Chapter 41 ☆ Pumpkin Soup (Part 1)

“I want to say it!” Cheng Yaoyao said it in an extremely serious tone. She pulled her hand back from Xie San’s and looked at Grandma Xie without any fear.

The setting sun turned deep red, casting a warm glow on Cheng Yaoyao’s porcelain-white face. Her peach blossom eyes were full of seriousness. “I took out the fine grain voluntarily. It has nothing to do with Xiao Fei or Brother Xie San.”

“Besides, if I move into your house and eat with you, it would seem too awkward and troublesome to share food with you.”

“Brother Xie San didn’t take advantage of me. He saved my life and gave me bamboo rats and mushrooms. If we want to settle the accounts one by one, I owe your family.”

“Anyway…anyway, he is not what you said!”

Cheng Yaoyao was so excited that she was incoherent. She blurted everything out in a rush, stuttering. After she finished speaking, she was still panting with excitement, and her fingers were trembling slightly.

Grandma Xie squinted at her, with no expression on her face.

Cheng Yaoyao came to her senses, and her heart skipped a beat. Oh no, was she too rude just now?

“Brother Zhao saved you? What happened?” Grandma Xie spoke slowly but mentioned something else entirely.

Cheng Yaoyao was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Xie San blankly.

Xie San pursed his lips and first took Cheng Yaoyao’s hand, guiding her to sit down. His broad palm provided a reassuring sense of strength, and Cheng Yaoyao calmed down unconsciously, looking at him with her delicate eyes.

Xie San gave her a soothing look, then turned to Grandma Xie and said, “It’s just a small matter.”

“It’s no small matter! I got lost in the mountains and was almost trampled to death by a wild boar. It was Brother Xie San who saved me,” Cheng Yaoyao immediately retorted.

Grandma Xie looked at Xie San deeply, then nodded and said to Cheng Yaoyao, “I see. Saving someone is the right thing to do; you don’t have to feel obligated to repay the favor by staying with us. You must have grown up in a good family, right? You can endure hardship for a day or two, but if it lasts longer, it will be difficult for you.”

Just as Xie San was about to speak, Cheng Yaoyao raised her head without hesitation, her eyes bright, and said, “Who said that the Xie family’s life will always be hard? Life is what you make of it. With me here, things will only get better and better.”

“Besides…” Cheng Yaoyao bit her lip and added softly but firmly, “As long as you’re happy, even the hardest days will feel sweet.”

Xie San and Grandma Xie both picked up on the deeper meaning behind Cheng Yaoyao’s words. Grandma Xie was deeply shocked because, in her generation, women would never have made such a bold and direct confession.

Xie San’s deep eyes were filled with turbulent emotions: Cheng Yaoyao wanted to live with him. Cheng Yaoyao believed in him.

It was as if the heavy shackles of many years were collapsing and being destroyed. Xie San stared at the girl with a rosy face who was so close to him, and his eyes became firm and bright.

Cheng Yaoyao blushed after her confession-like statement. Xie San’s gaze was so intense that it felt like it was burning holes in her face. He didn’t care that Grandma Xie and Xiao Fei were there, which made her feel even more embarrassed.

Grandma Xie remained silent for so long that Cheng Yaoyao began to feel uneasy. She secretly winked at Xie San and asked silently with her rosy lips, “Is Grandma angry?”

Xie San gently shook his head and signaled with his eyes for her to behave.

The two exchanged silent looks until Grandma Xie suddenly coughed and picked up her chopsticks. Cheng Yaoyao was startled and quickly lowered her head, cautiously picking up her chopsticks as well.

Cheng Yaoyao took a sip of the mung bean porridge. The taste was better than she expected. The porridge made with well water was fresher than the kind stored in a refrigerator. However, the rice wasn’t the most suitable for making porridge. She’d give it a score of 70.

The mung bean porridge was cool and refreshing, instantly dispelling the heat. Grandma Xie didn’t say anything, but her eyes showed a hint of surprise.

For a moment, the only sound at the table was the clinking of chopsticks against bowls.

Cheng Yaoyao noticed Xiao Fei was still looking pitiful with red eyes, so she picked up a piece of candied tomato for her.

Xiao Fei sniffed and put the tomato into her mouth, her eyes widening. The tomatoes grown at home tasted good to begin with, and after being sprinkled with white sugar, the unique sourness was balanced, becoming sandy. After a gentle suck in the mouth, it all turned into thick juice and slid down her throat.

Delicious food has a magical power that always makes people happy. Xiao Fei’s eyes curled with joy as she picked up her bowl to drink the porridge. The white rice was fragrant, the mung beans were refreshing, and the rice soup was thick. The rice grains were almost melted, but each one was distinct and never stuck together. Occasionally, she would drink a mung bean that was boiled until it blossomed, which was crunchy and soft when placed on the tongue.

Everyone was silent, but their chopsticks kept moving. There was no meat on the table, only a few dishes of the most common vegetables found in the countryside. However, the dishes prepared by Cheng Yaoyao were indescribably delicious.

Xie San’s favorite chili paste was ignored, as his chopsticks reached for the plate of cucumbers. They had been eating cucumbers since spring, and the whole family was actually a little tired of them, but they just wanted to save face for Cheng Yaoyao.

As Xie San took the crisp cucumber slices, his narrow eyes lit up slightly. The cucumber slices were so crisp that they made a snapping sound when eaten. The sweetness of the white sugar neutralized the saltiness and spiciness of the chili sauce, making it mellow and gentle. A little vinegar was the finishing touch, bringing out the crispness and freshness of the cucumber itself, so that the seasoning wouldn’t overpower it.

The cold-mixed wood ear vegetable ^[1]also known as a type of edible fungus, usually black, used in Chinese cuisine. was salty and delicious. After blanching, the leaves were still green and tender, and the slippery texture when chewed was very special.

Cheng Yaoyao’s control over seasoning was perfect. The preparation of each dish seemed simple, but the flavors were stimulated to the extreme.

All of the side dishes were completely eaten up.

The juice from the sugared tomatoes was the essence of the whole dish. The thick pink juice at the bottom of the plate was sweet and cold. Xiao Fei scooped it up and drank it all in one breath. It was even better than the popsicle her brother brought back from the city once!

Xie San had been carrying goods for the factory, and the manager gave him a popsicle when he saw how hard he was working. Xie San couldn’t bear to eat it, so he put it in a kettle and brought it back for his sister. By the time he got home, the popsicle had already melted into ice water. But in Xiao Fei’s memory, it was the most delicious drink she had ever had.

After the meal, Xiao Fei diligently cleaned up the dishes. Cheng Yaoyao took the opportunity to say, “Since I’m living here, I should contribute. Can I cook for you from now on?”

If it had been earlier, Grandma Xie would have refused outright, but after eating the meal prepared by Cheng Yaoyao, she hesitated before responding, “If you like, go ahead and cook. Just ask Xiao Fei to help you.”

“Yes!” Cheng Yaoyao agreed happily, her bright and beautiful face beaming, which left Grandma Xie momentarily stunned. She almost lost her serious expression. She coughed, turned around, and went back to her room.

As soon as Grandma Xie left, Xie San took the dishes from Xiao Fei’s hands and said, “Go wash your face.”

Xiao Fei’s eyes were still red from crying earlier, and she looked very embarrassed. She had stopped crying at first, but her brother’s gentle words almost made her tear up again.

Cheng Yaoyao nudged her, “Go wash your face quickly; we’ll make some sweet soup later.”

“Sweet soup?” Xiao Fei’s attention was diverted. She now felt that anything made by Cheng Yaoyao was the most delicious in the world, so she immediately ran off to wash her face.

Xie San, despite his long arms and legs, cleaned the table very neatly. He moved the bowls and chopsticks to the washbasin and soaked them in water, then wrung out a rag to wipe the table. Since there was no oil in the food, the tabletop was clean after just two wipes.

Xie San dismantled the table and moved it into the kitchen, then moved the small stools. Cheng Yaoyao sat on the last small stool without moving, resting her chin on her hand and looking lazy.

When Xie San glanced at her, she raised her little chin and hummed like a domineering little kitten.

Xie San glanced at the empty yard, then suddenly picked up both the bench and the person sitting on it.

“Oh!” Cheng Yaoyao let out a soft scream, wrapped her arms around Xie San’s neck, and was carried into the kitchen by him. “You’re so annoying!”

Xie San brought his nose close to hers and asked, “Want to come down?”

“I’ll come down myself.” Cheng Yaoyao pouted and obediently stood on the ground, completely unaware that Xie San had tricked her again.

Cheng Yaoyao tried to pull away from Xie San’s arms, but he just looked at her quietly. His gaze was so intense and deep that Cheng Yaoyao’s heart began to race.

She spoke first, “I know I shouldn’t have talked back to Grandma just now, but…”

“I know.” Xie San’s eyes held a smile as he gently stroked Cheng Yaoyao’s cheek.

“See, it wasn’t me being naughty this time!” Cheng Yaoyao immediately lifted her head proudly.

“Yeah, you’re the best,” Xie San nodded.

Xie San suddenly pulled out a roll of money from his pocket and handed it to Cheng Yaoyao.

Five one-dollar bills were neatly stacked together, and it was unclear how long they’d been kept.

Cheng Yaoyao’s smile froze on her face. After a long pause, she looked at Xie San intently and asked, “What do you mean by this?”

Xie San took Cheng Yaoyao’s hand and gently placed the money in her palm. His large hand was warm, with rough calluses. He said, “Grandma is right. A man who relies on a woman isn’t a good man.”

“I know you’re not short of money, but I’m a man.” A hint of frustration showed in Xie San’s eyebrows as he looked at her seriously.

The sight of Xie San’s clenched fist, veins bulging, made Cheng Yaoyao understand his pride more than ever before.

Cheng Yaoyao nodded gloomily.

Xie San added, “I brought back some food today, enough to last for a month. If we’re short of food, just let me know, and I’ll buy more.”

“Is there any money left at home?” Cheng Yaoyao asked worriedly. “You have to learn to drive a tractor soon, and that’ll cost money…”

“These are things a man should worry about.” Xie San interrupted gently but firmly, saying, “Yaoyao, wait for me. I won’t let you suffer with me.”

“Yeah…” Cheng Yaoyao nodded, wanting Xie San to hug her.