Chapter 143: The Considerate Dog Dan

Forget it, since they're going to get married anyway, she might as well treat him better from now on.

Yan Rushan was still unaware that due to his good performance, he had received commendation; he was currently helping Goudan organize things, and Yan Ruhai was not spared either.

The meat could be cut in advance and frozen on the balcony upstairs, but the vegetables couldn’t. Once washed, vegetables wouldn’t taste fresh if left overnight; eating them without washing each time felt unclean, so it was better to prepare them fresh when needed.

"Yuxiu, it’s time to go to my house for dinner," Yan Rushan reminded after tidying up.

"Okay," Zhong Yuxiu nodded in agreement and set down her things. "Goudan, don’t leave the vegetables outside. Cut the meat and take it upstairs; remember to cover it when you put it away."

"Got it."

Goudan responded, and Zhong Yuxiu felt reassured, then headed off to the Yan household with the two brothers.

Old Master Yan couldn’t hide the smile on his face when he saw them. "The meal with the Jun family can be served now; Yuxiu and the others are back."

"We’re coming, just a moment. Xiaohai, Dashan, come help bring the dishes. Yuxiu, you two sit first," Song Man’s voice arrived before she did.

"Yuxiu, come, sit here first," Old Master Yan gestured to the seat she had taken before.

Yan Hejun stepped forward and made a polite inviting gesture as well.

"Alright, Grandpa Yan, Uncle Yan," she replied respectfully.

Following the old master to the table, the dishes were quickly served; three people worked swiftly, filling the table with fresh meat and vegetables, none of which were leftovers from lunch. Zhong Yuxiu glanced at the spread but refrained from asking about it. They were treating her with sincerity, and she couldn’t be impolite. Asking about leftovers at such a moment would only embarrass them.

Unspoken understanding was best, wasn’t it?

After dinner, Old Master Yan and Yan Hejun spoke with Zhong Yuxiu a little longer before letting them go.

Before leaving, Zhong Yuxiu extended an invitation. "Grandpa Yan, Uncle Yan, Aunt Yan, Xiaohai, I’m hosting guests at my place tomorrow. You all must come. Yan Da’s friends will be there too; it’ll be lively with many people."

Old Master Yan was about to agree but hesitated and remained silent.

Song Man said, "Yuxiu, if we come, you might feel uncomfortable. You should enjoy yourselves. The Lunar New Year is just around the corner. I’ll have Dashan pick you up to celebrate with us. It’s no fun spending the New Year alone at home."

A young girl without family nearby would have a cold and lonely holiday.

Zhong Yuxiu looked at the man beside her, and Yan Rushan cleared his throat.

"Grandpa, Mom and Dad, you all came together. Yuxiu has prepared all the ingredients. Tomorrow we’re having hot pot, with both clear broth and spicy oil broth. Without you, all this meat and vegetables would be too much."

Song Man found it hard to refuse now, as they had already been counted in early on. Declining would be improper.

"Then it’s settled," Old Master Yan decided firmly. "Dashan, if you’re missing anything at Yuxiu’s place, just bring it back. We just finished buying New Year’s supplies; the house is well-stocked."

"Everything’s ready," Yan Rushan said.

Old Master Yan nodded. "See Yuxiu home and let her rest early. Hosting guests tomorrow will be a busy day."

"Understood, Grandpa, Mom, Dad. I’ll take Yuxiu home first."

Zhong Yuxiu smiled in thanks. "I’ll go ahead. Thank you, Grandpa Yan, Uncle Yan, and Aunt Yan, for the wonderful meal today. Please come to my house early tomorrow."

"Okay."

After exchanging a few more words, Yan Rushan and Zhong Yuxiu finally left the Yan household.

Outside, Zhong Yuxiu relaxed and asked, "Brother Yan, do Grandpa Yan and the others like noodles?"

"They do," he replied. Who would turn down fine grains these days?

"Good. I’ll have Goudan make some hot noodles and cold noodles. If they get tired of hot pot, they can change the flavor."

Yan Rushan nodded slightly. "Okay. Mom, Dad, and Grandpa aren’t picky eaters, but they all like spicy food."

"I know."

Back home, Zhong Yuxiu specially had Goudan prepare chili oil. Whether hot or cold noodles, they lacked soul without chili.

That night, Yan Rushan took advantage of the darkness to visit the Luo household, returning with a large bag in hand.

Zhong Yuxiu recognized it as meat immediately. Taking it from him, she asked, "How much did all this cost? Don’t say it’s free—it’s not just your business."

"Fifteen yuan is enough. Ten jins each of beef and mutton, plus twenty jins of fresh pork."

"That’s too cheap." Without hesitation, Zhong Yuxiu handed him thirty-five yuan. "This isn’t much money; mutton and beef are expensive."

Yan Rushan shook his head silently and pocketed the money, thinking of finding better things for her—not necessarily the best, but things she would like.

With the beef and mutton secured, Goudan sliced the meat thinly through the night, arranging it on plates and freezing them on the balcony upstairs. Each plate was covered with a white cloth; with the bitter cold, the meat wouldn’t spoil.

By the time Yan Rushan left, it was midnight. After showering and washing her hair, Zhong Yuxiu lay in bed, thinking over the Yan family’s affairs. The elders of the Yan household truly treated her well. Though they had just met, they didn’t treat her like an outsider.

Their warmth and attentiveness, the kindness conveyed between their words, and their wholehearted hospitality were evident.

If not for that, she wouldn’t have invited other Yan family members to tomorrow’s gathering.

She slept soundly through the night, so deep that she didn’t even notice when Goudan came and went.

When she got up, Goudan was no longer in the lab. She dressed and went downstairs to wash up. In the kitchen, the stove was laden with an array of meat and vegetables: sliced radish, potato slices, cabbage, leafy greens, cilantro, beef and pork slices, and several kinds of dim sum.

Unfortunately, there was no duck intestine or tripe, but in this era, it was a luxury to get any. Duck intestines only came from slaughtered ducks, and tripe was even harder to find.

"Good morning, Master. The soup base is almost ready. Letting it simmer longer makes it more fragrant."

"Good morning," Zhong Yuxiu stepped forward. The soup was divided into two pots: one with spicy oil and one with clear broth. The clear broth was made by simmering chicken and ginseng, with the greasy scum skimmed off, resulting in a rich and flavorful stock.

"Goudan, where did the ginseng come from? I don’t remember buying any."

Goudan turned back. "Master, it was among your welfare goods. When I was searching, I found two ginseng roots—one ten years old, one fifty years old. The chicken soup was made with the older one. According to my data, ginseng is excellent for nourishing vitality and is especially good for the body, so I cooked it for your health."

"Alright then," she said, hoping it wouldn’t cause her nosebleeds.

Her constitution was excellent, continuously improved by her alien energy source. She was in very good health now, though she worried about being unable to tolerate supplements if too weak. Others might not be so fortunate, but supplementing them was fine.

"Master, you haven’t had breakfast yet. Inside the steamer on the stove are steamed buns and porridge, kept warm for you."

Goudan lifted the steamer lid and brought out the porridge, then fetched a plate with several buns and gave them to her. "Have your breakfast first. I’ll start making the hot and cold noodles soon."

"Only, when eating, they’ll need to add their own seasonings to the noodles. Goudan doesn’t know their tastes and can’t do it for them."