“Make spicy noodles!” Yan Qiushu exclaimed.

“What are spicy strips^[1]refers to a popular snack made from noodles that are cut into thin strips and seasoned with spices.?” Shui Xuan asked.

Yan Qiushu smiled mysteriously. “A very delicious strips!”

She regretted not thinking of making spicy noodles sooner.

When there’s nothing to do, snacks can help pass the time.

And spicy strips aren’t hard to make. Even without all the condiments, they have a spicy and numbing flavor, plus various spices. If done right, they can taste almost like the original!

The ingredients needed are leftover rice, flour, starch, eggs, and chili powder.

Once mixed, there’s no need to add water; the eggs will help bind everything together. Kneading it repeatedly creates a dough-like consistency, although the color won’t be off-white.

As Shui Xuan watched, she was shocked. “I’ve never seen leftover rice used for a snack before!”

“There are so many things you can make with leftover rice!” Yan Qiushu replied with a smile.

After kneading for a while, she grew tired and asked Nanny Xu to continue.

The dough was rolled out flat, stamped with fine patterns, then cut into strips about the length of a palm and the width of a thumb, before being steamed for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

While steaming, she prepared the seasoning.

Combining cumin, sesame, pepper powder, cornel officinalis, and other ingredients, she drizzled hot oil over them in batches.

As the hot oil sizzled on the mixture of spices, the fragrance wafted through the air.

Shui Xuan, not used to the smell, quickly stepped outside. “A-choo!”

Yan Qiushu coughed lightly. “It’s okay; it will be gone soon.” She continued pouring in the hot oil, and by the fourth round, all of it was added.

The pungent smell faded, leaving a spicy and aromatic scent behind!

Shui Xuan cautiously lowered her hand from her nose, inhaled deeply, and her eyes lit up with longing…

Finally, Yan Qiushu added salt and sugar and mixed everything well.

Just as the steamer next door finished cooking, the spicy strips were ready.

Aunt Xu took out the steamed strips, cutting them into two-centimeter pieces for easy eating. Then Yan Qiushu placed them into a large bowl, pouring the seasoning over them and mixing with chopsticks to ensure every piece was coated.

The final dish looked incredible, piled high in a bowl, creating a red mountain of deliciousness!

Familiar look, familiar taste!

Yan Qiushu picked up a piece to taste it. The spiciness of the chili oil ignited her tongue, making it tingle. Though she had been cooking heavy flavors lately, none were as spicy as this.

She quickly adjusted. Biting down, the familiar soft and chewy texture of the spicy strips was satisfying. The mix of spicy, salty, and sweet flavors was refreshing.

Spicy and numbing, it made her mouth water and left her wanting more!

Yan Qiushu quickly grabbed a second and third piece…

It tasted wonderful but was quite spicy. The hot oil enhanced the aroma and heat. After just a few bites, her mouth felt a bit warm.

Aunt Xu couldn’t bear to watch and interrupted her, frowning. “Young lady, don’t eat too many of these. They’re oily and spicy. Just have a little taste.”

Yan Qiushu sighed.

True.

No matter how good it seems, spicy strips are still “junk food.”

Clearing her throat, she reluctantly set down her chopsticks. “You all should try it too. I’ll make another batch for Madam Xiao. She wants something tasty but shouldn’t have too much. If it seems tasteless, just give it a go.”

Elderly people have weaker stomachs and shouldn’t eat too much.

Xiao Family Main Courtyard

As the spicy strips were delivered, Shen Pingyu sat beside Mrs. Xiao. He always paid his respects in the morning and evening, but with his grandmother unwell, he found himself staying longer.

While the grandparents chatted, Nanny Huang announced that Yan Qiushu had sent someone with food.

Mrs. Xiao’s eyes brightened, and she appeared more lively: “Let me see.”

Nanny Huang quickly opened the food box, revealing a plate filled with fragrant, greasy spicy strips that made her mouth water.

“It smells wonderful, Madam! Please give it a try,” Nanny Huang said, placing the plate on the bedside table. “Shui Yu sent this over. He mentioned it’s spicy noodles for snacking. But since you have a delicate stomach, just take a few bites. It can be stored for a long time if kept properly.”

Placed near her, the food tempted Mrs. Xiao, who smiled slightly: “Ah Shu is thoughtful. I told her not to, but she went and made this just for me.”

She picked up a piece with the chopsticks Nanny Huang offered and took a bite.

The taste was so intense that it made her eyebrows twitch.

The young boy, watching his grandmother intently, stood up and offered her tea: “Grandma, if it doesn’t sit well with you, just spit it out and drink some tea.”

Mrs. Xiao quickly replied, “No need!” She carefully took another bite, and the more she ate, the more surprised she seemed. Even before swallowing, she was already reaching for a second piece.

Shen Pingyu looked at his grandmother in astonishment, then at the plate Nanny Huang was holding. It smelled delicious, but with all the spices and oil, was it really tasty?

However, this was the first time he witnessed his grandmother enjoying food so much.

From his earliest memories, he remembered her as someone who seldom enjoyed eating. Just one extra bite of rice on a typical day would make her feel as though she had committed a grave offense, weighing heavily on her mind.

Gradually, her body began to reject more food.

As a child, she could still hold him in her arms, but eventually, she became so frail that she needed help to walk.

Yet now, she was different. Although she didn’t eat much, she had a little each time, and her health was improving day by day.

But it had never been like this before—her enthusiastic response to food.

Tentatively, he asked, “Grandma, is it delicious?”

Mrs. Xiao had already devoured three slices. When she heard him, she narrowed her eyes, her serious expression transformed into childlike joy: “Yes, it’s delicious! Very tasty!”

The spicy strips didn’t have much flavor on their own, but the chili oil was spicy and salty. Just when the heat became too much, a sweet note soothed her over-stimulated palate.

The spiciness made her scalp tingle and her back sweat, yet her mouth watered, and her tongue craved more.

After answering her grandson, Mrs. Xiao reached for the fourth piece.

But Nanny Huang moved the plate away, smiling: “Madam, that’s enough. It’s hard on the stomach after all. Don’t eat too much at once.”

Mrs. Xiao: “?”

She stared incredulously at Nanny Huang, mentally counting: three pieces! Just three is too much?!