"What’s wrong with you?" He Yue asked when she saw her walk in with her head down.
"Nothing, someone will come to check your foot later. I’ll go cook first." Gu Lingling sighed.
Before long, Liu Jun helped He Yue out to apply medicinal oil, while Gu Lingling focused on cooking the whole time.
It’s worth mentioning that, despite the current scarcity, Yang Yunhai had quite a lot of supplies, fresh vegetables, meat, and even large bones and fish.
The kitchen was well-equipped too. It seemed like someone had considered that Yang Yunhai wasn’t good with fire, as there was a coal stove and a brick stove for burning wood, and even two connected pots.
The two pots being connected meant there was no need for a bellows; once both sides were lit, the fire would be strong.
Whoever built this stove was definitely an expert.
Gu Lingling first stewed the large bones, then kneaded the dough, planning to make some scallion pancakes for lunch, stir-fry a few dishes, and drink some bone soup—a delightful meal.
When she first asked Yang Yunhai what he wanted to eat, he told her to let her creativity flow.
What did "let your creativity flow" mean? It meant don’t hold back, at least that’s how Gu Lingling understood it.
Since Yang Yunhai was injured and couldn’t eat fish, in between cooking, Gu Lingling also conveniently marinated the fish to make dry fish, ensuring it wouldn’t spoil, and Yang Yunhai could eat it when he was well.
When the bone soup turned white, Gu Lingling had already prepared the vegetables and meat.
He Yue’s foot felt much better after having it rubbed with the medicinal oil, but Liu Jun didn’t let her into the kitchen, saying she was a patient.
Originally, Gu Lingling hadn’t planned to ask for her help anyway, but hearing Liu Jun say this, she felt a bit uncomfortable; what Liu Jun meant must naturally align with Yang Yunhai’s wishes.
He was indeed different with He Yue.
She didn’t know if it was because of the onions or what, but her eyes felt really sore.
When the lunch was finally served on the table, everyone widened their eyes, especially Su Ziqiao, who almost wanted to apprentice under Gu Lingling out of admiration.
Braised pork, sweet and sour ribs, minced meat with vermicelli, sautéed Chinese cabbage, spicy and sour shredded potatoes, leek and egg, and large-bone radish soup, with scallion pancakes as the staple.
Especially when the scallion pancakes were first made, the aroma was tempting; if it weren’t for Yang Yunhai’s presence, Liu Jun and Su Ziqiao would have probably sneaked into the kitchen to steal a taste.
Now, they could finally start eating.
"Lingling, your culinary skills are phenomenal, comparable to a head chef at the Kyoto Restaurant," Su Ziqiao gave a thumbs up, "It’s outstanding."
"You’re flattering me too much." Gu Lingling found it hard to handle Su Ziqiao’s familiarity.
"Sit down and eat with us," Yang Yunhai said.
"No need, the two of us can just eat some scallion pancakes." They saved them, so it was only right to repay them with a meal.
Being able to eat scallion pancakes was already great enough, knowing that Yunhai’s family used wheat flour without any cornmeal in these pancakes, and Gu Lingling hadn’t skimped on oil when making them, so they were very delicious.
Yang Yunhai frowned and glanced at her but didn’t say anything or touch his chopsticks.
His expression said it all; if she didn’t sit, they wouldn’t eat either.
Gu Lingling didn’t know what he was up to again; she could only attribute it to He Yue.
Yang Yunhai wanted He Yue to eat at the table, but if she, having done all the cooking, didn’t sit and eat, He Yue naturally couldn’t sit at the table either.
Okay then, Gu Lingling’s heart was once again hit hard.
Several times, she had an urge to step forward and tell Yang Yunhai: "Please, stop focusing on He Yue. She has someone she likes, and, most importantly, you two are cousins."
But she couldn’t, how would she explain it? Was she supposed to say she was reincarnated?
If not, they’d think she was a demon and dunk her in the pond!
No, she had to change!