The three of them, upon hearing Xu Huaixian's words, indeed began looking forward to their next trip to the county town, their craving for Laike Restaurant's braised pork momentarily forgotten.
After eating their fill, on the journey home, Xu Huaixian decided to stop at a butcher's stall to purchase two jin of fresh pork. If they couldn't enjoy restaurant meat, at least they could have homemade dishes.
Pork cost thirteen wen per jin.
Choosing fatty cuts required an extra wen.
Given pork's expense, commoners rarely ate meat. When they did, they preferred fatty pieces for richer flavor—hence the slight price difference.
Considering their household—the young, the sick, and the injured—Xu Huaixian saw no reason to skimp. He bought one jin of pork belly, one jin of fatty meat, and some thoroughly cleaned marrow bones for three wen.
Unfortunately, arriving late meant the pork leaf fat had sold out—otherwise, he'd have rendered lard for cooking.
Pork lard makes dishes fragrant.
While Xu Huaixian selected meat, Chen Xiaomei blinked rapidly. If she didn't speak now, they'd return home, and any desired purchases would wait until their next trip. Steeling herself, she tugged Xu Huaixian's sleeve.
Xu Huaixian looked down. "What is it?"
She voiced her burning question: "You said you could hatch chicks—was that true?" This had weighed on her for days, nearly causing internal injury from suppression.
Xu Huaixian hadn't expected her to remember. No wonder she'd clung to him so persistently. With a teasing smile, he replied, "Guess?"
Guess? How could she possibly know?!
Xiaomei huffed, refusing to engage further. Clearly, he mocked her—either he could or couldn't. Why play games?
If she could guess, why ask him?
Ignoring her pique, Xu Huaixian continued shopping leisurely. By sunset, they finally departed for home.
Their poultry, unfed all day, clamored raucously upon their return. Chen Liejiu, Xiaomei, and Wang Wanwen hurriedly provided water and rice bran.
Xu Huaixian busied himself organizing their purchases. Staring at the two jin of meat, he silently carried it to the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves to cook.
Not that Wang Wanwen lacked skill—but rural culinary knowledge was limited. For a young girl to manage household chores so capably already impressed him. If only her cooking involved more variety beyond simple stir-fries and boiled dishes...
After days of bland meals, Xu Huaixian eagerly anticipated improved fare.
Better start before Wanwen takes over.
He still smarted from her "stealing" his domestic role earlier.
Pre-migration, his looks and cooking skills had made him highly eligible. Now, as a sickly invalid, his desirability had plummeted—quite the落差.
Wang Wanwen rushed through chores, wiping sweat before entering the kitchen—only to find Xu Huaixian already at the stove.
Her heart leapt. "Second Brother, I'll handle this!"
"No need." Xu Huaixian swiftly added oil to the wok. "Almost done."
Wang Wanwen's eye twitched at the generous oil and sugar quantity.
Is he trying to bankrupt us in one meal?!
"Proper braised pork requires this," Xu Huaixian said, noting her dismay. "Just this once—since we missed Laike Restaurant's version, consider this compensation."
Laike's braised pork cost thirty-eight wen per plate—portion size unclear. His homemade version using one jin of meat and seasonings totaled under twenty wen—saving over twenty wen while tasting better!
Initially distressed by the extravagance, Wang Wanwen relaxed at his explanation, then marveled, "You know restaurant recipes?"
Xu Huaixian fabricated smoothly: "Illness left me idle at home. Read some cookbooks and experimented—might not match professional standards."
"Oh." Wang Wanwen accepted this—scholars could learn anything from books, unlike illiterate commoners.
No wonder the saying went: All occupations pale beside scholarship.
Deceived, Wang Wanwen let him proceed.
The thatched kitchen offered no scent containment. Soon, the braised pork's aroma wafted through gaps, drawing Chen Liejiu and Xiaomei from chores, and neighbors' children who clustered outside, drooling.
"Erwa, Sanmei! Dinner time!" Mothers called futilely as their children remained transfixed by the fragrance.
"Mom, smells good!" The toddlers pointed stubbornly at the Chen kitchen.
Zhu-shi from next door swallowed saliva but hesitated—the Chens were notorious, especially the feared Chen Liejiu. Normally, she kept her children away.
"Exchange! Mom, exchange!" The children tugged her clothes, recalling past food trades.
"How?" Zhu-shi flushed. Though neighbors often swapped dishes, approaching the Chens felt presumptuous—especially for meat without equivalent offerings.
Just then, Chen Liejiu emerged, spotting her embarrassment.
Zhu-shi stiffened. "Kids are misbehaving—we'll leave—"
"No trouble!" Chen Liejiu smiled warmly. "My husband's experimenting with new recipes. If you don't mind, bring a bowl to share."
He remembered Zhu-shi caring for Xiaomei during his mercenary days—a kindness never forgotten despite their estrangement.
"Mom! Mom!" The children cheered at this unexpected generosity.
Cornered, Zhu-shi fetched a bowl of her specialty pickled vegetables, apologetic. "Only this worth offering..."
"Perfect for cutting the pork's richness." Chen Liejiu returned with several meat pieces.
Zhu-shi inhaled the glossy, fragrant cubes—undeniably delicious. Emboldened, she said, "Your husband's admirable—educated and culinary-skilled despite his health. Treasure him."
Chen Liejiu's eyes crinkled happily. "I know!"
Praise for Xu Huaixian delighted him immensely—as if complimenting his own exceptional discernment.
Reassured by his genuine affection for his frail spouse, Zhu-shi departed, dispelling village rumors about Chen Liejiu resenting his "sickly burden."
The couple clearly adores each other!
Not everyone agreed.
Across the lane, the Chen Gui household scowled at the aroma. Their youngest begged, "Mom, trade for some meat too! Aunt Zhu got some with pickles!"
"Trade? Trade our hard-earned food?" Madam Chen Gui slammed a bowl down. "That meat's cursed!"
Her sons froze.
"Made by that doomed invalid," she sneered. "Who knows what sickness it carries? Or bad luck—why else did wolves kill only his parents? Mark my words—marrying that plague-bearer will ruin Chen Liejiu! Anyone who touches that meat is banished!"
The children paled, recalling Xu Huaixian's deathly pallor and village prophecies of his imminent demise. Eating his food seemed akin to consuming corpse flesh—their appetites vanished instantly.
Unaware of these dramas, the Chen household savored their meal around the octagonal table.
"So good!"
"Better than Laike Restaurant's!"
Xiaomei, familiar with Laike's version from past treats, instantly crowned Xu Huaixian's superior.
Wang Wanwen nodded vigorously, chopsticks moving too rapidly for speech.
With two glowing reviews, confident Xu Huaixian served Chen Liejiu the choicest piece: "Your verdict?"
"Delicious!" Chen Liejiu's eyes sparkled. "The best braised pork I've ever eaten!"
Having sampled wealthy households' versions during his mercenary days, he could objectively declare Xu Huaixian's unparalleled.
Pleased, Xu Huaixian seized the moment: "I can make many more dishes like this. Let me oversee our meals henceforth."
Thrilled, Chen Liejiu agreed: "Wonderful! But don't overexert—let Wanwen assist."
"Of course." Xu Huaixian beamed, serving Chen Liejiu more meat. "You work hard—eat more."
Xiaomei, envisioning future feasts, forgot her earlier pique entirely.
Only Wang Wanwen paused mid-bite, eyeing Xu Huaixian suspiciously.
Second Brother lied.
He promised just one special meal!