allendalepharm Chapter 26 The neighbor's kid was so hungry he cried, so he carried his train over overnight to
Chapter 26 The neighbor's kid was so hungry he cried, so he carried his train over overnight to
"Glug-glug-glug-"
Inside the large iron pot, the bright red broth was bubbling merrily, each burst of bubbles like a miniature aroma bomb.
The rich aroma of meat, mixed with the sweetness of caramel and the spiciness of star anise, forcefully entered the nostrils of everyone present, rushing straight in through their respiratory tracts and wildly tantalizing their stomachs.
This isn't cooking; it's practically poisoning people!
In stark contrast were the dining tables of several families nearby.
To maintain his so-called "aristocratic lifestyle," Lu Ming had his assistant prepare whole-wheat sandwiches and a vegetable salad. The plate of green vegetables looked quite healthy, but compared to the pot of braised pork, it looked like freshly cut pig feed.
"This smells so good..."
Lu Ming's nephew, Lu Zixuan, was holding a silver fork, staring intently at the salad plate, his hands trembling.
His chubby little face was filled with despair, and drool was already forming a river at the corner of his mouth. If Lu Ming hadn't been there to maintain his persona, he would have dumped the plate of "pig feed" on the ground long ago.
"Zixuan, eat quickly."
Lu Ming elegantly cut a small piece of lettuce, pretending not to smell the maddening aroma of meat, and smiled at the camera, saying:
"We need to manage our body shape. These high-fat, high-sugar foods are the devil. Only through self-discipline can we achieve freedom."
"No! I want the devil! I want to eat meat!"
Lu Zixuan finally couldn't hold back anymore.
The chubby boy threw down the silver fork in his hand with a crisp sound, then slid off the chair, his two short legs moving like wheels of fire, heading straight for the boat in the center of the field.
The speed and momentum were like a runaway train, carrying rails through the night just to get a free meal.
"Hey? Zixuan, where are you going? Come back!"
Lu Ming was dumbfounded. He was about to get up and chase after them when he realized that things had already gotten out of control.
It wasn't just Lu Zixuan.
Chen Kai's son, Chen Xiaobao, who was eating a steamed bun next door, and Wang Lei's son, Wang Dali, who was drinking protein powder, were like sharks that had smelled blood. They charged over with howling voices.
"Uncle Lin! I want some too!"
"Uncle! I'll trade you Ultraman for some meat!"
In no time, Lin Zhou's stove was surrounded by several little kids.
The scene was even more spectacular than kindergarten dismissal.
Lin Zhou, holding a large spoon, looked at the group of little ones whose eyes were gleaming with excitement and chuckled.
"Slow down, slow down, we have them all! Line up!"
As he spoke, he scooped a trembling, bright red piece of pork belly from the pot. The piece of meat glistened in the sunlight, its fat and lean meat perfectly balanced, and quivered gently with the movement of the spoon, as if saying: Come and eat me!
"Wow--"
The little ones collectively let out a gasp of amazement, as if they had never seen anything like it before, and drooled all over the floor.
Lin Zhou was generous, finding several clean small bowls and serving each person two large pieces, and even pouring a spoonful of rich meat broth over them.
"Be careful, it's hot. Blow on it before you eat."
Lu Zixuan was the first to take the bowl, and without even caring that it was hot, he picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth.
In an instant, the chubby boy's eyes widened.
Soft and chewy! Sweet and delicious!
The fatty meat melted in my mouth, not greasy at all, while the lean meat soaked up the broth, becoming more and more fragrant with each chew. That ultimate sense of satisfaction instantly outweighed the cold salad I had just eaten.
"Waaaah...it's so delicious!"
While eating, Lu Zixuan sobbed incoherently, "Uncle Lin, are you a god? I want a different dad! I don't want to live with Uncle Lu Ming anymore, all he does is make me eat grass!"
puff--
In the live stream, viewers who had just taken a sip of water all spat it out.
"Hahaha! A massive dad-recognition scene!"
Lu Ming: I treat you like a nephew, but you want to change your father?
"How delicious is this braised pork? It made the kids cry with envy!"
"They carried the train overnight to freeload a meal; the ancients were right!"
"Watching these kids wolf down their food, the instant noodles in my hand suddenly didn't taste so good anymore."
Not far away, Su Qingge stood under the shade of a tree, holding Nuonuo, watching Lin Zhou being the center of attention among the children.
The man, wearing a slightly worn apron, had beads of sweat on his forehead and a gentle smile on his face as he patiently served meat and wiped the children's mouths. The sunlight shone on him, making him seem to glow.
At this moment, Lin Zhou was no longer lazy and unserious; he exuded a warm feeling known as "the warmth of everyday life."
Su Qingge pursed her lips. Although her face still looked aloof, the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her.
"Hmph, look how capable he is."
She muttered something under her breath, but there wasn't much disdain in her tone. Instead, there was a hint of pride that she herself didn't even realize.
This is her man.
Although she doesn't have any great skills, when it comes to cooking and taking care of children, she can definitely outshine those other so-called "successful people".
"Mom, I want to help Dad cut the meat too!"
Nuonuo squirmed in my arms, watching her friends eat so heartily, her little face full of pride, "Daddy's cooking is the best in the world!"
"Go."
Su Qingge put her daughter down and watched the little dumpling run happily toward Lin Zhou. The feeling of "home" in her heart suddenly became tangible.
At this point, besides the children, the adults were also nearing their breaking point.
The aroma of that meat was simply irresistible, especially at mealtimes when everyone was starving.
Chen Kai sat on his guitar case, unable to eat the steamed bun in his hand anymore. He was a veteran rocker who usually loved to eat meat and drink alcohol in big gulps. But now, smelling the aroma, his Adam's apple bobbed wildly, and he felt like the cravings in his stomach were putting on a rock concert.
Wang Lei wasn't having an easy time either. As a former athlete, he had a big appetite, and that little bit of protein powder wasn't enough to fill his teeth. At this moment, looking at the tempting color in Lin Zhou's pot, his eyes were fixed on it, as if he were about to go into a competition.
Only Lu Ming sat there with a dark face, watching his traitorous nephew, his hand holding the salad trembling, feeling his dignity being rubbed into the ground by that pot of braised pork.
at last.
Chen Kai couldn't hold back any longer.
He threw the half-eaten steamed bun on the guitar case, stood up abruptly, tugged at his leather jacket, and had a "I'm going all out" look on his face.
"Um... Old Wang."
Chen Kai turned to look at Wang Lei beside him, his voice rough but carrying an undisguised longing, "Look how much the kids are eating, shouldn't we, as parents, also... go and check on them?"
Wang Lei understood instantly, nodding vigorously, and said with righteous indignation:
"Yes! We must be concerned! What if the child gets burned? And this meat... it does look like a lot. Brother Lin Zhou can't finish it all by himself. Wasting food is shameful!"
The two exchanged a glance and reached some unspoken understanding.
Chen Kai casually picked up the large porcelain bowl that had just contained the steamed buns, and with an arrogant, rock-and-roll gait, walked straight toward Lin Zhou.
Reaching the stove, this rock star, usually so arrogant and cool on stage, now wore a憨厚 (honest and simple) and ingratiating smile, handing the empty porcelain bowl to Lin Zhou:
"Ahem, um... Brother Lin Zhou, I think your meat is cooked quite well, could you teach me how? And... could you give me some to try and make it salty?"