I'm the Culinary God

Just like the resilient qualities of Guizhou people, no matter how the world changes or time ebbs and flows, that deep-rooted love for life remains unchanged.

"It’s really super delicious, no wonder the locals love slurping noodles so much. I fell in love with this feeling after just one meal."

Shen Jiayue ate happily, a small pot of sour soup crispy noodles satisfied all her food fantasies.

Moreover, this pot of noodles had both meat and vegetables, greens and fried eggs, along with the tangy red soup and equally delicious dipping sauce, plus the smooth rice noodles—it was simply impeccable.

"Hey Xu, shall we eat like this from now on?"

"Sure, it’s pretty simple to make, even easier than our previous breakfast."

Lin Xu thought they could fry some dough sticks or pan some sticky rice cakes, or maybe chop some tofu; in any case, they couldn’t stick to the same routine and needed to add some variety.

Additionally, they could use beef or lamb, and pair it with some beef tripe or lamb tripe, enriching the texture and flavor as much as possible.

Before finishing the pot of noodles, sweat already started beading on their foreheads.

With no other choice, the couple went upstairs to change into thinner pajamas, then sat at the dining table, continuing to enjoy the joy of slurping noodles.

When the noodles and vegetables in the pot were finished, the soup wasn’t too scorching anymore.

Using a ladle to scoop some soup and blowing it slightly before sending it into the mouth, the savory sour soup and flavors of various ingredients flooded the palate immediately.

Even those who don’t usually enjoy soup can’t resist having another spoonful, two spoonfuls... until the soup in the pot is completely finished.

"Hey Xu, many places have the custom of drinking soup before the meal. Why is it in Yun Gui Region that we eat before drinking the soup?"

This question brought back Lin Xu’s long-buried geographical knowledge from the depths of his mind.

He laughed and said:

"The climate of the Yun Gui Highland is damp and cold, so they use scalding sour soup to keep the food warm, ensuring that every bite of noodles or pasta is hot. Additionally, it’s related to their use of the fire pit."

In Southwest Region’s rural families, almost every home has a fire pit.

It’s not only used for cooking food but also as essential heating equipment.

At the beginning of a meal, the fire pit is burning red, and the rice noodles in the clay pot keep simmering. At this point, it’s impossible to drink the soup, so they have to eat the noodles first.

Once the noodles are mostly finished, the fire in the fire pit has already died down.

Now they can carry a small bowl, scoop some sour soup from the pot, sipping slowly while casually chatting with family about daily life, reminding elders to take care of their health, urging children to study seriously.

Upon Lin Xu’s depiction, Shen Jiayue said longingly:

"Sounds so appealing, when we return to the old home, let’s make a fire pit to chat around the fire as well?"

"Northern houses are structurally unsuitable for a fire pit. To experience the feeling of gathering around a hearth to chat, setting up a small charcoal stove will do."

Homes that use fire pits have walls and roofs that are ventilated.

The wind outside slips through the cracks in the walls, rises upward along the fire pit’s position, and drifts out through some gaps in the roof, so there’s no worry about smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Additionally, this structure ensures that smoked meat is made successfully, with the smoked bacon hung above the fire pit for a period, absorbing enough smoky flavors; naturally then, the smoked bacon will be exceptionally tasty.

The so-called warmth and bustle of human life are what most comfort ordinary people’s hearts, this is the reason.

"Charcoal stoves are fine too. As a child at Grandma’s house, we used honeycomb coal burners, and during winter heating, we would place some peanuts or steamed buns on top, baking them to be fragrant and crisp. Dad would always compete with me for them—so naughty!"

While tidying up the kitchen, Lin Xu said:

"That’s a good thing, many people are eager to have such joyful relationships with their parents, yet they end up icy cold, like a superior-subordinate relationship."

After tidying up the kitchen, Shen Jiayue deliberately put a festive little sweater on Dundun and took it in her arms to drive to the store.

Today is Chen Yan’s big wedding day, the whole family will come, so Dundun needs to be dressed handsomely, after all, it is the heart’s darling of the elders.

On the way, sitting in the passenger seat, Shen Jiayue said:

"I read an article saying that cats are very sly animals, apparently they began consciously getting closer to humans by mimicking babies to gain human care and affection four thousand years ago..."

Dundun, who was sprawling on the back seat looking at the scenery outside: "!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Is this considered slyness?

This is about getting a carefree lifestyle with the lowest cost and effort, it’s called wisdom.

Humans, you have lost to cats too much!

"Hey Xu, why are people so strict with dogs and so lenient with cats?"

Right now, they were at a traffic light, Lin Xu slowly brought the car down and said with a smile:

"It’s not exactly strict, dogs are social animals, they have a sense of hierarchy psychologically. Occasionally being strict helps moderate a dog’s temper; otherwise, it might turn into a house-wrecking expert because it considers itself the master of the house."

"What about cats?"

"Cats, at all times, think of themselves as masters, they have no sense of inferiority or superiority. If you treat them poorly, they’ll leave. If you don’t keep them, they’ll find another servant."

Shen Jiayue turned her face to look at Dundun and asked:

"Son, will you ever leave us someday?"

Dundun blinked its eyes, then wagged its tail, and casually placed its paw on Shen Jiayue’s hand.

Obviously, it won’t leave.