Chapter 338

Zhou Yimin looked at the large slab of fatty pork on the table. He really wasn’t used to eating it—the thought alone of that bite where the oil bursts in your mouth made him shudder.

He glanced at the two people before him and figured they must like it, so he said directly, “Stay for dinner tonight.”

Zhou Dafu originally intended to stay, but then remembered he still had to visit his master’s house to deliver a gift, so he had to reluctantly decline. “Uncle Sixteen, I won’t be staying. I still need to bring a gift to my master.”

“And tomorrow, I’ll be heading back to the village.”

Even though he was working in the city now, his home was still in Zhoujiazhuang, and he was definitely going home for the New Year.

Besides, what’s the point of being successful if you don’t return to your hometown? That’d be like wearing fine clothes to walk in the dark!

When Zhou Yimin heard that, he didn’t insist. He simply said, “Alright. Be safe on the road.”

Then he turned to look at Zhou Dazhong.

Zhou Dazhong immediately replied, “Uncle Sixteen, with such a great opportunity, of course I’m not going to miss it.”

Every time he ate at Uncle Sixteen’s house, there was always lots of meat—he could practically eat to his heart’s content. Of course he wouldn’t pass up a chance like that.

But he couldn’t just freeload either. It was getting late, and he definitely had to help out, so he asked, “Uncle Sixteen, what dishes are we making?”

“These five pounds of pork, along with some abalone—we’ll just make a big stew,” Zhou Yimin answered after thinking for a bit.

When Zhou Dafu heard that, his mouth immediately started watering. If he stayed any longer, once the smell started wafting out, he wouldn’t be able to leave at all.

He quickly put three yuan on the table, grabbed a bottle of Moutai, and left.

“You’re using all five pounds of pork?” Zhou Dazhong was startled.

Zhou Yimin nodded. “We’ll call a few more people over. Should be just enough.”

Zhou Dazhong thought to himself: If people who didn’t know Uncle Sixteen saw this, they’d probably say he had no idea how to live frugally.

He didn’t say anything more, just took the pork and abalone out to wash. Zhou Yimin really disliked Zhou Dazhong’s cooking—he was stingy with everything. One time when he went to eat at Zhou Dazhong’s place, there wasn’t even a hint of oil in the dishes, and that was the end of that.

Zhou Yimin started heating the pot, first using the fatty pork to render some lard. They were almost out of pork fat anyway, so this would replenish the supply a bit.

Soon, the five pounds of fatty pork were cooked down, and the volume kept shrinking. Before long, only about three pounds were left.

By that point, the fragrant smell of pork fat was wafting through the air, making Zhou Dazhong practically drool.

That evening, the entire siheyuan was filled with the smell of meat, though nothing quite compared to the rich aroma coming from Zhou Yimin’s house.

The factory had handed out quite a few things today, so everyone was willing to splurge a little—after a year of hard work, wasn’t it just so they could eat better?

Once the oil was fully rendered, Zhou Yimin stored the extra away for future use.

Then he stir-fried some scallions, ginger, and garlic for aroma, added the abalone and pork, and let it stew for an hour.

Zhou Yimin noticed Zhou Dazhong’s eyes practically falling into the pot. He shook his head helplessly. “If you’re hungry, eat a couple strawberries to hold you over. This won’t be ready for a while.”

With his uncle’s permission, Zhou Dazhong couldn’t wait—he picked up a strawberry and popped the whole thing into his mouth.

No such thing here as just nibbling the tip; he ate the whole berry, even the stem and leaves.

Sweet and tangy—really good.

Zhou Dazhong only got to eat such nice things at Uncle Sixteen’s place.

After eating two, he stopped. Strawberries were rare, and even though he really wanted to eat more, he couldn’t finish the whole pound—there weren’t that many in there.

Thinking of his little sister, Zhou Dazhong thickened his skin and asked, “Uncle Sixteen, can I take two for Xiaoxue?”

“You can take them all over later. Let them split them evenly, alright?”

Zhou Yimin watched the time, and when the stew was almost done, he added some napa cabbage and glass noodles. Dinner was settled—no need to cook rice.

When the iron pot stew was ready, lifting the lid released a heavenly aroma.

Even Zhou Dazhong couldn’t help himself—and the neighbors in the siheyuan all caught the scent too. No doubt about it, it was coming from Zhou Yimin’s place.

After all, no one else in the compound ate as well as Zhou Yimin.

Once the pork and abalone stew was served and placed on the table, Zhou Dazhong was practically drooling.

It had been simmering for so long that even the fatty pork melted the moment it touched his tongue—rich but not greasy, melting in the mouth.

Zhou Yimin told Zhou Dazhong to go call Dapeng, Youde, and the three elder uncles in the courtyard to come eat.

The three old men still cared about appearances—they didn’t come empty-handed. One brought peanuts, another brought liquor.

Dapeng and Li Youde were more casual. They understood Zhou Yimin, and there was no need for formalities. Being overly polite would’ve felt fake.

Zhou Dafu, meanwhile, had arrived at Li Feng’s house, bringing the bottle of Moutai and some pre-prepared candies.

When Li Feng saw him—and the Moutai in his hand—he quickly said, “Dafu, you didn’t have to bring anything. Next time, don’t do this.”

“Of course, Master. I’ll listen next time.” Zhou Dafu immediately agreed.

He noticed two children hiding behind Li Feng’s legs, peeking at him timidly.

Li Feng said, “This is Dafu. Call him Big Brother Dafu.”

“Big Brother… Dafu,” the two said shyly.

Seeing this, Zhou Dafu quickly took out the candies. “Here, have some.”

The kids looked at the candy in his hands, but without Li Feng’s permission, they didn’t dare take it and turned to look at their dad.

Li Feng saw how much his sons wanted it and said, “Aren’t you going to thank Big Brother Dafu?”

“Thank you, Big Brother Dafu!” the boys said in unison, reaching out to take the candies and immediately beginning to eat.

Li Feng reminded them, “Don’t eat too much. We’re having dinner soon.”

“Okay,” they chorused again.

Soon, Li Feng’s wife brought out the food. Zhou Dafu quickly stepped forward and greeted her. “Hello, Master’s wife. I’m Zhou Dafu.”

“So you’re Dafu. I’ve heard Old Li say he’s gotten a great apprentice lately,” she replied warmly.

Li Feng couldn’t help but boast, “I never said that.”

Zhou Dafu also helped serve the dishes. To welcome him properly, this meal was second only to New Year’s Eve dinner in quality.

Li Feng took out a bottle of Xifeng liquor from the cabinet. Though not as prestigious as Moutai, it was about the best an ordinary family could buy.

Zhou Dafu was tactful—he took the bottle from Li Feng and poured his master a drink.

Seeing how clever he was, Li Feng felt confident he had made the right choice.

And so, as Li Feng drank, he shared with Zhou Dafu tips about driving a truck, reminding him to take it seriously and not embarrass him.

After all, Zhou Dafu was his first apprentice. If things went badly, gossip would spread, and that wouldn’t be good.

Zhou Dafu nodded along and agreed the whole time.

Li Feng’s wife saw this and didn’t say anything. After all, there was no work tomorrow—drinking a bit too much wasn’t an issue.

Li Feng didn’t eat much; he just kept drinking, and before long, he was already a bit drunk.

(End of Chapter)