Yao Tianlan and Gu Cunchai were already awake and sitting in the courtyard, eating.

Their family was a small household and didn’t have so many customs. They didn’t necessarily have to eat together; they did whatever was convenient.

“Dad, Mom, the things we made today all sold out,” Ji Rongxia said happily.

“All sold out? Good, good. Xia-ger, you worked hard. Come quickly and eat,” Yao Tianlan was so happy. She married Xia-ger to help her son establish the household, and now that Xia-ger was capable, why wouldn’t she be happy?

“Come quickly and eat,” Gu Cunchai also gave a rare compliment. “Selling everything the first time you set up a stall. You two did quite well.”

Yao Tianlan and Gu Tangjin didn’t ask how much the two earned. They had agreed it was for the young couple, so they didn’t ask.

After the four of them finished breakfast, they began preparing the things needed for the eatery to open at noon.

They had to wash the bowls and chopsticks that had been soaking in water overnight, marinate the meat and vegetables that needed it, cut everything that needed to be cut, wash the vegetables clean, chop the firewood into small pieces, steam a few pots of rice, knead a few chunks of dough…

There was truly a lot of work before and after, but all four were efficient workers, and the work was finished before the Sì hour (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.).

With the extra time, Gu Cunchai took Ji Rongxia to practice knife skills and stir-frying in the stove room. Yao Tianlan sat under the eaves embroidering handkerchiefs, and Gu Tangjin held a book and read.

Although Gu Tangjin was lame and could no longer take the imperial exams, the family members all liked to see him reading. Not to mention the possibility of opening a private school later to bring in extra income for the family, just being able to teach their own children in the future was a good thing. It’s never wrong to read more books.

For a time, the loudest sound in the courtyard was the shua shua shua of Ji Rongxia cutting tofu.

These days, if Ji Rongxia’s cut tofu shreds were leftover, they would simply mix them with some shredded scallions, salt, and vinegar, serving them as a cold dish, half selling and half giving it away.

In the summer heat, eating a mouthful of such a fresh, cold dish was also very delightful.

At noon, when the eatery opened, regular customers arrived one after another.

Regular customers mostly ordered Gu Cunchai’s signature dishes: braised pork and braised fish.

Gu Cunchai’s best dishes were these two main courses. They were very flavourful, and even when people had a poor appetite in the summer, they always wanted to eat a bite of them.

There were more new guests today, and the first thing they asked for was a scoop of fruit drink.

Yao Tianlan laughed and said that it was only sold at breakfast. The sugar was precious, brought back by Gu Tangjin from the prefectural city, and if they sold it all day, it wouldn’t last long.

Some also asked if there were chive flatbreads. Yao Tianlan only said that they made only that much in a day and couldn’t make more because they were short-staffed. If they wanted to eat it, they could only come tomorrow morning.

Since Yao Tianlan said so, those who still wanted to eat it could only wait until tomorrow. Some people left upon hearing there was none, but some stayed to eat. It was so hot, and they had already walked all the way here, so some people were too lazy to go elsewhere and simply ate lunch before leaving.

Gu Cunchai was very generous with ingredients. The food he made was flavourful, and the prices were also reasonable. A plate of braised pork costs thirty wen. After deducting the capital, it only earned them the price of their hard work. Eating here kept many new customers.

Originally, the eatery’s business was slower due to the summer heat and people’s poor appetites, but today it was exceptionally booming.

After the wǔ hour (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), fewer people came to eat, and the four finally had time to eat. Their meal was simple, just dishes that Gu Cunchai stir-fried while cooking for customers. They took turns to nap for a while. After their naps, Ji Rongxia and Gu Tangjin washed the bowls and chopsticks used at noon. Gu Tangjin settled the accounts for noon and then read alone, while Ji Rongxia practised knife skills and stir-frying with Gu Cunchai.

It was definitely necessary to practice. Even though Ji Rongxia had talent, he still needed to solidify the basics.

Ji Rongxia didn’t feel tired. Instead, he enjoyed himself, picking up the kitchen knife as if a general had received his weapon, wielding it with vigour.

Yao Tianlan sat by the eatery door embroidering handkerchiefs. Ger Ge brought over a handful of stir-fried melon seeds to talk with her, and upon seeing Yao Tianlan, he smiled and praised: “Old Sister, your scholar Gu and Xia-ger are truly capable. They only set up the stall for one day and already attracted many customers.”

“You flatter me. Thanks to you for taking care of our business this morning. I heard Xia-ger say you were the first one to come and buy the fruit drink.” Yao Tianlan was happy in her heart but spoke humbly. “Tomorrow, I’ll have Xia-ger, and they’ll serve you a bit more fruit drink. Please don’t refuse.”

“Then I won’t be polite. Don’t look at us running a pastry shop; Huzai and Ger Qian are tired of the things inside. Those two children are very picky eaters. They love the chive flatbread and fruit drinks your family makes.” Ger Ge didn’t care about the small amount of extra food, but the fact that they knew he was helping their business and had that thought made Ger Ge feel extremely comfortable!

Yao Tianlan and Ger Ge, whose relationship was originally average, now appeared to be very close.

Before long, it was time for dinner again. The eatery was busy as usual. After the You hour (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) passed and the sky gradually darkened, the eatery closed.

If an eatery closed late, they would usually soak the bowls and chopsticks and wash them the next day. Today, they closed relatively early, mainly because the business was good and the fresh ingredients were all used up. Since the hour was still early, they washed all the bowls and chopsticks clean.

There was a large basin in the courtyard filled with clean water. Exposed to the sun, the water became warm by evening. Mixed with some cold water, it could be used for bathing.

There was a small shed in the Gu family’s first-floor courtyard, specifically used for bathing. It was for nothing else but cleanliness. If they were running a food business and weren’t cleaning themselves, would others feel at ease eating the food they made?

Gu Tangjin led Ji Rongxia to turn over the soil in the courtyard. Yao Tianlan, who had just come out of the bathing shed, asked curiously: “The other day I said we should replant some things, and here you are doing it. What are you planning to plant?”

The small plot of land in their courtyard was usually used for planting scallions, ginger, and garlic. This year, they were busy treating Tangjin’s leg, and then busy getting married, so the courtyard land was not fully planted.

“We found some cucumber seeds and want to plant some. If they grow well, we might be able to eat them in the autumn,” Gu Tangjin said.

“That’s wonderful then,” Yao Tianlan replied casually, not taking it too much to heart.

The two hummed and puffed as they turned the soil. To be honest, one of them used to focus on studying, and the other’s family courtyard was cramped, and they had no land outside the city. Frankly, neither of them had actually farmed before.

Even though the two of them were usually quick workers, this time they were a bit clumsy. Gu Cunchai and Yao Tianlan bathed, brewed a pot of tea, and sat in the courtyard, fanning themselves with cattail fans, watching the two awkwardly turn the soil. They found it amusing but dared not laugh.

Gu Tangjin and Ji Rongxia exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh at each other’s dusty faces.

After finishing the work, they quickly bathed, and after refreshing themselves, they drank tea with their parents in the courtyard for a while before returning to their room.

Once back in the room, Gu Tangjin pulled out a book on farming from his book box and said, “Although learning from paper is ultimately shallow, this book is still somewhat useful. I should read more farming books.”

“Good. I’ll be the head chef, and I’ll cook with the vegetables and grains you grow!” Ji Rongxia said enthusiastically.

Gu Tangjin responded: “That is certain. In the future, you definitely won’t lack good vegetables and meat to use. Also, I thought I should teach you to recognise a few more characters before bed, so you can understand what’s written on the things that little ghost brings out.”

He had just thought of this matter.

Ji Rongxia scratched his head: “I have to learn to read?”

“Yes, learn more so you won’t be afraid of being deceived by that little ghost,” Gu Tangjin said.

“Alright then,” Ji Rongxia sighed. He also knew he should learn more characters, but he truly disliked reading and studying!

Gu Tangjin took out paper and brush, lit the oil lamp, and the two huddled by the table. Gu Tangjin used the farming book to teach Ji Rongxia to read.

After only recognising seven or eight characters, it was already late. Ji Rongxia obediently went to sleep. Gu Tangjin held the farming book, reading by the side as he waited for Ji Rongxia to wake up.

Not long after falling asleep, Ji Rongxia arrived at the System Space again.

Ji Rongxia rolled up his sleeves and vigorously went to cut the cucumbers.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the mission was completed.

“I’m truly great!” Ji Rongxia said to the Cooking God System, looking at the crisp cucumber shreds. “System, help me put a handful of cucumber seeds by my pillow. Put the rest in the space to be taken out later.”

“Understood, Host. The items have been placed. I specifically selected different kinds of cucumber seeds, guaranteeing you will be able to eat different flavours of cucumbers,” the Cooking God System said thoughtfully.

“That works,” Ji Rongxia said with a wave of his hand. “Come on, issue another mission for me. I still choose the Basic Skills module.”

He planned to first focus on practising his basic skills well, and then slowly learn more complex cooking techniques.

Today, even his father praised his wrist for becoming steadier! The knife skills practice was beginning to show results.

“Alright!” The Cooking God System immediately agreed. Good heavens, with the Host being so diligent, it was so happy it could almost float!

[Ding! Basic Skills Module Primary Mission: Peel Taro Skin. (Demonstration Tutorial Video Attached)]

[Mission Requirement: Please master the method of cleanly peeling the taro skin within one minute (steaming method cannot be used).]

[Mission Reward: Twenty jin (10 kg) of premium taro.]

“Taro?”

Taro was not expensive. Ji Rongxia had certainly eaten it.

Ji Rongxia tilted his head. Peeling taro skin? Taro is so small; isn’t it usually steamed and eaten? Why would one need to peel it? After steaming it, one could just peel the skin off.

Could the taro in the System be very different?!

Ji Rongxia’s eyes lit up. Before he could react, all the cucumbers in front of him disappeared, replaced by piles of taro.

Some taro were bigger than two fists put together. Some taro had purple skin. Some taro were small, similar to what he had eaten before. Some taros were long…

No wonder this could become a mission!!!

Ji Rongxia grunted as he peeled the taro skin.

Peeling the taro skin not only made his hands itchy, but the skin was also genuinely difficult to peel, hard and tightly attached to the edible part.

Ji Rongxia held a small knife in one hand and a very large, heavy taro in the other, peeling it like one would whittle wood.

This knife was specifically for peeling hard things in the stove room and was not used often. After all, the eatery mostly made meat dishes like braised pork, so they didn’t really need this knife.

His wrist strength was considerable, and his control over the knife was strong. Most importantly, he had whittled wood and done carpentry work at home before!

No matter how hard this taro was, could it be harder than wood?

He peeled the taro and then heard the familiar reminder sound.

[Ding! Taro that has been made one size thinner from peeling.]

Yes, Ji Rongxia’s peeling motion was very stylish, but he also cut off a lot of the edible part.

Ji Rongxia: “…”

He silently clicked on the demonstration video.

He always did this: first doing it according to his own ideas, and then watching the video to find and correct any shortcomings and mistakes. This way, the impression would be deeper, and he wouldn’t easily forget.

Half an hour was nowhere near enough for him to finish learning how to peel taro skin quickly and efficiently. When he suddenly regained consciousness, he was still a little confused.

He was kicked out again?

“Where are the cucumber seeds?” He quickly looked at the pillow as soon as he came to his senses.

Gu Tangjin handed him the cucumber seeds in a small transparent bag: “These cucumber seeds are indeed plump and different from ordinary seeds.”

“Wow, really? I can’t really tell,” Ji Rongxia turned the bag of seeds over and over under the oil lamp.

Most of the seeds inside were pale yellow. Because they came from different kinds of cucumbers, there were slight differences in size and colour, but looking closely at the seeds, one could see that they were all quite plump.

“We’ll have cucumbers in the autumn!” Ji Rongxia said with a smile, holding the cucumber seeds in one hand and hugging Gu Tangjin’s arm with the other.

“Thanks to Xia-ger’s blessing, I’ll be able to enjoy good food,” Gu Tangjin teased.

“Of course. Don’t worry, Tangjin. Following me, you definitely won’t lack delicious food. You wouldn’t believe I saw so many different taros today! Some were this big, weighing over a catty. Even a strong man who works hard could probably feel full eating two of them in one meal…”

Ji Rongxia lowered his voice, rambling about the sightings he could mention from the System Space. Gu Tangjin listened quietly, occasionally responding or asking a question. The two chatted privately for a while before falling into a deep sleep.