Chapter 35

Pfft, Jiang Cheng spat out his rice.

"Sorry, sorry." He wiped his mouth, secretly glanced at the expressionless Du Ruo over there, and lowered his head to suppress his laughter.

He managed to hold it in, but Jiang Wan was young and didn't know how to read the room. Hearing someone belittle her eldest sister-in-law's recipes, her little face turned red with anger, and the little girl threw a tantrum for the first time.

"You're talking nonsense! Fish and Lamb Fresh isn't 'neither fish nor lamb'; that's a dish my eldest sister-in-law taught Zui Meng Ju, it's the most delicious dish! Brother, you're not being honest, talking nonsense here without even eating it!"

Hearing this, Wang Bujiu was stunned.

"Fish and Lamb Fresh was taught by Sister-in-law? Then... how did it become Zui Meng Ju's signature dish?"

Du Ruo smiled and explained: "Actually, it was because the family had no rice to cook with before, and there was really no other way, so I sold this dish to Zui Meng Ju to exchange for some silver to save the day."

Wang Bujiu suddenly realized.

Originally, he wanted to use Zui Meng Ju to set off Du Ruo's cooking skills and flatter her, but who would have thought he'd end up shooting himself in the foot.

He felt so embarrassed: "I'm sorry, Sister-in-law, I didn't know about this, please don't be angry."

"Brother Wang, you're being too serious. One cannot be blamed for what one doesn't know."

Du Ruo paused and added: "Actually, you weren't wrong; that dish really is a delicacy made by messing around with fish and lamb."

Wang Bujiu: "..."

Jiang Li coughed twice and said as if deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces: "Brother Wang, didn't you feel it was a pity you didn't get to eat Fish and Lamb Fresh yesterday? Since this dish originated from my wife's hands, how about we hunt a sheep while we go up the mountain today so that Brother Wang can get his wish?"

"What else is there to say!" Wang Bujiu was overjoyed and patted his chest with a thud: "Just watch me. I'm not good at anything else, but I have great strength. I wouldn't dare say I can hunt a tiger, but hunting a sheep is a small matter. It's settled then!"

As he spoke, he grinned, showing his large teeth at Du Ruo, smiling like a fool: "I'll have to trouble Sister-in-law then."

Du Ruo also smiled: "No trouble, it's only right."

After eating, the sun rose to the treetops. The two men prepared their handy weapons, a bundle of hemp rope, and a bag of dry rations, and were ready to set off.

Du Ruo saw them to the door. Thinking of the ferocity of tigers, she was still worried, so she beckoned the dog that was squinting in the sun in the corner over.

"Husband, let Tie Dan go with you. It's very powerful, maybe it can help."

If you want to not "dog die" (die), you have to bring a dog.

Tie Dan was no longer an ordinary dog; in terms of strength, it was no weaker than a fierce tiger. With it there, Jiang Li and Wang Bujiu's personal safety would be more guaranteed.

Jiang Li looked at the scrawny dog and was silent for a moment.

Tie Dan was Wan'er's playmate and had always been raised at home. It had been timid and weak since it was small; bringing it up the mountain would probably only serve as bait.

But thinking of the claw Tie Dan used to almost swat Wang Bujiu away last night, Jiang Li's heart stirred, and he reluctantly nodded: "Okay."

Wang Bujiu was more direct: "Sister-in-law, is this dog okay? Don't let it get eaten by a big cat without being able to help. Jiang and I will be busy enough, what if we can't look after it?"

Tie Dan heard this, and its dog lungs were about to explode.

Hmph, the big fool dares to look down on it? Dog-master won't serve you anymore!

The dog turned its head and walked back to the corner of the wall, continuing to lie there and bask in the sun.

Du Ruo found it funny and deliberately raised her volume: "It's fine, you don't need to look after it. If it really gets eaten by a big cat, then it's its bad luck, and our family can save on a portion of dog food."

Woof woof! The dog was even angrier. Want to save on dog food? No way!

Not only would it come back, but it would also bring this big fool back alive, to let the mistress see that its Tie Dan's dog food isn't so easily saved!

The dog stood up with a 'whoosh', held its head high, and walked out with an air of dominance.

Wang Bujiu hurriedly followed, muttering in his heart: how come this dog seems to understand human speech? It's weird.

Jiang Li picked up his bow and arrows, walked a few steps, then turned back, his brows relaxing.

"Wife, wait at home. At the latest, in three days, regardless of whether we hunt a big cat or not, we will definitely come down the mountain."

Du Ruo nodded and smiled: "Okay, return safely."

Jiang Li's heart warmed for a moment. He waved at her, and with a light pace, caught up with the man and dog in front, heading toward the back mountain.

Longquan Village was backed by mountains and faced water, with many ponds.

After walking for a while, they saw a clear pond. Several village women were squatting by the pond washing clothes, chatting and laughing, which was quite lively.

Seeing Jiang Li, they all greeted him.

Times were different now; the news that Jiang Li had become a constable had spread through the village early this morning, and everyone was buzzing.

A constable—that meant he would be a government official in the future! Only one rank lower than the magistrate; it was very prestigious!

Those who used to look down on the Second Branch of the Jiang Family for being poor had all changed their attitudes, fearing they would offend this new rising star in the village.

"Dalang, going hunting?"

"Eldest Brother, come play at our house when you're free. Your Uncle Sancai was talking about you yesterday!"

"Brother Jiang Li, remember to pull us up when you get rich in the future!"

Jiang Li responded politely one by one.

These words couldn't stir up the slightest ripple in his heart. The warmth and coldness of human relationships, the fickleness of the world—he had seen through it completely eight years ago when his parents passed away. When you have power and influence, everyone is a friend; when you fall into trouble, everyone stands by and watches, or even laughs and steps on you...

Lin Qingshuang walked toward them carrying washed clothes and almost bumped into Jiang Li.

She seemed stunned for a moment and hurriedly apologized: "Sorry, Brother Jiang, I shouldn't have been distracted."

The young girl bit her cherry lips, her fair neck slightly lowered, revealing a beautifully curved jaw, like peach blossoms blooming on a branch in spring.

This girl is quite pretty, Wang Bujiu couldn't help but size up Lin Qingshuang a few times.

Jiang Li, however, just gave a faint "hmm" and made way.

Lin Qingshuang wasn't in a hurry to leave and asked again: "Brother Jiang, are you going up the mountain?"

Jiang Li was concise: "Yes."

Lin Qingshuang's willow brows furrowed slightly, looking very worried: "You just came back from corvée labor in the county, why not rest for a few more days? Making money is important, but your health is more important. Why didn't Sister-in-law Jiang persuade you?"

Jiang Li smiled, but the smile carried detachment: "If Miss Lin has nothing else, we will be going first."

Lin Qingshuang's fair face turned pale. Watching Jiang Li walk past her without looking back, her eyes instantly turned red.

She didn't understand why things were fine before. Although Jiang Li wasn't very enthusiastic toward her, he had never given her such a cold face. Could it be just because her family wanted to recruit him as a live-in son-in-law that Jiang Li hated her so much? Jiang Li clearly wasn't such a petty person.

Catching a glimpse of the women watching the show, Lin Qingshuang tried hard to suppress her tears, carried her wooden basin, and held her head high as she went home.

Over there, Wang Bujiu was still excitedly asking Jiang Li: "Brother, what's that girl's name? How old is she? Is she engaged? What's her personality like?"

Jiang Li glanced at him faintly: "Her family wants to recruit a live-in son-in-law."

"A live-in son-in-law?" Wang Bujiu choked, shaking his head like a rattle: "That won't do, that won't do! The Old Wang family only has me as the sole heir. If I become a live-in son-in-law, my mother would beat me to death with a broom!"

He was just asking; he knew his own situation. Not to mention the poverty at home, he was also slovenly, and he was away from home all year round. Even if he married, he wouldn't be able to keep such a beautiful wife.

Didn't the woman before run off with a peddler because she couldn't stand the loneliness?

The two skipped this topic and started talking about their plans after entering the mountain.