Li Chuchu was slightly surprised. "Why are you back so early today?"
Shen Yanshan walked beside her, deliberately looking away calmly. "There wasn't much to do at the factory. I came back as soon as I finished."
The factory had just started up, and there was a shortage of manpower. At this moment, they wished one person could do the work of two. If Huzi and the others knew that they had been working desperately all afternoon, but to Brother Shen it was just a casual "not much to do", they would probably go crazy on the spot.
Seeing that her face looked a bit tired, Shen Yanshan thought for a while and asked, "Did something happen at the factory today?"
Li Chuchu nodded. "Indeed, quite a few things happened."
She was going to cook a pork chop in tomato sauce according to a new recipe she had learned from the cookbook yesterday, stir - fry some green vegetables with garlic, and make a fool - proof steamed egg.
Li Chuchu had seen the recipe for pork chops in tomato sauce last night when flipping through the cookbook and had suddenly felt hungry. Since the cooking method wasn't particularly difficult, she decided to try it today.
First, cut the pork loin into slices, then use the back of a knife to pound both sides of the pork chops to tenderize them. Then add an appropriate amount of salt, sugar, pepper, starch, and a spoonful of peanut oil. Spread the seasonings evenly on the meat and marinate it for about thirty minutes.
Shen Yanshan leaned over and whispered, "Do you need any help?"
Li Chuchu casually gave instructions. "Help me wash the freshly bought green vegetables and tomatoes. The tomatoes need to be peeled."
Shen Yanshan nodded. His slender fingers picked at the lush green leaves. His strong arms and delicate wrists moved up and down in the sink, presenting a kind of beauty that was out of sync with his temperament yet unexpectedly harmonious.
Normally, tomatoes are peeled by scalding them with boiling water.
But Shen Yanshan had a simpler way.
He skewered the tomatoes on a chopstick and roasted them over the fire, turning them in circles. Until the tomatoes made a soft "pop" sound. It was the skin on the surface of the tomatoes bursting, with cracks appearing and charred curled edges following.
Peel off the charred skin, and soon the tomatoes became smooth - skinned fruits.
Li Chuchu was surprised and exclaimed in amazement, "I didn't expect you to be a hidden genius at peeling tomatoes!"
Shen Yanshan was slightly stunned. Was this also considered being a genius?
He had originally planned to follow Li Chuchu's words, but unexpectedly, her next sentence was, "Since that's the case, I've decided that from now on, all the tomatoes in our family will be handled by you. Comrade Shen, starting today, you're appointed as the 'God who Rules the Tomatoes'."
Shen Yanshan: ... So that's the real intention. The capable ones really do more work.
But anyway,
he had at least gotten an "official position" in the family.
Shen Yanshan slightly lowered his eyebrows. The former perverse look in his eyes faded, revealing a gentle and tender gaze that could just take in the petite Li Chuchu.
"Yes, my little emperor."
Li Chuchu quickly made a shushing gesture and whispered, "Keep your voice down. If others hear this, we'll be making a mistake and will be arrested."
Shen Yanshan quickly shut his mouth.
He hadn't enjoyed his good days for long and couldn't be arrested for no reason.
It had to be said that
Li Chuchu was really good at bluffing like a child.
Taking advantage of this time,
she put the marinated pork chops in a pan and fried them until the surface turned brown, about 70 - 80% cooked, and then took them out.
Then she dumped the chopped tomatoes into the pan and started to simmer the tomato sauce.
At the same time, she prepared a sauce on the side. Two spoons of oyster sauce, one spoon of light soy sauce, one spoon of pepper, two spoons of sugar, and half a bowl of water. Pour it into the pan and let it mix with the tomatoes.
When the tomatoes turned into a thick, bright - red tomato sauce, Li Chuchu put the fried pork chops into the tomato sauce, covered the pan, and let it simmer for a while.
The rich aroma from the pan filled the air, and the strong smell of tomatoes spread throughout the yard.
Aunt Wang was washing vegetables by the window. Seeing the young couple standing in front of the stove outside, she quickly pulled Uncle Wang over to "ship" them. "Look how well - matched these two kids are. When they used to quarrel, the whole yard was in an uproar. Now that their relationship has improved, they're like a match made in heaven. That Shen Yanshan even comes back from work and helps his wife cook. He's got a good heart."
Aunt Wang was picking vegetables while looking at the two outside.
The two of them standing together were really a feast for the eyes.
It was extremely kind to the eyes of the on - lookers.
But Uncle Wang didn't understand what Aunt Wang meant and was a bit confused.
Why did it seem like his wife was hinting at him?
Hinting that he hadn't done any work today?
Uncle Wang wracked his brains for a long time. "How about I cook tonight? You've been tired all day."
Aunt Wang looked at him as if she didn't recognize him and exaggeratedly said, "Oh my! Is the sun rising from the west? You're being so diligent and cooking today?"
"What's there to talk about being diligent or not? Go and wait. I'll cook in a while."
Uncle Wang firmly shooed Aunt Wang out. Aunt Wang happily put down the sink. Since someone was going to cook, she might as well go outside and chat with others.
As soon as Aunt Wang went out, she ran into Li Chuchu and Shen Yanshan. Her ambiguous gaze lingered between the two of them. "Oh my! The young couple is cooking outside?"
Li Chuchu blushed slightly. Knowing her gossipy friend, she was sure that Aunt Wang had smelled the aroma and come over after seeing Shen Yanshan and her standing together.
Shen Yanshan politely greeted, "Aunt Wang."
Aunt Wang waved her hand and said with a smile, "Our old man saw Shen Yanshan helping his wife cook outside and actually volunteered to cook today out of the blue. Your Shen Yanshan really set a good example."
The old man washing vegetables by the window stiffened and felt rather uncomfortable.
Why did his wife tell everyone everything?
Li Chuchu glanced at Shen Yanshan, who looked away.
Just then, the pork chops in the pan were cooked.
As soon as the lid was lifted,
the whole yard was filled with the sweet and sour aroma of tomatoes and the rich smell of meat.
Even the big yellow dog in the neighboring yard was drooling. You could hear its barking even though it was chained up.
Aunt Wang looked at the pan in surprise. "Oh my! What are you stewing? It smells so good! It's like the dishes in a big hotel."
The smell alone made one's mouth water.
It was so tempting.
"Yanshan has been running around so much these days. I specially stewed some meat to nourish his body." Li Chuchu warmly invited Aunt Wang to have a taste. Aunt Wang quickly waved her hand and refused. "Oh no no. You keep this good stuff for yourselves."
Li Chuchu had bought one and a half pounds of pork loin from the "licking - dog mall" today and used it all for dinner. There were about four or five slices of meat in the pan now. They couldn't finish it all in one meal.
Li Chuchu took a ceramic bowl, picked out a big piece for Aunt Wang, and put it in the bowl. "Since I've already cooked it, you should take some and have a taste." Aunt Wang wasn't an outsider. Whenever Li Chuchu had something delicious, Aunt Wang would always think of her first, be it leek dumplings or lard - residue buns. Of course, Li Chuchu had to reciprocate.
Under Li Chuchu's insistent persuasion,
Aunt Wang took the bowl embarrassedly. "Okay, then I'll have a taste."