First Update
Liu Chang'an bought three chickens and took them home. He killed them, cut open their backs to remove the internal organs and bones of all sizes, then used the back of a knife to pound the whole chicken meat until it was loose and crumbly, allowing the chicken fat to seep into the meat. He then rubbed it with salt and egg white, pounded it for a while to make the chicken meat flavorful, and then steamed it.
This dish is called "Pounded Chicken," and it was a famous dish served at the residence of Prefect Gao during an era when people particularly admired official cuisine.
Of course, people now also admire official cuisine, but the reasons for admiring it are somewhat different.
While having breakfast, Zhou Shuling pulled Liu Chang'an aside to talk.
"They ate three chickens for breakfast," Zhou Shuling said softly.
"It's not like we're eating three pigs." Liu Chang'an waved his hand. "Go eat quickly, or they'll have eaten it all."
"What I mean is... they're eating too much. They need to control their diet. What if Dan Dan gets round too?" Zhou Shuling said worriedly. She felt that it was only a matter of time before Shangguan Dandan's figure became like Zhou Dongdong's.
Zhou Dongdong is still young, and her chubby cheeks are quite cute. Shangguan Dandan hand, is already a beautiful young girl. What if people see her and say, "Press F to enter the tank"?
Liu Chang'an grabbed Zhou Shuling's shoulders and lifted her up slightly.
"What are you doing?" Zhou Shuling blushed furiously. She was done for.
"You've definitely gained some weight," Liu Chang'an laughed. "You're the only one in this house who's gained weight."
When Zhou Shuling was grabbed by him, she knew what he was going to do. She did feel that she had gained a little weight. Recently, she would only weigh herself before meals, wearing only her underwear.
Feeling extremely ashamed, Zhou Shuling relentlessly slapped Liu Chang'an many times, secretly vowing never to eat breakfast again until she successfully lost weight.
After finishing breakfast, Liu Chang'an went downstairs to Shangguan Dandan's room to retrieve his rattan book box.
Shangguan Dandan went back to her room with him.
"My suitcase, what did you put in it?" Liu Chang'an took his suitcase out from under the bed, and as soon as he held it in his hand, he felt that the weight was wrong.
Shangguan Dandan opened it; it contained a whole box of effervescent tablets.
"I have a lot," Shangguan Dandan said with a hint of pride.
"Where are the things I put inside?" Liu Chang'an asked calmly.
Shangguan Dandan lifted the coffin and the quilt inside. Liu Chang'an's books and other things were neatly pressed down underneath.
Liu Chang'an took the opportunity to examine the coffin. There were no unusual devices; it looked like an ordinary bronze coffin. However, he knew that this was all an illusion, or even a hallucination.
"No need to take them out." Liu Chang'an didn't mind that she was using his books and diary as bedding. "Clean up your effervescent tablets, I'll get the box to pack my clothes."
Shangguan Dandan took out her precious effervescent tablets and put them in the coffin, then followed Liu Chang'an upstairs.
Liu Chang'an packed the newly made dress into the box, and carefully wrapped up the remaining scraps of fabric and pressed them into the box as well.
"This dress is so pretty." Shangguan Dandan reached out and touched it.
Liu Chang'an already knew that she would unconsciously touch or caress things she liked or wanted; this was a characteristic of little girls, and Zhou Dongdong did the same.
"It's for my girlfriend," Liu Chang'an said.
"That little wife I haven't officially met yet?" Shangguan Dandan certainly knew An Nuan. This girl had almost no of Liu Chang'an's essence in her body, which Shangguan Dandan found unbelievable. Judging from his historical performance, he was clearly both lewd and wanton.
"I'll bring her to visit you sometime." Liu Chang'an nodded.
Liu Chang'an brought the scraps of fabric he had used to make the dress to an exhibition center at the school, which belonged to the Design Arts College.
Liu Chang'an remembers that the Design Arts College was originally an old-fashioned courtyard house with a large osmanthus tree that covered half of the school. It perfectly matched the working and learning environment that designers of that era sought, with its quiet and natural feel.
The old courtyard house still stands, and Xiangtan University has preserved many buildings with distinctive historical features. However, a new exhibition center has been built next to the old courtyard house, maintaining the same style in overall design and color scheme as the old courtyard house.
As one of the two earliest universities in China to establish an industrial design discipline, Xiangtan University's School of Art and Design specializes in industrial design and has considerable strength in the field.
The works in this exhibition all come from students and teachers across the school. It is not an exhibition of achievements from the School of Art and Design, but rather an exhibition of the interests of amateur art enthusiasts.
Originally, all exhibited works needed to be registered and reviewed before a location was assigned. Liu Chang'an asked Qin Yanan to help with the application. This time, the teacher in charge of arranging the exhibition space gave Liu Chang'an a window display in the corridor because he said his exhibits were priceless treasures.
Considering the rumors circulating among the teachers and observing Qin Yanan's appearances at several school events, as well as the school leaders' attitude towards Qin Yanan, this teacher chose to believe Liu Chang'an's words. "A priceless treasure, then let's arrange the best position for you."
Liu Chang'an surveyed the site and only arrived at the exhibition center to set up his artwork the night before the official opening day.
"What kind of artwork is this, student?" The teacher on duty watched Liu Chang'an working on his piece.
"Return to the Song Dynasty."
"Is the title of the work <Return to the Song Dynasty>?"
"Yes."
"What I mean is... is this a new form of art, where you stick these scraps of cloth onto your back?" the teacher asked.
I've never seen it before, but it's acceptable. In the art world, there aren't many truly sophisticated innovations; there are plenty of shameful attempts at originality. Some people strip naked, roll around on paper, and urinate—the resulting wet stains are considered art. What's unacceptable about that?
Of course, this student's creative approach is not that low-level.
"No. I just pasted it randomly."
The teacher on duty fell silent. He wouldn't have had the time to stand guard if the exhibition center's leaders hadn't intervened. He yawned and let Liu Chang'an do whatever he wanted in the most important exhibition area of the exhibition center.
Liu Chang'an didn't finish until 5 a. m., by which time the teacher on duty had already gone to the rest room to sleep.
Without disturbing anyone else, Liu Chang'an quietly left and wandered around alone. The campus, filled with sycamore trees in the winter, had become familiar again.
When I arrived here in September, I saw many unfamiliar buildings and scenes. As time went by, the feeling of unfamiliarity faded, and I felt that the campus was not much different from what it was back then. There were just some more buildings and the roads were repaired. Many buildings with a sense of history are still clustered together, but the school has expanded outwards to include some brand-new areas.
Liu Chang'an met Su Nanxiu by Peach Lake. She was sitting on a rock by the lake and did not get up when she saw Liu Chang'an walking over. She just gave him a strange look.
Who wouldn't find it strange? As Liu Chang'an brushed past her, a ray of morning light was already appearing in the distance.
After going around in circles, Liu Chang'an bought some groceries at a nearby market and arrived at the Juyuan Garden residential area. He had arranged to meet An Nuan at the exhibition center to immerse himself in art.