Chapter 42 : is a little more curious.

Ye Suiwan followed Xiao Yuyan to the kitchen and was surprised to find it clean and tidy, with no unpleasant odors. Instantly, she felt an even greater fondness for this home.  

“Wife, we have some pheasants and rabbits that I hunted in the mountains these past few days. Which one would you like to eat?”  

“Aren’t we saving them for the banquet?”  

Ye Suiwan really felt the need for meat, lots of it.  

There was plenty of food stored in the space, but no meat.  

“It’s enough. We don’t have any relatives in the village, and the people we invited are all close family friends, including the team leader, the secretary, some of my comrades, and a few of our good friends. You’ve also invited your comrades from the educated youth station. We’re planning for six tables. Is there anyone else you’d like to invite?”  

Xiao Yuyan took this opportunity to discuss the guest list with Ye Suiwan.  

“No, I’ll follow your arrangements. How about we have rabbit meat stewed with radish, with a layer of multi-grain cakes? As for the other dishes, let’s go check the vegetable garden.”  

Ye Suiwan thought it would be best to stick a circle of multi-grain cakes along the pot later so they’d have a staple food.  

For now, she could only make do with the available ingredients at the Xiao household. But once she moved in, the kitchen would be her domain.  

“Then let’s go pick the vegetables first.”  

Xiao Yuyan took her hand and led her to the backyard.  

In addition to vegetables, the backyard also had mint and some other herbs that she couldn’t immediately recognize.  

They eventually picked four radishes, a bunch of water spinach, and some eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. Earlier, she had spotted some dried mushrooms in the kitchen, so she planned to make a vegetarian soup as well. That would be enough for everyone.  

“Help me chop the rabbit meat into small pieces while I wash the vegetables.”  

“I’ll cook later, and you can chop firewood. As for learning how to cook, let’s wait until after I join the army. How about that?”  

Ye Suiwan smiled as she spoke.  

When she entered the house earlier, she noticed Xiao Yuyan wanted to learn how to cook, possibly because he was worried about his mother objecting.  

Even if Lin Lan didn’t mind, it would be better to wait until they were living alone before he started learning.  

“Alright.”  

Xiao Yuyan didn’t realize how much thought Ye Suiwan had put into it. If he had known, he would have told her she was overthinking, his father had been an excellent cook, and his mother had learned a lot from him. There was no way she would object to her son learning to cook.  

With their tasks divided, Ye Suiwan was left alone in the kitchen, giving her the freedom to showcase her skills. She used some seasonings from the space.  

If she added them in small amounts, people would simply think the dish tasted great because of her cooking skills, and they wouldn’t suspect anything unusual.  

Of course, she wouldn’t use anything too extravagant.  

“Brother, it smells so good! Mom said sister-in-law is cooking. She’s amazing! I can’t wait to eat!”  

Xiao Nuannuan walked into the yard with a backpack on, sniffing the air with an excited expression.  

“Nuannuan, you’re back? The food will be ready soon. Where’s your aunt and the two brothers?”  

Ye Suiwan called out from the kitchen door while stirring the mushroom soup. It would be done soon.  

“Sister-in-law, let me put my backpack down first, then I’ll tell you!”  

Xiao Nuannuan quickly ran to her room to put away the food she had exchanged for.  

“Alright, no rush.”  

Shortly after, Xiao Nuannuan ran back into the kitchen.  

“Wow, sister-in-law! What are you making?”  

“I could smell it from far away!”  

It wasn’t just the scent of meat, it was so enticing that she had practically run home.  

“Just some home-cooked dishes. Your brother is chopping wood in the backyard. See if he’s done. Take these two dishes to the table first, and then help bring out the rest.”  

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry about my brother. I can handle it.”  

She picked up the plates of stir-fried water spinach and eggplant with peppers and tomatoes, then walked toward the dining area.  

At this moment, Ye Suiwan removed the fire from the stove, ready to serve the rabbit meat, radish, and pancakes.  

As for the vegetarian soup, it could simmer for a bit longer.  

“Wanwan, I’ll take over. You should go rest.”  

Xiao Yuyan entered after washing his hands.  

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you. Just serve everything.”  

Ye Suiwan didn’t argue. Cooking was more fun when everyone participated.  

Once the food was set on the table, Xiao Nuannuan skillfully arranged the dishes. Soon after, Lin Lan returned with the two brothers.  

“Oh, what a blessing! It smells amazing. Thank you for your hard work, Wanwan.”  

Lin Lan smiled warmly.  

Ye Suiwan could tell she was genuinely speaking from the heart and returned her smile.  

Being recognized and appreciated was always a great feeling.  

“Mom, Chufan, Jinzhou, wash your hands and eat.”  

Xiao Yuyan called out.  

“Alright, we’ve already made the arrangements. The tables, chairs, and dishes will be delivered the morning after tomorrow.”  

“Tomorrow, we’ll bring back the meat, cigarettes, and alcohol.”  

“Since it’s a wedding banquet, I’ll make sure to do my best.”  

Lin Lan had been busy all day, but she didn’t feel tired at all.  

“Thank you, mom.”  

“Alright, let’s eat!”  

The vegetarian soup she made had been infused with spiritual spring water, perfect for relieving fatigue. Preparing for a wedding was exhausting!  

As the family sat down, Lin Lan gave the signal to start eating.  

“Sister-in-law, you’re amazing!”  

“Mom, try this rabbit meat. It’s different from how you cook it….it’s delicious!”  

Xiao Chufan eagerly praised the dish after taking a bite.  

Lin Lan smiled, picking up her chopsticks just as a rabbit leg was placed into her bowl.  

“Mom, you should have this.”  

“Oh, you child…”  

“Mom, eat!”  

Xiao Yuyan chimed in.  

“Alright!”  

Lin Lan took a bite and froze.  

The taste… It was shockingly familiar.  

It had been over ten years since she last had this flavor, thirteen years since Xiao’s father passed away. Even before that, he had been away for long periods, rarely coming home. But whenever he did, he always went hunting in the mountains and cooked delicious meals for the family himself.  

Seeing his mother’s reaction, Xiao Yuyan immediately understood what was going on.  

He picked up a piece of meat and tasted it, his gaze instantly locking onto Ye Suiwan.  

Ye Suiwan was confused. What… what was happening?  

She definitely didn’t poison anyone!  

Xiao Yuyan quickly explained, “Wanwan, don’t misunderstand. The rabbit meat you cooked tastes just like my father’s cook. That’s why my mom…”  

He trailed off, but Ye Suiwan instantly understood.  

She hadn’t expected her father-in-law to be such a good cook. She had been confident that her cooking would taste amazing, but to evoke such a strong memory? That was unexpected.  

“Mom, if you ever crave this dish again, I’ll cook it for you.”  

She placed another rabbit leg in Lin Lan’s bowl.  

Lin Lan could no longer hold back her tears.  

“Okay, okay… You’re such a good child. I lost my composure.”  

The three younger siblings finally realized what had happened and grew even more curious about the rabbit meat.  

They eagerly reached for more.  

This time, as they chewed, they truly tasted it this was their father’s cooking.  

Suddenly, their respect for Ye Suiwan deepened.  

“Then eat up!”  

Ye Suiwan smiled at them.  

She never expected that cooking rabbit meat would lead to such an emotional moment.  

But now, she found herself more curious about her late father-in-law.