Jian Jia scooped a few pieces of cracklings into a small bowl. Once Qin Lang stopped bawling and only sniveled quietly in Qin Yi’s arms, she placed the bowl within his reach. “Da Hei was naughty. We won’t give it any now. Later, when we finish the braised pork, it won’t get any of that either.”
Qin Lang pouted, eyes brimming with tears as he looked toward Da Hei. Seeing the dog curled up in a pitiful ball, he softened again. “Let’s give it some. I’m not mad anymore.” It was strange. His elder brother had clearly reminded him to put the bowl on the table when eating, not on a low surface. Da Hei never went after food on the table, but anything on the floor was automatically its property.
Realizing it was his own oversight, Qin Lang felt guilty for crying so loudly. He glanced at Qin Yi’s face and then at the wet patch on his chest, lowered his head, and sat up straight, retreating from his brother’s arms. If there had been a crack in the floor, he would have crawled into it without hesitation.
At that moment, Second Uncle walked in from the door, wearing a raincoat and carrying a bamboo basket with the innards. Qin Lang quickly rubbed his eyes and ran to help. “Second Uncle, I’ll help you!” He was relieved Second Uncle arrived in time, as he didn’t know how to face his brother otherwise.
Seeing Qin Lang’s frail back, Qin Yi felt a pang of guilt. As the elder brother, he had not been observant enough to notice his younger brother’s distress. Still, it was okay. They had many years ahead to understand each other better.
“Qin Yi, there’s something I want to discuss. Should we find a tutor for Lang’er?” Jian Jia noticed Qin Yi’s gaze on Qin Lang and thought it was the right time to bring this up. “Lang’er is already seven, the perfect age to begin formal learning. He’s quiet and enjoys writing and reading. We could look for a good scholar or a private tutor and send him there.”
When Jian Jia first met Qin Lang, she had thought he was only four or five years old. Later she learned he was seven. In Great Jing, children typically began schooling at five, so though Qin Lang started late, it was still not too late to educate him.
Qin Yi glanced at Jian Jia in surprise, then looked back silently at Qin Lang’s figure. He had considered this himself last year. Since he could read and write, he naturally did not want his younger brother to remain illiterate.
Finding someone to tutor him, however, was easier said than done.
If the Qin family had been in a town, it might have been manageable. But their home was deep in the mountains, with few neighbors within five miles. When Lang’er was five, his parents had sent him to a private school eight miles away. Every morning before dawn, his mother or father had to cross the mountains to take him there and return after lunch.
The journey consumed most of the day. After his mother’s accident, his father could not manage the trips alone, and Lang’er’s schooling stalled.
Last year, Qin Yi thought that with Junjun around, escorting Lang’er might be feasible. He quickly realized he had been naïve. The daily trips to and from the mountains and town already exhausted him. Adding the task of escorting Lang’er would have been impossible.
Moreover, the tutor at that distant school was an old traditionalist who relied solely on rote memorization, and the children were unruly. Qin Yi doubted Lang’er could learn anything there.
Finding a nearby tutor with both knowledge and patience was extremely difficult. He sighed quietly and explained the difficulty to Jian Jia.
Meanwhile, the braised pork in the pot released an irresistible aroma, like it had eyes and was deliberately diving into one’s nose, stirring the senses. The familiar scent relaxed Jian Jia, and she knew Qin Yi was wrestling with the dilemma. She gazed at the misty, rainy sky outside. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If we encounter difficulties along the way, we can find a solution. What do you think?”
Though Jian Jia had never been a parent, she understood that children were the hope of the family. She had also thought about Qin Yi’s concerns. Since the topic was raised, she did not intend to place all responsibility on him. Lang’er called her “Sister,” and she would take responsibility within her ability.
After a pause, Jian Jia smiled at Qin Yi. “Later, you can teach me how to ride a horse.”
Qin Yi froze. Her topic had shifted suddenly, from Lang’er’s schooling to horseback riding. Jian Jia continued, “Once I learn to ride, I can go to places not too far on my own. When Lang’er is at the tutor’s, either of us can go pick him up when we have time.”
Qin Yi’s pupils widened. Seeing her smile, his heart felt both heavy and warm. After a moment, he nodded firmly. “All right.”
Once the rain stopped, he would teach Jian Jia to ride.
The rain continued without easing. Second Uncle had only roughly washed the innards in the water channel. The bamboo basket of intestines and stomachs gave off an unpleasant odor, making Qin Lang’s face contort. Qin Yi quickly carried the basket, hanging it under the eaves to clean properly later.
Second Uncle removed his raincoat, inhaling the fragrant aroma wafting through the yard. “It smells so good. Jia’er, what delicious thing are you cooking now?”
Jian Jia smiled. “Braised pork. It should be done by now. Second Uncle, taste it for me?” The fire under the stove was strong. The braised pork was immersed in thick, reddish-brown sauce, trembling slightly with every bubble.
She placed a few pieces in a bowl and called, “Qin Yi, try it with Second Uncle.” If it tasted good, she would reduce the sauce and serve the rest.
Seeing the pieces, Qin Yi understood the meaning of “braised pork.” Normally, to save effort, he would simply boil meat and dip it in soy sauce, never taking the time to cook it properly.
The pieces glowed a rich brown-red. The thick skin had released gelatin and could be pierced easily with chopsticks. Fat and lean meat intertwined; the fat was translucent, the lean deeply colored. The glossy sauce clung to the meat, and the aroma teased the senses.
Because the pork had not been braised too long, it retained some firmness. Qin Yi gently blew on a piece to cool it and fed it to Qin Lang.
With his small mouth, Qin Lang could only bite half at a time. The meat split cleanly under his teeth. Fat was pulled apart, releasing glistening oil. Every chew filled his mouth with savory richness.
Jian Jia’s braised pork was slightly sweet, perfectly balanced. Tender but not greasy, the spices masked the wild boar’s gaminess. Chewing revealed both the texture and the deep flavor melded with the spices.
Qin Lang’s eyes shone. “Delicious! Second Uncle, Brother, this meat is so good!”
Before Qin Lang spoke, Second Uncle had already tasted a piece and raised his thumb. “Delicious! I’ve lived this long and never tasted braised pork this good!”
Jian Jia laughed. “You’re flattering me.” Regardless of what she cooked, the Qin family always praised her. For a cook, the diners’ appreciation and finishing the plate was the best reward.
After Qin Yi fed Qin Lang an entire piece, he took the last piece himself. The rich, glossy braised pork filled him with satisfaction. He finally understood why Jian Jia dreamed about braised pork. From now on, if a month passed without it, he would miss this heavenly taste in his dreams.
Seeing everyone’s reaction, Jian Jia nodded with satisfaction. Technically, the dish was not yet perfect: the sauce was a bit too much, and the color and presentation could be better. As a devoted foodie, she was willing to wait.
The fire grew stronger. The sauce slowly reduced and thickened until it could coat the meat.
A large bowl of braised pork glistened, satisfying to look at alone. Jian Jia blew on a piece and tasted it. “Yes, this is it!” If she were to nitpick, it was that the wild boar was not plump enough and the meat not quite tender enough. That could be fixed next time with a farm-raised pig.
With the braised pork done, the next dish would be stir-fried pig liver.
The wild boar’s liver was small. When Jian Jia had seen it among the innards, she immediately thought of tender stir-fried liver. She loved pig liver but always struggled to slice it. The texture depended on knife skill, and raw liver was extremely delicate.
Now, she had no worries. After seeing Qin Yi handle the knife, she entrusted him with slicing the liver. He did not disappoint. Each slice was even and complete, perfect for stir-frying.
Before cooking, there was preparation to do. The liver, as a detoxifying organ, could have a strong taste if mishandled. After Qin Yi sliced it, Jian Jia soaked it in salt water. Changing the water three times, the dark red liver lightened to pale pink.
The drained liver would then be marinated with ginger, rice wine, pepper, a touch of soy sauce, and most importantly, a spoonful of sweet potato starch. This ensured the stir-fried liver would be tender and smooth.
Normally, Jian Jia liked pairing liver with strongly flavored vegetables such as bell pepper, onion, or garlic shoots. But for now, fresh vegetables were scarce. She even had to ration garlic.
Patting the garlic, she reassured herself, “It’s fine. Soon we’ll have fresh vegetables.” The family’s garden already had several seeds sown. Before long, she would have the green and red peppers, pickled and chopped, that she longed for.