This guy just can't stay still.
"Go ahead," Su Wei waved his hand.
Aruk gave a couple more instructions, then turned and ran off in a flash.
Even his running silhouette resembles a black bear, looking rather silly.
Su Wei stood there until the exhaust fumes from Aruka's beat-up pickup truck completely dissipated, and only then did the buzzing noise in his ears stop.
Finally, it's quiet again.
He took a deep breath of the cold air, rubbed his temples to relieve his fatigue, and found his mind clearer than ever before.
Three million two hundred and fifty thousand US dollars.
Ten guild points.
Black's formal apprentice.
These things together meant that he had finally gained a foothold in this world and was no longer a person struggling to survive at the bottom of society.
No longer are they overwhelmed by debt.
As for his life, there's still a future ahead.
Su Wei thought: He really needs to think this through carefully.
That's good, it'll be a good time to rest.
Get in the car and start the engine.
The snowmobile's engine emitted a slightly weary roar.
If you listen carefully, you can also hear intermittent stuttering sounds.
It seems it's nearing its end.
Good, now that the blizzard has stopped, its mission of being forcibly extended is over.
It's time to consider repairs.
But now, it still needs its final journey.
Instead of going straight back to Emily's apartment, Su Wei stepped on the gas and drove towards the town's largest supermarket.
The supermarket was very warm, even a bit stuffy.
There weren't many people among the shelves; most of them were elderly women picking and choosing.
Su Wei pushed her shopping cart and strolled through the meat section.
Some scattered yellow discount tags stood out conspicuously.
In the past, he would have stood here and immediately started calculating the price per pound of meat, figuring out the most cost-effective way to buy it.
But now, he looks at the expensive organic beef in the freezer.
I've found that I no longer subconsciously calculate prices like I used to.
This is the ease that money brings.
It also gave him confidence.
"This piece won't do; it's too fatty."
Su Wei glanced at several boxes of beautifully presented Wagyu beef, tapping his finger on the glass of the freezer.
Stewed potatoes don't need that kind of melt-in-your-mouth high-end steak; that's a waste of good meat.
His gaze settled on a piece of beef belly.
Layers of fascia wrap around the red meat, with a thin, evenly distributed layer of fat. This is what makes the meat chewy and the broth rich and flavorful when stewed.
Su Wei picked up the box of meat, weighed it in his hand, and estimated it to be about three pounds.
"You're the one."
Tossed it into the shopping cart.
Next up is the vegetable section.
Su Wei picked out a few yellow-fleshed potatoes with soil still on their skin.
These potatoes have a high starch content and are easy to stew until tender.
Finally, it blends into the broth, becoming a gritty paste.
Compared to those hard, white potatoes that remain rock hard even after boiling for ages, this is the soul of stew.
I also took two carrots, one onion, and a small bunch of cilantro.
As he passed the condiment section, he also grabbed a bottle of light soy sauce, a bag of rock sugar, and a packet of dried spices such as star anise and cinnamon.
The seasonings here aren't as plentiful as in Chinatown, but they're enough for a simple home-style dish.
When it came time to pay, Su Wei didn't even look at the total amount on the receipt; she just swiped her card.
Pushing a cart full of food out of the supermarket, the cold wind made him tighten his collar.
This feels so good.
No need to risk your life in the wilderness, no need to worry about where your next meal will come from, you're simply busy making a delicious meal.
This is probably what life is really like.
I got back to the apartment just after 11 o'clock.
As soon as I entered, I saw Emily sitting in a wheelchair, looking out the window.
Hearing the door open, she turned her head sharply, her blue eyes instantly lighting up.
You're back?
"Um."
Su Wei changed his shoes, picked up the two large bags he was carrying, and shook them. "A promise is a promise, a big meal."
The white fluffy ball on the sofa only slightly raised its eyelids and let out a soft hum after Su Wei returned.
Then, she fell into a deep sleep again.
The Cotton Candy was clever; it knew it wasn't mealtime yet.
Instead of going through the trouble of asking for it, it's better to wait patiently for Su Wei to prepare the food.
Emily swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the bag, wishing she could pounce on it right then and there.
"I smell beef!"
"Do you have a dog's nose?" Su Wei chuckled.
He stepped forward and ruffled the little guy's hair, only to be swatted away by a pair of white paws.
Su Wei smiled helplessly and carried the things into the cramped kitchen.
The kitchen, though small, was very clean and had all the necessary pots, pans, and utensils.
Su Wei put on her apron, washed her hands, and took the pot off the stove.
Cut the beef into 2-centimeter cubes, put it in a pot of cold water, add ginger slices and cooking wine, and blanch.
Skim off the foam that rises to the surface, then scoop it out and drain.
Heat oil in a wok, add a few rock sugar pieces, and stir-fry over low heat.
Caramelizing sugar is a skill; too early and it won't turn red, too late and it will taste bitter.
Su Wei stared at the bubbling sugar bubbles at the bottom of the pot, and the moment they turned a deep reddish-brown, he poured in the beef.
Sizzle!
The loud bang, accompanied by the instant aroma of meat, made Emily, who was in the living room, restless.
"It smells so good..."
She pushed her wheelchair to the kitchen doorway, peered into the room through the door frame, her eyes pleading like a kitten waiting to be fed.
Su Wei ignored her and quickly stir-fried the beef, coating each piece with a bright red caramel color.
Add water until it covers the ingredients.
Throw the spice packet into the sauce, then add light and dark soy sauce for color and flavor.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook slowly.
Time ticked by, second by second.
The rich aroma of meat began to permeate the small apartment, forcefully penetrating every corner.
This aroma is a masterpiece of fats and spices cooked at high temperatures, capable of awakening one's most primal appetite.
Forty minutes later.
Su Wei lifted the lid of the pot and poured in the chopped potatoes and carrots.