There were two dining tables in Yue Chunhan’s home. Outside, there was a tall open-air table, typically used in spring, summer, or on nice weather days. Eating outside offered an open view and was relatively cool.
Inside, there was also a short-legged table suitable for placing on the kang during autumn and winter. It was convenient for playing cards or eating during holidays or festivals.
Early autumn was a bit chilly, so Yue Chunhan moved the short-legged table onto the kang, carefully wiped it clean, and sprinkled some dry flour on the surface before letting Su Zhi start rolling the dough.
But Su Zhi’s strength was too limited. After rolling for a while, the dough didn’t flatten much, so Yue Chunhan took the long rolling pin, his voice cool and steady. “Let me do it.”
The rolling pin in Yue Chunhan’s hands was much longer than the ones typically used for rolling dumpling wrappers—almost as long as an arm. It had been tucked away at the bottom of the cabinet, covered in dust, and Su Zhi had to rummage through boxes to find it. It was unclear when Yue Chunhan had bought it or how long it had been lying unused in the cabinet.
Yue Chunhan took over the dough, which had barely changed under Su Zhi’s efforts, sprinkled some dry flour on its surface, and pressed the long rolling pin horizontally against it. With both shoulders working together, he quickly rolled out the dough.
That cold, stubborn dough, which had refused to cooperate in Su Zhi’s hands, now seemed pliant and soft under Yue Chunhan’s control. Su Zhi rubbed her palms, which were reddened from pressing down on the rolling pin earlier, and watched as Yue Chunhan effortlessly flattened the dough, rolled it out wider, and handled it with practiced ease.
She looked up in surprise.
Yue Chunhan’s muscles were taut, the veins on his rolled-up sleeves bulging, and his well-defined muscles beautifully pronounced, exuding strength.
The dough was flattened but not yet thin enough. It needed further rolling until it was about the thickness of a copper coin, with even thickness throughout—no thicker on one side and thinner on the other.
Su Zhi leaned close to Yue Chunhan, checking from time to time and sprinkling dry flour on the dough to prevent sticking.
Yue Chunhan’s strength truly made a difference. Rolling the dough with the pin, his hands working back and forth, the dough quickly became smooth and even. He spread it out, adjusted its position, and repeated the process, soon finishing the task.
The round sheet of dough was evenly thin, consistent in thickness from all sides, and perfectly rolled out to the thickness of a copper coin—a beautiful result.
Su Zhi couldn’t help but give him an admiring look. She thought Yue Chunhan’s strength really wasn’t for nothing. While his muscular build might seem intimidating at times, it certainly came in handy at crucial moments.
Su Zhi had kneaded a large basin of dough, which was divided into two portions for rolling. Yue Chunhan finished rolling out one sheet, with another still to go. But this time, with experience on his side, he worked efficiently and soon finished the second sheet as well.
Earlier, Su Zhi had struggled to roll out even one sheet, panting and sweating from the effort. In contrast, Yue Chunhan finished rolling out two sheets without even breaking a sweat, his expression as calm as ever. Su Zhi couldn’t help but marvel at Yue Chunhan’s incredible stamina and strength.
The two rolled-out sheets of dough were stacked together by Su Zhi. Although she had no experience in hand-rolling or cutting noodles, she had seen others do it and felt somewhat confident. “I’ll take it from here!”
Su Zhi’s knife skills were quite good. Her posture with the knife showed practice—her fingers curled against the blade to avoid cutting herself, and she moved her wrist steadily while keeping the blade in place.
Cutting noodles didn’t require exceptional knife skills—just the ability to cut them evenly and cleanly—but Su Zhi worried that Yue Tiantian, being young, might struggle with wide noodles, so she tried to cut them as thin as possible.
Su Zhi’s hands were beautiful, with nails tinged pink, her fingers slender and elegant. As she cut the vegetables, her fingers pressed together, wrist suspended, her skilled knife work was a sight to behold.
Yue Chunhan watched her, his dark eyes deep and thoughtful.
Soon, Su Zhi had cut a whole basketful of hand-rolled noodles, a sight to behold. She sprinkled some flour over them to prevent sticking, then prepared to light the fire and heat the pot.
Time to boil the noodles!
Yue Tiantian was so excited that she eagerly volunteered to help Su Zhi with the fire. However, being too young, both adults in the house immediately discouraged her idea.
Yue Chunhan casually handed Yue Tiantian a head of garlic to peel. Though the garlic wasn’t immediately needed, giving her something to do was better than letting her wander around restlessly, unable to focus.
Su Zhi watched his skillful way of placating his daughter, her expression a mix of amusement and speechlessness.
The firewood crackled as it burned, flames fiercely licking the bottom of the pot. The iron pot heated quickly, and the cold water Su Zhi had poured in soon began to warm up. Tiny bubbles formed at the bottom, quickly growing into larger, rolling bubbles.
Yue Chunhan, who was tending the fire, glanced up and signaled to Su Zhi, “It’s ready.”
Su Zhi had been standing by the pot, keeping an eye on it. Seeing the time was right, she held the lid made from sorghum stalks in one hand and, with chopsticks in the other, gently lifted the rolled-out noodles and slid them into the pot.
Boiling noodles didn’t take long. After a few rolls in the water, their color deepened noticeably, and they appeared chewy and resilient—ready to be scooped out and rinsed in cold water.
Rinsing them in cold water would make the noodles more springy.
Maybe it was Su Zhi’s imagination, but after eating such simple meals lately, she could almost smell the aroma of wheat flour from the plain noodles as she rinsed them in cold water.
Outside the door, Yue Tiantian, who was peeling garlic, was practically drooling, eagerly begging Su Zhi, “Auntie, the noodles are ready! Can I have just a tiny bite with some sauce? Just one bite, please!”
Before Su Zhi could refuse, Yue Chunhan poked at the firewood in the stove pit and, without looking up, vetoed the idea, “No. Keep peeling your garlic.”
“Aww, why not? Hmph, I wasn’t even asking you, Daddy!” Yue Tiantian pouted, looking hopefully at Su Zhi. “Auntie, can I have just one bite? Just o~ne bite!”
She gestured the size of the bite with her fingers, drooling with anticipation, her plump, slightly chubby little face full of pleading, her round eyes bright and eager.
Yue Chunhan glanced back at her and calmly said, “Sure, you can eat as much as you want now. Just don’t regret it later when you have no room for the noodles we’re making.”
Hearing this, Yue Tiantian’s little face scrunched up in thought. After a moment, she reluctantly gave in, pouting sadly, “Wah, fine then, I won’t eat any… But Auntie, Daddy, please hurry up! Otherwise, sweetie is going to starve to death.”
Starve to death? More like “die of craving,” Su Zhi thought with amusement.
Yue Chunhan glanced at her, feeling somewhat embarrassed by her greedy antics.
Su Zhi, however, couldn’t help but chuckle softly, soothing her gently, “Don’t worry, Tiantian. Auntie will start cooking the sauce right away.”
“Yay!!”
Yue Tiantian jumped around happily in place.