Next, she started on the braised pork.
She rendered some of the fat from the pork belly, leaving a little oil in the bottom of the pan.
She added a bit of rock sugar and cooked it until it caramelized, then tossed in the pork belly and added the seasonings.
Three spoonfuls of light soy sauce, a little cooking wine, and a few drops of dark soy sauce for color.
She poured two bowls of water into the pot, added the chopped potatoes, then tossed in some star anise, bay leaves, and garlic. She covered the pot and let everything simmer.
By then, the rich aroma of meat had filled the entire kitchen, making one’s mouth water just from the smell.
While the pork rib soup and braised pork simmered, the dough had finished rising.
Jiang Ni placed the dough on the counter, punched out the air, and rolled it into a long rope. She cut it into individual portions, kneaded each one into a small round piece, and placed them in the steamer to rise a second time.
Once they had risen properly, she turned the heat up high and began steaming the buns.
Since both Fu Ruichen and Zhang Zhiqi would be eating lunch, Jiang Ni was worried that one meat dish wouldn’t be enough.
She took out some pork lard and put it into a pot with a little spiritual spring water, rendering it into lard. She poured the finished lard into a ceramic jar and set it aside to cool and solidify.
Once the lard was done, she used the leftover cracklings to stir-fry with chili peppers and eggs.
Finally, she stir-fried one more vegetable dish.
Three dishes and one soup. That would be more than enough.
When Fu Ruichen and Zhang Zhiqi entered the courtyard, the rich aroma of meat and the fragrance of freshly steamed buns immediately filled their noses.
Zhang Zhiqi swallowed hard.
It smelled incredible.
He had never smelled food this delicious in his entire life.
Fu Ruichen glanced toward the kitchen and heard the clattering of pots and pans coming from inside.
He raised an eyebrow and quickly walked over.
The kitchen had been stocked with quite a few new pots and utensils. An entire row of cooking oil, rice, salt, and other seasonings now lined the stove.
Two bowls of cooked dishes sat on the counter.
Several pots were simmering at once, sending clouds of white steam into the air.
Jiang Ni was wearing a floral cotton dress. She was crouched beside the stove, pulling out some of the excess firewood. The flames cast a rosy glow over her fair, delicate profile, while a strand of hair rested against her ear, making her look gentle and sweet.
The kitchen, which had once felt cold and lifeless, was now filled with the warmth of everyday life and the delicious aroma of food.
Fu Ruichen stared for a moment, suddenly feeling as though the scene before him wasn’t real.
His thin lips parted.
“Jiang Ni.”
Jiang Ni looked up.
The tall, long-legged man was standing in the doorway.
She lifted a hand and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before smiling.
“The dishes are ready. The buns will be done soon. We can eat in a moment. Did Zhiqi come?”
“Mm.”
Fu Ruichen walked a few steps forward, crouched down, and took over what she was doing.
“I’ll do it.”
Jiang Ni didn’t bother being polite. A man who was willing to help with housework was a good man, after all.
She stepped aside and watched Fu Ruichen crouching beside the stove.
His back was ramrod straight, his features cold, sharp, and resolute.
When his large hand gripped the fire tongs, blue veins stood out across the back of his hand and ran up his forearm. The muscles there were firm and defined, giving him an inexplicable air of strength.
With a face like his, everything he did looked pleasing to the eye.
Jiang Ni watched for a while, the corners of her lips unconsciously curving upward.
She stood up, lifted the lid of the steamer, and took out the freshly steamed buns.
Zhang Zhiqi came into the kitchen.
“Sister-in-law, let me help.”
Jiang Ni smiled.
“You’re a guest. How could I make you do this?”
Fu Ruichen glanced up and said calmly, “Jiang Ni, go rest. Zhiqi and I can handle this.”
Jiang Ni froze for a second before realizing that Fu Ruichen was worried about her.
She immediately took the opportunity to act spoiled.
“All right. I spent the whole morning preparing these dishes. My arms are sore.”
Fu Ruichen’s gaze fell on the hand rubbing her forearm, and the hard lines of his face softened.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Jiang Ni blinked.
“It would be nice if you gave me a massage.”
Fu Ruichen: “…”
He quickly glanced at Zhang Zhiqi beside him, clenched his fist, and coughed lightly into it.
Zhang Zhiqi was standing nearby picking up the buns. His hand trembled slightly, and he didn’t even dare raise his eyes.
He suddenly felt as though he was completely superfluous here.
With the two men helping, the meal was soon ready.
The three of them sat around the table and began eating.
Jiang Ni was very pleased with the results of her cooking.
The white-flour steamed buns she had made herself were fluffy and soft, slightly yellow in color, and carried a rich wheat fragrance.
Unlike the steamed buns in her modern world, which were usually mass-produced and almost unnaturally white.
The braised pork with potatoes was rich and flavorful. The potatoes had absorbed the excess oil, while the pork was tender and succulent, with the fatty parts practically melting in her mouth.
The vegetable stir-fried with pork cracklings was perfect with the buns. It was absolutely delicious.
The pork rib soup was light and refreshing. Thanks to the spiritual spring water, the savory aroma of the ribs blended beautifully with the natural sweetness of the corn and carrots.
One sip warmed and soothed her throat and even seemed to refresh her lungs.
Zhang Zhiqi stuffed a large bite of steamed bun into his mouth.
“Sister-in-law, your cooking is amazing!”
“It tastes even better than the food at the state-run restaurant!”
The white-flour buns were so much better than those rough coarse-grain buns.
The dishes had plenty of oil, making their aromas rich and mouthwatering. Compared with them, the watery dishes served in the military cafeteria were practically impossible to swallow.
Jiang Ni was naturally happy to hear someone praise her cooking.
“If you like it, come over and eat anytime.”
Zhang Zhiqi’s eyes widened.
Sister-in-law was incredibly generous. If he really came over to eat regularly, he’d be in for a treat!
But despite thinking that, Zhang Zhiqi knew how to read the room. He glanced at Fu Ruichen and quickly waved his hand with a smile.
“I appreciate the offer, Sister-in-law. When I have some free time, I’ll ask you to teach me how to cook. Then I’ll learn to make it myself.”
“Sure.”
Jiang Ni and Zhang Zhiqi chatted animatedly while the man sitting beside them remained silent.
Jiang Ni turned her head toward Fu Ruichen.
“Ruichen, does the food suit your taste?”
Fu Ruichen was actually quite shocked himself.
These were the best dishes he’d ever eaten.
She had only recently learned how to cook, yet she had already developed such good culinary skills.
However, he wasn’t good at complimenting people, so he simply answered in his deep voice,
“Your cooking is good.”
Jiang Ni felt pleased with herself.
She noticed a few beads of sweat forming at his temple.
Without thinking anything of it, she picked up a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Is it hot?”
She didn’t even notice that Zhang Zhiqi was still sitting right there.
Watching the intimate interaction between the two of them, an awkward expression flashed across Zhang Zhiqi’s dark face.
“Um… Sister-in-law, Commander Fu might be feeling a little… spicy.”
He pointed toward the plate of stir-fried meat with chili peppers.
“Commander Fu can’t eat spicy food.”
“I’m sorry.”
Embarrassment flashed across Jiang Ni’s face as she looked at Fu Ruichen.
“I didn’t know you couldn’t eat spicy food.”
Fu Ruichen remained composed.
“It’s fine.”
Zhang Zhiqi was young and had never even been in a relationship. He simply couldn’t bring himself to look directly at Jiang Ni’s actions.
He put down his chopsticks and stood up.
“Commander Fu, I’m full. Thank you and Sister-in-law for the meal. I’ll head back first.”
Fu Ruichen gave a calm “Mm.”
Zhang Zhiqi practically fled the house.
Now only the two of them remained.
Jiang Ni served Fu Ruichen a bowl of soup and brought a spoonful to his lips.
“Have some soup. It’ll help get rid of the spicy taste.”
She was about to feed him herself.
Fu Ruichen’s body stiffened slightly, but he lowered his head and took a sip.
The warmth of the soup immediately made his stomach feel much more comfortable.
Jiang Ni brought another spoonful to his lips.
Fu Ruichen caught her hand.
His expression was slightly unnatural as he said,
“Jiang Ni, next time we’re outside… don’t do this.”