277 Her Past Our Future (Part 1)
The kitchen was clean and tidy. Zhao Zhan squatted down to see what ingredients were in the basket. “Madam Qin, have you had dinner?”
“No, I was worrying when the both of you would return. How could I have time to eat?”
“Madam Qin, you can eat with us later.”
It was getting late, and Zhao Zhan didn’t plan on doing anything too complicated.
He poured the washed rice into a clay pot and let it boil slowly. Then, Zhao Zhan mixed a basin of flour paste. He cracked a few eggs inside, cut some scallions, and mixed them well.
“Let me care for the fire.”
Madam Qin sat in front of the stove. “How many pots do you want to use?”
“Both.”
As Zhao Zhan spoke, he cut the meat on the chopping board into small pieces. Then, he washed some celery, kapok, green pepper, and millet chili.
Madam Qin had just heated up the pot after he was done preparing everything.
Zhao Zhan went to the cupboard and took out the spicy soybean paste he had made earlier. He brushed a layer of oil into the small pot to spread the omelet.
“You can make a lot of different dishes. I’ve never even heard of the names of the dishes you’ve made before.”
Zhao Zhan’s execution was clean and efficient.
Every time he finished preparing a dish, he cleaned the chopping board, which comforted Madam Qin.
“Madam Qin, have you never eaten these things before?” Zhao Zhan flipped the omelet in the small pot over. Didn’t you have these dishes in Yang City?”
“Of course not. Did my lady talk about these dishes?”
“Madam Qin, I know a few other things, but I haven’t had the chance to make some of them yet. I’ll make some for you and Jiaojiao to try next time.”
Zhao Zhan poured the last bit of flour paste into the pot and spread it evenly.
“I’ll just cook some vegetables for now. Madam Qin, please check if Jiaojiao has woken up. The fire doesn’t need to be managed anymore. This will be enough.”
Madam Qin stood up and dusted her clothes. “Alright.”
After Madam Qin left, Zhao Zhan watched her leave as he frowned. It was just a casual chat, but he didn’t expect to hear some contradictory news.
He thought of Yue Jiaojiao’s magical abilities and lowered his eyes. He brushed the small pot clean, and some of the sour and spicy cabbage he had.
“She has woken up. She said that we can go to the dining room to wait for her.”
“Can you help me bring these things to the dining room?”
Zhao Zhan took off his apron, washed his hands, and left the kitchen.
“Of course.”
Madam Qin looked at the dishes that had already been served on the table, then took out a large tray and placed them on it one by one.
“You’re awake?”
“Yeah.” Yue Jiaojiao had just put on her clothes when she saw Zhao Zhan enter. “Didn’t I say to go to the dining room directly? Why are you here?”
Zhao Zhan took two quick steps forward and immediately pulled her into his arms.
“What’s wrong?”
Yue Jiaojiao’s arms stopped in their tracks for a moment. She could feel that the man in her arms was not feeling well. She slowly hugged him back and asked in a gentle tone, “What’s wrong?”
Zhao Zhan hugged her even tighter.
If the Yue Jiaojiao in front of her wasn’t the same person that Madam Qin knew…
After all, no one knew better than Zhao Zhan the severity of Yue Jiaojiao’s injuries back then. The doctor had even declared that she would not be able to live.
If it was really as he thought… Then wouldn’t Jiaojiao be lonelier than anyone else in this place that she was not used to?
No wonder the woman usually stayed at home and read novels without going out.
“I just wanted to come and see you.” Zhao Zhan took a deep breath and let go of the person in his arms. “Why don’t you put on another coat?”
“It’s only a short walk from here to the dining room. I’ll be fine.”
If he didn’t push it, Yue Jiaojiao wouldn’t get to the bottom of it either.
“If we don’t go, the food will get cold.”
“It’s windy outside.”
Zhao Zhan still took a cloak and draped it over her back, then took her hand and led her to the dining room.
Madam Qin stood at the door and heaved a sigh of relief when she saw the two of them.
“That’s very considerate of you. I don’t know when you got the blacksmith to make such a strange thing. With a piece of charcoal, the meat and vegetables on it won’t get cold.”
“This charcoal fire can keep the heat warm, but it’s hard to keep the bottom of the pot boiling.” Zhao Zhan pulled out a stool for Yue Jiaojiao to sit on, then he sat beside her and brought her a bowl and chopsticks. “But it’s perfect to keep the food warm in winter.”