Chapter 547: Chapter 534: Beauty Misleads

Everyone looked on flabbergasted at the fallen, broken goal, and the football that had already deflated, yet stubbornly bounced twice off the ground.

Obviously, the ball Chu Jinnian just kicked had smashed the wooden goal frame. The power was so overwhelming that it shattered the entire goal.

Chu Jinnian felt somewhat embarrassed and gave a sheepish smile, “I seem to have used too much force… ”

It’s not just about excessive force. His aim was probably off too.

Chu Jinzhou gave a helpless sigh.

Zhuang Qingning also looked full of regret.

Having seen Chu Jinnian’s lightness skills when she was rescued from Cuiwei Mountain, Zhuang Qingning was aware of his agility. She was hoping to see if a martial arts master playing football would give off a vibe of ‘Kung Fu Football’.

Now, she could see the Kung Fu part.

Football though…

Well, it’s no big deal since a broken ball can be patched up.

“Master Chu sure is strong,” Zhuang Qingning tried to smooth things over, “Perhaps it’s because this is your first time playing football so you’re a bit clumsy. With regular practice, I am sure you will become very formidable.”

“Sorry for breaking the goal. I will have it repaired later …” Chu Jinnian apologized, looking sorry.

“Don’t worry, we built this goal temporarily for the kids to play with. I expect that Uncle Village Chief would have probably dismantled it in the afternoon anyway,” Zhuang Qingning said.

“Yes exactly, Master Chu, you should not worry about this,” Zhuang Jingye also quickly reassured him, “Troublesome as it might have been to dismantle, it’s actually easier to tidy this way…”

The intent to flatter his superior was so obvious that Mrs. Ye tugged at the corner of her mouth.

When others spoke that way, Chu Jinnian still felt quite embarrassed. He picked up the scattered pieces of wood and neatly piled them on the side to save others some effort, a slight compensation for having destroyed the goal.

Zhuang Jingye and others were flattered and thanked him repeatedly.

With that small episode behind them, people didn’t dwell on it much. As it was almost noon, everyone went home to have lunch.

Zhuang Qingning, Chu Jinnian and others also returned home to have lunch.

Since Chu Jinnian and Chu Jinzhou were visiting, they had to prepare more food for lunch. However, since everyone was already feeling hungry, they didn’t have time to make rice or pancakes. So, Zhuang Qingning suggested having hotpot for lunch.

All the vegetables were available and there was also fresh lamb. All they had to do was cut and enjoy.

They didn’t need a complex pot base, they just used the bone soup that was stewed in the morning, which was tasty and refreshing. Those who liked spicy food could add the chili sauce that Zhuang Qingning had prepared previously.

Zhuang Qingning made the suggestion and everyone agreed. They immediately began to prepare.

Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou went to select and wash some cabbage and radish etc., while Zhuang Qingning prepared the charcoal fire and stove, and fetched the lamb for chopping.

“Let me do it” said Chu Jinnian, taking the kitchen knife.

“Can you… chop meat?” Zhuang Qingning was quite surprised.

During this male-dominated era, normal people proudly abide by the belief that men should not cook. For someone like Chu Jinnian, they should firmly adhere to the code of a gentleman avoiding the kitchen.

“Yes,” Chu Jinnian nodded, “I can.”

As he spoke, Chu Jinnian gently lowered the knife, and a slice of lamb as thin as a cicada’s wing lay on the chopping board.

In terms of knife skills, Zhuang Qingning felt that Chu Jinnian was even better than her.

However…

She couldn’t help feeling that this was well beyond normal expectations for Chu Jinnian to know how to do such things.

“When I was a child, I learned some of these from my mother. I have also cooked for her. However, I haven’t been doing these things myself in recent years. Although I still retain the skills, not only can I cut meat, but I also know how to do simple tasks like boiling noodles etc.,” Chu Jinnian explained, seeming to understand Zhuang Qingning’s confusion.

I see.

Zhuang Qingning nodded slightly, “Your mother is quite extraordinary.”

Making Chu Jinnian, who is as elegant as an immortal in the ordinary world, smell of smoke is something that ordinary mothers would find difficult.

“My mother once said that there is no absolute need to do anything in this world. If you want to do something or need to do something, just go ahead and do it without concerning yourself about other people’s opinions,” Chu Jinnian said softly, as he put the cut meat into a plate for Zhuang Qingning. He asked her to bring another new plate.

Zhuang Qingning set the plate on the table outside, poured out some sesame sauce, and prepared the dipping sauce.

From time to time, she looked at Chu Jinnian, who was intent on cutting the lamb.

He was extremely handsome to begin with, but his profile was even more attractive. In the midday sun streaming into the kitchen, it was not an exaggeration to describe him as radiant. More importantly, his hand, which was holding the kitchen knife, looked slender and white…

The saying ‘men are the most attractive when they’re cooking’ wasn’t false at all.

Zhuang Qingning felt a tremor in her heart.

Until the sesame sauce in the bowl was mixed so vigorously that it splattered onto her face, Zhuang Qingning came back to her senses. Looking at the little bits of sesame sauce that also splashed onto her hand, she could not help but sigh slightly.

Beauty can misleading, even if it was to be found on a man.

After washing her hands and face, Zhuang Qingning tasted the sesame sauce and added some fermented tofu and salt to it and continued mixing.

Chu Jinnian had already cut two more plates of meat. Looking at the amount, it seemed almost sufficient. So, he washed the kitchen knife and chopping board, and chopped the coriander that Zhuang Qingning had set aside.

Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou brought over the cleaned vegetables, and handed them all to Chu Jinnian to be sliced or cut into pieces.

When everything was almost ready, and the pot on the charcoal fire was boiling, the four of them sat in the courtyard, huddled around the small stove, and began to cook meat and vegetables.

The soup was savory and the meat was tender. With the addition of various vegetables, and finishing with homemade dried noodles by Zhuang Qingning, it was a perfect meal.

The four of them, especially Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou, ate until their bellies were round.

After the meal, they played with the snow globe, and perhaps due to some regret about the football game in the morning, they went to find Zhuang Mingli and played football again.

Chu Jinnian and Zhuang Qingning stayed in the courtyard, brewing tea, and casually chatted about business.

It was not until the sun was setting that Chu Jinnian and Chu Jinzhou left.

The next day, after breakfast, Chu Jinnian and Chu Jinzhou visited Zhuang Qingning’s house again.

The third day, after breakfast…

The fourth day…

So it went, and their visits became more and more punctual.

The situation remained even during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and their daily departure time was getting later and later.

For Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou, it was such a joy. They could play, read, and write together every day. If they got bored, they could have a snowball fight. If they felt bored, they would summon Zhuang Mingli to play football.