Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Ding Heng shook his head, suppressing his doubts for the time being, as dealing with the pile of meat was the priority.

He called Mr. Wang, who sells meat at the market downstairs, and the two of them worked together to move the meat to the kitchen counter.

Master Wang skillfully divided the meat into six portions of varying sizes according to Ding Heng's instructions, and then sealed them all in plastic bags.

"Ding Heng, this meat looks really good. Your dad is very thoughtful."

While cutting the meat, Master Wang remarked, "I've heard that yaks eat natural grass and drink snow water, resulting in firm and nutritious meat."

"That's perfect. Uncle Wang, take these back and let your aunt and sister have a taste."

Ding Heng picked out about five jin (2.5 kg) and handed it to Master Wang.

"I can't accept this!" Master Wang waved his hands repeatedly.

"Uncle Wang, you've been helping me for so long, it's only right that you do this." Ding Heng insisted on giving it to him.

Unable to refuse, Master Wang happily accepted the gift and left.

Ding Heng began packing, first selecting the larger portion, about twenty jin, and then adding a packet of saffron and two bottles of highland barley wine, carefully packing it into a box.

Then write Zhao Yanxi's home address on the delivery slip.

Express delivery, it will arrive this afternoon.

Then, following his father's instructions, he packed the remaining portions one by one and began delivering them door to door.

Teacher Li was Ding Heng's high school homeroom teacher. Because Ding Heng's parents were not around, he had often taken care of him. Teacher Li was pleasantly surprised to see Ding Heng and insisted on asking him about his university and major for a long time.

Uncle Zhou was my father's former boss at the TV station. Now retired, he insisted on giving Ding Heng a big red envelope after receiving the meat, saying it was a small token of his appreciation for his college education.

Ding Heng delivered the largest portion to his maternal grandparents' house and stayed for a simple meal.

After finishing our meal, I watched the shop for the two elderly people for a while until 4 p.m.

In the evening, Ding Heng appeared at the entrance of McDonald's on time.

Wenjing got into the car and fastened her seatbelt: "Let's go to the supermarket first. What do you want to eat tonight?"

Ding Heng changed the subject: "We have yak meat at home, so we can just buy some seasonings and side dishes."

"Yak? You mean...the kind of cow with long hair that lives on the plateau?"

"Correct."

"Where did it come from?"

“My dad just sent it back from Tibet.”

"Is there any difference in how it's cooked compared to regular beef?"

"It should be about right, why don't you give it a try?"

"Ah."

Wenjing nodded seriously, as if she had received an important task.

The car drove into the supermarket's underground parking lot.

The supermarket was quite crowded in the evening, mostly with office workers coming to shop after get off work.

Wenjing went to the vegetable section first and carefully picked through the vegetables.

"Beef would be good stewed."

Wenjing picked up a potato and muttered to herself, "Potato, carrot... um, and some onion for extra flavor."

She was very careful in her selection. She checked each potato to see if it had sprouted, chose carrots that were of uniform thickness, and squeezed the onions to see if they were firm.

Ding Heng pushed the cart beside her, quietly watching the girl's focused profile.

How about this one?

Wenjing picked up a white radish and turned to ask Ding Heng.

"It's up to you to decide."

"Oh."

Wenjing put the radish into the shopping cart and then turned to the spice section.

She picked up a packet of star anise, then selected some bay leaves and cinnamon, still muttering to herself.

"I saw Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies in the kitchen this morning, I need to buy more..."

"We're out of cooking wine."

"That's right!"

Wenjing quickly turned around to get the cooking wine.

The two of them strolled slowly through the supermarket.

Although Wenjing can make decisions on her own most of the time, she always likes to ask Ding Heng for his opinion, as if everything revolves around Ding Heng.

After buying the side dishes and seasonings, Wenjing pushed the cart toward the fresh produce section.

"Let's buy another fish. Ding Heng, do you prefer it steamed or braised?"

"It's all right."

"Then let's steam it; it'll taste fresher."

Wenjing selected a sea bass and had the staff clean it.

As he passed the snack section, Ding Heng casually grabbed two bags of potato chips and a bottle of cola and threw them into his shopping cart.

Wenjing muttered softly, "Eating too many snacks is bad for you."

Ding Heng tossed another carton of yogurt into the shopping cart: "Occasionally...?"

Wenjing pouted and didn't say anything more, looking inexplicably cute.

Back home, Wenjing immediately put on her apron and went into the kitchen to start working.

Ding Heng took the yak meat out of the refrigerator and cut it into palatable pieces according to the method taught by Master Wang.

Wenjing was preparing the side dishes, cutting potatoes and carrots into chunks, slicing onions, and preparing scallions, ginger, and garlic.

Soon, the rhythmic sounds of chopping vegetables and running water filled the kitchen.

"You need to blanch it first to remove the blood and fishy smell."

Wenjing took the meat chunks that Ding Heng had cut, put them into a pot of cold water, and added ginger slices and cooking wine.

She turned on the stove, waited for the water to boil slowly, and in the meantime, she also prepared the other side dishes without any delay.

Next, the blanched beef chunks were taken out and rinsed clean with warm water.

Add oil back into the pot, heat it up, and then add rock sugar.

"Caramelize the sugar a bit, it'll make the color look better."

As Wenjing spoke, she carefully stirred the rock sugar that was gradually melting in the pot.

Once the sugar had turned a beautiful caramel color, she added the beef chunks and stir-fried them quickly.

Next comes scallions, ginger, garlic, spices, cooking wine, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce...

Wenjing added each item one by one, her movements practiced and efficient.

Finally, add enough boiling water, cover the pot, and simmer over low heat.

"It needs to simmer for at least an hour and a half."

Wenjing glanced at the time, then turned around and began to prepare the sea bass.

Ding Heng walked over: "Do you need any more help?"

"No need, it will be ready soon."

Wenjing shook her head, put the fish in a plate, topped it with ginger slices and scallion segments, and drizzled it with cooking wine and steamed fish soy sauce.

Then she stood on tiptoe and tried to open the overhead cabinet to get the steamer, but unfortunately the cabinet door was a bit high, and it was a bit difficult for her, who is 158 cm tall, to reach it.

Ding Heng reached out and easily took the steamer off the table.

"Thank you."

Wenjing took it, her ears turning slightly red.

She put the steamer on the stove, and after the water boiled, she placed the fish plate inside and set the timer.

The kitchen fell silent for a moment, and the aroma of food slowly filled the air, warm and comforting.

Wenjing leaned against the stove, and Ding Heng stood beside her. The two were so close that they could clearly hear each other's breathing.

"Um... thank you."

"Ok?"

"Well... thank you for letting me stay here..."

Ding Heng couldn't help but chuckle, and habitually raised his hand to pinch Wenjing's cheeks.

Why do you keep saying thank you? Aren't you being a stranger?

"Waaah, your hands just cut meat, they smell..."

Wenjing mumbled a complaint, but deep down she was overjoyed.

Suddenly, the lid of the stew pot bounced slightly from the steam, making a "click" sound.

Wenjing seemed to be startled awake and quickly turned around to lift the pot lid to check.

"It seems about time..."

She picked up a small piece with her fingers, blew on it, and turned to hand it to Ding Heng: "Try it and see if it's rotten."

Ding Heng lowered his head and took a bite of the beef from her hand.

Wenjing's fingertips touched Ding Heng's lips, and she seemed to suddenly realize that the position was too intimate. Her hand trembled and her face turned red instantly.

Ding Heng chewed slowly, uttering exclamations of admiration!

"good to eat!"

The beef was stewed to perfection, with firm yet tender meat that had absorbed the aroma of the broth, and the spiciness and saltiness were just right.