Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation

Mr. Yao said: "I know that taste. Years ago, when I went to the countryside to build houses, they would make lamb soup in the morning with flatbreads. The taste was incredible."

Mr. Yao reminisced, but ever since leaving the village, he could never find that taste again in any restaurant outside.

Yao Yiyao sat by herself in the back seat, and from her dad's conversation with Uncle Yang, she figured out that Uncle Yang opened a rural tourism business.

Yao Yiyao knew what it was because she had been to similar places before, following her dad to the outskirts of the city to enjoy roast whole lamb outdoors, rooster cooked in a clay stove, or skewers grilled with charcoal by the adults, or picking strawberries, experiencing rural charm.

With adults guiding her through the experience, she didn't have to do anything herself, making the experience very delightful and down-to-earth.

Yao Yiyao gazed out the car window at the endless fields, feeling relaxed and even her heavy mood lightened greatly.

She looked towards the southeast, where many tall poplar trees grew, along with a lush bamboo grove, and amidst the greenery stood a row of neat bungalows.

Yang Fei chuckled: "We're almost there. I bet you can smell the aroma of lamb soup already, Brother Yao!"

Saying this, he turned the steering wheel, making the SUV turn and enter a row of bungalows.

A rich aroma hit them immediately, so strong it instantly lifted one's spirits and left them wanting more, even thinking, "I gain by breathing in more of this aroma."

Mr. Yao sniffed carefully: "Oh my, this fried rice smells amazing, Brother Yang, you've outdone yourself!"

Yang Fei was a bit perplexed, 'When did I make fried rice? Did the chef take matters into their own hands?'

'But no matter, good job!' Yang Fei parked excitedly and opened the car door.

He looked around in confusion: "Something's off, this aroma isn't coming from my place, it seems more like..."

Yang Fei glanced sideways, his gaze settling on a household.

He remembered that household clearly, a mother and daughter lived there.

Resisting the draw of the aroma, Yang Fei, with a distracted Brother Yao, entered his newly renovated rural tourism spot.

Upon stepping into the courtyard, the lamb aroma finally became noticeable. It was a nice scent, reminiscent of the past, but Yang Fei still felt confused.

Compared to that fried rice aroma, this lamb scent was hardly worth mentioning.

Yang Fei laughed heartily: "Brother Yao, come try the lamb soup."

Mr. Yao absentmindedly said: "Sure, let's taste it!"

Yang Fei had the kitchen lady prepare three large enamel bowls, each filled generously with lamb, and the broth was a clear white, looking very enticing.

After serving three bowls, Yang Fei smelled that fried rice aroma again, and observed the expressions on the Yao family's faces.

He added: "Miss, one more bowl of lamb soup, with extra lamb."

After filling that bowl, Yang Fei said: "The neighbors are nice, I'll take them a bowl to try!"

Saying this, Yang Fei carried the lamb soup with a curious mind, and stepped into the Xue family courtyard.

The fried rice aroma grew even stronger, completely overpowering the lamb soup in his hands.

Yang Fei saw three familiar people; over the past few days, he had roughly understood the relationships in the area and knew the three were close.

The last time, they had cooked chicken in a clay pot and shared a meal together.

Yang Fei: "Eating, huh? I've boiled some lamb soup and brought it over for you to try!"

Although he said this, his eyes were fixed on the fried rice on the table, Yang Fei swore he had never seen fried rice like this.

His first impression was that the fried rice was so beautifully made, the colors especially bright and vivid, like in promotional photos, but compared to the images, seeing it in real life was even more striking.

Xue Yuantong kindly accepted the gesture and, following social norms, she thanked: "Thank you, Uncle Yang, you should try our breakfast too."

Hearing this, Yang Fei was thrilled. This was exactly what he came for!

But Xue Yuantong took out a guest plate and served a bit of water, kiwi, banana, grapes...

Yang Fei: "??"

Yet Xue Yuantong was generous in one go, taking a spoonful of fried rice.

Xue Yuantong knew the rice Jiang Ning brought must be something special and shouldn't be shared easily, but this Uncle Yang was quite kind, so she gave a small spoonful of rice, slightly shaking the spoon to remove half.

In the end, the serving was roughly just a mouthful.

Yang Fei's eye twitched.

He returned to the rural tourism base with a plate of cut fruits and a little bit of fried rice.

Seeing the looks from the Yao father and daughter, Yang Fei awkwardly said: "Haha, I took over some lamb soup, and they insisted on giving me fruits. It's a perfect balance of meat and vegetables, let's try it!"

Yang Fei placed the plate on the table in the yard.

Yao Yiyao gazed at the fried rice and felt an inexplicable allure, involuntarily asking: "Why is there fried rice too?"

Yang Fei waved his hand: "They made fried rice and insisted I try it, so I got a spoonful."

"Niece, would you like to try?" Yang Fei offered.

His purpose today was to entertain Brother Yao, naturally understanding that if he made his daughter happy, it would mean everything.

Yao Yiyao was already drawn in by the fried rice, holding a spoon in one hand and chopsticks in the other, she scooped some rice onto the spoon and tried a bite, immediately amazed!

First the soft and tender eggs, then the incredibly fragrant rice, as if blooming in her mouth, spreading everywhere, reaching a state of perfect texture and flavor.

And there was that inner cheerfulness!

'How can it be so delicious?' Yao Yiyao blushed slightly, as if drunk!

She didn't hesitate, took another bite, and finished all the fried rice.

After that fleeting enjoyment, there was a long-lasting emptiness.

Yao Yiyao longed for the lingering aroma in her mouth, not even wanting to take another sip of lamb soup, fearing it would wash away the rice fragrance.

Seeing her bewitched, Mr. Yao was amazed: "Is it really that good?"

Yao Yiyao enthusiastically praised: "Dad, it's amazing!"

Without thinking, she answered: "Even better than the watermelon at Uncle Jiang's?"

With this comparison, Mr. Yao was astonished: "Really?"

Yao Yiyao helplessly said: "Dad, don't believe me, try it yourself?"

However, there was no rice left.

Yang Fei had no choice but to reluctantly promise: "Since my niece likes it, I'll ask the neighbors for some more?"

Mr. Yao noticed Yang Fei's awkwardness and thought: "Let's go have a look together."

Middle-aged men don't have many pursuits, and Mr. Yao loved all kinds of food. To taste the watermelon from Jiang Qitian's family, he often hinted around, making Old Jiang avoid responding now.

After making the decision, Yang Fei, Mr. Yao, and Yao Yiyao put down the enamel bowls in their hands and went out together, surprisingly to the Xue family courtyard for a meal.

Yao Yiyao felt a bit embarrassed at first, but then thought, being at the river dam's remote location, the residents must have modest means; otherwise, they would've moved to the city long ago, so if her dad is willing to spend some money, they could surely make a meal.

This way, she could eat her fill at once.

Thinking this, as Yao Yiyao entered the courtyard, she suddenly spotted two familiar faces.

Her steps halted, 'Jiang Ning, what is he doing here?'

Yao Yiyao had a deep impression of Jiang Ning, from their initial meeting when he delivered tomatoes to Uncle Jiang's house, to their second encounter at the temple fair night. These first two interactions were within normal bounds.

But starting from the third encounter, during summer when she fainted in a mascot suit part-time in the heat, Jiang Ning rescued her.

Then the fourth time wearing a hat distributing flyers, she ran into Jiang Ning again, leading to the awkwardness of her housing situation being rented out by her mother.

She glanced at Jiang Ning, then at the fried rice on the table, recalling the watermelon and tomatoes he brought to Uncle Jiang, seemingly realizing everything at once.

Yao Yiyao rose to her toes, her slim body leaning slightly forward, her charming face displaying a soothing smile, she greeted:

"Hi, Jiang Ning, do you live here?"

Xue Yuantong also recognized her, from when her mother worked at a restaurant, the 'Little Princess' adored by everyone.

She held a spoon and declared: "No, this is my house."