The situation in the Jiang family was different. Li Xuan was quietly practicing his calligraphy, but he couldn't help being affected by the savory aroma wafting from next door, causing his mind to wander for a moment.
Seeing that her daughter-in-law was not around, Chen Hehua said softly, Grandma asked the auntie next door how to make the mixed fish soup today. I'll make it for you tonight.
Li Xuan gripped his pencil tightly and revealed a small smile. Thank you, Grandma.
Lin Zhilan had a bit of a headache.
If she hadn't stopped him, Jiang Chengzhou would have eaten the garlic sauce straight out of the bowl.
Comrade Jiang Chengzhou, there will be even more delicious food tonight. For now, can you do your aunt a favor?
Jiang Chengzhou slurped back his drool. Auntie, what do you want me to help with?
Lin Zhilan wanted to set up a simple barbecue grill.
However, she and Jiang Chengzhou fiddled with it for a long time without success, and finally had to give up.
If the oysters couldn't be grilled, steaming them would work too.
She decided to make the grilled fish first. When the aroma from the kitchen drifted out once again, Jiang Chengzhou consciously took his little sister's hand and headed to the cafeteria to get rice.
Linlin had walked too much today. On the way back, her feet hurt, and she refused to walk any further.
Jiang Chengzhou put down the lunchboxes, wanting to imitate his uncle and aunt by picking his sister up to carry her.
But if he carried his sister, he couldn't hold the lunchboxes, and if he held the lunchboxes, he couldn't carry his sister. He could only alternate between the two.
Su Lang had asked the quartermaster to bring him a sack of rice. Just as he came out of the cafeteria, he saw his nephew and daughter dawdling on the road.
He walked over quickly and scooped up his daughter with one arm.
Jiang Chengzhou was startled. Realizing it was his uncle, he hurriedly picked up the lunchboxes from the ground and let out a long sigh.
Su Lang smiled and asked, Tired from carrying your sister?
No, Jiang Chengzhou looked enviously at his uncle, who was holding his sister in one hand and a sack in the other. If only I could grow as big as you all at once, then I could carry my sister everywhere to play.
By the time you grow up, your sister will have grown up too, and she'll be able to walk on her own.
Linlin's feet hurt. Hearing her father say this, she quickly covered his mouth with her little hands and said seriously, Sister won't walk.
Su Lang was speechless.
Hahahahaha. Seeing his uncle at a loss for words, Jiang Chengzhou couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Upon returning home, Su Lang put his daughter down, washed his hands, and walked straight to the kitchen.
Seeing his figure, the memories of noon flooded back into Lin Zhilan's mind.
She turned her head away so he wouldn't notice her burning cheeks. The food isn't ready yet. Wait outside for a bit.
Su Lang obediently stepped back out, giving his wife some time to recover.
Hearing from Chengzhou that she wanted to build a barbecue grill, Su Lang quickly assembled one using red bricks, and deftly wove a grill grate out of iron wire in just a few moves.
Lin Zhilan waved at Jiang Chengzhou and whispered to him to ask his uncle to pry open all the oysters.
Jiang Chengzhou didn't understand. They were only a few steps away, and they could hear each other if they spoke. Why didn't his aunt just say it herself?
Seeing his aunt blushing slightly, Jiang Chengzhou ran out and said, Uncle, Auntie wants you to pry open all the oysters.
After saying that, he glanced back and explained to his uncle, Auntie is shy. She doesn't dare tell you herself.
A man's soft chuckle came from outside.
Lin Zhilan's grip on the spatula tightened.
What should she do?
She really wanted to beat the kid.
While the grilled fish was stewing in the pot, Lin Zhilan transferred the charcoal from the stove to the bottom of the barbecue grill, placed the oysters on top, and then spread the garlic sauce over them.
It had to be said that oyster shells were like natural containers; in no time, they were filled with bubbling juices.
The umami of the oysters and the aroma of the garlic sauce mingled together, quickly wafting over the courtyard and spreading even further.
Jiang Chengzhou couldn't wait, asking every few seconds, Are they cooked yet? Can we eat them?
When he finally heard Lin Zhilan say they were ready, Jiang Chengzhou hurriedly reached out to grab one, but his aunt tapped his hand with her chopsticks.
They're very hot, slow down.
Su Lang wasn't afraid of the heat and transferred the grilled oysters to the table.
Lin Zhilan immediately placed a new batch on the grill.
Jiang Chengzhou had never eaten such delicious oysters!
They were fresh, tender, fragrant, and incredibly flavorful.
As soon as it entered his mouth, the first sensation was the heat, followed immediately by the fresh umami flavor.
The garlic sauce paired perfectly with the oysters, and their juices blended together. With one bite, the savory liquid splashed between his teeth.
Any fishy smell was completely negligible; the fresh flavor took the lead and dominated his entire mouth.
Jiang Chengzhou didn't mind the heat. After finishing one, he immediately went for a second. This made Linlin so anxious that she grabbed her father's hand, pulling the spoon he held straight toward her mouth.
Su Lang couldn't let her have her way. He blew on the oyster until it was no longer hot before feeding it to her.
Little Linlin opened her mouth like a fledgling bird waiting for its father to feed it.
Lin Zhilan wanted to take her daughter over, but Su Lang gently blocked her. You worked hard cooking. You eat first; I'll feed our daughter.
Seeing Linlin sitting comfortably on her father's lap eating, Lin Zhilan didn't say anything and picked up her bowl to eat.
Before Linlin had even finished one oyster, the space in front of Jiang Chengzhou was already piled high with empty oyster shells.
Auntie, are the oysters outside ready to eat?
His eyes were sparkling, his face full of anticipation.
Lin Zhilan shook her head. There's still grilled fish on the table. Finish your rice first.
Jiang Chengzhou was already mesmerized by the garlic oysters, but he obediently ate his rice.
However, as soon as the grilled fish entered his mouth, he immediately forgot about the oysters and began to scarf it down with great relish.
Lin Zhilan and her daughter didn't have as big an appetite as the uncle and nephew. After eating their fill, she carried her daughter outside to grill more oysters.
After Su Lang and Jiang Chengzhou finished eating, the whole family gathered around the barbecue grill, suddenly feeling as if they were on vacation.
However, it's impossible for children to let you enjoy a peaceful vacation.
After eating for a little while longer, Jiang Chengzhou suddenly threw up.
Startled, Lin Zhilan quickly patted his back, brought him water, and hurriedly checked his pulse.
Jiang Chengzhou felt much better after throwing up and comforted his aunt, I'm fine, I just ate too much.
In fact, he had been full for a long time, but he just couldn't bear to stop. It was too delicious.
Lin Zhilan glared at him in exasperation. You glutton!
She turned around and said to Su Lang, who was still eating oysters, Stop eating too. Grill the rest and give them to Aunt Hehua next door and Sister Chunhua across the way to taste.
Having accepted their meat earlier today, she had originally planned to send some oysters over.
Seeing how much Su Lang and Jiang Chengzhou liked them, she hadn't said anything, thinking she would give them something else in return later.
And the result? This uncle and nephew duo were just gorging themselves.
Glared at by his wife, Su Lang obediently went to deliver the grilled oysters to the neighbors.
Jiang Chengzhou watched longingly as the oysters were taken away, letting out a long sigh.
After throwing up, his stomach was much emptier now. He could actually eat a little more.
Next door at the Li family's house, Chen Hehua was cooking in the kitchen. Hearing a knock on the door, Li Jiang went to open it.
Li Jiang and Su Lang were not in the same division. Although they were neighbors, they rarely interacted.
Regiment Commander Su? Seeing it was Su Lang, Li Jiang was a little surprised.
Su Lang shoved a basin full of grilled oysters into his hands. My wife is giving these to you. Just wash the basin clean and return it to me later.
