He first blanched the potatoes, then removed them. He tossed them with the eggplant and green peppers, sprinkling on salt, starch, and other seasonings.
He heated the wok and added cool oil.
He waited until the oil was hot enough to bubble around a chopstick.
Jiang Liu added the ingredients one by one at intervals, based on how long each needed to cook.
Soon, the trio of vegetables, fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, was scooped out.
He left a little oil in the wok and stir-fried some scallions and garlic over low heat until fragrant.
In just a moment, a pungent aroma wafted through the air.
In three minutes, a fragrant plate of Di San Xian, still radiating the searing heat of the wok, was arranged on a white plate.
A thick, reddish-brown sauce coated the crispy, tender potatoes and eggplant.
It looked incredibly appetizing.
In less than five minutes, Jiang Liu also stir-fried the sour and spicy shredded potatoes, which had been soaked in white vinegar.
On the table,
there was a plate of large, steaming mantou.
There were also the two dishes, along with three bowls of rice porridge.
Jiang Liu had sprinkled some small pieces of shrimp and corn kernels into the porridge.
The juices from the shrimp flowed into the porridge, melding with it completely.
"Wow! Daddy, youâre the best! Tongtong gives you a thumbs-up."
"Jiang Liu, is there anything you canât do?"
Jun Qingmeng and Tongtongâs eyes were sparkling like little stars.
The two beauties sat obediently in their chairs, waiting for Jiang Liu to say they could start eating.
Jiang Liu picked up his chopsticks. "Eat, eat. Stop staring."
"Okay!"
"Tongtong, hereâs a delicious piece of eggplant for you!"
"Yay! Tongtong loves Daddyâs eggplant."
Tongtong slurped it into her mouth. "Ooh! So hot, but so yummy."
Jun Qingmeng ate a piece of potato and shot Jiang Liu a surprised glance.
âThis is delicious!â
The flavor of the Di San Xian Jiang Liu made was just right.
It was savory and fragrant without being greasy.
The potatoes were incredibly soft, and the outer layer, coated in cornstarch, was wonderfully crispy.
It made Jun Qingmeng even more curious about Yang Yixue.
âWhy would she ever leave such a treasure of a man?â
âHer loss is my gain.â
Tongtong placed a piece of green pepper in Jiang Liuâs bowl. "Daddy, this is too spicy. Tongtong canât eat it. You have it."
Under Tongtongâs expectant gaze,
Jiang Liu happily popped it into his mouth. "Mmm~ Anything my daughter gives me is delicious."
Tongtongâs eyes crinkled with delight. She loved it when her dad praised her.
"Daddy, you donât have to get your own food. From now on, Tongtong will get it for you."
"That way, you can eat Tongtongâs slobber every day."
Jiang Liu and Jun Qingmeng burst out laughing.
The thoughts of a child were truly so simple.
Jun Qingmeng said, "Jiang Liu, I bought you a set of skincare products and some clothes online. When they arrive, you should try them on, okay?"
"Alright."
Although Jiang Liu didnât want to accept, it was a kind gesture from Jun Qingmeng.
It would be awkward to refuse.
The corners of Jun Qingmengâs mouth curved up. Her mood soared once again.
âAm I cultivating a future boyfriend?â
Tongtongâs shifty eyes darted between the two of them.
âOoh, I think Iâm getting a dose of "dog food."â
âThatâs what they say on TV shows.â
The three of them sat warmly under the dim lights, enjoying the air conditioning and eating a home-cooked meal with laughter and conversation.
Tongtong and Jun Qingmeng didnât have big appetites, but they still eagerly finished two bowls each of the shrimp and corn porridge.
Before long, only puddles of oil and sauce were left of the two dishes on the table.
The two beauties, one big and one small, leaned back in their chairs, rubbing their bellies.
"BURP... Iâm full. Tongtong is so full."
"Jiang Liu, I like you more and more. What should I do?" Jun Qingmengâs eyes burned as she looked at him.
"Deal with it," Jiang Liu deadpanned.
Jun Qingmeng rolled her eyes at Jiang Liu, a gesture that was surprisingly charming.
It was as if a playful and gentle beauty from a painting had come to life.
Jiang Liu took all the trash in the apartment to the buildingâs waste disposal station.
After tidying up the apartment,
he grabbed his car keys and said to a reluctant Jun Qingmeng, "Itâs getting late. Iâll take you home so you can get some sleep."
Jun Qingmeng nodded.
Beside them, Tongtong spoke up softly, "Daddy, Iâve decided to inform you of something. Is that okay?"
Sensing his daughterâs cautiousness, Jiang Liu walked over, picked up Tongtong, and held her close.
"Of course. Go ahead."
Tongtong took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Jiang Liuâs neck.
"Mwah!"
She first bestowed a sweet kiss on Jiang Liu before her eyes lit up and she said:
"Daddy, donât we have that small, empty room? I want Teacher Qingmeng to move in."
As soon as the words left her mouth,
Jun Qingmeng looked up, staring at Tongtong in astonishment.
âI didnât know anything about this!â
She suddenly felt a little awkward and anxious.
For a moment, Jiang Liu didnât know how to refuse.
âHis apartment isnât that big. It would be so inappropriate for a grown woman to move in. He wouldnât be able to relax in his own living room, worrying about what he was wearing after a shower. It would be incredibly inconvenient. And besides...â
After thinking for a few seconds, Jiang Liu gently refused. "Tongtong, Iâm afraid that wonât work."
"How can your Teacher Qingmeng live with the two of us? Thatâs not a suitable idea."
Jun Qingmengâs eyes went wide. âWhy not? Iâm totally willing!!â
Jiang Tongtongâs little face hardened.
"Daddy, are you going to listen to me?"
"Nope."
"Fine. Then let me analyze the situation for you, Daddy."
Jiang Liu was surprised. "You know how to analyze?"
âWhere does my daughter learn all these tricks?â
Tongtong said, ticking off the points on Jiang Liuâs fingers:
"Look, every day Daddy has to drive Teacher Qingmeng home. Thatâs at least half an hour round trip. If Teacher Qingmeng lives with us, Daddy can get more rest. Tongtong worries about you."
All Tongtong did every day was sleep and play.
She wasnât tired at all.
But her daddy had to work all the time. Tongtong saw it, and her heart ached for him.
She didnât want her daddy to be so tired.
And she especially didnât want him rushing back and forth every day.
Jiang Liu stroked Tongtongâs head and pulled her into a hug.
He was deeply gratified.
His daughterâs words made Jiang Liu feel that all his doting hadnât been in vain.
But there were many things he couldnât just decide on a whim.
Jiang Liu sighed softly and said,
"Tongtong, Iâd like that too, but itâs absolutely impossible."
"Impossible? Why is it impossible?" Tongtong asked anxiously.
Jiang Liu shook his head, his expression unreadable.
"Daddy! Youâve disappointed me."
Tongtong suddenly felt wronged and forced out some tears.
"Teacher Qingmeng, please take Tongtong away. Daddy doesnât love me anymore."
Tongtong held out her arms.
Jun Qingmengâs heart ached as she took Tongtong. She stroked her head comfortingly and asked, "Jiang Liu, why canât I live with you? Iâm very clean, you know."
Jiang Liu shot Jun Qingmeng an annoyed glance.
âThis big one and this little one are both giving me a headache.â
Jun Qingmeng started to look aggrieved too. "I really want to live with you. I wonât cause any trouble."
"Please think about it."
She had always wanted to live with Jiang Liu.
To live life together.
Because wherever Jiang Liu was, she felt secure and comfortable. It felt like the warmth of a home, like she was being cherished.
If Jiang Liu agreed, she would have rushed home to start packing right this second.
Jiang Liu explained gently to the two of them,
"Tongtong, have you ever thought about this? If your grandpa and grandma come to visit, where will they stay?"
"Do you want them to stay in a small, dirty, run-down hotel a mile away, or in Tongtongâs own warm and fragrant little nest?"
"Oh." Tongtong now understood Jiang Liuâs predicament.
At the same time, her little heart grew even sadder.
âThatâs right. When Grandpa and Grandma come, will they have to stay in a hotel again?â
âBut what about Teacher Qingmeng?â
âItâs such a hard, hard choice.â
âSigh~â
Tongtong was truly a sad and adorable little frog.
âItâs not easy finding a mommy; sheâs often found sighing in a corner.â
Jiang Liu took Tongtong back and comforted her for a moment. "Alright, Tongtong, letâs leave this for now. Weâll take your Teacher Qingmeng home."
"Okay."
Tongtong nodded listlessly, her spirits low.
Jun Qingmeng didnât say anything more either.
She was very understanding.
Since the room was being saved for Jiang Liuâs parents, she didnât have the guts to fight for it.
Besides, Jun Qingmeng actually had a very good impression of Jiang Liuâs parents, whom she had never met.
Because,
they were the ones who had raised Jiang Liu, who had created him.
Without them, the man she loved wouldnât exist.
It was a classic case of âlove me, love my dog.â
Jiang Liu supported Tongtongâs bottom with one hand and locked the door.
He and Jun Qingmeng walked together to the parking spot on the slope.
The summer night was warm and stuffy.
The night sky was a dark blue.
Staring at phone screens for so long had made the already faint stars completely invisible.