Chapter 209: Knowledge Is Power
Ning Xiyue led Ning Qingyuan into the kitchen, where she had already prepared all the necessary ingredients — vegetables, meat, and a full array of seasonings.
There was also one special dish for today — something she had saved for a long time, reserved especially for her parents and family.
Curious, Ning Qingyuan followed closely behind his sister as they headed into the kitchen, with Ning Hai and Yun Xiulan trailing after them, worried about what she was up to.
“Little sis, tell me honestly — what did you get from the mountain this time? Don’t tell me it’s another wild boar,” Ning Qingyuan guessed reasonably.
His sister’s wild boar exploits were famous throughout several nearby brigades. Other team leaders were envious of the Dayu Brigade and regretted not recruiting such a promising talent themselves.
“It’s not a wild boar, brother. There aren’t that many for me to catch,” Ning Xiyue said with a helpless smile.
The mention of wild boars made Yun Xiulan’s heart skip a beat. Her daughter hadn’t caught piglets — they were two fully grown wild boars, the kind that had killed many people. They were considered the most dangerous of the “four pests” in the countryside, and not without reason.
She spoke earnestly, “Yueyue, don’t go up the mountain alone again. It’s too dangerous. No meat is worth more than your life.”
Ning Hai also worried his precious daughter might do something reckless. “Your mother’s right. We just want you to stay safe and sound in the countryside. Nothing else matters.”
“Don’t worry, Mom, Dad. I have medicine — the kind that can knock out a black bear. Anything that crosses paths with me ends up as meat in my pot. The winter hunt in our team this year used my drug, and it worked great.”
Ning Xiyue not only reassured them but also took out a packet of the drug from her bag to show them.
When their parents looked at the medicine with skeptical eyes, Ning Qingyuan thumped his chest and vouched for her.
“Mom, Dad, I can testify to this. My sister’s knockout drug is powerful. Just a little bit will take something down. We used it when we encountered bad guys — they collapsed instantly, completely unconscious.”
That eased their parents’ worries a little, though Yun Xiulan still reminded her, “Even so, try not to go deep into the mountains alone.”
Ning Xiyue opened the kitchen door and windows while continuing to soothe their concerns.
“Mm, I rarely go now. Ever since I became a barefoot doctor, I haven’t gone into the mountains — I just provide the medicine.”
“That’s good,” Ning Hai nodded. Looking around the kitchen, he rolled up his sleeves. “Let’s cook together today. It’s been a long time since we all worked in the kitchen.”
“How about hot pot for today?” Ning Xiyue smiled and pulled back the burlap sacks covering two big bamboo baskets in the corner of the kitchen. “It’s cold — hot dishes are perfect for a family meal.”
Ning Qingyuan peeked inside one of the baskets and was delighted to see a whole deer lying inside. He squatted down excitedly to touch it. “Sis, you actually ran into a wild deer — and a big one too, with lots of meat!”
“Today, we’re having venison hot pot,” Ning Xiyue said with a smile.
This deer was one she had “picked up” during the encounter between two fighting wild boars on her way back with Aunt Yangliu to find her second brother.
She had kept it stored away, saving it for New Year’s so her parents could eat it and nourish themselves.
With such a perfect occasion today, of course she was going to bring it out.
Venison hot pot, stir-fried venison, venison bone soup — they could make a whole deer feast with this plump animal, more than enough for the five of them.
Just thinking about it made her mouth water. “Brother, let’s start preparing it. I’m already hungry.”
Ning Hai was particularly interested in handling the deer — he remembered reading about venison preparation in a cookbook long ago but had never had a real deer to practice on.
Today’s deer was the perfect opportunity, and he was determined to follow the steps he’d learned.
He stepped forward and took the unprocessed deer from Ning Xiyue, feeling a rush of excitement at touching a whole wild deer for the first time.
“I’ll work on the deer with Qingyuan. You and your mom wash the vegetables and prepare the seasonings. Tell us how you want the meat cooked.”
Everyone turned to Ning Xiyue, waiting for her suggestions.
Without hesitation, she spoke up about her plan for the deer.
“Let’s do a bit of everything — stir-fry, steam, stew. The hot pot broth can be made with the deer bones. Today’s main course is venison, and since it’s just family, we can cook however we like.”
“Let’s go with Yueyue’s plan,” Yun Xiulan said decisively.
“Alright.”
Father and son carried the deer out of the kitchen, while Ning Xiyue and Yun Xiulan fetched knives, wooden basins, and other tools.
Washing vegetables and preparing seasonings wasn’t urgent — it would be done quickly — so the two women brought over stools and sat nearby, watching the men process the deer.
The main butcher was Father Ning; Ning Qingyuan was just his assistant, following every instruction.
Bleeding, skinning, gutting, splitting the ribs — the methods were clumsy, but they got the job done step by step.
Each cut of meat was prepared and labeled for its specific use later.
Yun Xiulan laughed. “Who would’ve thought you had such skills, old Ning? You’re doing great — you could be the team’s butcher after retirement.”
“I read about it in a book. I didn’t expect it to actually come in handy,” Ning Hai said, smiling proudly under his wife’s praise.
He took the opportunity to educate his children, turning the butchering into a life lesson for Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan.
“See this? This is the power of knowledge. One day, what you learn will come in handy. You can never go wrong by reading, studying, and keeping up with the news.”
Ning Hai pointed at the venison and continued his lecture, not missing any chance to teach.
“Opportunities are for those who are prepared. The reason I can handle this deer today is because I once read about how to do it. So even in the countryside, never stop reading and learning.”
“Got it, Dad. Don’t worry — I’ve never stopped studying,” Ning Xiyue replied obediently.
When it came to learning, no one in the entire educated youth compound could beat her — she had more free time than anyone, even more than Chen Ye Chu.
“When I’m not busy as a barefoot doctor, I read. High school textbooks, barefoot doctor manuals, or anything else useful — I read them all.”
Ning Qingyuan took a step back, glancing at his legs. “I read every day too. I even brought books with me to Shanghai. Don’t worry, Dad — I won’t give you a reason to break my legs.”
“Hey, you brat — are you asking for a beating? I’ll test you today. If I find you slacking…” Ning Hai’s eyes swept over his son’s legs as he hummed threateningly.
“Dad, I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Ning Qingyuan quickly surrendered.
Yun Xiulan stepped in to stop them. “Alright, enough. You two handle the meat. Yueyue and I will take care of the rest. As for checking their studies, we’ll do that after lunch.”
She gave both children a meaningful look. “Yes — both of you. Don’t think you can escape a study test just because you’re in the countryside. Your father and I will write the questions ourselves. That’s final.”
Then she pulled Ning Xiyue back toward the kitchen.
Brother and sister exchanged helpless glances, each seeing the same resigned smile in the other’s eyes.
Wonderful. Their dad couldn’t even butcher a deer without turning it into a lesson — and now there was going to be a study test too.
There was no denying it — their university-educated parents really did think differently from others.
Their parents’ minds were wonderfully expansive — they could link anything back to studying. It was clear they were both passionate learners.
A true power couple, through and through.
As Ning Xiyue prepared the hot pot base, she mentally reviewed everything she had studied.
Yep — there was no need to worry about failing her parents’ “exam.”
Still, she focused seriously on making the broth, working hard to prepare a delicious lunch. Right now, eating came first — studying could wait.
