Chapter 183 New Year Preparations 1 (1/2)

The next day, Ruan Tang was awakened by a strong and rich aroma of meat.

That taste was downright bandit-like.

It has the rich aroma of braising sauce, the domineering scent of smoke, and a captivating, savory meaty fragrance, all twisted together and unreasonably burrowing into her nose.

Her stomach rumbled loudly, as if in a collective uprising.

Ruan Tang opened her eyes groggily.

The thick quilt covering him was warm and cozy. The spot in Yan Yu's arms that had been there was now empty, leaving only the lingering warmth of his body.

The room was brightly lit.

The wind and snow outside have stopped, and the warm winter sun shines through the paper windows, casting a lazy glow.

The sound of chopping meat, steady and powerful, came from the kitchen.

The bubbling sound of the stew in the pot was like a song about happiness.

The whole house was filled with a comforting, homey atmosphere.

Ruan Tang stretched out a big yawn, her bones making a comfortable "crackling" sound.

All the worries from last night seemed to be washed away by the aroma of meat filling the room.

She slowly got up, found the cotton-padded jacket and trousers that Yan Yu had already warmed for her on the kang (heated brick bed), and put them on. She then slipped on her shoes and headed towards the kitchen.

As soon as she entered the kitchen, an even stronger aroma hit her head and face, almost making her fall over from the fragrance.

Goodness.

The kitchen, which is usually quite spacious, was now crammed full.

Yan Yu was wearing a dark old cotton-padded jacket with the sleeves rolled up high to his elbows, revealing his bronze forearms with smooth muscle lines.

His tall figure stood in front of the chopping board, a gleaming boning knife in his hand, as he bent down to process a large piece of mutated beast meat.

His movements were swift; the blade slid along the bone, and with a soft "swish" sound, the flesh and bone were cleanly and neatly separated without any hesitation.

It wasn't like cooking; it was more like performing a precise surgical operation on an autopsy table, exuding a cool and aloof charm.

Next to the cutting board, several large basins were filled with processed meat.

There was pork belly cut into neat squares, ready to be used for braised pork.

Good quality meat strips, ready to be air-dried.

There was also a large bowl of pork ribs marinated with various spices.

On the other hand, the puppet grandmother, a capable assistant, is even more formidable in combat.

She was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, taking up half the kitchen by herself. With her left hand, she kneaded a large, soft dough ball, while her right hand would occasionally check on the large iron pot on the stove.

The pot was simmering with pig's trotters and pig's head meat, the thick broth was boiling, and the aroma was coming from there.

A steamer basket was placed on the edge of the pot, with plump white steamed buns side by side, emitting a pure wheat aroma.

This isn't celebrating the New Year, it's like throwing a continuous feast!

"woke up?"

Yan Yu didn't even raise his head, but the knife in his hand stopped steadily.

He reached into the clean bowl beside him, picked up a small piece of freshly braised, trembling pork skin, and held it directly to Ruan Tang's lips.

"Try it, see if it's flavorful enough."

The pork skin is braised until it's crystal clear. The moment it enters your mouth, the hot, gelatinous texture melts on your tongue, and the rich aroma of the braising sauce explodes instantly.

Ruan Tang squinted her eyes in happiness, like a cat that had just stolen some fish, nodding her little head little by little.

"Delicious! Perfect!"

Yan Yu's eyes softened when he saw her greedy look.

He wiped his hands with a clean cloth, and very naturally stretched out his fingers to wipe away a bit of oil from the corner of her lips with his rough fingertips.

That instant, it felt both hot and numb.

"Go lie down on the kang (heated brick bed), it's too smoky here."

"don't want."

Ruan Tang shook her head, snuggled closer, and hugged his strong waist from behind, rubbing her face against his broad and solid back.