"Fu Zhiqing, can you handle it? After stir-frying the meat, you still have to cook several vegetable dishes!" The two aunties exchanged glances, unsure. Fu Zhiqing, looking like she hardly ever entered the kitchen, could she actually cook?
"Then you do it, it's fine!" Aunt Ma glanced at Fu Wenwen and nudged Aunt Li. Aunt Li quickly smiled, "Yes, yes, braised pork is delicious no matter how you cook it!"
Fu Wenwen chuckled lightly, offering no explanation. After all, in the villagers' eyes, she was just a 'city person' who knew nothing.
Fu Wenwen tossed the raw meat into the pot to blanch it. The two aunties watched her actions, wondering what she was doing.
Braised pork was simply stir-fried, wasn't it? Why blanch it?
Fu Wenwen scooped out the meat, then washed the blanched pork with cold water. She cut it into one-centimeter cubes, drained it, then heated oil in the pot. She stir-fried ginger and green onions until fragrant, then removed the residue. She added white sugar, and then poured the meat into the pot.
The pot immediately hissed. The hot pan met the meat. The skin-on pork, stir-fried at high heat, released a rich aroma.
Fu Wenwen continued to stir-fry. The meat gradually rendered its fat, turning golden brown. Seeing this, Fu Wenwen added soy sauce and seasonings, continuing to stir-fry until the pork was perfectly colored. Only then did she add water and let it simmer.
The two aunties, who had initially worried about Fu Wenwen's cooking skills, relaxed and started preparing their own dishes halfway through. The aroma wafting from Fu Wenwen's pot shocked them.
They usually just stir-fried meat directly. Why did Fu Wenwen have so many steps, needing to blanch it and then wash it again with cold water?
It was only when Fu Wenwen had stewed the meat until its fragrance filled the air that they realized.
The aroma was irresistible!
"Where's that meat smell coming from? It's making my stomach rumble."
"This meat aroma is incredible. I've eaten braised pork before, but why is today's so enticing?"
"Aunt Ma and Aunt Li cook so deliciously. I wonder who made it? If there's a banquet in the village in the future, we must invite them."
"I'm so hungry just smelling it. When will the feast begin?"
The aroma of the meat spread, and the villagers helping to set up tables outside couldn't help but swallow. It was simply too tempting.
Zhang Cuihua, being pregnant, was already craving meat. The smell made it unbearable for her. She secretly slipped into the kitchen, hoping to sneak a taste.
She expected it to be Aunt Ma or Aunt Li, but instead, she saw an unexpected person standing by the stove. "Sister, did you make this meat?"
Zhang Cuihua knew Fu Wenwen was in the kitchen, but she thought she was just helping with washing vegetables. She never expected her to be the head chef!
"Of course! We all underestimated Fu Zhiqing! Her skills are no less than ours!" Aunt Ma smiled. Aunt Li couldn't help but nod in agreement. "With these skills, I think Fu Zhiqing is the head chef today. Old Ma and I should just help her."
Zhang Cuihua, hearing the two aunties praise Fu Wenwen's braised pork so highly, looked at Fu Wenwen pleadingly. "Sister, when will the meat be ready?"
"Craving it?" Fu Wenwen asked with a smile. Seeing Zhang Cuihua's suppressed hunger, she chuckled softly. In front of Zhang Cuihua, she opened the pot lid. Instantly, a rich meat aroma wafted out, mesmerizing Zhang Cuihua.
"Fragrant! So fragrant!" Zhang Cuihua looked at Fu Wenwen. Fu Wenwen understood her look; Lin An had the same look when he was craving something.
"Sister Cuihua, open your mouth. Help me test the flavor. Be careful, it's hot!" Fu Wenwen picked up a piece with chopsticks and gestured for Zhang Cuihua to open her mouth.
Zhang Cuihua's eyes lit up. She immediately opened her mouth and took a bite.
Smooth, tender, fatty yet not greasy, melting in the mouth. The thick sauce coated the braised pork, enhancing its flavor and enriching the taste buds, making it impossible to stop.
"Sister, did you really not know how to cook before? How can it be so delicious?" Zhang Cuihua was truly amazed. Fu Wenwen's cooking level didn't seem like someone who had just learned.
"Perhaps it's talent? My mother cooks even better!" Fu Wenwen smiled. Upon hearing that Fu Wenwen's mother also cooked well, Zhang Cuihua and the others nodded.
There was an old saying in the village: a rat's son is born to dig holes.
If Fu Wenwen's mother was a good cook, then Fu Wenwen inherited it and was also a good cook, which made sense.
"Sister, why don't you cook the remaining few dishes? Let us all taste your skills." Zhang Cuihua suggested. Aunt Ma and Aunt Li chimed in. "Yes, yes, we've cooked all these years. Let us taste someone else's cooking this year! It'll be a change of pace for everyone."
"Yes, yes, yes," Aunt Ma smiled.
"...Well, I suppose I'll have to put my humble skills on display then?" Fu Wenwen thought for a moment and agreed.
"Sister, I'll help you!" Zhang Cuihua said happily.
"Cuihua, your saliva is about to drip into the pot. You're helping, and also tasting, right?" Aunt Li teased. Zhang Cuihua chuckled. "Auntie, don't expose me! It's just that Sister's meat is too fragrant."
"Hahahaha..." Everyone laughed.
From then on, Fu Wenwen took over as the head chef. Aunt Li and Aunt Ma assisted her. Dish after dish of delicacies emerged from the kitchen, their aroma drifting out, making the villagers almost impatient.
"When will the feast begin? My stomach has been growling for a long time!" The early arrivals were already seated, smelling the food but unable to eat it, growing anxious.
"Who cooked this food? It doesn't smell like Aunt Li and Aunt Ma's cooking."
"Never mind who cooked it, I want to know when the feast will start! I can't wait..."
"..."
The villager who had just spoken was immediately reprimanded. "The village chief hasn't arrived yet! And the elders haven't come either. Do you dare to eat?"
Those who were reprimanded lowered their heads and grumbled, "We were just calling out!"
Lin Feng, along with the village chief, went to invite several respected elders and patriarchs of the village. They were all elders of extremely high seniority. The three paternal uncles readily agreed with smiles upon hearing that Lin Feng was treating them, praising him for his success.
The patriarch originally wanted to walk over himself, but Lin Feng directly carried him on his back. The patriarch, on Lin Feng's back, had a smile of satisfaction on his lips.
The village chief protected the three paternal uncles behind the patriarch.
When the group arrived at the square, it was already filled with people except for the main table. Those who sat first were the men and elders of the households, while the wives and children stood to the side.
"The village chief and the uncles have arrived." Seeing Lin Feng and the village chief bringing the elder generation, the men of the village immediately stood up.
"Patriarch, Second Uncle, Sixth Uncle, Seventh Uncle!" The men respectfully bowed to the four elders and called out.
Lin Feng helped the patriarch to the main seat. After the village chief assisted the three uncles in sitting down, the patriarch smiled at everyone and said, "Sit."