Farming Games are All About Grinding
Chapter 326 - 317: Tang Jing Returns to Drink Moutai

Chapter 326: Chapter 317: Tang Jing Returns to Drink Moutai

"Hey, Brother Jing!"

"Uncle!"

Han Qiwu and Tang Qingying greeted Tang Jing with smiles, one after the other.

"Qingying’s been eating well lately, huh? Looking sturdier!" Tang Jing walked over with a massive backpack slung over his shoulder and said with a laugh. His skin was much darker than before, weathered and beaten by the elements, with chapped marks on his face and beads of sweat covering his forehead.

"Really? I’ve gained weight?" Tang Qingying quickly pulled out two tissues to hand over, then glanced down at her slim waist and long legs.

"Not fat, just well-proportioned," Han Qiwu smiled and replied, walking over to help Tang Jing remove the oversized mountain backpack.

"No, no, I’ve got it. This bag’s heavy," Tang Jing waved his hand hurriedly as Han Qiwu approached. It was packed full of items, weighing him down significantly.

Before he could finish talking, he saw Han Qiwu effortlessly lift the backpack with one hand, steady as could be, and carry it into the house, placing it on the table.

"What’s in this bag?" Han Qiwu turned back to ask.

He wasn’t showing off.

He genuinely didn’t hear clearly.

"It’s fine now. What should we make for lunch? I brought back two bottles of Moutai," Tang Jing said a bit awkwardly. Walking over, he pinched Han Qiwu’s arm and exclaimed in surprise, "Kid, have you been on steroids? How’d you bulk up so fast?"

"I’ve been farming. Farming works wonders for a workout. We’re having barbecue for lunch—grilled fish and grilled meat," Han Qiwu replied with a chuckle. He washed his hands and headed over to the grill, starting to prep the hake and those little mackerels and sardines.

Fortunately, the barbecue rack was large enough—three-quarters of it was used for grilling fish, while the remaining quarter was for pork belly.

"You’ve got Moutai? Then let’s have a good drink together," Tang Qingying’s eyes lit up as she spoke and walked over to assist Han Qiwu.

Tang Jing stood in place, full of curiosity.

Since when has farming been such an efficient workout?

Hearing Tang Qingying’s words, he laughed heartily: "Alright, let’s have a proper drink. I’ll go take a shower first."

Just as he walked a few steps, he remembered the earlier conversation and called out, "Qingying, pepper salt isn’t burnt salt—don’t let this kid fool you!"

"I knew it!" Tang Qingying snapped playfully, hitting Han Qiwu’s arm with her wrist.

Tang Jing, watching this scene: "..."

Should’ve kept my mouth shut!

Forget it, I need that shower!

After prepping the barbecue ingredients, Han Qiwu noticed Tang Qingying perspiring heavily. Feeling a bit concerned, he pulled out a bowl of a hundred-flavored shaved ice, placed it in her hands, and gently led her to a chair, saying, "Take a break and enjoy some shaved ice first."

Equally tired herself, Tang Qingying gladly accepted the shaved ice with a grin, nodded, and took a bite. She beamed with satisfaction.

Vanilla-flavored.

Delicious.

Taking advantage of the marinating time, Han Qiwu returned to the kitchen to quickly make three portions of double-skin milk pudding, chilling them in the fridge.

The pudding was great for offsetting the richness of barbecue and for sobering up.

Lucky he brought a lot of milk this trip; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been enough to make three servings.

When he stepped out of the kitchen, Han Qiwu took a long deep breath and began tending to the grill.

Armed with the grilling expertise passed down from Shennong, he was practically a master with thirty years of barbecue skills; just hearing the crackling of the charcoal, he could judge the heat perfectly.

By gauging the fire’s intensity, he managed the residual oil expertly, ensuring every ingredient would have the best flavor.

A few minutes later, Han Qiwu grabbed three golden-brown, fragrant mackerels with tongs and laid them on the table. He called out, "Eat the mackerels while they’re hot!"

"Smells amazing!" Tang Qingying lowered her head to take a sniff, then lifted her head with a satisfied look.

"Eat slowly." Han Qiwu smiled, picking up his own skewer and leisurely digging in.

When grilling the mackerel, he had only added a dash of fine salt to preserve the fish’s natural flavor to the fullest.

The grilled mackerel’s skin was crispy and aromatic, while its flesh was tender and firm—utterly satisfying.

After finishing one skewer, Han Qiwu dove back into the grilling endeavor.

The other fish weren’t too challenging to cook; the real trouble lay with the hake. Timing for seasoning additions was critical—too early and the flavor would be overpowering, too late and the taste wouldn’t soak in.

Very tricky.

"This mackerel is so flavorful! I haven’t had it in ages," Tang Jing remarked with a cheerful laugh as he walked out holding two bottles of aged Moutai. Grabbing a skewer of mackerel, he polished it off in several bites and called out to Han Qiwu, "The grill timing is spot on! Just needs more chili."

"Got it, I’ll add it later," Han Qiwu answered with a grin.

"Alright, I’ll pour the drinks," Tang Jing said, setting the Moutai down and expertly opening them. His expression turned slightly pained as he turned to Qingying: "Your second aunt wanted to drink these last time, and I couldn’t bear to part with them. Today, it’s all for you two."

"Does my second aunt cook *this* well? Food like this deserves good wine!" Tang Qingying stood up, took the Moutai, and said with a playful grin, "No need to bother yourself with pouring. You’ve just returned from far away—go take a well-deserved rest."

"Wait, no!" Tang Jing snapped back to reality, reaching out, attempting to stop Qingying from claiming the bottles.

But Qingying, prepared all along, grabbed a bottle in each hand and whisked them away in a flash.

"About drinking, Uncle—you should stick to moderation, especially since you’ve just traveled such a long way," Tang Qingying teased while setting out three half-liter glasses. After filling two halfway, she poured one to the brim.

"Ah, my niece knows how to pamper me—went straight for the full half-liter this time," Tang Jing said, eyeing the full glass with satisfaction. He reached out to grab it.

"Uncle, that one’s not yours. You’re older—you should drink less," Tang Qingying joked with a smile, placing the full glass in Han Qiwu’s spot.

Tang Jing: "......"

What’s going on here??

I’ve only been gone a month, not a year!

Things progressed *this* fast??

"Han Qiwu, my uncle poured you a full glass of Moutai—come try it!" Tang Qingying called out, beckoning Han Qiwu over.

This mellow, non-overpowering fine liquor was saved for Han Qiwu to enjoy.

"Coming!" Han Qiwu approached holding six freshly grilled yellow croakers and a stack of pork belly skewers. Raising the glass, he toasted Tang Jing before downing half in one gulp.

So satisfying!

He had always felt deeply grateful to Tang Jing; the bronze knife and fishing family secrets had been instrumental in his early success.

"Slow down. No need to rush. We’re all family here," Tang Jing said, wincing slightly. "Kid, that’s two and a half ounces gone just like that."

"Try this pork belly—I added plenty of chili. Let me know if it needs more," Han Qiwu replied, grabbing six skewers of grilled pork belly, handing three to Mr. Tang and three to Tang Jing.

The chili used in grilling was dried mountain peppers Han Qiwu had sun-dried himself when bored. Its taste was far superior to store-bought dried cayenne—spicy and fragrant.

The grilled pork belly had a golden sheen, with hot oil dripping enticingly from it, making it irresistibly appetizing.

"Smells divine!"