Her Cultivation Diary-Chapter 1199 - 1173. Chili Oil

As for Zhang Yanping’s romantic issues, he has to handle them himself, but each family’s winter bamboo shoots need Seventh Uncle to sort them out:

"Don’t pick the ones that are damaged, select the ones with roots separately—Tantan, find a box to put them in and take them with you when you leave."

"Remember, bury these winter bamboo shoots in a sand heap when you get back, just like storing radishes, and they’ll last a long time."

"If you don’t have a sand heap, think of a way to get some sand, and find a bucket to store them at home; they’ll last a long while as well... At the very least, you can guarantee that what you eat is fresh every meal."

Even if it lasts that long, there’s no way you wouldn’t eat it quickly when you get home.

Everyone made a note of this advice, except for Qi Lin, who shook his head: "I’m not taking any. I have to transfer between buses to get home, which means spending an extra night due to different schedules, and there’s quite a distance to walk... It’s not convenient."

His home is on typical yellow soil, with only an aging grandfather still in the village, and the place is even poorer than Yunqiao Village, lacking mountain and water resources.

Transportation doesn’t even need mentioning.

So, carrying winter bamboo shoots around is truly laborious.

But as for Yan Ran, despite being a girl, her family is well-off, so no matter how much she carries, it’s just a bit of effort at the station since she’ll have family to help once she exits.

Tai Xiaodong doesn’t need to worry either; although he’s from a small town, the transportation there isn’t bad.

Song Tan couldn’t help but feel torn: "I even prepared radishes and cabbage for you guys, and if you can’t take them with you, sending them by express mail isn’t cost-effective..."

This is basically the highlight of the year-end bonus, and it’s such a pity that it can’t be taken back due to transportation issues.

But then Wu Lan asked: "Xiaoqi, your grandfather is quite old and living alone in the hometown; is that okay? Why don’t you bring him along next year? Don’t you have a dorm? You could live together."

"Yes, yes, yes," Song Sancheng also nodded.

Qi Lin was from a modest background, but there was nothing to critique about him. As the saying goes, ’a child from a poor family learns to take charge early on’, and he handles everything steadily, in a way that greatly appeals to the older generation.

Qi Lin helplessly shook his head: "My grandfather has old-fashioned thinking; he wants to stay rooted in the homeland, can’t leave."

He had even considered learning some cattle-rearing techniques to teach his grandfather, but given the poor transportation, if the cattle felt unwell, his grandfather could get anxious and upset, which might cause further problems. It was better to maintain the status quo.

In short, it’s tough.

If it weren’t for the necessity of earning a living, he might already have returned to work in his hometown.

However, Seventh Uncle, being well advanced in years, could resonate with such thoughts and now pondered aloud: "I’ll bring some ingredients for you, so the elder can at least eat comfortably at home."

"Tantan, give more of the good seeds that Professor Song prepared, these are easy to carry, and next year you can eat what you grow at home."

Song Sancheng was still muttering from the side: "I’ll go check the warehouse; things that don’t take up space, pack more of them. It’s not easy for a child to be away from home..."

Qi Lin listened quietly, his expression relaxing, and his eyes slightly reddened.

After experiencing such a simple and genuine atmosphere, how could he bear to stay in the lab?

Thus, Zhang Yanping’s issues were completely forgotten. After dressing up meticulously and coming downstairs, he found everyone busy packing items into vacuum bags.

So he leaned over to take a look—

Dried fish cubes, small dried fish, dried shrimp, dried tofu, salted duck eggs, cured meat, packets of spice mixtures, tea leaves, dried radish strips, dried cowpeas...

Bits and pieces haphazardly filling the 28-inch suitcase, with only a few scattered articles of clothing inside, the rest all packed tightly with vacuum bags, leaving no room for anything more.

Song Tan emphasized beside him: "This is your year-end bonus, nothing else..."

What more could anyone want with all this?

Qi Lin couldn’t help laughing and crying, feeling his heart full of gratitude.

Once he pulled out his backpack and put in a bag of dried black fungus, Seventh Uncle suddenly remembered:

"Oh! I almost forgot to make some chili oil for you guys—hurry, Song Tan, tidy up that stone mortar!"

"Qiaoqiao, bring out those varieties of dried chili peppers!"

"Wu Lan, Wu Lan—where did you leave your gloves and masks?"

Upon hearing this, everyone almost drooled.

After all, Lao Song’s chili peppers paired with Lao Song’s sesame seeds, plus several selected spices introduced by Professor Song, combined with Seventh Uncle’s mastery of controlling heat and oil temperature...

Dare not imagine, dare not imagine!

Professor Song even spoke first: "Don’t use bottles for mine; they’re too heavy. Use vacuum-sealed bags instead, and pack several, I’ll carry them in my backpack."

Lady Tang was a bit tempted too; chili oil is delicious, but hemorrhoids...

Alas, for someone as elegant as she, for someone as old as she and Old Song are, normally wouldn’t mention these, yet indeed...

"Better stick to just two bottles."

"We only stay at home for about 10 days to half a month for the New Year, keeping one bottle for ourselves, and leaving one for the kids."

This chili oil, being extra spicy, isn’t used much per meal, two large bottles should be sufficient.

But then again...

Seventh Uncle suddenly turned: "This chili oil needs to sit for a day after making; when’s everyone’s ticket?"

Everyone exchanged glances.

Well... most were for tomorrow, just different times, but all definitely needed to head to the station in advance.

Finally, Tai Xiaodong grumbled: "I need to carry radishes and cabbage and lots of things, and two suitcases won’t fit everything... Could you make the chili oil today, and send it by express mail after we all leave tomorrow?"

It should preserve well and not be afraid of jolting.

Importantly, the cost of express mail isn’t excessively high.

"Just right, it could go along with the pork," Yan Ran enthusiastically agreed—nobody could bear to finish the 20 jin of pork included in the year-end package alone; everyone planned to take it home.

But it was inconvenient for packaging, so it had to be shipped back using Wind Speed Express with ice packs.

As for the courier fee... now they could only hope Brother Xiaozhang, as a loyal customer, might offer a little more discount...

Yan Ran mulled over it and felt like driving to work next year directly. Otherwise, upon encountering good things, she couldn’t keep relying on express delivery!

As chili sauce sales increased this year and more peppers were grown, the dried chili inventory this year was naturally sufficient. Song Tan didn’t mind parting with them, just reminded time and again:

"When pounding the chilies, definitely wear goggles!"

"And when washing the chilies, definitely don’t remove your gloves."

Making chili oil requires lantern and Erjingtiao peppers, as they’re flavorful. But at Lao Song’s, these two peppers also boast impressive spiciness.

After her instructions, she felt there was something she hadn’t addressed. As soon as she turned around, she saw Zhang Yanping in a natty outfit...

My goodness! It turned out to be such a big deal!

Turning to Xin Jun, she saw him set down the bamboo shoot in his hand, then beckon to Zhang Yanping:

"It’s not yet three o’clock; let me remind you of a few things..."