Chapter 111: Celebration
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Wan Feng opened the cloth bag he was holding, and Yu Huan saw it was filled with small fruits she didn’t recognize. She turned to Ye Ling and asked, “What are these?”
Ye Ling explained, “These are ice jelly fruits, also known as wooden mantou. Have you ever had ice jelly before?”
Yu Huan suddenly understood, “Ice jelly is made from these?”
“It’s made from the seeds of these fruits.”
Wan Hai nodded and said with a smile, “When we were heading home, Wan Feng had sharp eyes and spotted a patch of ice jelly fruits in the distance. So, we picked some to bring back.”
At that time, Wan Hai was worried about Ye Ling’s situation, and he didn’t have the mood to think about ice jelly. However, Wan Feng felt that when they returned, Ye Ling must have already safely arrived home. So, they brought some delicious things to celebrate.
Wan Hai didn’t know where Wan Feng’s premonition came from, but surprisingly, Ye Ling indeed had no major issues.
Ye Ling took the ice jelly fruits from Wan Feng and said with a smile, “Let’s have salted chicken and ice jelly for dinner tonight! Let’s also invite Aunt Hua and her family from next door.”
Since there would be quite a few people for dinner in the evening, Ye Ling started preparing in advance.
There was still a lot of wild boar meat that had been marinating, hanging to dry. Ye Ling took a large piece from under the eaves, washed it with rice water, soaked it for half an hour, and then sliced the wild boar meat thinly. She stir-fried it with green and red chili peppers over high heat.
Since the marinated wild boar meat was already rich in various spices and herbs, Ye Ling didn’t add anything else. A simple and flavorful plate of spicy stir-fried pork was ready.
While Ye Ling was cooking, Yu Huan entered the kitchen, looking left and right, trying to find something she could help with.
Seeing Yu Huan’s clear yet bewildered eyes, Ye Ling quickly shooed her away.
After stir-frying the vegetables and eggplant, Ye Ling noticed there were some dried red dates in the cupboard. She boiled a pot of water, mixed glutinous rice flour with water, and rolled them into small balls. After putting the glutinous rice balls into the boiling water, they quickly floated to the surface. Ye Ling then added sliced red dates and red sugar.
A nourishing dessert suitable for girls, glutinous rice balls with red dates sweet soup, was ready.
“Lingling, the ice jelly juice is almost set,” Wan Feng called from the kitchen doorway.
To make ice jelly juice, they wrapped the ice jelly fruits in gauze, kneaded them
in cold boiled water, and the resulting juice would be used for making ice jelly. This juice was very sticky and smooth, and it would solidify after a while.
Ye Ling replied loudly, “Alright!”
Ye Ling didn’t rush to check if the ice jelly juice had fully solidified. She sliced the cucumber into thin strips, cut the watermelon into small cubes, crushed the roasted peanuts with a rolling pin, and shelled a handful of sunflower seeds.
Afterward, Ye Ling placed all the prepared ingredients on plates.
When eating ice jelly, each person could choose their own toppings. They would mix the toppings with the ice jelly and enjoy it.
Ye Ling then looked at the salted chicken that Wan Hai and Wan Feng had bought. While it might not be as tender as the salted chicken she and Yu Huan had at the other restaurant, it still had a rich aroma. She sliced the salted chicken into thin pieces and neatly arranged them on a plate. She also carved a simple carrot flower as decoration.
When Min Nan returned home and saw the table filled with a sumptuous feast, he was momentarily surprised.
Ye Ling untied her apron, hung it behind the kitchen door, and smiled, saying, “Tonight, Yu Huan and Aunt Hua’s family will be eating here. Wan Hai and Wan Feng brought the salted chicken, and oh, we also have ice jelly.”
Min Nan’s gaze scanned Ye Ling before he asked, “Did you make all of this?”
“No, Wan Feng made the ice jelly juice. I didn’t tire myself out, Big Brother Min Nan, don’t worry,” Ye Ling replied, knowing without a doubt that Min Nan was concerned she might have exhausted herself. She hurriedly explained.
Min Nan understood that even if Ye Ling was tired, she wouldn’t show it in front of him. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, he guessed that she had recovered her energy after a nap, so he didn’t say anything more.
Once Aunt Hua’s family had arrived, everyone gathered around the table. Wan Feng raised his voice and said, “To celebrate Lingling and Miss Yu’s safe return, cheers!”
The men raised their glasses, filled with the white wine Yu Huan had brought, while the women held cups filled with water. After toasting, everyone began to enjoy their dinner.
“This marinated wild boar meat seems even more flavorful than fresh wild boar meat. It’s so spicy and addictive!” Wan Feng exclaimed as he ate three pieces of wild boar meat in a row..
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