When Sheng Jiu makes pan-fried dumplings, she likes to pour a layer of batter over the bottom and then fry some crispy rice crusts to eat.
The batter to water ratio for the crispy rice crusts needs to be just right to ensure they turn out crispy and fragrant.
One by one, the tender white pan-fried dumplings are neatly arranged by Sheng Jiu in the frying pan.
After arranging them, Sheng Jiu counted the time in her mind. Only when the pan-fried dumplings were fried until they were crispy and fragrant did she pour in the prepared batter and then put the lid on the pan.
The savory aroma of pork and the fresh fragrance of crab meat swirled together in the high temperature, then eagerly drifted into the air.
Ares had been worried about whether Sheng Jiu needed so many Sleep Calming Agents.
But when the aroma wafted out, he stopped thinking about it.
Ares couldn't help but sniffle, glancing towards the kitchen every now and then.
Meanwhile, the millet porridge simmering slowly in the clay pot began to release its delicate aroma.
Considering Ares's good health, Sheng Jiu didn't add ginseng.
After adding the batter to the pan, the rich aroma was slowly suppressed by the low temperature.
However, soon, as the temperature rose, the aroma returned, even more intensely.
This time, the fragrance of pork and the freshness of crab meat blended even better, together with the crispy aroma of the rice crust, turning into wisps of white mist that drifted to every corner it reached.
Ares almost couldn't control his drooling.
This smells so good!
He'd never tried it before!
His gaze kept drifting uncontrollably towards the kitchen.
Soon, the first batch of pan-fried dumplings was ready. After serving them, Sheng Jiu glanced at the millet porridge in the clay pot.
It has a sticky, soft, and sweet texture, and the consistency is just right for most people.
Sheng Jiu first ladled out two bowls of porridge, then added the two slices of ginseng she had prepared.
Soon, Crab Meat Pan-fried Dumplings, half pan-fried until crispy and fragrant, and half steamed until soft and tender, were served.
The unique aroma of the ocean soared powerfully into the sky.
The savory aroma of pork followed closely behind, as if eager to be noticed.
The sweet fragrance of millet wafted in last, slowly dissipating but lingering the longest.
Ares's eyes nearly couldn't take it all in!
After serving the pan-fried dumplings and porridge, Sheng Jiu smiled at Ares: "Crab Meat Pan-fried Dumplings and millet porridge, please enjoy. Thank you so much for today!"
The man was wielding a knife, and the situation was dangerous, even though Sheng Jiu had pepper spray and other self-defense tools at the bar.
However, the vast difference in strength between men and women, coupled with some unexpected situations at critical moments.
Sheng Jiu wasn't sure if she could successfully retaliate.
Therefore, she was truly grateful to Ares.
At this moment, the food was served, and Sheng Jiu bowed deeply in thanks again.
Ares's gaze, which had been fixed on the pan-fried dumplings, shifted with difficulty upon hearing the voice, then waved his hand dismissively: "It's alright, it's my duty. Even in a different time and space, I'm still an Imperial soldier!"
Ares's resolute voice soothed Sheng Jiu's anxious emotions. After thanking him repeatedly, she went back into the kitchen.
There was still a lot of filling left, and Sheng Jiu quickly wrapped it all up.
After leaving a lunch box for her cousin who was keeping vigil at the hospital, Sheng Jiu packed the rest of the food separately, intending to give it to Ares to take back.
When Ares saw that Sheng Jiu had packed six boxes, he nervously glanced at the six bottles of medicine in his hand.
He was a little embarrassed to take them out.
But he felt even more embarrassed if he didn't.
After some hesitation, Ares took out the medicine bottles.
For Sheng Jiu right now, the Sleep Calming Agents were a lifesaver!
However, this was a thank you gift from her, and Sheng Jiu was really embarrassed to accept it.
After some back and forth, Ares firmly left the Sleep Calming Agents behind: "This is a deposit. I'll come back tomorrow at noon."
Only after hearing this did Sheng Jiu put the bottles away.
Ares quickly carried the pan-fried dumplings and buckets back.
Seeing how he practically had three heads and six arms, bringing food and water, Sheng Jiu wanted to ask: "Why didn't your teammates come along?"
However, seeing Ares' hurried manner, Sheng Jiu swallowed the words she was about to say.
The system promptly provided an explanation.
[The anchor point also has a selection process for visitors from other worlds.]
Therefore, not every visitor from another world can see the restaurant's back door.
Sheng Jiu understood immediately after hearing this.
The millet porridge was already cooked until soft and thick. Sheng Jiu added the Gene Nourishing Liquid, stirred it well, and then carried the thermos and lunch box to the hospital.
When Sheng Jiu arrived, she saw her father's younger sister, Sheng Xiao Wan.
Seeing Sheng Jiu, Sheng Xiao Wan grabbed her hand, her eyes red-rimmed. "You child, have you lost weight again? If you ask me, we should just sell that restaurant. Don't listen to your grandpa, saying you're destined for the restaurant. How could a girl like you, who's never lifted a finger in the kitchen, be destined for a restaurant? Even if you are, it should be a big restaurant or something."
Her father's younger sister was also worried about her. In their Sheng family only had one truly eccentric person like the little uncle, everyone else was great.
Sheng Jiu smiled gently, pursing her lips: "I'm fine, Aunt. I'll gradually get used to it. We had quite a few guests at noon today."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Xiao Wan pretended to be angry and put on a fierce face: "So what if there are guests? You're covered in cooking fumes."
Cousin Sheng Ze Xuan wasn't a talkative person, most of the time, he stood silently to the side.
Listening to his aunt and sister talking, Sheng Ze Xuan thought for a moment and asked in a low voice, still worried, "Has Little Aunt come looking for you again?"
Upon hearing this, Sheng Xiao Wan's expression immediately changed: "That bastard Cui Ning Ning, is causing you trouble again?"
Sheng Si Yu didn't want to trouble others, and Sheng Ze Xuan was taciturn.
So, they probably didn't tell their aunt about what happened when Little Aunt Sheng came to the ward that morning.
Sheng Jiu certainly doesn't have the virtue of not tattling.
Her tears came easily, she wiped them away, feeling wronged, while complaining.
Little Aunt Sheng caused a scene in the hospital room, and she introduced a man who had just been released from prison to her as a boyfriend. The man even caused trouble at the restaurant and pulled a knife.
Sheng Jiu has a strong ability to organize her thoughts. Before she could finish speaking, Sheng Xiao Wan couldn't control herself anymore. It was only because Sheng Ze Xuan who helped pat her back that she didn't get too angry.
After Sheng Jiu finished speaking, Sheng Xiao Wan nearly ripped the roof off: "Fine, fine, Cui Ning Ning, well done! I'll beat this poisonous woman to death!"
When Sheng Xiao Wan said she would hit someone, she really meant it!
Sheng Jiu wiped away her tears and tried to persuade her, but it only added fuel to the fire, making Sheng Xiao Wan even angrier.
She couldn't sit still any longer. Looking at her still-sleeping sister in law, she suppressed her anger, not wanting to explode on the spot: "I'm going back to find them right now!"
Sheng Xiao Wan left in a flurry.
After seeing his aunt off, Sheng Ze Xuan looked at Sheng Jiu with concern and said, "I'll come over to help you after I finish exchanging things with Si Yu tomorrow morning. You can't manage all the work by yourself when there are customers in your restaurant."