Song Tan's Notes

Although it was just for fun, taking photos and finding the right angles, there were actually a dozen or twenty people in total.

So by the time it got a little dark, there were already three baskets of water chestnuts on the boat, not to mention a whole basket of water chestnut stalks that had been broken off.

City people are really hardworking; adults and children alike are all energetic!

Song Tan quickly said, "No more picking, no more picking. We should just enjoy them while they're fresh. It would be a waste to pick too many and not be able to finish them all."

Hearing that it was time to head back, the adults who had finished playing quickly called to their children, watching them put on swimming rings and kick their legs like little frogs as they swam into the deeper water, and hurriedly went into the water to help them.

At the same time, the fathers would put their hands under the armpits of their children, and regardless of whether it was a boy or a girl, they would all be swung around in the river a few times.

The mothers standing nearby were extremely anxious: "Is that how you discipline your children?"

After wading and soaking in the muddy water, is it really okay to just rinse it a couple of times? After rinsing it a few times, my clothes were still covered in water plants.

So Lu Chuan had no choice but to dutifully bring the boat over again. The mothers sat in the small boat and scrubbed their children's legs in the water for a good while, then rinsed them twice more before finally saying with satisfaction:

"It'll be so much easier to take a shower when I get back this way."

Let's go!

As the sun sets, the river shimmers with golden waves, reflecting the afterglow of the blazing sun. Everyone returns home laden with their catch, filled with joy.

……

When Master Chai returned and saw the contents, he was completely dumbfounded.

This, this!

He complained, "These things are only good when they're fresh. If you're going to pick them, you should have picked them earlier. Now it's already dark, and you've only just brought over such a huge pile. We won't have time to clean it up tonight, and it'll be a waste tomorrow!"

After eating there for several days, everyone was completely convinced of his culinary skills. At this moment, they respectfully said, "No rush, no rush. Chef Chai, tell us how to prepare it. We'll do it. There are many of us."

Master Chai looked at everyone—it's true, there are a lot of people, a dozen or twenty, and they all eat like crazy. He's been here for a few days, and now his cooking and plating aren't as refined anymore.

Oh dear! If this continues, I won't be able to adapt to Chang Le Ju later.

So he picked up a water chestnut stem and said, "This is easy. It's just like peeling a green bean. Just peel off the outer skin."

While demonstrating, he chewed the piece he had just torn off into his mouth again.

It has some flavor when eaten raw, but it's not particularly strong. Stir-frying it probably won't work: "How about stir-frying it in a spicy and sour way?"

As soon as these words were spoken, before the water chestnut stalks had even been cleared away, everyone's mouths were watering: "Alright, alright! Master Chai, you're busy, we'll do it, we'll do it!"

The men spontaneously moved small stools and sat in front of the large basket, embroidering like Zhang Fei. The mothers, on the other hand, looked at their messy children—oh well, their energy wasn't completely depleted yet. Let them wash up, change into dry clothes, and do whatever they want; they'll deal with it tonight.

Everyone was busy, working tirelessly to prepare a delicious meal for dinner; no one was idle.

Lu Chuan, however, trusted Qiao Qiao completely. Since she said it wasn't as delicious as sweet potato stalks, then it must not be. So, he simply sat idly in the rattan chair and picked up a water chestnut.

These water chestnuts are very tender and can be peeled with a little force. Apart from needing a little bit of fingernail, they are much easier to peel than older water chestnuts.

Peel back the tender green or slightly reddish water chestnut shells to reveal the white kernels. Each tiny kernel, smaller than a broad bean, is sweet, crisp, and tender, offering a different flavor from young chestnuts.

"Not bad," he commented, then turned and went to the kitchen to get a large bowl, sitting under the lamp and intently peeling the water chestnuts. Qin Yun had been focused on tearing the water chestnut stems, but these things were long and thin, taking up very little space, and after tearing them for so long, it seemed like none of them had disappeared from the large basket!
Then look at the stainless steel basin, where a group of grown men are sitting in a circle, leaving only a shallow layer at the bottom...

This is definitely not enough! We need to work harder!

There was a noise at the door. He heard his wife's voice and was about to turn around to call out when he saw several young women crowding at the door, their eyes fixed on Lu Chuan's direction, whispering amongst themselves.

Looking at Lu Chuan on the side, they were also working. Their clothes were soaked in the river and dried by the wind. Now they were wearing slippers and sitting on stools, looking like kitchen helpers.

The other person was sitting under the lamp, clearly having just showered and changed clothes. The light made their jade-like skin appear warm and smooth, and their slender fingers peeling water chestnuts showed off their distinct knuckles.

The saying "to admire a beauty under the lamp" perfectly describes this situation.

Then look at his wife: ...Well, all three helpers felt a bit uneasy.

It's true what they say, God is unfair! He doesn't bully poor young people, but he bullies ugly ones.

Qin Yunqing cleared his throat: "Chuan'er, look, I've been picking them all night. Can I have a taste of your water chestnut rice?"

After he finished speaking, he was about to give his wife a smug look when the three young mothers frowned, shrank back, and even showed their double chins.

Though he didn't say anything, his face clearly showed his disgust. Looking at his own wife, she seemed even more ashamed.

They whispered among themselves, "The guy really knows how to act cute...tsk tsk tsk."

"Yes, that's just how they are. My husband talks to his friends late at night, coaxing and laughing, and they can talk until three or four in the morning..."

"Don't even mention it. Last time, so-and-so broke up with his girlfriend, and he went out to eat and drink with her, went to barbecue stalls, played cards, and spent thousands of dollars that night. He came back beaming and saying, 'Brother deserves better...'"

Young men: ...The sky has fallen!!!

They just value brotherhood, that's not wrong!
Moreover!
Qin Yun then looked at Lu Chuan:
"Chuan'er?"

Why aren't you answering? Just give me a water chestnut to save face for you, brother.

Lu Chuan didn't even look up: "How can you be so shameless? My girlfriend spent half the day with you guys, and she didn't even take a single water chestnut for herself."

Although he could pick a few every evening from the riverbank and take them home, so they weren't anything special—he was going to peel them for Tan Tan anyway.

Then look at Qin Yun's face, which was tanned dark red from lack of sun protection and still damp with sweat under the light...

Lu Chuan paused for a moment, then said, "I won't have dinner with you guys tonight. I'll go to Tan Tan's house for dinner."

He didn't say a word, but his disdain was obvious. Song Tan truly didn't take a single water chestnut; when they offered to share a basket of water chestnut stalks, Qiao Qiao shook her head and ran off quickly.

Qin Yun chuckled, "If you don't want to give it to me, then don't. My wife will peel it for me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than He Kuang turned around and called out, "Wife, water chestnuts are prickly. Wait until I finish this job, I'll peel them for you tonight."

Yunfeng also said, "It must be tiring to clean up after the kids. Why don't you go upstairs and get some rest? I'll call you when dinner is ready."

Qin Yun: ? ? ? No? You guys?!

He turned his head again, and sure enough, his wife rolled her eyes and pulled the child to sit in front of the water chestnut basket.
"Oh dear, poor Mommy, there's no one to peel water chestnuts for her. Honey, could you peel one for Mommy?" (End of Chapter)