Chapter 777 - 773: I’m Sorry

"I’m sorry, I didn’t know all that!"

Fang Ziyin didn’t have any friends here. She had come to this village following information from Jiang Baishu, which led her to the Qingshan Team.

She had endured some hardship in her childhood, but she was a city girl through and through. Seeing such a run-down village for the first time, her heart ached for Jiang Baishu.

Now, hearing him say all this, her heart ached even more.

Fang Ziyin apologized cautiously, but Jiang Baishu just shook his head.

"After this meal, you should go back. I’ll talk to our teacher myself. When we’re eating later, don’t say a word."

Fang Ziyin: ...

’This guy is a total blockhead. It serves him right he’s this old and doesn’t have a girlfriend.’

’Any girl who falls for him must be blind.’

Fang Ziyin was so angry she stopped talking to Jiang Baishu. She walked over to the side, sat down, and sulked by herself.

Jiang Baishu didn’t comfort her. He felt that Fang Ziyin would have to accept the truth sooner or later. As for her previous fantasies, they were becoming just that—fantasies—as the gap in their social standing widened.

With that in mind, Jiang Baishu’s hands moved swiftly, and the two chickens were soon dressed.

Just then, the invited guests began to arrive.

They were all friends from the village, close with Gu Jiaojiao and Leng Yuan.

In an instant, the entire courtyard came alive with chatter.

Everyone was a stranger to Fang Ziyin, but thankfully, Jiang Baishu helped break the ice, saving her from too much embarrassment.

Jiang Baishu set up the stove, and Gu Jiaojiao placed two large, clean stones on it. On another stove, she placed an iron plate. Then, she personally showed everyone how to grill skewers.

Everyone watched in fascination. It wasn’t that no one had eaten this way before, but it had never smelled this fragrant. As soon as the sauce was brushed on, an incredible aroma filled the air.

Everyone present couldn’t stop their mouths from watering.

Everyone is equal in the face of delicious food.

Once the men got the hang of it, Gu Jiaojiao stepped aside. She joined Chen Xiaoli and the other women at a table to eat sunflower seeds and snacks while they waited for the food.

Barbecue is always best right off the grill.

Chen Xiaoli saw the large spread of meat and vegetables Gu Jiaojiao had prepared and felt a little embarrassed. They had brought their own rations, but it seemed like it wasn’t nearly enough in comparison.

A few of them had originally planned to be polite and eat sparingly.

But the moment the flavor exploded in their mouths—savory, fragrant, numbing, and spicy, so good it was to die for—everyone lost control.

Gu Jiaojiao had prepared a lot of food, but everyone present had a hearty appetite. In the end, only a few shrimp were left; even the river snails were picked clean.

By the time everyone had finished eating, the chicken soup Gu Jiaojiao had in a pot was just about ready. She had started it while stir-frying the river snails.

The recipe was actually quite simple. She stuffed the chicken with medicinal herbs—it was a homegrown chicken, so the meat was excellent—added some mountain mushrooms, and finally tossed in a few goji berries. The flavor was absolutely divine.

Once the chicken soup was ready, everyone who had come for the meal took a bowl home. As for the rest, Gu Jiaojiao had Sweet Girl and Xiao Yang deliver a bowl to each of the families who had spoken up for her.

There was still a little left over, which the family finished themselves.

The families who received the chicken soup were surprised by Gu Jiaojiao’s generosity. They had only said a few words in her defense, and she’d sent them chicken soup in return. They resolved then and there that if she ever needed help in the future, they would be there for her.

Those who hadn’t spoken up were secretly kicking themselves. If they had known a few words of support would earn them a bowl of chicken soup, they would have chimed in as well.

As for the most displeased household, the Sun family, Mrs. Sun was at home cursing and grumbling. She refused to cook, claiming she had fallen ill from the scare Gu Jiaojiao gave her.

Sun Yeshu didn’t want to cook either. Her two older brothers had been beaten because of her; it was doubtful they would even be able to work the next day.

When Father Sun returned and learned what Sun Yeshu had done, he hauled off and slapped her hard across the face.