After shyly getting dressed, Ji Yang went out into the courtyard to wash her face.
There was an old well in the yard. Since the summer weather was hot, they had placed a washbasin not far from it. The water drawn from the well was refreshingly cool, perfect for relieving the summer heat.
Perhaps Jiang Ye was worried that the water would be too cold, so he had heated some water in a pot in the courtyard and added a little to the basin.
As Ji Yang washed her face, she noticed the bedsheet hanging on the clothesline nearby, still dripping with water.
Her face instantly turned bright red.
She had no idea when the bedsheet had been washed or whether Jiang’s mother and Jiang’s younger sister had seen it.
Suppressing her embarrassment, she finished washing her face and brushing her teeth, then combed her hair.
The original owner’s hair was truly beautiful. It was smooth, thick, glossy, and jet-black, cascading down like a piece of the finest black satin. It made her neck look even more slender and fair, with a soft, luminous glow that was enough to make anyone envious.
Following local customs, Ji Yang gathered her hair over one shoulder and loosely braided it into a thick plait.
“Breakfast is ready, Yangyang!”
“Mhm, coming!”
Jiang Ye had made hot noodle soup using dried wheat noodles, with two eggs poached in the broth.
“Want some chili oil?”
“Just a little.”
Jiang Dongya had learned to make the chili oil from Old Wang at the state-owned restaurant. Dried red chilies were ground into powder, then mixed with a few Sichuan peppercorns and a small pinch of white sesame seeds. Rapeseed oil was heated until piping hot and poured over the mixture with a loud sizzle, releasing a rich, spicy aroma that immediately filled the air.
Jiang Ye particularly loved eating it. He figured Ji Yang might want some in her noodles, too.
He brought over the bowl of chili oil and, instead of leaving, sat down opposite her.
Perhaps wanting to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere from that morning, he brought up the matter of inviting his friends over.
“I grew up around here, so I know pretty much everyone my age in this neighborhood.”
“Of course, there are only four I’m really close to.”
“One is Old Wang. You met him at the state-owned restaurant last time. Another is Zhuzi, who works in the publicity department of the textile factory. The third is Ershu, who drives a large truck for the state-owned transportation company.”
“Oh, right. One of them can’t come. He joined the army a few years ago. I’ll introduce you to him when he comes back.”
“As for the people I’m close to at the factory, there are quite a few, too. But the ones coming over tonight are from my work group Dagang and Ma Ming. They’re both good guys.”
Ji Yang nodded as she ate her noodles.
Seeing how enthusiastically she was eating, Jiang Ye remarked, “You look really hungry.”
Ji Yang paused mid-bite and raised her eyes to look at him.
Her expression clearly said, what do you think? Whose fault is that? How dare you even ask me that?
Jiang Ye slipped his hand into his pocket and rubbed the cigarette pack inside. Meeting Ji Yang’s wide eyes, he suddenly felt the urge to smoke.
After giving him a silent, accusing look, Ji Yang continued eating.
Jiang Ye also looked away, turning his attention to the New Year poster on the wall.
Jiang’s mother had put it up. The picture depicted a brightly lit construction site and terraced fields stretching one after another. The slogan “Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture” could be seen faintly in the background.
In the foreground sat a woman stonemason dressed in red, hammering away at a rock. Her expression was resolute, and her posture was strong and powerful.
Beneath the picture, large red characters declared:
“Women can hold up half the sky! Dare to transform the mountains and rivers into something new!”
After looking at it for a moment, Jiang Ye shifted his gaze back to Ji Yang and continued talking.
“Tonight, let’s make braised pork with vermicelli, stir-fry a few vegetable dishes, and put out a plate of peanuts. It’ll be a good opportunity for me to teach you how to cook.”
Ji Yang, who was utterly hopeless in the kitchen, immediately declared, “I’ll study hard!”
Jiang Ye couldn’t help looking at her again. Seeing her make that solemn promise like a primary school student, he chuckled softly.
He felt an urge to reach out and pat her head. His fingers twitched, but in the end, he didn’t raise his hand. He simply nodded.
“Good. Then do your best to learn.”
The previous night’s activities had clearly taken quite a bit out of Ji Yang. She felt sluggish throughout the day. After lunch, she took a nap, and by the time she woke up, she felt much more energetic.
That evening, Jiang Ye’s friends came over after finishing work. Those who were married brought their wives, while the unmarried ones came alone.
Jiang Ye took Ji Yang around and introduced her to everyone one by one.
When he introduced Ershu, Ji Yang noticed that the young woman he had brought along seemed to harbor a faint hostility toward her.
“Sister-in-law, this is my younger sister. She had nothing to do tonight and insisted on coming along. I figured you two were about the same age and might get along, so I brought her with me.”
Ji Yang smiled warmly.
“Your younger sister is such a pretty girl! Come in and sit down. Don’t be shy. Have some water and make yourselves at home.”
After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone had arrived, and it was time to start cooking.
Jiang Ye stood beside Ji Yang and taught her step by step.
“We use a gas cylinder at home. When turning it on, you need to twist the valve. After you’re done cooking, always make sure to tighten it properly.”
Ji Yang nodded.
“When lighting the stove, strike the match first and hold it right above the burner, close to the gas outlet. Only then should you turn the valve. Never turn on the gas before lighting the match. That’s dangerous.”
Ji Yang nodded again.
“Wash the wok thoroughly. When you’re ready to cook, heat it over a high flame until all the water has evaporated. Only then should you add the oil.”
Ji Yang nodded once more.
“The oil needs to be hot. If you’re not sure, watch to see whether it starts moving slightly and gives off just a little white smoke.”
Ji Yang… continued nodding.
“Add the chopped scallions and garlic. Stir them around a couple of times, then throw in the vegetables.”
Ji Yang nodded repeatedly.
“Once the vegetables are nearly cooked, add seasonings such as soy sauce, salt, and MSG.”
Worried that Ji Yang might not know how much seasoning to use, he added, “Just estimate the amount. If you’re really unsure, add a little at a time and taste as you go.”
Even Jiang Ye didn’t have a better method for this. It mostly came down to instinct. After trying it a few times, she’d naturally learn how much to use.
“I understand.”
Seeing that Ji Yang seemed to get it, Jiang Ye smiled.
“See? It’s not difficult, right? Anyone with hands can do it.”
Ji Yang agreed. “You’re right.”
The two exchanged smiles.
Just then, the vegetables were ready. Jiang Ye transferred them to a plate and said, “Now it’s your turn to give it a try.”
“Sure!”
First, wash the wok.
Let it dry over the flame.
Add oil.
Heat the oil.
“Jiang Ye, did you buy any soda? If not, I’ll go buy some!” someone called from outside.
“I bought some. Wait, I’ll bring it out for you!”
Jiang Ye had watched Ji Yang follow the first few steps correctly and felt that she should be fine. So he went outside to get the soda for his friends.
“You go ahead and cook. I’ll be back after I give them their drinks.”
“Okay.”
Ji Yang kept her eyes fixed on the wok, mentally reviewing Jiang Ye’s instructions.
The oil needed to be hot, moving slightly, and giving off white smoke.
She looked at the oil, which was already producing white smoke.
This should be hot enough, right?
Tentatively, she added the chopped scallions and garlic from the cutting board.
Sizzle!
Immediately afterward, flames suddenly burst out of the wok.
Startled, Ji Yang instinctively scooped up a ladleful of water from the water vat and poured it into the wok.
And then…
The flames grew even bigger!
When Jiang Ye rushed back inside, this was the scene that greeted him.
The wok was on fire, and Ji Yang was frantically trying to put out the flames, flailing about in panic.
He had no time to say anything. He grabbed the wok lid from beside the stove and slammed it over the flaming wok. Then he quickly shut off the gas cylinder’s valve.
His movements were swift and decisive. Within seconds, the flames inside the wok died out. Only a wisp of black smoke escaped through the gap around the lid, accompanied by a faint burnt smell.
Then he looked at Ji Yang.
She was clutching an empty ladle, her eyes filled with panic. Her face was red from the heat, half her hair had been singed, and the eyelashes and eyebrows on one side of her face had been burned away.
And yet…
He really, really wanted to laugh.