The Space-Time Boss: 1970s Revolution

Chapter 41: Braised Meat

Li Xiufen smiled and said, "Alright, I'll get it ready now."

She then instructed Fu Hong to take the meat to the back by the well, where she began washing it thoroughly, over and over again. Meanwhile, Fu Xiao was in the kitchen, preparing the spices for the braised meat. She cleaned a deep-bottomed pot in the kitchen and wrapped a bundle of spices including star anise, cinnamon, angelica, bay leaves, cloves, and dried tangerine peel in a clean cotton cloth.

Once Auntie Li finished cleaning the meat, she put it in the pot along with the spices. She also added a piece of ginseng root that had been damaged earlier and some spiritual spring water she had just prepared.

With the fire lit, they began to simmer the meat.

As the sunset faded, the night grew darker.

A rich aroma of braised meat wafted from the kitchen, filling the night air.

Meanwhile, next door.

Fu Limin's family was sitting around their dinner table when they suddenly smelled the delicious scent, making their own food seem much less appetizing.

Fu Limin swallowed hard and forced himself to eat the cornbread in his hand. Across from him, his daughter, Fu Yingying, caught a whiff of the aroma and swallowed as well, muttering unhappily, "Why is the family next door always eating meat?"

Li Yumei rolled her eyes from across the table. "That's because they cook well. The one doing the cooking is a 13-year-old girl. And you? You're older than her, and just being able to cook food that's edible is already me giving you credit."

Fu Yingying pouted, thinking, "You're not even considering what kind of ingredients they're using." She would never admit it was her cooking skills; she was convinced it was all about the ingredients.

Fu Limin said, "Honey, didn't we get a piece of meat too? Why aren't we cooking it?"

Li Yumei, clearly frustrated, slammed her chopsticks on the table and yelled, "I come home after a long day's work and still have to cook for you all. Eat it or leave it. And the meat? We were only given a small piece. You want to eat it all now?"

Seeing his wife get angry, Fu Limin shrank back, saying nothing more and continuing to gnaw on his cornbread.

Li Yumei snorted angrily and said, "We'll eat that meat tomorrow. I'll prepare more potatoes, so we can make a big stew. Our whole family can eat for a day."

Hearing this, both Fu Limin and Fu Yingying's eyes lit up with obvious anticipation for tomorrow's meal.

Meanwhile, at the Fu household:

Fu Hong, sitting by the stove, kept glancing at the pot, and Grandpa Fu and Fu Weibai were standing at the kitchen door, constantly swallowing their saliva.

Little Fu Kai was even more exaggerated, circling around Fu Xiao. "Sister, is it done yet? I want to eat some meat. Can I taste it first?"

Fu Xiao smiled and held him down to stop him from spinning around. She flicked his forehead lightly, "It's not cooked yet. Just wait a little longer, okay?"

Little Fu Kai's face visibly fell, and he pouted, "Can I at least taste if it's salty enough?"

Fu Hong laughed and pulled him over, "Come, help me keep the fire going, so the meat will cook faster."

Fu Kai crouched by the stove, continuously feeding wood into the fire, while sneaking glances at the pot.

After about ten more minutes, Fu Xiao estimated that the meat should be ready. She went into the kitchen and lifted the pot lid.