Chapter 226: Forcing Ducks onto the Shelves

He Jinglan looked at Gu Xixi, fell silent for a moment, and picked up the small bowl placed beside her.

"Drink honey water to sober up, good, while it's hot."

Gu Xixi gulped the water, "I'm serious, I'll grow grapes, sooner or later!"

"Yeah, just grapes—plant them!" He Jinglan smiled, her expression just like when she's smoothing a little flower's fur.

After a bowl of honey water, Gu Xixi felt much better.

But right after that, there was the most pressing problem to face.

What to eat for breakfast?

Gu Xixi neither excelled at nor liked cooking, but people aren't crops that absorb fertilizer and bask in the sun to fill up.

Especially since there's physical work ahead, the two of us need not only to eat our fill but also to ensure balanced nutrition.

Thinking of this, Gu Xixi roused herself, threw on her clothes and got out of bed, "Come on, let's check the kitchen and see what we can make."

He Jinglan followed eagerly, "I woke up earlier than you and I'm already hungry."

"Hey, the pot you cooked last night was pretty good; otherwise we could just eat this, it's simple to make."

Gu Xixi said, "No matter how tasty, eating it two meals in a row gets boring easily."

"Besides, the few dishes I can make are limited; if we get tired of them early, we'll have fewer options later. It's better to alternate."

Last night it was dim and we didn't examine closely, but today the two of us turned up several ingredients in the kitchen again.

The fresh vegetables were basically eaten up last night, and the person who delivers fresh produce hasn't come today.

All that's left is a small intact winter melon, two slightly wilted and wrinkled green eggplants, and a packet of dried shrimp found in the cupboard corner.

He Jinglan looked at the winter melon in the washbasin, her face full of worry, "Ah, winter melon..."

Gu Xixi asked, "You don't eat winter melon?"

He Jinglan shook her head, "It's not that I avoid it, but winter melon is just bland and watery; I don't care for it much."

Gu Xixi thought, then said, "If it's just the blandness and texture you dislike, that's easy to fix."

She scooped a bowl of golden corn, rolled up her sleeves to rinse it, and said:

"We can't skip vegetables; winter melon reduces internal heat and promotes urination, actually perfect for summer."

"I'll make a salty porridge; you try it later—if you like it, eat it; if not, don't force yourself."

"I'll also make two scallion pancakes for you, no trouble."

A small plate of steamed eggplant, taken out of the pot to cool, drizzled with a mixed sauce of scallions and green garlic, sour and spicy, appetizing.

Winter melon, shrimp, and corn porridge: the diced winter melon simmered low until it turned into tiny translucent bits, blending with the corn porridge, then the shrimp's salty freshness adds the finishing touch.

He Jinglan's eyes widened as soon as she took a bite.

"Delicious! I never expected the shrimp's freshness to pair so well with winter melon—the flavor is far from bland, yet it doesn't overwhelm the melon's own crisp sweetness,"

"If winter melon is eaten like this, I like it!"

In summer appetite often wanes, but this porridge and dish go down surprisingly smoothly.

The two girls finally scraped the pot bottom clean.

He Jinglan leaned back in her chair, sighing contentedly, "You say you're not good at cooking, yet every time you make something this delicious."

"Xixi, what other surprises do you have that I don't know about?"

Gu Xixi chuckled, shook her head, "You know the saying 'forcing ducks onto the shelves'?"

"Besides, I originally only knew how to make those few dishes—stir-fry, which is the pot you ate last night; also cooking porridge, baking buns, boiling eggs."

"Making scallion pancakes is still what I learned from the village women earlier."

Before transmigrating, she mainly ordered takeout when resting at home, though she occasionally got tired of it.

Hot pot ingredients for cooking vegetables and meat, or using an electric cooker to time a simple porridge after work, were her go-to choices.

Too bad this is ancient times—there are no assorted hot pot bases, nor convenient quick electric cookers…

Having eaten and drunk their fill, He Jinglan firmly refused to let Gu Xixi do any more work.

"The meal you made; I'll wash the pot and dishes."

He Jinglan often washed vegetables and dishes with Shitou in Huachi Du Cun, and she also learned to tend the fire.

So Gu Xixi didn't stand on ceremony with her either, smiling, "Just help out while you're here; but when we return to the He mansion in the capital, definitely don't get in the habit of snatching the maids' chores."

He Jinglan pursed her lips, "What, afraid my brother will think you're mistreating me?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "Of course—I also hope you and your brother will rise in the world; as your good friend I might get a bit of reflected glory, and someday when we leave the northwest and go out, having someone pull strings is always handy."

He Jinglan was amused to the point of laughter, "You!"

"But if you want to leave the northwest and do something big out there, you still have to bring me along."

"Don't forget you promised to hire me later so I can earn silver here."

Gu Xixi nodded, "As long as you're not snatched back to be married."

"Your handwriting is excellent, you can write contracts, keep accounts—you're a ready-made bookkeeper, no reason not to use you."

He Jinglan fantasized about the future, felt happy for a while, then turned serious, "That's not enough just to get a bit of reflected glory; when I see my brother, I must have him watch over us."

He Jinglan patted Gu Xixi on the shoulder, her expression solemn as a blood-brother oath.

"Xixi, whether I can make a fortune in this lifetime is all up to you."

Gu Xixi sighed helplessly, "The dowry the He family prepared for you would be enough to last several lifetimes."

He Jinglan's eyes lit up, "You've reminded me—I'll think of a way to get hold of that dowry early! Afterwards, whether we open a shop, buy an estate or land, we'll have the capital."

Gu Xixi broke out in a cold sweat.

"Boss Gu? Is Boss Gu back?"

Hearing Aunt Lin's voice, Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exchanged a delighted glance.

Gu Xixi hurriedly rose and headed out, replying, "It's me."

I just had breakfast after getting up early, and I haven't had time to go to your place to see you.

Lin Aunt grabbed Gu Xixi's hands, looking her up and down excitedly, "You seem a bit thinner, but your eyes are still bright and sparkling; just looking at them fills me with energy."

Long time no see, Gu Xixi was also very happy, "How have you been lately? How is everyone in the village?"

Lin Aunt nodded repeatedly, "All good, all good."

After you went home, we've continued to manage the oat field as you taught; lately the oats have all turned yellow, and I feel the stalks are firm and solid, so we should be able to harvest them.

I've been thinking lately that communication is inconvenient, wondering how to let you know, but I didn't expect you to come!

He Jinglan washed her hands, then came out and smiled, "This is just thinking of something and it appears."

Long time no see, how are you, Aunt Lin?

Lin Aunt was delighted, "Miss He is also back?"

Gu Xixi said, "She didn't go back; she's been staying at my place lately."

She glanced at the sun above, "I'll go check the oat fields assigned to each household in our village."

The land reclaimed by the Northwest Army is the main focus of this trip's busyness; beforehand, it's convenient to first look at the Dependents Village's fields.

Lin Aunt, however, said, "No rush, you two come with me to the wedding feast first!"

"Wedding feast?" Gu Xixi and He Jinglan both felt surprised.