Chapter 223: Chapter 220: Mr. Trouble’s Unusual Culinary Skills

Third Branch of the Jiang Family

Jiang Mingyue was contemplating what to eat for lunch when, unexpectedly, a Jeep arrived.

The villagers, holding onto their curiosity about such a rare item, surrounded the vehicle layer upon layer.

Qiao Mingtang, because of having to turn off the engine and unload things from the car, was surrounded when he moved a bit slower. He looked forlornly at the figure disappearing at the entrance of the Third Branch, feeling life was no longer worth living.

“Ahem… Uncles, Aunties, Big Brothers and Sisters, could you please let me through?”

Actually, although these people were curiously surrounding him, none of them reached out to touch. Even the children who often played in the village were the same, which greatly impressed Qiao Mingtang. The village where Yueyue lived was truly different.

An aunt, seeing this young lad really handsome, suddenly took an interest, “Young man, do you have a girlfriend? What kind are you looking for? Want me to introduce someone? As long as you don’t mind us rural folks being uneducated, I guarantee to find you a pretty, capable, and sensible girl.”

Qiao Mingtang looked helpless: Auntie, you’re curious about the car, that’s okay, but why are you fixated on me? My old father is urging me to marry, now even random aunties are pushing it. Life’s unbearable!

Although the aunt really wanted to pull this young lad into the village, she understood this matter was about mutual consent, so she didn’t insist and stepped aside as if it was just a joke.

Qiao Mingtang thanked her, lifted the basket, and ran off quickly. He didn’t even know what was inside that his elder sibling made him carry; it was quite heavy, but luckily he wasn’t a frail scholar.

The basket was placed in front of Jiang Mingyue, and she naturally recognized it as the gift from Da Qiang and the others. She gathered them inside, planning to find an excuse to share with the family today.

However, she wasn’t the chef today; she wasn’t sure what happened, but she was kicked out of the kitchen. The head chef turned out to be Yan Jinzhi, while Mrs. Jiang became his assistant, also tending the fire.

Jiang Mingyue looked at Qiao Mingtang, who was just as puzzled. There was no need to ask; even if she did, no one would know.

Oh well, she could use this time to help her eager students solve their problems.

“Xiao Ran, if you have any questions, come and ask me.”

Time flew, and soon it was mealtime.

On the table, there were dishes that closely resembled her style, with the flavors and plating matching the images in her mind. Usually, she knew that the Third Branch members weren’t fussy, so she intentionally neglected that aspect, serving everything in large bowls to avoid them feeling out of sorts while eating.

But Yan Jinzhi’s layout was indeed similar to her own cooking style.

Spicy crabs, the last piece of cheese from before now fried to a golden brown on both sides, sprinkled with pepper salt. Even before anyone picked up their chopsticks, the salty aroma could be felt on the tip of one’s tongue. There was a plate of braised fish, and it was said that there was more after finishing it. Cold mixed century egg with chopped cilantro sprinkled on top, just a drizzle of chili oil to eat with rice—absolutely delicious. Then there were spring rolls, boiled bitter greens, and stir-fried Chinese broccoli. Everything was in abundance.

Before eating, Xiao Ran stretched his neck like a gosling, swallowing his saliva several times, clearly craving badly.

Mrs. Jiang didn’t indulge him.

On normal days, Mrs. Jiang wouldn’t have the heart to let him wait and would have hurriedly served him a small bowl to satisfy his craving.

But today, there were distinguished guests present.

She smiled on the surface but felt anxious inside, glancing at the clock hands. Fifteen minutes had passed, and her eldest had promised to be back before twelve. Just as she was considering suggesting starting the meal, there was movement from outside, and Xiao Ran was the first to dash out and see Jiang Jian Country returning, pushing a bicycle.

But then…

“Jian Guo, who is she?”

Jiang Jian Country also wanted to ask: Who was the person he brought back?

Honestly, facing the meaningful looks from villagers as he entered the village, Jiang Jian Country regretted it.

This… this was too much like riding a bike to fetch a bride from the neighboring village.

No wonder none of the aunties and sisters he encountered along the way acted normally, and even the elders gave him knowing glances. Worse, some openly teased.

For example:

“Jian Guo, is this your girlfriend? Quite pretty!”

“Jian Guo, a newlywed wife? She’s quite a beauty.”

Sigh! You could at least wait for me to answer when you ask, but with your self-assured comments, what’s the point of asking?

Even though he denied each senior’s teasing, their looks didn’t waver, leaving him to explain to the young lady along the way.

Like right now, even as they reached his own doorstep, he was still explaining.

Unlike Jiang Jian Country, Xia Xiaosi wasn’t troubled by these matters. She was just surprised that Yueyue’s brother turned out to be so shy; such a big guy, yet his skin was thinner than paper.

“Here we are, this is my home.”

Jiang Jian Country steadied the bike, letting the young lady dismount first.

Xia Xiaosi was bold. She supported herself on the seat and leaped a meter away.

“Yueyue… I’ve come to see you!”

Just that, she suddenly realized both her hands were empty, and even with her carefree demeanor, her face turned red.

Xiao Ran found it strange when Jian Guo brought back an unfamiliar sister; this unfamiliar sister even shouted for Ms. Yue, prompting him to reflexively cling to his sister’s leg.

“Sister is mine.”

Jiang Mingyue heard someone calling her as she was preparing a spicy dipping sauce in the kitchen. Surprised at the sight of two people she shouldn’t know, returning together, she realized the original owner’s friend had come on her brother’s back seat.

This… was truly unexpected.

No more words, let’s eat first, then talk.

When the delicious aroma hit, even Xia Xiaosi suppressed her excitement at seeing a friend, burying her face in her meal.

However, as she tried each dish on the table during the meal, her confusion only deepened.

Though the dish pairing and style were like hers, the taste was a completely different flavor, so delicious it was hard to stop.

The key was, this taste felt oddly familiar, as if she had eaten it regularly, yet she had no such memory in her mind.

Not wanting the guest to feel neglected, Jiang Mingyue briefly contemplated before busying herself with giving Xia Xiaosi more food, and before long, a small mountain had formed in her bowl.

Xia Xiaosi: “…Although I’m very touched that Yueyue is giving me food, this love is too heavy, isn’t it? Aren’t you afraid others won’t have enough to eat?”

The result was, she was so stuffed she couldn’t move.

After the meal, Xia Xiaosi recounted her thrilling encounter with a white wolf on the mountain.

Jiang Mingyue listened, feeling her heart pounding. Thankfully, they were all safe. It was truly a blessing.

The two of them sat together, chatting about various topics. Jiang Mingyue then took Xia Xiaosi to her room for a look.

After going upstairs, Xia Xiaosi specifically told her about Bai Meimei’s actions.

Jiang Mingyue was stunned for a long time: Was this the Bai Meimei mentioned in a book, or was it someone with the same name?

In the book, the big brother’s second wife was also called Bai Meimei, and big brother, having been hurt by his first wife’s infidelity, cherished his second chance at love, and the couple had a good relationship.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep