Chapter 304 Preparing the New Year's Eve Dinner

Chapter 304 Preparing the New Year's Eve Dinner

On the morning of the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Shen Xiaoxiao got up early to help her mother, Ma Aning, prepare the ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner.

The courtyard was filled with all kinds of fresh vegetables, meats and seasonings, and the air was filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

The fresh vegetables have been kept fresh until now only because they were kept in the space. In the past few years, because Dai Xingyun and Xiahou Jie were around, we didn't dare to take them out to eat freely, and only dared to take them out occasionally for a meal.

Ma Aning, wearing a slightly old but clean apron, was standing in front of the cutting board, intently slicing cured meat.

The cured meat gleamed with an enticing sheen, its fat and lean meat perfectly balanced. With a single cut, it made a crisp, pleasant "snap" sound.

As she chopped the fish, she turned her head slightly, a gentle smile on her face, and said to Shen Xiaoxiao, who was standing by the pool, "Xiaoxiao, go and prepare that fish. We'll make braised fish later."

"This fish is incredibly fresh. Your dad just caught it this morning from the river at the edge of the village. When it's braised later, I guarantee it will taste amazing!"

Shen Xiaoxiao had her hair tied in a ponytail, with a few wisps of hair playfully falling across her forehead. Hearing Ma Aning's words, she softly replied, "Okay," and then reached for the kitchen knife placed to the side.

She skillfully began to process the lively fish.

She first held the fish down in the pool, then gently tapped its head with the back of a knife to stop it from struggling. Then she began to carefully scrape off its scales.

The fish scales fell off one by one as the blade pushed them away, making a "rustling" sound, and in no time the fish's body became smooth.

Then, she quickly cut open the fish's belly with a knife, skillfully removed the internal organs, and rinsed the fish thoroughly with clean water.

Her movements were clean and efficient, with each step perfectly coordinated, clearly indicating that she was a frequent cook and already very skilled at these tasks.

Just then, the door creaked open and Shen Zishan walked in.

He was carrying a basket of fresh radishes that had just been dug up from the ground.

As he walked into the kitchen, he smiled and said to the mother and daughter, "Our New Year's Eve dinner this year has to be more sumptuous. Xiaoxiao got into university, this is a great joy! We have to celebrate properly."

"Xiaoxiao, when you get to university, you can't neglect yourself."

Ma Aning stopped cutting the cured meat, smiled and nodded, her eyes narrowing into slits: "Of course! Our little one is so promising, we can't be careless with the New Year's Eve dinner."

"I need to cook more of Xiaoxiao's favorite dishes, because once Xiaoxiao goes to college, it will be hard for her to eat Mom's cooking."

After listening to her parents, Shen Xiaoxiao put down the kitchen knife, wiped her hands with a towel, walked to her parents' side, and said softly, "Dad, Mom, don't exaggerate like that."

"Even if I go to university, I will still write to you often and come back to visit you during holidays."

"And have you forgotten? I bought you houses in Kyoto, so you can visit me anytime."

"Besides, there's nothing to celebrate even if you get into university; so many people get into university."

Shen Zishan laughed and patted his daughter's shoulder: "Xiaoxiao, you're the only one in our village who can get into university. You're the pride of our family! It's none of our business if others can get into university."

"Alright, let's make the New Year's Eve dinner first. You can go out and play for a while. We don't need your help here," Shen Zishan took the apron from Shen Xiaoxiao's hand and pushed her out.

In the kitchen, Ma Aning and Shen Zishan were busy at work.

Braised fish, stir-fried cured pork with garlic sprouts, wild mushroom chicken soup, sweet and sour pork ribs... one fragrant dish after another was served and placed on the table.

"Brother Shan, go set the table, we'll start eating soon." In the kitchen, Ma Aning was intently stirring the vegetables in the pot.

The hot oil in the pan sizzled, and the aroma of various seasonings filled the air. As she stirred the oil, she turned her head and shouted instructions towards the kitchen.

Upon hearing Ma Aning's words, Shen Zishan immediately stood up, brushed the debris off his clothes, nodded, and strode into the house.

He moved very quickly, first taking clean bowls and chopsticks from the cupboard and placing them neatly on the table. After setting the bowls and chopsticks, he carried the stir-fried dishes from the stove to the table one trip after another.

Shen Zishan stood by the table, looking at the dishes laid out before him. After a moment's thought, his eyes suddenly lit up. He turned and walked to the storage room in the corner of the courtyard. He rummaged around for a while and brought out a jar of homemade wine.

This jar of wine has been stored for quite some time, and a thin layer of ash has settled on it.

He carefully placed the wine jar on the table and said with a smile, "Let's have a good drink tonight."

Ma Aning came out of the kitchen and saw Shen Zishan carrying out a wine jar. She smiled and glared at him, scolding him, "Drink less, or you'll get drunk again."

Shen Zishan had been drunk before, and when he was drunk, he liked to keep talking and rambling on and on.

Shen Zishan waved his hand dismissively, his tone tinged with smugness: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"Besides, we're so happy today, what's wrong with having a couple more drinks? Xiaoxiao is the first in our family to get into university, this is a huge joy!" He said, gently patting the wine jar.

Before they knew it, night had fallen. The Shen family's courtyard was brightly lit, and the family sat around the dining table, which was laden with a sumptuous feast.

Shen Zishan gently picked up the wine glass on the table and slowly poured the wine into it. The faint fragrance instantly filled the air.

He raised his glass, a bright smile on his face, and said, "Come on, let's have a drink to celebrate Xiaoxiao's bright future and wish our family all the best!"

Ma Aning and Shen Xiaoxiao also raised their glasses, the three of them gently clinked glasses, and drank them down in one gulp.

"Dad, your brewing skills are still so good," Shen Xiaoxiao praised, giving a thumbs up.

"Xiaoxiao, try this braised fish. Mom made it especially for you." Ma Aning placed a piece of fish in her daughter's bowl, her eyes full of love.

Shen Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded, picked up a piece of fish and took a bite, praising repeatedly, "Mom, your cooking skills are getting better and better, this fish is so delicious!"

Hearing this, Ma Aning smiled with relief: "I'm glad you like it. Eat as much as you like, because you won't be able to eat it as often when you go to university."

Shen Xiaoxiao held her mother's hand, her voice tinged with reluctance: "Mom, don't say that. I'll definitely come back to visit you when I have a holiday."

Shen Zishan smiled and said, "Xiaoxiao, you must study hard when you go to university. Don't worry about the family. Your mother and I are still young. If you run out of money, just tell us."

Shen Xiaoxiao nodded solemnly: "Dad, Mom, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down and will study hard."