Chapter 114: Zhou~~~ Si~~~nian~~~~!!!

After leaving the space, Ming Dai fetched the soybean paste that Aunt Huang had given her. She heated oil in the pot, then added pork belly to render out the fat. Next, she tossed in scallions, ginger, garlic, and the soybean paste, frying until the aroma rose. She poured in boiling water and placed the whole fish inside.

Luckily, the outer pot was large; otherwise, the fish wouldn’t have fit!

She arranged garlic slices over the fish, poured soy sauce and vinegar along the edges of the pot, covered it, and began to simmer.

The two of them stayed by the stove, tending the fire and roasting chestnuts as they waited.

The fragrance from the pot grew stronger, and Zhou Sinian couldn’t help but ask repeatedly.

“Ming Dai, is it ready yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Ming Dai, is it ready now?”

“Wait a little longer!”

“Ming Dai, I think it’s ready!”

Ming Dai: ……

Alright, even Ming Dai thought it was done.

She lifted the lid, and a wave of steaming fish aroma hit them, making their stomachs growl in unison.

The fish was too large for any plate; Ming Dai washed a new enamel basin and transferred the entire fish and broth inside—brimming to the top!

They didn’t even wash the pot, just extinguished the fire and entered the space.

Quickly serving rice, Zhou Sinian grabbed a piece of the fish belly and popped it into his mouth.

Tender, smooth, and bursting with the distinctive flavor of the sauce—it was simply divine!

He scooped up a spoonful of broth, mixed it with boneless fish belly meat, and took a bite. He instantly fell in love.

“Ming Dai! Let’s catch more next time; this won’t be enough!”

Ming Dai nodded in agreement.

Freshly stewed fish in an iron pot was incredibly delicious!

Next time, they’d try sticking flatbread to the pot’s sides to dip in the broth—surely it would be even more fragrant!

The fish was so large that they didn’t finish it, leaving half untouched.

Ming Dai took the basin with the fish out of the space and placed it in the cupboard outside so they could enjoy the fish jelly later, which offered a different taste.

That night, as usual, after acupuncture and medicinal bathing, Zhou Sinian suggested sleeping outside the space.

“Ming Dai, I’m going out to find the dogs tonight.”

“Is their home far?” Ming Dai asked.

Zhou Sinian thought a moment. “Not far.”

Ming Dai nodded. “Alright, make sure to wear your anti-slip boots and don’t forget the sheepskin knee pads, okay?”

Zhou Sinian nodded in response.

In the dead of night, when everyone was asleep, Zhou Sinian dressed carefully and left after telling Ming Dai.

Ming Dai stayed awake, waiting for his return.

Three hours later, the door creaked. Ming Dai called out from the window, “Zhou Sinian?”

He replied, and only then did she relax.

A while later, Zhou Sinian came inside. Ming Dai led him to the space, raised the temperature, and told him to change clothes.

He emerged wearing pajamas, his eyes bright, waiting for her praise.

She handed him sweetened ginger tea and asked curiously, “Why didn’t the dogs bark? How many did you bring?”

Zhou Sinian took a sip, pleased with the sweetness. “They don’t like to bark. There were six in total—the old man gave me six harness loops for the dog sled.”

Ming Dai was surprised. More harness loops meant he could bring even more dogs next time?

“Does their family have such good conditions to keep so many dogs?”

Zhou Sinian blinked, signaling he didn’t know.

Ming Dai yawned; she was tired too.

“Alright, let’s sleep for two more hours. We have to leave before the villagers wake up. Wake me when it’s time.”

Zhou Sinian was better than an alarm clock—a truly magical skill!

He nodded, washed his tea cup, then went to sleep.

When Zhou Sinian woke Ming Dai, she was still groggy. He urged her on, and she dressed quickly to leave the space.

She made sure her scarf and hat were properly worn indoors, while Zhou Sinian went out in the dark to harness the dogs.

When Ming Dai came out, he and the harnessed dog sled were already waiting.

It was still before dawn. She settled onto the sled, and with a tug of the reins, Zhou Sinian set the dogs running. The sled glided swiftly through the village and soon left it behind.

Ming Dai held on tight, marveling at how well-trained the dogs were—silent and obedient.

Once outside the village, the sled’s speed increased significantly.

She thought these dogs ran much faster than their village dogs!

By the time they reached the fishing spot from the day before, the sky was still dim, only faintly brightening.

Zhou Sinian led the dogs onto the ice.

When the sled stopped, Ming Dai exhaled in relief.

Although Zhou Sinian had driven a horse sled before, this was his first time with a dog sled.

Fortunately, he was dependable, and they arrived safely.

He fetched his tools to reopen the fishing hole they had used yesterday, while Ming Dai went to check on the sled dogs.

In her previous life, she had always wanted to raise an Alaskan Malamute but was forbidden by her elders as a child. Later, her love of travel prevented her from fulfilling that dream.

The dogs were so adorable; this life, she was determined to own one!

As she approached the resting dogs, about to pet one, she froze the moment she saw their faces.

The dogs didn’t seem to like her either. Upon noticing her approach, they all stood up, lowered their front legs, bent their hind legs, bared their teeth, and emitted threatening low growls, closing in on Ming Dai.

Terrified, she collapsed to the ground and scrambled backward on all fours, forgetting she even had a space to retreat to.

“Zhou~~~ Sinian~~~~!” she trembled, calling out desperately as pairs of ghostly blue eyes gradually closed in.

Deceitful Zhou Sinian!!!

These aren’t dogs!!!

They’re clearly wolves!!!