As the beef was still simmering in the pot, Tang Yiyi swiftly dealt with the potatoes, then chopped a section of yam. Once the potato and braised beef were done, she made a serving of caramelized yam, and finally took out the leftover pork jelly from the fridge, cut it, and flavored it. Just as she opened the lid, white steam eagerly rose upward, enveloping the room with the unique fragrance of rice. The mist gradually dispersed, revealing each plump, glistening grain of rice.
Tang Yiyi looked at her handiwork with satisfaction. After thinking for a moment, she served some rice and dishes into Milk Tea’s bowl before opening the tightly closed kitchen door. The kitchen door was fairly well sealed; when it was shut, one could only smell a faint aroma outside, but once the door opened, the rich fragrance inside the kitchen rushed out, overwhelming Sun Jian and Milk Tea who were waiting at the door!
The two were already "seduced" by the aroma, with no resistance left, and couldn’t handle such a strong stimulus. As the rich aroma came out, they instinctively inhaled deeply, and their eyes nearly turned red from the stimulus! Despite being a big man, Sun Jian barely managed to maintain his last bit of composure.
As for Milk Tea, it had no such qualms. It had already spotted its bowl filled with food, sending out a rich meaty aroma. Paying no mind to Tang Yiyi, it darted straight to the food bowl, grabbed it, and shuffled to the corner, eyeing Tang Yiyi and Sun Jian warily, occasionally growling to warn them, fearing they might snatch its food.
Tang Yiyi ignored its paranoia and self-indulgence, simply telling Sun Jian, "The food is ready. Remember to wash your hands and serve the dishes."
Sun Jian, growing impatient from waiting, nodded eagerly at her words and rushed into the kitchen to wash and sanitize his hands, then walked over nervously, curiously eyeing the large bowl of potato and braised beef. He hadn’t dared to look closely with Tang Yiyi around just now, but upon close inspection, he found the dish’s appearance quite appealing! The potato and braised beef had some dark soy sauce added, giving it a slightly darker color, with finely chopped chive threads as garnish on top, the chive leaves vibrant green, the stalks pure white, and the threads slightly curled like petals, creating a pleasing aesthetic.
Sun Jian was a straightforward person, usually eating only nutrient pills or meal packs, and even when dining out, he had never seen such refined dishes. His surprise and shock mingled with his silent speculation: who exactly is Tang Xiao? He didn’t yet know that Tang Xiao was merely an alias Tang Yiyi was using temporarily, not her real name.
Returning from the dining room, Tang Yiyi saw Sun Jian staring at the bowl of braised beef with potatoes, unable to repress a twitch of her mouth as she urged, "What are you doing? Why are you dawdling? Never mind, there’s only this one dish left, you don’t need to serve it, but take the rice out."
Realizing his foolishness, Sun Jian’s face flushed instantly. To avoid further embarrassment, he quickly picked up the rice pot and headed out. Tang Yiyi followed with the bowl of potato and braised beef. In the corner, Milk Tea looked up from its meal, disdainfully glancing at Sun Jian’s back, deeming him utterly foolish. However, Sun Jian, completely captivated by the aroma wafting from the dining room, had no time to concern himself with Milk Tea.
Milk Tea, disgruntled, wanted to bark loudly, but as its nose twitched, its voice got stuck. Seeing the bowl full of food, it immediately forgot about Sun Jian, and continued to gobble down the food, its tail, once low from frustration, now lifted, swaying rhythmically from side to side.
In the dining room, the ravenous Sun Jian didn’t stand on ceremony, heaped himself a large bowl of rice. Yet, as he picked up his chopsticks, he suddenly felt a bit uneasy, unable to resist glancing at Tang Yiyi, looking as if he were awaiting orders. Tang Yiyi, already eating, found his demeanor amusing yet also felt a faint sense of warmth and fulfillment.
She had cooked at the Liu Family for many years. Apart from the initial joy and praise expressed by Liu Pengyi and Liu Zhenlan, they later grew accustomed to her help, taking for granted her efforts to enhance her culinary skills. Not only did they not care, but Liu Shuya would often mock and treat her as a household servant! In the past, she couldn’t see through it, thinking that even if Liu Shuya was bad, at least Liu Pengyi and Liu Zhenlan treated her well. But after experiencing drastic changes, she understood everything.
Now, just by preparing a meal, she was met with such appreciation from Sun Jian. Though gratified by the recognition of her effort, Tang Yiyi couldn’t help but feel chilled by the Liu Pengyi and Liu Zhenlan’s machinations. After so many years, even if it were a dog they’d raised, some affection would have developed, yet they were eager to see her die to prevent her from inheriting her mother’s legacy!
How could the difference between people be so vast?
Thinking this, Tang Yiyi suddenly smiled self-mockingly. Sun Jian’s demeanor was just because there were no stakes involved. How could she be sure if faced with the same interests, Sun Jian wouldn’t betray her?
Shaking her head, Tang Yiyi stopped pondering and said simply, "If you like it, eat more. This is your home, no need to be so reserved."
Sun Jian also felt he was too tense, turned his head and exhaled quietly, finally relaxing somewhat. Stealing a glance at Tang Yiyi, seeing her eating naturally by herself, he inexplicably felt less nervous. Looking at the dishes on the table, the semi-transparent pork jelly in four flavors, along with the potato and braised beef, and caramelized yam, it was quite a feast. Nowadays, it wasn’t like a century ago; families scarcely had regular meals, a meal with three dishes was already a feast, seven or eight was outright indulgence.
The aromas of the dishes lingered at the tip of Sun Jian’s nose, stirring his appetite. Truly hungry, he decided not to hold back and began picking up dishes with his chopsticks. The potato and braised beef had absorbed the juices, the flavor thoroughly infused into the potatoes and beef. The potatoes were soft, the beef tender and succulent. With just a light press, the intense flavor spread across his mouth, tantalizing his taste buds. A gentle swallow, the slightly hot food slid down his esophagus into his stomach, warmth spreading through his body, his pores subconsciously opening, leaving him feeling thoroughly comfortable!
Yet, the already hungry stomach felt even hungrier. Sun Jian took a big gulp of rice but it still wasn’t enough. He couldn’t resist trying a piece of the neatly cut pork jelly, which was clear and translucent, its flavor fully contained within. Unlike the intense flavor of the potato and beef dish, it was more refreshing. Its texture was cool, bouncy, and smooth, yet melted in the mouth, cleverly neutralizing the scorching sensation left by the potato and beef dish.
Sun Jian swallowed another big mouthful of rice, then grabbed a piece of caramelized yam to eat. The caramelized yam was golden yellow, its surface coated with a layer of clear, sugary glaze. Picking it with chopsticks, thin strands stretched from it. Biting gently through the crisp golden surface revealed the soft, white interior.