This time, she mainly invited Doctor Li’s family and Fang Hu’s family over so everyone could have a lively get-together.
The next morning, Sister-in-law Xing’er arrived early with Da Niu. She was carrying quite a few things, including vegetables, sweet potatoes, and a duck.
Aunt Wang also came over with some things.
Jiang Yutong said politely, “You came all this way, and you even brought so many things. You really shouldn’t have gone to the trouble.”
Sister-in-law Xing’er truly treated Jiang Yutong like her own younger sister. As soon as she arrived, she began helping with the cooking.
“We didn’t bring much. It’s your housewarming, after all. These things are only appropriate.”
Aunt Wang also said, “Exactly, exactly. It’s just a little gesture to bring you good luck.”
Jiang Yutong had prepared everything early.
Today, she was going to make a mutton hot pot. She had bought a piece of tofu and some potatoes in the village, and she planned to stew some of the mutton to make the hot pot broth.
She had also bought a large grass carp and planned to make sauerkraut fish.
Jiang Yutong worked quickly and efficiently. She cleaned the fish, sliced it into thin pieces, and marinated them for later.
She also cut the mutton into chunks and blanched them with scallions, cooking wine, and Sichuan peppercorns.
Then she stir-fried the meat in a pot and added soy sauce, cooking wine, salt, star anise, fennel, and Sichuan peppercorns before letting it simmer.
Jiang Yutong added plenty of water because they would be using the broth to cook various ingredients later.
She also made some of the remaining mutton into thin slices for the hot pot.
Once the mutton was nearly done, she transferred it into the hot pot.
She had discovered the hot pot vessel in the house when she was cleaning it and had wanted to try making hot pot ever since.
The hot pot was quite cleverly designed, resembling a small brazier with a place underneath for charcoal. It was very convenient.
Jiang Yutong then finished preparing the sauerkraut fish.
Da Niu had initially been playing in the courtyard, but when he smelled the delicious aroma, he couldn’t resist running inside.
“Auntie, what are you making? It smells so good!”
Jiang Yutong picked up a piece of mutton and gave it to Da Niu.
“Auntie is making mutton hot pot and sauerkraut fish. Da Niu, make sure you eat plenty later, okay? Then you can grow up big and strong.”
Da Niu nodded while slurping up the mutton.
“It’s delicious! Auntie, your cooking is so good.”
Sister-in-law Xing’er helped Jiang Yutong with the preparations.
“Yutong, even this fish smells delicious while you’re cooking it. I’ve never seen fish prepared this way before. I’m sure it will taste amazing.”
Aunt Wang was tending the fire.
“I told you, Yutong is an excellent cook. Ordinary ingredients become delicious in her hands. Take those potatoes, for example. I’ve never liked eating them, but after Yutong cooks them, I can eat two bowls of rice with them.”
Sister-in-law Xing’er was becoming convinced as well. Just looking at the dishes Jiang Yutong had prepared, everything already looked delicious.
“Then I’ll definitely have to try everything later.”
Soon, the entire feast was ready, and Doctor Li and the others arrived as well.
Everyone gathered around the table, happily enjoying the steaming hot pot.
“It’s delicious!”
For the main staple, Jiang Yutong had prepared noodles. She had kneaded the dough herself and made hand-pulled noodles, which she dropped directly into the mutton hot pot.
The noodles absorbed the rich broth and tasted incredibly flavorful. Everyone ate with great satisfaction.
Then there was the sauerkraut fish. It was the first time any of them had eaten fish prepared this way, and they all praised Jiang Yutong.
“I never knew sauerkraut could be made into something this delicious!”
“This is the first time I’ve eaten fish prepared this way. It’s delicious, and there are hardly any bones. It’s much easier for children to eat.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Sister-in-law Xing’er picked up a piece and put it into Da Niu’s bowl.
Normally, whenever there was fish at home, they didn’t dare give any to Da Niu because they were afraid he might choke on a fish bone.
But this fish had been sliced into thin fillets, so there were practically no bones to worry about.
Just as everyone was enjoying themselves, a group of people appeared at the door.
Someone began pounding heavily on the door.
“Is anyone there? Come out, quickly!”
Jiang Yutong put down her chopsticks and reassured everyone.
“I’ll go take a look.”
She opened the door and saw a group of aggressive-looking men blocking the entrance.
“What is it?”
The man at the front spoke.
“Is this house yours? And you’ve already moved in?”
Jiang Yutong’s heart skipped a beat.
The house had only just been repaired, and now someone was already trying to claim it?
She hadn’t even saved enough money yet, and she hadn’t obtained the property deed.
“Who are you?”
“We’re relatives of the original owner of this house. Who gave you permission to live here? Get out immediately.”
Doctor Li and the others came out as well. As soon as he saw the man leading the group, he recognized him.
“Wang Er, what are you doing here?”
Wang Er spoke in a swaggering manner.
“Sorry, Doctor Li, but this house belonged to my aunt’s cousin’s sister-in-law. Now that they’re all gone, the house belongs to us. You moved in without our permission. That’s trespassing on private property.”
Doctor Li narrowed his eyes.
“Since when did you become related to the owners of this house? Why have I never heard of it?”
“There are plenty of things you don’t know. Hurry up and move out. We don’t want to make things ugly.”
The moment Jiang Yutong heard the convoluted claim about being the owner’s relative, she knew they were making it up.
She spoke calmly.
“I moved in with the village head’s approval. I also know that the original owners of this house are no longer around. Their entire family was executed back then.”
She looked at Wang Er.
“If you’re really their relative, then I’m afraid you’ll have to explain that relationship to the authorities.”
Wang Er’s eyes narrowed.
“Who are you trying to fool? Hand over the house, or don’t blame me for what happens next.”
With that, Wang Er moved as if he intended to hit Jiang Yutong.
Jiang Yutong caught his fist and applied a little leverage.
Wang Er immediately cried out in pain.
He had never expected someone as thin and petite as Jiang Yutong to possess so much strength.
“It hurts! It hurts!”
The people behind him were about to rush forward, but Fang Hu and Li Nanxing stepped forward.
The group immediately lost their nerve.
Seeing that the situation was under control, Jiang Yutong released Wang Er’s hand.
“I’ve already moved into this house, and I’m not leaving for now. If you claim to be the owner, then show me the property deed. If you have the deed, I’ll move out immediately without another word.”
If Wang Er actually had the deed, would he be standing here wasting his breath?
He had already investigated everything.
Jiang Yutong was alone and had no family to rely on. Although Doctor Li treated her differently from others, he wasn’t family. As for Fang Hu, while he was highly skilled, there was no way he could stay here and protect her every day.
Wang Er simply didn’t believe he couldn’t deal with one woman.
But Jiang Yutong’s fighting ability had been somewhat beyond his expectations.
It seemed this matter would have to be handled more carefully.
Wang Er stubbornly said, “I’m giving you three days. Move out as soon as possible. Otherwise, don’t blame me for what I do to you.”
Before Jiang Yutong could say anything else, Wang Er led his men away.
As he walked, he rubbed his aching arm.
That damn woman.
He would definitely make her pay.
The lively atmosphere had been dampened considerably.
“Wang Er is a local hoodlum,” Doctor Li sighed. “He’s lazy and good-for-nothing, and he’s always stealing chickens and dogs. People like him aren’t easy to deal with.”
This was exactly why Doctor Li had urged Jiang Yutong to think carefully when she was considering divorce.
A woman alone in this world was not easy to get by. Without a man in the family to stand behind her, anyone could bully her.
Jiang Yutong smiled reassuringly.
“Uncle Li, it’s fine. I can handle it. Everyone, don’t worry and keep eating.”
After the meal, Jiang Yutong saw everyone off and cleaned up the kitchen.
Then she began thinking about how she should deal with Wang Er.
She still didn’t have enough money.
She wanted to make another trip to the county town and see if she could sell some of the recipes she had come up with for a little extra money.
Making money was simply too slow.
She needed to produce MSG.
Once she established a market for it, she wouldn’t have to worry about lacking money.
But for now, her top priority was to visit the village head.
Jiang Yutong locked the door and hurried toward the village head’s house.