This time, when the dishes arrived, everyone already had their chopsticks ready. Each person took a piece, tasted it with enjoyment, and praised Yan Qiushu’s cooking skills.

Dongdong, who wasn’t tall enough, watched anxiously. Seeing no one picking food for him, he quickly shouted, “I want to eat too! I want to eat too!”  

The nanny quickly served him: “Young Master^[1]refers to Dongdong., you can’t eat spicy food. How about this?” 

She gave him something mild.  

Dongdong didn’t have time to respond. He loved eating, especially meat!  

He couldn’t wait any longer. When the food arrived in his bowl, he eagerly took a bite of the honey chicken wing. The salty and sweet tastes blended perfectly. He tasted the sweetness first, followed by the saltiness. The chicken was juicy and tender, with no bones to worry about.  

Xie Qingyun immediately picked up a piece for Madam Xiao: “Mother, you should try it.”  

Madam Xiao silently looked at her daughter-in-law with a hint of disapproval.  

Did he realize he didn’t want to disappoint the girl, so he deliberately took advantage of her kindness?  

Xie Qingyun was focused on the delicious food, not overthinking. She just wanted Madam Xiao to taste it. Although confused by the look she received, she kept eating. Despite her delicate movements, she ate quickly.  

The chicken wings, which didn’t require spitting out bones, were crispy outside, tender inside, and perfectly seasoned. She really liked them!  

Mrs. Xiao sighed as she saw both adults and children enjoying their meal. Her delicate granddaughter was eating with such delight that her eyes were closed in happiness. Even after the sour plum soup she just had, she picked up her chopsticks again.  

The first thing she ate was the honey chicken wings. They were salty and sweet, not greasy, and the flavors blended perfectly. The shell was still crispy, and the meat was tender, making it easy for her elderly teeth to manage.  

She chewed without difficulty.  

Almost without realizing it, the chicken wing slid down her throat.  

She had eaten it!  

Mrs. Xiao blinked at the spicy chicken wing left in her bowl. Logically, she shouldn’t eat more since one wing was usually enough for her dinner along with tonic soup.  

She normally had little interest in food since her husband and sons passed away one after another. She often felt conflicted between wanting to join them and staying for her remaining family. Eating had become a burden, with her frequently eating very little and vomiting it out afterward.  

But now, she felt like eating more.  

Mrs. Xiao picked up her chopsticks but didn’t choose another chicken wing since they could be heavy for her stomach. Even though the sour plum soup helped, she shouldn’t eat too much. Feeling a little more energetic, she turned to the light greens. They were simply boiled, but her tongue still appreciated the taste.

Seeing this, Xiao Huaiting, who had been secretly watching, relaxed and smiled. He raised an eyebrow and said, “Mom, is Miss Shu’s cooking good?”  

Feeling a little more at ease, Madam Xiao unconsciously smiled: “Yes, it tastes very good.”  

Xiao Huaiting’s voice brightened, and he said naturally, “Then Miss Shu should often cook for you in the future. Try everything, and if you like it, eat more.”  

Madam Xiao’s face immediately darkened, and she glared at her son: “Xiao Huaiting! Miss Shu is a guest, not your cook. She’s kind to you, but don’t take advantage of her. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll let your brother beat you up!”  

Madam Xiao’s scolding made everyone at the table quiet down.  

Yan Qiushu, who wanted to explain she was happy to cook, didn’t dare say a word.  

The usually serious young general now looked embarrassed in front of his family. Under Madam Xiao’s stern gaze, he shyly bowed to Yan Qiushu and said, “Miss Shu, please forgive my thoughtless words.”  

Yan Qiushu quickly responded, “It’s alright, General Xiao. There’s no need to be so polite.”  

They exchanged polite words, but Xie Qingyun, who disagreed, giggled and nudged Madam Xiao.  

“Ah Shu is still too shy!” Madam Xiao’s expression softened, but she continued to glare at her son: “If it were your fourth sister, she’d have beaten you up! Don’t do it again.”  

“Yes, yes!” Xiao Huaiting nodded, chuckling.

Even though he was scolded, he wasn’t upset at all. Instead, he smiled at seeing his mother lively for once.

Yan Qiushu found it funny too but also felt a warmth in her heart. In this unfamiliar and divided world, someone genuinely respected her. Even if there were some misunderstandings, she felt happy.  

She felt a little sympathy for Xiao Huaiting.  

Out of curiosity, she glanced at the young man next to her, worried he might be angry and stop working with her. When she looked up, their eyes met. He smiled apologetically, his beautiful eyes slightly crinkling. His gaze was bright, like stars.  

Yan Qiushu’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, guilt flooding her. At that moment, she suddenly remembered something.  

According to the plot, in two years, this kind-hearted and handsome young man would die in the struggle for power.  

As a minor character, his death would set the stage for the main character to rise.  

She shifted her gaze again and didn’t notice Xiao Huaiting’s slight surprise at her unintended smile.   

Yan Qiushu was amazed by Xiao Huaiting’s good looks. She forgot how beautiful her own face was, with big round eyes that were clear and bright. When she smiled, her eyes curved and sparkled. The two of them were sitting quite close to each other because of the seating arrangement.

Xiao Huaiting had never been this close to a woman before. He usually handled misunderstandings with his mother, sisters-in-law, and other sisters calmly, but this time he couldn’t maintain his calm. He blushed, felt embarrassed, and quickly looked down to eat.

He grabbed a random dish, and it turned out to be spicy chicken wings. He took a bite and was impressed by how good it tasted. He thought to himself, “I made the right decision! Why worry about misunderstandings? Eating is the best!”

The sour plum soup and chicken wings that Yan Qiushu brought were a hit with the Xiao family, especially the honey chicken wings. Wan’er, who usually didn’t eat much, ate three and wanted more, but her mother stopped her to avoid indigestion. So, Wan’er drank three cups of sour plum soup and ate other dishes. At the end of the meal, she kept hiccuping and got caught. She blushed and hid in her mother’s arms in embarrassment.

Dongdong ate so much that his belly became bloated. The nanny tried to help him, but he ended up whining from eating too much.

Yan Qiushu also ate a lot. The Xiao family dining table was more relaxed and less strict than what she remembered. Everyone chatted casually. Xie Qingyun asked Xiao Huaiting about the military camp and the third lady, Xiao Huaiyu, about her child.

They talked about Yan Qiushu, but since she and the family weren’t familiar with each other yet, they didn’t say much. Xie Qingyun was curious about her cooking, and Xiao Huaiyu, who rarely spoke up, finally asked, “Is it hard to make?”

“It’s not a big deal. Sour plum soup is simple too. I taught Madam Xu how to make it. If Miss Third likes it, Madam Xu can come learn, or I can make it and send it to you,” Yan Qiushu replied.

Xiao Huaiyu smiled and nodded, indicating her acceptance. Dongdong, who was listening, eagerly chimed in, “Sister Shu, I want some too!”

Yan Qiushu smiled and patted his head. “There’s one for you too.” She noticed Wan’er looking eagerly from the other side and added, “Wan’er has some too.”

Wan’er’s eyes lit up, and she gave a bright smile, nodding obediently. Yan Qiushu couldn’t help but find the Xiao family members adorable.