Pan-Fried Wheat Cakes

Three runners wearing the black uniforms of the Suppression Office, sabers belted at their waists, walked along Baishi Lane with an imposing air, drawing awestruck glances from passersby along the roadside from time to time. Since ancient times, commoners never crossed the authorities! To ordinary folk, even unregistered temporary runners were figures to be viewed with awe and dread! "None of the temporary runners who came before ever received such a grand introduction! Calling it an introduction—isn't it really just declaring his status in public and showing off his backing?!" "Besides, the runners accompanying the head runners are basically all registered runners. I, Monkey, have knocked around the Suppression Office for more than two years, and I've never enjoyed treatment like that. This Zheng Shiyong is a newcomer who only arrived today, yet he's already getting this kind of treatment. It's obvious at a glance that they're paving the road for his future!" "To tell the truth, if not for his connection to Head Runner Zheng, how could this new Zheng Shiyong have had such a day?!" "Comparisons really are infuriating! Utterly infuriating!" "..." Monkey shook his head and complained the entire way, his face full of indignation. Among them, he had the most seniority in the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office! If he possessed backing like Zheng Shiyong's, perhaps he would already be an enrolled, registered runner by now. "All right, Monkey, save your breath. If someone with malicious intent overhears you, you're bound to catch trouble!" Chen Ping'an advised him. "Hmph! Let them overhear. What I said isn't wrong, so what does it matter if word gets out?!" Monkey sounded quite tough. Yet whether Chen Ping'an's advice had taken effect or for some other reason, he changed the subject afterward and stopped grumbling about Zheng Shiyong. At this, Chen Ping'an shook his head slightly. This Monkey, really... Truth be told, Chen Ping'an was naturally envious that Zheng Shiyong had received such a grand introduction upon arrival. However, he knew envy was useless! In this world, status ultimately had to be carved out by oneself! Whether one fought with fists or with backing! Old Chen was dead; the only person he could rely on was himself! And the only person Chen Er Ya could rely on was him! As they patrolled the streets, countless thoughts turned in Chen Ping'an's mind. With every shift in thought, his resolve grew firmer! This firmness of conviction gave off an entirely different spirit and vigor from his body! This day's patrol was once again peaceful and uneventful! After eating and drinking their fill at noon in the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, they found a spot as usual to rest properly for a while. Since Baishi Lane mostly consisted of residences and had no critical locations, the time they spent slacking off and resting this time was longer than usual. Among Nanquan Lane's many streets and alleys, Baishi Lane was undoubtedly one of the more relaxing ones. ... "Nannan, your brother is back!" The moment Chen Ping'an stepped through the door, the fragrant aroma of cooking hit his nose. "Brother, you're back!" Chen Er Ya was busy in the kitchen and didn't come out to greet him. Chen Ping'an walked into the kitchen and found milk-white ox bone soup bubbling in the pot, steaming hot with an enticing aroma! Having just returned from duty, his stomach was growling with hunger. Smelling such an aromatic, deeply rich ox bone soup, how could he resist? Just as Chen Ping'an was about to ask for a bowl to taste first, Chen Er Ya, stir-frying a dish nearby, spoke up. "Brother, you must be hungry. I made some pan-fried wheat cakes this afternoon. You can eat some first to line your stomach. They're in the cupboard." In between stirring the dish, Chen Er Ya found a moment to gesture toward the cupboard beside her. "Good girl, Nannan!" Chen Ping'an beamed. Where could one find such a thoughtful little sister! In his past life, a child of Nannan's age would still be the treasure of any household, doted on, pampered, and cherished. How could they ever be so considerate? This world... Thinking about it, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache for her. "Brother, why are you daydreaming? It's right on the third shelf of the cupboard!" Seeing Chen Ping'an standing dazed in place, Chen Er Ya urged. Chen Ping'an answered and took out a plate of pan-fried wheat cakes from the cupboard. "Pan-fried wheat cakes" was a common household term. In truth, it was just beaten egg mixed thoroughly with wheat flour and seasoned with a pinch of salt. Then, an appropriate amount of sesame oil was heated in a wok until wisps of blue smoke rose, after which the egg-and-flour batter went in to be turned and fried. Finally, tossing in a handful of chopped scallions to bring out the aroma completed the pan-fried wheat cakes. "Smells wonderful!" Looking at the golden, crispy wheat cakes before him, Chen Ping'an praised. "Truly worthy of Nannan's cooking!" The wheat cakes still held a bit of lingering warmth. Evidently, Chen Er Ya had estimated the time he would finish his shift and made them in advance. Her thoughtfulness was truly exceptionally delicate. Eating the wheat cakes, Chen Ping'an felt waves of satisfaction well up inside him. Ever since he began practicing Iron Shirt, his appetite had grown steadily. During the day, he had eaten his fill at the Suppression Office, yet right now he was starving. Clearly, now that his martial cultivation had reached entry level and stepped into the Qi and Blood First Layer, his qi and blood surged much more fiercely than before, causing a much greater expenditure. *This is only the entry level of the Qi and Blood First Layer. If I reach the perfected First Layer, I'm afraid I'll be starving halfway through my shift!* Chen Ping'an thought to himself. *Makes sense!* Although he ate quite a bit of rice now, most of his side dishes were ordinary vegetables without much oil or fat. If he wanted his body to truly absorb sufficient nutrition and replenish his qi and blood, he would probably need hearty meats! No wonder the head runners' meals were kept distinct from those of the regular runners! Now, Chen Ping'an could understand some of the rules established in the Suppression Office. If even he at Qi and Blood First Layer was like this, those head runners in the Suppression Office who generally possessed Qi and Blood Third Layer cultivation would never stave off hunger if they ate the same light meat and vegetable dishes as the common runners! *Sizzle!* Oil splattered as Chen Er Ya emptied a plate of raw beef into the wok. Once the beef hit the wok, Chen Er Ya skillfully stir-fried it. In went green peppers, in went salt, in went seasonings... And a fragrant, savory plate of beef stir-fried with green peppers, carrying a hint of spice, was ready to come out of the wok. "Brother, dinner is ready~" Chen Er Ya called out. "Coming." Chen Ping'an responded. Promptly, brother and sister carried the dishes out one by one. Tonight's dinner: a plate of stir-fried beef with green peppers, a plate of stir-fried seasonal greens, a large bowl of ox bone soup, half a plate of pan-fried wheat cakes, and two bowls of fragrant white rice. "Nannan, the water vat is running low. I'll go fetch some." With dinner settled in his belly, Chen Ping'an patted his stomach contentedly. "I'll fetch water tomorrow during the day. Brother, you just focus on your martial arts practice!" Chen Er Ya tried to dissuade him. To her, these chores were things within her power that she could do for her brother. If she could spare him the trouble, she would. The water in the vat was still enough for two days, which was why she hadn't fetched any today. "It's fine. It'll just help digest dinner!" Chen Ping'an said with a smile. If he fetched water, it would take ten round trips at most. If Chen Er Ya went, the number of trips would more than double. Besides, with her little arms and legs, hauling water back would probably exhaust her half to death. With that, Chen Ping'an grabbed the carrying pole, lifted two wooden buckets, and headed outside.