Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Ye Ling felt a bit embarrassed to let Yu Huan pay, so she said, âIâll buy those two chickens myself.â
Yu Huan stopped Ye Ling, who was about to get up and pay and pouted. âWhat? Are you underestimating my financial strength? I havenât even paid the consultation fee for you to treat my body. Keep your wallet well today and donât worry about anything.â
Yu Huanâs tone was confident, and Ye Ling didnât insist any further. They sat and waited for a while until the boss brought a plate of sliced salted chicken.
Yu Huan pointed at the plate of salted chicken with her chopsticks and said, âThe reason why Chen Countyâs salted chicken is famous is because they use local chickens. While there are imitations in other places, they donât use chickens raised in Chen County, so the taste isnât authentic.â
The boss, who hadnât gone far, heard Yu Huanâs words and turned to them with a smile. âYoung girl, you know a lot. Do you know why the chickens in Chen County are different from those in other places?â
Yu Huan put down her chopsticks, placed her hands on her hiDS, and with a hint of pride, said she wasnât stumped by the bossâs question.
âBecause the chickens in Chen County like to eat a special kind of millet thatâs rare elsewhere. I checked some information, and a few hundred years ago, Chen County often suffered from famines. Ordinary grains were susceptible to bad weather, so the county magistrate encouraged farmers to grow a type of unappetizing millet. Though unpalatable, this millet was hardy and could survive.â
The boss looked surprised at Yu Huanâs knowledge. He nodded and said, âThatâs true. Later, although famines were rare, planting this millet became a local habit. Since the millet was unappetizing for people, it was used to feed the chickens. Who would have thought that the chickens raised on this millet would be exceptionally tender and flavorful? Thatâs why Chen Countyâs chickens are famous.â
Ye Ling listened to their conversation and learned something new. She picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of the salted chicken, and indeed found the meat to be tender and fragrant.
The boss went back to serving other customers. As Ye Ling enjoyed the tasty salted chicken, she looked at Yu Huan curiously. âHow do you know so much?â
Yu Huan continued eating, answering, âHow can a local literature writer not Imow about the events on the land?â
Ye Ling was momentarily surprised. A local literature writer?
Seeing her puzzled expression, Yu Huan explained, âOh, I forgot to tell you. Iâm a writer. â
Ye Lingâs eyes lit up, and she praised, âImpressive!â
Yu Huan grinned, âNot really, I donât have any major works or fame yet, but thatâs temporary. You should know that good works require time to mature. We canât rush it.â
Ye Ling wasnât well-versed in literature, but her mother, Ye Zhen, enjoyed reading. She remembered her motherâs room with two tall bookshelves full of various books. Among them were even some rare ancient texts.
After her mother passed away, her father, Fang Ke, sold all the books, and the bookshelves were dismantled.
Thinking of this, Ye Lingâs expression dimmed a little.
After finishing their meal, Ye Ling and Yu Huan were extremely full. Yu Huan wiped her mouth contentedly. âSalted chicken is delicious, but it tastes even better when shared with a good friend.â Ye Ling savored Yu Huanâs words.
Friend, it truly was a wonderful term.
Yu Huan initially wanted to go to the fabric market, but on the way, they heard that the market was undergoing government regulation, leading many fabric merchants to temporarily close.
Yu Huan was a bit disappointed, âThen letâs skip it and head home directly.â
Ye Ling consoled her, âNext time we can go.â
They retraced their steps, changed vehicles, and got off the main road near the town. After walking for over an hour, they could almost see the rooftops of Willow Village.
Panting, Yu Huan said, âIn the past, I used to go on the first day and return the next. Today, I ended up walking twice on the mountain road! If it were the old me, Iâd have already collapsed from exhaustion. But now, I can persevere. It seems my body has truly become stronger.â
Ye Ling wiped the sweat off her forehead and said, âIf you can go for a run every day, your health will improve.â
As they were chatting, Ye Lingâs voice suddenly vanished, and Yu Huan noticed
Ye Lingâs expression stiffen.. âWhatâs wrong?â
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