Love in the Fast Lane - Chapter 59 - Mom Said We Should Be Content

Originally, Mo Zihan thought Tang Ning would be at a complete loss facing the red clay brick stove. She soaked Tang Ning’s dirty clothes in a big basin and then secretly sneaked into the kitchen to watch him flounder in helplessness. But to her surprise, this guy seemed even more adept with the ancient stove than with the modern one at home.

At home, she had often sneaked into the kitchen to steal food from the dishes Tang Ning had cooked and had witnessed his efficiency. But that was with a modern stove. Now, with this old-fashioned stove that had a blower underneath and a much larger wok and spatula, Tang Ning seemed even more familiar.

Tang Ning, seemingly more comfortable with this traditional stove, turned on the blower, poured water into the wok, and placed the cleaned vegetables on the large cutting board. Underneath the cutting board, the bucket was filled with fish, meat, chicken, and duck. Mo Zihan stood outside, watching for less than five minutes, and saw him efficiently clean the vegetables and pull the meat out of the bucket. He defrosted what needed cold water in cold water, and let the rest defrost by the stove. His knife skills were dazzling. When the water in the wok started boiling, the vegetables were already cut, just waiting for the meat to defrost.

“How do you know how to use these stoves?” Mo Zihan asked in surprise.

Tang Ning sniffed; he was about to peel an onion, a task he wasn’t particularly fond of. “This is the kind of stove we use back in my hometown. We still use it now. I’ve been using it since I was a kid. – The water’s boiling, has the water on the stove started to boil yet? Get a bucket, and I’ll pour the water into it for you.”

Mo Zihan hurriedly said, “Forget it. This wok is for cooking; it’s greasy inside. Do you want me to make it even dirtier by washing? I’ve soaked the clothes; I’ll wash them in a while. Uh, let me help you.”

Tang Ning said, “That works. How about this? Help me rinse the rice first-put on the gloves, the water is very cold.”

Mo Zihan rolled her eyes. “Got it, you’re the chef, I’m just your assistant. I’ll follow your orders in everything.”

Then, seeing Tang Ning soaking vegetables and meat in the sink, Mo Zihan asked curiously, “Why are you soaking the vegetables? Soaked veggies won’t taste good by tomorrow morning.”

Tang Ning whispered conspiratorially, “Silly, didn’t you just tell me that relatives and friends might come over tonight for drinks? Do you want me to start cooking all over again after dinner? Besides, can you be sure all the relatives will have already eaten before they come over? Let me tell you, unexpected events like this are not just coincidences. Preparing in advance makes things a bit more comfortable.”

Hearing the chopping sounds from the cutting board for a while, Drama Mom, who had been munching on sunflower seeds, peeked her head into the kitchen. “Oh, both of you are cooking! Some relatives called and said they’ll be coming over soon. They want to drink and chat tonight. Make more food, please. Xiao Tang, I’m counting on you.”

Tang Ning flashed a bright smile. “Don’t worry, we’ll have it ready soon.”

Drama Mom didn’t look into the sink, but she glanced at the cutting board and saw Tang Ning skillfully preparing food. She nodded in approval. “Nice knife skills. Well, I’ll trouble you for today, but you’ll have an easier time later. Keep busy, keep busy.”

Mo Zihan, displeased, said, “Mom, you always say I bully people, yet you didn’t tell me earlier that relatives were coming. I’ve almost finished preparing dinner. Isn’t this bullying? Alright, alright, go sit and wait for dinner. You won’t go hungry.”

After Drama Mom left, Mo Zihan gave Tang Ning a thumbs up and praised, “Clever and scheming, well done. Keep it up. Hey, do you think this amount of rice is enough?”

Tang Ning took a look and was shocked. “Pour out half of it quickly. This is almost enough rice for ten people for two days. Plus, the pot is only so big. How much water would you need for that much rice? Are we making popcorn?”

Mo Zihan, embarrassed, said, “I’m inexperienced. Otherwise, why would you be the head chef and I the assistant, right?”

Tang Ning chuckled, helped her measure the right amount of rice, and ensured the water was properly added. Then he said gently, “The kitchen’s oily smoke is bad for the skin. From now on, let me do the cooking. You can wash the pots and pans when you feel like it.”

Mo Zihan squatted on a small stool, adding coal under the stove. After a long time, she softly said, “Okay, you’re not afraid of getting fat, but I am. I’ll consider it post-meal exercise.”

The two had been busy in the kitchen for almost an hour. The cooked rice was still kept warm on the stove, and they were just about to bring out the thawed meat when they heard voices outside the courtyard. Soon, relatives arrived in groups of twos and threes, most of whom they had seen in the morning. A few women peeked into the kitchen and jokingly asked Drama Mom, “Got some time off today? The son-in-law just arrived and already put to work cooking?”

Drama Mom puffed up proudly and replied, “The kids said we work too hard, so they insisted we take a break while they cook. Perfect timing to taste their skills today. I just took a peek-the cold dishes look great. Xiaohan is so lazy, Xiao Tang has to help her for anything to get done.”

Mo Zihan, squatting in the kitchen, almost couldn’t hold back her laughter. Drama Mom, you can be proud all you want, but at least be proud of something substantial. What’s there to flaunt about this?

Tang Ning also scratched his head a bit. He thought to himself that he couldn’t earn much money, had no house, no car, and not even the capital to buy high-end clothes. Yet, these people didn’t seem to mind at all. Usually, parents boast about their kids’ career and earning abilities, but this family didn’t care about his poverty at all. Instead, they were bragging about his cooking skills.

Isn’t this the anomaly of modern society? He just couldn’t understand it!

While cooking, Tang Ning finally chased Mo Zihan out of the kitchen. In his words: “Someone as lazy as you who doesn’t even use makeup shouldn’t be wandering around in the kitchen!”

Mo Zihan felt like crying. Since living with Tang Ning, he had never allowed her to stay in the smokey kitchen. At first, it was just out of friendly concern, but as time passed, it showed that he truly cared for her.

On tiptoe, Mo Zihan planted a heavy kiss on his cheek, giggling as she said, “Alright, now I’ve got my revenge.” Then she dashed off towards the living room, only to be stopped halfway by Drama Mom. “What are you doing?”

Mo Zihan replied sheepishly, “Why are you everywhere? You almost scared me to death. Tang Ning kicked me out of the kitchen, saying I’d just get in the way and might break the plates. He said you guys can put any broken plates on his tab.”

Hmm, this reason should give him some extra points for his image.

Drama Mom’s expression was strange, making Mo Zihan feel quite uneasy. She was about to find an excuse to slip away and figure out what was going on when Drama Mom suddenly grabbed Dad and, with a look of frustration, said, “Look at this! Look at how considerate Xiao Tang is! How did we end up with a daughter who can’t tell good from bad?”

Mo Zihan was baffled. How did she get criticized while not doing anything?

Dad forced a smile, flattering Drama Mom, “Yes, yes, you’re right. We have a very lucky daughter thanks to you.”

Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? Yes, I’m lucky, but could you explain what you mean more clearly?

Dad gave Mo Zihan a helpless look before scurrying off into the living room. That look clearly said, “Sweetie, your mom is rather unique; you handle her. You’re in for a lecture, so Dad’s retreating first. Hang in there!”

Drama Mom dragged Mo Zihan into the side room and asked sternly, “Are you still not using any makeup?”

Mo Zihan dodged her mom’s hand reaching for her face, feeling agitated. This mom should have been Qi Xiaomeng’s mom! Look at the actions, look at the expressions-they’re practically identical.

However, did that question even need to be asked? When have I ever used makeup?

Seeing Mo Zihan’s bewildered and cautious expression, Drama Mom sighed deeply and said, “Sweetie, you need to be content. Xiao Tang really cares for you. Have you not realized that all this time? Sure, his family isn’t well-off, but his parents are educated people. I can see that, like your father, they value old traditions. Why are you so oblivious?”

Oblivious?

What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not smart and charming?