Chapter 93: Getting Along Very Well

The sun began to set, and the afterglow of the sunset illuminated Konoha Village.

"Uncle Lianye, is my Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin ready?"

Gangshou pulled open the paper sliding door of the kitchen, standing on tiptoe and gripping the frame, her big eyes full of anticipation.

What she liked most was the Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin made by Lian Ye.

Perhaps because children all love sweets, Gangshou had no resistance to sugary foods.

Since tasting it once last time, she couldn't stop thinking about Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin.

Hashirama's towering figure loomed over Gangshou, mimicking her posture by stretching his neck to look inside, "It smells so good, is it almost ready?"

Xuanwo Mizuto saw a big and a small figure, a scolding expression appearing on his face, "It'll be ready soon."

"Mizuto Ayi, please take these out first," Lian Ye said, pointing at the prepared dishes on the table.

"Alright." Before Mizuto could move, Hashirama cheerfully came to the table, "Mizuto, let me help you."

Speaking so, he lifted two plates of food and left the kitchen.

"Hahaha, these are all my favorites, Lian Ye really thought of me!"

Xuanwo Mizuto smiled faintly, then lifted the dishes and left.

Gangshou did not leave; she came to Lian Ye, tugging at his trouser leg.

"Uncle Lianye, where is my Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin?"

Seeing Gangshou's pitiful look, Lian Ye felt his heart melt.

This girl is cute to an excessive degree!

"Don't worry, I'll make it for you right away." Lian Ye transferred the food from the pot onto a plate, then immediately began preparing Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin.

He first cut fresh pork tenderloin into uniformly thick strips, placed them in a bowl, cracked in an egg, and sprinkled salt, pepper, and cooking wine.

He gently mixed with his hand, allowing the meat pieces to fully absorb the fragrant seasoning.

Taking the opportunity, he poured oil into the pan.

Then, he added an appropriate amount of starch to the bowl with the meat, kneading repeatedly until each piece was evenly coated with a thin layer of powder.

The oil began to emit white smoke, and when it reached sixty percent heat, Lian Ye placed the meat strips into the pan one by one.

With a "sizzle" sound, the meat strips gradually became crispy in the oil.

After the first fry, he lifted the meat out to drain, and when the oil temperature rose to eighty percent, he performed a second fry.

This time, the tenderloin's surface turned even crispier, emitting an enticing aroma.

Lian Ye quickly prepared the sweet‑and‑sour sauce; for the Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin to be tasty, this sauce is the key.

In a bowl he added, in order, aromatic vinegar, white sugar, light soy sauce, ketchup, and a little water, stirring with chopsticks until each seasoning fully blended.

Then he cleaned the pan, added minced garlic and ginger slices to sauté until fragrant, and poured in the prepared sweet‑and‑sour sauce.

The sauce in the pan began to bubble "gurgle", its color turning a brighter, vivid red.

He added a spoonful of starch water to thicken, making the sauce increasingly viscous.

Finally, Lian Ye poured the golden tenderloin meat into the pan, quickly stir‑frying.

The Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin was now finished.

"Uncle Lianye, I want to eat, I want to eat!" Gangshou's mouth was watering.

Seeing this, Lian Ye, somewhat helpless, picked a piece of Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin for Gangshou.

That gluttonous girl didn't mind the heat, and chomped it down with gusto.

"Let's go, time to eat." Lian Ye lifted the food, beckoning Gangshou to leave.

Seeing the meal had started, Gangshou hurriedly followed.

Although Uncle Lianye's Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin was delicious, the other dishes were tasty too!

She couldn't possibly give up the other foods just for one dish, could she?

"Feijian hasn't arrived yet?"

At the dining table, Xuanwo Mizuto asked.

"Looks like he can't make it," Lian Ye said, "I've already packed it for him, I'll deliver it later."

"Hahaha, Feijian this guy has no good fortune for food." Hashirama laughed, picking up a piece of Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin, putting it in his mouth, and immediately squinting in enjoyment.

"Grandpa, you stole my dish again!" Gangshou pouted, his mood sour.

This Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin was the one she specifically asked Uncle Lianye to make for herself!

"Hahaha, Gangshou, don't be angry, try this." Hashirama laughed, picking a chopstick of food for Gangshou.

Gangshou saw this, and only then consented to stop.

"Thanks for your effort, Lian Ye." Xuanwo Mizuto lifted a chicken leg and placed it into Lian Ye's bowl.

"Mizuto Ayi, you are too kind," Lian Ye said.

The dusk filtered through the paper window, casting dappled light on the four people and a cat.

Gangshou ate until her cheeks were puffed, still refusing to put the few remaining Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin from the table into her bowl.

"Meow meow meow~" Lihua nudged up to Gangshou's feet, continuously rubbing against her.

Gangshou's eyes showed a hint of reluctance, but she still fed a piece of Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin to Lihua.

Hashirama ate while recounting stories from his youth.

Lian Ye and Xuanwo Mizuto listened silently, occasionally chiming in.

The family enjoyed the feast happily together, with continuous laughter and chatter around the table.

Hokage Office.

Qianshou Feijian stared at the mountain‑piled documents on the table with a sullen expression.

They finally managed to finish the documents before meal time, and were about to pack up and go to big brother's house for a meal.

Just as they stood up, the assistant came in carrying a pile of documents.

Thinking that big brother is at home feasting while they are stuck here miserably handling documents, they become incensed.

"No way, I want to eat!" Qianshou Feijian mutters to themselves.

After all, documents can be dealt with at any time, but a lavish feast isn't something you get often.

The ever‑dutiful Qianshou Feijian suddenly entertained the thought of skipping work to go eat.

"Forget it, I'll just leave it to the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

In truth, when it comes to handling documents, they still prefer to do it personally rather than let a Shadow Clone Jutsu slack off.

But the situation is special now, so they have to use a Shadow Clone Jutsu.

After forming the hand seals and summoning a Shadow Clone Jutsu, they left the Hokage Office.

Only the Shadow Clone Jutsu remained, sitting at the desk to handle the documents.

………….

"Big brother, I'm not late, right?"

Qianshou Feijian walked into the room, saw that there was still plenty of food on the table, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately they arrived in time; a little later they'd only get leftovers.

"Feijian, you're late," Hashirama said.

Feijian pulled out a chair and sat down; in front of them were bowls and chopsticks, clearly prepared in advance.

"Big brother, there's no way, there are too many matters."

He was more eager for this feast than anyone; had it not been for the overwhelming tasks, he would have been there already.

Senju Hashirama nodded and picked a chicken leg for Feijian,

"You've worked hard, Feijian."

Feijian nodded, said nothing more, and began eating.

Lian Ye saw that most of the food had been eaten and worried that Feijian might not have enough.

So they took a Food Box from the kitchen and placed it in front of Feijian.

"Uncle, I thought you wouldn't come back for the meal, so I already packed it."

Feijian instinctively opened the Food Box, looked at the assorted dishes inside, and a hint of relief flashed across their face.

"This kid even knows to pack it ahead of time…"

Xuanwo Mizuto saw the scene, turned to Hashirama and smiled:

"Hashirama, Feijian and Lian Ye get along very well."