Everything I bought on online shopping platforms was genuine.

Chapter 841 Jia Shilang's Tofu

Valentine's Day falls on the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month. Although it coincides with the peak period of people returning home for the Lunar New Year, many businesses still launched so-called Valentine's Day promotions today.

It's true that the "simp economy" has collapsed, but it's still better than usual. Lin Mo and his companion naturally dressed up and went out shopping.

Logically speaking, neither of them are the type to enjoy shopping, but it's a holiday after all, and they can't just stay home and get moldy!

The location was simple: a shopping mall. We ate, shopped, and had some fun.

As for watching movies, forget it. It's not even Chinese New Year yet, and all the good movies are reserved for the Spring Festival season. There are quite a few movies showing now, but they're all definitely of poor quality.

The two have very similar dressing styles, both wearing black coats with base layers, and their pants and shoes are also quite colorful.

However, the designs are all very good. The reason they look so similar is simply because Liu Ruyan personally oversaw the selection of Lin Mo's clothes. Of course, she dressed her boyfriend according to her own preferences.

Otherwise, Lin Mo's fashion sense every year would be unbearable to look at. It's not exactly childish, but it makes him look like a loser.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo's black undershirt under his coat was a high-necked style, fitted and, combined with his gradually developing muscular physique, made him look quite stylish. In any case, Liu Ruyan said it was very sexy.

That's right, the word "sexy" isn't just for women; it can be used for men too. After all, women are also attracted to beauty, and Liu Ruyan felt incredibly satisfied as soon as she put on these figure-hugging clothes.

Because the two were already very close, she made no attempt to hide her true nature and began to reveal her roguish side, touching him repeatedly before leaving the house.

However, I made him cover himself up well after he went out, as my sister's possessiveness is quite strong.

“Little brother~~ that restaurant has a couples-themed set meal today, do you want to try it?” On the fourth floor of the mall, Liu Ruyan linked arms with Lin Mo and pointed to a restaurant not far away.

For the past twenty years, she had never even glanced at such events; they were meaningless to her. After all, if she wanted to eat something, she could do so even if it wasn't Valentine's Day.

This made it difficult for her to get interested in certain things, but things have gotten much better since she started dating. She's even become curious and willing to try activities that she used to find boring.

When you're in a relationship, it's not about romance and eternal love every day. Most of the time, it's about two people happily doing some silly and childish things together.

"Okay, I just woke up and had some porridge, I'm a little hungry!" Lin Mo said with a smile.

Soon, the two appeared in the restaurant. Because it was Valentine's Day and the end of the year was approaching, there were quite a few customers in the restaurant.

While those born in the Year of the Ox and Horse may be returning to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year, or even still working, students have already been on holiday, making couples the main force of the group.

The store's interior decoration was quite festive, with small red heart decorations everywhere. The two of them also ordered a couple's set meal, which was quite normal.

Two bowls of heart-shaped wontons, thirty small meat skewers, a small portion of seafood, and even two small portions of steak, stir-fried pork, crispy pork, salt-baked shrimp, and a cold drink, totaling 399.

Of course, there was also the 520 package, but Liu Ruyan didn't take it. She wasn't the kind of girl who particularly cared about romantic rituals; the idea was enough for her.

After all, it's not like they haven't eaten or seen these things before; the main focus is on the experience.

"Wait, this restaurant has such a mixed bag of ingredients! What kind of restaurant is this?" Lin Mo asked, looking at the food on the table with a puzzled expression.

The main dish is wontons, which are breakfast items. Other options include small meat skewers, barbecue, and seafood dishes. These are often seen in seafood buffets and Japanese restaurants. Other options include stir-fried pork, crispy pork, and salt-baked shrimp. These are typical restaurant dishes. The cold drinks are also made to order.

It truly is the ultimate combination of breakfast, barbecue, Japanese food, stir-fry restaurant, and milk tea shop.

It's hard to imagine that a dining room could have such a diverse range of elements.

Well, most people have a common perception that a jack of all trades is a master of none, and a master of many things is only average in each area, far less good than someone who specializes in one thing.

The same applies to the catering industry, and as for the result, it was naturally as he expected.

After taking a few bites, Liu Ruyan said, "The taste is so-so, but these wontons are pretty good. They're very fresh, no wonder they're their specialty."

Oh well, let's just eat something. It's not bad to be able to eat so many different kinds of food in one restaurant. Do you expect me to eat according to your standards?

Besides, what kind of amazing food do you expect at this price?

Liu Ruyan took it all in stride; she was simply enjoying the atmosphere of her first Valentine's Day and didn't care whether the food was good or not.

Hearing this, Lin Mo chuckled and said, "That's true. By the way, have all the issues at the company been resolved?"

"Well, that's about it. The company will be closed for the holidays soon. At noon, the company held a small annual meeting, and then we had lunch at a restaurant. I made a brief appearance and then left."

There's nothing I can do. I'm over there, and they're not enjoying the food either. I'll just have the department managers treat them to a meal, and once the year-end bonuses are paid out, they'll be on vacation.

Those who are willing to travel will head back this afternoon, overnight. Those who don't want to travel can leave tomorrow. Those who didn't get tickets can just stay at their accommodations for the New Year. There's nothing we can do; overtime isn't common here, and even triple pay isn't necessary.

Lin Mo gave her a thumbs up. He really admired Liu Ruyan. Although she was several years older than him, she was still young overall, yet she was able to run a company.

If you put him in that position, the company will go bankrupt in no time.

At this time today, the bus station, high-speed rail station, airport, and even the expressway company in Jiangning City are all packed with people.

While many people return to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year, the two of them are much more relaxed.

The two ate a quick bite and then prepared to choose gifts for their parents.

Although it was Valentine's Day, the two of them didn't really have anything in particular they wanted to do. Besides, the Lunar New Year was just around the corner, so they naturally had to make some preparations.

Liu Ruyan bought her mother a coat and a scarf, and prepared cigarettes, alcohol and tea for her father, which is nothing special.

Of course, this time he couldn't let Liu Ruyan steal the cigarettes, alcohol, and tea from home; that would be too outrageous, and he was afraid Old Liu would kick him out next time he visited. Lin Mo bought Ms. Cheng a brooch; he didn't know the brand, but it cost over 30,000 yuan, and Liu Ruyan helped him choose it.

Of course, Ms. Cheng is not short of such things. The reason she chose this one is because she has a habit of collecting trinkets, and this particular model is the latest product that she hasn't had time to buy yet.

Of course, cigarettes, alcohol, and tea were also unavoidable, along with some gift boxes. However, Lin Mo also prepared a special gift for Comrade Lao Liu: 5 liters of tiger bone and tiger penis wine. As for the other half, he planned to take it back to his father to drink.

Putting everything else aside, this tiger is definitely wild, and definitely not a useless tiger like Gong Baiwan's.

When it comes to gifts, it's important to choose something appropriate so that it truly touches the recipient's heart.

After the two of them walked around for a while, it was already past five o'clock in the evening.

"Om~"

In the mall parking lot, watching Lin Mo hang up the phone again, Liu Ruyan couldn't help but ask, "Is it Yuanyuan again?"

"Of course, I have a feeling it's not going to be anything good, so I won't answer it," Lin Mo said, shaking his head.

This wasn't the first time Miss Yuan had called him, but today was Valentine's Day, and it wasn't appropriate to involve a third person.

"Why don't you just block her for now, and unblock her when you get home tomorrow?" Liu Ruyan suggested.

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo rolled his eyes at her: "Are you trying to kill me? Believe it or not, if I dare to block her, she might just come over on New Year's Eve, kick me, and then come back!"

The distance between Nancheng and Jiangning is enough for Miss Yuan to make a trip here.

"Hehe, that's true. Okay, let's go home. We'll stay at my sister's place tonight, just the two of us, and find a quiet place!" Liu Ruyan smiled and then pulled him into the car.

Although Liu Ruyan hadn't stayed at her place in the city for a long time, a housekeeper would come to clean her house from time to time, so there was no need to worry about hygiene.

Meanwhile, downstairs at her own apartment, Miss Yuan's face was terribly gloomy.

"You little black dog!! You dared to hang up on me, and you did it three times! I'll fight you to the death!"

No, it must have been that woman Liu Ruyan who instigated it. Humph, she won't let the little black dog answer my calls, I'll make sure she doesn't get her way!

With that, Miss Yuan set off in her little purple chariot toward Lin Mo's cousin Su He's house.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo and the other person successfully made it upstairs.

I must say, Liu Ruyan's large single-level apartment looks very high-end, and it's spacious with a wide view. No wonder rich people like to live in houses like this.

Compared to this place, his four-bedroom, one-living-room apartment was utterly ordinary.

"Ah~~ Time to rest, finally on vacation! After a year of hard work, I can finally catch my breath!" As soon as Liu Ruyan came in, she relaxed completely and lay straight down on the sofa.

Lin Mo smiled upon seeing this, then skillfully opened the refrigerator to cook, where Liu Ruyan had asked the aunt to prepare the ingredients in advance.

Although it's not much, it's enough to cook a meal.

"What do you want to eat?" Lin Mo asked.

"One shrimp dish and one tofu dish, whatever you prefer. How about we have a little drink tonight?" Liu Ruyan raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Hearing this, Lin Mo nodded. The two of them were already so familiar with each other that there was no need to cook a huge feast. It mainly depended on what they liked to eat.

The kitchen here is open-plan, but the range hood is good enough and doesn't make any noise, so even if Lin Mo cooks, no smell will waft out.

Liu Ruyan found a bottle of red wine in the wine cabinet, preparing to experience what it means to be slightly tipsy tonight.

My period is almost over, so I need to eat and drink my fill before putting my yang energy bottle back in, otherwise I'll suffocate during such a long holiday!

Around 7 p.m., Liu Ruyan looked at the dry pot chicken and another dish of tofu and shrimp on the table and fell into deep thought.

"Little brother~ Didn't I say there would be one dish of tofu and one dish of shrimp? What is this?" Liu Ruyan asked curiously.

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo wiped his hands, which he had just washed, walked over, sat down, and laughed, "You don't understand, do you? Your perspective is too narrow."

This dish is the famous Jia Shilang Tofu, one of the four famous dishes. Other dishes that are equally famous include Salted Vegetable Rolled Tofu (known as "Nine Clans' Joy"), Braised Carp with Noodles, and Free Hot Pot.

Don't underestimate this "Minister Jia's Tofu" dish. The preparation is extremely meticulous. The tofu is peeled on both sides, cut into eight small pieces, and dried. It's then seared with hot pork, lightly sprinkled with salt, flipped, and then cooked in a large cup of medicinal wine. Eighteen large shrimp are added, rolled in a small cup of soy sauce, then a pinch of sugar, rolled again, and finally, finely chopped scallions, about half an inch long, cut into 120 sections. It's then slowly removed from the heat. So many steps, none can be omitted—that's what it means to know how to eat!

Liu Ruyan: →_→

Looking at the tofu from Minister Jia's table, and then at Lin Mo's blissful expression, Liu Ruyan took a bite without any expression.

"How about that? Isn't it awesome? I learned it from the internet. I used to be so envious when I watched TV with it as a kid," Lin Mo asked curiously.

To be honest, he was genuinely curious, since he had heard of this thing but had never seen it before!

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan asked, "Didn't you taste it after it was cooked?"

Lin Mo shook his head.

Liu Ruyan: "What a waste of these shrimp and tofu!"

Lin Mo:
(End of this chapter)