Chapter 29: Uncle Jiu, When It Comes to Eating, I Admire You

Chapter 29: Uncle Jiu, When It Comes to Eating, I Admire You

In the afternoon, Deng Shirong prepared a table of snacks, including fried bee pupae, fried peanuts, braised pork, spicy snails, dry-pot frogs, stir-fried beans, cold cucumbers, cold water spinach, and crucian carp soup.

When Deng Yunjun arrived and saw the spread, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Uncle Jiu, you didn't have to prepare so much! This is like a feast!"

Deng Shirong smiled. "It's rare that I invite you over, so of course I have to make it special. Besides, most of these dishes are made from things no one in the village eats. As long as you don't mind."

Deng Yunjun looked closer and realized Uncle Jiu was right. The meat dishes—bee pupae, snails, and frogs—were all things few people in the village ate. He didn't know how Uncle Jiu made them, but they looked incredibly appetizing.

"Uncle Jiu, I brought you some sandworms. You can use them to make soup," Deng Yunjun said, handing over a bag.

Deng Shirong quickly declined. "Captain, you're too polite. You just came to eat. Why bring such a valuable gift? I can't accept this. Take it back when you leave."

Deng Yunjun laughed. "Uncle Jiu, you're joking. How valuable is this? In the past few years, not many people were willing to exchange it for sweet potatoes!"

Deng Shirong knew this was true. In the past, people from the coast had come to the village carrying sandworms and other seafood to exchange for sweet potatoes, but few villagers were willing to trade.

However, Deng Shirong, having lived in the future, knew that good sandworms could sell for thousands of yuan per pound. They were high-end seafood that many families couldn't afford.

After some back-and-forth, Deng Shirong finally accepted the sandworms. "Alright, I'll take them. Ah Zhen, put them away. Yuntai, pour the captain some wine."

After giving the orders, Deng Shirong invited Deng Yunjun to sit down.

Deng Yunjun looked at the bowl of golden fried bee pupae and said, "Uncle Jiu, you fried bee pupae? You really don't mind wasting oil!"

Deng Shirong smiled. "This is a great dish to pair with wine. Try it, and you'll see it's worth the oil."

Deng Yunjun picked up his chopsticks. "To be honest, I've eaten a lot of bee pupae, but never fried like this. I want to see how delicious it is."

As he spoke, he picked up two fried bee pupae and chewed them.

The taste was irresistible, even in later generations. In this era, when meat was scarce, it was even more so. Deng Yunjun couldn't stop eating!

The table was full of delicious dishes—braised pork, spicy snails, dry-pot frogs—each with its own unique flavor.

After tasting everything, Deng Yunjun put down his chopsticks, picked up his wine, and said, "Uncle Jiu, from today on, when it comes to eating, I admire you the most in our village."

Deng Shirong raised his glass and clinked it with Deng Yunjun's. "At our age, eating is the most important thing. I tell you, eat while your teeth are still strong. Don't be reluctant. Once you lose your teeth, you won't be able to enjoy delicacies anymore."

Deng Yunjun took a sip of wine and nodded. "That makes sense. Uncle Jiu, you have a higher level of thinking and see things more clearly."

Deng Shirong laughed. "I just like to eat. I don't have any spiritual level. You think too highly of me!"

The two chatted and drank, with Deng Yuntai chiming in occasionally. The others focused on eating.

The drinking started around 5:30 PM and continued until dark, ending around 8:00 PM.

By then, both Deng Shirong and Deng Yunjun were a little drunk.

Deng Yunjun stood up, swaying slightly, and said, "Uncle Jiu, I'll head back now. Let's drink again another day."

Deng Shirong nodded. "Yunheng, take the lamp and see the captain home."

Deng Yunjun waved his hand. "No need to send me off. It's just a short distance. I can walk back myself."

Though Deng Shirong was a little drunk, he was still clear-headed. "It might be dark now. Let Yunheng take the lamp and see you home."

Deng Yunheng picked up a kerosene lamp and said, "Brother Jun, don't be polite."

Seeing this, Deng Yunjun no longer refused. Finally, he bid farewell and left with Deng Yunheng's assistance.

After Deng Yunjun left, Deng Yunzhen said, "Azhu, clean up the dishes. I'll get some hot water for Dad to bathe."

Deng Yunzhu responded, "Got it!"

The two sisters got busy, one cleaning up the dishes and the other fetching hot water for Deng Shirong.

Deng Shirong smoked his water pipe, watching them work. In his previous life, his two daughters had not married well. Their husbands were useless, and none of his grandchildren were promising.

A month before his rebirth, he had seen his two daughters. The eldest looked as old as a woman in her seventies, and the youngest wasn't much better, with deep wrinkles on her face.

His two daughters had worked hard all their lives. At their parents' home, they had endless chores. At their husbands' homes, it was the same. They had never had any real free time. As a father, Deng Shirong felt heartbroken.

Of course, there was also regret.

In his previous life, his daughters' marriages had been arranged by him, based on the matchmaker's words.

This time, he would keep his eyes open and find suitable partners for his daughters, ensuring they lived happy lives.

As Deng Shirong reminisced, his eldest daughter, Deng Yunzhen, called out, "Dad, I've prepared hot water for you. The towel is in the bucket, and I've put your clothes on the stool. You've had a lot to drink today. Come bathe and then rest."

"Alright, got it," Deng Shirong replied, putting away his pipe.