C5 Meat Bun

Gu Fanjin had thought of this explanation early on, anticipating that these two little ones would ask about the sudden appearance of these things. Fortunately, they were still young and easy to convince. Sure enough, Momo's eyes lit up with surprise.

Momo trusted her big sister completely, not even questioning where the money came from or how she managed to buy things so early in the morning.

This was Gu Fanjin's first time taking care of children, even though she herself looked only about three years older than Momo. Watching Momo eagerly sniff the aroma while tending the stove, Gu Fanjin felt a pang of sadness. She resolved that since she was here now, she wouldn't let them suffer anymore.

"Momo, keep the stove going. I'm going to make some buns to steam."

Hearing there would be buns, Momo enthusiastically added more wood to the fire.

Gu Fanjin smiled and went to prepare the ingredients for the buns. She washed and minced ginger and green onions, diced pork and mushrooms, and took out some ham she had stored away, cutting it into small pieces.

She planned to make buns with a mushroom filling, using unleavened dough since there wasn't time to let the dough rise. She peeled a small winter melon, diced it finely, blanched it, and drained it.

She used peanut oil in the pan, which filled the room with a rich aroma as it heated. Gu Fanjin added the diced pork, mushrooms, ham, and winter melon, sautéing them together. She seasoned the mixture with minced green onions, ginger, salt, and pepper, adding a dash of sesame oil and thickening it with a cornstarch slurry. It had been a long time since she'd had buns; during tough times, she mostly ate instant noodles and bread, sometimes even dry, to avoid potential dangers.

Gu Fanjin was quick at making buns, and without a refrigerator, she didn't plan to steam too many. With her resources, she could always make more whenever they wanted.

Although the food easily fooled Momo, it was definitely not the time to bring out the steamer again; even she would find it hard to justify. Instead, she took the bamboo rack from the pot where the ribs were cooking and placed the freshly made buns on it.

When Gu Yanjun was awakened by the enticing aroma, he didn't even bother to put on shoes and ran barefoot to the kitchen. He caught sight of his second sister enjoying a big, fluffy bun, her mouth glistening with oil.

Gu Yanjun swallowed hard, his eyes wide with anticipation.

"Jun, come here," Gu Fanjin called out with a warm smile, beckoning him to the kitchen. This little guy was even easier to please than Momo; he didn't even ask where the food came from. Watching the two kids carefully holding the buns, taking tiny bites, it was clear they were reluctant to devour such delicious treats.

Though the buns were made with unleavened dough, she used refined flour, making them soft and white, and added extra meat for a juicy, flavorful bite. It wasn't until Gu Fanjin assured them there were plenty more in the pot that the two kids finally took big bites.

"Don't choke," Gu Fanjin said with a mix of amusement and concern. Then she remembered something—Jun hadn't washed his hands yet. When the buns came out of the pot, she had Momo wash up before eating.

"Momo, after you finish this bun, take Jun to wash his hands. It's time for dinner."

"Got it, sis," Momo replied.

Meanwhile, Gu Yanjun was too absorbed in enjoying his meaty bun to respond, savoring every bite. Once he finished the large bun, he was still so satisfied that he wanted to lick his fingers.