Chapter 7 : Tempting Fragrance

Fang Shijun happily and naturally reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Fang Xiaoluo’s ear. “What do you think I can do?”

Fang Xiaoluo thought for a moment and said, “Dad, do we have any potatoes? Please bring me five or six.”

She was considering that with the number of people in the Fang family, plus herself, there would be seven people for dinner. Without adding any other dishes, it might not be enough.

She heated oil in a pan and added a large fish, frying it until both sides turned a tempting golden brown. After splashing it with vinegar, the fragrance filled the air.

She added broth, green onions, ginger, and other ingredients, letting the mixture bubble and release a mouthwatering aroma.

Next, Fang Xiaoluo cleaned some pork belly, scraping off the skin to avoid any odd smells when making braised pork. She cut the pork into large pieces and set them aside.

She peeled the potatoes, sliced them, and soaked them in water. The tofu was cut into chunks.

She quickly finished all the preparations.

She washed the rice and set it in a steaming rack above the fish pot, steaming a large bowl of rice.

On another stove, she heated oil, added sugar, and simmered it until it turned reddish. Then she dropped the large pieces of meat into the pan with a sizzle, stirring until each piece was coated with a red color. Only then did she add water and various seasonings, letting it simmer slowly.

Before long, the kitchen was filled with the fragrant smells of fish, rice, and braised pork, making the air irresistible.

Checking the time, Fang Xiaoluo scooped out some fish soup and planned to add tofu later, making it lighter for Zhang Xinyan to eat.

The fish soup had a creamy white color, and the aroma was incredibly inviting.

The rest of the soup continued to simmer with the added ingredients.

At around five o’clock, when Fang Xiaoluo had just finished bringing out the rice and served the fish, the others began to return.

“Mom, are you feeling better?”

“Mom, what’s going on today? It smells so good, what’s cooking?”

Three people walked in with backpacks, and when they saw Fang Xiaoluo in the kitchen, they were stunned.

Fang Shijun quickly introduced her.

“Xiaoluo, this is Fang Jie, Fang Yamei, and Fang Yating.”

Fang Xiaoluo knew that these were the original owner’s younger brother and two younger sisters.

Fang Jie was currently in the second year of high school in the provincial capital.

Fang Yamei was in her second year of junior high in the town, and Fang Yating was in sixth grade of primary school, soon to start junior high.

Despite the Fang family’s poverty, they had not given up on educating their children.

Even Xu Yaqiu, despite everything, had been supported in her studies by the Fang family, though she herself had failed to attend high school after finishing middle school.

“Xiaojie, Yamei, Yating, this is your eldest sister, Fang Xiaoluo.”

The three were stunned, as they had heard that their biological sister had no intention of returning.

Fang Yating, the youngest and quick to speak, said, “Eldest sister? Didn’t you say you weren’t coming back?”

Fang Yamei nudged Fang Yating, signaling her to stop talking.

Fang Xiaoluo wasn’t bothered. She ruffled Fang Yating’s head and said, “I didn’t know how beautiful and lovely you all were before. Now that I know, I had to come back and be your big sister.”

Fang Yating nodded obediently. “Eldest sister, you smell so nice and are so pretty.”

Fang Jie, being older, looked at Fang Xiaoluo with suspicion.

He knew his mother had been upset after getting caught in the rain yesterday.

When he left for school this morning, his mother was still unwell.

Just as he was about to speak, the eldest son of the Fang family, Fang Qiang, who worked in Jiangcheng, returned.

“What’s everyone doing in the kitchen? It smells so good,” Fang Qiang asked. “Dad, where did you get the fish and meat?”

“Your sister, Xiaoluo, bought them,” Fang Shijun said.

Fang Qiang walked in and immediately saw the graceful young woman standing in the kitchen.

“Are you Xiaoluo?”

“Hello, big brother,” Fang Xiaoluo greeted warmly.

Fang Qiang looked her up and down. He had been curious and visited Xu Yaqiu’s home twice to see what his biological sister looked like, but never saw her.

He knew his mother had been upset after getting caught in the rain yesterday. He was angry with Xu Yaqiu for her coldness, and also resentful of Fang Xiaoluo for not coming out to meet his mother.

But now, with Fang Xiaoluo standing in front of him, smiling warmly, he found he couldn’t stay angry.

It was a complicated feeling.

“Are you staying now, or will you leave?”

Fang Xiaoluo knew what Fang Qiang was asking about. “I’m staying, unless you don’t want me.”

Fang Qiang walked over and rubbed her head. “It’s good that you’re back.”

Fang Xiaoluo gave a big smile in return. It was true that the Fang family had good genes, Fang Qiang and Fang Jie were both very handsome, and Fang Yamei and Fang Yating each had their own unique beauty.

Fang Shijun sighed, feeling grateful that their family had finally reunited.

Fang Xiaoluo called out, “Everyone, wash your hands. I’ll make two more dishes, and then we can eat.”

The fish, braised pork, and white rice were placed on the table, making everyone’s mouths water.

Fang Xiaoluo also made braised tofu, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and then stewed the remaining tofu with the fish soup.

By the time all the dishes were on the table, Zhang Xinyan had woken up.

After taking a nap, she felt like her fever had subsided, and she was already feeling much better.

The dishes on the table looked as if it were New Year’s, rich in color, fragrance, and flavor.

The seven of them sat around the table, and Fang Xiaoluo placed the tofu fish soup in front of Zhang Xinyan. “Mom, this is light and good for your health.”

Zhang Xinyan was deeply moved. She took a sip of the soup, the flavor lingering on her lips, and said, “Delicious, really delicious.”

Fang Xiaoluo selected the part of the fish with fewer bones and placed it on Zhang Xinyan’s plate, also adding some shredded potatoes.

When she looked up, she noticed that everyone was watching her, none of them had picked up their chopsticks.

She smiled and looked at the others. “Eat, don’t be shy.”

Seeing that both Fang Shijun and Fang Qiang had started eating, Fang Jie and the others followed suit, picking up a piece of bright red braised pork.

After all, it had been so long since the Fang family had eaten meat like this.

Even during the New Year, they hadn’t had such a feast.

The meat, with its rich sauce, melted in their mouths. It was fatty but not greasy, and even the lean meat was tender and flavorful, making them wish they could swallow their tongues along with it.

The meal was devoured quickly, and even the fish soup and the braised pork sauce were mixed with rice, leaving nothing behind.

Fang Yamei rubbed her stomach and praised, “Eldest sister, your cooking is amazing.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll cook for you often in the future,” Fang Xiaoluo said.

Fang Yamei thought about the delicious dinner they just had and said, “But this is so expensive. We haven’t had a meal like this in years.”

Fang Xiaoluo replied, “Before, I didn’t know how beautiful and lovely you all were. Now that I know, I’ll try to make sure you have meat every day.”

Fang Yamei’s eyes brightened. For some reason, she really wanted to believe her new sister.

Fang Yating, full and content, sighed happily. “Eldest sister, I feel like I’ve never eaten such a full meal in my life.”

Fang Xiaoluo laughed at her, “How old are you? And you’re talking about your whole life.”

Fang Jie glanced around, stayed silent, and quickly began cleaning up the dishes to wash them.

Fang Qiang noticed how much better Zhang Xinyan seemed. “Mom, how are you feeling now?”

“Once your sister came back, I felt like I instantly got better. The fever’s gone, and I don’t feel uncomfortable anymore. I even ate a bowl and a half of rice just now.”

While Fang Xiaoluo chatted with Zhang Xinyan and Fang Shijun, Fang Jie and the others went off to do their homework, and Fang Qiang went out to sweep the yard and chop wood.

Everyone was busy with their own things, and occasionally, some villagers would stop by to ask about Fang Qiang or Fang Xiaoluo.

After finishing the chores at home, Fang Qiang took Fang Yamei and Fang Yating to work in the fields.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yanwen, who had just started his first year in school, was troubled. Ever since he saw Fang Xiaoluo earlier that day, he couldn’t stop thinking about her, something that had never happened before.

Before, Fang Xiaoluo always followed him around, and whether or not he paid attention to her was up to him.

He thought that Fang Xiaoluo would come to find him this afternoon, but now it was already late and she hadn’t shown up.

“What are you doing here?” Zhou Yanwen asked irritably.

Zhou Qingyou, his younger brother, didn’t mind and cheerfully said, “Brother, guess who I saw in front of the embroidery factory today?”

Zhou Yanwen, lying on the bed, groaned, “Who cares? Just get out.”

Zhou Qingyou grinned, “I saw Fang Xiaoluo. The people at the embroidery factory gave her some money. It was quite a lot, thick stacks of it. I saw it with my own eyes.”

Zhou Yanwen immediately sat up, his mood lifted. “Really?”

“Of course, my school is right across from the embroidery factory. Why would I lie to you?” Zhou Qingyou grinned. “By the way, bro, I’ve run out of pocket money. Can you…?”

“Get lost!” Zhou Yanwen kicked him. “You skipped class again? Watch out, I’ll tell mom and dad. Go now!”

Zhou Qingyou snorted, “So stingy, should’ve kept quiet.”

As the door shut again, Zhou Yanwen felt a weight lift from his heart.

He knew that whenever Fang Xiaoluo got paid from the embroidery factory, she’d always buy him something the next day. If he said he didn’t have money, she’d save up and give him some.

The last time they went to the department store, she promised to buy him a pair of new leather shoes with her next paycheck.

If it weren’t for that awful woman, Chen Meijun, always withholding Fang Xiaoluo’s money, she would’ve bought them long ago.

With that thought, Zhou Yanwen felt a mix of anticipation and distaste on his face. He knew that tomorrow, Fang Xiaoluo would come to him with those shoes to apologize.