Chapter 142 Chopping Wood
At this time, the Jiang Mansion was bustling with activity. The fragrance filled the air, making everyone salivate.
Hai Dafu, dressed in a green robe, walked steadily into the bright kitchen. In the kitchen, there was a blazing fire, boiling iron pots, and a busy scene.
Jiang Zhiyu followed Hai Dafu closely with anticipation in his eyes. Other guests also gathered around, curiously watching the actions of the famous chef.
Hai Dafu stood in front of the pot, smiling and saying to everyone: "Today I will demonstrate a dish called 'Dragon and Phoenix Bring Good Luck'. This dish has good color, aroma and flavor, and it symbolizes good luck. It is very suitable for eating on occasions like this."
He patted an assistant beside him, who immediately handed him a lively chicken and a plump carp. Hai Dafu had sharp eyes and skillful hands, and he quickly cleaned the chicken and fish.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the key to cooking this dish lies in the combination of heat and seasonings," said Hai Dafu as he put the chicken and fish into the pot with gentle movements, like an artist creating a painting.
At this time, Jiang Zhiyu couldn't help but ask: "Chef Hai, can you tell us what seasonings are needed for this dish?"
Hai Dafu smiled and replied, "The seasonings needed for this dish include soy sauce, cooking wine, onion, ginger, garlic, salt, sugar, pepper, etc. Each seasoning must be just right to make the dish taste more delicious."
As the cooking progressed, Hai Dafu kept adjusting the heat, and the hot steam from the pot made beads of sweat seep out of his forehead. But he remained calm, chatting with the guests around him from time to time and sharing his cooking experience.
"Chef Hai, your technique is truly an art!" praised a guest.
Hai Dafu smiled slightly, with a hint of pride in his eyes: "Cooking is an art. Only by experiencing it with your heart can you make delicious dishes."
As they were talking, a dish was ready. Hai Dafu carefully brought the dish to the table, and everyone gathered around. The aroma was so fragrant that it made people salivate.
Jiang Zhiyu picked up the chopsticks, picked up a bite of food and put it in her mouth, with a flash of surprise in her eyes. She praised: "Chef Hai, this dish tastes so good! You really live up to your reputation!"
Hai Dafu smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you for the compliment, Miss Jiang. I'm just a cook, and I'm already very satisfied if everyone likes my dishes."
At this time, a guest suddenly raised a difficult question: "Chef Hai, can you use the same ingredients to make a dish with a different flavor?"
Hai Dafu hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Of course. I can use the same ingredients to demonstrate a dish called 'Fish-flavored Shredded Pork' for everyone."
After that, he walked towards the kitchen again, and everyone followed him. This time, Hai Dafu's technique was more skillful, and the cooking process was more exciting. Finally, a dish of fish-flavored pork shreds with attractive color and fragrant aroma appeared in front of everyone.
Everyone tasted the food and praised it. Jiang Zhiyu's eyes sparkled with admiration. She knew that today's cooking demonstration gave her a deeper understanding of Hai Dafu's cooking skills.
After the demonstration, Hai Dafu, Jiang Zhiyu and others sat in the hall and talked about their cooking experiences. Everyone was talking and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
……
“Crash, crash—!”
Zhu came out after hearing the noise and saw the firewood chopped into pieces by her daughter Jiang Shuyuan. She asked her what happened with concern. Jiang Shuyuan raised her head, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes, and then she regained her composure. She put down the axe in her hand and said softly, "Mother, I'm fine. I was just practicing chopping wood."
Zhu walked forward and gently patted Jiang Shuyuan's shoulder, frowning slightly: "Yuan'er, why are you doing this? You are the eldest daughter of the mansion, and you shouldn't do these rough jobs. If other people in the mansion see this, what will they think?"
Jiang Shuyuan smiled, with a hint of determination in her eyes: "Mother, I know what I am doing. Although the Jiang Mansion is big, one day I will leave here and face the outside world alone. I need to learn to be independent and learn to take care of myself."
Zhu sighed, her eyes revealing endless worry: "Yuan'er, you are always so sensible, which makes me both relieved and distressed. But you can't always push yourself so hard, sometimes it's also a way to take care of yourself to relax a little."
As they were talking, the door of Jiang Mansion was suddenly pushed open, and a middle-aged man in gorgeous clothes walked in. It was the owner of Jiang Mansion, Jiang Shuyuan's father Jiang Yan. He looked at his daughter chopping wood and a smile appeared on his face.
"Shuyuan, what are you doing?" Jiang Yan asked gently.
Jiang Shuyuan stood up and bowed to her father: "Father, I am practicing chopping wood."
Jiang Yan nodded, with a hint of approval in his eyes: "Very good, my daughter is different. Since you like it, then go ahead, but don't tire yourself out."
Jiang Shuyuan nodded and a smile appeared on her face.
After dinner, in the living room of the Jiang Mansion, Zhu and Jiang Shuyuan sat at the table, drinking tea and chatting.
"Yuan'er, why are you chopping wood today?" Zhu couldn't help but ask.
Jiang Shuyuan put down the teacup in her hand and looked at her mother seriously: "Mom, I know I am in the Jiang Mansion, but this world is not just the Jiang Mansion. There are many places I have never been to. I want to leave here and see the outside world."
Zhu's expression changed slightly, and her eyes revealed endless worry: "Yuan'er, why are you doing this? Although the outside world is wonderful, it is also full of dangers. How can you, a woman, face it alone?"
Jiang Shuyuan held her mother's hand, her eyes firm: "Mom, I know the outside world is dangerous, but I can't always hide in the greenhouse of Jiang Mansion. I need to grow up and learn to face the ups and downs outside."
Zhu looked at her daughter's determined eyes, feeling both worried and helpless.
She sighed and patted Jiang Shuyuan's hand gently: "Yuan'er, since you have decided, I will support you. But you have to promise me that no matter what difficulties you encounter, you must protect yourself."
Jiang Shuyuan nodded, with a hint of gratitude in her eyes: "Mother, I will."
In the courtyard, the sun shines through the mottled leaves and onto the bluestone slabs, creating golden patches. Jiang Shuyuan is holding a long sword and dancing vigorously in the garden. Her sword skills are becoming more and more proficient, her eyes are firm and fearless. At this moment, Jiang Zhiyu slowly walks into the garden.
Jiang Zhiyu was wearing a light blue silk dress and walked lightly. She looked at Jiang Shuyuan's swordsmanship with a hint of envy in her eyes. She walked forward, gently patted Jiang Shuyuan's shoulder, and said with a smile: "Sister Shuyuan, your swordsmanship is getting better and better."
Jiang Shuyuan put away the sword, smiled slightly, and said: "Sister Zhiyu, you have also made a lot of progress. I heard that you have made great achievements in studying recently."
Jiang Zhiyu looked at Jiang Shuyuan, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, and said: "Sister, I have always wanted to ask you, why do you work so hard? Whether it is studying, practicing martial arts, chopping wood, or carrying water, you always go all out."