Xu Yanxia felt a bit awkward.
This person came to the Lu family for dinner, and he brought flowers for her?
Before she could say anything, the red-haired Lu Tong nudged Chu Hao with his fist and said, "Are you hitting on her? Everyone brought snacks and drinks, why did you bring flowers?"
"Yeah, exactly!"
Lu Jingyao also glared, "What are you doing? Trying to confess to my Sister Xiaoxia?"
"Can't I confess?"
Chu Hao retorted, "I'm single, it's not illegal."
As he spoke, he smiled at Xu Yanxia again, saying, "Take them quickly, sis, I just went out of my way to buy them. I think this style really suits your vibe."
His gaze carried a somewhat intrusive feel.
Xu Yanxia wanted to accept them even less.
Fortunately, the understanding Housekeeper Zhang spoke up for her, "Xiaoxia will be busy later, let me take the flowers for now. I'll keep them safe for you."
"..."
Given Housekeeper Zhang's status in the Lu household, Chu Hao couldn't refuse and had to hand the flowers over first.
Lu Jingyao also gave him a light punch, saying, "Spring hasn't even arrived yet, stop being so restless. Everything's ready, go sit down."
"Right!"
Xiao Xu and the others nearby chimed in, "I skipped lunch just for this meal!"
"Let's go already!"
They finally managed to pull Chu Hao over to sit down.
The sky had already darkened. Charcoal was added to the barbecue grill, and everyone started grilling the pre-skewered food over the fire, eating and drinking as they went.
Xu Yanxia had been busy in the kitchen the whole time. An hour later, with the help of Uncle Li and Uncle Zhao, she wheeled a covered roasting oven onto the lawn.
As soon as the lid was opened, a golden-brown whole roasted lamb appeared before everyone's eyes, its rich aroma instantly filling the entire courtyard.
"Whoa!!!"
"What is this?!"
Exclamations of surprise immediately erupted on the lawn.
Lu Tong and the others stared wide-eyed, asking Lu Jingyao one after another, "Is this... is this a whole roasted lamb?!"
"Brother Yao, you're this awesome?! This calls for me to toast you three glasses!!!"
Lu Jingyao also looked at his older brother Lu Jingming with utter disbelief and asked, "Bro, did you ask Sister Xiaoxia to arrange this?"
However, Lu Jingming was also taken by surprise.
He only realized now that the aroma he smelled when he came back earlier was actually from a whole roasted lamb.
This was no simple dish.
He looked at Xu Yanxia and asked, "When was this roasted? Did you make it yourself?"
"Yes,"
Xu Yanxia nodded and said, "Before Mrs. Lu went on her business trip, she specifically asked me to prepare well, so I pre-ordered a lamb from Wannong. I started marinating it this morning. It had already been roasting for over an hour when you came back, so it's just perfect to eat now."
As she spoke, she picked up the specialized carving knife and fork and stepped forward to start serving everyone.
It's worth noting that such a scene isn't very common in the southeastern coastal region known for its seafood, let alone happening not at an outside restaurant but right here.
Foodies like Lu Tong and Xiao Xu immediately gathered close to watch her carve the meat, even pulling out their phones to start recording.
They saw Xu Yanxia first make a few cuts on the lamb's body with the blade, then gently slice into the joints near the leg bones. With a few crisp sounds symbolizing the crispy skin being severed, the four golden, glistening lamb legs were effortlessly detached by her.
Then, while it was still hot, she deboned the meat. Her movements were as skilled as a master carver in a Peking duck restaurant. In just a few minutes, the meat from all four legs was basically portioned.
The remaining lamb chops were handled with a similar technique. The blade went in at an angle, bone and meat separating with a snap. With fluid, seamless movements, the lamb chops were neatly arranged on plates, each one still bearing meat, with a perfect balance of lean and fat—a sight even satisfying for someone with obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
This level of skill probably required years of practice to achieve.
Amidst everyone's admiration, Xu Yanxia quickly chopped up the remaining spine and back portions and said to Lu Jingming, "The legs and chops should be enough for everyone. How about letting Housekeeper Zhang and the others try these parts?"
"Sure."
Lu Jingming also snapped out of his surprise, nodding, "Let everyone have a taste."
"Okay."
She placed the meat onto several plates and delivered them to Uncle Li, Uncle Zhao, Sister Sun, Sister Wang, Housekeeper Zhang, and the others.
On the lawn, Lu Jingyao and his friends had already started showering her with enthusiastic praise—
"Wow! This roasted lamb is amazing!!! It totally beats anything in the whole of Rong City, no, the entire eastern Guangdong province!"
"More than that!"
Xiao Xu, who was munching on a lamb chop, said, "I just went to the grasslands with my parents last month. Sister Xia's roast is just as good, if not better!!!"
This wasn't an exaggeration at all.
Even the well-traveled Lu Jingming had to admit that tonight's whole roasted lamb was so delicious it was practically flawless.
The outer skin was incredibly fragrant and crispy, while the meat inside was extremely tender and juicy. Beyond the rich meaty flavor and hints of spices, there was actually a subtle, fruity sweetness—a true masterstroke.
He had eaten roasted lamb at a major restaurant in a northwestern province a couple of months ago while on a business trip. Honestly, apart from the better local ingredients there, the taste wasn't as perfectly balanced as what Xu Yanxia made today.
"Sister Xia!!!"
Lu Tong, already excited, rushed up to Xu Yanxia, who had just returned from delivering the meat, and almost knelt before her. "You're a culinary goddess! The best things I've ever eaten in my life were all made by you! Let's become sworn siblings, sis! From now on, I'm your real brother!!!"
Xu Yanxia was both amused and embarrassed, and could only say, "You're too kind. I'm just glad everyone likes it. Eating too much lamb might get greasy, so everyone can drink some Pu'er or oolong tea."
As she spoke, she poured tea for them.
When handing a cup to Lu Jingming, she heard him ask, "Did you also learn how to make this whole roasted lamb from your family?"
Xu Yanxia nodded, "Yes. Our restaurant used to make it every winter, but we could only sell it two or three times a week. Any more and we couldn't handle it."
—This recipe was actually something Xu Yanxia brought from her past life, refined and improved over generations by imperial chefs, a genuine palace secret. No one else could make it quite like her.
Thoroughly impressed, CEO Lu sighed with feeling, "Your family's restaurant should reopen. Otherwise, it's such a waste."
Xu Yanxia gave a gentle smile, "There will be a chance."
As her words fell, someone suddenly cleared their throat and spoke up, "Quiet down, guys. I've got something to say."
It was Chu Hao, standing up from his chair.
Xu Yanxia looked over, caught off guard. She saw him take a silver, diamond-studded necklace from his suit pocket and walk step by step towards her. He said to her, "Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Chu Hao, twenty-one years old, a junior studying International Trade and Economics. My family is in retail. I'm an only child."
"Xiaoxia,"
He then smiled, "Ever since we met last time, I haven't been able to forget you. I think your impression of me must be pretty good too. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Xu Yanxia, "???"
