Chapter 169 (continued)

Results for small-scale tests are available very quickly.

Zhu Ji looked at the slip of paper printed by the machine. "Divinity 35667, Abilities 34627, both are several hundred points higher than the last test."

Shi Wen peeked out and looked at the note. "Your progress isn't as fast as before."

Zhu Ji said, "Of course. You progressed quickly before because you went through several key milestones, such as cultivating Variant Ingredients and mating with Old Yan. Now that there are no key milestones, it's normal for your progress to be slower."

He nodded from Shi Wen.

Zhu Ji comforted him, "It's already amazing that you can improve at all. Many Abilities not only fail to improve, but they also can't even stay in the same place; one or two of them actually regress. With your data improving by hundreds or thousands every month, we should be burning incense in gratitude."

That makes perfect sense.

In addition to getting Shi Wen tested, Zhu Ji also got their little one tested.

The children's test results were not different from the last time, and Cong Zai, whom Zhu Ji results.

This time, it was Zhu Ji's turn to be disappointed. He comforted himself, saying, "Oh well, your stats have increased so much, it's already a pleasant surprise. One shouldn't be too greedy, wanting this and wanting that too."

Shi Wen him muttering to himself beside me without saying a word.

Zhu Ji sighed, "Speaking of which, I thought Cong Zai's progress would be as fast as yours."

Shi Wen, "I hope so too."

Zhu Ji: "It seems there's little hope now. You really are the most special Abilities."

"Possibly." Shi Wen that he seemed rather down, Shi Wen kindly invited them, "Why don't you stay for dinner tonight? We'll kill a chicken and have some."

Zhu Ji: "Killing chickens on the ranch? We can't miss this opportunity."

"It's a chicken from the ranch. Yan Kexing will make us Golden Sand Chicken when he comes back," Shi Wen said. "I've already set out the chicken. Can you all help me kill it?"

Zhu Ji rolled up his sleeves. "That's a must."

Shi Wen's chickens have always been free-range, and are relatively aggressive.

Zhu Ji and Duan Kuo then managed to hold the chicken down.

They helped remove and pluck the fur, Shi Wen prepared various side dishes on the side.

Chef Yan Kexing is usually assisted by Shi Wen, who prepares the side dishes in advance so that he doesn't have to work alone for a long time.

When Shi Wen cracked open the duck egg and peeled out the salted yolk, Zhu Ji glanced at it and said, "I thought you'd be using your own salted egg yolks for today's dish."

Shi Wen, "Our salted goose eggs have only just been pickled, how could we possibly have salted egg yolks so quickly?"

Zhu Ji: "Maybe you guys pickled them before."

Shi Wen, "I never imagined that goose eggs could be made into salted goose eggs."

Zhu Ji: "Shi, your imagination is lacking."

The two were arguing when Yan Kexing quickly returned to cook.

Yan Kexing made golden sand chicken and also made a cold bean sprout salad.

The golden-sand chicken is pan-fried until dry and fragrant, with a layer of salted egg yolk evenly coated on the outside. It tastes delicious and fresh, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

The cold bean sprout salad uses only soybean sprouts grown on their ranch, which are crisp and tender. Coated in vinegar and chili sauce, it is incredibly refreshing and goes perfectly with rice.

Zhu Ji: "The Golden Sand Chicken made with salted duck eggs is already so delicious, I can't imagine how delicious it will be when you make it with salted goose eggs?"

Shi Wen, "It should taste similar."

Zhu Ji: "That's not necessarily true. Your goose eggs are naturally quite oily, so they'd definitely be runny when made into salted goose eggs. It's a pity I wasn't nearby when I was collecting goose eggs that day, otherwise I would have definitely come to your house to collect one."

Shi Wen rare to encounter such a blunder, he was particularly reluctant to let others mention it, stubbornly insisting, "There weren't many goose eggs outside."

"How can there not be many? I saw the video; there were several large baskets piled up there." Zhu Ji grinned, showing his teeth. "Your ranch had so much fun that day."

Shi Wen, "There are eggs on the mountain too; you can go and collect them if you want."

Zhu Ji laughed heartily, "No, I'm afraid you'll assassinate me."

Shi Wen, "Don't be afraid, we are very approachable and won't easily take action."

Zhu Ji: "I deserved it for making the move, right?"

Zhu Ji's words reminded Shi Wen that there were likely many eggs on the mountain, and they could go and collect them.

With so many trees on the mountain, if chickens lay their eggs under the trees, the trees can block some of the hail, so they shouldn't be damaged much.

Since I have some free time these past couple of days, I might as well go and pick them up.

Eggs are easy to use up; a few steamed egg custards or cakes and they're all gone.

When Zhu Ji heard that they were going up the mountain to collect eggs, he insisted on going with them.

Zhu Ji: "I'm helping out voluntarily. I don't need any wages or eggs. I just want to experience the joy of collecting eggs."

Shi Wen rubbed his temples and said, "We'll go up the mountain to collect them first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhu Ji: "How early is 'early morning'? I can drive over earlier."

Shi Wen, "Around seven or eight in the morning."

"No problem, just wait for me. I'll definitely be there tomorrow." Zhu Ji urged Duan Kuo, "Then we need to go back early today, we can't miss tomorrow's activities."

As expected, Zhu Ji arrived in his car early the next morning.

Duan Kuo didn't come; Duan Kuo had to go to work.

Zhu Ji didn't even get breakfast today. As soon as he arrived at the Shi Wen family's house, he urged them to go up the mountain.

Shi Wen, "We're having a handmade sandwich from Yan Kexing today. Aren't you going to finish it before you go upstairs?"

"Whose sandwiches aren't handmade?" Zhu Ji said. "I'm tired of sandwiches. Let's go up the mountain first."

Shi Wen, "It's different. This toast was also made by Yan Kexing himself, with our family's goat milk inside."

Zhu Ji: "Then I'll take two!"

Shi Wen glanced at him sideways, but in the end, she still handed him two sandwiches.