The fist-sized old bread on the plate exuded aroma, with several cold dishes placed beside it.
Bread with pickles, what an unconventional pairing.
"Second Sister, this old bread is delicious. When it first came out of the oven, Yi Ge'er and A Mu'er couldn't resist eating two," Qi Xuanxuan said proudly.
"I've eaten pastries that melt in your mouth, but I've never eaten buns this soft," Qi Yi said in surprise.
A Mu'er chimed in, "These buns are too delicious, I could eat dozens of them."
Qi Zhenzhen was amused by their exaggerated reactions. She picked up an old bread and tore off small pieces to eat. This was the highest form of enjoying old-fashioned bread!
Qi Xuanxuan chided, "I've told you many times, these are not buns, they are old-fashioned bread."
A Mu'er chuckled foolishly, "Old-fashioned bread? If it's not honest, I'll help you fix it!"
Qi Xuanxuan was torn between laughter and tears. First buns, then honest bread, he was truly a handful.
"You don't recognize Da Feng characters?" Qi Xuanxuan asked doubtfully.
A Mu'er looked a bit embarrassed, "It's not that I don't know them at all. My mother taught me how to write my name."
So, basically, he couldn't read or write?
"Xuanxuan, A Mu'er didn't grow up in our Da Feng, so it's normal that he doesn't know Da Feng characters. Just like you don't know the characters of your Taka tribe!" Qi Yi came to A Mu'er's defense.
"If you want to learn the Taka characters, Xuanxuan, I can teach you," A Mu'er said, his eyes sparkling.
"Who wants to learn your characters? I am a Da Feng person, and it's enough that I know our own characters," Qi Xuanxuan pouted.
"Then I'll stay in Da Feng from now on. Xuanxuan, will you teach me to read?" A Mu'er said with quick reflexes.
"You..." Qi Xuanxuan's face turned bright red as she thought of something. "What does it have to do with me where you stay? Besides, Yi Ge'er is more learned. If you want to learn to read, just find Yi Ge'er."
"I'm a bit笨 (ben - clumsy/slow-witted), and Yi Ge'er is too rough. I'm afraid he won't have the patience to teach me."
He was too rough? He was refined and elegant. Everyone who met him said he had the spirit of a scholar. How could A Mu'er call him rough?
"Look, the injury on my face hasn't healed yet. It was all from Yi Ge'er hitting me. What if I learn from him and he beats me again if I can't learn?" A Mu'er put on a pitiful look.
The injury from yesterday, after festering overnight, no longer hurt, but it looked terrifying and was perfect for eliciting sympathy.
Qi Xuanxuan looked at A Mu'er's bruised face. Although she knew he had ulterior motives, she still felt a little sorry for him.
His mother died protecting him, and now he was living with relatives. The feeling of being dependent on others was not good.
He looked like a pitiable child.
Girls are soft-hearted. When sympathy overflowed, it was natural that she couldn't refuse.
"I need to research how to make even better food, so I don't have much time to teach you," Qi Xuanxuan huffed.
"I can help you, and I can catch wild game for you in the mountains. I'm very good at hunting," A Mu'er promised, patting his chest. "I'm also very good at cooking. My mother's food was delicious, and she taught me when I was very young. I know many ingredients, and our Taka tribe also has many ingredients that can be made into delicious dishes."
They hit it off immediately.
Qi Xuanxuan found A Mu'er much more interesting than her brother Qi Yi.
Yesterday, when they were building the oven, Qi Yi advised her that as a young lady of the Marquis's manor, she should pay attention to her status and not spend her days doing the work of a cook. He said if she wanted to eat something, she could order others to make it. But could she gain a sense of accomplishment from what others made? Could she still experience the joy of selecting ingredients and cooking? Hmph!