flstandardbreds Chapter 109 The First Hot Pot in Ancient Times
Chapter 109 The First Hot Pot in Ancient Times
Li Xiaoxiao led Yun Che into the house, followed by Yun Yi and a group of servants with their hands full of gifts. Li Xiaoxiao asked someone to put the gifts in the main hall. He wanted to invite them to have a cup of hot tea first, but Yun Che sent them away and only left Yun Yi with him. Li Xiaoxiao had no choice but to give up.
Bai, Li Fang, Li Linlin and others who were still busy in the kitchen ran to the main hall when they saw Yun Che coming.
Bai Shi pulled Yun Che aside, beaming with joy, and asked him questions. Li Fang and Li Linlin chimed in. Yun Che, however, maintained a polite smile throughout, answering every question.
Li Xiaoxiao looked at the lively scene and felt a little helpless. It seemed that her mother only had eyes for her son-in-law, Yun Che. Well, let them chat and she should just go cook. Li Xiaoxiao thought.
"Mom, Yun Che, you guys continue chatting. I'll go prepare lunch." Li Xiaoxiao said to them with a smile.
Mrs. Bai did not stop Li Xiaoxiao. Instead, Li Fang and Li Linlin asked to go to the kitchen to help when they heard that she was going to cook. Li Xiaoxiao touched their heads with satisfaction, feeling that her love for them was not in vain.
The three of them went to the kitchen chatting and laughing. "Sister, what are we eating for lunch?" Li Fang asked curiously. Li Fang has always had full faith in Li Xiaoxiao's cooking skills.
"Let's eat something different today," Li Xiaoxiao thought of the popular hot pot in winter. It seems that this way of eating was not seen in ancient times, and she didn't know what people's reaction would be if she made it."
Li Xiaoxiao smiled mysteriously, with a cunning glint in her eyes, "Let's eat hot pot today."
"Hot pot?" Li Fang and Li Linlin looked at each other, obviously unfamiliar with this new word.
"Yes, hot pot," Li Xiaoxiao explained. "It's a dish where all sorts of ingredients are put into the same pot and cooked. Everyone sits around and eats while it's being cooked. You can enjoy the fun of cooking and warm yourself up while eating it."
Li Fang and Li Linlin's eyes lit up, full of anticipation for this novel way of eating. They immediately began helping to prepare the ingredients, while Li Xiaoxiao busied herself with making the hot pot base. She recalled her modern hot pot experiences, the spicy, savory flavors seemingly dancing on her tongue.
In the kitchen, Li Xiaoxiao bustles around the stove, carefully selecting chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, garlic, and other spices, then slowly simmers them over low heat to create a rich base. As the aroma fills the air, the entire kitchen is filled with enticing aromas.
Not to be outdone, Li Fang and Li Linlin busied themselves washing vegetables and chopping meat. Li Xiaoxiao even went to the cellar to fetch some white radish, potatoes, and Chinese cabbage, washing them and cutting them into chunks. Li Fang and Li Linlin were in charge of arranging them neatly on the plates. Looking at the rich and varied ingredients, they were filled with anticipation for the hot pot.
Finally, everything was ready. Li Xiaoxiao poured the hot pot base into a large pot, added water, and lit the fire. As the flames danced, the base in the pot began to boil, emitting an enticing aroma.
She asked Li Fang and Li Linlin to bring the ingredients to the main room. Inside, Bai, Yun Che and the others looked at the boiler and the big pot that appeared in the main room. On top of it was the fragrant soup base. Everyone stared at the boiling hot pot with curiosity.
"Xiaoxiao, what are you doing?" Bai asked first.
"Mom, let's have hot pot for lunch." Li Xiaoxiao replied.
“Is this hot pot?” Yun Che asked curiously. He had never seen it eaten this way before.
"Yes, this is hot pot." Li Xiaoxiao replied with a smile, "You can put your favorite ingredients into the pot, cook them, and then dip them in the sauce to eat."
As she spoke, she demonstrated by placing a piece of meat into the pot. Soon, the meat slices turned bright red and emitted an alluring aroma. She picked up the meat slices, dipped them in the seasoning, and placed them in her mouth. At that moment, the delicious flavor instantly blossomed on her tongue, causing her to squint.
Seeing Li Xiaoxiao's expression, everyone's appetite was aroused. They began to try to put the ingredients into the pot to cook, then dipped them in the seasoning and tasted them. For a moment, the main room was filled with laughter and the sound of chewing food.
Bai tasted the hot pot and immediately praised it, "This hot pot is so delicious! It's spicy but not dry, and numb but not greasy. It's so delicious that you can't stop eating it!"
Yun Che also took a bite and was surprised to find that the hot pot tasted so wonderful. He looked at Li Xiaoxiao, his eyes gleaming with admiration, "Xiaoxiao, you are really amazing! You can actually come up with such a delicious way to eat it!"
Li Xiaoxiao smiled modestly and said, "No, no, as long as you like it."
Yun Yi also tasted the hot pot and was immediately attracted by the unique flavor. He looked at Li Xiaoxiao with admiration. He knew that the hostess chosen by this master always brought unexpected surprises.
As the hot pot continued to heat up, the ingredients were gradually reduced. Everyone ate and chatted, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. Li Xiaoxiao watched this scene with a sense of satisfaction. She knew that this hot pot meal not only allowed everyone to taste delicious food, but also brought everyone together.
After dinner, everyone sat together and chatted. Bai took Yun Che's hand and asked affectionately, "Yun Che, what do you think of our hot pot?"
Yun Che smiled and replied, "Auntie, this hot pot is so delicious! I've never eaten anything so delicious."
Mrs. Bai beamed upon hearing this. She looked at Li Xiaoxiao, her eyes filled with pride, "This is all thanks to Xiaoxiao! She always comes up with these novel ideas."
Li Xiaoxiao scratched his head a little embarrassedly. "It's nothing, really. As long as everyone is happy."
Yun Che looked at Li Xiaoxiao, his heart filled with gratitude. He knew that this woman had not only brought him delicious hot pot, but also the warmth of home. He secretly resolved to cherish this relationship and not let Li Xiaoxiao suffer any harm.
As time went by, the sky gradually darkened. Li Xiaoxiao looked out the window at the night, a strange feeling welling up in her heart. She looked at Yun Che and found that he was also looking at her. Their eyes met in the air, as if they had a thousand words to say.
Seeing this, Mrs. Bai smiled and joked, "Oh, look at these two children. The more you look at them, the more well-matched they become!"
Li Fang and Li Linlin also echoed, "Yes, yes, sister and brother-in-law are really a perfect match!"
Yun Yi watched this scene silently from the side, his heart filled with blessings. He knew that the feelings between these two people could not be stopped by anyone.
As the night deepened, everyone stood up to say goodbye. Li Xiaoxiao walked Yun Che and the others to the door. Watching them depart, she felt a strange sense of loss well up in her heart. She knew that feeling was called reluctance to leave.
Yun Che turned around and looked at Li Xiaoxiao, a gentle light flickering in his eyes, "Xiaoxiao, don't see me off. Go to bed early."
Li Xiaoxiao nodded, suppressing the reluctance in her heart, "Well, you should also rest early. Be careful on the road."
As she spoke, she watched Yun Che and the others leave until their figures disappeared into the night. Then, she turned and returned to the house, but her heart was still filled with that indescribable feeling.
That night, Li Xiaoxiao tossed and turned in her bed. Yun Che's figure and the joyful laughter at the hot pot banquet kept resurfacing in her mind. She knew she had fallen deeply in love with this man. And this love would accompany her through every day and night of her future.
On his way home, Yun Che couldn't stop thinking about today's hot pot feast. He remembered Li Xiaoxiao's gentle smile and thoughtful gestures, and his heart was filled with warmth. He knew that he had found the person he was willing to spend the rest of his life with. This relationship would be his most precious treasure.
As the night deepens and the stars twinkle, two hearts are tightly connected, looking forward to every beautiful moment in the future.