I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 265 - 262: Pine Needle Roast Pork Belly

"Has your aunt contacted you lately?"

Gu Xiaoxiao was taken aback and quickly understood what she meant.

Her face turned pale.

She had remembered something.

"Yueyue, do you think my aunt is trying to control my marriage?"

Having a beautiful niece whose job was found with her help, and with the niece’s parents not around, Jiang Mingyue had reasons to believe this aunt would intervene, but whether it was for the niece’s life-long happiness or her own interests was unknown.

"Be cautious recently." Jiang Mingyue didn’t have a good impression of the aunt, being someone who could watch her own son being abused by her second husband.

Gu Xiaoxiao was troubled; her relationship with the aunt was too complicated. If she hadn’t been helped by her, she might refuse some things.

Seeing Gu Xiaoxiao in a bad mood, Jiang Mingyue bought some biscuits and candies but did not disturb her. After thinking it over, she decided not to give her alcohol, fearing it might lead to trouble, but she did give her a bottle of black truffle sauce.

"It’s hot now, so eat it soon; you can mix it with rice or spread it on buns."

Even through the bottle, Gu Xiaoxiao could almost smell its fragrance, feeling better.

"I wasn’t expecting you; I didn’t bring the pickled garlic with me. I’ll deliver it to Magpie Street another day."

"Alright, either at number 42 or 43."

Jiang Mingyue then went to the groceries section, where a long line had formed. Looking at the meat being cut at the counter, she endured.

The scene seemed familiar, like in the future when only grandpas and grandmas would queue at supermarkets for discounted eggs.

Today their queue looked even more impressive, with people of all ages spanning young to old in four diverse lines.

When Jiang Mingyue’s turn finally came, she found out she could only buy half a pound of pork. Instantly regretting not asking Uncle Tiezhu for help, she paid and received the ticket. The butcher started cutting and kindly offered her fattier pieces, which she refused, wanting lean meat instead. Was that okay?

As for radishes and cabbages, the Third Branch of the Jiang Family had their own land for those, which were unnecessary.

Jiang Mingyue left a note at number 43 and headed back to Qingshan Village with her basket.

She timed her return perfectly with no one home.

Huh! Xiao Ran isn’t at home either, what’s going on?

Jiang Mingyue took a pine-roasted chicken and a bottle of black truffle sauce to Granny Shi’s house.

The old lady was sunning in the yard, surprised by her return.

"Why didn’t you say anything about going to work?" She sounded somewhat annoyed.

Jiang Mingyue felt guilty since this one-eyed granny treated her well over time, which she understood internally.

"I was mostly worried I wouldn’t stay long, but surprisingly, it’s fine; it’s quite good!" Encountering two murder cases within three days, though one was an old case, people at the Southern Institute called it mystical, as the most recent case before was Liu Siyuan’s five years ago.

"Seems like you want to stay. Since you do, work hard. Right, wait a bit." Granny Shi went into her dark room – or not so dark nowadays – after she and Yun Di had remodeled it. It looked bright and clean, very comfortable.

Jiang Mingyue casually roamed the yard, picking ripe hawthorn. Seeing that pile of hawthorn stems at her feet, Granny Shi saw the girl had eaten at least fifty hawthorn, judging by stems.

"Is it that tasty?"

"Of course." She replied while glancing at the book in Granny Shi’s hands.

"100 Modern Detective Cases"

"Take it and read well, don’t disgrace Qingshan Village."

Jiang Mingyue: "..."

Flipping through the book, she found a curious aspect; it had no author but the publisher and publication number were there.

The date was yesterday.

Something felt off.

"Granny Shi, who wrote this book?"

"Does it matter who wrote it?"

This wasn’t disclosed.

"...Indeed, it doesn’t matter."

Getting a book and a small basket of fresh hawthorn, Jiang Mingyue felt satisfied.

Only then did she remember her purpose.

"Your mom and the others went to pick hickory nuts, Yun Di also went along. Are you thinking of going too?"

Jiang Mingyue spotted Granny Shi’s implied words: If you go, pick some for me.

Jiang Mingyue shook her head decisively: "It’s nearly lunchtime; I’ll go cook."

Granny Shi seemed a bit disappointed.

Jiang Mingyue started steaming rice and pondered about what dishes to make.

The new half-pound of pork belly was cleaned, salted, and spiced, then marinated for later pine-roasted pork belly. Jiang Mingyue could already imagine the taste when roasted, feeling somewhat greedy.

She checked the backyard’s produce; there were plenty of chickens, rabbits, and additionally two more pigs. Feeling puzzled, she’d been gone three days, why did it feel like everything had turned upside down?

The pigs were quite small; these weren’t wild pigs but domestic ones that likely were meant to be raised by the authorities. At least one was designated for task completion and would be handed over, earning less, while the other was theirs to dispose of freely.

Of course, this was all pure speculation.

In the backyard were pumpkins; Jiang Mingyue picked one, attempting to peel and steam it with spiritual power, completely ineffective, feeling quite helpless.

Taking it into her space, spiritual power easily peeled, steamed, mixed the dough, and combined with sugar into small round cakes. She placed them in the pan with oil, quickly frying them to fragrant sweetness, flipping them and continued to fry until ready. She broke one open to see it was thoroughly cooked, biting into it; the crispy, soft, and sticky taste was addictive.

She made the amount of two more pumpkins in one go.

She then found some eggs, processed them into century eggs. Already finished and peeled, cleaned, cut, and mixed with finely chopped cilantro, chili oil, and salt, it turned delicious. Jiang Mingyue knew precisely that her older brothers loved it most when mixed with rice, very savory.

She also fished out two big fish to make sour fish broth, mint egg soup, sour cabbage fried potato slices, and canned meat stir-fried with green pepper strips.

Mostly they were appetizers, so in this hot late-summer heat, there was no worry about lack of appetite.

The moment the people of the Third Branch opened the yard door, they smelled the aroma of the dishes.

Jiang Zhenmei nearly cheered: "It must be Yueyue who’s back." Mainly, none of the family could cook such flavorful dishes. Although people in the countryside mostly could cook, they weren’t picky. Picky people couldn’t eat these, eating to fullness was alright, but demanding taste couldn’t be done. The family previously didn’t ask for much, except they got used to Yueyue’s cooking.

Once someone tried anything else, even their own cooking became unpalatable.

Knowing Yueyue was back, goodness, their steps quickened instantly, leaving little Xiao Ran trailing behind, lamenting his short legs.

"Yueyue, I knew it was you."

"Mom, sorry to worry everyone."

Shen Fanghua waved her hand: "We’re family, no need to say that. Quickly wash your hands and don’t crowd the door."

With food served on the table, everyone’s eyes lingered on the dish each wanted to have, eyes shining brightly.

Jiang Mingyue suddenly felt that living like this wasn’t too bad.