Twilight soaked into the sky over Beidahuang like thick, black ink. Jiang Rou rolled up her sleeves and fed a handful of dried corn stalks into the stove; the crackling flames turned her cheeks a deep, rosy red.
In the pot, pieces of wild pheasant bubbled and rolled, their rich aroma mingled with the earthy scent of hazel mushrooms, drifting through the gaps in the canteen’s thatched roof and out into the frozen, snow-covered world.
Master Zhang squatted by the chopping board, his chapped fingers deftly working a rolling pin back and forth. Watching Jiang Rou nimbly shredding frozen, rock-hard potatoes into fine slivers, he couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration. "Little Jiang, your technique with the shredder is just like the old-timers here in Beidahuang making pickled cabbage—fast and even!"
Chapter 141