Chapter Nine, seeking guidance with great respect

Going to university made Jian Fan genuinely happy for a while. However, after muddling through graduation and then facing obstacles everywhere, Jian Fan began to doubt whether it was he who attended university or if he was merely being attended to by the university. In any case, he remained as confused as ever and continued to lack ambition. During moments of disappointment, Jian Fan often comforted himself by saying: If I can't become a master, at least I can be a chef, right? If I can't achieve anything significant, I can at least work as a waiter, right? If I can't find a job, I can always do manual labor, right? Can a living person really be suffocated by their own urine?

The kelp should be washed several times, cleaned, sliced, shredded, and then soaked in water for later use

However, my father has always been very kind to Fei Shiqing, smiling and asking, "Little chubby, are you feeling peckish? Go to the kitchen and find Xiaofan! If you want to eat something, let him make it for you..."

Jianfan, while cutting, smiled at his father. At that moment, his father could sit down, light a cigarette, and brew a bowl of inferior large-leaf tea with the teapot, enjoying a sip contentedly

Jianfan, looking at the machine, turned it off, fearing that his father would hear or see. After a moment of thought, his gaze wandered uncertainly, pointing at Fei Shiqing: "Bring me the external hard drive, I will choose for myself"

Fei Shiqing, with a triumphant expression, shook his head and counted: "This is a compilation sample, including Koizumi Maria, Takagi Maria, Yamamoto Azusa, Sakurazuki Rui, Seto Yui, Ki Mariko, Hoshino Hikaru, Shiraishi Hitomi, Yuki Hitomi, Shiraishi Hiyori, Aida Momo, Asakura Mai, Kobayashi Hitomi, Yuki Maiko, Miho Yuki... and so on. After years of relentless effort, I have basically collected them all, capturing the essence of Japanese styles; as for the Western styles, there are quite a few as well, would you like some?"

As mealtime approaches, rolling up their sleeves and tying on their aprons, the two of them busily get to work

What else can I do besides cooking

... ...

Jianfan felt a tickling sensation in her heart from the flirtation, unable to focus on her work. She wiped her hands and looked on with a beaming smile, but soon expressed her dissatisfaction, saying: "Hey, old fool, this is only 2G, there's nothing to see here?"

After exchanging smiles and greetings with several acquaintances and strangers, Jianfan quietly rode his bicycle back to the store. On the way, he stopped by a spice shop, selecting a variety of items: Sichuan peppercorns from Da Hong Pao, dried star anise, large chili peppers from Wulong, freshly available fennel seeds, black sesame seeds, and more. He picked out over ten items, totaling more than 100 yuan, and haggled with the bald shop owner for twenty minutes, ultimately managing to reduce the price by 12.2 yuan before packing everything up to head home.

Disappointment, in fact, is still a long way from despair

Three people worked for a certain number of hours to prepare everything. The three commonly used main ingredients, namely cabbage, potatoes, and radishes, along with large bowls of soaked black fungus, shiitake mushrooms, mountain mushrooms, cloud peas, mustard greens, wild ferns, winter melon, and a dozen other vegetables, were neatly arranged on a table in the side room

The shop is connected to the kitchen, the kitchen is connected to the backyard, and there is a side room in the backyard. The kitchen is used for cooking, the yard has a stew pot, and the side room is for preparing ingredients. Beneath the side room is a wine cellar, which stores the family's corn wine.

When there are many lice, one is not afraid of being bitten; when there are many troubles, one is not afraid of being disturbed! With increased disappointment, Jianfan does not feel insignificant in the face of disappointment!

Speaking with emotion and listening with a heart stirred, Fei Shiqing wore an expression of being abandoned by his brothers, feeling more wronged than Dou E, while being pushed and shoved by Jian Fan. He forced himself to stand, his thick lips flapping, spitting out words as he rapidly recounted Jian Fan's embarrassing moments. As Jian Fan listened, her face turned red with embarrassment. Just as she reached out, Fei Shiqing, already on guard, immediately jumped away, positioning himself in the middle of the kitchen, a place where he could both attack and defend. His chubby face was flushed, and his shifty eyes darted around, wanting to run but still a bit reluctant, harboring a mischievous heart.

Upon hearing this, Jian Fan couldn't help but laugh; it was Fatty Fei again.

The cabbage, as high as half a calf, is not cut but peeled! Jianfan holds it at an angle with one hand while wielding a knife in the other, and all that can be heard is the sound of "swish swish swish..." The tender white stalks and the tender green leaves fall accurately into a large basin one meter away, like petals scattering.

From a young age, having faced numerous setbacks, Jian Fan's expectations of himself have not been particularly high. After all, in this day and age, everything revolves around money, and apart from the cooking skills he learned from his father since childhood, he truly feels he is good for nothing! Over the past year since graduation, he has indeed learned to cook and stew dishes more skillfully and meticulously from his father! If it weren't for his mother's constant hope for him to become successful and find a job, Jian Fan would have comfortably accepted a position as a kitchen helper in the restaurant!

Peach Blossom had no good feelings towards this gluttonous fat man, and bluntly said, "The pots have been scrubbed and the dishes washed, there is no food left!"

Fei Shiqing never considers himself an outsider; he often strides into the kitchen, rummaging around, grabbing whatever he can find to eat. He frequently enjoys pairing raw cucumbers and fresh chili peppers with a few pieces of pork belly or beef offal from the pot, making quite a noise while eating.

Jian Fan was taken aback, not expecting Fei Shiqing to bring out the goods he had been keeping hidden for this matter. He immediately shoved the MP4 back into Fei Fatzi's pocket and pushed him out.

I knew you were going to take advantage of me, just take a look, this new item will definitely satisfy you!" Fei Shiqing was relentless, and he finally took off the bag from his neck. Jian Fan looked and saw that it was an MP4!

Returning from the street to the store, all unpleasant feelings have dissipated. These matters have been contemplated countless times already, and worrying about them is futile; it is better not to think at all! Daydreaming is always inferior to taking action. So, what should one do?

Once these ingredients are added to the pot, it is only necessary to add broth and seasonings according to the diners' preferences to create a stew. The large pot in the courtyard is filled with well-cooked pork belly, lamb offal, and beef, exuding a rich aroma. A combination of meat and vegetables, when simmered over high heat with added ingredients, transforms into a flavorful Wulong pot stew

In elementary school, one envies others for scoring full marks; in middle school, one envies others for achieving excellence; in high school, one envies others for attending prestigious universities; and upon entering college, one envies others for wearing designer brands and driving nice cars... The more one envies, the more unattainable those things become in life. Compared to what others consider a good student, Jianfan can only be equated with someone like Fatty Fei, who is playful, loves to eat, experiences early romance, and is mischievous. Aside from his father who always treasures his son, and his mother who constantly criticizes him for not living up to expectations, when teachers see him, he is basically regarded as a class enemy worse than Fei Shiqing.

However, Fei Shiqing was as resolute as if he had eaten a weight: "Could you show some pity for your brother? Given that I have served you for so many years, can you not help me with this small favor?"

This fat man may lack other skills, but when it comes to sourcing high-definition videos online, he is more adept than anyone else

Jianfan's face alternated between pale and flushed, seemingly struck to the heart by Fatty Fei's words

Jian Fan resolutely refused, saying that sending this fool to pursue Jiang Dajia would truly be a desecration of beauty. Originally, the plan was to trick Fei Shiqing into delivering wine for nothing, but who would have thought this guy actually took it to heart. To take a step back, Jian Fan really did not want to see Fei Shiqing suffer too much from this matter! This fellow has never known the heights of heaven or the depths of the earth.

Jianfan also smiled; although the two individuals had distinctly different personalities, they maintained a high degree of consistency in this shared interest

Fei Shiqing wore a pained expression, stubbornly refusing to leave, with both hands clasped in a gesture of supplication: "Please, please... Brother Guo, for the sake of the party and the nation, lend a hand to your brother, don’t push me away, it’s not like I’m trying to seduce your wife!"

Ah! Quickly, go stay wherever it is cool over there

... ...

Jianfan has always been puzzled; how can Dad enjoy himself so much with cigarettes that cost five yuan a pack and large-leaf tea that costs ten yuan a pound! However, it is evident that Dad enjoys helping out in the kitchen! He likes to be busy in the kitchen alongside his son, and during moments of rest from their labor, his eyes are filled with happiness!

The garlic sprouts and green beans have been harvested and should be cut diagonally into arrow shapes to maintain their aesthetic appeal and enhance their flavor

The radish must be grated using a special grater to create slices, and then blanched in hot water to remove the bitterness before being added to the pot; otherwise, it will overpower the flavors of the other dishes

Is that so? I really don't care!" Fei Shiqing smiled ambiguously, elongating her voice and raising her tone.

The simple process is not easy; making soup is the slowest and the ingredients are the most challenging. However, if we are to speak of what is the most exhausting, it is undoubtedly chopping vegetables. Not only is the quantity large, but there are also many intricacies involved! Every day, just chopping vegetables leaves several people drenched in sweat! Sanqiang and Shuisheng have been following their father for three years, and it is said that they have not yet mastered the art of chopping vegetables! In contrast, Jianfan, who has been in the kitchen since childhood, has knife skills that surpass those of several others!

Of course, Jianfan likes it too

Today was somewhat unexpected; Fat Fei only teased Taohua with a single remark before rushing in. Upon entering, he stood before Jian Fan, pulled out a bottle of Wuliangye from his waist, and respectfully presented it to Jian Fan, looking very serious as he said: "Brother Guo, I have come sincerely seeking your guidance!"

No problem ... ... Hahaha, Fei Shiqing's cunning plan has succeeded, and he is laughing heartily while holding his belly

With his coarse fingers, he pressed a few keys, adjusting the machine. Suddenly, familiar sounds echoed from within, "Ah ah... Yami Dia... Yiyi Ai... Kuda..." Fei Shiqing nonchalantly presented it to Jian Fan, chuckling as he said, "It was just updated 24 hours ago, I compressed it!"

A fist-sized potato, the sound of the knife chopping continuously, and before long, a basin is emptied. One portion is cut into nearly equal-sized cubes, while another is sliced into uniformly thick pieces. The cubed pieces are to be placed in a slow-cooking pot, while the sliced ones are to be quickly cooked over high heat. Only in this manner can one ensure that the food is neither undercooked nor mushy

Ah! When have you ever served me? Nonsense! Jian Fan was astonished

The most tedious aspect of stewing is not the stewing itself, but rather the selection and preparation of the ingredients. Every day at five in the morning, my father gets up on time, drives that old Liuzhou Wuling from a few years ago to the Wulong Bridge, and purchases a truckload of fresh vegetables from the farmers coming into the city from the countryside. If that is not enough, he supplements the supply from the vegetable market. Once back at the shop, just washing and picking the vegetables takes four to five people over an hour of hard work. Every day at five in the morning, my father gets up on time, drives that old Liuzhou Wuling from a few years ago to the Wulong Bridge, and purchases a truckload of fresh vegetables from the farmers coming into the city from the countryside. If that is not enough, he supplements the supply from the vegetable market. Once back at the shop, just washing and picking the vegetables takes four to five people over an hour of hard work

Then I heard a strange and peculiar voice shouting from the shop: "Sister Peach Blossom, do you want to forget me or not!?"

After the vermicelli is cooked, it needs to be cut in half, neither too long nor too short, just the right length for a pair of chopsticks

Bring it here! Jianfan pulled it over and placed it at his feet, teasingly asking: "Still asking for guidance? Then this bottle doesn't count; you have to offer something else!"

Everything is illusory, the respectable job I once yearned for, a formal position, buying a world-class luxury car, dating a stunning beauty...! ... Go to hell, it's all nonsense! Cooking in a pot, riding a bike to buy groceries, haggling over prices, earning money by selling food, that is my true life, only this is the most real!

At noon, the table was filled, but I couldn't tell if it was due to a bad mood or a lack of direction. Jianfan greeted everyone but failed to find a customer to serve! After finishing the lunch shift, I didn't go home but rested in the shop for a while. In the afternoon, just as I had finished preparing the evening's side dishes and was about to tidy up a basin of small fish, a distinguished guest arrived at the shop

"Junk, are you trying to fool the child? This thing was bought when I went to university, how many years have you been using it?" Jian Fan said disdainfully, only that Fat Fei would like such a thing.

Then comes the cutting; the skill of chopping vegetables is not something that just anyone can learn. Jianfan returned to the shop and saw his father, Sanqiang, and Shuisheng busy at work. He said, "Dad, let me do it!" ... ... ... His father smiled and gave the position to his son

I said, are you annoying or not? Don't involve me in this matter. I tell you, it is not acceptable!

One can dream at night, but during the day, one must live more realistically

When saying this, the peach blossom will definitely roll its eyes in disdain

Jianfan suddenly smiled and exclaimed, "Hey, wait a minute, why are you sending both wine and the best goods... What is the scheme here? I have never seen you so generous and honest before!"

Fei Shiqing looked shocked, and then with a face full of sorrow, he deeply said to Jian Fan: "Brother Guo, one must have a conscience! Since elementary school, I have been stealing money from home, but I have always shared a portion with you. In high school, while you were sweet-talking Xiang Xiang, I had to come up with lies to appease your mother; while you two were hiding in the dormitory kissing and fooling around, I had to stand guard outside for you. I have not treated you poorly, have I? In college, you were playing the field, dating the beauty from the English department and the senior from the International Trade department, and I never told Xiang Xiang about it. When you needed me, I was unhesitatingly your wingman; it cannot be that when I need you, you treat me like a punching bag."

Fei Shiqing spoke with the familiarity of one recounting treasured possessions, not without a hint of ostentation, enticing Jian Fan

It's very simple, can you help me pursue that fairy girl