited for them to cook before eating.

She removed one piece of firewood from the stove to reduce the heat, then closed the main door and went into the space to take a shower. By the time she finished cleaning up, the food was ready.

She first portioned some into a ceramic bowl, picked more than a dozen flatbreads and wrapped them in a cloth basket. She locked the door, and then headed to Lu Yichen’s house.

Lu Yichen had just returned not long ago. These past few days, they had been helping out at the commune, transporting various production materials from the county.

He was shaking dust off his outerwear at the main gate when he saw Luo Qiao coming with a ceramic bowl, smiling from afar, “Perfect timing, wash up and eat.”

Lu Yichen said, “Didn’t I tell you not to bring food over anymore? If I eat a few more meals of your cooking, I’m afraid my stomach will get spoiled.”

Luo Qiao went straight into the courtyard carrying the ceramic bowl towards the kitchen: “A few days ago, Brother Lu, you helped deliver so much firewood for me. I can’t just take it for free – this is a reciprocal courtesy.”

After setting everything down, she said: “Brother Lu, I braised this fish. Wash your hands and eat first, it won’t taste good once it gets cold and smells fishy. I’ll leave now.”

Since she had already brought it over, there was no point being coy anymore. However, watching Luo Qiao departing back, Lu Yichen suddenly smiled.

He and this little girl were quite similar in personality, neither wanting to take advantage of others. He shook his head, chuckling. Forget it, since she brought it, he might as well eat. After all, the little girl was right – her cooking skills were indeed praiseworthy and delicious.

After washing his hands and entering the kitchen, an appetizing aroma wafted over. The little girl was small but her cooking skills were truly excellent.

Lu Yichen happily finished the whole pot of braised fish, leaving only two flatbreads behind, before letting out a satisfied burp.

He had just cleaned up the bowl and pot and was boiling water to fill the thermos when he heard someone knocking on the main gate.

Aside from the production captain and secretary Sun, only Luo Qiao had visited him a few times. He didn’t interact much with the villagers, mainly because his cold demeanor scared people off.

Plus, he hadn’t been in the village very long, so the villagers weren’t too familiar with him either. Hearing the knock was quite unexpected.

As Lu Yichen walked towards the gate, he called out: “Who is it?”

But he received no answer.

Frowning, Lu Yichen opened the gate to see a young woman standing outside. “Who are you?” he asked.

The woman tugged at the hem of her clothes, somewhat embarrassed as she said, “Brother Lu, can… can I come in to talk?”

Lu Yichen’s face darkened as he replied curtly, “If you have something to say, say it here. If not, then leave. I’m busy. Besides, it’s getting dark – it’s not proper for a single man and woman to be alone.”

The woman suddenly felt awkward. Looking around, she said, “Brother Lu, my name is Gao Taohua. I’m 18 this year. I… I wanted to ask, what do you think of me?”