Chapter Twelve: No! Where’s My Vermicelli? (Please Keep Reading)

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“Although... but... who here knows how to cook these things? If no one cooks them, won’t these ingredients just go to waste?” Meng Ziyi’s little head was full of question marks.

“Don’t look at me. Although I’m from the Northeast, I only know how to eat,” Li Xueqin waved her hand dismissively.

Lamu also waved his hand: “Same here.”

“What about you? Brother Long and Teacher Dajing, can you cook?” Meng Ziyi called over.

Unexpectedly, the response was the same four words again.

“Same here!”

Meng Ziyi rolled her eyes so hard it was as if they might fly to the sky. Well said, but it’s like saying nothing at all.

Seeing their anxious looks, Xu Xiu could only step in among them.

“Step aside, I’ll do it.”

“You can cook?” ×N

“If I couldn’t, why would I bring so many ingredients? Do you think I brought them just to look at?”

“Wow~ You can cook, and it’s a Northeastern stew too!” Meng Ziyi’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

She looked like a seductive demon from a silk cave who had just seen Tang Seng, eager to devour him whole.

Actually, it wasn’t just Meng Ziyi; all the Northeasterners in the room brightened their eyes.

They had been craving this flavor for a long time, having worked away from home without a chance to eat Northeastern cuisine.

“Do you need us to assist? We aren’t good at cooking, but helping out is no problem.”

“That’s right, I wash vegetables super clean, not a speck of dirt left.”

“Should I scramble some eggs? One dish might not be enough.”

True to the saying “three women make a play,” especially three Northeastern women, they chattered endlessly. Xu Xiu could only wave his hand and urge them to get to work.

Xu Xiu then grabbed a big kitchen knife and fiercely attacked the ribs, but even with his fervor, he only managed to chop off two and a half pieces.

Actually, it wasn’t Xu Xiu’s fault. Using a kitchen knife on ribs is like asking an old lady to thread a needle—completely mismatched tools. If only there were an axe or a cleaver specialized for bones, but don’t even think about the production team providing that.

Finally, after sacrificing one kitchen knife, Xu Xiu managed to prepare the ribs.

Time to start cooking...

Wait!

First, blanch the ribs to remove the scum and get rid of the pork’s gamey smell.

Then heat oil in the wok to about 80% hot, sauté the scallions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant and remove them. Add the ribs, fry until both sides are golden, then add the source of life—water—along with cooking wine, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, star anise, and other seasonings...

Fifteen minutes later, add the green beans. When they’re nearly tender, add the vermicelli, and finally simmer for another five minutes before serving.

Accompanied by the background music from “Cooking Master China,” Xu Xiu carried a huge basin to the dining table.

Everyone had been waiting for a long time, and the aroma made them swallow in anticipation.

“Oh my, this smells amazing! I never thought you, kid, had such skills. Why don’t you open a little restaurant downstairs? I’d be a regular customer for sure,” Song Dan exclaimed.

“It’s intoxicatingly fragrant. The smell alone makes me homesick.”

“Although I’ve never tried it before, it looks really delicious.”

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“...”

No matter who, at this moment, Xu Xiu received a flattering compliment. Whether sincere or not, it sounded pleasant.

At this point, Xu Xiu set down the basin and looked at them.

“Come on, good food can’t be kept to oneself. Let’s all have a look together!”

“???”

“???”

“???”

What on earth are you saying?

Listen to that phrase—does it make sense? What do you mean “have a look together”?

“Pfft~ hahaha, this is killing me.”

The audience watching this scene couldn’t stop laughing.

“What a character! ‘Good food can’t be kept to oneself, let’s all have a look together.’ So you didn’t plan to share it after all? That’s just like you!”

“I was wondering why this kid was so kind-hearted to cook, turns out he was just stalling for time!”

“This is too much. Look at their faces, laughing so hard my stomach hurts.”

“You’re not human, you’re a dog! Can you do something useful for once?”

In the restaurant,

Everyone’s eyes turned to Xu Xiu, prompting him to hastily wave his hands.

“I was just joking. Did you really think I meant it?”

“Are you kidding me with this food supplement pancake?” Meng Ziyi gave a helpless bitter laugh.

“You’d better be!” came Wang Sulong’s voice.

“You scared me. Us old folks can’t take these shocks,” Li Xueqin pointed at him and said, “You really got us!”

“...”

As everyone chatted, Xu Xiu immediately grabbed his bowl and rushed to the basin. Now it was a matter of who could snatch food first!

When it comes to food, everything else must give way.

Seeing Li Xueqin’s bowl piled high with food, not to mention the men, all eagerly waiting, Xu Xiu knew that if he didn’t hurry, he wouldn’t even get to sip the soup.

Watching everyone dig into Xu Xiu’s braised ribs with green beans and vermicelli, Meng Ziyi’s little face immediately fell.

She didn’t hide it at all; her displeasure was written plainly on her face.

“Why is no one eating my eggs?” she whimpered.

“Hey, do you want to try my eggs? They’re really good!” Meng Ziyi earnestly promoted her dish.

“Uh... next time for sure!”

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“Wait until I finish the ribs first.”

“Don’t rush, we’ll eat it soon.”

While eating the ribs, they gave Meng Ziyi a polite brush-off.

Only Xu Xiu took a bite of the eggs and put some into his bowl.

Was Xu Xiu kind-hearted? Or was his sympathy overflowing, unable to bear seeing Meng Ziyi so pitiful?

No!

None of those!

He just didn’t get any vermicelli!!!

He was, after all, a step too slow. Someone had firmly blocked his spot, and he could only watch helplessly as the vermicelli was eaten up.

What happened to unity and friendship?

Who eats broken ribs? The best part is the vermicelli added last!

The vermicelli soaked in broth and flavor is the most delicious and fragrant part.

If you disagree, come and argue!

“How is it? The stir-fried eggs with chili are tasty, right? This is my best dish!” Meng Ziyi looked at Xu Xiu expectantly.

Xu Xiu chewed thoughtfully and furrowed his brow slightly.

“What’s wrong? Not good? That’s odd!”

“Did you get beaten by the salt seller?”

“You... such a cruel thing to say!” Meng Ziyi glared at Xu Xiu in anger.

That phrase “Did you get beaten by the salt seller?” is a famous Northeastern expression.

It’s a very polite way to hint that the dish is too salty.

Of course, the braver might say: “Do you get your salt for free at home?”

Meng Ziyi lowered her head and took a bite herself, immediately making a grimace.

It really was salty!

She used to cook it well, so why was it salty this time?

“Forget it, it is indeed too salty. Maybe you shouldn’t eat it,” she murmured weakly.

At this moment, the audience watched the scene with great interest.

“I want to see how Xu Xiu handles this. I bet he’ll just dump the dish out.”

“I’m guessing some mischief is coming. Who knows what big event awaits us.”

“Meng’s expression is so cute! I want to pinch her!”

“If I could marry Meng, I’d gladly give up a five-million jackpot!”

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