Gao Wenyin, Feng Nanxi and others rushed back with the intention of helping Zhang Fei.
But they didn't expect that their return would interrupt Zhang Fei and his team's work.
Regardless of whether it was true or not, the lady had returned, so Xu Zun and his daughter went home.
After all, this lawsuit is not very urgent.
After seeing the father and daughter off, Zhang Fei went to the backyard and found that Gao Wenyin was not there. Upon asking, he learned that Gao Wenyin had just changed her clothes and went to the kitchen to work.
So Zhang Fei went to the kitchen again, only to see Gao Wenyin wearing a grey dress and an apron, with her sleeves slightly rolled up. She was bending over the stove, cleaning the stew pot. Two strands of her disobedient hair fell in front of her forehead, swaying gently.
He seemed to be busy, but his eyes were dull.
"Husband...husband?"
Gao Wenyin suddenly found Zhang Fei standing in front of the door, and was so scared that she almost dropped the spoon in her hand.
Zhang Fei walked in. "Didn't I ask Madam to go back to her room and rest?"
Gao Wenyin shook her head and said, "I'm not very tired."
"If you weren't tired, why did you put sugar instead of salt?" Zhang Fei pointed at the bowl of steamed fish in the cage.
"Oh!"
Gao Wenyin hurried forward and tasted it with a pinch of sugar, with a look of doubt in her eyes, "It's not sweet!"
Zhang Fei frowned and said, "That's impossible. I just saw you put a lot of sugar in it."
Gao Wenyin said: "If you don't believe me, you can try it yourself. I put salt, not sugar."
"Really? Let me try it."
Zhang Fei picked up a pair of clams, picked up a little fish meat and put it in his mouth, chewing it carefully, "Huh? It's really salty."
As he spoke, he looked at Gao Wenyin in surprise, "Madam, how many tears did you shed just now? So much sugar has been diluted."
"... ... .?"
Gao Wenyin then realized that she had been tricked. She looked at Zhang Fei resentfully and closed the steamer again.
"Madam, come and help me!"
Zhang Fei suddenly rolled up his sleeves.
Gao Wenyin was surprised and asked, "Husband, you want to cook?"
Zhang Fei nodded: "My grandpa once told me that if a person is in a bad mood, the food he cooks will definitely not taste good."
Gao Wenyin couldn't help but look guilty. Although she seemed to be busy, her mind was not on this at all. She said, "I'm sorry. I..."
"You don't have to apologize, ma'am."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "In fact, I can understand your pain, because not long ago, I also lost all my loved ones."
As he spoke, he took off an apron and tied it around his waist.
I have to say, this simple action is quite stylish.
Like that.
"ah?"
Gao Wenyin looked at Zhang Fei in surprise.
Zhang Fei asked, "Madam, don't you know?"
Gao Wenyin nodded, but then immediately shook her head, "I... I think I heard Li Si mention it once before, but..."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "It's just that Madam didn't expect that I would say it so directly and so easily."
Gao Wenyin nodded slightly.
She likes to keep bad things in her heart and only share happy things with everyone.
Zhang Fei sighed, "To be honest, Madam, I was in pain for several months before, and even had thoughts of committing suicide at one point."
Gao Wenyin asked in surprise: "Really?"
Zhang Fei nodded, "When I think back to the time I spent with my parents, they always wanted me to be healthy and live happily. Whenever they saw me sick or unhappy, they always felt sad.
So I thought, if my parents saw me at that time, how sad they would be, and how sad those who care about me would be. From that moment on, I decided to live a healthy and happy life.
Although the separation was very sudden and they didn't say much, I know this must be what they expected."
After he finished speaking, he turned his head to look at Gao Wenyin, only to see her standing by the kitchen table with her eyelids drooped, as if she was still listening, as if she was thinking about something.
He didn't say anything else and started to get busy.
After a while, Xiao Tao came to the kitchen and was shocked to see Zhang Fei wearing an apron.
"Ah! Third brother, what are you doing?"
It also woke Gao Wenyin up. She subconsciously wiped the corner of her eyes and slightly raised her sour nose.
Fortunately, Xiaotao's attention was all on Zhang Fei and she didn't notice her.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I'll show you my skills today. Go find some hot pots. If you don't have any at home, go ask the Xu family. By the way, do you have sesame paste at home? If not, go buy some."
This warm pot is the original form of hot pot. Zhang Fei has eaten it once or twice. To be honest, it’s not very good. After all, it is the original form, and they have not yet mastered the soup base technology.
"Third brother, can you really cook?"
Xiaotao still couldn't believe it.
Zhang Fei had once joked that he would show them his skills when he had time, but no one took it seriously. People who hold a pen rarely hold a spoon.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "You'll know whether it will work or not in a moment, why don't you go now?"
"Why!"
Xiaotao reacted and left immediately.
"Madam, please help me cut the mutton into slices first. The thinner the better. Is it the right size?"
Zhang Fei gestured slightly and said, "This size is enough."
"oh."
Gao Wenyin was still a little confused when she saw that Zhang Fei was serious about it.
Can he really cook
Zhang Fei scooped up a large pot of water, placed it on the stove, and then quickly washed two large pork bones, blanched them in the water for 3 minutes, then took them out and rinsed them.
Gao Wenyin, who was cutting mutton, had been secretly glancing at Zhang Fei. She saw that his movements were very skillful and he did not look like a novice at all.
Zhang Fei suddenly said: "Be careful when cutting vegetables, don't cut your hands."
"Hey young!"
Gao Wenyin was startled when she heard his sudden words. Her hand shook and she actually cut herself. She quickly put down the knife.
Zhang Fei turned his head and asked, "Are you okay?"
Gao Wenyin glanced at her finger and saw that it was just a scratch and there was no bleeding. She shook her head and said, "Thank you for your concern, husband. I... I'm fine."
"I'm glad you're okay!"
As he said that, Zhang Fei prepared to deal with the old hen that was already bald.
Gao Wenyin suddenly shouted, "Husband."
Zhang Fei turned around and looked at Gao Wenyin in confusion.
Gao Wenyin nodded slightly and said "thank you".
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "At least it sounds better than 'sorry'."
As he said this, he went to deal with the old hen.
Gao Wenyin glanced at Zhang Fei with a little embarrassment, and her lifeless eyes gradually regained their former luster. She picked up the kitchen knife and started cutting the mutton.
But it was obvious that she cut the lamb thinner.
... ...
The two masters of the house were busy in the kitchen, while the servants were basking in the sun and chatting in the yard.
Feng Nanxi asked Li Si, "Xiao Si, is everything really fine at the benefactor's shop?"
In their opinion, being targeted by the Three Courts would mean death or at least disability. They also believed that this might be because Zhang Fei had offended the court last time he helped them with a lawsuit, and they felt very guilty about it.
"Seventh brother, don't worry, this little thing won't be a problem for my third brother."
Li Si said with a proud look on his face.
I remember that in the beginning, any little thing could scare him to death, but after going through so much, he has grown a lot. After all, he has seen the world, been to Baifan Tower, visited Kaifeng Prefecture, been beaten, and kidnapped.
Nancy Feng nodded slightly.
"Do you smell it?"
Niu Beiqing suddenly twitched his nose a few times, "What is that? It smells so good!"
Feng Nancy seemed to smell it as well, "What's that fragrance?"
At this time, a clear voice was heard, "You are in for a treat today, because Third Brother is cooking for you personally."
Gao Wenyin and Xiaotao were seen walking out from the backyard.
Niu Beiqing was shocked and asked, "My benefactor can also cook?"
Then he looked at Li Si.
Li Si looked bewildered and said, "I don't know either."
Gao Wenyin greeted with a smile: "Seventh Brother, Danniu, come and help Xiaotao to carry the table outside. The weather is nice today, let's eat in the yard."
"Why!"
Niu Beiqing responded subconsciously, stood up and walked over, but after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and stared at Gao Wenyin blankly.
Feng Nanxi also looked at Gao Wenyin in surprise.
Xiao Tao shouted, "What are you still standing there for? Come over and help! And you, Li Si, are you planning to slack off again?"
Li Si swallowed the candied fruit in his mouth and said, "Here it comes! Here it comes! I have never been lazy before."
Niu Beiqing suddenly whispered to Feng Nanxi: "Seventh Brother, have you noticed that there is something wrong with my sister-in-law?"
Feng Nanxi said, "You, a fool, have seen it, how can I not see it? It seems that our benefactor's eloquence is not only in the court."
... ...
Several people immediately moved out a long table and a square table.
Xiaotao placed three more hot pots on the table and poured in the milky white broth.
Niu Beiqing also lit the charcoal under the heating pipe, and heard a series of popping sounds.
Gao Wenyin also led Li Si and the others to place plates of mutton, vegetables and tofu on the table.
"Wow! It smells so good!"
Xu Zhiqian walked in.
Gao Wenyin hurriedly greeted, "Mrs. Xu is here. I guess you haven't eaten yet. Let's sit down and eat together."
Xu Zhiqian glanced at Gao Wenyin and felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't tell what it was. She asked, "Could it really be your husband who did this?"
It turned out that Xiao Tao accidentally let the secret slip when she went to their house to borrow a hot pot. When Xu Zhiqian heard that Zhang Fei cooked it himself, she couldn't believe it, so she came over to take a look.
"Call the benefactor to come and try it together."
I saw Zhang Fei coming out from behind.
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Zhang San, can you cook?"
Zhang Fei sneered: "Please tell me something I don't know, Madam Xu."
"write an essay."
"Ahem! Let's go and ask our benefactor to come over quickly." Zhang Fei's face suddenly fell.
Xu Zhiqian pursed her lips and smiled, but she really wanted to try Zhang Fei's cooking, so she hurried back to invite Xu Zun over.
Xu Zun has never liked eating at other people's homes, but Zhang Fei is not someone else. The two families often eat together, and he heard that Zhang Fei cooks himself, so he must come and see!
The father and daughter sat at the square table with Zhang Fei and Gao Wenyin, while Niu Beiqing and his friends sat at the long table in the front.
Due to Zhang Fei's personality, there is not much hierarchy between masters and servants in the Zhang family.
Xiao Tao has been in the Zhang family for only a short time, but she has already let herself go. When Zhang Fei is at home, she dares to sit in the yard and eat snacks.
Zhang Fei was quite good at ordering people around, after all, he had to earn money to support his family. But he couldn't apply the hierarchy of master and servant to every aspect of life, as he felt it was awkward and not the kind of home he wanted.
“Mmm… smells so good!”
Sitting at the table, looking at the milky white broth in the copper pot, which exuded bursts of fragrance, made Xu Zhiqian, who had never had too many requirements for food and drink, swallow her saliva continuously.
This broth is very different from the ones she had drunk before!
Although Xu Zun didn't like this, he was a senior official in the court after all, and he had tasted some delicious food, so he asked Zhang Fei: "This... is this really made by you?"
Zhang Fei said: "I learned some from my grandfather when I was a child."
Xu Zhiqian asked, "Is your grandfather a chef?"
Zhang Fei hesitated: "I think so."
His grandfather used to be a cook in a certain unit and was a regular employee. Later, because he was worried that Zhang Fei would not be able to get enough nutrition while studying and working outside, he passed on his most proud soup-making technique to Zhang Fei, thinking that if Zhang Fei could cook by himself, he would not have to eat those gutter oils outside every day.
However, Zhang Fei still ate a lot. How could a young man cook at home every day
Zhang Fei first used a chopping board to pick up a piece of mutton, dipped it in the pot for less than twenty seconds, then took it out and said, "It will be ready in about this long, and then you can eat it with sauce and pickled vegetables to enhance the flavor."
Nowadays, there are still some differences between warm pot and hot pot. The way of eating needs to be demonstrated.
The piece of mutton was naturally placed in Gao Wenyin's bowl.
Gao Wenyin still seemed very restrained. After all, Xu Zun was a senior official in the court. Her cheeks flushed and she said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "Thank you, husband."
"Qian'er, let's try Zhang San's cooking."
"Daddy, please first."
Xu Zun picked up the knife and followed suit, picking up a piece of mutton, rinsed it, dipped it in sesame paste, blew on it near his mouth, and then put it in his mouth. Just after chewing for a while, he tasted the wonderful blend of fat and lean meat, and there was no fishy smell at all. The delicious broth and the tenderness of the mutton wandered between his lips and teeth, and the added flavor of sesame paste awakened his taste buds, giving him a strong sense of satisfaction.
"Not bad!"
Before he could even swallow it, Xu Zun kept nodding in praise.
Dad actually praised it? Xu Zhiqian was very surprised. She couldn't wait to pick up a piece, rinse it, dip it in the sauce, open her red lips slightly, bite off most of it, and her eyes lit up.
Before he could even start praising, he heard Niu Beiqing at the next table exclaim, "The mutton cooked by your benefactor is so delicious. I have never eaten such delicious food."
Then Feng Nanxi was heard scolding in a low voice: "You idiot, keep your voice down a bit."
While they were talking, Li Si kept eating.
Xiao Tao was holding a small bowl, her little face full of disappointment. Third brother's cooking skills are actually better than mine
Zhang Fei asked Gao Wenyin again: "What do you think, Madam?"
Gao Wenyin nodded: "Very...very delicious."
My heart was also full of surprise.
Not only can he cook, but he can also cook so well.
"If it tastes good, eat more. Good health is the blessing of your family."
As he spoke, Zhang Fei suddenly raised his glass to Xu Zun and said from the bottom of his heart: "Thank you so much for taking care of me these days. Without you, there would be no Zhang Fei today. I have no way to repay you for your kindness. I toast you a glass."
Xu Zun laughed and said, "This meal is not enough!"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "My cooking skills are always prepared for you, my benefactor."
After they finished drinking, Zhang Fei raised his glass to Xu Zhiqian, "Madam Xu... just drink less."
You are really bringing up something that is not related to the topic.
Xu Zhiqian raised her cup and glared at him, "I won't drink with you." Then she raised her cup to Gao Wenyin, "Madam Zhang, I toast you."
"No, no, no!" Gao Wenyin quickly picked up the wine glass, stood up and raised the glass to Xu Zhiqian, "I should toast to Madam Xu. Madam Xu's kindness to Wenyin will never be forgotten."
After they finished drinking, Feng Nanxi and Niu Beiqing also brought their cups over to toast Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian, thanking them for saving their lives.
As for Longshan, he was never served on the table. He stayed in the stable with the horses.
After drinking the wine, everyone started chatting.
We talked about the historian's situation and then about the shop.
After talking about many things, there is less awkwardness.
The open-mindedness of Zhang Fei and Xu Zun also made Gao Wenyin gradually become less restrained. During the meal, she was chatting with Xu Zhiqian in a low voice.
... ...
The warm spring sunshine shines in the courtyard, we eat delicious mutton hotpot, drink fine wine and chat about life.
Isn't it one of the great pleasures in life