Hui Province, the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. A bleak winter day.
In the kitchen, Jiang Ning sat before the stove. The firewood burned with crimson flames, sending steam rising from the pot and warming the home into spring amid winter.
The firelight reflected off Jiang Ning's face as he looked toward the chopping board.
Tongtong, an apron tied around her waist, handled the ingredients briskly like a little adult. Pots, bowls, ladles, and chopping filled the room with clattering sounds as she muttered, "First, braised beef with cabbage and glass noodles. Then Beer Duck Duck, garlic ribs, and finally a plate of stir-fried okra. Oh, we didn't buy any okra. Jiang Ning said he doesn't like it."
Xue Chuchu, washing the beef, added, "But I heard okra is really nourishing for the body..."
Halfway through, Xue Chuchu realized something and did not continue.
Jiang Ning asked, "Nourishing for what?"
He just loves poking people where it hurts. Xue Chuchu's face remained cool and aloof as she ignored him.
Xue Yuantong's entire heart was focused on lunch. She did not care about their exchange and continued, "Since there's no okra, we won't make a vegetable dish. We already have beef stewed with Chinese cabbage. Later, we'll make tomato, mushroom, and tofu soup too."
"Three main dishes and one soup, plus a whole pot of steamed rice. That should be enough for four people, right?" Tongtong seemed to be asking them, yet also seemed to be talking to herself. She was always like that.
By comparison, Xue Chuchu never made a sound when she cooked. At least, Jiang Ning thought Tongtong had more charm.
Jiang Ning said, "Enough."
Xue Yuantong said, "Okay!"
Jiang Ning continued tending the fire. In winter, the stove was the warmest place to be. Sitting