Chapter 108: Cuteness means nothing before sexiness; the loli is in charge

Lu Yuan washed his face and brushed his teeth.

He then went back inside and shut the door.

After washing up, staying outside for a while was really chilly.

The meal his wife had left for him had already been taken out by Chen Taohua and placed on the table.

Lu Yuan sat down and started eating.

Lu Yuan's breakfast, in his view, was actually nothing special.

Although his wife had already tried her best to vary his morning meal.

She didn't always let him eat the same thing.

But… in the winter of Huangcheng in the Great Zhou Dynasty, these are the conditions.

Even when varied, it always comes down to cabbage.

Lu Yuan's breakfast was a pot of braised pork with cabbage.

The braised pork his wife made was absolutely superb.

After coating pork belly in flour and deep-frying it, a large batch came out like fried tenderloin, like little crispy meat.

Then he added water to the pot.

When the water boiled, he placed the fried pork belly in an iron pot, adding scallion, ginger, garlic, and other spices.

Then he steamed it hard in the pot.

It's somewhat like steamed flour-coated meat, but the batter on this braised pork won't fall off.

This braised pork can be eaten directly, but this plain braised pork is made from pork belly.

For a family like Lu Yuan's that eats meat every day, eating just this braised pork would be too rich, so they usually add it when stewing vegetables.

When put back in the pot, this braised pork becomes incredibly tender and flavorful—the fat melts at a bite, extremely delicious.

Of course, no matter how delicious, one can't eat cabbage every day.

Lu Yuan hoped that Lin Fusheng, upon seeing how useful the greenhouse was, would quickly arrange it on a large scale.

That way, this winter won't make it in time, but next winter they'll definitely be able to eat different vegetables.

Lu Yuan's breakfast—let alone Chen Taohua, even the pampered Wang Yulan, whose family conditions are excellent, has never seen such a thing.

Who can eat a big piece of meat for breakfast…?

And there's fried dough…

Wang Yulan has eaten this fried dough sticks; she ate it last night, and it was really delicious.

Besides that, there are two eggs and a bowl of millet porridge.

Also two scallions and a small bowl of soybean sauce.

Lu Yuan eats in big mouthfuls, his mouth full of oil—it's so fragrant.

Watching him, Chen Taohua swallowed her saliva.

After glancing twice, Wang Yulan didn't want to look anymore; looking made her hungry.

Chen Taohua also didn't want to keep watching; instead, she followed Wang Yulan to examine the warm wall of the Kang heating ducts.

After drinking two sips of millet porridge, Lu Yuan took the scallion his wife had peeled for him, dipped it in soybean sauce, and started eating it with a crunch.

Hmm…

The scallion here is not tasty.

The flavor is too strong, too spicy.

Still, the one from his hometown back on Earth is delicious.

It's not that Lu Yuan misses his hometown or its flavor; it's simply true.

Because things from Earth also exist in the Great Zhou Dynasty, but their taste is not the same.

Take sorghum noodles, for example.

On Earth, 1970s-80s sorghum noodles and 1920s sorghum noodles are completely different things.

The sorghum noodles in the Great Zhou Dynasty are like the 1970s-80s Earth version.

It's not tasty at all—it's astringent and harsh on the throat.

Moreover, the sorghum noodles ground by the machines here are not fine.

This makes the sorghum noodles here really hard to eat; for Lu Yuan, he can only manage sorghum noodle porridge, soaked with white steamed buns, to get it down.

Whereas the 1920s Earth sorghum noodles are different.

Even when made into steamed corn buns, they still have a slight sweetness.

Previously, when advocating coarse grains, they meant eating the 1920s sorghum noodles as coarse grain; if you try the 1970s-80s version, you can't swallow more than a few bites.

Besides sorghum noodles, many other things are like this.

For example, the sweet potatoes commonly eaten in rural areas now.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty's countryside, let alone elsewhere; even around Huangcheng, when sorghum noodles are unavailable, they have to eat sweet potatoes.

But the roasted sweet potatoes here are absolutely not like the especially fragrant street-vendor ones on Earth, where peeling reveals orange-yellow flesh, sometimes reddish.

They smell sweet, and eating them is even more incredibly sweet.

The roasted sweet potatoes sold on Earth now are all Yan Shu 25.

It's unknown how many generations they've been bred, how many varieties selected.

Naturally they're delicious.

Whereas the sweet potatoes here in the Great Zhou Dynasty are just ordinary sweet potatoes.

When tested, the flesh turns white, and no matter how you prepare it, there's always a fibrous root-like substance that won't break down.

Moreover, they hardly have any sweetness.

It's terrible to eat.

Otherwise it's just taro or something; anyway, many things in the Great Zhou Dynasty haven't been bred, or something like that.

Lu Yuan mused that when he had free time he really ought to give the Shennong a proper read.

Otherwise, just so he could later eat a scallion that doesn't sting the nose and has a hint of sweetness, he also needs to look into it.

After finishing his meal, Lu Yuan wiped his mouth, went over to Chen Taohua and Wang Yulan, and said:

"Here, you two each take an egg; I can't eat any more."

Chen Taohua and Wang Yulan gladly took them.

Wang Yulan was okay, but Chen Taohua was truly delighted.

Having taken them, they hurriedly said thank you.

"Lu big brother, you're done eating; let me help you clear the table."

That naturally can't be taken for free.

Lu Yuan then grinned and said:

"Okay."

Lu Yuan meant that these two shy girls couldn't just take eggs for nothing.

Surely I should get them to help tidy up.

That way, when my wife returns tonight, she'll have less to tidy up.

Wang Yulan had been wondering what to give back to Lu Yuan for the egg, but seeing Chen Taohua help tidy up, she also went over to help.

After the two put the bowls and dishes in the kitchen and wiped the main hall table clean,

Then Chen Taohua looked at Lu Yuan and smiled:

"Lu big brother, shall we go?"

Lu Yuan nodded and said:

"Let's go."

Meanwhile, Wang Yulan, who had just been about to peel an egg to eat, asked curiously:

"Where are you going?"

Lu Yuan turned to look at the chubby, round-faced Wang Yulan and smiled:

"I'm going to Taohua's place to teach her sewing; are you coming?"

Wang Yulan blinked.

"Does Taohua's place have a kang heating duct?"

"Probably not..."

However, having someone to chat and play with makes the cold bearable.

Immediately, Wang Yulan smiled and said:

"Sure~"

Immediately the three went out the door and headed toward the front courtyard.

The aunts in the back courtyard watched this scene, their faces full of question marks.

How come these three are inseparable??

"What's going on?"

……

When Lu Yuan and the three arrived at Chen Taohua's home, Gao Xushi raised her eyebrows and shouted:

"Oh my, why are you only coming now? It's already past ten."

Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows at Gao Xushi and said:

"What's up, do you think I came too early?"

"Or should I go back to sleep and come later?"

Having said that, Lu Yuan turned to leave.

Gao Xushi was taken aback, then hurriedly apologized with a smile:

"No no…… please come in……"

Beside them, Chen Taohua and Wang Yulan both showed a faint smug smile.

Lu big brother's way of speaking is really interesting.

After entering Chen Taohua's home, Lu Yuan began teaching seriously.

Anyway, Lu Yuan either doesn't agree to teach others, but since he agreed, he will surely teach seriously.

He taught from ten o'clock until Chen Taohua was eleven-thirty.

The time is about up.

Chen Taohua should now cook to serve Gao Xushi.

Lu Yuan and Wang Yulan also prepared to go eat lunch.

Lu Yuan isn't really hungry; he just ate at nine-thirty.

However, he's still having a snack; this afternoon he still needs to go to Lin Fusheng's and Director Xu's place to work on design drawings.

Yesterday, Lin Fusheng and Director Xu both told Lu Yuan the location of their homes.

They also said there would be people at home, so Lu Yuan just needs to go.

The two left the house, walking toward the back courtyard, while Wang Yulan glanced at Lu Yuan and asked curiously:

"Lu big brother, what will you eat for lunch at noon, can you cook?"

Lu Yuan shook his head and said:

I can't even light a fire, how am I supposed to cook?

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, he looked at Wang Yulan curiously and said:

What, you want to cook for me?

Wang Yulan was taken aback, then she said with an embarrassed face:

I can't cook either…… I can't light a fire……

Ha~

Lu Yuan looked at Wang Yulan, somewhat amused—this isn't a copy of myself, is it?

Immediately, Lu Yuan asked curiously:

Then what do you eat for lunch?

Wang Yulan blinked her big eyes and said:

I just heat up the rice my man left for me this morning.

Lu Yuan: "……"

Oh, is that so……

Afterwards, Wang Yulan looked at Lu Yuan and said:

Then Lu big brother, how should we handle lunch? What do you usually eat for lunch?

At this moment, Lu Yuan came to the backyard, went to the horse shed, led out the horse and said:

I usually go to the restaurant outside the hutong to eat big meat noodles at noon.

Wang Yulan was taken aback, then she looked at Lu Yuan somewhat happily and said:

There's a restaurant here? Then, Brother Yuan, take me with you—I'll go eat~

Lu Yuan was taken aback, then he nodded and smiled and said:

Let's go~

Alright, looking at Wang Yulan's home, it doesn't seem short of money, and Pang Kaige's home isn't short of money either—maybe I'll actually have a long-term meal buddy in the future~

In the future we can eat lunch together.

After Lu Yuan brought Wang Yulan to the noodle shop outside the hutong, he each ordered a bowl of big meat noodles.

And Wang Yulan, upon seeing the old-fashioned soda, ordered two bottles of it.

One of those bottles of old-fashioned soda, Wang Yulan directly handed to Lu Yuan and said with a smile:

Here, Lu big brother, I'll treat you to this old soda—just consider it thanks for the eggs you gave me this morning~

Yo ho?

Lu Yuan was stunned for a moment—this little girl is really capable!

Simple, and also straightforward.

Speaking of which, this is still Lu Yuan's first time being properly treated to a meal.

Moreover, between us it's very simple: you give me an egg, I give you a bottle of old soda.

The three boxes of big meat that Lin Fusheng gave Lu Yuan last time don't count—after all, that was exchanged for a big greenhouse.

Wang Yulan is really capable!

After all, she's truly worthy of being raised by parents like Wang Nianjun—her character is indeed good.

Having such a neighbor is truly great!!

After they finished eating, each paid for their own.

After leaving the noodle shop, Wang Yulan looked at Lu Yuan beside her and asked curiously:

Lu big brother, are you going out?

Lu Yuan nodded and said:

Yeah, you forgot—I have to go to my two uncles' houses today to look at the property and work on the design plans.

Wang Yulan also recalled yesterday's matter, and nodded repeatedly and said:

Then Lu big brother, when will you be back?

After Lu Yuan thought carefully, he then slightly shook his head and said:

That's not easy to say—what's wrong, do you have something?

Wang Yulan then, feeling a bit embarrassed, fidgeted and said:

Well... Lu big brother, if you go out, I don't know when you'll be back, and your home still has the heated bed lit—can I go to your place this afternoon to warm up?

I'll go and make sure not to touch anything, just go there to sit and warm up.

Hey, Lu Yuan thought it was something else.

Immediately, Lu Yuan swung onto his horse and said:

Just go, it's fine—my gate isn't even locked.

Upon hearing Lu Yuan's words, Wang Yulan was delighted and jumped about like a little girl, laughing and saying:

Thank you, Lu big brother.

After saying that, Wang Yulan trotted back to the hutong.

Lu Yuan, on horseback, looked at Wang Yulan's back, blinked curiously, then suddenly opened the system.

Lu Yuan normally never opens this system.

It's useless, its presence is extremely low.

Besides, Lu Yuan now lacks nothing, has no shortage, and doesn't need this system to do anything for him.

So, normally it's just kept off.

It's only opened sometimes when one needs to check a person's good or bad.

And when Lu Yuan opened the system, he slightly raised his eyebrows.

Hey!

Four stars?!

This lass's star rating is really not low!!

Pang Kaige really hit the jackpot!

Besides sighing, Lu Yuan had no other thoughts.

My wife is a five-star~

Moreover, although Wang Yulan is not bad-looking, and her chubby little face is somewhat cute.

But……

Cuteness is worthless in the face of sexiness.

Lolitas are nothing compared to mature women.

And most importantly, my wife is good only to me, obedient only to me, and listens only to me!

Although Wang Yulan is also quite good, this lass is nice to everyone.

That just won't do.

If she can't even cook... what's the point of having a wife?

Lu Yuan is completely uninterested.

However, Lu Yuan is just curious—if Wang Yulan is four-star...

Why haven't I received any reward?

After thinking about it, Lu Yuan also understood.

Maybe it's because we're not really friends yet, and there's no bond between us.

After all, with Wang Yulan's simple personality, she gets along well with anyone.

For example, Lu Yuan gives Wang Yulan an egg, and she gives him a bottle of old soda in return.

In others' eyes, that would count as being friends.

But in Wang Yulan's upbringing, that might just be normal.

After all, I've only known Wang Yulan for less than a day.

It'll be fine once we've known each other longer.

Of course, Lu Yuan isn't after any reward from the system.

Mainly, being friends with someone like Wang Yulan, who has no ulterior motives and doesn't scheme, is really nice.

Then Lu Yuan whipped the reins and ran toward the East City Gate.

Originally, Lu Yuan planned to go to Lin Fusheng and Director Xu's homes first.

But after thinking, he decided to first go to the East City Gate to see if Liu Shoucai was there.

If Liu Shoucai was there, Lu Yuan would directly take him to those two people's homes.

Having drawn the design plans, he would directly give them to Liu Shoucai.

Tomorrow Lu Yuan wouldn't need to get up early; Liu Shoucai would bring people and just get straight to work.

Arriving at the East City Gate.

He saw Liu Shoucai gathered in a crowd playing cards.

Lu Yuan often came to the East City Gate these days, so the people there naturally knew him.

Before Liu Shoucai could call out, someone nearby who saw Lu Yuan went up and patted Liu Shoucai, saying:

"Hey, Brother Liu, your boss has come."

Those words carried a bit of teasing, a bit of envy, and a bit of jealousy.

Liu Shoucai really had good luck to run into such a boss.

Everyone knew yesterday that after the New Year's celebrations, once the third day of the lunar new year passes, Liu Shoucai will lead people to build a house for that boss, keeping busy for two months and earning two months' wages.

Everyone used to call Liu Shoucai 'Old Cai,' but now they have to call him Brother Liu.

Everyone is trying to curry favor with Liu Shoucai, hoping he might bring them along next year to work for that boss on the house.

Liu Shoucai turned his head, saw him, and immediately dropped his cards, running over chuckling.

"Oh dear, Boss, why are you coming again today."

Looking at Liu Shoucai, Lu Yuan waved and said:

"Follow me; I've arranged two jobs for you, same as last time at my place. Go with me to check the site, find reliable people tomorrow, and be sure to do a good job."

At that moment, the surrounding people were envious.

What kind of boss has Liu Shoucai hooked up with!

He has work every day!

Thanks to brother Zhou for the 1766 book coin reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to brother Celia for the 100 book coin reward, thank you very much~

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(End of chapter)