With a beautifully wrapped gift in her hand, Chloe stepped out of the passenger seat, looking at the hot scene in front of her, and couldn't help but pause slightly. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

Cole and Brandon were building a bonfire, but it was not torch-shaped, but tic-tac-toe, strangely, they were not building on flat ground, and there was actually a pit dug underneath; Jessica was packing up the tools for trimming wool, and she was holding rubber gloves in her hand, which looked like she had just finished cleaning the wool; there was a long table at the door, Lu Li was holding a rolling pin in his hand, and there was a large pool of flour in front of him, and Lily, Ronald and others were talking and laughing, and they seemed to be busy with something in their hands......

But in just one month, Yundian Ranch seems to have come to life. Not that the scenery has changed drastically, the vineyards are still empty, the lavender fields in the distance are still silent, and there is still a long time before the blooming season, the bustle in the sheepfolds, cattle pens and stables is not visible for a while, and even the garden in front of the main house has not been carefully cared for...... But the whole pasture is filled with a light and lively atmosphere, and the vitality grows freely in the sun, so that the footsteps of passers-by cannot help but be light.

Chloe couldn't remember the last time she had seen the ranch so lively, two years ago, or three years ago? It was before Jack's death, and that Christmas was a festive place in the glittered ranch. But now, once again, the life of the ranch is starting to sprout.

"Hey, Chloe. There was a call behind her, and Chloe turned her head, and then saw Randy holding a fishing net in her hand, and in the pocket there were several fresh fish, jumping and splashing, as if they had just been caught out of the lake.

"You just came back from hunting?" Chloe teased, laughing heartily.

Unexpectedly, Randy nodded in affirmation, "Yes, I caught it from the lake." Randy blinked, showing a mocking expression, "You won't believe it, I'm an expert fisherman, and I'm the best here!"

Chloe immediately looked skeptical, which immediately made Randy anxious, "I mean seriously. Randy also raises the fishing net in his hand, trying to prove his innocence.

"Chloe. Before Randy could continue, Robert Thomas, who had parked the car, strode over, this was Chloe's father, the owner of the Marshall Valley Ranch, "Why are you still standing in the doorway?" Robert also saw Randy, "Man, did you just go fishing? ”

"yes, we're fishing in the lake now. 14. Not long ago, 1,500 fry were put in. Randy said excitedly.

Robert looked surprised, "Why didn't he say hello to me? "That lake is shared by Yundian Ranch and Marshall Valley Ranch, although according to the dividing line, Yundian Ranch occupies a larger area, almost two-thirds, but the lake water is originally flowing, and naturally there is no distinction between each other.

"Hehe, Fourteen knows that Texas is not used to eating fish, and you are not in the habit of fishing. So, he took the initiative to bear all the costs. Randy explained, "Well, would you like to come and fish when you have time?"

As she spoke, Chloe walked over to the long table in front of the main house and raised her voice to say hello, "Hey, Fourteen. ”

"Chloe, you're here. Raising his head and seeing the person coming, Lu Li showed a big smile, "I'm sorry that dinner isn't ready yet, I think you should continue to be hungry for a while." "Normally, dinner starts at eight o'clock, and now it's half past seven, and Chloe's arrival time is just right, but obviously Lu Li's progress today is a little slow, and it is estimated that the meal will not start until half past eight.

"It seems that good things always have to wait and wait. Chloe was not polite, and directly teased.

"It's all right, Chloe, if you're hungry, I can go and steam some buns to pad your stomach first. Jessica, who walked to the door of the main house, said in a loud voice.

Ronald was the first to cater to him, "Okay, okay!"

Lu Li couldn't laugh or cry, "Jessica, there should be some snacks in the cupboard, can you take them out?" Forget the buns, you have eaten the buns now, and you won't be able to eat dinner in a while, but I have prepared a lot of things today." "Eating steamed buns before dinner? It's like skipping dinner.

"Fourteen, are you worried that we're going to finish your buns?" Chloe teased with a smile.

Lu Li made a lot of steamed buns before, and gave them to a few friends, not only Lily, Chloe and others, but he also sent some to Liu Xiaoyan and Li Huainan to let them taste the craft.

Lu Li raised his hands stained with flour and made a gesture of surrender, "Please, please enjoy it with an open stomach!" The exaggerated demeanor caused everyone to laugh.

Chloe wrinkled her nose, then stepped forward with the gift in her arms, "Congratulations on your official move, welcome to New Bronfels!"

"It was a gift from the Thomas family. Robert also walked up, and his voice was like thunder, and it was buzzing.

Robert is a typical Texan, with a burly figure and a neatly trimmed mustache, it can be seen that he must have put a lot of thought into his beard, and the plaid shirt with jeans looks the same, but it is always a big hit among denim.

Lu Li's hands were covered with flour, he stretched out his hands, but he felt that it was not polite, but Chloe laughed, "I'll put it on the table in your living room." It's a set of handmade soaps, and I think you should be able to use them. ”

The lilac packaging is paired with a mint green bow and a card on it, and even if you don't take it, the faint scent of soap in the air immediately catches the attention of the sense of smell. "Thank you. Lu Li sincerely expressed his gratitude, "I was still thinking yesterday that it was time to buy some soap." You've solved my big problem. ”

Chloe's smile bloomed, "What are you doing now?Is pizza the main dish tonight?"

"Oh, no, no. Lily shook her head, and raised her right hand mysteriously, with a small creature in the palm of her hand, white and chubby in shape, but petite and lovely. Chloe looked at it carefully, and her thoughts didn't react for a while, but Robert recognized it first, "Isn't this a dumpling?"

Dumplings are quite famous in the United States, not because of Chinese/Chinese restaurants - mushu pork, kung pao chicken, and fish-flavored shredded pork are the main dishes of the restaurant, but because as a part of Chinese/Chinese culture, many people have heard about it in the media, but not many people have actually eaten it. Not to mention the central region like Texas, there are not many big cities on the east and west coasts, and you have to go to Chinatown to find it.

"Yes, yes, this is a dumpling!" Chloe looked surprised and a little excited, "So, are we going to eat dumplings tonight? Am I finally going to taste dumplings? Wait, what's the difference between this and buns?"

Lu Li shrugged, "You'll know after you taste it." "These are two very different things. Chinese/Chinese cuisine is not only troublesome to explain, but the point is that they can't understand anything, and it is better to taste it directly.

"I still think it's amazing. Lily exclaimed, "I can't believe they still use flour like this, it's so much worse than pizza." ”

"Can I learn it?" Chloe's eyes flashed brightly, and she looked at Lu Li excitedly, "I've always heard that this skill is very mysterious, and you must find a professional teacher to learn it. ”

It's the 21st century, and it's the age of the Internet, but the Western world's understanding of China is still very limited. In the past, Lu Li thought it was incredible, how could there be someone who was stupid enough to think that all Chinese/Chinese people ride bicycles and most Chinese/Chinese people have never used toothpaste? But after coming abroad, personal experience told Lu Li that all this is true.

In fact, in the final analysis, it is the lack and bias of media reports, as well as the lack of self-promotion in China/China. As a journalism student, Lu Li couldn't know better.

"For you, isn't all Chinese/Chinese stuff mysterious?" Lu Li's complaint made everyone laugh.

Lily held the dumplings in her hand, "But you have to admit that Chinese/Chinese cuisine is really full of magic, but it is also hard to put down." I now finally understand why Chinese cuisine is comparable to French cuisine. However, in my opinion, Chinese food is much tastier and the portions are adequate. ”

The last sentence of the complaint provoked laughter to erupt again.

Lu Li rolled out a piece of dough and put it in the palm of his hand, "Chloe, it's actually not difficult, you see, put the stuffing on this, don't have too much, otherwise it will burst, and then just pinch the skin." If you can't pinch it, stick a little flour to your hands and then pinch it again. In Lu Li's view, the most difficult part of dumplings is rolling the dough, and other links are not difficult.

"Wait, wait. But apparently Chloe doesn't think so, "You demonstrate it again." ”

"Yes, Fourteen, you explain it again. Lily also said, "I asked Ronald to record it, and I won't forget it when I go back." ”

Lu Li felt a little distracted, but what could he do? This is a group of Americans, who buy nine and five dollars and give him ten dollars and five, and he doesn't know how to get change.

"That's it, you guys come and make it, I said, step by step, practice brings true knowledge, isn't it?" Lu Li felt that if he didn't speed up, tonight's dinner would probably be postponed to nine o'clock, so he rolled the dough and asked them to make dumplings.

"Lu Li?" At this moment, a voice with doubts raised from behind, with a hint of uncertainty in his tone, but the familiar Chinese, the Chinese with the correct and round words, could not be clearer, Lu Li exclaimed, the savior is coming, "Uncle Li, Aunt Liu!"

In a group of English, Chinese suddenly appeared, Lu Li felt very kind, and couldn't help but show a big smile on his face, waving a rolling pin, and greeting.