Chapter 13: Extra Training
“Just stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, no changes.”
This dish held an irreplaceable place in Chang Ning’s heart. Even if Wang Xiao Mao could teach him some fancy dishes, he wouldn’t switch.
“Alright, whatever makes you happy.”
Seeing he couldn’t persuade him, Wang Xiao Mao stopped talking.
He heated the wok with oil. Once the oil was hot, Wang Xiao Mao poured in the prepared eggs and gently stir-fried them.
“This process must be gentle, or the eggs will easily break apart.
Also, use plenty of oil to prevent sticking.”
The flames rising from under the stove illuminated Wang Xiao Mao’s face, tinting it orange.
He stir-fried the eggs until they were golden yellow, each piece uniform in size. Wang Xiao Mao rinsed the wok and then stir-fried the tomatoes. Once the tomato sauce was ready, he added the eggs back in and mixed them together.
“Alright! Come try it.”
He plated it up.
Chang Ning eagerly picked up a piece of egg coated in tomato sauce and popped it into his mouth.
The fruity aroma of the tomatoes mixed with the egg flavor, wave after wave assaulting Chang Ning’s taste buds.
“Delicious!”
“No big deal. Eat up quick and clean up. The comrades’ training is probably almost over.”
Wang Xiao Mao went to the other end of the counter to prep vegetables. The used dishes were naturally left to Chang Ning to wash—there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
The military unit had no recipes for Chang Ning to reference, so his cooking experience increased very slowly. He could only practice over and over.
In the evening, after training ended, Xiao Zhuang and Xi Wa came to find Chang Ning.
They were all the same age recruits in the same squad of the New Recruit Company, so their friendship was naturally deep.
Chang Ning’s training scores in the New Recruit Company were top-notch. He knew that without his golden finger, he was nothing.
Moreover, in his previous life, he had experienced rock bottom and knew what that felt like, so Chang Ning wouldn’t look down on others just because their scores weren’t as good as his.
Therefore, Chang Ning was quite popular in the New Recruit Company. Everyone was happy to hang out with him—after all, no one turns down friendship from someone excellent.
Xiao Zhuang and Xi Wa had first gone straight to the Cookhouse dormitory to find Chang Ning, but he wasn’t there. Normally, everyone would be in the dormitory at this time, but this weirdo Chang Ning hadn’t returned.
It was Squad Leader Old Ma who told them where Chang Ning was.
Arriving at the kitchen, they saw Chang Ning standing by the wok without moving. Xiao Zhuang and Xi Wa pushed the door open and walked right up to the still-thinking Chang Ning.
“Chang Ning, why are you still in the kitchen so late?”
“Why are you two here?”
Hearing voices, Chang Ning looked up and saw Xi Wa grinning foolishly at him.
“Lately Lao Pao has been drilling us every day in new ways, so we’re getting hungry fast.”
Alright, with Xiao Zhuang putting it that way, Chang Ning got the idea—they were here to mooch food. If it were anyone else, he’d kick Xiao Zhuang and Xi Wa out without a word. Want food? No way!
Breaking rules wasn’t worth it. Besides, without enough friendship, why would someone take that risk?
But with their good relationship, and Chang Ning being Cookhouse staff, getting food for them was easy.
“I’ve got some steamed buns made today—want any?”
“Yes! Yes!”
Hearing there were steamed buns, Xi Wa beamed with joy. He already had a big appetite, and after Lao Pao’s training, he was starving—his stomach was already protesting.
“Old Chang, whip up a few dishes for us. Dry steamed buns are hard to swallow.”
Xiao Zhuang probed. Everything was negotiable. If Chang Ning actually made a few dishes, it’d be a win; if not, no loss.
“Well, you’re not shy! No dishes, take the steamed buns or leave them.”
Chang Ning pretended to be angry as he reached for the plate of steamed buns.
Seeing the steamed buns running out, Xi Wa panicked.
“Don’t! Ning Bro. I’m starving right now—have some pity on me.”
An eighteen- or nineteen-year-old guy acting pitiful gave Chang Ning goosebumps instantly. A girl would be fine, but Xi Wa, a guy, was too much for him.
“No dishes, but I’ve learned a new one these past couple days. You can try it.”
Ready taste-testers delivered to the door—not using them would be a waste. Chang Ning wasn’t letting these two off.
“You sure you can?”
Xiao Zhuang remembered Chang Ning saying before that he couldn’t cook, and even if he learned now, it probably wouldn’t be that good.
“Forget it, forget it. No dishes is fine—we’ll just have some steamed buns.”
“Truth is, no dish from me, no steamed buns.”
This hit Xiao Zhuang’s weak spot. Coming to the Cookhouse for food was breaking rules. Normally no one reported it, but could Chang Ning let taste-testers slip away?
“Fine, then hurry up.”
Lights out was about to sound. Xiao Zhuang grimaced and gave in. He couldn’t fall out with Chang Ning—blame himself for wanting dishes and giving Chang Ning leverage.
Wash the wok, add oil, fry eggs…
If Wang Xiao Mao were here, he’d be shocked. All the steps he taught Chang Ning for stir-fried tomatoes and eggs were being executed methodically.
This was why Xiao Zhuang and Xi Wa had seen Chang Ning staring thoughtfully at the wok alone earlier. Chang Ning had taste-tested it, and the result didn’t taste like home. In short, no mom’s flavor.
Chang Ning got Xiao Zhuang and Xi Wa to eat his dish to get their ideas on improving it.
Since it was with steamed buns, Chang Ning stir-fried the tomatoes longer this time to make more sauce for dipping.
“Delicious!”
Xiao Zhuang tentatively took a bite with steamed bun, and his eyes lit up like they were sparkling.
As for Xi Wa, he couldn’t stop. The stir-fried tomatoes and eggs in his bowl vanished at a visible speed.
Mouth stuffed with food, he mumbled incoherently. Chang Ning couldn’t make out what he was saying, but from the wolfing down, it was clearly praise.
“Eat slower.”
Seeing them eat too fast, Chang Ning worried they’d choke and poured them a cup of cool boiled water from his water cup.
‘Looks like no useful advice from Xiao Zhuang and Xi Wa.’
Chang Ning had planned to share his troubles after they ate, hoping for suggestions. But now it seemed pointless—they were eating too enthusiastically for that.
“After you finish, wash the wok and bowls, lock up, and go back to sleep.”
With no suggestions coming, Chang Ning wasn’t sticking around. Freeloading is shameful—like extra cooking means you do the work.
They readily agreed. Some things are zero times or countless. Chang Ning opening this small stove for them meant more in the future—a long-term meal ticket. Xiao Zhuang knew that much.
“Looks like next time I need to find Chen Pai—he’s got the brains.”
