Having a pot of Di Guo Ji in winter is truly wonderful…
As the sun gradually set on the horizon, distant crowing of roosters mingled with a few barks from dogs.
Shen Zhihe took out the rooster she bought from Ji Shi yesterday. Thinking that she had earned some silver lately and had a bit of spare money, she decided to make a pot of Di Guo Ji today. It had been a long time since she last had it, and she was craving a taste.
She washed the chicken, chopped it into pieces, and poured it into a pot of clean water. Adding slices of ginger and scallions, she covered the pot and boiled it over high heat. Once the water came to a boil, Shen Zhihe fished out the chicken pieces. She scooped a spoonful of lard into an iron wok. When the oil was hot, she tossed in the pre-prepared Guipi and dried Chili. With a sizzling sound, the rich aroma of Chili filled the air.
Shen Zhian, who had been squatting nearby, suddenly sneezed twice. Rubbing his teary eyes, he looked up at Shen Zhihe in confusion. But seeing his elder sister busy at work, he obediently continued squatting and peeling the garlic in his hands.
“Zhi An, pass the garlic to me,” Shen Zhihe said without pausing her work, stretching out her other hand toward Shen Zhian.
Hearing this, Shen Zhian immediately straightened up and toddled over on his short legs, handing her the peeled, white garlic cloves.
Taking the garlic, Shen Zhihe turned her head to praise Shen Zhian before placing the cloves on the cutting board. She smashed them forcefully with the back of the knife and tossed them into the wok. Once the scallions, ginger, and Chili were fragrant, Shen Zhihe added the blanched chicken pieces to the wok and quickly stir-fried them. Gradually, the pale chicken skin curled and shrank from the heat, eventually taking on a golden-brown hue, with each piece glistening in oil.
A rich aroma wafted through the entire kitchen, making Shen Zhian swallow his saliva unconsciously. He quickly fetched his small stool, stepped onto it, and leaned over the stove to peer inside. The chicken looked irresistibly glossy and tempting.
Hearing the commotion, Shen Zhihe turned her head and saw Shen Zhian looking as if he were about to drool. A faint smile curled on her lips. Watching the chicken stir-fry until it changed color, she added the pre-mixed sauce and scooped two ladles of water into the wok. Then, she washed the Sweet Potatoes she needed to prepare for the next morning and steamed them in the pot.
After finishing all this, Shen Zhihe reluctantly scooped a bowl of flour and kneaded it evenly. Ideally, cornmeal should be used for the pancakes stuck to the pan, but it seemed corn had not yet been seen in this area, so cornmeal was not available.
After stewing for about half an hour, the kitchen was filled with a rich aroma. Shen Zhihe took the rested dough and deftly stretched it into smooth, pliable pancakes. Under Shen Zhian’s amazed gaze, she removed the steaming rack and Sweet Potatoes, then pressed the stretched pancakes against the sides of the wok.
As she covered the wok, she noticed Shen Zhian constantly sniffing and swallowing his saliva, which made her feel a bit hungry too. She guessed it was due to the original malnutrition of this body—it often got hungry easily. Thinking back to her previous life, where she had tasted all kinds of delicacies, she now found herself eagerly anticipating this pot of chicken, despite the incomplete seasonings and ingredients.
By the time dusk fell, the pot of chicken was finally ready. Shen Zhihe lifted the lid, and the spicy, savory aroma of the chicken mixed with the fragrance of the pancakes rushed straight to their senses.
“Sister, sister, Zhi An is hungry.” Shen Zhian stood on a low stool, his eyes fixed intently on the fragrant, rich chicken stewing in the pot.
“Little greedy cat.” Shen Zhihe chuckled softly, fetching a bowl and scooping all the chicken from the pot. The bowl was piled high, almost overflowing. Yesterday, Shen Zhihe had noticed how plump this chicken was and, thinking how long it had been since she and her younger brother had eaten anything substantial, she gritted her teeth and bought it. Remembering this, she said, “Zhi An, when spring comes next year, how about I raise a few chickens?”
Hearing this, Shen Zhian clapped his hands and immediately agreed with a smile.
Seeing his joyful expression, Shen Zhihe felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. If their parents were still alive, Zhi An would be at the age to start studying with a tutor. But now, even though she had earned some money, it wasn’t enough to hire a tutor for him, nor even enough to send him to a school. It seemed she needed to work harder to earn more.
“Sister, why aren’t you eating?” Shen Zhian noticed Shen Zhihe holding her chopsticks motionlessly and tilted his head, puzzled.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Shen Zhihe picked up a piece of chicken and placed it in Shen Zhian’s bowl. “It’s nothing. Try the chicken I made, Zhi An.”
With a smile in her eyes, she watched as Shen Zhian put the chicken into his mouth. Having never eaten spicy food since he was young, he gasped slightly, his eyes widening in surprise. The savory flavor with a hint of spiciness opened up a whole new world for him. He quickly grabbed a piece of flatbread soaked in the sauce and stuffed it into his mouth before it had even cooled.
Shen Zhihe found his puffed-out cheeks amusing and reached out to poke his cheeks, which had finally gained a little flesh. “Slow down, or you’ll choke.”
After swallowing the bread, Shen Zhian looked at Shen Zhihe with bright eyes. “Sister, it’s delishous.”
Hearing her younger brother’s soft, sticky voice, Shen Zhihe couldn’t help but laugh. She gently patted his head and said warmly, “If it’s delicious, then eat more, Zhi An.”
Meanwhile, in the Wang household, mother and son sat facing each other. Earlier, Wang Dalan had returned from the market with Shen Zhihe and told Wang Niangzi everything he had seen at the market, including Shen Zhihe’s comment that she needed to think things over. Now, the mother and son were anxiously waiting.
“I knew all along that young lady had found a way to make money, but I never imagined the popular tofu brain was her doing. That Shen family girl has no parents—she’s just an orphan raising a young brother. She’d be easy to control. If you can marry her, we won’t have to worry about your younger brother’s Shu Xiu for his studies, and you won’t have to work outdoors in the wind and sun anymore.” After a long silence, Wang Niangzi fixed her gaze on the oil lamp on the table.
The first time she saw that young lady, she had already started scheming. Her husband had passed away early, and Wang Dalan worked outdoors all year, barely earning enough. She had tried many matchmakers but failed to find him a good match. As Wang Dalan grew older, she watched others her age already enjoying their grandchildren, and it made her bitterly envious.
It must have been the Bodhisattva answering her prayers when she visited the temple the other day, sending this young woman to her side. The girl seemed decent-looking and capable, though a bit thin and frail—likely not very robust, probably not easy to bear children. That was a major concern. Once she married into the Wang family, she’d have to hand over all her money. If she turned out to be a barren hen, her son could simply divorce her. With money in hand, finding another wife wouldn’t be difficult anyway.
After all, that Shen family girl had no parents, and though she had a young brother, he was too small to stand up for her. She’d be entirely at her mercy. Thinking this, Wang Niangzi couldn’t wait any longer. She quickly got up, grabbed a cabbage from the kitchen, and hurried outside, instructing Wang Dalan as she went.
“I’m going next door to check. It’s been nearly an hour—why hasn’t that young woman made up her mind yet? Starting tomorrow, you show up around her more often. Over time, even if she has no interest in you and refuses to marry you, the gossip from others will drown her.”
Hearing this, Wang Dalan’s heart leaped with joy. His mother was truly clever—he hadn’t thought of such a method. He’d long been taken with the young woman’s beauty, but she was overly cautious. Though they were neighbors, he hadn’t seen her for days. If he hadn’t followed her to the Ji Shi early this morning, he wouldn’t have had the chance to walk home with her. Seeing her attitude soften today made skipping work worth it.
If Shen Zhihe married him, he’d never have to put up with the foreman’s temper again. Wang Dalan chuckled to himself, already imagining a life of lying at home, being waited on hand and foot, once Shen Zhihe became his wife.
After eating her fill, Shen Zhihe placed the leftover Di Guo Ji in a wooden basin, covering it upside down, then set it by the window. She fetched the dried chilies and onions she’d prepared days earlier to make some chili sauce. Judging by Shen Zhian’s reaction today, she guessed people from the Northern Border might handle spice well. With the chili sauce ready tomorrow, she could take it to the Ji Shi to test it out.
Just as she was thinking this, a knock came from outside. Shen Zhihe had just put down the chilies when she saw Shen Zhian scurrying on his short little legs toward the door.
Sighing inwardly, Shen Zhihe wiped her hands and followed him. Since moving here, Zhi An had become much more lively, finally acting like a child his age.
Pushing the door open, the moonlight reflecting off the snow outside lit up the yard brightly. Holding Shen Zhian’s hand, she stood at the doorway and peered out. There was Wang Niangzi from next door, holding a cabbage and smiling eagerly at her from the gate.
Shen Zhihe understood immediately—she must be anxious waiting for a reply. She put on a friendly yet slightly distant smile and stepped forward. “Look at that, speak of the devil! I was just telling Zhi An we should visit to thank Brother Wang for speaking up for me at the Ji Shi today, and here you are.”
With that, Shen Zhihe opened the gate and invited Wang Niangzi in. “It’s cold out—please, come inside and sit.”
Wang Niangzi followed Shen Zhian into the house, her eyes immediately falling upon a small desk that appeared to be specifically for Shen Zhian’s use. Her gaze swept through the room, seemingly finding nothing of value—had that girl hidden everything away?
“Zhi An, go back to your room first. I’m truly sorry—this child is shy around strangers. Wang Niangzi, please have a seat for a moment while I fetch you a cup of hot tea.” Shen Zhihe glanced down at Shen Zhian, who had been hiding behind her and clutching the hem of her garment since Wang Niangzi entered, and patted his head gently to soothe him. Watching Shen Zhian’s retreating figure disappear into the bedroom, Shen Zhihe then turned back.
“It’s no trouble. This child looks as delicate and lovely as a doll from a New Year’s painting,” Wang Niangzi remarked, though inwardly displeased by Shen Zhian’s apparent aversion to her. However, since she currently needed Shen Zhihe’s help, she decided not to take offense at a child’s behavior.
Before long, Shen Zhihe emerged from behind the curtain, carrying a cup of hot tea, and offered an apologetic smile. “We rarely have guests, so all I have is some hawthorn tea that I usually drink. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, young lady. It’s already presumptuous of me to visit unannounced—how could I possibly complain about your tea?” Wang Niangzi accepted the tea from Shen Zhihe, hesitating briefly with a somewhat awkward expression.
After a long silence, Shen Zhihe took a sip from her own cup and said, “Please feel free to speak your mind, madam.”
At this, Wang Niangzi looked up. “Earlier today, my eldest son mentioned to you his wish to join you in selling tofu brain. You told him you needed time to consider, and I’ve come to ask if you’ve reached a decision.”
Wang Niangzi watched Shen Zhihe nervously as the latter slowly set down her teacup. The rising steam blurred Shen Zhihe’s features, and just as Wang Niangzi grew anxious enough to speak again, Shen Zhihe’s clear, cool voice echoed in the room.
“I’ve indeed made my decision. Do you still have soybeans at home? If so, please grind them into soybean milk and bring it to me. Tomorrow, you can join me at the Ji Shi to set up a stall. We’ll split the earnings fifty-fifty—how does that sound?”
Relieved and overjoyed, Wang Niangzi thanked Shen Zhihe and hurried home. Only upon arriving did she realize that the young woman hadn’t explained how to make tofu brain—and from her demeanor, it seemed she had no intention of teaching her.
The earlier elation vanished instantly. With a cold snort, Wang Niangzi thought to herself, Once she marries into the Wang family, she’ll have no choice but to teach me, whether she wants to or not.