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Everyone got off the carriage, some unloading their belongings, others leading their horses.

Xiao Yi and Qingfeng tied the carriage to two big trees and let the horses graze on their own.

Dongkui spread the felt in the middle of the lawn and settled the two children on it.

Tao'er stood by the river, looked at the water flow and the mountain terrain, made a plan in her mind, and began to assign tasks.

"The men went hunting and fishing."

She pointed at Xiao Yi, "Seventh Brother Shi, why don't you take Qingfeng up the mountain and see if you can catch any wild rabbits or pheasants?"

Then she pointed at Ah Chen and said, "Brother Ah Chen, take the harpoon and net and go to the river to catch fish and shrimp. Be careful not to go into the deep water."

Ah Chen nodded, picked up the net, rolled up his trousers, and went into the water.

Without the slightest awkwardness, he had lost his usual gentle and refined demeanor and gained a more down-to-earth air.

The river water was just up to his calves, cool and refreshing. He first used a net to scoop some up near the water plants, and found several small shrimp in the net, lively and jumping around, their bodies almost transparent.

As he watched, his smile grew wider and wider; this kind of life was actually quite interesting.

He looked up at Atao not far away and felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Xiao Yi and Qingfeng each took a slingshot and a machete for self-defense, and headed up the mountain.

Tao turned around and waved to Dongkui: "Sister Dongkui, let's go up the mountain to pick mushrooms."

It rained a little last night, and the sun isn't too strong today, so there should be plenty of mushrooms.

After the rain, the ground was damp, and the next day the sun was shining brightly and the temperature was high, so mushrooms sprouted out like they were free.

Like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Winter Okra smiled and replied, "Okay!"

"Sister Tao'er, Huanhuan and I also want to go mushroom picking with you and Sister Dongkui."

Ayan looked up and called out.

"Ayan, the mountain roads are slippery, you and Huanhuan shouldn't go."

Just wait here for us to come back.

If you go, then Grandpa Li will be left all alone.

Otherwise, you can work as assistants to your brother Ah Chen on the riverbank.

"When he catches any fish or shrimp, you two can help keep watch, okay?"

Tao'er said gently.

Ayan looked at Grandpa Li, then at Brother Achen who was fishing, and finally nodded.

"Uncle Li, I'll leave this to you. Sister Dongkui and I are at the foot of the mountain and will be back soon."

Tao'er then spoke to Elder Li.

"Okay, you can go now. Remember, don't go into the mountains, it's dangerous."

Don't worry, Ah Yan and Huan Huan are fine with me looking after them.

Elder Li said with a smile.

Tao'er and her friend walked up the path at the foot of the mountain, searching through the grass and under the tree roots as they went.

Just as Tao'er had predicted, there were several clumps of pine fungus near the pine tree roots, in several different colors.

Dark brown, green, red, white, and orange-yellow umbrella-shaped canopies peek out from the pine needles.

Several wood ear mushrooms grew next to the rotten wood; they were soft and plump.

There were also some small mushrooms whose names Tao'er didn't know. She identified them one by one, keeping the edible ones and setting the inedible ones aside.

Winter Mallow followed Peach Sister almost every step of the way, because she didn't know what kind of mushrooms were edible.

I always have to ask Peach Sister.

The two of them actually picked quite a lot of mushrooms, which they will use to make soup, stir-fry, or barbecue later – all rare delicacies.

Elder Li, sitting on the other side of the lawn, was bored out of his mind.

He discovered that there were quite a few wild vegetables nearby, so he took Ayan and Huanhuan to pick them.

Ayan squatted on the ground, parted the grass leaves with his little hands, and excitedly exclaimed when he saw several shepherd's purse plants, "Grandpa Li, isn't this one?"

Elder Li bent down to take a look, nodded, and then Ayan carefully pulled it up by the roots, shook off the soil, and put it in the basket.

Huanhuan imitated her brother, rummaging through the grass, though she mostly mistook him for someone else, but she was still happy about it.

Sometimes she would mistake wild grass for wild vegetables and stuff it into her basket, but Elder Li would not get angry and would teach her with a smile.

An hour later, the various groups of people returned one after another.

Xiao Yi and Qingfeng were lucky; they caught three rabbits and four pheasants. They tied their legs with vines and carried them back. The pheasants' feathers shimmered with colorful luster in the light, making them very beautiful.

Ah Chen had an even bigger harvest. He caught several pounds of small river shrimp, which were lively and jumping around, making a rustling sound in the fish basket.

There were also a few kilograms of crucian carp, not very big, but each one was fresh and lively.

The two most prized fish were two large carp, each weighing two or three pounds, with shimmering golden scales.

Ah Chen held up the fish for Tao'er to see, showing off his catch.

Tao'er and Dongkui picked a basket full of mushrooms, including matsutake, wood ear, and some straw mushrooms.

Including the shepherd's purse and dandelion leaves that Elder Li and the others picked, there was also a basketful.

Wild vegetables and mushrooms together make a big pot of soup.

Tao washed her hands and started preparing the food.

Today she's going to make bamboo rice.

She asked Dongkui to pick out four of the neatest bamboo tubes from the sections and then rinse them clean with water.

Then I poured the washed rice into the pot, added some water, and diced a small piece of cured meat and mixed it into the rice.

Then, plug the opening of the bamboo tube with cleaned vegetable leaves and simmer it slowly by the fire.

This was the bamboo rice she had planned long ago.

The fresh scent of bamboo slowly seeps into the rice, mingling with the oily aroma of cured meat; just smelling it makes your mouth water.

Xiao Yi and the others lit a campfire, and Tao'er set up a pot to boil water.

Once the water boiled, she put in the cleaned mushrooms and wild vegetables, sliced ​​two pieces of ginger to counteract the coldness, and sprinkled in only a little salt, letting the soup's natural flavor come out on its own.

The wild vegetable and mushroom soup bubbled and simmered, its fresh, wild aroma filling the entire lawn.

Braised carp is the main dish.

Tao'er took out soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, and vinegar from her spatial storage and added them one by one.

The fish went into the pot with a sizzling sound, and the aroma exploded instantly.

She put the lid on the pot, simmered it slowly over low heat, and then turned to clean the small river shrimp and crucian carp.

She stir-fried a plate of small river shrimp with scallions, ginger, and garlic; they were bright red, with crisp shells and tender meat.

Leftover river shrimp and peaches can be deep-fried until crispy; they won't spoil.

The crucian carp was pan-fried until golden brown on both sides, then simmered with a little water to make a milky white soup.

As the sun slowly began to set, the bamboo rice was ready.

Tao'er used a cloth to cushion her hands, took the bamboo tube down from the fire, and gently split it open with the back of a knife, revealing the white rice inside.

It's studded with golden bits of cured meat, and the fresh scent of bamboo fills your face.

Tao'er first gave the peaches to Elder Li, because he was her elder.

She then sent one portion to each of her two children.

Ayan held it in his hands, blew on it, and carefully took a bite. His eyes immediately lit up.

Next up were the adults.

"Peach Girl, your cured pork and bamboo tube rice is so delicious! This is the first time I've ever eaten such delicious food."

And this wild vegetable and mushroom soup, and the braised carp, are all dishes I've never eaten before.

"With your cooking skills, whatever young man marries you will be very lucky."

Elder Li praised him sincerely, his eyes sweeping over Xiao Yi.

"Grandpa Li, my sister Tao'er is the best cook in the world, her food must be delicious!"

However, anyone who wants to marry my sister Tao'er in the future will have to ask me first.

Ayan's childlike, mature-sounding remarks made everyone burst into laughter.

"Hahaha……"

"You little brat, what do you know? Hurry up and eat your food."

Xiao Yi chuckled and scolded, then added, "Tao'er's cooking skills are undoubtedly the best, but I wonder what kind of man she likes?"

Everyone was stunned by these words, including Tao'er herself.

She looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, thinking to herself, "How could this person be like this? Asking such a question in front of so many people, doesn't he feel impolite?"

Xiao Yi regretted his words as soon as he finished speaking. Wouldn't asking her like that embarrass her? He had been too hasty.

He originally just wanted to know what kind of man she liked, but now what is he going to do?

Elder Li quickly smoothed things over for Xiao Yi, laughing and scolding, "You brat, how could you ask a girl such a question?"

If you're going to ask, ask me in private!

How is the girl supposed to answer that?!

After saying that, he slapped Xiao Yi on the back of the head.

"I'm sorry, Tao'er, I didn't mean it. Please don't take it to heart."

I'm just a rough guy; I didn't think that much about it at the moment.

Xiao Yi readily accepted the offer and gave Elder Li a grateful look.

Tao'er knew that Elder Li was trying to help Xiao Yi out of a predicament, and thought that she might as well take this opportunity to make things clear.

"It's alright, Brother Shi Qi. I know you're straightforward, and I'm not a young lady from a wealthy family who doesn't have many rules."

I don't know what kind of person I like, because I feel that there aren't many reasons or preconceived notions for liking someone.

And right now, I don't want to think about these things. I just want to live well with Ayan.

Let's not talk about that anymore, everyone, let's eat this bamboo tube cured pork rice while it's hot!

After you finish eating, take a break and enjoy the scenery. I'll have a barbecue for you tonight.

After Tao'er said this, everyone continued eating and drinking soup, and no longer brought up the previous topic.