The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 189: Plotting Over a Meal

Chapter 189: Plotting Over a Meal

In the kitchen of Budding Courtyard, the fragrant scent of sizzling spices and the soft hum of simmering sauces filled the air. On the rustic yet polished wooden countertops, Xu Feng moved with the grace of a seasoned chef.

With swift and practiced motions, he chopped vibrant vegetables—an assortment of crisp bell peppers, verdant bok choy, and slender carrots—that had been carefully harvested from his greenhouse earlier that morning.

Beside the neatly arranged vegetables, a plump piece of chicken, tender and succulent, lay waiting to be transformed into a delicious dish. Xu Feng neatly seasoned it with aromatic spices—ginger, garlic, and a dash of soy sauce—enhancing the flavors that would soon marry in the simmering wok.

As the ingredients mingled, the scent of fresh produce combined with the tantalizing aroma of the simmering meat, filling the space with a mouthwatering perfume. Xu Feng moved with a practiced fluidity, adding a dash of warmth with fresh hot pepper, a hint of sweetness from wild honey, and a subtle tang from rice vinegar to improve the flavors.

The harmonious blend of aromatics wafted through the air, wrapping around Bai Mo in an inviting embrace. From where he sat, he observed Xu Feng’s culinary prowess with rapt attention, his gaze following each precise movement as Xu Feng maneuvered around the kitchen.

The rhythmic clattering of utensils and the soft bubbling of the cooking broth echoed in the space. Xu Feng’s skilled hands orchestrated the symphony of flavors, infusing the simple meal with a richness that spoke volumes of his expertise.

It was more than just cooking; it was an art form, an expression of Xu Feng’s love for flavors and his passion for the culinary craft.

As the savory aroma filled the kitchen, Xu Feng’s face glowed with satisfaction. He stirred the sizzling ingredients in the wok, the vibrant colors melding together in a alluring dance of flavors and textures.

His eyes, alight with a quiet joy, darted occasionally to Bai Mo, ensuring his friend was okay. The pampered master of the Bai mansion of Yilin wasn’t accustomed to cooking and looked rather miserable keeping the fire going for the rice.

That in itself was a spectacle, and even then, Bai Mo’s eyes kept moving over to Xu Feng’s dance.

In the moments that followed, the tantalizing dish began to take shape—a masterpiece of Donghua/ancient Dongmen cuisine, a blend of fresh produce and succulent chicken simmering in a savory sauce.

Seated comfortably(?) at a preparation table in the kitchen, Xu Feng and Bai Mo relished the fragrant aromas wafting from the dishes laid out before them. Xu Feng watched Bai Mo sample the food, his eyes alight with curiosity and anticipation.

Momo was finally satisfied after 10 days with no snacks or meals from Xu Feng.

Xu Feng couldn’t suppress a subtle smirk, noticing a smudge or two of charcoal on Bai Mo’s cheek—a telltale sign of a kitchen adventure gone wrong.

The warm atmosphere in the kitchen was devoid of clinking utensils against plates. Bai Mo was brought up with the most refined manners and Xu Feng had learned a lot from the other over the last few months.

As the satisfying meal came to an end, Xu Feng looked over the excess food still in the pots and pans. He was so used to cooking for many mouths, that he had prepared too much food.

The only thing that was finished was the rice that Momo made, it was just the right amount for two. Xu Feng wasn’t worried about waste though, when the two snakes were hungry, they would be able to devour the remaining food, and if not, Xu Feng would incorporate it into dinner—he had promised Bai Mo two meals.

Looking at the culprit in question rubbing his rounded belly while trying to chew some more chicken, Xu Feng’s lips twitched, ignoring the glutton as a thought popped in his mind.

It wasn’t a good thought, but it wasn’t really a bad thought. Right? It wasn’t a bad thought if no one was harmed...

"Momo," Xu Feng started, "Now that we’re through with lunch," The Momo in question was still slowly and delicately moving pieces of vegetables into his mouth as he watched the silver haired ger.

It was unclear if the gluttonous fox was determined to burst his stomach in front of Xu Feng or not. Still, Xu Feng continued on, a little more determined to move on with his spur of the moment plan.

"You came with your carriage? And a servant?" Momo nodded slowly as if he had caught on to whatever Xu Feng was trying to sell him.

"He should be eating with the servants in my home?" Again, Momo nodded, finally pausing his chopsticks. This wasn’t his first time in Nanshan estate. The older servants in the Bai mansion were accustomed to Xu Feng, and encouraged the two gers to spend more time together.

Normally, there would be one or two servants to escort Bai Mo to Nanshan Mountain, but the elders trusted Xu Feng and his calm external appearance.

"How many horses are on your carriage? Are they docile?" Xu Feng continued to pry gently.

"There are two today. Both Xun and Fei were sent out with me. They are swift but gentle even with strangers...Do you want to go for a ride?"

"Yes!" Xu Feng brightened up, his friend was the best, he didn’t even need to ask. "I want to ride around the edge of the Nanshan Mountains. It’ll be good exercise after eating such a big meal."

It didn’t take much to convince Bai Mo at all as he looked down at his belly. He had overdone it, but he was determined to eat as much of Xu Feng’s cooking before he left for Jinghua.

With the tea and dried flora prepared by Xu Feng ahead of time, he would set off for Jinghua tomorrow morning after spending a night in Nanshan Estate.

As for Xu Feng, he was making preparations rapidly in his head, was there anything he would need for this trip? It wasn’t as though they planned to go up the mountain. It was usually around a thirty minute to an hour walk to the base of any one of the mountains. With the horses, it would be considerably less time.

He didn’t need to take any preparations he made with Xu Hu Zhe and to be honest, he didn’t know where the contraband was stashed. At most, he should take a knife, and a back basket in case they came across anything worth bringing home on the short trip.

This would be his first trip out of the estate unsupervised by any wild or small animals!

"Burrrrrp."

Xu Feng looked up at the red faced fox whose fox ears had popped back out at an unknown time. The shame on Momo’s face was indescribable.

"Hahahaha!"