The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 192: Spring Harvest Pt.1

Chapter 192: Spring Harvest Pt.1

As Xu Feng and Bai Mo stood on the edge of the forest, the vibrant greenery of the foliage appeared even more enchanting as they neared the mountainous terrain. Xu Feng’s eyes sparkled with a newfound curiosity as he spotted a cluster of mushrooms peering out from the base of a nearby tree.

A gleeful grin painted Xu Feng’s face as he knelt down, his fingers deftly plucking the mushrooms with practiced ease. His movements were confident and precise, a show of his familiarity with foraging despite his now "noble" lot in life as the Xuan young master’s wife.

Bai Mo observed him with a mix of surprise and admiration, marveling at Xu Feng’s unexpected skill. The taller ger had too many skills, it made him want to work harder and learn some useful "life skills" as Xu Feng called them.

Watching Xu Feng’s ease in identifying the mushrooms and gathering them with such finesse, Bai Mo’s thoughts wandered. ’Feng Feng’s talents truly know no bounds,’ he thought silently. ’He’s not just talented at cooking, he’s good at farming and foraging. Maybe the child of a farmer father and a mother from the capital was the best combination.’

As Xu Feng gathered the mushrooms, his mind drifted into thoughts of culinary possibilities. ’Mushrooms are indeed a treasure of flavors and textures,’ he mused, fingers expertly inspecting each specimen before storing them away. ’There are a million ways to turn these fungi into delightful dishes.’

Food. Food. Food.

Someone who didn’t know better would think Xu Feng was a greedy ghost, not a well fed master, who just finished an early lunch.

His mind wandered to the upcoming winter, which was still an entire year away, remembering the recent one that lacked the culinary diversity he craved. The meals were nourishing, but the monotony was undeniable.

A smile touched his lips at the idea of infusing variety into the next winter’s meals, introducing the delicate flavors of mushrooms to the Nanshan estate’s dining table. Would Xuan Yang like mushrooms? He seemed to like umami flavors.

It would be good to add some mushrooms to a spicy hotpot, Xuan Jian would like a hotpot. He would need to make a milder version for Xuan Yang and the girls though.

In the forest’s embrace, Xu Feng found various mushroom species like shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, known for their earthy flavors and versatile uses in stir fries and soups. He also came across meaty boletes, their robust taste perfect for stews.

He didn’t pick too much of anything he found since there was only one back basket, but even just the edge of the forest was like a wonderland. The villagers, didn’t come to the Nanshan Mountain forest, opting for the small forest at the foot of the mountains which was closer to Nanshan village.

This turned out great for Xu Feng, this resource was basically untapped. Plus, from the endless stream of information being transmitted by Bai Mo, discerning poisonous and nonpoisonous mushrooms was a skill here in Donghua, a high paying skill that very few had.

Mushrooms were picked by skilled people, and often sold to wealthy families...Mushrooms could be a commodity for Xu Feng!

As his practiced eye scoured the landscape, Xu Feng spotted some prized fungus varieties, such as the highly sought after bamboo fungus. Its tender flesh and unique taste would add an exquisite touch to his culinary creations. He also found golden needle mushrooms, prized for their delicate texture and often used in savory broths.

The forest offered an array of treasures, from wood ear fungus to enoki mushrooms, presenting endless opportunities for flavorful dishes that would bring warmth and variety to the winter season.

Anticipating the next winter, Xu Feng resolved to preserve these forest finds early. Pickling, drying, and even creating mushroom infused oils could ensure a diverse pantry for the colder months!

Xu Feng also spent time explaining some basic tips and tricks to Bai Mo, he would only let the other man pick easy to discern mushroom varieties. It was easy to get overwhelmed if you learned too much information too fast.

Like with his studies, Bai Mo was a fairly quick and dedicated learner, and dove into mushroom picking with full intensity. Especially when Xu Feng let him know they’d get to eat some of their harvest at dinner time.

As the sun reached it highest point, casting golden hues across portions of the forest floor, Xu Feng and Bai Mo continued their foraging expedition. Xu Feng led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the forest periphery for any signs of edible treasures.

"Look at these, Feng Feng! These mushrooms are huge! Should we pick them?" Bai Mo called out, holding a large, unfamiliar fungus in his hand.

Xu Feng approached, examining the mushroom carefully. "That’s a good find, Momo. But let’s stick to the ones we know are safe. Keep an eye out for easy to identify varieties."

"Is this one poisonous?" He asked Xu Feng curiously, wanting to make sure he was still picking the right mushrooms.

Xu Feng moved closer once again to his friend to look over the patch he had pointed out, "Yes, you have a talent for this Momo! You’re not just good at eating."

The nonchalant tone Xu Feng used had Bai Mo excited about the compliment, his face lighting up as he flushed lightly, then it happened. The last sentence finally hit him as Xu Feng scurried farther and farther away.

"Feng’er, you’re a pain! A big, big, pain. I didn’t have an eating problem before I met you!" Even with this shout, the animals only looked over at the commotion, before going back to their previous engagements.

After some time, Xu Feng felt a wave of fatigue. "Momo, I’m going to rest for a bit. Remember, only pick what you’re sure of."

Bai Mo nodded; his focus unwavering as he continued scouring the area for suitable mushrooms. Xu Feng slipped the kitchen knife into his clothing and ventured a bit further, still in sight but seeking other hidden treasures.

He stumbled on wild strawberries, their white-red hues peeking from under lush green leaves. They weren’t ripe yet, but Xu Feng made a mental note to return later. Nearby, he spotted bamboo shoots, but without tools, he couldn’t harvest them.