Chapter 577: 577: Teaching Braised Pork
Chapter 577: Chapter 577: Teaching Braised Pork
Tong Er’lang was purely salivating over the meat, Qiao Xiaomai’s braised pork was so good that he unconsciously leaned over.
He had no awareness that his unintentional remark would annoy Zhu Hongyun; seeing Qiao Xiaomai only smile, he asked another question, “Xiaomai, we’re all family, don’t hold out on us.”
“If your sister-in-law wants to learn, I’ll teach her later,” Qiao Xiaomai readily agreed.
Having been pampered by Tong San’lang for the past two nights after their marriage, her mood was as broad as the sea at this moment. Not only were the people in front of her not as annoying as before, but she was even willing to teach them how to cook braised pork.
We’re family, after all. So, if they love it, sure, I’ll teach!
Upon hearing this, Tong Er’lang immediately jumped in excitement, “Wow, Xiaoyun, Xiaoyun, come over here, Xiaomai is willing to teach you how to cook braised pork!”
Zhu Hongyun, whose heart was filled with resentment at the moment, struggled to find any amusement in these words.
On the other hand, Li Rou, who was washing Tong Xiaoxing’s face nearby, immediately smiled and spoke up, “Xiaomai, you can’t just teach your sister-in-law.”
“Sure, I’ll teach everyone,” Qiao Xiaomai nodded happily in agreement.
Good timing too, since Tong San’lang had bought 10 taels of pork belly yesterday. She had only cooked 5, so she could use the remaining 5 for teaching.
Having received Qiao Xiaomai’s green light, Tong Er’lang and Li Rou were both in high spirits, wearing smiles throughout breakfast.
5 taels of pork belly were shared and finished off by the whole family.
Only half a pot of steamed buns were left from the initial large pot.
Even the rice porridge was completely drunk up.
Poor Mrs. Zhang couldn’t partake in the feast due to her illness. She couldn’t eat heavy food, so the braised pork wasn’t meant for her.
All she could do was take a whiff of the pork aroma while eating plain porridge and medicine.
Seeing her gritting her teeth, Li Rou advised her, “Mom, don’t rush to recover. If you do, we’ll have to split the family. Xiaomai is willing to teach braised pork now, and she may be willing to teach other dishes later on. It’s best for you to stay sick, okay?”
The initial conditions agreed on were: once Qiao Xiaomai married into the family and Mrs. Zhang’s illness recovered, the family would then be separated.
Li Rou knew about this, but Zhu Hongyun and Tong Er’lang, who were not present at the time, were not aware of this.
To avoid causing a scene with the couple, no one had informed them.
So in Li Rou’s view, Zhu Hongyun’s reluctance was nothing but foolishness. They were going to separate eventually anyway, so why not grab whatever they could now? Why pull a long face?
Stupid!
The more Mrs. Zhang listened, the more she gritted her teeth.
During the hot summer days, she had to eat, drink, and do all her business inside this room. It was truly stifling her.
When it came to food, she really had reached the point where she felt a bird would fly out of her plain mouth!
“Mom, any benefits Hongyun and I get will naturally be shared with you. You just peacefully stay sick for a little longer,” seeing her situation, Li Rou continued to persuade her.
Even if they could only learn a few dishes from Qiao Xiaomai’s culinary skills, that would be enough to make her happy.
Mrs. Zhang thought about the days after the family split and remembered the words of Tong San’lang before. She gritted her teeth and decided to tolerate it!
She would stay ill for a little longer!
After getting the go-ahead from Mrs. Zhang, Li Rou was delighted. She picked up the bowls and dishes to clean them, “Mom, you wait. Once I learn how to make braised pork, I’ll wash your clothes.”
With a gloomy face, Mrs. Zhang just replied.
Soon after, Li Rou went out, cheerfully helping Qiao Xiaomai clean pots and dishes while Zhu Hongyun, with a long face, stood still by the kitchen door.
Once the kitchen was tidy, Qiao Xiaomai brought out the remaining 5 taels of pork and started teaching the two how to cook braised pork.
She had cooked braised pork many times before and had even made it publicly during a competition at Bailu Academy. Although the judges were seated high up and couldn’t observe the detailed steps, according to Tong San’lang, the Zuixian Building had been researching it for a while. However, their version didn’t taste nearly as good as hers.
So, at this moment, she boldly teaches the two of them, knowing that as long as she has the Spiritual Spring water, nobody can cook as well as she can.