Gu Yunsheng added two more bowls of water to the pot.
Then she cut the slightly golden eggs in half and dropped them into the pot and covered it with the lid.
Huo’s mother, drawn by the aroma, came into the kitchen.
“Shengsheng, what are you making?”
Gu Yunsheng smiled and replied,
“Braised pork rice.”
Huo’s mother was puzzled. Braised pork rice, what exactly was that.
After simmering for nearly an hour, before taking it off the heat, Gu Yunsheng stir-fried some greens and set out plates and rice bowls.
She filled the bowls with rice, then inverted them onto the center of the plates, and finally lifted the pot lid.
Instantly, the rich aroma of braised pork filled the air.
Even the reluctant Wan’er craned her neck to look into the pot.
Only Huo Zhenguo and Huo Chengxuan remained formally seated, though they unconsciously swallowed hard.
The fried pork belly was not abundant, just enough for five servings.
Gu Yunsheng ladled some sauce around the rice, added a few greens, and the braised pork rice was ready.
Her movements were smooth and effortless.
The five servings were arranged on the stove.
Huo’s mother and Wan’er had only one thought.
It smelled amazing.
“Mom, dinner’s ready.”
Gu Yunsheng washed her hands and dried them.
Wan’er had already forgotten about her earlier tension with Gu Yunsheng. She was practically drooling as she picked up her bowl.
She scooped a spoonful of rice, mixed it with the sauce, and once every grain was coated, she took a bite.
Huo’s mother and the others watched Wan’er closely.
The moment the rice touched her mouth, Wan’er froze.
“This taste…”
Huo’s mother looked puzzled. “What is it?”
Wan’er hurriedly scooped another bite, leaving no doubt about her reaction.
Huo’s mother then picked up her spoon, mixed the rice with the sauce, and quickly took a bite herself.
The braised pork rice was still slightly hot, but nothing could hide the rich, meaty aroma filling her mouth.
Every taste bud seemed to be awakened.
It was truly delicious. One bite led immediately to the next.
Even Huo Zhenguo was no longer stern. He looked like an elderly man enjoying a rare delicacy.
Huo Chengxuan only sat down after seeing Gu Yunsheng take her seat.
“Let’s eat.”
Gu Yunsheng spoke, glancing at Huo Chengxuan. Beautiful people truly looked good no matter what they did.
Huo Chengxuan paused slightly in his movements.
Gu Yunsheng snapped back to reality and lowered her head before he could look up.
Ah, focus on eating, not being distracted by beauty.
She took a bite, and it was the familiar taste.
The fatty and lean braised pork melted in her mouth instantly.
Delicious.
Gu Yunsheng’s face was full of satisfaction.
Huo Chengxuan noticed this, a faint smile tugging at his lips, before he began to eat.
Gu Yunsheng felt a little strange, as if someone were watching her.
However, when she looked up at the man across from her, Huo Chengxuan was quietly eating.
A glance around showed everyone else was also focused on their meals.
Was it just her imagination?
She didn’t notice anything unusual and returned to eating.
Huo’s mother finished first but still felt concerned for her pregnant daughter-in-law cooking for them.
“Shengsheng, you’re pregnant and still making meals for us. Let Mom do it next time.”
Gu Yunsheng twitched slightly. Having her mother-in-law cook would be worse than doing it herself.
“Mom, it’s fine. I like it.”
Wan’er’s eyes narrowed with delight as she ate.
Though she had had objections before, after these two meals, it didn’t matter that Gu Yunsheng wasn’t going to work in the countryside.
As long as she cooked occasionally, that was enough.
Wan’er realized she had never known that Gu Yunsheng was such a skilled cook.
After finishing, Gu Yunsheng sat on a stool, unwilling to move.
Huo Chengxuan, on the other hand, stood up to wash the dishes proactively.
Gu Yunsheng did not stop him.
Although she liked cooking, washing dishes was something she disliked.
Besides, in her view, there was no such thing as a man being exempt from housework.
Upstairs, Gu Yunsheng lay on her bed and took out the jade pendant.
The pendant was smooth and translucent. She caressed it, her mind wandering.
While eating, she recalled parts of the book.
She had not studied it closely, just remembered that Gu Yunzhao discovered the pendant’s secret, seemingly related to blood.
Having read many novels, she assumed the details were not much different.
Why not try it?
With that thought, Gu Yunsheng sat up.
She retrieved a needle from her bedside drawer and pricked her finger.
Soon, blood appeared. Since the needle was small, the amount was minimal.
She squeezed her finger to get a bit more blood and dropped it onto the pendant.
The blood on the pendant quickly vanished.
Then, the jade pendant began to heat up in Gu Yunsheng’s hands. Her heart skipped a few beats, luckily Huo Chengxuan had gone out on some business.
As the pendant’s warmth intensified, the environment around her suddenly changed.
Gu Yunsheng widened her eyes.
Before her was a five-story shopping mall.
She walked through it, floor by floor.
But Gu Yunsheng was puzzled. Something didn’t add up.
In the book, the female lead, Gu Yunzhao’s golden finger, was the Spirit Spring Water. There had been no mention of a large shopping mall.
Gu Yunsheng reached the entrance on the first floor and noticed a small pond.
Then she realized she had only been focusing on the mall earlier, completely overlooking it.
The pond’s water was crystal clear and emitted a faint mist.
Gu Yunsheng crouched down, cupped some water, and drank a sip. Instantly, her vision cleared.
This must be the Spirit Spring Water described in the book.
With a thought, Gu Yunsheng altered her surroundings again.
She emerged once more.
The jade pendant was gone, but a peony-shaped mark had appeared on her arm.
She had thought the pendant would be conspicuous, but now she didn’t need to worry.
Gu Yunsheng could not contain her excitement. Life in the countryside would be inconvenient.
Especially with food.
Meals there would certainly not compare to now, a disaster for a foodie like her.
Of course, it was not just that.
Once in the countryside, she would have to work the land. Counting everyone at home, there were five people.
Only Huo Chengxuan and Huo Zhenguo could provide labor.
The three women at home were not capable workers, and she was pregnant.
What she thought would be hardship now seemed manageable. With the shopping mall, there was nothing to worry about.
Gu Yunsheng was too excited to sleep. She ran into the mall to explore.
Each item had a price, and all prices matched the era.
She calculated her current resources. Money from Huo’s mother, plus the three thousand yuan from Gu Detao. She had roughly seven thousand yuan in cash on hand.
.