While Gu Qinghan was investigating the tragedy of Tiānshàng Rénjiān, Shen Lang was in the kitchen making zhájiàngmiàn.
Shen Lang disliked the pre-made noodles sold in supermarkets. Whenever he wanted to eat noodles, he would knead the dough himself and cut it into strands. Noodles made this way were not only firm and had a good texture but were also healthy and safe.
The same applied to the sauce. He never ate the artificial sauces bought from supermarkets but made his own using spices he purchased.
Wolong's ancestors had served as imperial chefs for eight generations, creating a sauce called Qīxiāng Jiàng.
Later, Shen Lang bought a bottle of Maotai and exchanged its recipe with Wolong.
Qīxiāng Jiàng, as the name suggested, was a sauce made with seven kinds of spices. After Shen Lang prepared it, he would chop a piece of lean meat into small cubes and stir-fry it with Qīxiāng Jiàng for thirty seconds.
Thus, the fragrant zhájiàng sauce was ready.
Shen Lang put the noodles into a bowl, poured the zhájiàng over the noodles, and then carried the bowl to the living room.
"Brother Shen, it smells so good."
As Shen Lang walked out of the kitchen with the noodles, the Yu sisters had just finished their baths, dried their hair, and changed into their pajamas.
Smelling the aroma of the zhájiàngmiàn, the Yu sisters immediately exclaimed with excitement.
Wang Yuyan, who was meditating on the sofa watching television, also reacted with immense excitement. She jumped down from the sofa, not even bothering to put on her shoes, and sat at the dining chair.
"Is this zhájiàngmiàn? How can it smell so good?"
When Wang Yuyan picked up her chopsticks, mixed the zhájiàng with the noodles in the bowl, and then took a strand of zhájiàngmiàn into her mouth, her face immediately showed an expression of disbelief. She exclaimed to Shen Lang in amazement.
"I'm considered a rich girl. I've eaten delicacies from all over the world since I was young, but I've never tasted anything so delicious."
As she spoke, Wang Yuyan picked up her chopsticks and took another mouthful of zhájiàngmiàn.
"Yes, Brother Shen, how did you make it? It's so fragrant."
After tasting it, Yu Xiao and Yu Fei also found it hard to believe and said to Shen Lang, "The noodles are perfectly firm, with an excellent texture, and the sauce is incredibly fragrant, it feels like it fills your entire stomach. I can't believe zhájiàngmiàn can be this delicious."
"If it's delicious, then eat more. There's plenty of both noodles and sauce."
Shen Lang affectionately stroked the heads of Yu Xiao and Yu Fei and said, "If you want to eat it in the future, I'll teach you how to make it. It's quick if you learn from me."
"Okay, thank you, Brother Shen."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Yu Xiao and Yu Fei smiled brightly.
"Brother Shen, I want to learn too."
Wang Yuyan followed suit.
After speaking, a mischievous smile curved her lips. Her mouth moved, and though no sound was made, Shen Lang understood the unspoken words from the movement of her lips.
"Husband, is it okay?"
"Cough, cough, cough—"
Shen Lang was startled by Wang Yuyan's sudden action, choked, and coughed repeatedly.
"Brother Shen, what's wrong? Do you have a cold?"
Seeing Shen Lang cough, Wang Yuyan asked with innocent concern.
"No... it's nothing... my throat was just a bit dry."
Shen Lang knew Wang Yuyan was doing it on purpose but could do nothing about her. He waved his hand and said.
"It's good that you're okay. Remember to teach me how to make this fragrant zhájiàngmiàn."
Seeing Shen Lang at a disadvantage but unable to retort, Wang Yuyan was in high spirits and took another large bite of zhájiàngmiàn.
"Brother Shen, drink some water."
Seeing Shen Lang coughing non-stop, Yu Xiao stood up, picked up a cup, filled it with water from the dispenser, and handed it to Shen Lang.
"Here—"
Shen Lang took the cup and drank the water in one gulp.
"Xiaoxiao, don't worry about me. You guys eat quickly, the noodles will get soggy and won't taste good."
Shen Lang put the cup back in its place and said to Yu Xiao.
Afterward, Shen Lang sat on the sofa, picked up the remote, and turned on the Nánlíng Financial News channel.
By watching the financial news, Shen Lang learned that the stock recommended by Tang Wuzui had dropped to its historical low the previous day, reaching two yuan. It was only fifty cents away from being delisted.
However, Shen Lang was indifferent. He let Tang Wuzui play with the ninety million yuan.
What Shen Lang found a bit puzzling was that the financial news at this time was usually hosted by Ning Hongzhuang. Today, however, it was a new face named Zhang Jing. Not only was her appearance seven or eight grades below Ning Hongzhuang's, but her Mandarin was also terrible. In one hour of news, she mispronounced hundreds of words.
It was said online that Nánlíng Television would deduct two hundred yuan for each misspoken word by a host. With Zhang Jing's level, she probably had to pay to work there.
Shen Lang couldn't understand why Nánlíng Television would not use an excellent host like Ning Hongzhuang and instead employ a newcomer like Zhang Jing.
However, Shen Lang was too lazy to ponder what he couldn't figure out. After all, Ning Hongzhuang's matters had nothing to do with him. They had only met once, and weren't even friends.
Half an hour later, Yu Xiao and the other two finished their zhájiàngmiàn and wanted to go to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Shen Lang didn't let them, telling them to go to bed instead. He washed the dishes himself.
By the time he finished washing the dishes, it was already past midnight. However, Shen Lang felt no sleepiness. After taking a shower, he entered his room to continue cultivating.
After reaching the Earth Realm, Shen Lang had temporarily stopped increasing his cultivation. Instead, he was continuously consolidating his cultivation, believing that to build a skyscraper, the first step was not to build the structure, but to lay a solid foundation. Only with a firm foundation could it stand tall and unyielding.
Shen Lang's spirit, energy, and essence were beyond ordinary people's. He cultivated in his room for five hours. By the time he finished, it was already four in the morning, but Shen Lang only felt slightly tired. He lay down on the bed for half an hour before falling asleep.
He only slept for two and a half hours. At seven in the morning, Shen Lang woke up and started making breakfast for Yu Xiao and Yu Fei.
Since Wang Yuyan's habit was to absolutely not get up before nine in the morning, and even when she did, she looked listless and unwell, Shen Lang did not prepare breakfast for her. He only made breakfast for Yu Xiao and Yu Fei and sent them off at eight in the morning.
As for Wang Yuyan, Shen Lang would make her breakfast after sending off the Yu sisters.
At 8:20 AM, Shen Lang precisely dropped Yu Xiao and Yu Fei off at Nánlíng No. 1 Middle School and prepared to drive back to the villa. However, as he returned to the parking lot, he saw a familiar face.
This person was none other than Zhao Min, the homeroom teacher of Yu Xiao and Yu Fei.
Recalling how he had been in a desperate hurry last night, but Zhao Min had gotten angry at him at the crucial moment and refused to reveal information about the Yu sisters, Shen Lang felt very uncomfortable. Seeing Zhao Min, he pretended not to see her, not even bothering to greet her.
"What, Shen Lang, you scumbag, have you done something wrong and feel guilty, so you dare not face me?"