kvmb Chapter 241 She wrapped small koi fish, we wrapped big carp!
Chapter 241 She wrapped small koi fish, we wrapped big carp!
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Yuan went to his workplace to report for duty. The "groom," who hadn't been seen for a while, was in high spirits. After finishing his official business, he invited everyone to his home for dinner on Saturday night.
His comrades readily agreed and even discussed having their wives come and help. Lu Yuan politely declined, but that didn't dampen their enthusiasm.
When Qiao Manman found out, she didn't say anything. She stewed the ribs a day in advance and put them outside the window to freeze. Steamed buns, sweet rice, and other things were also ready-made in the steamer.
Only some vegetarian dishes remained unprepared, and on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, my sisters-in-law arrived and began preparing them.
That night, the two lay in bed chatting. Lu Yuan said that his two greatest loves in life were the army and her.
The alarm rang in the early morning. Lu Yuan kissed Qiao Manman on the lips before getting out of bed. After a quick wash, he went to work.
If there's no time for training, just walk around and stretch your limbs. When it's time for breakfast, grab something quick at the cafeteria and then get on with other things.
Qiao Manman slept until after eight o'clock before getting up, tidying up the house, and studying the hemostatic powder and scar removal cream.
I originally only wanted to get a fertility pill, but I softened when I saw the little soldier had frostbite. I originally only planned to get some frostbite cream to solve the problem, but it ended up being used to remove scars, stop bleeding, and promote tissue regeneration.
If this continues, she'll become a miracle doctor. Qiao Manman guiltily touched her nose and carefully processed the medicinal herbs in her hands.
At noon, Qiao Manman took out the "Three Treasures of the Earth" (a dish of potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers) and ate her fill with rice. She then took out two boxes of Eight Treasure Rice, unwrapped them, and put them into an enamel bowl.
What else? Ribs and meat, take them inside to thaw.
After finishing my work and lying in bed, just as I was about to rest for a while, someone knocked on the door. It turned out to be Zhang Danqiu, along with several other women from her family.
"Little Lu's wife, we've come over to see if there's anything we can help with!"
After Zhang Danqiu finished speaking with a smile, she introduced the other people to Qiao Manman.
After the two sides got to know each other, Qiao Manman greeted them, saying, "Sisters-in-law, you've come at just the right time! I haven't prepared anything yet!"
"Oh? What are you planning to do?"
"How can we not have a plate of dumplings during the Chinese New Year? My cooking skills aren't good enough, so I have to trouble my sisters-in-law to help me chop the filling and roll out the wrappers."
In addition, I also stewed pork ribs and prepared eight-treasure rice, which will be ready soon after I heat it up.
Oh, right, I also have some fish and shrimp, I can cook those together so everyone can have a taste. Then I'll stir-fry some cabbage and shredded potatoes, and that should be about it!
"This is too much. Listen to your sister-in-law, just make some spare ribs and meat dumplings, and keep the rest for yourself."
Qiao Manman smiled and said, "This is the first time my husband Lu Yuan has hosted a dinner party, so naturally we must make our guests feel at home!"
Her sisters-in-law praised her for her generosity. Qiao Manman went into the kitchen, took out a cutting board, a cleaver, a rolling pin, and some thawed pork belly, and put them on the table.
I poured hot water into an enamel basin and invited my sisters-in-law to wash their hands. Back in the guest room, I took out scallions, potatoes, and cabbage to wash.
Also, soak the vermicelli in warm water.
Qiao Manman peeled and chopped the potatoes, then added them to the boiling pork rib soup. She sliced the cabbage, diced the pork tenderloin, and waited for the potatoes to cook through before making a stew.
She steamed the fish and seasoned it. The shrimp were braised; the aroma filled the apartment building, making many people's mouths water.
Qiao Manman made a pot of meatball soup, finally using up all the ingredients in the house.
The women spent the whole afternoon making dumplings, making several hundred. Some were frozen outside the window, and some were kept inside to be cooked.
Seeing that it was getting late, the sisters-in-law went back inside to get tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks, and also brought their children over.
At 6:30, Lu Yuan returned, accompanied by several leaders and a group of his men. As soon as they opened the door and smelled the aroma of food, the men's stomachs began to rumble in unison.
Qiao Manman quickly invited everyone to sit down, and brought out melon seeds, peanuts, and tea, telling them to make themselves at home.
The children were so excited to see the room full of military uniforms that they shouted with delight. Qiao Manman offered them snacks and candies, and the children finally quieted down and sat down peacefully.
"Sister-in-law, what are you making? It smells so good!" Lu Yifeng, without any hesitation, reached out to lift the lid.
The plump, white dumplings were bobbing in the water, making his mouth water.
Qiao Manman and her sisters-in-law brought the food to the table. There was stewed pork ribs with potatoes, pork, cabbage and vermicelli, steamed fish, braised shrimp, meatball soup, and two large bowls of mixed grain steamed buns.
A moment later, the dumplings were served. Zhang Danqiu said with a smile, "I've figured it out. Little Lu's wife is good at cooking, but she can't make dumplings!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Peiyu frowned slightly.
In her past life, Qiao Manman was clearly inexperienced and only knew how to cook simple home-style dishes. How could she possibly prepare a feast that was both visually appealing and delicious in this life?
Qiao Manman modestly said, "I'm clumsy. I've been trying to learn for a long time but I still can't wrap dumplings well. I can only make up for it in other ways. My sisters-in-law are so skillful. Look at those dumplings, they look like little fish!"
"This is your sister-in-law Jiang's unique skill! We begged her for ages before she finally agreed to teach us. But we're still not as skillful as her; she wraps small koi fish, while we wrap big carp!"
Lu Yuan unscrewed the Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and poured a sip for everyone: "Thank you brothers for taking time out of your busy schedules to come and have a small gathering. I wish you all a peaceful and prosperous new year, and a harmonious family."
"Thank you, Battalion Commander Lu!"
Someone egged on, "Sister-in-law, say a few words too!"
Qiao Manman smiled and said, "Then I wish you happiness every day, and that you eat and drink well!"
Meng Peiyu's lips twitched, realizing she was overthinking things. She was still the same unpresentable Qiao Manman, only she'd learned to pretend after marrying Lu Yuan.
Everyone raised their bowls and drank the last drop of white wine from the bottom.
Lu Yuan invited everyone to eat, and after a moment of awkward silence, they started eating.
Qiao Manman reached out and picked up a dumpling for Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan raised his hand and peeled a shrimp for Qiao Manman.
The atmosphere was ambiguous and harmonious, making the long-married couple, who had lost their passion, the envy of many.
It makes single young men yearn for marriage.
Chen Junyan followed suit and served Meng Peiyu some fish. Meng Peiyu thanked him sweetly and gave him a piece of pork rib.
Qiao Manman cooked a lot; besides fish and shrimp, there was a big pot of everything. Although everyone was craving meat, no one fought over it.
Aside from the Qi Battalion Commander's child, who was a bit of a troublemaker, he insisted that the fish Qiao Manman steamed didn't have a fishy smell and hogging the plate, preventing others from eating it.
Battalion Commander Qi's wife raised her hand to slap him, but Qiao Manman quickly stopped her, saying, "No, no, no, it's the New Year, let's talk this out!"
Qiao Manman squatted down: "Little Bean, if you share the fish with everyone, how about Auntie rewards you with a dried persimmon?"
Qi Doudou's eyes lit up: "Aunt Lu, do you keep your word?"
"count!"
Upon hearing this, the other children quickly raised their hands: "Me, me, me! I'll let everyone have some! I want some persimmon cakes too!"
"Okay, okay, I'll have them all!"
The group ate and chatted, and before they knew it, it was past nine o'clock in the evening.
The children were drowsy, and the men had to go to work, so they all got up to say goodbye.
Qiao Manman went back into the house, took out a plate of dried persimmons, and let the children grab them themselves.
Adults who want to eat can also take some.
"But you can't eat too much of it, as it's cold in nature and can cause stomach pain if you eat too much."