Everyone got busy, except for Jiang He and Tao Xingni, who were still standing there without lifting a finger.
Nobody knew what Tao Xingni was thinking. She kept looking around, especially at the seated Jiang Nuo, who was busy thanks to another woman, and finally teased, "Jiang, the male god, you're a big man doing nothing while the women hustle around, isn't that unmanly?"
She even wanted to go over and chat with him.
But Jiang Nuo didn't really want to entertain her and replied, "That's because my wife cares for me. If you want, you can let your husband take care of you, too." As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang He, who was also setting up a couple of bricks to sit down.
Hehe! Was Jiang He trying to imitate him and make Tao Xingni do the work?
Did Tao Xingni look like she could work?
Of course, his own wife didn't seem like someone who could work either, petite and fair-skinned. Yet, she's incredibly capable. Look, in such a short time, other people hadn't even set up their pots, and she already got hot water and was ready to cook the rice.
While the rice was cooking, she started cleaning the crabs and chicken.
Jiang Nuo stopped paying attention to Tao Xingni and approached his wife, chatting with her, "Wifey, let me lend you a hand!"
"No need, just sit beside me, I'll be done soon." Mu Qiuniang placed the crab belly-up into the water, and when it flipped over, it was already fainted. This method makes the crab docile and avoids pinching fingers, while also preserving its taste.
Next, Mu Qiuniang took a toothbrush and scrubbed the back, belly, and mouth of the crab vigorously.
Then she cleaned each side and the base of its legs and claws.
The next critical step was to grasp the pincers (using the toothbrush handle to lift the joint from below and pinch the claw with thumb and forefinger smoothly upward along the claw base. For particularly feisty crabs, press down a few times or tap the claws) to open the abdomen flap and squeeze out excrements.
Finally, she washed the crab's abdomen and pincers, finishing the cleaning process.
Into the bowl it went, time for the next one.
Her swift and efficient movements left Jiang Nuo staring in admiration, "Wife, you're amazing! The hardest crabs listen to you like that."
"Practice makes perfect."
"Yes, yes, my wife is the best, here's a reward!" he said, giving Mu Qiuniang a peck on the cheek.
Mu Qiuniang blushed in front of the camera, and her previously expressionless face suddenly came alive. She gave him a shy and annoyed glare, "People are watching."
"It's fine, kissing my own wife isn't illegal," Jiang Nuo chuckled foolishly.
Mu Qiuniang: "..."
With the second crab cleaned, she moved on to the half chicken, preparing it. It was essentially already cleaned, only needing a rinse with warm water.
She started chopping up the chicken.
In no time, the half chicken was sliced into several pieces and placed on a plate.
Jiang Nuo cheerfully leaned in for another kiss, claiming it as a reward.
Mu Qiuniang was a bit helpless, but her fond indulgence was also obvious.
In contrast to this couple's sweetness, the other three celebrity couples weren't doing so well. Zhao He and Liu Yujiao were okay; they chose noodles, which only required setting up the pot and boiling water. Zhuo Yihang and Liu Qingqing dug a shallow pit and started searching for thin sticks to "grill"; meanwhile, Jiang He and Tao Xingni had started quarreling.
Yes, they were quarreling.
Although they weren't shouting insults, it was clear they were at odds, glaring at each other or ordering one another to "dig the pit," "wash the veggies," and such, a heavily charged atmosphere.
The cameraman said: elsewhere they're lovey-dovey, but why is it a battlefield here?
The rice cooked, smelling fantastic, with a crispy layer at the bottom.
Mu Qiuniang shared some of the crispy bits with Jiang Nuo, letting him munch on them while starting to fry the crabs.
Soon, enticing aromas wafted through the air, catching Zhao He, Liu Yujiao, and the others who were still waiting on the noodles. They looked over, filled with envy.
"Wifey, see? I told you we should cook more often for the perks. Look at what they're about to eat, and look at us..." Zhao He lamented.
Liu Yujiao glared at him, "Why should I be the one to cook? Can't you? Who said before that marrying me means cherishing me in the palm of your hand? What, have you changed your mind and are planning to make me a kitchen drudge?"
"No, no! I'm just a bit jealous of Jiang Nuo, you know how lucky he is!"
Liu Yujiao gritted her teeth, "What, are you thinking of swapping wives?"
"Wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare!" Zhao He quickly begged for mercy.
Zhuo Yihang didn't dare suggest swapping wives but was lured by the aroma from Jiang Nuo's side: "Wife, I think I need to sign up for cooking classes at home to cook delicious meals for you every day, how about it?"
Liu Qingqing, munching on charred skewers, replied, "Sure, then I'll be waiting to taste Zhuo the Divine Chef's food."
Zhuo Yihang blinked: "Wasn't this the part where you're supposed to compete for the cooking class?"
"I'm being gracious. I think such an important task should be left to my husband. If I do everything, where would you have the chance to shine, right?" Liu Qingqing smiled sweetly.
Zhuo Yihang, realizing he had dug his own pit, lamented: he initially just wanted to spur his wife to sign up for the cooking class.
While the three celebrity couples were ready to eat, over at Jiang He and Tao Xingni's side, they were just now finishing digging and setting up the pot.
Tao Xingni couldn't be bothered, set the pot, and said, "Your turn now, you handle kneading the dough."
Jiang He: "I don't know how."
Tao Xingni: "Neither do I. Anyway, we agreed earlier, each doing something, start kneading."
Jiang He's face was a bit embarrassed, he took a bowl, added some water, then poured in flour. He realized he added too much flour, so he added water. Then found there was too much water and added flour... and so it repeated.
Soon, all the flour was gone, yet no dough appeared, just some gluey mixture in the bowl.
Frying the crabs was quick, and the golden crabs on the plate looked especially appealing.
After adding water to the pot, Mu Qiuniang made a light chicken soup.
It's really worth mentioning that Mu Qiuniang worked quickly. Even though what she made was more complicated than others, just as others were halfway through eating, she had already freshened everything, placed it on the table, and called her husband to eat.
Zhao He and Zhuo Yihang, looking at their own tables, wished to "snatch" it.
Dammit! Having a wife with magical culinary skills is truly enviable!
Why can't their wives do that?
Yet, seeing Jiang He and Tao Xingni's situation, they felt instantly fortunate. What on earth was in that pot, with flour, tofu, and ginger? It wasn't quite hot pot, nor noodle soup, so how do they eat it?
Jiang He and Tao Xingni were in no mood to eat, their faces dark.
Indeed, comparison brings despair!
Zhao He, Liu Yujiao, Zhuo Yihang, and Liu Qingqing felt much better about their dinner, not perfect but better than some.
Thus, the day ended with Jiang Nuo enjoying crabs and chicken soup while surrounded by his loving wife under the spotlight. The delicious food and his satisfied look even transmitted through the screen, tempting the audience, who had just eaten dinner, to feel hungry all over again.