NOVPUBChapter 92: Chapter 92 Fried Meatballs
Chapter 92 -92 Fried Meatballs
The next day it rained, and everyone had thought that would bring some coolness. However, with the current temperature, the rain was as hot as a sauna, making it feel like steaming instead of raining.
But there was one good thing: everyone could collect rainwater.
Each family in the neighborhood brought out their containers to catch the rainwater.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng did the same. Whether they needed it or not, they couldn’t be the only ones not doing it; they had to act just like everyone else.
The rain continued until evening and the day felt like constantly being in a sauna. The basement was damp and so hot it felt like one could evaporate, causing difficulty in breathing.
Such weather was fatal for the elderly and those with chronic diseases. What was initially thought to be a blessing, or a cool respite after the rain, turned out to be just as hot and many died as a result.
The only slightly useful outcome was the collected water, which was lifesaving at this time.
Once night fell and the temperatures dropped slightly, coupled with some humidity, it felt a bit more comfortable, though the temperature didn’t actually go down.
Everyone took this opportunity to go out and scavenge for supplies.
However, Gu Pan and her group didn’t go out today. The roads were slippery from the rain, and since they had been driving to distant places recently, they weren’t sure it would be safe tonight. There were no streetlights now, so they decided to just rest for the day.
That night, Gu Pan craved grilled fish, so she and Lu Ruisheng had some. Despite having plenty of food in the “Space”, they strove not to waste it. Leftovers were stored in the “Space” to be reheated and eaten the next day. It’s important to remember that they could still taste such flavors, which others probably couldn’t even remember.
After eating, Gu Pan felt idle and wanted to make some snacks to improve everyone’s mood. Now, everyone was focused solely on getting enough food, but occasionally, a little surprise was also needed. Life was hard enough in the apocalypse, and without some variety, it would be even more dull.
Thinking about what she could make that was tempting and wouldn’t raise suspicion, she decided on fried meatballs.
She soaked the dried meat until it softened a bit, then mixed it with flour and freeze-dried vegetables, adding two eggs to the mix. Now, it had been a long time since anyone had even seen an egg. Gu Pan fully blended the egg so that if anyone tasted it in the meatballs, she could claim it was a seasoning. Everyone knew she had a lot of spice packets.
With an air conditioning fan in the house and a basin of ice placed not too far away, she could tolerate the heat from frying.
With many to feed, she made a large batch of fragrantly fried meatballs. Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng had already eaten grilled fish, so they kept just one bowl for themselves and divided the rest into three portions to be shared with their three neighbors. 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝙢
When Chen Lang saw the fried meatballs, he literally jumped up: “Am I dreaming?” He then nudged Cheng Yang beside him: “Bro, pinch me.”
Cheng Yang pinched him without any hesitation: “Does it hurt?”
Chen Lang cried out in pain: “It hurts, it hurts.”
Cheng Yang, already eating, said: “Silly kid, if you want to know if you’re dreaming, just eat one and you’ll find out.”
The two brothers thanked Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng happily and went back to enjoy their food.
When the portion was delivered to Chen Shaonan and Duan Shumei, Duan Shumei felt as if Gu Pan had opened the door to a new world for her: “Xiao Gu is so clever, how come I never thought of doing this? I’ll make some myself someday.” She then added, “It’s so hot; Xiao Gu, you’ve worked hard.”
Gu Pan said with a laugh, “It’s okay, we can hang in there a bit longer for the sake of food.”
The joke made everyone burst into laughter.
Feng Zhekai and Lu Xuerong were especially happy, as they had maids who cooked for them at home before, and so they were not very skilled in cooking. They were truly satisfied to eat like this at such a time.
In the evening, they discussed over the walkie-talkie that early the next morning, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng would take Cheng Yang and Chen Lang up the mountain to check the rabbit traps they had set earlier. Because it had rained today, and it was dangerous to go up the mountain at night, they planned to go in the morning.
After a good night’s sleep, early the next day, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng took Cheng Yang and Chen Lang up the mountain.
Cheng Yang and Chen Lang, as they walked, also carried a small bag of fried meatballs that they hadn’t had the heart to finish the day before. However, due to the hot weather, they didn’t dare to keep the meatballs for too long, so they munched on them as they walked.
Just as they reached Squad Leader Fang’s doorstep, they saw Fang Lanlan coming out. She seemed to want to run back inside, but Squad Leader Fang shut the door.
At that moment, Fang Lanlan embarrassingly fiddled with her sleeve cuffs, looking down. Then, she turned and sprinted towards the wall, intending to climb back over it into her home.
As she put her hands up against the wall, Cheng Yang held up the paper bag: “Fang Lanlan, do you want some fried meatballs?”
Fang Lanlan’s hands paused on the wall, but she was conflicted inside. She wanted them; it felt like she hadn’t eaten fried meatballs in so long, and she really craved them.
Cheng Yang, a little embarrassed as he looked at Gu Pan, said, “Sister, I…” After all, the meatballs were made by Gu Pan, and it was inappropriate for him to offer them to others.
Just then, he was thinking about what Squad Leader Fang had said, to talk to Fang Lanlan whenever possible, as he and Lanlan used to converse more than anyone else. So, as he was snacking on the meatballs, he had naturally asked.
Gu Pan caught on to his intention and teased, “A gentleman’s word is his bond, are you going back on your word? Don’t be so stingy, right? Give Lanlan some.”
Cheng Yang scratched his head with a smile, walked over to Fang Lanlan, and handed over the meatballs: “Made by Sister Gu Pan, they’re really tasty.”
Fang Lanlan wanted to refuse, but they smelled so good that she took them anyway. Then, for the first time, she bravely said to Gu Pan and the others, “Thank you, you all are good people.” And just as quickly, she climbed over the wall and hurried back home.
Watching her speed over the wall, Chen Lang exclaimed, “Wow, I knew she could run fast, but climbing walls too?”
Lu Ruisheng was impressed, “Her reflex speed is rare even in special forces, and her skills seem pretty decent as well.” Then he turned to Cheng Yang and Chen Lang, “You two stop grinning like fools; you probably couldn’t beat her by yourselves.”
That comment wiped the smiles off Cheng Yang and Chen Lang’s faces. No way, right? They trained every day and had seen combat. Could the two of them really not beat a skinny girl? Impossible, right?
Gu Pan trusted Lu Ruisheng’s judgment. It seemed that Fang Lanlan was a uniquely talented individual, someone who was favored by fortune, an envy to the average person.
Of course, it couldn’t be denied that she had also been diligently training in martial arts with Squad Leader Fang, putting in no less effort than anyone else.
Because of this, Cheng Yang and Chen Lang were not as lively on their hike up the mountain today as they usually were. They didn’t waste time but went straight to check several trap sites for rabbits. Unfortunately, they had no catch, perhaps due to the rain or the heat.
After tidying up the traps, they quickly returned home. The temperature had risen, and they opted to stay indoors.
