txolops Chapter 32 The Zhang Family is Having Meat!
Chapter 32 The Zhang Family is Having Meat!
When I came out of the photo studio, the midday sun was already quite strong.
Lin Chen held a file bag containing the medical examination form and photos in his hand, and glanced down at Tangtang walking beside him.
Tangtang's little legs moved quickly. Although she had just been through a lot at the hospital, the little girl was still quite energetic and was staring at a tabby cat under the shade of a tree by the roadside.
Lin Chen recalled the words the community doctor had just said: "Your height is normal, but your weight is slightly underweight... Go back and make sure to supplement your diet with some high-quality protein."
These days, the father and daughter have been living a very frugal life. Although they have earned a lot of money in the past few days, they haven't had time to properly improve the child's diet.
"Candy."
Lin Chen stopped and called out softly.
"What's wrong, Daddy?"
Tangtang tilted her head back, her big eyes filled with curiosity.
"The doctor said that Tangtang has lost weight recently and needs to eat some meat to help her recover."
Lin Chen knelt down and straightened his daughter's askew dress. "Shall we go to the market and buy some pork ribs? We can make sweet and sour pork ribs for Tangtang for lunch, okay?"
Tangtang paused for a moment, then her bright eyes widened suddenly, and her mouth opened into a small "O" shape.
Sweet and sour pork ribs?
Tangtang swallowed hard and whispered to confirm, "Is it the kind of sweet, fragrant meat that makes juicy broth when you bite into it?"
"Yes, it's sweet and sour."
Seeing his daughter's drooling expression, Lin Chen felt a pang of sadness, which was then replaced by warmth. "I'll buy you some more fresh bok choy."
"Yay! Time to eat meat!"
Tangtang jumped up and down happily, then grabbed Lin Chen's index finger. "Daddy, let's hurry, or the other kids will buy all the ribs!"
"Okay, let's go."
Lin Chen got up, took his daughter's hand, and walked towards the comprehensive vegetable market in the urban village.
Before even entering the market, a strong sense of daily life greets you.
Aunties pushing bicycles, old men carrying plastic bags, and stall owners wearing aprons and tidying up their goods—the sounds of hawking and bargaining mingled together.
Lin Chen led Tangtang skillfully through the poultry and egg section and straight to the innermost fresh meat section.
The ground was a bit slippery, so Lin Chen picked Tangtang up and held her in his arms to avoid the puddles.
"Boss, two medium-sized spare ribs, please."
Lin Chen stopped in front of a stall covered with fresh red and white meat.
The stall owner, a man in his fifties, was deboning meat with a heavy cleaver. Hearing the noise, he looked up and glanced at Lin Chen.
"Middle ribs, 28 yuan a pound, all black pork delivered this morning."
The boss put down his knife, casually picked up two spare ribs and shook them, "How about these two?"
It's well-proportioned.
Lin Chen didn't reply; he just glanced at the two ribs indifferently.
As someone who once stood at the pinnacle of culinary skill, he doesn't need to touch the ingredients to look at them.
"These two won't do."
Lin Chen spoke calmly, pointing to the innermost row of hooks, "I want the three ribs in the middle of that row."
The color should be bright red, not dark red.
The bones should be thin, and the meat should be thick with a snowflake-like pattern.
"Boss, you're the expert, don't try to fool me with scraps."
The shopkeeper paused in his chopping, glanced at Lin Chen with surprise, and his previously perfunctory expression softened considerably.
He had been selling meat in this market for twenty years, and from the first few words Lin Chen uttered, he knew that this young man was knowledgeable, and extremely knowledgeable at that.
"Hey kid, you have a good eye."
The owner chuckled and took out the three spare ribs that Lin Chen had specifically requested. "These are reserved for regular customers. You certainly know how to pick them."
The owner placed the ribs on a thick wooden cutting board, patted them with the back of a knife, and found the meat to be firm yet elastic.
"Daddy, is this sweet and sour pork ribs?"
Tangtang perched on Lin Chen's shoulder, curiously looking at the pieces of raw meat.
"Yes, the boss will chop it into small pieces for us later."
Lin Chen patted Tangtang's head, then turned to the shop owner and said, "Boss, please chop it into small pieces about two centimeters in size. Don't chop the bones too finely, so as not to hurt the child's teeth."
"Alright!"
The boss responded and, with a swift motion, chopped the ribs into neat, mahjong-sized pieces.
"It weighs one jin and four liang in total, so I'll charge you thirty-nine."
The shopkeeper deftly packed it into a plastic bag and handed it to Lin Chen.
Lin Chen took the ribs, paid for them, and then took Tangtang to the vegetable stall next door.
"Sister, were these bok choy picked from the field this morning?"
"Of course, look, these leaves still have dew on them, two yuan a bundle."
Lin Chen picked out the tenderest bunch, and also bought two pieces of old ginger and a bunch of scallions.
After buying everything, Lin Chen carried several plastic bags in his hand, while Tangtang helped carry the light bunch of green vegetables. They walked away with great pride and swagger.
"Daddy, shall we go home and make it now?"
As Tangtang walked, she asked questions, her little mouth unconsciously pursing several times.
"Okay, when we get home, I'll wash the meat thoroughly for Tangtang and then blanch it."
Lin Chen slowed down and patiently explained the steps to his daughter, "The sweet and sour pork ribs need to be slowly sautéed over low heat to bring out the aroma, then rock sugar is added for color, and finally a little bit of aged vinegar is added."
The meat was only tender after braising; it fell right off Tangtang's teeth with just a gentle bite.
"Slurp—" Tangtang swallowed loudly, her little face full of happy fantasies.
"Then, Daddy, can I help too?"
Tangtang can wash vegetables!
"Okay, Tangtang, wash the vegetables, and Daddy will cook the meat."
The father and daughter walked out of the bustling market and through the narrow and somewhat dilapidated alley.
Some of the paint on the walls along the roadside was peeling off, and the stone slabs underfoot occasionally made a slight creaking sound, but Lin Chen felt incredibly peaceful as he looked at the sunlight shining on Tangtang's slightly yellowed but neatly combed braids.
This is his life.
No earth-shattering reversal is needed, nor is any extravagant ceremony required.
Being able to buy my daughter two of the best spare ribs, cook her a lunch she loves, and watch her finish the rice in her bowl.
For him, this is the greatest significance at present.
"Hurry up, Tangtang."
Lin Chen tightened his grip on the ribs in his hand. "Uncle Fatty has probably already washed the rice. We'll start cooking as soon as we get home."
"Go for it! Time to go home and eat some meat!"
Tangtang's clear laughter echoed through the narrow alley as the father and daughter walked further and further away towards their simple yet hopeful little home.