GBP Chapter 54 Home-Style Cuisine
Chapter 54 Home-Style Cuisine
Having arrived in the northern desert, the woman ate beef or mutton every day, which made her feel a bit hot and bothered. So she simply took out the ingredients she had brought with her and started cooking home-style dishes.
First, the potatoes. The woman washed and peeled the potatoes, then cut them into shreds, stir-fried them with oil, salt, and vinegar, and finally added some water to make stir-fried potato shreds.
Next was cabbage. The woman made a simple home-style dish: cabbage stew with glass noodles.
Finally, the radish was added. The woman first poured a small bottle of shrimp paste into a pot and heated it up, then added shredded radish and stir-fried it. Finally, she added a little water and simmered it for a while. The shrimp paste radish dish was then ready to serve.
Before the woman and Old Su had even touched their chopsticks, the old lord, drawn by the aroma, came over to freeload.
"Mother-in-law, what delicious food have you made? It smells so good!" the old lord asked with a smile as soon as he entered the tent.
The woman responded gently, "It's just some simple home-cooked dishes: stir-fried shredded potatoes, cabbage with glass noodles, and stir-fried shredded radish with shrimp paste. If you haven't eaten yet, please stay and have a meal with us."
"Sure! Thank you!" The old lord readily agreed, and then happily dined with his in-laws.
"In our northern desert region, beef and mutton are the staple foods all year round, and the only vegetable we eat is chive blossoms with dipping sauce. I didn't expect your cuisine to be so abundant; even the vegetables taste delicious," the lord praised with a smile.
At this point, Old Su started bragging, "What are a few vegetarian dishes? We also have braised pork, corn and pork rib soup, stewed offal, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, eggplant with minced meat, cucumber salad with pork, and so on! When you come to our village, we'll make sure you eat your fill and are completely satisfied!"
At this moment, the old lord surprisingly suggested, "Why don't I go back with you? Anyway, I've handed over all the important matters to Beichen, and I've already retired."
Old Su curled his lip in displeasure, "What kind of behavior is it for you to come back with us and eat and drink for free?"
"I'm a lord, after all. How could I be greedy for small gains? I'll pay, and you can cook for me, okay?" the old lord of the Northern Desert asked with a smile.
"We're not strangers, let's not talk about money, if you want to go, let's go together!" the woman agreed with a smile.
Afterwards, Ye Beichen and Su Yuning arrived at the border of Mobei and watched the elderly people leave happily.
At the Jingcheng Escort Agency, the village chief's nephew had just returned when he found Chestnut Girl there, helping Jun Dong wash clothes in the yard. Jun Dong was peeling melon seeds for her, and the two were chatting and laughing, just like a young couple. The village chief's nephew was dumbfounded.
The village chief's nephew thought he was dreaming. He rubbed his eyes and looked closely, and it really was the two of them.
The village chief's nephew got angry, kicked the washbasin aside, pulled Chestnut Girl up from the ground, and slapped her across the face. Chestnut Girl's tears immediately fell.
This angered Zhou Jundong. He punched the village chief's nephew and then angrily accused him.
"What right do you have to bully Chestnut? Are you even a man?"
The village chief's nephew responded aggrievedly, "She's already with you, shouldn't I have taken action? Tell me, when did you two start hooking up?"
At this point, Zhou Jundong explained, "My relationship with Chestnut is completely innocent, it's not as complicated as you think. She was so angry with you that she ran out into the cold wind, so I took her home and let her stay overnight. Later, she asked me to help her find a job, so I brought her to Beijing with me. If you're wondering why Chestnut is ignoring you, the truth is, you're the one who pushed her out."
"I..." The village chief's nephew was very angry. "I was just showing concern for Nangong Xiawu. Why is she angry?"
Chestnut Girl responded with a bitter smile, "I used to be jealous because I cared about you. I won't anymore, because I don't like you anymore. Tianqi, let's break up."
The village chief's nephew disagreed, saying, "It's just a small matter; why break up over it?"
Chestnut Girl nodded firmly and said, "Before, I was naive and thought that if I took good care of my home, I could be loved for life. But you changed. Now you're thinking about and dreaming about other women. So I want to break up with you!"
The village chief's nephew curled his lip in disdain, "A country girl like you, who would want you if you left me?"
The next second, Zhou Jundong took Chestnut Girl's hand and replied, "Even if she leaves you, she still has me. I will cherish Chestnut Girl."
The village chief's nephew panicked. He quickly pushed Zhou Jundong away and then pledged his loyalty to the girl named Chestnut.
"Chestnut, you're the only one in my heart. Xia Wu and I are just colleagues, not what you think. Let's not break up, okay? I'll definitely be devoted to you and take good care of my grandmother."
Chestnut Girl sneered, "Ha, what you're saying is too fake, isn't it? You're devoted to me? Then let me ask you, who was the person who attacked me the moment we met?"
The village chief's nephew lowered his head and remained silent, because he knew he had done wrong.
“I thought you were my ideal husband, but what you’ve done is so unreliable. You’re not even as good as a neighbor. What am I supposed to do with you? Be a free nanny? Or a cook to be at your beck and call?” Chestnut Girl retorted.
The village chief's nephew was speechless.
Originally, his relationship with Chestnut Girl was very good, but because of Nangong Xiawu's sudden relapse, and because he couldn't let go of Nangong Xiawu, the two broke up completely.
"Zhou Jundong, let's go! Let's have lunch together!" Chestnut Girl picked up the clothes on the ground, put them in a basin, and then left with Zhou Jundong, carrying the basin.
The heartbroken village chief's nephew couldn't eat and went to the attic to drink alone in silence.
"Young man, why are you here all alone? Tell me what happened?" An elderly man with graying temples came over and asked with concern.
The village chief's nephew replied sadly, "I'm heartbroken. My girlfriend ran off with someone else."
The old man laughed heartily, "It's nothing. Who hasn't experienced heartbreak when they were young? Missing out isn't necessarily a bad thing; something better awaits you in the future!"
The village chief's nephew remained silent, drinking his sorrows away.
The old man snatched the wine bottle from his hand and led him to a secret room. Only then did the village chief's nephew realize that the old man in front of him must be an elder of the escort agency.
Afterwards, the old man showed him the treasures he had been searching for over the years: a golden candlestick, a box inlaid with rubies, an exquisite screen, a bronze tripod, a jade safety buckle, a luminous pearl, and even a majestic dragon sword.
"Senior, your collection is truly impressive. Are you an elder of the escort agency?" the village chief's nephew asked curiously.
The old man stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "More than just elder, everything in the escort agency is mine. I am the behind-the-scenes boss here."
The village chief's nephew asked, puzzled, "Then why would you tell such things to an unknown nobody like me?"
The old man replied, "From the first day you came here, I noticed that you were different from others. Other newcomers didn't even dare to take on ordinary orders, but you took on a top-tier order and completed the task successfully. So I think you are a young man with unlimited potential, and I think I should entrust the management of the escort agency to you."
The village chief's nephew was so surprised he couldn't close his mouth. "Really? You're not kidding me, are you?"
The old man smiled faintly, then replied unhurriedly, "That's true, but I have a request. If you can agree to it, I will give you all my possessions."
The village chief's nephew asked with a smile, "What do you want? Please tell me! I will do my best to do anything I can!"
The old man was saddened for a moment, then slowly replied, "I have an only daughter. She had an illness when she was young, which left her with hearing impairment. She has no friends and lives with her grandmother in our hometown. I would be at ease if you could marry her."
"What a coincidence! My ex-girlfriend had the same problem, but she's recovered after treatment," the village chief's nephew replied in surprise.
The old man frowned. "What's her name?"
The village chief's nephew told the truth, "Her name is Chestnut, and she lives with her grandmother."
The old man shook his head in disappointment. "It's not her, my daughter's name is Yingzi."
The village chief's nephew comforted the old man, "Old man, don't worry, I'm here. I will definitely help your daughter get back to normal. As long as she doesn't mind me, I'm willing to marry her. It's not for your family's wealth, but because I'm not young anymore, and my relatives are all getting impatient. I want to find a girl to marry and settle down with as soon as possible."
The old man was very pleased with what the young man said, and then gave him a letter, telling him to go to the address to find his daughter.
Afterwards, the village chief's nephew, disregarding his grief, hurriedly drove away from the escort agency. When he arrived at Rose Village, he inquired with the villagers and learned that there was indeed an old woman and a deaf girl living together in the village. Moreover, the kind villagers gave him directions, and the village chief's nephew successfully met the girl, Sakura, and her grandmother.
"Young man, how did you find this place?" the old lady asked curiously.
The village chief's nephew told the truth, "It was Yingzi's father who gave me the address, so I came here."
"Oh, is he alright? He hasn't been home in so long," the old lady asked with concern.
The village chief's nephew smiled and nodded, "The old man is doing well and is in good health."
The old lady smiled with relief, then asked, "So, what brings you here?"
The village chief's nephew replied, "I want to take Yingzi to see a doctor, and I also want to marry her."
The old lady shook her head and refused, "Let's forget about it. Yingzi's illness has been going on for a long time. We've been to every doctor we can, but it's been completely useless. Young man, don't bother."
The village chief's nephew replied confidently, "Don't worry, I will definitely help Yingzi get better. Grandmother, please feel free to let her come with me!"
Although the old lady was still worried, she couldn't believe the young man was lying. After hesitating for a long time, she finally nodded and agreed, "Alright then, after you cure her, you have to take her home." The village chief's nephew immediately nodded in agreement.
On the vast grassland, Nangong Xiawu was leisurely watching the sheep graze on the hillside when suddenly her maid rushed over to inform her...
"Something terrible has happened! The leader of the grassland alliance has been murdered, and the position of leader of the grassland alliance is about to change hands again! You'd better leave quickly, before anyone finds out!"
Nangong Xiawu was unwilling to give up, "Why should I leave? You don't want me to be the Alliance Leader's wife anymore, do you?"
"But the leader of the grassland alliance has changed. If you are discovered, they will definitely eliminate you," the maid hurriedly explained.
Undeterred, Nangong Xiawu ignored all advice and approached the new alliance leader, responding with a cheerful smile.
"Hello, new leader. I am the former leader's wife. Could you please allow me to retain my title and continue to enjoy wealth and luxury here?"
The new alliance leader was no pushover; he kicked her and responded in an annoyed tone.
"Do you think I'm stupid? As the wife of the former leader, you not only don't run away, but you also want me to treat you to good food and drink. You must be thinking of lying in wait by my side to avenge your husband, right?"
"No, no, I'm just used to a life of plenty and don't want to leave the grasslands," Nangong Xiawu stammered.
At this moment, a woman in gorgeous clothes walked over and slapped Nangong Xiawu across the face, angrily cursing her, "Shameless, you little bitch! You tried to take my place while I was away, you deserve a beating!"
"I didn't," Nangong Xiawu replied, covering her face.
"Still dare to argue? You must have a death wish!" The woman was furious and slapped Nangong Xiawu twice more, left and right.
"Madam is here! Please have a seat. How about we celebrate with hot pot?" the new leader asked with a smile.
"Okay." The woman's expression changed, and she responded with a smile.
“Madam, I don’t know her, but she insists that she is the former leader’s wife and asked me to keep her title so that she can enjoy wealth and honor. Isn’t this just wishful thinking?” The new leader hurriedly explained, afraid that his wife would misunderstand him.
"In that case, just lock her in the sheepfold and make her a servant to feed the sheep!" The new lady casually tossed out a sentence, and Nangong Xiawu was sent away.
In the past, Nangong Xiawu not only had maids to serve her when she dressed and put on makeup, but also had countless jewels and ornaments. Every day, besides enjoying the scenery on the grassland, she would eat, drink and have fun with the leader. Now, however, she has become a slovenly servant. She came to the sheep pen and couldn't help but burst into tears.
Just when she was feeling utterly helpless, her personal maid quietly came to the sheepfold, not only tenderly wiping away her tears but also whispering something in her ear. Nangong Xiawu's worries instantly turned to joy.
"Are you telling the truth? Is Cade really still alive?"
The maid looked around to make sure no one was watching, then nodded and said, "The victim was Caesar, Cade's younger brother. The leader of the grassland alliance has already escaped through a secret passage. He instructed me to take good care of you, and that when he returns, he will surely bring you wealth and honor."
Nangong Xiawu was deeply moved. "Cade is so kind. He still thought of me in a dangerous situation. It is my honor to have met him in this life."
"Alright, I have to go to the kitchen to cook, so I can't stay with you any longer. Please take good care of yourself, and I'll come to see you again when I have time."
Nangong Xiawu nodded with a smile and said okay.