Age: My Small World

Yang Jun took out a cutting board and swiftly chopped the washed scallions into long strips, then poured them into the pot.

But cook for a few more seconds and it'll be ready to serve.

"Hey, braised eel with scallions, that's all you need."

Yang Yumei looked exasperated: "I didn't even see the steps clearly; I was just picking scallions."

Yang Jun chuckled: "Then I'll demonstrate it for you again next time. It's super easy."

It's actually still braised, but with extra scallions added at the end to mask the fishy smell of the eel.

The real way of cooking scallions is more refined than this method.

Then he continued cooking, adding a chunk of pork belly, tofu, and glass noodles to make a big stew. He also threw in a cabbage from his house, and that made a huge pot of stew that looked very appetizing.

On the dinner table, in addition to the two dishes and a bowl of flatbread that she had just made, Li Xiaohua also brought out a bowl of pickled vegetables that she had brought back from home, as well as a few pickled chili peppers and garlic cloves, which were also very appetizing.

The pickled vegetables were given by my aunt, and the pickled peppers and garlic were given by my uncle; both tasted pretty good.

"This locust flower cake is so delicious, Mother, your cooking skills are still as good as ever." Yang Yumei gave it a thumbs up while eating.

Yang Jun, on the other hand, was only focused on eating.

"Remember to save some for your teacher tomorrow, and also for your master. Little Fish hasn't had any yet."

"I know mother."

Yang Jun took a bite of rice noodles and looked up, saying, "I don't know if Master has come back yet. He went to visit someone's grave not long ago."

"Your master is performing ancestral rites for someone? Is he a family member?"

Speaking of Yang Jun's master, Li Xiaohua didn't know much about him, not even how many people were in his family.

However, they probably still know that he is all alone now.

"Yes, his sister-in-law passed away just before the Lunar New Year."

The passing of his aunt must have brought Hu Baye a lot of emotions, but fortunately, he hasn't changed much in the past six months.

Perhaps I've been feeling down, so I went to the provincial capital during the Qingming Festival. It's been more than half a month, and I don't know if I've come back yet. I'll go check on me tomorrow.

"Sigh, he's a pitiful person. Your master has always lived alone, which is not easy for him. You should go and check on him often to make sure he's not hungry or cold. You should also stay with him and take care of him whenever he gets sick."

My mother gave me these instructions.

"I know, Mother. I will definitely do these things well."

Yang Jun nodded.

The next day.

Yang Jun set off with two locust flower cakes.

Cheng Xiaoyu hadn't returned yet; by the time she came back, she'd probably be disappointed.

Yang Jun first went to Hu Baye's house.

Here in Kaimen Lane, the gate to Master Hu's courtyard was ajar, and he immediately knew that Master Hu had returned.

As expected, upon entering, I saw the old man lying on the recliner in the center of the courtyard, just like always.

The persimmon tree, which had been planted for two years, was now covered in green leaves, providing him with a shady spot.

Because he often waters the plants with sacred water, he should be able to eat fresh persimmons this year.

"Master, when did you get back?"

Yang Jun smiled and handed over a locust flower cake: "My mother made these locust flower cakes. She said she wanted you to try them especially. I'll heat them up for you."

Uncle Hu didn't move, but said, "I've been back for a while. I even went out to treat someone's hand yesterday."

"Please thank your mother for me; she's very kind."

He blinked his slightly sore eyes, then picked up the pipe and filled it with tobacco leaves.

Once the tobacco leaves filled the mouth of the pipe, he lit a match to ignite it, then puffed on the other side with his mouth, waiting for the sparks to form before exhaling a puff of smoke to light the tobacco leaves.

There's also a way of smoking by wrapping shredded tobacco leaves in a whole piece of tobacco, but he felt that was wasteful, so he stopped using it. "Hehe, you should smoke less tobacco leaves, or your sense of taste will become dull sooner or later."

Smoking this kind of strong-flavored tobacco can indeed easily cause loss of taste and even smell.

However, Hu Baye never smoked the paper-packed cigarettes that Yang Jun bought for him, which left Hu Baye somewhat helpless.

"What's the big deal? I'd rather have this cigarette. If I lose my sense of taste, so be it."

Yang Jun immediately shook his head and said, "Let him be."

"That's enough, Master. Please try this locust flower cake first."

Yang Jun sat down next to Hu Baye with a bowl of warmed-up pancakes in his hand.

"Tsk tsk, this looks pretty good."

Only then did Uncle Hu put down his pipe and pick up a piece of bread to taste.

Regardless of whether it tasted good or not, he kept praising it.

“My mother originally wanted to invite you home for the New Year, but we ended up going back to our hometown last year. So you must come to our house for the New Year this year. We’ll make you all sorts of delicious food.”

Yang Jun took the opportunity to extend an invitation.

Uncle Hu shook his head again: "Forget it, forget it. I don't like to join in the fun. You know I like peace and quiet. I'd feel uncomfortable if I went to your house."

That's true. Perhaps he's used to living alone, because if Hu Baye were to get together with other people, he would feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Hehe, okay, then I'll come and see you then."

Hu Baye rolled his eyes: "Last year's New Year just ended, what's the rush?"

"By the way, Master, I may have to go on a long trip in a while. I still need you to keep an eye on Nan Ke from time to time."

The main problem is with the children; any child who gets carried away is prone to problems.

Even though Yang Jun could prepare a lot of spiritual water for his family, he would still worry, which was because he had an extra burden on his mind.

Hu Baye glanced at him and asked, "Where are you going again?"

"The school is organizing a study trip to the countryside, which will probably take us to the grasslands."

"That's so far! How long will it take you to get back?"

"It'll probably take about three months."

"But that's still a long way off. I estimate we'll set off around July or August."

"I remember that little Gu's baby is supposed to be born in July, right?"

"Well, that's why I'm asking you for a favor."

Hu Baye flicked his sleeves: "Alright, alright, you only need to say a word about it. This old man can help keep an eye on things."

"Thank you, Master."

"Stop nagging. I brought you something good back from this trip. Go look for it in your room; it's in the closet."

After finishing his sentence, Uncle Hu started eating his pancake and smoking.

Yang Jun raised an eyebrow and stood up in surprise. He hadn't expected that Uncle Hu would bring him something on his way to pay respects to his aunt.

Once inside, I didn't even need to look for anything; I found what my master had mentioned in the cabinet.

"What a fine jade Buddha! It must be made of mutton fat jade, right?"

It turns out that Mr. Hu had found a jade Buddha, the kind that looks festive, and the carving was extremely exquisite. It must be a masterpiece from a hundred years ago.

At this moment, Hu Baye's voice drifted over: "Give this thing to the child, as a gift from the advisor to him when he first meets him."

"Master, this is too precious."

Yang Jun took the jade Buddha and went out into the courtyard.

"What's so valuable about it? It's for the child, not for you." (End of Chapter)