"Xiao Xi, we're back."
After another trip up the mountain, the group finally gathered all the necessary ingredients.
"Okay, give them to me."
"Mm."
Just then, Qiu Xi had asked Grandma Shen for the local specialty chili paste, and it was about time to start simmering the sauce.
While the sauce was simmering, Qiu Xi took out the marinated fish, propped it up to steam dry the moisture, then brushed it with oil and grilled it for a while before placing it in the grilling pan.
The oil and sauce over there were almost ready, so she poured it directly onto the fish and began grilling.
Next, the catfish was sliced and prepared for the sour soup fish.
While Qiu Xi was busy preparing the fish, Grandma Shen was also occupied with processing the large piece of pork belly that Grandpa Shen had brought back.
Qiu Xi, stealing a moment of leisure, glanced over. She had only seen this particular cooking method on videos before.
This traditional local method was something Qiu Xi had never experienced firsthand.
Her own culinary skills, which had endured numerous trials through systematic training, still lacked experience at times, indicating room for further improvement.
By the time the dishes were ready, Uncle Shen and Aunt Hu had also returned.
Thus, a large table of people prepared to dine.
"A Jun, what were you busy with today that you only got back now?"
Grandma Shen was puzzled, as she hadn't seen him at noon.
He usually went to the mountains to take a look, and if he had time, he would help out. She hadn't seen him absent for an entire day before.
Hearing his mother's question, Shen Yingjun, who was already troubled, swallowed a few mouthfuls of rice before starting to explain.
"It's just that we brought in a batch of roses earlier, and they're very delicate. Today, we were supposed to go check on them, but when we got there, many of the flowers were wilted, and the branches had black spots. They didn't seem like they could be saved."
Initially, he thought it was just a common black spot disease. However, when he called in a technician, they said they had already tried testing it and it was ineffective.
Coincidentally, they saw him today and asked if he still wanted them.
He was so worried that he didn't know what to do.
He stayed there for half a day but couldn't come up with a solution.
This batch of flowers was specifically sourced by him, intended for the cosmetics industry, and he had already found buyers.
Moreover, if things went well later, he planned to invest in his friends to research it together.
Who would have thought that the first wave of benefits would be met with problems?
Truly, not only were these flowers expensive, but they were also so difficult to cultivate.
Suddenly, he felt his entire holiday was ruined, having suffered such a significant loss from this trip.
"I told you, it would have been better to just plant some vegetables and fruits. You insisted on doing this."
Grandma Shen also felt a headache coming on after hearing this.
She hadn't liked it much before, thinking these flowers were too troublesome to care for.
People were generally rough and unrefined, yet he insisted on tending to these delicate flowers, wasn't that just asking for trouble!
Besides, they weren't short of money now. They had good food and drinks, and he was finding himself extra work. Honestly.
"Mom, Yingjun is just trying to open up another avenue."
Her husband had discussed it with her earlier, thinking that with their small plot of land, life was life, and as long as they still had the energy, it was fine to work.
"It's all because you young people say whatever you want."
Anyway, she and her husband were old, and their ideas couldn't keep up.
"Dad, are your flowers going to be a total loss then?"
Shen Yan also knew about the flower planting. After they were planted at the beginning of the year, they were already sprouting when she went to school.
During her time at school, she had even asked her mom to take photos for her. They looked like they were growing well then, and she had planned to take Xiao Xi and the others to see them tomorrow.
Father Shen sighed, "Probably. We'll go take a look tomorrow, and if not, we'll just give up on them."
What couldn't be eaten ultimately couldn't be eaten, which was a pity for such a large cooperation.
"Alright..."
Shen Yan also felt a bit dejected. A vast field of roses, gone just like that...
"Alright, let's not talk about this at the dinner table. Hurry up and eat. This fish the girl made is really quite good!"
Finally, Grandma Shen's words ended the conversation, and everyone began to focus on eating.
"Xiao Xi, your cooking is truly excellent. This grilled fish is so tender, and the soup is sour, it's perfect with rice."
As they ate, Hu Yanhua was the first to be won over by the fish.
Although her mother-in-law's pork belly was also very good, she had eaten it so often that it wasn't as amazing anymore.
But this young girl's fish was truly exceptional in its skill!
"Auntie, then please eat more. If you want to eat it in the coming days, just ask me."
Seeing people enjoy their meal, Qiu Xi was also very happy. This was her first time making grilled fish this way!
"Okay, then Auntie will have a good feast these few days."
Perhaps it was truly delicious, Hu Yanhua didn't haggle with the child for a moment.
The two elders, however, disagreed. "A young girl comes to visit us, how can she cook for you greedy people!"
Although it sounded like complaining, they were actually afraid the young girl would feel awkward refusing.
Qiu Xi understood and smiled in response, "Grandpa Shen, Grandma Shen, it's alright, I enjoy it too."
"You child, you're too honest."
"Grandma, I told you Xiao Xi's cooking is good."
Seeing them chatting and eating merrily, Shen Yan chimed in.
"Good~"
"It's you, girl, you need to learn properly!"
"..."
She never imagined that by saying just one more sentence, she would suffer such great harm.
Perhaps it was simply... the stark contrast.
"Eat your vegetables, eat your vegetables."
Seeing her grandmother and mother about to start lecturing, Shen Yan immediately tried to be as unobtrusive as a quail.
"Pfft~"
Shen Yan's maneuver made the three onlookers unable to resist a chuckle.
Grandma Shen and Mother Shen, who were about to say a few words, felt embarrassed for the girl.
It was too difficult; they had to give their own daughter some face, so the two women put the matter aside and started urging the young girls to eat.
Alas, how to put it, these three young girls were all beautiful and very spirited.
Unlike their own... after looking at her for a while, she was just ordinary.
With her head buried in her rice bowl, Shen Yan had no idea that her grandmother and mother were thinking of their obedient daughter this way.
To avoid being lectured, she was currently eating with great gusto.
...
Evening.
"A Jun, are we really going to dismantle this flower field?"
Still thinking about the rose field at home before going to bed, Hu Yanhua had trouble sleeping.
Shen Yingjun was also very worried, "Probably..."
In fact, if they couldn't find the root cause of the disease, it would likely remain that way.
Judging by the technician's situation today, it was highly likely they were out of options...
"Why don't we hire someone else to take a look?"
After all, it had taken more than two months of effort. If they struggled a bit, perhaps it could still recover.
"Mm, I'll go and take another look with them tomorrow."
"Let's get some sleep. We can discuss this tomorrow."
Thinking about it, it wasn't a solution. Instead of solving the problem, it was better to rest well and see tomorrow.
"Okay, I'll go with you tomorrow to take a look."
"Mm."