SFS Chapter 77 Zhaoyuan, Uncle Zhong is very grateful to you.
Chapter 77 Zhaoyuan, Uncle Zhong is very grateful to you.
Zhao Yuan pulled the driver over and began to introduce them:
“Brother Chen, this is Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong, this is Zhou Jiefang. This is Brother Chen from the No. 1 Chemical Plant in the province.”
"Brother Chen, come with me to buy groceries, and we can have lunch before you leave."
As he spoke, Zhao Yuan walked towards the kitchen and looked at the kitchen facilities.
Zhao Yuan and Brother Chen drove out to buy groceries together.
Zhao Yuan bought 10 jin of pig offal, 5 jin of meat, 2 pig heads, 1 jin of ribs, some pig blood, tofu, flour, etc., as well as 2 bottles of wine and a large pot. He took all the things and went straight to Uncle Zhong's house.
Zhao Yuan took everything down and handed it over to Zhou Jiefang.
When Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong saw Zhaoyuan returning with his things, they also came over to help.
Zhao Yuan went to his own courtyard and took a few packets of braising spices.
When they returned, they saw Zhou Jiefang, Uncle Zhong, Aunt Zhong, and Brother Chen washing pig offal and a pig's head. Aunt Zhong didn't look sick at all; she had a big smile on her face. Even Uncle Zhong had forgotten that Aunt Zhong was sick and needed care. Everyone was immersed in joy.
Zhao Yuan went to the kitchen to chop pork and prepare the ham sausage seasoning.
Soon the pig offal and pig's head meat were washed. Zhaoyuan set up a large pot in the yard, and Aunt Zhong immediately took over the task of tending the fire, with a smile on her face the whole time.
Zhao Yuan fetched water and put it in a pot, added braising spices, and once the water boiled, added pork offal, pig ears, and pig cheek meat.
Zhou Jiefang helped Zhaoyuan fill the sausages, while Uncle Zhong watched them work for a while before putting the rice in the pot. Brother Chen helped tend the fire, and Uncle Zhong also joined the filling team. Soon all the sausages were filled.
Zhao Yuan started steaming ham sausages in a separate pot.
Zhao Yuan skillfully tied on his apron, then quickly got to work, preparing the dishes in an orderly manner.
Zhou Jiefang had been following Zhao Yuan for some time and knew his needs very well. Therefore, he always quietly assisted Zhao Yuan, becoming a capable little helper.
Before long, all the ingredients needed for several delicious dishes were ready. All that was left was to wait for the ham sausages to be steamed before stir-frying them.
Once the sausages were steamed, Zhao Yuan took them out and immediately began to demonstrate his superb culinary skills.
With practiced skill, he wielded the spatula, and various seasonings danced joyfully in the pot. In no time, a table full of delicious and visually appealing dishes was presented before us.
The braised dishes need to be simmered for a while longer to make their flavor richer and more mellow.
This quiet courtyard has not been filled with such warmth and joy in a long time.
Uncle Zhong seemed to have forgotten all his troubles and was fully immersed in the excitement.
Aunt Zhong, on the other hand, seemed to have fully recovered, with a bright smile always on her face.
She busied herself starting a fire, boiling water, moving tables and chairs, and carefully preparing bowls and chopsticks; she looked exactly like a kind and amiable elder woman.
Zhao Yuan also specially invited Fan Bo to share this sumptuous dinner.
As soon as Fan Bo stepped into the courtyard, he was surprised to see the current state of Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong's spirits. However, he was immediately infected by the warm and joyful atmosphere and happily joined in, feeling genuinely happy for Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong.
Finally, Zhaoyuan respectfully invited Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong to sit down in the main seat. He then warmly invited Brother Chen, Fan Bo, and several other renovation workers to join him for dinner. Aunt Zhong was still concerned about the fire for her braised dishes and insisted on taking some food to start the fire, but Zhaoyuan stopped her each time.
"Mom, you and Dad are the most important today, so please eat in peace. I'll go add some firewood in a bit. We don't need a big fire right now, so please eat in peace."
Hearing Zhaoyuan say this, Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong felt at ease and ate their meal.
Zhou Jiefang would occasionally add a piece of firewood.
"Brother Chen, can you stay overnight? You can go back tomorrow morning. It's not easy to come to Jinyang County. The fireworks here are very beautiful. You can try them out and look around."
Zhao Yuan asked.
"I didn't ask the factory manager for leave when I came. I won't drink alcohol at noon today. I'll drive back after lunch, it won't be a problem."
Brother Chen said.
"That's fine, I'll treat you to drinks next time. You have a long drive this afternoon, so safety comes first."
Zhao Yuan said.
So Zhaoyuan took out two bottles of wine. With wine, meat, and delicious food, everyone happily started drinking.
But Zhaoyuan still took the wine glass from the renovation worker and said:
"Brothers, you still have to do high-altitude operations this afternoon. For safety reasons, I'll save the alcohol for you. We won't be drinking at noon today."
The renovation workers repeatedly said, "No, no, safety is the most important thing."
"Wow, Zhaoyuan, your cooking is amazing! This is the best stir-fried pork I've ever had. And your pig brain is so delicious, there's not a trace of fishiness. I never knew pig brain could taste so good. And your sausage is absolutely amazing! You should open your sausage factory soon, my two boys have been craving your sausages for ages."
Fan Bo ate while praising the food.
Everyone enjoyed lunch, whether they drank or not. Zhaoyuan and Fanbo kept toasting Uncle Zhong, treating him and Aunt Zhong like elders, which made Uncle Zhong very happy.
Since Fengzi left, Uncle Zhong has never experienced the warmth of family again, and has spent his days and nights worrying about Aunt Zhong.
Suddenly, Uncle Zhong raised his glass to Zhao Yuan:
"Zhaoyuan, Uncle Zhong is very grateful to you. Your arrival has almost completely cured Aunt Zhong. Thank you so much. Everything is in the wine."
After saying that, he finished his drink and then burst into tears, burying his face in his hands on the table.
"Uncle Zhong, don't worry. Since we've met by chance, I'll take full responsibility for your and Aunt Zhong's affairs from now on. I'll take Aunt Zhong to the provincial capital to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in a while; she should be able to recover completely."
Zhao Yuan comforted Uncle Zhong.
"Yes, yes, Uncle Zhong, you and Zhaoyuan are destined for each other. Good days are ahead for you."
Fan Bo echoed this sentiment.
"My uncle is a famous traditional Chinese medicine doctor in the provincial capital. Comrade Zhaoyuan, if you need, I will take you to see a doctor next time you bring your aunt."
Brother Chen said.
"Then I will definitely trouble Brother Chen next time."
As Zhao Yuan spoke, he stood up and toasted Brother Chen.
"Comrade Zhaoyuan, you are too kind. You are a great benefactor to our factory. I am very happy to help you as long as I can."
Brother Chen also stood up and joined in.
Uncle Zhong cried for a while, wiped away his tears, and then chatted and laughed with everyone again. Uncle Zhong was actually a very talkative person. Aunt Zhong sat quietly beside him, watching everyone chat and laugh.
I had a very enjoyable meal.
The braised dishes were ready to be served. Zhaoyuan packed some braised dishes and some sausages for Fanbo to take back for the children.
After finishing his meal, Zhaoyuan went to the meat processing plant and bought back the remaining pig offal, along with 5 jin of pork.
"Brother Zhao, you bought so much again. Didn't you make enough this morning?"
Zhou Jiefang asked.