Siheyuan: I live next door to Xu Damao, my last name is Cao

Sha Zhu rushed to the vegetable market. The bustling scene was like a fire that instantly ignited his enthusiasm.

He walked between the stalls, looking at the fresh and juicy vegetables that shone attractively in the sunlight. He then selected meat and some other ingredients.

Sha Zhu carefully selected each ingredient and greeted the stall owners enthusiastically. His loud voice echoed in the vegetable market: "Brother Zhang, your vegetables are really fresh!"

"Sister Li, give me some good eggs."

Of course, he would bargain with the stall owner for a few cents from time to time. He would frown and pretend to be embarrassed and say, "Brother Wang, can you lower the price? I am a regular customer."

The stall owner would respond with a smile: "Silly Zhu, my price is already low enough, look at the quality, there is nothing to complain about!"

But in the end, both parties often make concessions and reach a price that satisfies both parties.

Sha Zhu took the purchased ingredients and left the market contentedly, his back revealing a happy look.

After returning home, Sha Zhu quickly got busy cooking.

The kitchen suddenly became lively, and the sound of pots and pans colliding was like a cheerful symphony.

He first sorted and organized the ingredients he bought one by one, and then washed the vegetables in the sink.

The water flowed "gurgling", hitting the vegetables and splashing small water droplets.

Sha Zhu carefully washed every leaf and every stem, leaving no corner untouched.

Xu Damao was sitting nearby, feeling a little uncomfortable at first.

His eyes were a little wandering, not knowing where to look, and his hands were unconsciously fiddling with the corners of his clothes.

But looking at Sha Zhu's busy figure, his skillful movements and focused expression, he was gradually attracted and stood up and moved over.

He stood beside Sha Zhu, watching him prepare the ingredients in an orderly manner, and occasionally reached out to help pass something and lend a hand.

If other people in the yard saw this scene, they would be shocked.

In this courtyard, the grudge between Sha Zhu and Xu Damao has long been no secret.

Their previous quarrels and fights were like deep ravines between them. But now, they were in the same kitchen, busy with a meal together, which was a scene that was impossible to happen before, just as incredible as the sun rising from the west.

Sha Zhu was chopping vegetables skillfully, and the "dong dong" sound made by the collision between the knife and the chopping board was rhythmic. His technique was skillful, and each cut was precise and powerful.

He put the washed potatoes on the chopping board, and with a flick of the knife, the potatoes were instantly cut into evenly thin slices, so thin that they were almost transparent.

While cutting, he told Xu Damao about the interesting things he did when he was a child playing in the yard.

Those memories were like precious treasures, slowly unfolding between the two of them. He smiled and said, "Da Mao, do you still remember when we were little and we caught crickets in the yard together? It was so much fun back then."

Xu Damao's eyes flashed with nostalgia, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "Remember, you were so naughty back then. You always ran the fastest and scared the crickets away."

Xu Damao would occasionally interject a few words; his voice was a little low, forming a sharp contrast with Sha Zhu's loud voice.

There was a barely perceptible smile on the corner of his mouth, but there seemed to be something hidden behind that smile, like an undercurrent surging beneath the calm surface of a lake, which was unpredictable.

The fire on the stove was burning, the flames licking the bottom of the pot, making a "whooshing" sound. The oil in the pot began to smoke, and a faint green smoke filled the kitchen, carrying a faint smell of oil smoke.

Sha Zhu poured the chopped vegetables into the pot, and with a "sizzle" sound, the oil smoke instantly rose up, like a blooming mushroom cloud. Sha Zhu quickly stir-fried the vegetables, moving the spatula up and down in the pot, and the vegetables jumped happily in the pot.

He skillfully controlled the heat and the rhythm of stir-frying, and the kitchen was filled with tempting aroma.

Xu Damao helped pass the seasonings. He looked at Sha Zhu cooking and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He didn't expect that Sha Zhu's cooking skills were so superb, and the stir-frying movements were like an artistic performance.

Although the cooperation between the two people was a little unfamiliar, there was a unique harmony, just like two notes with different rhythms that found a common melody at this moment.

Soon, the delicious dishes came out of the pot. The braised pork was bright red, and the bright red color seemed to be illuminated by the afterglow of the setting sun.

Each piece of meat is as tempting as a ruby. The fat part is crystal clear, with a soft luster under the light, and the lean part has delicate texture and distinct lines, like a carefully carved work of art.

The aroma of the braised pork filled the entire room. The rich meaty aroma with a hint of sweetness made people salivate.

The pork intestines tasted smooth and chewy. The pork intestines were cleaned and had no peculiar smell. During the cooking process, Sha Zhu skillfully used various seasonings to allow the pork intestines to absorb the full aroma.

After being taken out of the pot, the pig intestines are neatly arranged on the plate, exuding a unique aroma. The fragrance goes straight into people's noses, making people salivate.

The steamed fish is tender and juicy. The shredded green onion, ginger and traces of hot oil on the fish make it look like it is wearing a gorgeous coat.

The steaming method retains the original flavor of the fish. The fish meat melts in your mouth, and the tender taste is unforgettable.

In addition, there are other dishes filling the table, a combination of meat and vegetables, with good color, aroma and taste.

The stir-fried vegetables were fresh green, with a scent of the fields; the scrambled eggs were golden, fluffy and soft, exuding the unique aroma of eggs.

There is also the dish of fried leeks with bean sprouts, the crispness of the bean sprouts and the freshness of the leeks are perfectly combined. Every dish is like a painting painted by Sha Zhu with great care.

Xu Damao looked at the table full of food, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he praised with a smile on his face: "Shazhu, your cooking skills are amazing! The food smells so delicious, I can't help drooling."

There was a hint of sincere admiration in his eyes, but behind that admiration, there seemed to be some other emotions flickering.

When Sha Zhu heard the compliment, a smug look appeared on his face. He wiped his hands with his apron, which was already stained with oil, but he didn't care at all.

He grinned and said, "Of course, don't you see who I am? I have practiced this cooking skill for many years. I put a lot of thought into the dishes on the table today. You have to taste them carefully."

Sha Zhu's smile was as bright as the sun, and his eyes were full of anticipation. He hoped that this meal could truly resolve the grudge between him and Xu Damao and bring them back to the pure friendship they had in their childhood.

Xu Damao was thinking about his own plan in his mind, but he kept praising the delicious food. The thoughts hidden behind his smile were like an undercurrent in the deep sea, and no one knew.

At this moment, the room was filled with the aroma of food and a subtle atmosphere, like the calm before the storm, with a power about to erupt hidden beneath the calm surface.

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