Shen Shuyao was stunned, and her hand holding the tissue stopped. She said, "It's okay, your hands are all muddy. Let me wipe them for you."
Ji Nian thought that Shen Shuyao was the female lead, how could she serve her? She shook her head with a smile and said, "Anyway, I'm all dirty. No need to wipe, I can just wash up when I get back."
Zhou Sheng laughed and said, "Yeah, Shuyao, look at her, wiping won't help hahaha."
Wu Hai was so tired that he had no energy left. He said weakly, "Okay, let's go back and wash up first. Boss Zhou, let's hurry and eat, too hungry."
Shen Shuyao thought it made sense, so she put away the tissue, and then obediently said, "Okay, let's go back first."
Shen Yang was still holding the two fish the village chief had given them, and shyly said in a low voice, "These are our fish."
Zhou Sheng came over to take a look, nodded in satisfaction, and then said loudly, "Let's go! Let's go back and eat fish!"
Liang Jie happily nodded. She was starving, and although she had been waiting upstairs, standing there had also tired her out.
With a full harvest, Zhou Sheng, Wu Hai and Shen Yang went back covered in dirt, but they still let Ji Nian use the bathroom first. Among the three girls, she was the only one who went down to the fish pond and was completely filthy.
Ji Nian didn't decline and went into the bathroom generously. In less than 20 minutes, she had washed her hair and taken a bath, leaving everyone in awe.
Wu Hai looked shocked and asked, "Aren't you girls supposed to take a long time?"
Ji Nian looked puzzled and asked, "Take a long time to do what?"
Zhou Sheng coughed lightly and said, "I'll wash first, I still have to cook later."
Although Wu Hai felt uncomfortable being all sticky, he also felt Zhou Sheng should wash first, since he was the only one who could cook here, and they were still waiting to eat.
Seeing that everyone was quite tired today, Ji Nian said, "Boss Zhou, you worked hard today too. If you don't mind, I'll cook."
Shen Shuyao was stunned and asked, "You can cook?"
Liang Jie laughed and said, "I hope it's not a dark dish."
"I'm afraid we won't be able to swallow it hahaha," Wu Hai joked.
Ji Nian felt a little embarrassed and said, "My cooking is decent, at least I can swallow it."
Zhou Sheng laughed out loud and said, "Actually my cooking skills are just average too. It's just that this group makes me look really good at cooking."
"How about I show you guys some skills tonight?" Ji Nian raised her eyebrows and asked.
At this point, no one objected. Liang Jie came out and said, "Okay, let's taste the new guest's cooking today."
After getting everyone's unanimous consent, Ji Nian went into the kitchen with peace of mind.
Shen Shuyao followed behind with a gentle smile and said, "Do you need my help?"
Ji Nian was a little flattered. As expected of the female lead, considerate everywhere. But how could she let the female lead do tiring work?
She directly declined, "No need, you guys worked hard today, I'll handle it, it'll be quick."
Shen Shuyao felt a little guilty, thinking it was a bit much to let Ji Nian do everything. She said, "Let me help with some odd jobs."
Ji Nian was afraid of rejecting the female lead too much, in case it led to misunderstandings. She nodded and said, "Okay, you can help peel garlic and shred ginger, things like that."
Shen Shuyao nodded and said with a smile, "Okay."
But as soon as they entered, Ji Nian realized this was actual cooking over a fire stove. She looked at the big pot and firewood on the ground in surprise.
It was like the rural cooking scene from when she was little. It made her feel a little sad.
When her parents divorced during her childhood, she had lived with her grandparents for a period of time. They were poor then, and many families in the village had built new houses, but hers still used firewood stoves. She was often the one cooking.
Seeing the firewood on the ground, Shen Shuyao had to admit she didn't know how to build a cooking fire either. Looking at the stunned woman, she said, "Or...let's still have Boss Zhou come over?"
Ji Nian snapped back to reality and smiled, "No need."
After speaking, she skillfully used her knee to snap a longer piece of firewood in half.
Seeing the garlic and ginger on the table, she said, "Shuyao, can you help shred these for me? Shred the ginger into thin strips, and mince the garlic, as long as they're in smaller pieces."
Shen Shuyao was a little surprised seeing her unconcerned about getting messy, but nodded and said, "Okay."
Ji Nian took a large cutting board and put it on the old stove counter. She started gutting the fish cleanly and skillfully.
The fish were a little lifeless from being carried back, although they were still alive and didn't struggle much.
She killed and cleaned the fish efficiently, then marinated them with cooking wine and salt.
The cameras following them couldn't help but be surprised. They didn't expect her to look so adept, clearly experienced with cooking.
On Shen Shuyao's side, the ginger and garlic were ready. She came in holding a small plate.
Seeing this, Ji Nian had to praise the female lead, even if the cuts weren't great.
She pretended to be surprised and said, "Wow, so fast! You're so capable."
Shen Shuyao blushed and smiled embarrassedly, "I rarely cook, the cuts aren't very good."
Ji Nian immediately followed up, "No no, I think it's great already. There's nothing else I need help with, you can go rest first."
Shen Shuyao's innocent face and big eyes looked a little wronged. She shook her head and said, "I want to see how you cook."
Since the female lead wanted to watch her, Ji Nian certainly wouldn't reject her. This was a good chance to gain favorability. She smiled and said, "Alright, you can sit and watch."
Shen Shuyao smiled shyly and answered, "Okay, let me know if you need any help."
"Sure." Ji Nian responded briefly, then got busy with cooking.
She planned to red braise one of the fish from the village chief, and steam the other plain.
There was also spinach in the food basket, and some eggs and tomatoes on the table.
She thought about it and felt stir-fried spinach and tomato egg drop soup would make a good meal.
With the plan in mind, she swiftly started preparing, skillfully squatting down to light some straw with matches, then adding smaller firewood until it caught fire, before putting on some larger pieces.
Watching her skilled motions, Shen Shuyao was surprised, asking, "You seem...really experienced?"
Lost in thought about the cooking, Ji Nian didn't notice and directly answered, "When I was little, my grandparents' kitchen in the countryside was like this. The environment was even worse actually, I was often the one cooking."
Shen Shuyao's eyes flashed with disbelief. She felt Ji Nian was beautiful, with fair skin, delicate features, and an aura of elegance. She couldn't imagine at all that she had such experiences.
"I see..."
"How about you? I heard you study at the Beijing Media College, your family must be well off." Ji Nian asked with a smile, still holding a spatula to pan fry the fish.
Shen Shuyao was startled, somewhat embarrassed to answer, "We're okay, just an average family. My dad works in management at a company, so our family is comfortable."
Ji Nian of course knew the female lead's family background from the novel. Although not amazing like the male lead's, they were well off.
"That's really nice." Ji Nian turned and smiled, with genuine envy on her face.
