Reborn in 1979, with a female educated youth lying next to me.

Liu Jia didn't want to continue the topic, so she didn't pick up where Zhou Caixia left off.

Halfway through the walk, Liu Jia suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong? Why don't you leave?"

Zhou Caixia glanced sideways and urged Liu Jia as usual.

Liu Jia said, "You go back first, I'll be there in a bit."

"What are you doing?"

Unable to figure out why Liu Jia was behaving so strangely, Zhou Caixia asked another question.

Liu Jia smiled.

"Uncle Zhou and Auntie made dumplings for me, I can't go empty-handed, you go back first, I'll go dig up a couple of bamboo shoots in the woods."

Zhou Caixia froze, her eyes filled with disbelief.

If you're going to eat dumplings, just go eat dumplings. Why make such a fuss?

Besides, what kind of move is Liu Jia making?

If you want to eat bamboo shoots, you can dig them up freely in the bamboo forest. No one else dares to do this, so you can dig up as many as you want.

Why would he need to dig it out?

"Stop looking, go on, I'll cook a dish for Uncle Zhou!"

Zhou Caixia pouted and gave Liu Jia a big eye roll.

"What's so great about bamboo shoots? It's not like we've never eaten them before. You're just praising them to the skies!"

Seeing Zhou Caixia's expression, Liu Jia said something directly.

"You know what, the dishes I make are definitely different from others. You'll have to try them later if you don't believe me."

"Fine, fine, I'll go first, okay? If you think I'm in your way, I'm not going to come with you!"

Liu Jia didn't want to go with him, so he tried to get rid of him.

Once he finishes cooking, I definitely won't be going to accept any food!

With that thought in mind, Zhou Caixia quickened her pace considerably.

Liu Jia turned and went to the bamboo grove, refusing to dig up any bamboo shoots.

Summer bamboo shoots taste just as good!

It's great to live near a bamboo grove; bamboo shoots can come out whenever you want to eat them.

Although the taste of bamboo shoots varies throughout the year, stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat is always mouthwatering.

Actually, Liu Jia wanted to make a dish of hand-peeled bamboo shoots.

It's a pity that the bamboo shoots aren't quite right now.

If you really want to make hand-peeled bamboo shoots, you should choose spring bamboo shoots or small bamboo shoots; that's what makes them truly fragrant.

There's no time to agonize over how to prepare the bamboo shoots right now.

Liu Jia thought he should dig up the bamboo shoots first and then figure it out.

A dozen minutes later, Liu Jia arrived at Zhou Fengshou's house with three large bamboo shoots.

"Sanzi's here. Well, you're here, but why did you bring anything?"

Seeing the things Liu Jia was carrying, Zhou Fengshou's words carried a hint of resentment.

I watched this kid grow up; I've never treated him like an outsider.

But lately, Liu Jia has been busy every time he comes.

They will bring some things with them, more or less.

Liu Jia replied with the same words.

"My aunt makes dumplings, and I can eat three bowls in one go. I don't bring anything with me, how could I possibly eat any?"

"You've learned to be polite this year. Before, you would come empty-handed and eat as much as you wanted, and I've never seen you be so considerate!"

Zhou Fengshou joked with a smile.

Liu Jia scratched his head sheepishly.

"Uncle Zhou, I'm all grown up now, not that ignorant brat I used to be!"

"It's better not to be so understanding. The way you put it makes me feel like our relationship is becoming distant."

Zhou Fengshou was telling the truth, not exaggerating at all. After he finished speaking, a hint of disappointment appeared on his face.

How could Liu Jia not understand what the person in front of him was thinking?

I grew up in Xili Village and always ran between two families since I was a child.

When Liu Yutian was a child, he would eat at Zhou Fengshou's house, and no amount of urging could get him to go home.

Thinking about it now, it feels like it happened just yesterday.

But when Liu Jia looked at Zhou Fengshou more closely, he couldn't help but sigh.

Time flies! The children have grown up, and Uncle Zhou's hair has turned a bit gray.

As for Zhou Fengshou's earlier statement about a distant relationship, that's impossible.

"Uncle Zhou, why are you so sentimental lately? Is it because you're reluctant to let me go?"

Before Zhou Fengshou could speak, Liu Jia continued, "Don't worry, I'm just going to school, not not coming back. When school lets out for break, I'll definitely be back as soon as possible."

"I believe that. You've been a troublemaker since you were a kid."

Seeing that Zhou Fengshou's face had returned to its usual expression, Liu Jia smiled and went into the kitchen.

Zhou Fengshou didn't stop him.

In his eyes, Liu Jia was practically like half a son.

Seeing Liu Jia start cooking, Caixia's mother quickly called Caixia to help.

"Caixia, what are you dawdling about outside? Come over here and see what Sanzi needs."

"Auntie, don't rush me. I'll have Caixia peel some garlic for me in a bit. You don't need to worry about the rest."

You need to add garlic when stir-frying bamboo shoots; Caixia's mother knows this.

After standing up, imagine that you immediately took out a bunch of garlic and handed it to Liu Jia.

"Auntie, do you know what I'm cooking? Why did you peel the garlic beforehand?"

Caixia's mother smiled and said, "I was just doing nothing, so I peeled a few cloves of garlic. I didn't expect it would actually come in handy."

The two were talking when Zhou Caixia suddenly came in.

"Third Brother, what did you tell me to do?"

"It's alright, go out and rest. Your aunt has already given me the garlic."

Liu Jia spoke as he washed the bamboo shoots.

Zhou Caixia looked on with curiosity.

"Third Brother, what dish are you making? Why is there such a big bunch of dried chili peppers next to you? Do you really need that many?"

Normally, if you stir-fry bamboo shoots with garlic cloves, chili peppers, and maybe a little bit of fatty meat, that's considered a good dish.

But Zhou Caixia couldn't understand why Liu Jia had so many chilies and garlic.

"Just wait, the food I make in a little while will be so delicious you'll lick your fingers."

Liu Jia looked serious, but Zhou Caixia laughed.

Then came another comment: "Keep bragging!"

"How can you talk like that? You're a grown man, why are you still acting like a child?"

Before Liu Jia could say anything, Caixia's mother, who was standing next to him, couldn't stand it anymore.

It was one thing for them to laugh and joke around without thinking before, but now that Liu Jia is about to go to college and Zhou Caixia has a husband, it's inappropriate for them to still talk like this!

Realizing something was wrong, Zhou Caixia quickly turned around.

Once outside the house, she called out, "Mother, Third Brother said we don't need any more help, so I'll head back to the north room now!"

Caixia Niang remained silent.

Liu Jia's lips curled up.

I felt right at home at Zhou Fengshou's house, completely at ease.

Having just brought back bamboo shoots, Liu Jia ultimately decided to prepare them by peeling them by hand.

Judging from the size of the bamboo shoots now, they won't taste as satisfying as hand-peeled bamboo shoots when they're cooked, but the flavor will definitely be just as good.

It was really because I was craving that dish that I couldn't wait to make a pot of it.

So when cutting bamboo shoots, Liu Jia didn't slice them, but cut them into strips.

I briefly rinsed it with water, then added oil, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers.

After the pungent smell dissipated, Liu Jia threw in the peppercorns and star anise next to him, and finally added soy sauce.

Smelling the delicious aroma wafting from the room, Caixia's mother couldn't help but take a deep sniff.

"Auntie, I need some more sugar."

"Okay, I'll get it for you now!"

Lifting the curtain, Caixia's mother went out and asked, "Father, can you smell the aroma? Why does Sanzi's stir-fry smell so good?"

"I smelled it a long time ago. I didn't dare go in, afraid you'd kick me out. Mom, what's my third brother cooking?"

Before Zhou Fengshou could speak, Zhou Caixia quickly leaned over and asked.

As Caixia's mother walked, she said, "It's the bamboo shoot he just brought over. Don't ask anymore, I'll hurry and take him some sugar."

Zhou Caixia froze, her eyes wide with surprise.

"What? You put sugar in stir-fries? I've never known you put sugar in stir-fries before!"

Zhou Fengshou, standing nearby, was also somewhat surprised.

Adding sugar to stir-fries is something I've never heard of before.

In Northwest Village, I've seen a lot of the world and have eaten at state-run restaurants a few times.

The restaurant offers both sweet and spicy dishes.

But is it appropriate to add sugar to bamboo shoots?

The two stared at each other, neither of them quite understanding, when Caixia's mother walked into the kitchen with a small jar.

To make it more flavorful, Liu Jia cut the bamboo shoots into thin strips. After adding the sugar, Liu Jia put the lid on the pot.

Seeing that Liu Jia was about to leave, Caixia's mother asked, "Sanzi, when will this be over?"

Liu Jia put down his chopsticks.

"Keep stewing, Auntie. Let me tell you, this dish will be absolutely delicious if you leave it until tomorrow morning!"

"But I can't wait any longer, let's eat in a bit."

"There are some bamboo shoots left over from this pot. Try them tomorrow for a different flavor."

Caixia's eyes narrowed into slits with laughter.

"Sanzi has really grown up. He's become much more mature, and he can even cook now. That's wonderful!"

Liu Jia smiled in response to Caixia's praise.

Liu Jia's lips were always turned up in a smile.

Although the pot of bamboo shoots he just made wasn't truly hand-peeled, Liu Jia was confident that when they ate it, they would definitely give it a thumbs up!

Liu Jia is confident in this much!

Just now, just like when she was cooking, Caixia's mother kept adding water to the pot.

The timing was perfect; Liu Jia's bamboo shoots were ready, and the dumplings were ready too.

When the steaming dumplings were served, everyone's mouths were agape in delight.

When Liu Jia brought out a bowl of bamboo shoots with chili peppers floating on top, Zhou Fengshou and Zhou Caixia were surprised again.

"My God, Third Brother, are you really related to the chili pepper seller or what? How can you put so many chilies in a bamboo shoot? Is this even edible?"

"Of course you can eat it. Why don't you try it?"

Zhou Caixia picked up her chopsticks, intending to first put a dumpling in her mouth, but after hearing Liu Jia's suggestion, she simply reached for the bowl on the table.

Zhou Caixia carefully picked up a piece of bamboo shoot and put it in her mouth.

"Ugh, it's so spicy!"

"Oh, this is delicious!"

"Dad, you must try these bamboo shoots, they're delicious!"

Zhou Caixia raised her hand to fan the corner of her mouth, then gasped for breath, but her mouth never stopped moving.

Liu Jia's bamboo shoots are absolutely delicious!

It's fragrant, numbing, and spicy!

I've never eaten such delicious bamboo shoots in my entire life!

"Third Brother, it's delicious!"

After hearing this, Liu Jia laughed and corrected, "It's the bamboo shoots that are delicious, not me."

Zhou Caixia rolled her eyes, then picked up another piece of food with her chopsticks.

Seeing how much Zhou Caixia was enjoying her meal, Zhou Fengshou began to have some doubts.

It's just that I added more chili peppers and stir-fried some bamboo shoots.

Is it really worth praising them like this?

"What does it taste like? I'd like to try it too."

While they were talking, Zhou Fengshou also started eating bamboo shoots.

Once you take a bite, you can't stop.

Liu Jia picked up the bowl of dumplings in front of him and slowly began to eat the dumplings.

Freshly cooked dumplings are just so delicious.

Especially the kind that hasn't collapsed yet, it's so delicious that words can't describe it.

Liu Jia was eating dumplings, while Zhou Fengshou and his wife, along with Zhou Caixia, were eating bamboo shoots.

The hissing and hissing never stopped.

After taking several bites, Zhou Fengshou remembered that there were still dumplings in front of him.

"Oh right, why did I forget to bring the wine? With this dish made by Sanzi, I'm going to have a good drink."

Zhou Fengshou stood up and walked into the north room with a smile.

Suddenly, someone shouted at the door.

"Captain, something terrible has happened!"

"You'd better go check on her right away, the Su family's daughter is dying!"