Little Ger, Slow Life in Another World

Chapter 30.1

Alone

Translated by Coke
Edited by Coke

A day spent alone

Previously in the new lot property, Miao He and Yang Dalang had already tilled and prepared a small plot relatively more extensive than the one in their old home’s backyard. Before, Miao He was not in a hurry and planned to cooly plant the same seeds. However, now that they were pressed for money for a house, following that plan would be awfully slow. Miao He toughened up his resolve and decided to try another old method, selling cooked food grown in Xirang!

And what would he sell? It’s his favorite mung bean cake that he had contrived after many take.

Once his mind was made up, Miao He sowed the mung beans in the living soil and quickly harvested a large sack of Xirang-grown mung beans. Then, he boiled a pot of water and soaked the mung beans in it. After an hour, find a clean cloth to wrap them, and gently press it using your hands. The green skin could easily be peeled off by this time, revealing the yellow interior. Rinse it with water, and the mung bean kernels are ready. 

The following steps were steaming and frying. Steam the kernels first. When the bean kernels have become tender, ground the mung beans into a smooth, fine mush. Put the mushed mung bean into a pan, pour oil and sugar in, and fry it continuously until they become a thick lump of paste. Since there was only sesame oil at home, the mung bean cake would have incorporated the aroma of sesame oil, buttered up with its sweet, soft, and thick texture. Some people particularly favor fragrances like this.

It’s just that Miao He lacked an impression mold on hand. After the mung bean paste reached its perfect consistency, he could only cut it into small long strips with a knife. Following that, he picked a piece and popped it into his mouth. It practically melted the moment it came into contact inside. Miao He, who was once worried, could not help but gobble up several pieces in a row. 

As much as anything, an entire day of busy work had passed, and when night came, Miao He intentionally made two large bings for two. 

Repeatedly went to the gates to check, but the person waited for did not appear!

‘Will it take three or five days?’ Thinking about how Yang Dalang went about to go hunting in the past, it seemed so. Miao He became even more infuriated. To say more, he also felt restless! As a result, the unlucky Dabai, who was peacefully eating the mung bean cake in content, was snatched by Miao He and rubbed its fur indiscriminately. After that, it leaped onto his cake and ran away from his freakish master today.

Miao He kept tossing and turning that night, so he woke up early by dawn. Once sobered up, he wrestled whether to wait for Yang Dalang to return or to sell the cakes he made yesterday in town himself. Because the prepared cakes could not be preserved, and given that he had downed all oil and sugar, it would be unwise to waste another day.

In response, Miao He walked out to deliver cakes angrily with the small box in hand!

If Yang Dalang returned just in time to find no one was at home, who cared what he may think? Let him think I’ve run away from home!

Taking Uncle Ma’s cart, Miao He lacked the energy to partake in idle chatter today, so he faked sleeping in town. When they arrived, he headed straightaway to Yangshui Teahouse. Nevertheless, he always had to make the teahouse try it. If the teahouse refused to accept it, Miao He would scurry for a way to sell it in the market. 

When Shopkeeper Jin noticed a certain someone, he naturally came over to warmly greet them.

“Hai ah, Brother He?! Why are you here by yourself today? Where’s Yang xiong di?”

Miao He pursed his lips. “He’s out busy. I came by today to ask if the restaurant accepts mung bean cakes. I made several at home. Otherwise, I’ll sell them to others if you don’t accept it.”

Shopkeeper Jin was a bit taken aback. “Why is Brother He still thinking of selling cakes?” With the income from marketing vegetables, she should be able to live a good life. 

Miao He shared that he had to move houses due to an unexpected mishap. He omitted the part about the hidden agenda of coveting vegetables and only briefly and truthfully narrated the mistakes made by the village chief. 

Shopkeeper Jin’s squeezed brows could pass off as a caterpillar at the absurdity. “How can this be?! If they made a mistake, then they should be the ones to let it go. This is swindling.”

Miao He was not in the mood to chat, so he shook his head. “People made him the village chief. Shopkeeper Jin, let me give you some to try first?”

The latter had already eaten Miao He’s cabbage stew, so he could not keep his anticipation from showing. However, when the person took out the cake, the appearance was bland and plain. The ingredients seemed ordinary and homely. It genuinely resembled the visuals of pure mung beans. Shopkeeper Jin pressed his lips together for having his expectations unrequited. Additional to the deliciousness of the teahouse’s cakes, their exquisite and appetizing appearance must also be observed — points were deducted for this value alone. Moreover, business was business. Even if it was an acquaintance, what ought to be said must be said still. 

“Brother He, ah. You normally bring vegetables, so perhaps you’re unaware. Our food here is haute. Passing several requirements such as color, aroma, and even distinguishing features is compulsory. But your cake — it’s too ordinary….”

But to acknowledge his efforts for carrying it here, Shopkeeper Jin considered and picked a piece and threw it into his mouth. 

Miao He could not help feeling a bit disappointed. He had always had faith in the quality of food cultivated by Xirang. However, if deliciousness could not cut it, and required an appetizing appearance, then it was something he could not attain now. 

Miao He, with pursed lips, nodded understandingly. “It’s okay. I just want to ask the Shopkeeper one more thing. How much would it cost for a piece of a cake like this if I sell it outside?” While asking, his hand started to retrieve the plate on the table and pack it in the box. He did not have much time to waste. 

Shopkeeper Jin, however, twitched his lips and replied with a nonsequitur answer, “Wait. Can I have another one? I ate it too fast.”