Chapter 308
“I was having dinner with my family in town when I left home, and we were eating pork and scallion dumplings. I’ve had them many times since, but I’ve never tasted anything like that again.”
Qu Sheng reminisced about the flavor of those dumplings.
But after all, it had been thirty or forty years since he last returned home; he might not even remember the shape of the dumplings, let alone their taste.
“Why not try this? It’s a family secret recipe, and I don’t share it with just anyone.”
“Oh?”
Qu Sheng eagerly studied the dumpling filling recipe that Li Mo had given him, as if he had stumbled upon some profound secret.
Meanwhile, a notification chimed in Li Mo’s mind:
【Congratulations, host. You have successfully invested in Qu Sheng and helped him seek the taste of his hometown.】
【Investment feedback: Heart’s Arrow.】
【Heart’s Arrow】: “Write a name on the arrow’s tail, and it will be delivered to the person you think of, provided that person is still alive.”
Li Mo was taken aback.
Qu Tongling should have received normal investment feedback.
Why was there no feedback after he defended Qingmu City?
Activating the Tianming Shenyang (Heavenly Fate Divine Eye), Li Mo looked at Qu Sheng, who was engrossed in the dumpling filling recipe.
【Name: Qu Sheng】
【Age: 52】
【Root Bone: Golden Beam Jade Bone (Acquired Transformation)】
【Realm: External Scene, Third Layer.】
【Tianming: Black】
【Evaluation: Naturally ordinary body, mediocre talent, a life of toil and hardship, born in adversity, fortunate to die in comfort.】
【Recent Encounter: Burning lifespan, overextending external scene, left with only a yearning for home, longing to be supported until the return of the Southern Town King, to return home and settle down.】
Li Mo suddenly understood why he hadn’t received feedback from Qu Sheng.
Because he hadn’t changed Qu Sheng’s fate.
Qu Sheng would still die in the defense of Qingmu City, just a little earlier or later, and it was clear that he hadn’t waited long enough for the Southern Town King, ultimately dying far from home.
“Li Shaoxia, how does this look?”
A bowl of freshly made dumpling filling was placed in front of him.
“Looks good.”
Li Mo’s furrowed brow relaxed as he nodded.
Little Li, deep in thought for a moment, suggested, “What’s a dumpling without a bit of luck? Let’s put something inside when we wrap them.”
“True, it’s for good fortune. What should we put in?”
“How about some money?”
Huang Donglai excitedly pointed to his missing front tooth. He had only eaten dumplings once in his life, and he bit down too hard, chipping his tooth on a coin.
Since then, he had been cautious.
“Sounds good.”
Li Mo was on the same wavelength.
Bang—
Several wooden boxes thudded heavily to the ground, filled with the wealth from his investment. Li Mo didn’t have time to count; fortunately, they were all stuffed inside the boxes, about fifty or sixty of them.
“What’s this?”
“Silver notes.”
“?”
The kitchen fell silent for a moment as Wu Lang picked up one, which clearly read one thousand taels.
Three boxes, all filled. He wouldn’t dare burn that much for his ancestors.
Huang Donglai, however, was used to it and shook his head, saying, “Li Xiong, you can’t boil silver notes in the pot. We should exchange them for coins or silver ingots instead.”
“Good point.”
“Yeah, but with tens of thousands of people, that many dumplings... even more silver notes might not be enough to distribute.”
“Not necessarily.”
“??”
So, thumb-sized golden beans were created and wrapped into the dumpling filling.
“Ahem, Donglai, can you help me with something?”
“What’s up?”
Huang Donglai, unsure of what Li Mo needed, set down his work and came over.
Little Li glanced at Qu Sheng, who was holding the wrapped dumplings and had gone outside to let them cool in the snow, before pulling something out of his sleeve.
“Put this in the dumplings, and remember to mark it so it doesn’t get boiled away.”
“What’s this?”
“Supreme Treasure Pill.”
“Gasp...”
Huang Donglai nearly fell back in shock.
A Supreme Treasure Pill, something worth a fortune, and you’re using it in dumplings?
That’s just incredible.
“I made these dumplings just for that pill.”
Li Mo patted his shoulder, signaling for the steady Donglai not to make a fuss.
Then he went to the other cooks to retrieve his special barbecue sauce.
Today’s Winter Solstice celebration feast featured barbecue paired with dumplings.
He was in the middle of sharing the recipe when suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside. But the atmosphere was too lively, and with so many people coming and going, it was hard to make out.
“Li Shaoxia, look.” A cook nudged him.
“Why are you suddenly making that face...”
Li Mo was puzzled but instinctively turned his head.
“.....”
It was an ice beauty coming in from the snow...
She was about to step into the kitchen!
Little Li’s face changed dramatically!!
Chapter 335: The Tower of Infinite Colors - Happy Winter Solstice
At the kitchen door, her icy skin glowed against the snow, and the black Liuxian skirt she wore stood out vividly in the white, adorned with silver threads woven into moon patterns, exuding an air of nobility and mystery, accentuating her stunning figure.
Ying Bing’s gaze didn’t wander; she immediately found someone.
She had arrived.
“Li Xiong, Ying girl is here to see you... hmm?”
Huang Donglai suddenly noticed.
Li Xiong’s expression was serious and tense.
And in this cold weather, why was Li Xiong sweating a bit? Was he that fired up?
“You’re here.” Li Mo set down the barbecue sauce.
“What brings you to the kitchen?”
“You know, I have a bit of authority when it comes to cooking.”
“But you’re not fully recovered yet.”
Ying Bing raised an eyebrow, her gaze flickering over the dumpling filling and skins nearby, a hint of... curiosity in her eyes?
When she had come from the Jiawei Restaurant, the owner’s wife was making dumplings, and the husband watched, both looking blissfully happy.
In that moment, unfamiliar yet strange emotions surged within Ying Bing.
Was it longing?
In any case, the owner’s wife had pulled her in to learn a few tricks, and the Cold Fairy had quietly followed along, feeling a sense of ‘enlightenment in the dragon’s lair.’
If Li Mo had known about this, he would have had a heart-to-heart with the owner’s wife.
“Ice beauty!”
Seeing Ying Bing reach for the dumpling skins, Li Mo gritted his teeth.
His brothers had fought through countless battles; they couldn’t fall at the celebration feast!
“What’s wrong?”
Ying Bing looked puzzled.
“....... Your outfit looks really nice today; it’s not an ordinary dress, is it?”
Li Mo looked at her earnestly.
He had heard that complimenting a girl could divert her attention.
Ying Bing’s eyelashes fluttered as she nodded slightly.
“Yeah, this Liuxian skirt has some special uses; it’s quite good for practicing.”
“Practicing even on a holiday?”
“Didn’t practice.”
“??”
Li Mo cleared his throat, noticing her gaze drifting back to the dumpling skins, and asked more seriously, “So where did you get such a nice outfit? I’d like to buy one for myself.”
The boy’s gaze was sincere, as if he had a strong interest in the same style.
“....... I won’t tell you.”
Ying Bing avoided his eyes.
It’s well-known that when people feel flustered, they like to find something to do. Ying Bing had just learned a bit about making dumplings.
And now, she had dumpling filling and skins right in front of her.
Li Mo: “!?!!”
Staring blankly at the ice beauty who had already gotten to work, Little Li couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong at any point.
The kitchen defense operation had failed!
Huh?
A dumpling was cradled in her pristine palm, and it actually looked quite exquisite?
Looking up, Li Mo saw Ying Bing’s cool, serene face, her stubborn mouth slightly curling up...
“Seriously? You made that? How did you do it?”
Li Da Chef was utterly shocked.
Had the ice beauty awakened her memories from a past life? Was she a master now?!
“It’s just a few dumplings.”
Ying Bing’s expression was calm and confident.
She casually picked up a dumpling skin and wrapped it in an instant, her movements so fast they were almost imperceptible!
She even used her true essence!
Pork and scallion dumplings, done!!
Little Li gasped, leaning back in disbelief, feeling like a villain in a novel, being thoroughly outshone by the female lead.
“How about that?”
“Little Li bows in admiration.”
As evening approached, the clouds that had loomed all day still hadn’t released any snow.
Outside, the snow-covered ground was no longer just white; it was a mountain of dumplings piled high.
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