dognovel Chapter 100 Uncle Zhong is cooking
Chapter 100 Uncle Zhong is cooking
However, at this moment, Zhao Nana's entire attention was completely captivated by the adorable puppy.
Her gaze was fixed on the puppy, as if everything around her had ceased to exist.
She didn't even glance at Zhao Yuan standing to the side, and even felt a slight sense of disgust, thinking that Zhao Yuan was blocking her perfect view of the puppy.
Seeing this, Zhao Yuan smiled helplessly, reached out and gently pinched Zhao Nana's chubby cheeks, then stood up and walked briskly towards the kitchen.
As soon as you step into the kitchen, you can feel the rich aroma of cooking and food filling the air.
In the kitchen, Lin Fangfang was squatting in front of the stove, skillfully adding firewood to the firebox to start a fire;
Uncle Zhong stood by the stove, holding a spatula, intently stirring the food in the pot.
Zhao Jieyuan was also busy, diligently helping to chop vegetables with clean and efficient movements.
"Zhaoyuan, you're back!"
Zhao Jieyuan was the first to spot Zhao Yuan and greeted him warmly.
"Yes, Uncle Zhong is cooking."
Zhao Yuan responded with a smile.
Hearing their conversation, Lin Fangfang turned around and said with a smile:
"I originally said I'd cook, but Uncle Zhong insisted on helping, and I couldn't stop him no matter what I said, haha. Come and try Uncle Zhong's cooking, it tastes just as good as yours!"
Uncle Zhong kept stirring the food in the pot while quickly explaining:
"Oh, don't be so polite. I was just doing nothing and wanted to stretch my muscles. Seeing Fangfang running around all by herself, how could I just stand by and do nothing?"
Zhao Yuan picked up his chopsticks with great interest, took a piece of the tempting-looking, fragrant stir-fried pork with chili peppers, and put it in his mouth. After chewing it gently, his eyes lit up instantly, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Mmm! This is absolutely delicious! I never expected that you, Uncle Zhong, would have such superb culinary skills. You are a top-notch chef whose talent has been completely overshadowed by your identity as a surgeon!"
Zhao Yuan couldn't help but laugh out loud while praising him.
Hearing this, Uncle Zhong, who was busy cooking, paused for a moment, then turned around and smiled, saying, "Zhaoyuan, don't tease Uncle Zhong! Actually, I haven't cooked in a long time. Since I came to work in Jinyang County, I only have the chance to show off my skills during holidays. And in the past two years, your Aunt Zhong's health hasn't been very good, so my wife and I usually eat simple and casual meals. It's been two years since I've cooked a dish so carefully."
After saying that, Uncle Zhong continued to skillfully stir-fry the dishes in the pot.
Looking at Uncle Zhong's skillful cooking techniques and the meticulously arranged dishes, Zhao Yuan felt even more admiration. The presentation of each dish was professional-level; not only were they neat and tidy, but even the edges of the plates were wiped spotless, so clean they could reflect light.
"Uncle Zhong, just based on your superb skills and impeccable plating, even if I didn't know you were an excellent surgeon, I would firmly believe that you must be an experienced chef!"
Zhao Yuan stared intently at the exquisite dishes and exclaimed sincerely.
Zhao Jieyuan, who was standing to the side, quickly nodded in agreement:
"Yes, Uncle Zhong! Your skills are definitely comparable to those of professional chefs in big hotels. I've never seen anyone arrange dishes so neatly and beautifully in my entire life!"
"Uncle Zhong, your ancestors weren't chefs, were they?"
While savoring the delicious dishes on the table, Zhao Yuan casually asked with great interest.
Uncle Zhong, busy at the stove, worked tirelessly, skillfully stirring the ingredients in the pan, and replied without turning his head:
"Hmm, you're really quick-witted, you guessed it right away! My family has been chefs for generations. Back in the day, my ancestors were imperial chefs in the palace, cooking for the emperor and other high-ranking officials! Even my brother is an excellent chef now. To be honest, I'm the only one in the family who went to university and ended up becoming a doctor."
At this point, Uncle Zhong's voice unconsciously choked up, as if he were recalling various past events in the family's heritage.
Zhao Yuan noticed that Uncle Zhong was in a low mood, so he wisely refrained from asking any further questions.
He quickly stood up, walked over to Uncle Zhong, and said:
"Uncle Zhong, you've been busy for so long and you must be tired. Let me cook the rest of the dishes. You can go and rest for a while."
As he spoke, Zhao Yuan quickly rolled up his sleeves, looking eager to try.
Uncle Zhong glanced at Zhao Yuan, nodded, and said:
"Okay, I'll finish cooking this dish and then hand it over to you."
After speaking, he quickly ladled the food from the pot onto a plate with another series of fluid movements. Zhao Yuan took the spoon from Uncle Zhong, stood in front of the stove, and began to cook with focused attention.
"Fangfang, why did you prepare so many dishes today?"
While stir-frying the vegetables in the pan, Zhao Yuan turned to Lin Fangfang beside him and asked her a question.
Lin Fangfang replied with a smile:
"Brother Yuan, don't you know? There are more than a dozen people waiting to eat over there."
"Wow, there are so many people! I didn't expect this at all. Luckily, Fangfang, you're so thoughtful. It seems like the two of us alone won't be able to handle it. How about we hire someone from the neighborhood to help with the cooking?"
Zhao Yuan stopped what he was doing and made a serious suggestion.
"No need, it's just a meal for a dozen people, I can handle it all by myself."
Lin Fangfang said with a smile, her tone firm and confident.
Zhao Yuan, however, felt sorry for his wife and quickly said:
“Let’s hire someone to help, so you won’t have to work so hard. From now on, you can cook the meals here and then use a cart to deliver them to the workers at the factory. I’ll go buy a cart right now.”
As he spoke, he turned to go out and buy a stroller.
Lin Fangfang quickly stopped him and smiled gently:
"Everything has been bought, so you can just relax and cook here."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan couldn't help but smile with satisfaction and praised him:
"My wife is so thoughtful!"
Time flies, and in no time at all, the delicious food was ready.
Everyone left some of the food here for themselves, and then carefully packed the rest into lunch boxes to be sent to the factory.
At this moment, the factory workers were still busy with various tasks and assessments.
When Lin Fangfang and Zhaoyuan arrived at the factory with steaming hot food, they shouted loudly:
"Everyone, take a break first. It's lunchtime, come and eat!"
Hearing the call, everyone put down what they were doing and gathered around.
Lin Fangfang and Zhaoyuan quickly arranged the dishes and rice neatly. Seeing this, everyone pitched in to help, some bringing tables and chairs, others helping to distribute tableware.
With everything ready, everyone happily sat around the table and began to enjoy a delicious lunch.
Just then, Lin Xuefang walked over with light steps, greeting Lin Fangfang with a big smile:
"Sis, you're here."
Lin Fangfang looked up at her sister upon hearing the sound, and responded with a smile:
"Okay, come and eat."
After saying that, she lowered her head again and continued to enthusiastically serve rice and dishes to everyone, busy and happy. The whole scene was filled with a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
"Fangfang, you go back and eat first. I'll eat here with everyone. The food will get cold soon."
Zhao Jieyuan turned to Lin Fangfang and said.
Lin Fangfang nodded and replied:
"Okay, I'll head back now."
After saying that, she went home.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yuan and Uncle Zhong had already swiftly set the table and were sitting there waiting for Lin Fangfang to return.
During this break, the two began to chat.
"Zhaoyuan, I just heard you talking to Fangfang about hiring someone to cook for you. What do you think of me, Uncle Zhong?"
Uncle Zhong smiled, a hint of anticipation in his eyes, and asked Zhao Yuan.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan hurriedly waved his hands and shook his head, saying:
"Oh dear, Uncle Zhong, how could we let you cook for us! It would be such a waste of your talents! Your hands are meant for saving lives and healing the wounded, how could you let something as trivial as cooking interfere with them?"
Upon hearing Zhao Yuan's words, Uncle Zhong couldn't help but laugh, but quickly sighed helplessly and remarked:
"Sigh, I don't want to think about that too much. Actually, I already took early retirement, and all I want to do from now on is take care of you, Aunt Zhong. But look at me, I'm still pretty healthy, cooking is no problem."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan's face immediately showed concern, and he quickly asked:
"If Aunt Zhong's condition improves, would you consider returning to work at the county hospital?"
Uncle Zhong slowly shook his head and answered firmly:
"No, I've already completed the procedures for retiring due to illness."
Upon hearing this answer, Zhao Yuan fell into deep thought.
After a moment's thought, he raised his head and looked at Uncle Zhong with sincere eyes, saying:
"In that case, how about this, Uncle Zhong, you can stay here and help us cook from now on? We'll tentatively pay you 30 yuan a month."
Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhong immediately waved his hands and repeatedly refused:
"Absolutely not! The reason I'm willing to cook for you isn't for any salary. I'd be perfectly content as long as Aunt Zhong and I can stay with you all!"
Zhao Yuan said with a smile:
"Uncle Zhong, please don't say that! Look at our lovely children, how much they love you and Aunt Zhong! Since they were born, our children have never had such kind and loving elders as you."
Although my father-in-law is still alive, he is a patriarchal man and has always looked down on my three children. Even though Fangfang gave birth to Nana so long ago, my father-in-law has never once visited.
"Uncle Zhong, if I may ask, do you have any nephews or nieces back in your hometown?"
Zhao Yuan then pressed on with more questions.
Uncle Zhong slowly raised his head, a hint of loneliness and sorrow in his eyes, and softly replied:
"Alas, they're all gone now! My sister-in-law passed away the year before last, and now only my brother is still alive."
At this point, Uncle Zhong's voice became noticeably choked with emotion.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan immediately felt a pang of regret and self-reproach, and quickly said:
"I'm so sorry, Uncle Zhong, I didn't expect this question to bring up your sad past again."
Uncle Zhong shook his head slightly, took a deep breath, and then continued his story in a calm yet slightly melancholic tone:
"Actually, it's not a big deal, but I thought it would be good to tell you. I originally had three older brothers, but unfortunately, two of them bravely sacrificed their lives in that cruel war. They never married, so they didn't leave any children. The remaining brother is my second brother. I originally had two nephews, but they answered the call of the country to join the Volunteer Army, and they also tragically died in battle. Since then, my sister-in-law's health deteriorated due to excessive grief, and she eventually fell ill and passed away last year..."
Zhao Yuan listened quietly to Uncle Zhong's story, his heart growing heavier with each word.
Over the years, the various separations and deaths that Uncle Zhong has experienced are truly heartbreaking.
The pain and devastation of watching loved ones pass away one after another is unimaginable.
Even so, despite his many misfortunes, Uncle Zhong always faced life's storms with strength, silently enduring all the hardships and setbacks alone.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yuan couldn't help but reach out and gently pat Uncle Zhong's shoulder.
"Your mom's back! Wash your hands and eat!"
As soon as Zhao Yuan saw Lin Fangfang step into the house, a bright smile immediately bloomed on his face, and he hurriedly shouted to everyone.
Upon hearing the shouts, Zhao Zhaodi and Zhao Laidi, like two lively and adorable little rabbits, darted off towards the sink in a flash.
"Zhaodi, Laidi, slow down, don't fall."
Zhao Yuan watched his two beloved daughters' happy figures as they walked away, and gave them some instructions with a smile.
The two little girls quickly washed their hands and returned.
"Serve rice to Grandpa and Grandma first."
Zhao Yuan gave the instructions.
The two sisters quickly served rice to their grandparents, and then served rice to their parents.
The family sat around the large dining table, and the whole house was filled with laughter, making it feel especially warm and lively.
"Wow, this dish is so delicious! It's absolutely heavenly! I still think Dad's cooking is the best!"
Zhao Laidi ate her meal heartily and said with satisfaction.
"Haha, you guessed wrong this time. Today's dishes weren't made by Dad, but by Grandpa."
Zhao Yuan couldn't help but laugh at his daughter's antics, and then explained to Zhao Lai Di.
For a moment, the whole family was immersed in this happy and fulfilling atmosphere, enjoying this rare and joyful time.