Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 58 - Visiting

Even as a woman herself, she couldn’t help but take a few more looks, let alone a man?

“Isn’t that the truth, she makes the rest of us look dull in comparison.”

“Please don’t praise her too much, she’s young and not steady enough yet,” Zhang Minghua modestly said.

During this time, there wasn’t much need for Yang PeiMin to speak, she just had to play shy on the side.

However, Shen Yiguang’s gaze followed her the whole time.

Yang PeiMin turned her face to the side.

Hmm, she also felt that she looked pretty today.

She had braided her hair into two thick plaits, wore a trench coat and trousers, looking fashionable yet smart, without putting on too much makeup, yet her face was fair with a healthy flush.

Shen Yiguang was still in military uniform, neat and tidy, with a smile on his handsome face.

Yang Peimin secretly nodded to herself; at least she wouldn’t get tired of looking at him in the future.

In the kitchen, the sisters-in-law were busy at work, Zhang Minghua gave Yang PeiMin a meaningful look, signaling her to go help.

Yang PeiMin complied and went out.

Then Shen Yixia also offered to help, but Zhang Minghua hurriedly stopped her, “You’re a guest, there’s no need for you to do that, don’t worry, Pei Min and her sisters-in-law can handle it.”

“No need to be polite, little sister-in-law of the Yang family, she’s also the kind who can’t sit still, let her go,” the Shen family great-aunt said.

Then Zhang Minghua had an understanding in her heart, they wanted to check her daughter’s ability to work.

Although she was somewhat worried, it wasn’t good to stop her, though she still spoke politely before letting her go.

Shen Yiguang also stood up, “I’ll go take a look as well.”

Zhang Minghua listened, pleased and smiling, she nodded, “Alright, you go outside and have a look.”

Shen Yixia just gave her brother a look, wondering in her heart if he was being overprotective.

Yang PeiMin didn’t just pretend, she changed her clothes and went straight into the kitchen.

The chicken had already been prepared, the plan was to make mushroom chicken stew, pork and glass noodle stew, tofu stew with green beans, and bacon stew with potatoes.

She was astonished, everything was stewed; she couldn’t help but want to take over and cook soy sauce chicken, braised pork, and pan-fried stuffed tofu, but unfortunately, she didn’t know how.

However, she shared this idea with her sister-in-law.

The sister-in-law was taken aback, “I don’t know how to do that either, maybe you can teach me on the side?”

She kind of remembered the process; in her previous life, her grandmother’s cooking was delicious, and she loved it when others praised her food or asked her how to make it.

Her grandmother would then chatter away, explaining the steps, and Yang Peimin listened with one ear, vaguely retaining some impressions.

“So let me explain, and sister-in-law, you see if you can figure it out.”

The culinary skills of the sisters-in-law were nothing to speak of on a regular basis because they were reluctant to use oil.

Most of the time, they would just make a one-pot stew, eating the food with its natural flavors.

The eldest sister-in-law was somewhat hesitant, “I’m not sure if I can make it.

You mentioned only a few seasonings, and I’m afraid the guests might complain if it doesn’t taste good.” What was important was that it might affect her younger sister-in-law.

Shen Yixia walked in and said with a smile, “Oh, are we discussing the dishes?

Let me see if there’s anything I can help with.

Don’t be shy, I can do anything.”

“Why would we need you?

We’ll manage just fine here,” the elder sister-in-law quickly responded.

“I also overheard a bit earlier.

This dish is innovative; it’s like something from an outside restaurant.

I didn’t expect our little sister Pei Min to have such a skill.

She knows how to make it too.”

As Shen Yixia was speaking, she looked around the kitchen which was tidied up very well.

The ingredients and utensils were all neatly arranged, without any of the dirtiness and disorder typical of a rural kitchen.

She nodded to herself secretly, thinking that whether it was Yang Peimin who tidied up or not, having family members with such habits was certainly a good thing.

“I heard that Uncle Pei Min works as a chef in a factory?

Did you learn from him?

Then we are in for a treat.

I’ll help with the chopping.

My handiwork is still decent.

You all are so busy, and I’d feel embarrassed just sitting and waiting to eat.

Don’t stop me.” With that, she began cutting the potatoes.

Yang Peimin and her sisters-in-law were unable to stop her in time, exchanging helpless glances with each other.

The eldest sister-in-law looked at her anxiously, “This, sister, you really shouldn’t.”

But Li Hong quietly pulled Yang Peimin aside and asked softly, “Minmin, do you actually know how to make the dish you mentioned?

It seems we won’t be able to avoid Second Sister Shen’s involvement this time.”

Yang Peimin also regretted it; why had she spoken without thinking?

Now, she just had to muster the courage and try, “I’ll give it a shot.”

But Li Hong looked at her skeptically.

Yang Peimin paid her no attention, “Second sister-in-law, could you trouble yourself to help me chop some meat filling?” The Shen family also brought a few pounds of meat, otherwise she couldn’t have made this dish.

She knew that soy sauce chicken didn’t require much skill; just adding soy sauce, water, and ginger for cooking was enough.

Once the whole chicken was cooked and the sauce reduced, it could be taken out and cut.

Red-cooked pork seemed to be made by dissolving sugar in oil, then adding the meat to color it, followed by soy sauce and water, and letting it simmer in a small pot on a low heat.

Although there were no spices like star anise or bay leaves, it would have to do.

Stuffed tofu, as the name implied, simply involved stuffing minced meat into tofu, frying it in a pan, and then seasoning it with soy sauce.

With the sister-in-laws’ help, they quickly divided the work among three different stoves.

After getting started, Yang Peimin’s confidence soared.

She faintly felt that her culinary talent had been unearthed.

Shen Yiguang also came in at that moment, offering to help watch the fire.

But the already small kitchen quickly filled up with people and felt cramped.

Shen Yixia gave him a helpless glance, “Why don’t you two go out and chat?”

Shen Yiguang naturally smiled and stepped out.

When Yang Peimin came out, Shen Yiguang was waiting for her at the kitchen door.

She had sweated while cooking inside, so stepping out made her shiver slightly.

A few strands of hair stuck to her forehead dampened by sweat, her entire being exuded a lively spirit from laboring.

Yet, Shen Yiguang felt a twinge of heartache.

“Are you cold?

Let’s go inside and put on an extra layer of clothing,” Shen Yiguang hurriedly said.

Yang Peimin nodded, but she didn’t go to change.

Instead, she just went in to grab a kettle, moistened a towel, and wiped her face.

Looking up, she saw Shen Yiguang still standing at the door of the washroom, watching her wipe her face.

She asked, “Do you need something?”

“Just to talk with you.

Didn’t you see they all made space for us?

It also saves you from feeling awkward in there.”