239: Chapter 37 Meng the Blind Man’s Intangible Heritage 239: Chapter 37 Meng the Blind Man’s Intangible Heritage Wang Yunxiao bought two lamb legs and a strip of pork belly on the road, and when he returned to Madam Cui’s courtyard, he sliced them and marinated them with onions before going to the neighboring small eatery to get a basin of boiled peanuts and edamame.
The meat, as long as it’s fresh and of good quality, does not need too many seasonings; just a bit of onion and some white pepper is enough to remove the gaminess and tenderize it.
After marinating, he slow-roasted it on the grill over a small stove, and it was so delicious with just salt added that there was no need for chili or cumin.
In those days without industrial pollution, the taste of pure farm-raised fat lamb and earth-fed pork was something that later generations could not fathom.
It’s a pity that Dumpling was still confined to bed, otherwise, with him around, he could have prepared an entire feast in no time.
Just as Wang Yunxiao had started steaming rice in a large pot, Cui Xiaoying and her daughter returned.
After some time of contact, they realized Wang Yunxiao was not the notorious rogue as the rumors had described, so Madam Cui and her daughter let down their guard a bit.
Furthermore, since Wang Yunxiao and his fellows started to cook there, they would leave some leftovers for them, and the relationship between the two sides became more harmonious.
Now they no longer hid away as they did at the beginning; upon seeing Wang Yunxiao busy alone in the kitchen, Madam Cui came over with her daughter to greet him politely and ask if he needed any help.
Wang Yunxiao looked up and glanced unnoticeably at the little girl hiding behind Madam Cui.
Old Blind Meng’s little daughter, Meng Wei.
She was a few years younger than Madam Cui; the two standing together looked as if they were sisters, even their features were very similar.
According to a loafer who wished to remain unnamed, Old Blind Meng was quite the player.
Nobody thought much of it when he suddenly took a concubine.
After he was shot dead, these two women fell into destitution on the streets, and that’s when the sharp-eyed gossips began to notice something odd.
Did he find this little concubine to match the look of his own daughter?
The man was already dead, and the truth of the matter was beyond investigation.
But in the streets and alleys, there were always those who enjoyed chewing over these kinds of true or false gossips.
Because of these baseless rumors, at that time, Meng Wei’s reputation was even worse than Cui Xiaoying’s.
Maybe because of this reason, the child used to be very timid, on par with Zhou Qing; she would lower her head and not dare to speak when she saw Wang Yunxiao.
Of course, this had nothing to do with Scar Wang’s notorious reputation in the Jianghu World; it was purely because she was introverted, yes, introverted.
Now she was much better, still hiding behind Cui Xiaoying, but daring to stick her head out and greet Wang Yunxiao, staring at the bright red slices of meat on the stove and secretly swallowing her saliva while biting her lip.
“We’re having a barbecue tonight, come over and lend a hand!”
If it were in the past, Wang Yunxiao definitely wouldn’t have asked the two of them for help, but this time was different.
Cui Xiaoying seemed to sense something as well and couldn’t help asking, “Brother Wang, are you expecting guests tonight?”
“Yes, someone you know, from the Church.
Since you believe in that foreign religion, let me know in advance if there are any dietary restrictions.”
Most believers have dietary restrictions, either vegetarian without meat or no pork, even having a whole list just for forbidden foods.
Veronica said she doesn’t drink alcohol, and Wang Yunxiao wasn’t sure whether she simply didn’t want to drink or if there was some special rule from the Church.
It couldn’t possibly be that she truly doesn’t drink, could it?
Surely she doesn’t sit at a table with dogs when she goes back home for New Year’s, right?
“The Church?
Someone I know?
Which Sister is it?”
“Veronica Anton Ivanovna.”
Upon hearing this, Cui Xiaoying’s eyes widened: “Why would she…
Ah, I don’t mean anything by that, I just meant, she’s a very important person, Wei!
Take the broom and sweep the yard, throw out all the trash!”
So you still don’t know anything, huh?
Looks like that nun isn’t very reliable with her affairs.
Wang Yunxiao wiped his hands with a piece of burlap and stood up to ask Cui Xiaoying, “This Veronica, who is she?
Some big shot?
Really powerful?”
Cui Xiaoying lowered her voice and said, “I’ve heard she’s some Commandery Princess from Rakshasa Country.
Those factory managers and government officials all bow and pay respects when they see her.
Does that not make her a big shot?”
“Rakshasa Country has a title like Commandery Princess?”
Wang Yunxiao thought to himself, don’t trick me, my history knowledge is poor, over there, whether it’s Emperor or King, or Grand Duke, don’t they all use one common term for the daughters?
Translated over, it’s called Princess.
What the heck is a Commandery Princess?
Speak of the devil and he shall appear—just as he was speaking with Cui Xiaoying, Veronica’s hearty laughter echoed from outside the door,
followed by Meng Wei’s scream.
Wang Yunxiao went out to see Meng Wei being held up under her armpits by Veronica, lifted high up like Simba.
The little girl was screaming in fright.
“You’ve grown quite a bit since I first saw you last year, haven’t you?
Give it another couple of years and you’ll become an excellent woman,” Veronica said cheerfully as she set Meng Wei down on the ground, patted her head, and turned to Cui Xiaoying, “Sister Cui Xiaoying, how many times have we met now?
The last time we met I remember it was to award you with a technical level certificate, right?
Someone as outstanding as you, I really don’t want to let go.”
Cui Xiaoying was about to reply politely, but stopped short when she heard the last sentence, “Sister Veronica, what did you say?”
“Ah…”
Veronica slapped her forehead and turned to Wang Yunxiao, “You didn’t tell her…
oh right, you wouldn’t know, I remembered wrong.”
God, she remembered wrong, what am I supposed to tell her?
Have you been drinking antifreeze or something?!
Wang Yunxiao was also utterly confused.
“No worries, no worries, let’s sit down and talk.”
Without a hint of embarrassment, Veronica casually pulled a stool over and took out two bottles from behind, “I brought kvass as a gift, home-brewed, alcohol-free, you guys haven’t had it before, right?
Try it and see how it tastes!”
“What you just said was…”
“What did I just say?
Ah right, the Church’s higher-ups have already decided to select a group of sisters of the appropriate age with excellent grades to attend Qinghe Middle School.
You and your family’s Meng Wei are both on the list, she’ll be in the first year, and you’ll be in the third year.”
Veronica revealed the shocking news with a giggle.
The surprise drained all color from Cui Xiaoying’s face.
“Sister Veronica, when was this decided?
I had no idea before…”
“Of course, you wouldn’t know.
I was involved in drafting the list, and it’s not even done yet.
You wouldn’t get the official notice until at least a month from now.”
Seeing the change in Cui Xiaoying’s expression, Veronica couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, “You’re not willing?
You don’t want to study further?”
“It’s not that I’m unwilling…
it’s just so sudden…
I…”
Glancing at Meng Wei beside her, who had perked up her ears eavesdropping, Cui Xiaoying hesitated for a long moment and then said with a wry smile, “You know, I’m already a married woman.”